The rivers have returned to good shape. Full and falling in flow. Active fish both surface and sub..
Short and sweet report today.
Don’t know what the rain will look like tomorrow. Don’t know how it will effect the rivers.
Cheers
A
The rivers have returned to good shape. Full and falling in flow. Active fish both surface and sub..
Short and sweet report today.
Don’t know what the rain will look like tomorrow. Don’t know how it will effect the rivers.
Cheers
A
Anglers
Here we go again!!
The Rush is out of its banks and lake-like in the corn fields around the upper end of the river. Locations in the area are reporting 4 to 10″ of rain over the last two days. A couple bridges are out or have been damaged, not sure which crossings these are yet and the info here is general. The Kinni is running over 400CFS this morning and is coming down in flow but it probably won’t come down enough for a day or two for good fishing to resume.
Ouch!!
I will go out and look around today
A
Yes I am still here! Busier than ever before both work wise and work wise. This two jobs thing turning into three and a half jobs thing is for those between 20 and 50, not for an old geezer like me. Alas, grab the bull by the horns, pass me a beer and lets enjoy the ride…..
Water conditions are clear and spooky and lowish right now. Even with the rain , flows have not gone up. The ground has soaked up most all of the water from the slow even rains we have received. I am waiting on todays burst to see if it will add a little color to the water.
The light colored mayflies of summer have started their cycles. Before long I fear Mid-days will become hot, and fish will move to a AM-PM activity cycle. For now catching has been good throughout the day. Larger fish have fallen mostly subsurface. Practice dry fly casting to small, wiener dog, trout can be found in most stretches of water. Be gentle on hook sets, they become flying fish quite easily.
Each outing in the Month of May has been remarkably similar. Fishing for my clients(catching as well) has been consistent with a bucket load of small trout happy to cooperate as anglers try to make their way to the 12″ year class trout that have been a bit more illusive this year. Trout over 14″ have been regular, and on almost every outing, at least one of these high quality, furious browns have fallen to the fly. A few fish in the 16″ to 19″ range have been caught too. No one has cracked the 20″ mark,,,,,yet. That trout is still to come this year.
Just a reminder; I am guiding during the week as usual Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Saturday, Sunday, Monday, I am at the electronics facility from 6AM to 6PM. Tuesday is old guy recovery day. My guiding schedule is booked solid through mid July as of today. Shoot me an email for availability. Here are a few more photos from May.
This week has been cold, rainy, windy, ugly, fun, rewarding and challenging. Water Temps were in the mid to low 40’s once again this week and the bite tended soft on the fish that were over 12 inches. Water clarity was clear on the Rush River as of 6PM Thursday 4/29 despite the fact that it rained most of the day yesterday. I see the Kinni took a little spike in flow but is probably fine for fishing right now. We needed the rain and it came nice and slow.
The cold weather did dampen the hopes of the dry fly angling a bit. Reports received from a variety of anglers told of reduced numbers of flying insects in the air from the previous week. Air temps in the 40’s was just a bit cold to keep the mayflies and caddis flies consistently hatching. There were times when we experienced rising fish this week, but mostly they seemed to be small fish which I must say I am very thankful to see. An abundance of these little “wiener dog” trout allow anglers to see the future of these great streams looks bright again compared to the gloom and doom chat that was prevalent just one short year ago. Treat these little guys with care. Pinch your barbs, their mouths are tender. Put them back in the water gently, don’t toss them like soft balls. Treat them with the same reverence you might treat Walter, should you happen to hook him. These fish are our future, they are wild, and we are fortunate to share the water with them.
This roller coaster weather we call spring will continue beginning this weekend with some gorgeous, sunny to partly conditions. Expect a variety of caddis to pop again through the weekend.
LOST NET
Here is a note from a fellow angler. If you found this net, shoot me an email.
A shot in the dark, but my dad lost his landing net on the Kinni below River Falls. In the event that one of your customers/readers finds it, we would greatly appreciate it. It is a Wetfly rubber net and has a magnetic clip.
Thank you for your support of fly fishing.
Last weeks guide trips were 33 degrees and rain on Tuesday. Friday, intense snow, wind and then sunny and calm, all in the span of 4 hours. Water temps had dropped an average of 8 degrees from the week before. Each of the clients brought fish to hand in the inclement weather. BWO’s were out on Friday and it was great to see the surface action.
