Where to Fish!
Boardman RiverManistee River
AuSable River
The Boardman River: Fishing near Traverse City
Use Garfield Road as a starting point, it's in the middle of TCShumsky Road Access: take Garfield Rd south out of town until you reach River Road. Turn Right and go about 3 1/2 miles to Shumsky Road. Watch closely for a small road/access sign. Turn Left onto Shumsky Rd. and soon you will find a public access site. Comfortable wading with good fishing both up and down stream. Private property limits other access in this fine stretch.
Below Brown Bridge Dam: Take Garfield Rd. to River Road. Turn Left - cross the next road... very soon you will cross a small bridge. Park near the bridge and enter the Boardman on the upstream side. A nice wade through a short stretch in the "Brown Bridge Quiet Area". You can wade up to the dam, exit at the steps and walk the road back to your car. Or park at the dam and do the reverse. I prefer to wade up and down stream. Easy wading, a very attractive natural area and a fine spot for kids & beginners.
Above Brown Bridge Dam: For a more solitary experience, you can continue from this small bridge over the Boardman.. and take Brown Bridge Rd (a dirt road) at least 1/2 mile or so upstream of the dam pond. Keep watching on your left and pick a likely pull-off.. a hike through the woods on a well used path will get you to the river. Some trails will get you into nice stretches of the upper Boardman.... Continue on the road upstream; check out Ranch Rudolf on the river and the fishing access at "Scheck's" and the "Forks". Easy wading, medium exertion. (you can use this route to connect with Supply Rd. beyond the Forks and you're on your way to the Manistee)
The Manistee River: Fishing an hour away from town
If you're in Traverse City, you must find Supply RoadTake Garfield Rd south out of town to the light at Hammond Rd. Turn Left - continue through the light at Three Mile Rd. - bearing Right at the 3-way intersection after Four Mile Rd - you will make a Left at the next obvious 3-way intersection - and, Lo !, you are on Supply Road. (eventually crossing the Boardman River - you'll see signs for Ranch Rudolf and the Forks - you're near the north branch)
Above CCC Bridge: Take Supply Road until it seems to end; that is, you take it across 131, through South Boardman, cross M-66 and continue, Supply will change to a gravel road. Continue on to a Stop sign. Turn Right and continue over, the CCC Bridge. The Fly Fishing Only water is upstream of the bridge. Turn Left on King Rd and drive upstream. You will find a number of access spots mingled with private property. I like this area very much. Varied bottom of sand and gravel, good wading, and the opportunity for larger fish. You'll like it too. Easy walk but wading skills may come in handy.
Fine stretches of the Manistee may also be reached from the M-72 area between Kalkaska and Grayling, (see below for getting to Grayling) and County Rd 612 further upstream from M-72. Grab a map and check out these roads and the connecting Manistee River Road. And you won't have to find Supply Road to get there.
For more information on these and other rivers, you should check with Streamside Orvis, 231-938-5337, in the GT Resort, The Northern Angler, 231-933-4730, on Union Street in TC. All are well-stocked stores with sound advice and guide services. Explore: the Boardman's North Branch near Broomhead Rd., Ranch Rudolf, Nolan's Cigars downtown, Apache Trout Grill, Bob Summers' Classic Bamboo Rod Building shop on the Boardman, and almost any walk in, and around, downtown Traverse City.
The AuSable River: Fishing less than two hours from town
Disregard Garfield and Supply Roads, now you need M-72 EastYou will need to find the city of Grayling.... M-72 East from Traverse City will take you there.. out of town, through Acme, near the GT Resort, through Kalkaska, continuing on M-72 E. Interstate-75 intersects M-72 at Grayling.
The Main Branch of the AuSable "the holy waters" Continue on 72 East out of Grayling (heading towards Mio) and closely observe the road signs on your left. The quality water (or special regulations water if you prefer) starts at Burtons Landing.. The roads go as follows: Burtons, Louies, Keystone, Thendara, and Stephan Bridge Rd. I always enjoy fishing in this area and so does everyone else. A "must fish" area if you're into fly fishing history. Very easy access at all the road sites with little difficulty. Catch & Release. Easy walk and wade. 1st time there ? Pick Keystone; get in at the end of the road wade down and walk the path back through the campground. Watch out for the canoes on weekends.
The South Branch of the AuSable "the Mason Tract" George Mason's generous gift to fly fishing. Continue on M-72 E past Stephan Bridge Road to Chase Bridge Road (it's Chase to the S and Wakely to the N)... the full service intersection with the campground, bar, and Larry & Joan's Party store. Then -
For the Lower Mason Tract Waters - Continue E on M72 until you see the sign for "Canoe Harbor" campground. Turn Right and follow the trail past the campground and, after a bit, pick a pull-off and take a path to the river. Easy walk, medium exertion, beautiful waters.
My choice for a longer, scenic, walk/wade - follow the above directions until you find (about a mile from Canoe Harbor) a small, fenced (kinda), parking spot (don't be expecting much). This is "Downey's Stone Wall". A fine picnic spot with much history. Walk the pathway upstream, past the steps, until you come upon a small bench where Thayer Creek enters the S. Branch. This spot is called "Baldwin's". Wade downstream, stopping at the Mason Chapel, pass the steps, and exit back at Downey's. Moderate effort.
For the Upper Mason Tract waters - Turn Right on Chase Bridge Rd. continue to Chase Bridge itself... The Mason Tract trail was the left turn before the bridge so back up and enter the tract there. Be sure to stop and read the sign... pick one of the first few pull-offs and take a short walk to the river, wade downstream and you will find paths on the left to get back to the trail. Easy wading and walking.
The Mason Tract is a quality fishing area with either limited creel allowances or catch and release. Let 'em go anyway, I'd like to catch them again when they're larger. It's a natural area with a marked path along the river, a fine place for a hike. No camping is allowed within the tract. This is a beautiful and peaceful place, but expect plenty of canoe traffic on weekend days.... pick your times accordingly.
You'll want to stop at the Fly Factory, 989-348-5844, on the river in downtown Grayling and Gate's Lodge, 989-348-8462, on the main branch at Stephan Bridge for more information, flies, equipment, and just because they're there... Steve Southard's Fly Factory is the AuSable's oldest fly shop and Rusty Gate's AuSable Lodge & shop is a fine place to spend a day or two. Be sure to tell Rusty and Steve that you found them through our site. Explore: the north branch around Lovells, In Roscommon, eat, drink and bowl at Fred's, find a clean inexpensive room at the TeePee Motel, get a quiet non-aluminum canoe from Watters Edge Livery and float the Mason Tract from Chase to Smith Bridge. If you start early in the morning you won't regret it... wildlife, beautiful scenery, peaceful and no canoe traffic. If you plan to fish give yourself at least 7 hours. Most of all be sure to make your pilgrimage to the main branch holy waters and the south branch Mason Chapel.
Catch & Release, and your local fly shop.
We hope these recommendations are helpful. Your comments are appreciated.
Get a good local map & Enjoy!
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