Last night over 1 inch of rain fell in the area sending a spike in the flow rates of the local streams. I am checking sources now and will go out this afternoon to check on the water. Looks like the Kinni took it harder than the Rush. I’d give it a day or so but some stained water might do some good for the spookiness of the fish. The water has remained crystal clear for a long time. We needed the rain so it was a welcome storm last night. I just love the sounds in a good storm. The air temps and water temps have remained cool this summer which is a good thing for our trout. Lets hope for a steady cool down to get those browns active this September. The trout have been boom or bust in their activity level this month with the Tricos still out there in the AM. The last month the turkeys have made a push to show up in the back yard each day. Hens, chicks(if thats what you call the young), and Toms, all behaving differently. Does anyone know why they are so active at this time of year? Then there were these two that tried to get in my back patio door. They pecked so hard on the glass door I thought they would break it.

For those of you who have not seen or fished this little Brook trout gem it is a perfect opportunity for you to spend some time learning about stream mechanics, stream restoration and maybe where to wet a line. Seeing and working on these projects will make you a better angler as well as add to the conservation effort that has made your angling opportunities some of the best in the country. Pine Creek is located east of Maiden Rock off of CO. Rd. AA

There will be another work night scheduled for Tuesday, 8-19, 4 - 8 PM.  

There could be a variey of work again so be prepared with gloves, water, boots and waders in case structures need to be placed. 

The project looks very good–we need your help.  It is a beautiful  valley to spend time in and your time and effort are extremely 
valuable to the project. 

Thanks again to all who worked the last two work nights.

Last evening was spent on the waters of Lake Minnetonka searching for the elusive Muskie. Unsettled weather, the chance to throw giant top water bugs at fish that can remove you limbs, and the sensory stimulation of night fishing were secondary to why I embarked on this adventure. The primary reason is that I was able to spend some time with my friend Bill Sherck. Bill is a story teller for Minnesota Bound and Due North Outdoors television shows. He is a gatherer of stories from the past and present for the purpose of sharing. Sharing the experiences and excitement of the natural world with you and I. Bill understands that people and their stories provide us with a record of reality. Truth, that exploration and adventure are still alive and strong and that each and everyone of us have the ability to experience it ourselves. That people, along with their wisdom and passion can inspire the spirit to achieve the unthinkable. There are few like Bill in our local media and its always a pleasure to spend time with him.

 We launched the boat amidst the darkening skies at one of Lake Minnetonka’s many bays. The word, still remaining hush hush in the mouths of many Minnetonka muskie guides, was that the annual bite was on. This yearly feeding frenzy happens each year when water temps and other conditions are just right, similar to the beginning of a major hatch on a trout stream. The chance to hook up with a muskie on a fly would better now than at most times of the year. As we strung up the big rods with wire tippet and 4/0 popping bugs the anticipation was high. Top water for muskie is a gas. The visual on these large predators is frightening when one takes a swipe at your fly, and that makes it all the more exiting. Travis, a well regarded conventional tackle muskie guide and his clients were in one boat.  Bill and I with our fly rods were in the another.  We generally spent the night fishing different water but were in contact by phone for updates. On Bills first or second cast a nice muskie swirled on his fly, but didn’t take as it popped along a weed edge. The anticipation meter shot through the roof as we continued popping, chugging and skittering our flies on the surface. The evenings clouds had turned evil and off in the distance you could see the rain relentlessly pounding the horizon. The rain was closing in. I made the comment that “we cant out run the rain” and Bills eyes lit up. He looked at me and scoffed. The power of his boat as well as his navigational skills were able to keep us out of the drenching rains and swirling storms that engulfed much of the big lake for the entire night. We spent the next hour casting and talking and enjoying the moment. The phone rang. It was the other boat, no action yet. We told them our story about the one that got away and felt pretty confident. In between casting the big bugs we fished some smaller flies and caught a few of Minnetonka’s  abundant Largemouth bass. All on top water! Then it happened again. A large snout appeared by Bills fly, swirled, and was gone. I picked up my fly and cast in the same area. The great fish slashed again but did not grab. My heart skipped a beat but it was all over in a blink. We spent another 30 min. casting in the dark in an incredible place, and then the phone rang. Bill winced, he knew the other boat had gotten a fish. It was true! Travis’s boat had gotten one to the boat and landed this beautiful 51″ muskie. INCREDIBLE! What a night, what an experience. It didn’t happen for us on the fly on this night, but both boats ended with great stories.

