O/T Passing of Rusty Gates

[Big D]

Many of you midwestern fly fishers may have known Rusty Gates and Gates Lodge on the Au Sable in Grayling. He lost his fight with lung cancer this morning. He was a creative fly tier and more importantly, a giant among conservationists.

[Old and Reliable]

A Grayling, Michigan legend, one of the founders of the Anglers of the AuSable and prime mover for the flies-only or "Holy Water" section of the AuSable's main branch. The storied South branch of the AuSable had the late George Mason as its main benefactor, very few could argue that "Rusty" was the main benefactor of both the storied AuSable and the great fishing that in past years, drew such "luminaries" as Detroit rod maker supreme Paul Young, Ernest Schwiebert, Bernad "Lefty" Kreh and others.

Formerly Zoe's Canoe Inn, Rusty's father, Calvin Gates Sr. bought it in the 1960's and over the years its location by Stephan's Bridge, the room (The Brown Trout Suite my favorite) the poker games, the dealings on fine rods and reels, the lessons in fly tying, Rusty's chart as to the various hatches, all part of the warp and woof of a great tradition.

But I know "Rusty" will be working the next stretch of "Holy Waters" elsewhere. Goodby old friend, I haven't wet a line in some time, but the memories still remain, like a timeless flowing ever changing trout stream!