WINTER TROUTING & ROOT RIVER ROD CO.

PART TWO

Part One - The Pink Tutu

Jim perusing the selection for the fly of The Root River Rod Co.

After fishing all morning and only coming up with 1 brown trout brought in by the illustrious Jim. We (Grant, Jim and I) decided to take a walk down Main Street.  Here we are, 3 guys in waders carrying fly fishing rods and walking the streets of a small town in rural Minnesota, and we come across a fly shop none of us had ever been to - Root River Rod Company.

Shop owner Steve Sobieniak whipping up some lunch time bugs.

The shop was clean, bright, and welcoming.  The shop owner Steve Sobieniak was very informative letting us in on what the local fish are keying in on this time of year, and was even nice enough to whip us up some fresh flies for our departure back to the river.

Jim supports local business, but also knows how to get info.

Jim just couldn't leave without making a purchase to support the local business, but also being a resident of Minnesota, you can never have too many quality gloves during winter.  Jim was also excited to see a whole section dedicate to Root River Hackle, and he proceeded to rave about the quality of the feathers.

Steve pointing us in the right direction.

Jim's purchase also bought us some extra information, in the form of a hand drawn map.  Unfortunately, after Steve completed the drawing, we all learned that we could not take the map, because, it was kind important to the shop, but that's what camera phones are for, right!?

Steve discovering the map was on something important. :)

Stoked to get back out on the water with some local intel we stepped out of Root River Rod Company, and saw a watering hole across the street.  It's lunch time, and we deserve a drink for all of the hard work we put in on the water during the cold winter morning.  

Sitting at the bar in our waders, tossing back a $3 personal pitcher of beer, and enjoying the locals at the end of the bar cheer on Godzilla (We later learned it was King Kong) as he destroys New York City was one of the better lunches I had in a while.

Jim laying out some line with precision.

After the bar we set out to wet some lines with the intel Jim acquired with his glove purchase.  After a short car ride and Grant showing us how to properly jam out to some Always Be My Baby by Mariah Carey, we found our destination.

Grant sending some smooches.

The spot had some great looking water, and looked promising.  We just didn't have what the trout were after that day, and with the sun setting at 1 PM (Kidding - It just feels that way) we had to make the drive back North.

I hope you all download this for your next phone background.

Not a bad day in our books at all.  Brushed off the early shivers of cabin fever, new water was fished, 1 trout was caught, cheap beer was drunk, Godzilla (King Kong) destroyed New York, and a new fly shop was shopped. 

End of the day and into the tall grass we go.

ROOT RIVER ROD COMPANY

WEBSITE

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

ROOT RIVER HACKLE

WEBSITE

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

MY GEAR

Camera - http://amzn.to/2hnMwkD

Lens - http://amzn.to/2hhdHJS

5 wt Fly Rod - http://amzn.to/2CMGm2a

Waders - http://amzn.to/2BHwpnC

Wading Boots - http://amzn.to/2qiwU5p

Nippers - http://amzn.to/2CjYO2u

Sunglasses - http://amzn.to/2CM17Lr

Fly Box - http://amzn.to/2Cz6lO4

**The above links are Amazon Associate links**

YAKTRAX CONTEST

Want to win a pair of Yaktrax Pro's?

We all love contests, and this one has simple instructions.  On Instagram simply post a photo of one of your winter adventures with the hashtag #STANDUPTOWINTER and tag @yaktraxtraction - Like I said, it's simple!

The winner will be selected at the end of the month, so, get those pictures posted and tagged!

Photo Courtesy of Yaktrax

LINKS

Yaktrax Pro - http://amzn.to/2E8nV9F

Yaktrax Walk - http://amzn.to/2BONcUJ

Yaktrax Run - http://amzn.to/2E90UDQ

Yaktrax Diamond Grip - http://amzn.to/2ChXDne

Yaktrax Summit - http://amzn.to/2Drf3Lk

**The above links are Amazon Associate links**

WINTER FISHING WITH DANK

During the Christmas weekend, I was back home in Chicago.  I had some free time, so, I hit up my homie DANK to see if he wanted to get out and fish.  There were a few issues with that...It was freezing cold, I didn't have any of my fishing gear, and I didn't have a car.  DANK replied to my text "I got you dude."

We both were just excited to be out casting a line, but our hopes to catch any fish were not very high.  I borrowed one of DANK's spin setups and I tied on a small weighted paddle tail minnow.  On my 5th cast the rod bent and I was hooked up.  A little Larry came out to play, and I was oh so thankful to him.  Quick shot, and release.

Stoked!

DANK and I proceeded to catch more than a few fish each, and it made for a excellent morning/afternoon winter fishing session.

Beauty.

If you know the spot, do the right thing and just keep it to yourself. :)

DANK hooked up with some very healthy looking Illinois bass, and it made for an excellent day out there with my homie.  Thank you, for picking me up and letting me play with your rod!

Action Shot.

Them IKE's are on point DANK.

Say ahhh

This was without a doubt my last outing in the calendar year that is 2017, and it was a great one.  Fish were caught, and I got to hang out with one of my bestest friends.  I hope one day he reads my blog :)

DANK with the biggest bass of the day.

MY GEAR

My Camera - http://amzn.to/2hnMwkD

My Favorite Lens - http://amzn.to/2hhdHJS

My Other Favorite Lens - http://amzn.to/2BYop4M

My Sunglasses - http://amzn.to/2Cd3Aj6

My Hoodie - http://amzn.to/2CcbqvF

My Boots - http://amzn.to/2Cc4PPl

**The above links are Amazon Associate links**