The AuSable River: Seasons of Angling and Inspiration

By Mike Williams

I consider two rivers to be my “home waters”, the Big Two Hearted in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and, of course, the AuSable. Although there are people who spend more time on the AuSable than I do, I have spent a majority of my free time fly fishing from Grayling to the mouth in Oscoda. I love this river and the changes that it goes through, including the seasons and the opportunities or inspiration it brings with each of those seasons.

In the springtime, fishing consists of chasing Brown Trout with streamers and then following the bugs through about July 4th on the river’s upper sections for Rainbow, Brook, and Brown Trout as an obsession. This time of year also allows for Steelhead and Atlantic Salmon in the early spring, with smallmouth fishing (pike too) on the lower below Foote Dam following as the temps rise. Many morel mushrooms have been found along the river during this time as well, providing a delicious treat. The only fish I tend to keep is an Atlantic Salmon here or there, as everything else is caught and released.

In the summer - early July and August, I spend a great deal of my time fishing for Brown Trout (if the water temperatures allow) at night, but usually only in the upper sections and on the South Branch. Occasionally, my family and I will use the lower section to float or swim, but this time of year is perhaps the time that I try to get projects around the house completed.

Once September comes along and most of the tourists in canoes have gone home, I return to the river - my happy place. This time of year is about Brown Trout on streamers and deer hunting along the AuSable’s banks, with a few trips here and there to chase a fall-run steelhead or Atlantic. This time of year is my absolute favorite on the river, with reflections of the fall colors providing a beautiful contrast against the darker waters of the upper AuSable, yet matching the darker spawning colors of the Brown and Brook Trout. The fish are meaner, and memories of trips past with my grandpa are much more vivid this time of year.

Winter tends to be a bit of a repeat of fall, but with conditions a little less favorable for the angler, including fish that become a little harder to trick. On a snowy day though, there is a quietness to the river that is only present during this time of year. The river appears to seamlessly absorb the flakes of snow that fall into the water, and the water appears to be at its darkest of the year, at least against the bright white of snow. As an outdoorsman, I’ve also been very active in trapping during this time of year and for many reasons, with the first being one more opportunity to be on or near the river.

The AuSable is many things to me... It’s an inspiration for the artwork that I do; an old friend when I need some time to myself and time to reflect; a place to make and build friendships; a reminder of people and experiences that have passed; a place to share with my children; and a provider of food throughout the year - but not trout! They get released!

I’m so grateful for those in my circle who brought me in to help with the Marathon. Kathy Erickson, a longtime colleague, was the first to ask if I would be interested in donating a piece for auction. I immediately agreed to help and knew that those who followed me on social media would most likely be interested in purchasing whatever I created. Little did I know that the original paddle would bring in the money that it did, with my second paddle more than doubling what the first piece brought in.

People have responded so well to what I’ve created in the past two years, and I hope that I can continue to build on the success of my pieces. I’m also working on a mural to help celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the race that will be on display at Oscoda High School. Whether working on a paddle, a mural, or a painting, the process really doesn’t change for me. I do love being able to hold a piece in my lap while working, regardless of silly angles or edges that can cause grief, it’s really just part of the whole process of getting close to the work and working together to figure it out. I think the challenges are what make the payoff even more rewarding. Needless to say, the AuSable River is part of who I am. Every piece that I do, whether for the canoe marathon or not, has roots deep in the love that I have for this river, the fish, and animals that call it home, and the people who adore it as much as I do. That emotion is absolutely present in the creative process of every single piece that I create, and it is absolutely the reason that people seem to connect with my work.

Mike Williams is an educator and artist based in Alcona County, Michigan. Mike has contributed his time and talent to Paddles For the Marathon since the fundraiser began in 2021. Paddles For the Marathon highlights the talents of Mike and other artists who create one-of-a-kind pieces of art on replica canoe paddles. The paddles are available for purchase through an online auction that runs July 23rd –August 6th. Proceeds from the auction support the Marathon Scholarship Fund, which provides four scholarships each year. Mike’s 2023 creation, along with paddles from all the artists, can be viewed on the Marathon’s website.

Expert Division Split Time Records

CheckpointsYearTimeTeam (Ages)

Burton’s Landing20180:41:12Andrew Triebold (42) & Steve Lajoie (42)

Stephan Bridge20181:12:50Andrew Triebold (42) & Steve Lajoie (42)

Wakeley Bridge19931:41:29Jeff Kolka (34) & Bill Torongo (31)

McMasters Bridge20212:37:46Jorden Wakeley (31) & Matt Meersman (44)

Parmalee Bridge20213:39:30Jorden Wakeley (31) & Matt Meersman (44)

Camp Ten Bridge20214:41:15Jorden Wakeley (31) & Matt Meersman (44)

Mio Dam 20215:05:38Jorden Wakeley (31) & Matt Meersman (44)

McKinley Bridge20216:48:05Jorden Wakeley (31) & Matt Meersman (44)

4001 Bridge 20217:38:04Jorden Wakeley (31) & Matt Meersman (44)

Alcona Dam 20218:14:26Jorden Wakeley (31) & Matt Meersman (44)

Loud Dam 202110:01:54Jorden Wakeley (31) & Matt Meersman (44)

Five Channels Dam202110:26:58Jorden Wakeley (31) & Matt Meersman (44)

Cooke Dam 202111:27:41Jorden Wakeley (31) & Matt Meersman (44)

Foote Dam 202112:37:48Jorden Wakeley (31) & Matt Meersman (44)

Oscoda (Finish Line)202113:54:09Jorden Wakeley (31) & Matt Meersman (44)

2nd Half 19947:01:54Serge Corbin (37) & Solomon Carrière (37)

Expert Division Point-to-Point Records

YearTimeTeam (Ages)

20180:41:12Andrew Triebold (42) & Steve Lajoie (42)

20170:31:24Steve Lajoie (41) & Guillaume Blais (31)

19930:28:21Tony Short (29) & Scott McKenzie (35)

20210:54:50Jorden Wakeley (31) & Matt Meersman (44)

19961:01:43Jeff Kolka (37) & Serge Corbin (39)

20211:01:45Jorden Wakeley (31) & Matt Meersman (44)

19750:22:05Jerry Kellogg (31) & Jeff Kellogg (30)

20211:41:11Wesley Dean (26) & Weston Willoughby (30)

20140:48:55Andrew Triebold (38) & Steve Lajoie (38)

20170:35:31Christophe Proulx (22) & Samuel Frigon (21)

19871:43:10Serge Corbin (30) & Brett Stockton (24)

20100:23:06Josh Taylor (31) & Matt Meersman (33)

19860:57:13Randy Drake (32) & Eric McNett (31)

19871:08:11Serge Corbin (30) & Brett Stockton (24)

19911:15:32Serge Corbin (34) & Brett Stockton (28)