Our Digs on the AuSable

Hello!  Welcome to our landmark site, located on the banks of the AuSable River at the bridge on the I-75 business loop in Grayling, MI, has been part of Grayling’s history for many years. We're located near Northern Michigan's main highway interchanges making it likely that you've driven by many times. We're excited to continue the long standing tradition of a fly fishing pro shop and paddlesoprts center. Please stop in and visit. 

Our log building sits just a few feet from the river and was built in the mid 1940's. Its location is one of historic significance in Northern Michigan. It was here that Michigan Native Americans portaged from the AuSable to the Manistee River to Traverse Michigan from east to west and west to east by canoe. It was also here that early Grayling fishing guides began using the famous AuSable riverboat to float 19th century sportsmen down the river in search of Trout and Grayling, a member of the Char family, from which the town takes its name. 

It was near here that Indian Chief David Shoppenagon, one of the earliest fishing and hunting guides in Northern Michigan, had a cabin. There's a Michigan Historical Marker dedicated to the Chief on the property. He died in 1911. 

The site is also known to professional canoe racers and fans the world over as the starting point for the grueling Grayling to Oscoda Weyerhauser AuSable River Canoe Marathon held every July. This year marks its 62nd running with the race beginning on 9:00 p.m. on our property. Racing teams dash with their racing canoes to the river’s edge to paddle at full speed for approximately 18 hours until they reach the finish line in Oscoda and Lake Huron.