2 years ago Shel-Haven canoe livery near Grayling, MI decided to shorten the length of canoe, kayak, and float tube trips down the Manistee River. Instead of dropping people off at the CR 612 bridge, they have since begun dropping at the old Long's Canoe Livery. Most people don't realize that this has significantly decreased their float times, yet they are paying even more money!

My trout fishing buddies and I have camped along the Manistee for over 50 years now and we hold Saturday's "aluminum hatch" with nearly as high regard as the hex hatch! Saturday's are reserved for sitting along the bank and watching the canoes (thus the aluminum hatch) float by. We thoroughly enjoy the banter back and forth as well as the BIKINIS! There is also a safety factor that comes into play as we make sure floaters are properly hydrated. Heat stroke can commence very rapidly on those 95° Michigan days! Since Shel-Haven decided to change the drop off point, our aluminum hatch has changed significantly. We used to see hundreds of people on Saturday, where now I'm not sure we saw 20 this past weekend. Please sign this petition in order to keep the aluminum hatch tradition alive! Shel-Haven, PLEASE resume dropping people off at CR 612!

Signed by the Pirates of the Manistee