Today, it is too hot and sunny. But,,,, it might bring the bugs I have been looking for. Watch for the little gray caddis on sunny afternoons about this time of year and do not forget about the 1″ long stoneflies that also hatch in number giving the trout a t-bone steak to munch on. Either one could pop this week. The spring has been odd(maybe not, what is normal?), rumors of the caddis beginning in the southeast of Min. are circulating. No matter the case, be ready with your gray caddis dries and emergers. These hatches should show in soon. As much as I(and the trout) dislike sun and clear water conditions, these two hatches make the trout rabid.
Right now is the time to go fishing. I will let you know when you should not go fishing because something has changed for the worse. Right now, my responsibilities to my family have doubled and I have less time(much less)time to sit and write.
Coulee Introduction
This is Coulee. Coulee is a youngish (3-4 years old) English Springer Spaniel and is full of energy. He is staying with the Goat and Goat Mama for the next ten days. He has stayed with us before and we love to have him as a guest.
Here are a few notes on Coulee
-Coulee is a very athletic dog, he is fast, can jump(springer), has a great nose and is great at flushing any animal out of cover. He needs to have regular exercise and we have the perfect spot for him to burn calories
-Coulee is not a good leash dog. Leash=rotator cuff surgery
-Coulee is a cuddler. At the spa he sleeps with us.
-Coulee is one of the slyest and fastest kitchen counter surfers ever. I swear he can elongate his neck, has suctioning abilities and would win any dog olympics in this event. Hands down!
-Coulee once ate a cheeseburger out of my hand with the expert quickness and gentleness of a pick pocket. I never knew the burger had left my hand until I saw the gulping.
-Last year, while grilling lunch on a compact, foot high, grill during our fly fishing float of the St. Croix, two brats mysteriously disappeared from the grate while we were cooking them. The provider of lunch swore he brought 12. Only 10 were located. Two buns sat vacant on the picnic table. Coulee was noted rutting around in the grass a few feet away.
Coulee’s owners are both experts in the food industry. The last time coulee stayed with us his owner claimed he came back home at least 10 pounds over weight. Upon dropping Coulee off for his stay at the Ponderosa Dog Spa this time, exact food measurements were demonstrated and strict instructions were given in regard to what our canine friend could and could not have to eat. Admissions were made by his owner, that Coulee will beg incessantly and large amounts of drool will come out of his mouth while he is engaged in this activity. This and the following posts will highlight the differences between living in a nice residential neighborhood in St. Paul and living in the woods and river valleys of Western Wisconsin and the link as to why Coulee may once again be going back home a bit chunkier then when he came to the ponderosa.
New notes on Coulee
-Coulee loves to eat baby animals. If it eeks or squeeks, he will eat um. Yesterday the den of baby rabbits was quickly emptied by Coulee. From 25 feet away I could see coulee probing deep under a shrub in our flower garden. Suddenly he began flipping little furry things in the air and gulping them down. By the time I got to him this had occurred 3, maybe 4 times. I wonder how many calories are in whole baby rabbits.
Today it was the nest of baby mice under the hay bale. Once the nest was exposed, Coulee pecked with the accuracy of a chicken pecking grit. I will bet Close 10 pink erasers were inhaled in a matter of seconds. Sorry about the extra calories Jeff.
I will keep you updated on Coulees weight gain and food intake.
Hey all, received this message from a friend last week. I am a little late in posting but give me a shout if you hear anything.
Hi Andy,
I know you have occasionally helped reunite folks with lost gear.
I was out on the Rush in Martell, between 63 and 770th Ave
and lost a small blue fly box. It had some small dries – mostly emerger BWOs
and blue quills.
I’m grateful to you for all you do! And maybe you can work some magic
and facilitate another reunion.
Fishing has been good! By the number of cars I have seen out on the river, you already know that. I am not sure you even need me any more and some have suggested I should probably just shut her down. Oh Well!
Blue wings, midges, nymphs of all kinds. This report gets you up to date on what has been going on in the last 10 days since the wildly successful R4F Film Festival Fund Raiser for The Kinnickinnic River Land Trust. Following that, was our “Traditional Opening Day” extravaganza. After that, the unseasonably warm weather continued. The bugs were flying everywhere and trout were coming to the surface. And then it snowed like the sky and the wind and old man winter were just pissed off. They did not want the sun and the warmth and the blue skies to return,,,,ever. But they did, and some giant fish ate in the aftermath of that storm And it was beautiful to be out on the river.
Here we go.
The crew was very strong this year. This was half of it. There were celebrities from all over the region and a number of different states. Prince was expected to drop by but no one ever saw him. A couple of interlopers were escorted off the property by security.
