Old Au Sable Boat Company
The Old Au Sable Boat Company was established in 1998 by Bob Smock Jr. All river boats are built from the finest materials and are hand-crafted to the specific design of the customer. These unique boats are found only in Grayling, Michigan and have been used on the Au Sable and Manistee River Systems for the last one hundred and thirty years. The Au Sable Riverboat was originally built in the 1870’s. They were developed as a flat bottom craft that allowed the lumber companies to move tools and equipment up and down the river system. Without a keel, the craft was pushed by a pole from the stern, sat high on the water and was an excellent means of seeing the land from the “inside out” for timbering purposes.
The Old Au Sable Boat Company is an extension of Bob’s Fly and Hackle of Grayling, Michigan. This was a father son adventure with Bob Smock Sr. having become a local fly tying legend over the past 50 years and Bob Jr. a longtime fly fishing guide on the Au Sable and Manistee River System. They both share a special love with the Northern Michigan river systems, which is emulated through their fly tying and boat building. The Old Au Sable Boat Company’s present efforts are focused on Michigan rivers and streams. Yet a desire to expand geographical markets throughout parts of the United States, South America, New Zealand, Australia and Europe is of interest.
For more information, please visit http://www.ausableboats.com