Annual Wa Wa Sum Outing
For over 30 years, the Clinton Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited has hosted a weekend at the historic Wa Wa Sum Lodge on the banks of the Main Stream of the Au Sable’s fabled “Holy Water” just east of Grayling. This is the chapter’s most prized event as it allows our members an opportunity to come together, enjoy the water that TU was founded on, and create memories that will last a lifetime. We truly cherish this event every year!
The 2025 Wa Wa Sum outing will be Thursday, May 15th, through Sunday, May 18th. Registered attendees will stay at the lodge with direct access to fish the Au Sable River system. While this outing is one of our engagement highlights of the year, there are a few things to take into consideration:
- Wa Wa Sum is a rustic lodge. Each room has multiple beds, and attendees will be “bunking” with other chapter members.
- It is encouraged that attendees bring both a pillow and sleeping bag to lay out on their bed. Linens are not provided.
- The lodge has two full bathrooms that attendees will share. Wa Wa Sum does not provide soap, shampoo, or towels. Do not forget to pack them!
- Reservations will begin Monday, April 8th, and will remain open until all 26 beds in the lodge are full.
The Registration Fee is $180 for all three nights. No partial registrations are accepted this year.
This registration fee includes:
- Lodge Stay
- Casting Tune Up Class on Thursday from 4-5pm
- Dry fly presentation & bug ID class on the water Friday morning from 9-10am.
- Friday Night Crockpot Dinner Provided
- Saturday Breakfast Provided
*All of the presentations are optional
To register & pay for this event, click on the “Register Here” button below. Once you have registered for the event, you will receive an email confirmation within 24 hours.
Take a Seat
In 2013 the Clinton Valley Chapter provided an addition to the experience at the Wa Wa Sum Lodge. On your next trip take a stroll down to the dock on the river and enjoy a cold beverage while relaxing on the new bench provided by our chapter.
Wa Wa Sum History
Wa Wa Sum is a Michigan State University research and conference facility located on the Au Sable River six miles east of Grayling.
The name Wa Wa Sum means “Plain View” in the Ojibwa language and was given to the camp in 1905 by Chief David Shoppenagon, an Au Sable guide and woodsman. At that time, because of the extensive logging of the region’s pine forests, the view from the high bank on which the camp is built was unobstructed for miles to the south. Since then, the forests have regenerated, slowly obscuring the view beyond the river. Chief Shoppenagon built the first building at the camp, now known as the Dining Room, in 1880. In 1897, Rubin Babbit, an Au Sable woodsman who later became Michigan’s first wildlife officer, built a second structure, now the Administration Building. These first buildings were constructed of red pine and tamarack logs and used as a fishing camp for a group of Toledo businessmen. Other cabins of various sizes were added in later years: the Bullpen (1907); the Big Camp (1921/22); the Barn and the Guide’s Cabin (early 1930s).
The buildings and 251 acres of land were deeded to MSU in 1980 by owners Virginia Secor Stranahan and Frank Bell, descendants of two of the camp’s six original owners. Kevin Gardiner, a descendant of Rubin Babbit, is the camp’s present caretaker. He is the third generation of his family to perform these duties.