Thanks Bill

The fishing in the last week has been erratic at best. There seems to be little rhyme or reason to the behavior of the key players in this angling game. The Fish: Their role is most important and as usual the most difficult to figure out. One day there are bugs all over and no fish eating them. The next, fish up everywhere but uninterested in anything you throw at them. The Weather: This factor I keep a close eye on because it really can determine where I fish on any given day. I hate to say it because my best friend is a Meteorologist but, the ones I watch have been as far off the mark at predicting the weather lately as I have been at finding the cooperative, village idiot, non-selective trout. Predicting overcast, get sun. Predicting 80’s get 70’s. Predicting calm, get wind. Now, these poor predictions are not responsible for finicky fish but its nice to blame someone and this group of scientist are used to taking the heat anyway. The Water: The water has remained cool but clear. I think it looks and feels like it is in great shape for the middle of August yet deep pools and fast runs have not consistently produced fish. Hoppers, beetles, and ants have produced a few but seeming less looks, bumps and refusals than what I would consider usual. I don’t want you to get the impression that I’m not catching fish but sometimes I even wonder where those 2-7,000 fish per mile are hiding in this crystal clear water. 

 Two big factors I see that does, without a doubt make a difference in angler success(defined as catching fish in this case) is positioning and casting skill. Positioning is a big part of presentation especially at this time of year. The stream side grasses are high and the trees are in full foliage. Casting lanes are many times obstructed. Water clarity can determine casting distance because the fish can see you easier. Usually during the dog days you have one chance to position yourself correctly to make the cast, screw this up by getting tangled up or too close, and the fish are gone. Now you have to make the cast. Casting skill refers to the numerous aspects associated with delivering the fly including, but not limited to, distance, accuracy, pick-up, lay-down and line positioning. On picky fish these things also have to be done well in order to achieve success.  Oh yeah, don’t forget to pick the right fly.  All I’m saying today is that for those of you out there experiencing a bit of difficulty, your not alone. But its still fun.  One more thing. Trout Unlimited work day, Tuesday. Pine Creek. It’s beautiful. Be there, I will.  UPDATE: I will be unable to attend tomorrow’s work day. See ya next week. Andy

A reminder that we need your help on Tuesday, 8-12, 4 - 8 PM on Pine Creek. 

Work is progressing quickly and there is a lot to do.  Some regular volunteers are not going to be there because of prior engagements so we really need your help. 

There will be LUNKER building, possibly placement, seeding and mulching.  Bring gloves, water, boots, waders. 

WI 35 to Cty AA just south of Maiden Rock, east on AA(watch for the Maiden Rock Apples sign) to the site; you can’t miss it.  We need a good turnout of volunteers!

I am pleased to announce that Wayne Bartz: Author, Photographer and Fly fisherman extraordinaire will be a regular contributor to the reports section for Southeast Minnesota(I told you to be patient)on the Gray Goat. We wish Wayne many days on the water and the trout of his dreams. Look for Waynes Photography to appear on the products cart in the near future.

Just one kernel. Why did you pick that one kernel out of the bowl and put it in your mouth? There are hundreds to choose from, why did you choose that particular one. Most likely it is just pure chance and that’s that. Trout on Tricos are the same way. There not choosing a particular bug, Their choice is random also. There are 27,000,000,000 bugs on the water all at the same time. They pick the one or five that are on their nose when they decide to rise. My Big Horn guide always told me “the best way to catch trout during a Trico hatch is to put the fly in their mouth”. Now this is easier said than done, but It can happen and its fun when it does. What I’m saying is practice your accuracy, this is one important factor. Trout DO have stations that they take up and stay in until they are spooked. Another factor is the “Completely Different Bug Theory”. Try something completely different. Wayne Bartz of Southeast Minnesota uses his PG caddis pattern during the tough times of a Trico hatch. This fly was just featured in the May issue of Midwest Fly Fishing Magazine. Yesterday I used some small(#22) beetle patterns with some success. Hopper Dropper is a good choice at this time also. Many have tried to defeat the snooty Browns by changing to variations of the same pattern(I carry 12 different Trico spinner patterns, 8 dun patterns, 4 cripple/captive patterns and 2 nymph patterns all in two small boxes). When I have made my 5th pattern change I switch to something completely different and sometimes it works!

Almost 3/4 of an inch fell throughout the area last night. The earth needed it. The water rose but did not significantly effect the rivers. Go Fish.

Only about 1/10″ of rain fell yesterday morning,having no effect on the watersheds.Tricos continue to be the strongest game but the fishing seems to be getting slightly stronger after the morning hatch. Beetles and hoppers are making a strong showing in the grasses along the streams. Nymphing has netted a few fish after the hatch. Target the deeper faster water. Overall the fish look fat and sassy so I don’t think food is a problem right now. Evenings have been relatively devoid of hatches, possibly the heat is just to stressful for successful emergence. For those interested, Minnesota Bound will be doing a program on the Kinnickinnic this Sunday August 3rd at 10:35PM and again on August 9th at 6:30PM. Yours truly hosted KARE 11’s Belinda Jensen and her Father for a little trout fishing, with stops along the way at the Kinnickinnic River Land Trust and Kinni Creek Outfitters/B&B. I have not seen it yet so I don’t know how proud to be.

See Ya