Showing posts with label driftless. Show all posts
Showing posts with label driftless. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Big Trout Flies

Since moving to Minnesota, I have been trout fishing more in the past 3 months than I have the past 4 years when I lived back in Illinois.  I have also learned that trout don't shy away from big flies, either.  Usually, the big trout flies are streamers of some sort, and tied by Aaron Przybylski of Scavenger Fly or Matt Ebbers.  I've decided to mix it up and tie up some very effective small flies, bigger.... 

What do you think?


Don't forget the little caption contest I'm hosting - CAPTION CONTEST.  The winner will be chosen tomorrow afternoon.

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

RUSH

Rush... Rush River - It's not known for slappin' da bass, and if it is, I'm sorry for misinforming you all.  What I can tell you is that it rocks as a fishery!


With me being a "FIB" - I am ever so grateful of everyone that's invited me out fishing with them since I've moved up here to Minnesota.  There's truly some really awesome people up here, especially within the fly fishing community.

On this particular outing I was invited out by Jim, and his friend Ted.  The morning was cold, and it got even colder with the wind.

Suns out.
The area was scenic, and that kind of made you forget about the cold winds - That's BS.  Those cold winds were winning the battle, and letting you know each and every breeze that it was there.  The fishing was extremely slow, but I always manage to hook into rocks or fish sticks.

Snag City.
Long hikes to even more scenic areas yielded no trout.  Determined to hook up with trout the way that we wanted to, on a streamer, both Jim and I were stubborn to change flies.  It was also way too cold to be tying knots haha.

Can you believe that nothing came out of the brush pile.
Ted had been using a nymph rig all day, and I'm not quite sure the number of fish he caught, but I can certainly say that he was catching fish.  That was a positive sign.

On to a new location on the Rush, and I was still tossing a streamer.  I finally hooked up with 1, but shortly lost it as I was jumping in the water off the bank.  Jim switched to a nymph rig, and was able to entice a decent little brown from out of a pool that should have produced more.

Ted showing us where all the fish are.

Jim hooked up in his honey hole.
These brown trout of the Driftless really have a particular beauty to them.

Butter in the net.
A big THANKS goes out to Jim, and Ted for having me out with them on the Rush, and showing me where to grab a damn good burger on the way home!

The trek back with Jim and Ted's excellent adventure.
THE RUSH.

IT ROCKS.

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Kinnickinnic River

The Kinni (Kinnickinnic) River - I've fished it once last year when I was up here with my homie Dave for the River Falls Fly Fishing Expo hosted by Brian from Lunds Fly Shop.
I was invited out to fish the Kinni by John and there would be 3 others with the group - Robert of Bob Mitchell's Fly Shop, Charlie Forbes, and Jigger Jim.

The day started early.  It was cold, slightly windy, and as the day progressed the warmth of the sun was seeked.  The guides on our rods were freezing up, and there were no fish being caught, but damn was it nice to be out.


The difference in temperature between the shaded and sun hit area was fun.  We all much preferred the sun.

John and Charlie discussing flies and Jim working a very nice pool in the distance.

Theme of the day.
Robert trying his hand at a pool Jim just finished working.  The rest of us were working on our tans.

While Jim and Robert were working the pool above, Charlie, started to rig up a nymphing rig.  We were all tossing streamers all day and the only person who hooked up was Jim.  Once rigged up, Charlie worked the pool and caught a few little browns.  He then suggested and insisted that he rig me up with a nymph, and I agreed...first cast and drift I had a fish on, and I didn't even know it.  Haha

Thanks, for the picture, Jim!
On the trek back John found a deer carcass frozen in some shallow water along the bank.  Interested to see if it had a rack, he started to kick some of the ice, and that unsettled some very potent smells, which lead to some laughs and the end the day.

Kick and Sniff.
Done.

A big thank you goes out to John, Robert, Charlie, and Jim, for inviting me out and showing me some new water.  Much appreciated guys!


The Kinni.

Saturday, March 26, 2016

Pink Squirrels and Hatches

While at the fly fishing expo, I purchased some much needed proven trout flies from Matt Ebbers.  On the way back to Chicago, Dave, and I stopped at the Rush River after pretty much everyone told us to go there while on our way back.

