The legendary Grayling returns to its namesake

By Nicole Mygrants

The Grayling Fish Hatchery has big news to share and Manager/ Program Director Mitchell Salhaney II is ready to passionately tell you all about it when you visit.

After a few years of rough waters, the hatchery is making big waves in conservation and educationand are now home to the once extinct in Michigan legendary Grayling fish. Officially named Articus Thymallus, the Grayling is the original native fish of the AuSable and Manistee Rivers.

This sensitive, easily scared fish thrives in cold, and quick moving water with temperatures around 4-6 degrees celsius.

The hatchery watches water quality and temperature closely for these fish. When water temps rose as they did this spring when we had extremely warm days, the hatchery adjusts water flow to the Grayling raceway to work to create an optimal environment for their survival. Visitors will see that nets cover their habitat protecting them from hungry osprey and eager to fish eagles.

This summer marks the first in over 100 years that the fish has lived in Grayling and the best way to see them is to bring a pair of sunglasses to the hatchery Friday through Sunday. Mitch and intern Jacob Ziegler will direct you to their raceway as well as others.

The Grayling specifically were given to the hatchery to house and research by the Marquette State Fish Hatchery this year, and will live at the hatchery year round. At this time, the Grayling would be unlikely to survive release to AuSable, but hope prevails that one day perhaps they will.

When the lumber boom came to Grayling, riverbanks were degraded, sending logs down the river and sand and sediment began to fill the once shady gravel riverbeds that the fish thrived in. Combined with loss of habitat, easy fishing, and a delicious taste, the Grayling population was quickly decimated.

Realizing the impact of logging on the area, Rassmen Hansen sold stock in his own company to fund the Grayling Fish Hatchery in 1912. The hatchery has moved through several hands including the State of Michigan in the 1960's, private ownership for a number of years, and is now under direction of an independent board of volunteer directors. They oversee hatchery operations and have created a forward vision that supports awareness, and education for future generations to come with a sharp eye toward making sure the AuSable's pristine integrity is maintained.

The hatchery is home to trails winding around and over Grayling and trout raceways and the AuSable ▪ See LEGENDARY GRAYLING on page 6

Budget cuts lead to marine patrol shortage

ROSCOMMON COUNTYAs a result of the funding cuts in various community programs the Sheriff Marine Patrol is faced with scheduling fewer hours for summer patrol coverage on Higgins Lake.

The Higgins Lake Foundation is asking for support to help fund summer patrol coverage. HLF will match dollar to dollar every donation through July 30 up to $7,050.00 toward the $14,100.00 goal to keep the patrol out on Higgins Lake.

To donate to this program, mail a check to Higgins Lake Foundation PO BOX 753, Roscommon, MI 48653. Please indicate Marine Patrol Match in the check memo line. Or call HLF 989 275-9183

Fair

Continued from page 1 cornhole and horseshoe tournaments, carnival, and much more.

For a complete schedule of the weekend’s activities see the pull-out section inside on pages 16-20. You can also visit St. Helen Bluegill Festival on Facebook.

For the strawberry lovers, Christ Episcopal Church in East Tawas is celebrating their annual Strawberry Shortcake Festival. Stop in and enjoy hot dogs, chips, lemonade, iced tea and especially, Strawberry Short Cake. The church is located at 202 Westover Street.

Letter to the editor policy:

AuSable Media encourages all readers with a connection to the community to submit letters to the editor for possible publication.

Please limit letters to 300 words. Author must include a daytime contact number.

Letters are the individual opinion of the author and do not reflect the opinions of the staff, advertisers or contributors to the Voice.

The Voice reserves the right to accept or reject any letter.

To submit a letter email it to: alicia@UpNorthVoice.com, mail to P.O. Box 113, Roscommon, MI 48653, or stop by the office at 709 Lake Street in Roscommon.