Through the wonders of technology, engineering and the kindness of a representative of Able Seedhouse & Brewery a keg of their fabulous “First Light” IPA made it down the mile long hill and nearly 330 Ft of elevation to cool in the waters of the Kinni. It was drunk!
Fishing rods were used wisely.
Something went dramatically wrong during this years “Hug a Tree” campaign.
In the end, anglers and dogs, trout and trees and peace of mind all survived another glorious opener. Thanks you to this group of handsome devils.
During the week, a few days later,,,,, the otherwise quiet waters of another Western Wisconsin stream, irrupted in a BWO/midge hatch to die for.
And then the nature of things changed.
The sky grew darker and it was difficult to see.
Driving home at night I became confused. What to do? Which way to turn?
By the next day, all was well, and my long standing client refused to be deterred by a little snow.
The day was memorable. Leave it at that.
The rivers had their flow spike in the warm weather on Tuesday and have continued to come down since. No waters “blew out” by any means and the snow is all but gone through most of the watersheds. The weekend is looking good, well at least Saturday and then maybe some rain on Sunday. Midges are in the air and some heads have been popping, look for this to continue as the earth in our neck of the woods continues to warm. Big flies or small flies choose your food. March is an awesome time to be on the water.
Tomorrow the F3t film tour comes to River Falls. The Group that is putting the film on calls itself the R4F(River Falls Fly Fishing Festival), get it, R4F. Catchy, I know. Look for some cool events to be linked up in the future. I will participate as the events MC and attempt to use foolish childlike behavior to keep the event on track and fun. To those of you who watched the show in Minneapolis this last week, you get another chance tomorrow to shoot across the border and watch the show again, or just spend some quality time hanging with you fly fishing buds. Don’t forget to spend a little dough(and a chance at some great prizes) supporting the great resource that the Kinni is!
Saturday, in the same location as the film, Brian from Lund’s Fly Shop in River Falls is hosting a Fly Fishing Expo of his own, and will have River Falls abuzz with the best of the regions fly guys and gals. Unfortunately or Fortunately, I look at it both ways. My traditional opening day extravaganza is being held on Saturday so I will be unable to attend the Lund’s shin dig. I will be taking a nap, fly rod in hand, somewhere on the Kinni for the 35th year, if memory and records serve me right.
Next week is The Greatwaters event in White Bear Lake. I will be speaking on Friday at 5 PM, I believe, and am excited to see the new venue. More on that next week.
Next year we will make sure to schedule all these fly fishing gala events a little more spread out.
As you probably know,,,,,
The F3t film tour is in River Falls on March 11th. http://rfflyfishingfestival.com/friday.html
Bringing together ageless beauty and extraordinary skill sets, and bonded by fly fishing and conservation, a bunch of knuckleheads had an idea??? Bring the most popular fly fishing film tour to small town America. Knowing we had a world class fly fishing destination, a University, a Twin Cities and community that cared dearly about its river, we decided we could easily make a ton of dough to line our pockets. Ain’t America Great! When the smartest one of the group realized that the knuckleheads would only spend the money on beer, making their wives very unhappy, a “Plan B” approach was orchestrated. Giving all, yes all, the proceeds from the event back to the community and the river we love, would be the right thing to do. The Kinnickinnic River Land Trust (KRLT)was the recipient of over $12,000.00 in beer money last year which helped them continue protecting the beauty and health of the Kinnickinnic River. This fabulous gift really came from those who attended last year and it was greatly appreciated by the knuckleheads. Please join us again this year. Once again we will look to break the fun meter and raise some money for something special. Here is a smashed together, non-formatted, partial list of some great stuff donated by some great folks. Contact the goat if you want to give.
These prizes were donated by individuals and businesses who care about you, the well being of your community and the health of a river that will soon flow free again. This is a community based, family oriented event. Thank you for showing your support.
Every Kid 16 and under will receive a free gift!!!!!!
The Kinnickinnic River is a remarkable river!
