The Early Years

Jac’s passion for fly-fishing began in the third grade at his great-grandmother’s lake house. He was largely self-taught, learning through trial and error on Michigan waters. Lacking professional gear, he saved up for a $4.45 bamboo rod and used a homemade wooden vice crafted by his father to learn fly-tying. His early materials were sourced from local farms and family hunting trips, with his mother teaching him how to dye feathers at home.

Conservation and Leadership

A dedicated advocate for river health, Jac has spent over 50 years involved with Trout Unlimited.

• Leadership: He served as president of both the William B. Mershon and Pere Marquette chapters.
• Fundraising: He partnered with Stealth Craft to auction custom drift boats, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for conservation.
• Education: He has taught fly-tying and fishing classes for over 40 years, mentoring generations of anglers.

Professional Guiding and Media

After retiring from General Motors, Jac transitioned into a professional guiding career spanning over 30 years.

• Locations: He guides across Michigan’s Lower Peninsula (notably the Pere Marquette and Au Sable rivers) and spent 20 summers outfitting in Montana.
• Recognition: Jac has appeared on Fly Fishing America, was featured in Bob Linsenman’s book Great Lakes Steelhead Fishing, and guided legends like Joe Humphries.
• The “Twenty-Plus” Club: He founded this elite streamer club to celebrate anglers who land fish over 20 inches, fostering a community of high-level fly tiers and fishers.

Authorship and Present Day

Jac co-authored the successful book A View from the Middle Seat, which sold out its initial 2,000-copy run. He remains a prolific writer for regional fishing magazines and continues to fish year-round.

Future Plans and Legacy

Entering 2026, Jac remains highly active. His upcoming schedule includes:

• Presenting at the “Bobbing the Hood” event.
• Hosting streamer and dry fly classes at various Michigan fly shops.
• Transitioning his book into a digital format to preserve his knowledge.

Jac’s enduring message is one of conservation. He is a staunch advocate for catch-and-release, particularly for trout over 18 inches, emphasizing that these “spawners” are the essential key to the future of the sport.

With several years of experience as a guide in Colorado and now Michigan, Mark has developed an in-depth understanding of fly fishing for both warm and cold-water species. With a love for streamer fishing, he thrives on the challenge of coaxing big fish into striking with tactical presentations. When the sun sets, Mark is also well versed in mousing. Whether it’s during the day or after dark, Mark is dedicated to providing anglers with a thrilling, unforgettable fishing experience. With equal dedication to taking out new and seasoned anglers, he focuses on fine-tuning techniques, enhancing casting skills, and understanding fish behavior to ensure every trip is a success.

Rob Ramage is a lifelong fisherman and has been flyfishing the Ausable river for nearly 50 years.  He developed the passion for fishing in general from his father, and for flyfishing from his grandfather. Rob’s 38 year career in education gave him weekends and summers free to fish, and Michigan provided  many rivers, in addition to the Ausable, to hone his flyfishing skills and knowledge.  Backpacking and fishing trips to Montana, Colorado, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania all fueled his passion to catch fish, as well as help others to learn flyfishing. When not guiding you can find Rob on the river with his wife Pam, in the woods, or bird hunting with his Boykin Spaniel Josie.

Jorden Susewitz harbors a deep-seated passion for pursuing smallmouth bass. This fervor ignited in his youth, fueled by local bass tournaments. This dedication ultimately led him to forgo high school baseball to dedicate himself entirely to chasing bass on the area’s rivers and lakes. Years later, this passion continues to burn brightly. However, it truly ignited anew when he discovered the thrill of fly fishing for smallmouth bass. This newfound love for the sport has captivated him. Jorden delights in studying the behavior of these elusive fish and relishes the challenge of pursuing trophy-sized specimens. Despite his relative newness to fly fishing, Jorden consistently finds success on the river, regardless of his catch. Whether he lands fish or not, every outing is a rewarding experience.

Contact Us

AuSable River Angler
Located Inside of AuSable River Outfitters

225 W. Sixth Street
Mio, MI 48647 USA
Phone: 989-826-6900

WINTER HOURS:
9am-6pm Mon-Sat
9am-5pm Sunday