Dave and I doubled up about 15 minutes into our wade.  I hooked up with a small brook trout on a Matt Ebbers pink squirrel, and Dave caught a brown trout on...I have no idea...a trout fly.  Pretty fish.  Small fish, but pretty fish.
Doubled up.  Photo by UA Dave.
Me wading upstream.  Photo by UA Dave.
While on our wade back downstream to the car, I noticed that there were trout starting to rise.  As I continued to watch, more and more trout were rising and at a faster rate.  What is this madness I thought to myself.  I felt something crawling on the back of my neck...it was a black winged insect.  Very small with sort of a long body.  I was witnessing a hatch!

I quickly switched flies to the smallest black dry fly I had, and immediately told Dave to do the same.  After quite a few missed opportunities and some good laughs, I finally hooked up!  My first "match the hatch" trout, and a nice one at that!


The small fly that caught the brown trout above was from my purchase of trout flies from Phil's Phly Shop.  I am terrible with all the names of these small flies, and really only know if it's a nymph or a dry fly.  Haha

Well, that brown trout shot out of the water like a missle to take the fly, and it was AWESOME!

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Minutes To Spare - First Brook Trout

Before the River Falls Fly Fishing Expo.  UA Dave and I decided to forego the early set up of our tables, and fish a stream that flowed on the backside of the parking lot of the building for the event.

We both hooked up with our first brook trout within minutes of each other.

It was awesome.

The brook trout was gorgeous.


I'm still pretty thrilled about the catch.  I just wish the light would have worked better with me, so, I could have captured all of it's colorful beauty, but you take what life gives you, and I didn't want to keep the fish in the net for long, so, off she went.

Big thanks goes out to +Brian J Smolinski and Lunds Fly Shop for jokingly telling Dave and I that there were fish in the stream behind the parking lot.

Thursday, March 17, 2016

FISH, FILMS, and FUN IN RIVER FALLS

This past weekend, UA Dave and myself jumped in my car at 330/4 AM and started our drive North.  The destination was +Brian J Smolinski shop - Lund's Fly Shop in River Falls, Wisconsin which is just about 40 minutes Southeast of Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

We were headed up for the River Falls Fly Fishing Festival, which consisted of the F3T on Friday night, and a Fly Fishing Expo on Saturday...and of course we had to do some fishing while up there.  We arrived at the shop around 9:30, and it was hard not to give Brian all of my money for all of the awesome things he had in his shop.  Haha  We hung out for a bit, and then went to fish, but not without being told where and what to use.

CARF Outdoors sticker has been added to the Lunds Fly Shop Vault.  Honored!  Can you spot it???
After leaving the shop, Dave and I, drove 5 minutes to the spot we were told would be good for fishing, and guess what we did next...fished.  Dave hooked up with his first 2 Wisconsin trout, both were browns, and both came when we were at the end of our fishing outing and I was waiting on the bank thinking about sandwiches and beer.

Fishing the Lower Kinni.  UA Dave in the distance
Dave trying to entice some risers.  No dice.
After fishing, we checked into our hotel and then headed over to the University of Wisconsin - River Falls campus to where the F3T event was being held.  The doors opened at 5 PM and the show didn't start until 7 PM.  During this time, Dave and I were able to set up shop with our fly tying gear and flies that we had for sale on the balcony near the ticket table.  There were a few other fly tyers and artists that had tables, as well.  Sort of a mini expo before the films started.

Whippin' up some Esox Bugs.
CARF Outdoors setup.
Dave getting down on some BBQ Pulled Pork and adding extra flavor to his flies.
There were a few other great fly tyers that had tables as well. (I forgot to take pictures of their tables. #fail)
  • Gabe Schubert - Gabe ties some of thee MOST impressive musky flies I have ever seen in my life.  One word to describe his work, "WOW."
  • Andy Selvig - Andy ties some really awesome intruder style flies that I don't know if I would display or fish them.
  • Aaron Przybylski - Aaron ties some really awesome small baitfish, that scream to bass and trout "EAT ME!"

Website - Kevin Lovegreen

Kevin Lovegreen is an Author of outdoor books for kids.  He had some great stuff that are easy reads, and will not only help kids get away from video games, but they will certainly help with their reading skills, and get them excited about fishing, hunting, and the outdoors.  Some really great stuff!!



Website - Josh DeSmit Art

Josh has some serious talent, as you can see from the painting of the brown trout above.  If you're into fishing, hunting, or can simply appreciate art, I highly suggest you check out his website and admire his work.  I have.


The F3T was great, and there were soooo many people!  The attendance doubled what I'm used to seeing here in the Chicago area.  There were also a ton of awesome raffle prizes that were donated to the event by some great sponsors.  The films that I found most memorable were Turning Points North, GEO BASS, and Tidewater.