Dave Norling Father and Son Bamboo Fly Rod ………Value $2,000.00 Dave and Dave share an ongoing love for the outdoors and continue a close relationship which has always included hunting and fishing. We have in recent years joined forces in hand crafting bamboo fly rods made in traditional ways. In our case “too many cooks” hasn’t seemed to apply. We work together with the same harmony that has been with us from the start (Son David’s first duck hunt was at the age of four) We have cane rods in Germany, Belgium, Sweden, Chile, Canada and the USA www.davenorling.com The Kinni has been a first love and the term “Home Waters” certainly would apply. It is certainly a brilliant jewel in Wisconsin’s crown of wonderful trout streams. The Land Trust has done a fantastic job of protecting and seeking to preserving this priceless treasure. The rod is made with the love we share for the Kinnickinnic River. The reel seat wood is from a large black cherry tree that was harvested years ago from the lower Kinni valley. We discovered a crotch left over that was left by the logger and was salvaged by us. When this rod is fished the wood in the reel seat will have overlooked the Kinni valley for 75 plus years. Some pretty heavy MoJo there we’d say. Bound to guide an angler’s steps.
Alec Johnson, of AC Johnson Photography -Two Prints……..Value $150.00 each He has a very cool MSP panoramic that will get attention, and we will also choose a photo from his Lake Superior collection. http://www.acjfineartphoto.com/ Gander Mountain- Outdoor Cooking Accessories………..Value $100.00 1. 10 quart Deep Fryer Pan and basket 2. 3 gallons frying oil 3. 16 inch wire skimmer for the deep fryer 4. 3 boxes of shore lunch 5. Rapala fillet knife Plastic fish batter basket Gander Mountain- light weight spinning reel and fishing lure box…….Value $30.00 The Phoenix Restaurant-Baldwin- Food and Apparel Package………Value $55.00 1. T-Shirt w/ logo 2. 2 bottle / Can cozies w/ logo 3. Hooded Sweatshirt w/ logo $25 gift certificate to the restaurant Dave Johnson- Yeti Hopper Cooler 20 Qt- …Value $299.00 Dave Johnson – 3 Days 2 Nights lodging for up to 6 people- Bear Cabin. Michigan ….Value $500.00 2 cases of wine donated by Chris Miller / Terlato Wine group. extremely good wines. Chimney Rock Wine, 3 bottles, $60 a bottle…..Value $180.00 Chimney Rock Wine, 3 bottles, $60 a bottle…..Value $180.00 Sanford Pinot Noir- The Sanford sells for $25 a bottle, and the case will have 9 bottles. Chimney Rock Link: http://www.uncorked.com/catalog/product/view/id/2306/category/110/ Sanford Pinot Noir Link: http://www.uncorked.com/shop-wines/type-varietal/red-wines/pinot-noir/sanford- Dave Johnson- Sterling Silver ladies necklace…….. Value $50.00 Dave Johnson- Betsy Bowen Brook Trout Print…….. Value $100.00 Dave Johnson- 1998 Wisconsin Trout Stamp and Print…….. Value$125.00 Dave Johnson- 2016 F3T Poster- Framed and Mounted…….. Value $65.00 Gray Goat Fly Fishing- Full Day Guided trip for 2 anglers, Private Property access to lower Kinni, Stream-Side Chef prepared Lunch………Value $750.00 Steve Boyd- St. Croix Rod…….. Value $250.00 Dave Johnson- Bob White “Gierach Print” Framed and Mounted…….. Value $365.00 -Autographed by author and artist- WOW! Gary Liubakka- Trout Drawing……… Value $80.00 Country Inn- Gift Certificate x 2 ……….Value $200.00 Dry Fly Sales- Simms Gear- Sling pack and accessories………Value $200.00 John Carlson- 4 hr Firearm Training and Shoot………Value $250.00 Bob Trevis- new book Fly Fishing in Southeast Minnesota………Value $25.00 Clifton Hollows Golf Course-Greens Fees for 4 and Carts………Value $160.00 Gander Mountain- Scientific Angler 5 weight starter Fly Fishing set / Reel-Rod-Line….. Value $120.00 Hodgeman- Aesis Shell Jacket, Waterproof Wind proof………..Value $229.00 M, L, or XL Bill Hendrix – handmade c&r net worth….Value $130
The KRLT- Stained glass fish from Davie Oppenheimer. You can see his stuff here:wildaboutglass.net. Retail for a 26” fused glass brown trout………Value $600.00- In addition, The artist is providing a 15% discount to anyone who orders one of his pieces within 30 days of the R4F Film Festival, and will also donate 15% to the KRLT. Lund’s Fly Shop- Boat style fly box with 50 flies (bass, pike, muskie) …..Value $295.00 Lund’s Fly Shop– Women’s/youth snow shoes (rated up to 140lbs.)……Value $70.00 Cabela’s- Theorem 4 piece 6 weight / Redington Rise Reel / 6 weight line….Value $508 Cabela’s- RLS 9 foot 5 weight Combo with reel & line…Value $319 Cabela’s- Wind River 6 weight Rod-Reel Combo / Line / $160 Treadmill Embroidery- 3-R4F logoed Zip up fleece jackets…..Value $60.00 each Treadmill Embroidery- 2- R4F logoed 1/4 zip crew tops….Value $60.00 each Treadmill Embroidery- 3 R4F logoed beanie winter caps…Value $25.00 each Dave Johnson- Webley and Scott WB 2000 20 Ga Side by Side shotgun with leather case….Value $1800.00 Gray Goat Fly Fishing- Antique replica cast Iron kids bank”Trick Pony” …..Value $20.00 Gray Goat Fly Fishing/Strike-zone- 5 ceramic tip fly tying bobbins loaded with 14/0 GG thread…….Value $60.00 Yetti Hopper cooler ……..Value $299.00 Belle Vines Wine, River Falls- 4 bottles of wine…….Value $25.00 each Scientific Anglers Fly Line You choose! salt or fresh….Value $80.00 Yetti Rambler-…..Value $30.00 Scott Robbie- Bushnell Binoculars……..Value $200.00 Costa Sunglasses- Certificate for 1 pair….Value $175.00 TFO Fly Rod…….Value $200.00
