OAFS has been my go to shop when fishing the holy waters almost my entire life. Best selection of gear around and something's usually on sale. Andy and his crew know the river and like to have fun and will put you on fish!!!!! read more

Old AuSable Fly Shop - Sporting Goods Near Me - Grayling, Michigan

Came to grayling for a weekend trip on the river, my buddy forgot his fly fishing line and we stopped here to get some. We didn't realize how expensive they got up too but we were still getting it just so we could fish. The owner comes from the back and hands us a freshly opened line for free, just so it would get us through the weekend. I highly recommend this business as they have anything you could think off for fly fishing. read more

Great beginner lessons for me, my son and Dad. Well equipped store and knowledgeable staff. Walked away with a rod and a new hobby.

"To assume makes an ass of U & me" First time ever walking in an I can say with absolute certainty I will never return and don't recommend anyone else ever waste money there either. This all started over a behavior my family and I have been doing for decades all over northern MI. We always get smoked fish for a quick picnic. We picked some up and went to park and scarf it down before heading in to get some flies. He's been teaching me how, and I was there for a few things to get myself started. As it's a shared lot, someone from the restaurant (Ray's BBQ, blues and brews) decided that even though we were parked in the shade in the gravel spaces at the back end of the lot while the paved section wasn't even half full, that if we weren't planning on eating at the restaurant, we would be towed. Mind you, this is within 5 mins of pulling in, and my dad has a handicap tag because he had a stroke. Not sure they could legally have towed his with that tag even if they could have towed mine, but there's also a difference between parked & "standing" ie, your with/in your vehicle a d capable of moving it. So, assumption 1 was ours, that something we've been doing for decades across the state without anyone ever batting an eye at us would be fine. Assumption 2 was theirs, that just because we weren't patronizing 1 place in a shared lot, we had no business parking there at all. So we finish our snack in 10-15 mins like we always do, I bagged up trash & walked toward a bank of cans that were lined up along the edge of the property, but hesitated because they kinda looked like they might be recycling and kinda spun in a circle to see if there was one I could be sure was trash and heard from behind me "you heading up town?" So I said I was looking to throw this away, but wasn't sure if these were recycling. Guy who shouted pointed at the bins, so I threw it in & went into the fly shop. Now cars are moved & we're clearly parked where we planned to patronize, so my bro & I start walking in. Not sure how the second exchange started. Pretty sure it was this guy shouting at my brother's back again that we can't park in the lot if we aren't eating at the restaurant which is ridiculous in a shared lot, and said "you didn't have to be a jerk about it!" At this point, I'm inside so I didn't see this part, but my dad and brother both told me the guy that shouted at my back started pointing and shaking a hand tool at my brother until they pointed out it looks like a threat and he stopped. But now 1 guy from inside the store is outside & telling my brother to "get his girl and go" so my brother said something about he doesn't have a girl, and as I'm walking out guy shifts to "get your woman and get the **** out of here!" At this point, I've found at least one thing I was looking for,but certainly not spending $40 on a machine knit cap just because some sweat shop slapped some patch or embroidery on it. So I'm walking out the door and I correct him "not his 'woman', his sister" Assumption 3 that just because we shared a snack and were moving through the lot together in separate cars, that my brother has some form of dominion over me instead of coming up to me and asking me to go to try and de-escalate the situation is to me, the most offensive. Now, at this point, I've not been involved in any of the escalating, but as I'm still clearing the exit, this guy says, "Whatever, get the **** out of here!" Kicks the door stop out of the way because it had been propped up until that point and slammed the door so aggressively he nearly hit me with it. If I could give negative stars here, I would. And apparently, the same guy owns both the restaurant and shop, so not great business acumen to assume if you're not there for one, you must not be there for either. Got talking to some locals about it later, and they confirmed, " oh yeah, they aren't locals. Some city folks bought that place, and they're d***s!" So it's not just us. Apparently, they're this bad pretty often. I got treated better in Long Island,NY. I'm half tempted to file criminal charges over the hand tool threat and the slammed door. Probably not worth it. If they keep this up, they won't stay in business long anyway... read more

I shopped here when this was The Fly Factory, and frankly I prefer this incarnation of the shop. Although I miss the more rustic atmosphere of TSS, I do like the clean, updated look of the OAFS, and the customer service is miles better. I'm always greeted when I walk in, and the clerks will come help you whenever you ask--seems like at some places you've got one chance to get there attention and then you're on you're own. And they are always willing to talk fishing, a privilege reserved for a few regulars and big spenders elsewhere. Merchandise selection is good for a shop of this size--and the place is expanding. I like all the fly shops in the area, but if I visit only one in the course of a trip to Grayling, usually this is it. read more

