AuSable Essays...



Check here often for stories, quips, and philosophizing about life on the Au Sable, in the rod shop, and Northern Michigan in general...




December 24, 2025




And another year gone...








...and into a White World






Merry Christmas!!!


Well folks, I'm not going to go into a lot of details today. Let me just say, it's been a very hectic six months full of everything but fun and games. Mary and I spent a good part of the summer building a second garage in order to give more room in the primary one for rod work and just overall storage of all the goodies required for the Northern Michigan lifestyle. Not much time was left to enjoy the finer points of life, but hey, it's all done now, and new plans are on the horizon.


I've finally gotten back into the shop as of last week and have started on orders placed by patient clients. God bless all of you for your forbearance, but we really needed to tighten up loose ends around here before we got much farther down the road. We did learn one thing though. Pounding nails and knocking down shingles at 68 is a lot less fun than it was 20 years ago. And, of course, we're just that stubborn that, God forbid, we hire any of it done. (Ok, except the concrete work.)


All that being said, we'll be around the shop pretty much through the winter if you want to stop by at any time. Not much to do around here right now BUT work in the shop.


So, in finishing, Mary and I wish you all peace and prosperity through this wonderous Christmas season and into the New Year, and to all our friends, please keep in touch!





John and Mary Niemann

The Razing Kane Rod Company


940 Sumac Trail, PO Box 32


989-344-8320





The Rod Room Ready for Visitors in 2026...