Day 1 in the books.  It was a great day of fishing, tying, and meeting so many awesome people.  Be on the look out for Day 2.

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Driftless Winter 2016: Part Two

Day Two

When I walked out of the hotel to my car, I noticed that we got some rain overnight.  One of the streams we were planning on fishing is known to get cloudy fast after some rain.  Throw all of the melting snow and ice in the mix, and our plans changed.

We decided to hit a stream that I have only spot fished in one of the few times I had been up here.  In the summer this stream is extremely difficult to fish, because, of all of the overgrowth.  Lucky for us, it was Winter, and the banks were somewhat open.


With this being much smaller water, I opted for my FSA custom 3 wt.  The weather throughout the day was great.  The temperature dipped a few times, but nothing outrageous.  It definitely did not feel like January.


Adam continued to work a hopper dropper, and I casted small streamers and occassionally drifted some nymphs. Adam was the first to garner the attention of a few brook trout, but none were fully committed to showing face.


One of the small streamers I was tossing was a tiny woolly bugger...I forget the size, because, I didn't tie it, but my guess was a size 8.  Well, I casted at the front of a nice pool I was approaching, and a trout came completely out of the water to hit it, but wiffed, and never came back. 

The after a few more drifts a trout came out from right in front of me and hit the bugger, I lifted the rod, felt the weight, and then it went slack.  After some silent F bombs, I made a few more casts, and then checked my fly, and to my surprise, the hook had broken off.  I could not believe it!  Has this ever happened to anyone??

What really sucked was it was my last small black streamer.  I scarified a few to the shrub gods.  I'd also, like to give a little shout out to, Brad of Tippets and Tales, for giving me the tip on small black leech type patterns, and Tim Lobello, for his report on the area the day before we went up.  Much appreciated Gents!


Tossed pretty much everything.  Don't mind my sinking leaders.  The stuff I was using was stashed behind them.  Ha


On the walk back, we decided to take the road.  We looked down on the stream in the parts we had waded and fished and we could see schools of trout shooting around and stopping at this one pool.  Outrageous.  We drifted some flies towards them, but no dice.  They were really not having what we were selling.


Skunked, but we didn't care.  It was a great weekend to get out and explore some of the endless amount of water that flows through some beautiful country.

The Driftless.

Friday, February 5, 2016

Driftless Winter 2016: Part One

Day One

My friend Adam and I have been trying to get out and fish this winter.  We were thinking steelhead in Michigan or Wisconsin, and that just never happened, because, we've both been busy.  Things always work out in the end, because, it just so happened that we both had a free weekend at the end of January.

We decided, we're going to fish.

Our destination, the Driftless Area of Southwest Wisconsin.

You just couldn't beat the scenery.
I haven't been to the Driftless Area of Southern Wisconsin since May 2013.  The last time I attempted to go was in September of 2013, a few days before the season is set to close for the year.  I never made it, because, my car was totaled. Click here to see that old post - Sitting Duck.

We left early around 4 AM on a Saturday morning and as I made the last turn onto a gravel road we we greeted by a bald eagle.  Always a beautiful sight.  Adam has never been up here, and he recently got into fly fishing, so, I was looking forward to showing him the very few spots I know in the Driftless.

Frozen guides did not stop us.
The morning started off cold.  Our guides were iced every 5 minutes, but that's okay, we weren't miserable, because, we were thrilled to be out of the house and wetting a line surrounded by such beautiful scenery.  Adam brought along some liquid heat to help warm him up from the inside out.

Adam sippin' on some liquid heat.
What to use...dries? nymphs? streamers?

What size should we use...10? 14? 16? ...20??

After changing flies quite a few times, I ended up getting some attention from red beadhead leech I tied on a size 6 egg hook.  Adam went with the hopper dropper technique.  A technique I rarely use, but probably should use more often.

Not wanting to spook any of the fish with my walking, and how I slip and fall in the snow, I was attempting to make hero casts, so, I can fish an area before I was near enough to spook the fish.

Streamer Eater.
Casting the leech to the tail end of some riffles, I got a strike, but missed.  3 casts later, my rod bent, and as I lowered my net, a beautiful brown was scooped up.

Release.
As the day went on, it got warmer.  Our guides were iced, no more.  I was actually breaking a sweat, because, I was so warm in the 4 layers I was wearing.  The rise in temperature gave us hope that the fishing was going to turn for the better, but it didn't.  It stayed stagnant.  We couldn't figure out what they wanted.