Hi Steve
The attachment did not come through with your email, only this
-If you want trout fishing to continue as we know it, please attend the Conservation Congress meeting in your county on April 11 to speak and vote against allowing bait fishing on all trout streams. Jim
And your question
Is the DNR seriously considering bait fishing on the Rush, Kinni and Brule?
I think you might be referring to this Wisconsin Conservation Congress, 2016 spring hearing question. I just read this for the first time. Lets get you some early answers to your question.
Wisconsin Conservation Congress
County Meeting
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ADVISORY QUESTIONS
QUESTION 14. Eliminate the “artificial-only” restriction from regular season trout regulations
The Wisconsin Conservation Congress has joined the effort to make the rules governing hunting, fishing and trapping more understandable to the state’s sportsmen and women and thus add to their enjoyment of the outdoors. At its most recent meeting, the members of the WCC Rule Simplification Committee advanced a proposal to remove artificial restrictions from all trout waters in Wisconsin. The WCC Executive Council voted to forward the proposal for public input. Surveys of trout anglers in Wisconsin show preferences for the use of both artificial and live baits and this proposal would respect the rights of both. While some studies have shown that post-release mortality of trout caught with bait can exceed that of trout caught with artificial lures, there are no rigorous studies on population-level effects of post-release mortality of trout caught by bait in Wisconsin streams.
14. Do you favor eliminating the “artificial-only” restriction from the regular season trout regulations?
First thing to remember, this question is posed by and passed through process by the Wisconsin Conservation Congress to appear on the spring hearing questionnaire.
The Wisconsin Conservation Congress is the only statutory body in the state where citizens elect delegates to advise the Natural Resources Board and the Department of Natural Resources on how to responsibly manage Wisconsin’s natural resources for present and future generations. http://dnr.wi.gov/about/wcc/
The DNR is bound by state statute to consider the question and the publics input on questions like these. The people of the great state of Wisconsin elected these folks who propose these questions. They may have the same views as you,,,,,, or maybe not. Regardless, the DNR is bound by law to consider the proposals. Also it should be said, anyone may submit a proposal to appear in the hearings as long as it passes through the process which can be viewed at the link below.
2016 Spring questions PDF
Goat Talk:
— In short, until I scour the regs, make a few calls and dig into it a bit further.
The proposal is worded for the “Regular Season” which is the first Saturday in May to, now, October 15th. This would leave the “Early season” (January -April) outside of this proposal. The Early season is already artificial only. My guess is that the question is targeting any artificial only waters that have been protected year round, under special regulation(red), in the Trout Regulations Booklet. I am not sure how many miles of trout water are protected under this status but I will look into it. From my years in the mix of this process, it is my understanding that those anglers who like to fish with live bait feel they have been unfairly regulated off of these waters. As far as I know the rivers you speak of, all allow live bait to be used on all sections of river right now during the regular season. I must admit, so few trout leave the river with me these days and I have not checked on the specific sections of water that I normally fish to see if anything has changed for 2016. If I do take trout for food, I make sure I know the rules and regulations of the waters I am fishing.
Thanks Steve for the inspiration for a blog post to get me out of hibernation.
Andy
M | T | W | T | F | S | S |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
29 | 30 |
Loading...