The New Au Sable (Paperback or Softback)

The New Au Sable explores the history of this world-famous river over the past century including fly fishing, canoe racing, and Fred Bear.

The timeline extends from the nineteenth century to present day. There is an extensive review of the Au Sable’s famous fishing guides, fly tyers, and lodges. There is also a chapter on the revival of bamboo rod making, that like so many elements of fly fishing, has its roots in this river.

The book provides a comprehensive genealogy of the most prominent families to settle in the area. The most famous of these names is Fred Bear, the Father of Modern Archery and the area’s most famous citizen. Bear brings his archery company to Grayling in the late 1940s and revolutionizes the sport of archery. In the process he becomes a beloved member of the community.

The New Au Sable provides details on famous events in the history of the river, such as the Au Sable River Canoe Marathon. What began as a humble, backwoods paddling free-for-all in 1948 is now the most important event in canoe racing each year. The May 1990 Stephan Bridge Fire is also presented in the book. Although this day is considered one of the darkest days on the river, the heroism of the firefighters and first responders prevented an epic disaster. The New Au Sable shows that through all these events and the people runs one common thread: a deep and abiding love for one of the world’s greatest rivers.

Thomas A. Buhr is a native Michigander and lifelong fishing enthusiast. At fourteen years old, he moved to Boca Raton and fell in love with Old Florida. Watching "progress" steal away this magical land also spawned his interest in conservation. Over thirty years he has written scores of articles in magazines, including Field & Stream, Florida Game & Fish, The Fisherman, Michigan Out-of-Doors, and Midwest Fly Fishing, as well as several pieces for academic journals. He was editor for The Riverwatch and won an award for Conservation Journalism from the Sierra Club in 2011. Both his first novel, The Outgoing, and his second novel, The Big Water: A History of Michigan's Lower Au Sable River, won silver medals in the Global Book Awards. When not fishing, writing, or protecting wild places, he cheers for his favorite sports teams: the Leicester City Foxes, the Michigan Wolverines, and the Miami Dolphins.

Dave Jankowski is a retired U.S. Air Force fighter pilot and Northwest Airlines captain. He is an ardent fly fisherman, fly tyer, and bamboo rod maker. With a passion for veterans, he participates in Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing and its affiliate, Bamboo Bend, where he serves as lead instructor. He lives in Traverse City, Michigan, with his wife, Mary. They enjoy a long marriage, have four grown daughters, and eight grandchildren who all love to go to "Grampy's Cabin" on Michigan's famed Au Sable River. His previous book, The Venerable Fly Tyers, was released in 2022.