282 GEAYLING. — ^OinilKKN MKllIGAX. 



rapids, — or checks it in llic sAviitcsl current, to afford a cast 

 over a promising bit of water, — Avith consunmiate skill. Tt 

 looks simple enough, l)ut a tiial of this easy thing, by a ■ 

 new hand, demonstrates that there is science even in poling 

 a flat-boat in swift water, down sti'eam. 



It (juite often demonstrates how cold the waters of the 

 Au Sable are. { I shall not say what befell my friend, who 

 was of an investigating and expei'imenting turn of mind — 

 and who weighs well nigli two hundred i)ounds.) In the 

 occasional stretches of deep and quiet water — the " Still- 

 Avater " — the iron-shod pole is laid aside (then look out for 

 your rod and flies if lying by your side!) and the paildle 

 comes in play. 



The Au Sable "runs down hill" Avith a gliding, sliding 

 motion at the late of four miles an hour. Poling up stream 

 with empty boats is possible but not feasible, — >vitli a load, 

 well nigh impossible; and Ashing parties arrange "lobe 

 called foi' " at a designated i>oint down the river, on an ap- 

 pointed day, and to be draAvn out, boats, bag and baggage, 

 on a lumljer Avagon, to the rail-road station. 



After the river leaves GraA'ling, it gradually increases in 

 Avidth to fifty feet or more, Avitli a variable depth from six 

 inches in the broad rapids to tAvo or three feet, — its average 

 and natural depth being, in July, about eighteen inches. 

 I only speak of it as I saAv it for about nineteen miles. 

 Below, it becomes a broad, strong river. The "sAveep- 

 ers," or fallen trees across the stream, have been cut 

 out of the Au iSable, for a long distance, depriving its 

 passage of much of its pristine excitement and adven- 



