We own a couple of houses down the road from Rusty. We normally don't go up north till about March. I just heard about his passing. Very sad day for Fly Fishing enthusiasts! I can't even count the amount of times our family has participated in the river clean up. Our thoughts go out to his family.
I have been going to the lodge for around 30 years give or take. I have tied flies and floated with Rusty many times. He is truly a great person. He made you feel welcome. He was truly a dear friend. RIP Rusty. He is with God now and able to fish any where any time.. Dave
I am without words. I was fortunate to spend a little quality time with Rusty this last summer. Just him and our dogs, sitting on a bench riverside at the lodge. We didn't discuss his illness, but frankly, he actually looked better than I expected, albeit a bit thinner than his normal thin self. I will miss him greatly.
I've posted the lyrics. There's an out of print book called The Old Au Sable that has a great history of the river. Rusty and the Anglers of the Au Sable recently got the rights to it and are in the process of updating it, I believe.
This has been a sad couple of days, but I am comforted by the fact that there is a small army of people assembled by Rusty who will continue with the good fight. The oil companies won't stand a chance.
Wonderful song! Please post the lyrics in the description paragraph, thanks. Now I know who Stephan's Bridge was named after. I'm not seeing any of this history on Wikipedia. Somebody get online and get this documented--or pass the info to me and I'll do it. I've created a couple of simple wikipedia listings.
I never stayed at the lodge, but Rusty put my dad and I on the spot where we would each catch our first brookie. Small as those fish may have been, I have to thank him for his useful insight... not to mention everything he did for the fishing environment that we all share. Rest in peace, Rusty.
Nice one Todd. Rusty is a living legend and a song is just the right thing! I'm trying to grab the words now. Great campfire song for my trips up to the AuSable.
God blessed the Earth with the Au Sable River, He blessed the river with Rusty Gates.
Thank you for sharing this.
fringedweller54 1 year ago
We own a couple of houses down the road from Rusty. We normally don't go up north till about March. I just heard about his passing. Very sad day for Fly Fishing enthusiasts! I can't even count the amount of times our family has participated in the river clean up. Our thoughts go out to his family.
tmkuroda 2 years ago
I have been going to the lodge for around 30 years give or take. I have tied flies and floated with Rusty many times. He is truly a great person. He made you feel welcome. He was truly a dear friend. RIP Rusty. He is with God now and able to fish any where any time.. Dave
streamcaddis 2 years ago
I'm near tears.
That guy taught me it's okay to go and just sit on the bank of a river and watch fish eat.
Okay, I'm crying now.
2soakers 2 years ago
I am without words. I was fortunate to spend a little quality time with Rusty this last summer. Just him and our dogs, sitting on a bench riverside at the lodge. We didn't discuss his illness, but frankly, he actually looked better than I expected, albeit a bit thinner than his normal thin self. I will miss him greatly.
rkevwill 2 years ago
I've posted the lyrics. There's an out of print book called The Old Au Sable that has a great history of the river. Rusty and the Anglers of the Au Sable recently got the rights to it and are in the process of updating it, I believe.
This has been a sad couple of days, but I am comforted by the fact that there is a small army of people assembled by Rusty who will continue with the good fight. The oil companies won't stand a chance.
dryflymojo 2 years ago
Wonderful song! Please post the lyrics in the description paragraph, thanks. Now I know who Stephan's Bridge was named after. I'm not seeing any of this history on Wikipedia. Somebody get online and get this documented--or pass the info to me and I'll do it. I've created a couple of simple wikipedia listings.
juliekadams 2 years ago
I never stayed at the lodge, but Rusty put my dad and I on the spot where we would each catch our first brookie. Small as those fish may have been, I have to thank him for his useful insight... not to mention everything he did for the fishing environment that we all share. Rest in peace, Rusty.
pnchapdpu 2 years ago
God Bless you Rusty ! R.I.P.
TropicalFishStore 2 years ago
Rusty was like a father and mentor to us all....he can never be replaced....this is a very sad time for all
merrittanderson 2 years ago
Very sad news. I didn't know him well, but he was a very influential person to me and countless others. He will be missed.
dryflymojo 2 years ago
We just lost a GREAT Man. Rusty, You will not or can not be replaced. Thank you Gator for all the great work you have done!!You will be missed!!
troutlord1 2 years ago
Rusty passed away after a long battle with Lung Cancer, December 18, 2009.
matokuwapi 2 years ago
P.S. Some of those photos are just awesome! LOL ;-) (Cool!!)
matokuwapi 3 years ago
Nice one Todd. Rusty is a living legend and a song is just the right thing! I'm trying to grab the words now. Great campfire song for my trips up to the AuSable.
matokuwapi 3 years ago
Thats awesome Todd! That'll make me smile all day!
alwayserinlinny 3 years ago
Wonderful tribute! Thanks! Is there a cd?
twillwemeet 3 years ago
Pure awesomeness Todd! Very nice!
Woolybugger826 3 years ago