Long stealthy casts.  One of the keys to fishing the Driftless.
The lack of fish didn't affect us at all.  One look around and it was all good.  These streams are very special, and they just get prettier when the snow reveals lush green grass, and the trees begin to become full of life, again.  The trip wasn't done, and we were already looking forward to returning when jackets and winter gear were not needed.


Thursday, September 26, 2013

Sitting Duck

Sunday, September 22, 2013.

I decided to make one last trip out to the Driftless Area of Wisconsin before the season closes for the year. I was pretty excitded for this trip, because, I was going to explore some new water that someone gave me details about.

So, I was cruising along driving the speed limit of 65 MPH on I-90 (...and yes I really was doing the speed limit! When you're out driving at 3:30 AM and there isn't a lot of traffic, you're easy target for the state troopers.) I was just North of the border and crossing over the Rock River bridge. As I was going over the bridge 2 deer came out of no where and I hit one of them. I lost control of my car, spun out, and my car came to a complete stop...sideways in the middle of the 2 lane interstate. (My Toyota Matrix was in both west bound lanes, with the front of my vehicle facing on-coming traffic just a bit.) I immediately turned on my hazard and bright lights, put the car in neutral, and got out to push it off of the interstate. I moved it an inch before I saw headlights. I got back in my vehicle flashed my brights on and off, and tapped my brake lights, in hopes the driver would see me. They and slowed down to go around me. I got out of the car as they were avoiding me and tried to hail them for help, but they sped off.

Then I started to push my car, again. I was only able to move it a foot before I saw the next set of headlights coming my way. Again, I got back into my vehicle and flashed my lights, but unfortunately, this car did not see me, and took out the front left fender of my car, and turned me perpendicular to the center line. I was just about to get out and start to push, again, but noticed another set of headlights coming at me, so, I stayed in the car, and prayed that this person would see me.

Unfortunately, the second vehicle did not see me until it was, too, late. The mini van smashed into the right rear fender with a solid hit. After my car did a 180 degree turn, I got out, again, and successfully pushed my car onto the shoulder, and out of harms way. (It was like a bad carnival ride.)

I grabbed my big mag flashlight from my backseat and called 911 as I made the 1/4 mile walk to the other vehicles. THANK GOD! - No one was hurt or injured. The axel on the mini van was broken, and the van was resting on the tire in the right lane of the interstate. The other vehicle was on the shoulder, and had damage all along the left side.

Thankfully, I brought my flashlight. I stood behind the mini van and flashed it at on coming traffic to warn them to steer clear of the right lane. There were two 18 wheelers coming down the hill and the driver in the right lane did not see me in sufficient time, and when he did he was unable to switch lanes, because, the other truck was there. This guy layed on all of his brakes and was coming in HOT! I remember yelling something to warn the others, and I quickly darted off into the ditch, and almost into the forest. The big rig stopped with a huge cloud of smoke about 15-20 yards away from the van. CRAZY!

The Matrix on the flatbed. Most likely totaled.
Tips for the future:
- Road flares! - I have them in my old Chevy Blazer (That I am currently driving now), but I never thought to put them in my car. Could have possibly saved me the nightmare.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Driftless...I'll be back!

Took a day trip to the Blue River in Wisconsin's Driftless Area.

The Plan 
Arrive at 5 AM and fish the morning. Mid day find a lake or hit the Wisconsin River for bass. Then return to the Blue River in the evening to finish out the day.

What Happened
I hit the snooze button, and woke up later than planned. I ended up stepping foot in the water at 7 AM, and I immediatly lost my first trout. After that I missed a few more, and caught 4 creek chubs. 5 hours later I was sitting on a rock in the middle of the small river. I tied on a new fly and let the current take it while I ate a quick snack. Right after the first bite of my cliff bar, my rod bends and I have a fish on, and I saw the flash of a trout. I just broke out in laughter. It was quite a moment, and I thought it was hilarious that my first trout of the day came from me taking a break. 

On the wade back I managed 1 more brown. I also managed to step in a deep hole, and didn't realize that the water made it's way into one of my pockets....that my phone was in. So, I was in for a disappointing surprise at the car when I discovered that my phone was dripping water. Drove to the nearest town for a bag of rice, and just hoped for the best.

I decided to just end my trip and head on home soon after that.

...Hoping to return before the end of the season, and toss some hoppers.


The hoppers were starting to come out, but I saw zero surface activity. Soon.....