Our Team
Andy Partlo - Andy has been running a fly shop so long that when he started, he had hair. The stresses of nearly a decade of college and trips out West for trout at every opportunity have long since said goodbye to it. But in all seriousness, he is a walking encyclopedia of fly fishing. With twenty years of angling experience under his belt, and over half of that running shops, both in Michigan and Montana. He has crafted his skills not only with rod and vice, but with the anglers that share in his passion. If you get the chance to stop into our shop you’ll probably have the pleasure of talking with Andy about one thing or another, and if you have a question, he’s got the answer that will help put you on trout. In fact, Andy and all the guys at the shop are the kind of people that leave you feeling that you were just talking to a friend that you haven’t seen in a long time, but never missed a beat. That’s Old Au Sable Fly Shop. Email him at andy@oldausable.com.
Joe Ferrigan - Although, Joe is one of our younger guys, his entire life has been wrapped around the Au Sable River. He started his fishing career on the East Branch, but was brought into the sport as a child when he learned to tie flies with the local legend Bob Smock Sr. Ever since; he has developed his skills throughout the seasons on both the Au Sable and Manistee Rivers. When it comes to knowing the waters and hatches of either stream, Joe is the man to talk to. He has been working in fly shops for most of his adolescent life and it shows; both in the way he is with people and with product knowledge. Email him at joe@oldausable.com.
Mark Bear - Our merchandising magician. When you come in the shop, it always looks fresh and professional. For this you can thank "Bear"… or blame him when you can’t find the Gink. He haunts the North Branch and runs a very neat blog at Twin Bridge Gillie. Email him at bear@oldausable.com.
Nathan Skibbe – Nate lives and breathes fly fishing, with experience from Alaska to Puerto Rico he is one of the crowd here that fishes any chance that he gets. He is also passionate about conserving the waters he calls home. Nathan has been an active member in his local Trout Unlimited chapter, as well as, serving with Huron Pines AmeriCorps for one year of service that many miles of trout streams were the benefactor. He not only cares about the resources, but is truly a people person that is not only knowledgeable about the sport, he loves to see others enjoy its’ beauty. Whether you are just starting, or have decades of experience you’ll walk away from Nate with a smile. Email him at nate@oldausable.com.
Peter Jones - The happy Welshman who knows more about cane rods and vintage fly fishing gear than anyone you’ll likely ever meet. We’ve become bamboo central with Peter’s help and we have some interesting things in the works. Come cast some wood sticks with Peter. Email him at peter@oldausable.com.
Sam Surre – Sam's been guiding on Michigan streams for nearly four decades. He guides on the Au Sable, Manistee, and Betsie Rivers all in pursuit of fulfilling his clients expectations. Being a guide for that long, you know he not only fulfills expectations, but blows them completely away. Not only a gifted guide, but he has been tying flies commercially for forty five years. Sam used to tie with Art Neumann when he still had his shop, but continues to tie for us with a level of quality that is second to none. Being in a a AuSable riverboat or a drift boat on any water with Sam, is not only productive time, but its time that we anglers come to appreciate because of his presence. The best part of spending some time with him is that he still finds the greatest pleasure in just being on the water. Email him at sam@oldausable.com.
Bob Marcereau - Bob’s a real gentleman who is a fly fishing and grouse hunting machine. He's also into the fishing kayak craze. We're very proud to have him on board and to call him our friend, plus he can remove a hook buried in your hand like nobody else. Email him at bobm@oldausable.com.