Very nice store and even better experience fly fishing! The guide was very relaxed and made the experience very enjoyable

This is one of the very best fly shops I have ever been in. Premier fly shop had a great selection of flies and Simm's wares. Prices were reasonable. This is a "cant-miss" for any fishermen in the area! read more

Some of the worst service I have had in a fishing/tackle store ever. And I have fished in Somalia. The one person manning the store didn't even bother to look up as we walked in. The flies were in complete disarray and haphazardly labeled. One star because I was able to find the flies I was after with some detective work on my end. Traveling fisher persons beware, they are here to only take your money if you can find what to need. read more

There are two outstanding fly shops in Grayling, Michigan. Old AuSable and Gates AuSable Lodge. Both carry the best quality fly fishing gear, and have outstanding selections of flies. Both have friendly staff that will tell you what the trout are biting on, and where to find great fishing spots. By my second or third visit, Andy, Jeff, and Joey knew me and my brother by name. Same for Josh, Katie, and their crew at Gates AuSable Lodge. If you go to some of the bigger sporting goods stores, you typically have to wade through a lot of worthless gear to find what you really want -- if they have a fly fishing section at all. Both of these are fly fishing "pro shops", carrying the stuff you really wanted in the first place, and with expert advice when you're not certain -- because these guys all fish when they aren't working, and they know the gear they sell intimately. Top ratings for these two fly shops! read more

I'm not sure how they pay the electric bill here, because the place is always empty... Probably because the staff here couldn't care less. I wanted to get my son a cheap first reel for fly fishing and they told me to go to a bait store down the road-Skip's. Said they don't carry "crap". I've been in the shop 3-4 times and every time, I felt like I was a major inconvenience, like they didn't need my money. Every since I found out about Gates Lodge outside of town, I've been going there. They hooked me up with a used reel/line for $60- which is all you should spend on an 8 year old that changes hobbies every other week. read more

Inconsiderate place ... they don't take care of their customers ... won't shop there again or even stop there again

All these bad reviews are the old shop / store (its went out of business). It has changed hands and is much better. Well worth the stop now. read more

Great fly shop. I've been hitting it for years. They always have good advice on what to be throwing. This year I brought in a piece of equipment I bought there years ago but could never really figure it out. Ended up not working the way I thought and the offered up a full credit so I could get a different brand to try. read more

This is one of the best fly shops in Michigan.I have known Andy for years. If he doesn't have it you don't need it.

Excellent shop. Everyone there is very knowledgeable about fly fishing and they are glad to share their knowledge with you. Don't listen to these guys saying they are not friendly, I'm sure they are exaggerating. read more

I've had the opportunity to check out fly shops from all over the lower peninsula, and although some come close, no shop in Michigan carries the selection of gear, flies, and clothing that Old Au Sable Fly Shop does. The guys who work there are always friendly and laid back, and will be honest about gear. I've been to shops where the "pros" simply shoot me a line of BS and recommend whatever the big brand mainstream corporate crap says on the internet--the guys at old au sable have always recommended practical gear, for a decent price because they are true fly fisherman. I've always been greeted friendly there, and have found the fly selection impressive, with a wide variety of locally tied patterns. The shop has class, history, and a healthy sense of humor. I'd recommend this fly shop over any other. read more

Yelp is recommending two negative reviews and not recommending 9 positive ones. They got it backwards in my opinion. I stopped in the shop looking for wading boots, but first I just asked for advice and maybe a few flies. I got good friendly advice, with no pressure. I had to ask for two of each recommended pattern instead of one (the first one usually winds up in a tree). In other words no overselling. I bought the boots too, same story. This is high-end gear, but fairly priced as far as I can tell. You can go to a big-box store, but the guy at Cabelas is not going to be able to draw you a map of where to go fishing as I saw Andy do for a couple from California. I like this place. I'm going back. read more

Ordered a pack online. Turns out they didn't have it but couldn't be bothered to call back or return my emails asking about it. No one I talked to on the phone knew anything. They did at least credit my card back. Horrible customer service from the online faction. read more

Excellent shop. Have always been treated professionally and in a friendly manner. I always recommend this shop

I've purchased rods, artwork, wading gear, clothing, even a kayak from these guys. Every purchase experience has been great. Oh, and they helped me sell some gear too and also took a rod as a trade in. I cannot imagine a more honest and good group of people to do business with.....so I am surprised to see Gerry's reaction. My experiences have been great and if you visit the shop, I bet your experience will be just as good. read more

Had a very good experience! The staff were very friendly and gave me lots of tips on good flies and showed me all over the river on maps great spots to fish, very happy with their service! read more