In the past few weeks we’ve lost two absolute titans of the conservation world, Cal “Rusty” Gates and Dr. Joe Kutkuhn, inarguably
two of the most powerful and influential riverkeepers and resource advocates in Michigan.

Rusty, well-known as the owner and proprietor along with his wife, Julie, of Michigan’s oldest fly shop, Gates Au Sable Lodge, was
also the founder and president of the Anglers of the Au Sable from it’s inception in 1987, a group that prevailed against tremendous
odds in several landmark and precedent setting coldwater conservation legal cases. From the Savoy Energy proposed drilling
situation in the Mason Tract to the Kolke Creek/Hayes 22 site problem to the annual river cleanup in September and much, much
more, Rusty was always at the forefront. He was the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the coveted 1995 Fly Rod
& Reel Magazine “Angler of the Year” for his many conservation efforts. Remarkable as these achievements were, to me the thing
that is most memorable about Rusty, and unknown to a many people, is that he truly was the proverbial Good Samaritan. I am
personally aware of a number of times where he just picked up the ball and helped out someone in need, whether it be making phone
calls to help someone find a job, getting somebody’s broken vehicle repaired when the owner couldn’t afford it, paying to have a
load of firewood delivered to a someone in need, or any number of other similar actions, Rusty just did it and never mentioned a
single word about it to anyone. If you weren’t around to see it when it happened you’d never know about it. Not only that, often
the beneficiary of Rusty’s actions never even knew who did it. Quiet, unassuming and very well respected, that’s just the way Rusty
was.

Everything that Rusty was to the Au Sable River system, Joe Kutkuhn was to the Upper Manistee. Joe had a Masters Degree in
Fishery’s Management and was well known and respected around the entire United States. He retired after 34 years with the U.S.
Fish & Wildlife Service, including twice receiving the U.S. Interior Department’s Meritorious and Distinguished Service awards. Since
moving to Grayling in 1987, Joe was the Chairman of the Upper Manistee River Restoration Committee for 20 years, Past-President
of the Upper Manistee River Association, Fisheries Coordinator of Michigan Council of Trout Unlimited, Founder and first Chairman of
the Head Waters Land Conservancy, Board member of Huron Pines RC & D, Chairman of the Griffith Foundation, Board member of
the Mason-Griffith Founders Chapter of Trout Unlimited and Citizen Advisor for the Natural Rivers designation for the Upper Manistee
River. I’ve known Joe since 1997 and was honored to be able to say he was my friend.

Our condolences go out to both the Gates and Kutkuhn families. Both of these remarkable men touched so many people’s lives in
so many ways, both personally and through the work they’ve done. They leave a legacy that will last for generations. We all owe it
to them to continue to fight the battles in which they so prominently figured over the years as well as those that arise in the future.
There are indeed some very, very big waders to fill in northern Michigan.