Au Sable River Guide Service

05/13/2026

Here's a great short film about the Teton River and what can go wrong when we dam rivers. It, notably, tells what goes right when you don't dam rivers. Check it out and pass it on.

🎬 The Film: SECOND CHANCE Presented by American RiversA River. A Community. A Second Chance.The Teton River flows quietly through eastern Idaho, a wild trou...

04/11/2026

On the weekend of May 1 to 3, TU National is having the Midwest Regional Rendezvous at the RAM Center in Roscommon. On Friday, May 1st they have scheduled an area fishing event for those who signup for the Rendezvous. I have signed up as one of the host for a guided fishing trip on either the Au Sable or Manistee rivers. I also have three other area guides who have signed up as drift boat guides. That equates to capacity for eight fly fishers guests. We need more guides/boats, probably another 3-4 more. These guide trips are free to our guests but maybe there would be a little gratuity involved for those that volunteer to guide. We'll see. 😃 If anyone out there wants to volunteer to guide on Friday, May 1st please contact me, either by responding to this post or by messaging me. Thanks, Capt Tom Quail

02/23/2026

Here is a great article about the fish passage experiment in Traverse City.

Massive concrete channels will form the core of the experimental FishPass structure, which is designed to sort native fish from invasive species.

02/14/2026

I had the pleasure of enjoying a presentation on bamboo rods and how they are made. The presenter was Ron Barch, owner of Alder Creek Angling. Check out his website here:

Ron Barch of Alder Creek Angling offers custom-built bamboo fly rods and is a publisher of books related to the history and building of split cane rods. You can view and purchase his rods and books at Alder Creek Angling.

02/13/2026

Here's a short clip on right's of the public to enjoy Colorado's rivers and streams for recreation.

“…Access to rivers and waterways isn’t just about fishing or rafting or recreating, it’s about the connection we have to nature and to the land.” - Nallely B...

10/24/2025

The HeadWaters Land Conservancy is working to get the word out about their once in a lifetime opportunity to protect an amazing parcel on the Holy Waters of the Au Sable. They protect the land, they protect the water, and they protect the trout.

Property History Crawford County We are excited to announce our plans to acquire and protect a beautiful, ecologically significant parcel of land along the Au Sable River in Crawford County. This p…

07/21/2025

Yesterday I was wade fishing on the South Branch of the Au Sable. I was minding my own business when all of a sudden an Au Sable Boat comes up on my left side. There was no notification, no yelling, no nothing. It ran right over my fly line. Then the guide flipped me off. I have to visit all the fly shops in Grayling and Mio today to distribute Michigan Trout Unlimited magazines. I'm going to inquire if any of these shops booked this float. If I find out who this is, I'm going right to the shop owner and reporting what happened. The guide looked to be in his mid to late twenties and the clients were an older couple. They looked very embarrassed. I wish I was younger than my 76 years older. I would put my fist right in his face. JACK ASS!

07/03/2025

I HEREBY DECLARE THAT I DO NOT GIVE MY PERMISSION FOR FACEBOOK OR META TO USE ANY OF MY PERSONAL DATA.
I hereby declare that I do not give my permission for Facebook or Meta to use any of my personal data.

04/05/2025

I booked a guide trip yesterday with Braden Powell, owner of Fishwater Outfitters, down in the Charleston, South Carolina area, for red fish. It was a great trip and Braden is a great guide. I had quite a bit of trouble casting and double hauling the 9wt rod. It was just too heavy for me and my bad shoulder. Braden was very patient. I would highly recommend booking a trip with Braden, and Fishwater Outfitters.

03/31/2025

I just thought I would post this again to see if anyone wants to take up this offer.

02/11/2025

I am back for my eleventh year of fly fishing guiding. I am a US Coast Guard Captain. I've been fly fishing for over 30 years and teaching fly fishing for over 15 years. I'm introducing something that I've wanted to do for some time. This year I am offering guide trips and fly fishing lessons (casting, presentation, knot tying, etc.) for our youth and women/girls/ladies at a significantly lower price. I'm offering this because it's my way of offering something back to this sport and enhancing our future in this sport and conservation. For youth, girls and/or boys, under the age of seventeen, and for women/girls/ladies, I will take them on a guided full day or half day trip for $200. My usual rate for a full day trip is $500 and for a half day trip is $400. I am also offering instruction for $25/hour total, minimum 2 hours, for up to four students. One thing to note, anglers under seventeen years old need to be accompanied by an adult or guardian 21 years old or older. I can supply all the necessary equipment, rods, reels, flies, etc. at no additional charge. Waders are not necessary because you'll be fishing out of a ClackaCraft Headhunter drift boat. I'm offering these discounts because these two groups are the future of fly fishing and the conservation efforts associated with fly fishing. I'm also offering a free one year membership to Trout Unlimited, a $35 value. This is truly a free membership as you are not required to sign up with your credit card. I'm beginning bookings now and trips May 1st through September 30th. Please contact me if you are interested.