In this episode, we canoe down Michigan’s legendary Au Sable River, a waterway treasured for its beauty, biodiversity, and cultural significance. Sections of the river are classified as National Scenic River and Michigan Natural River. Towering pines, sandy banks, and crystal-clear water set the stage for an unforgettable journey. Along the way, we marvel at the birdlife—mergansers, kingfishers, and herons all calling this river home. 

But one the river is most known for the famed Hexagenia limbata mayfly hatch every spring. For the fly-fishing community, this annual spectacle is like nature’s Super Bowl, drawing anglers from around the world for the chance to cast into waters alive with rising trout. It’s a reminder of how closely recreation, ecology, and conservation are tied together on the Au Sable.