Oh my gosh, can you believe it? Trout season is finally upon us!! I spent the weekend enjoying my 11th Anniversary with my wonderful wife. I decided to wait until the week began to get out there and check on the streams. I ended up heading with my older brother to a nearby stream and we fished from about 10:00 to 2:00. The day started out cold and ended feeling colder yet. I couldn't help but just close my eyes and let the sun bake my face as I listened to the stream flow by. It is amazing how relaxing that sound alone can be. I found myself wondering if there was a way to have the sound of a stream flowing in every room of our house. Maybe someday :) The water level on this creek was extremely low for this time of the year. The stream has slowly started to widen with each years passing. Spots that you used to be able to stand and fish, are now in the middle of some of the holes. Some DNR restoration would help the lower part of this stream immensely. Some of the stretches are as long as a football field and as wide as a barn. If the creek scored a 10 of 10 ,5 years back, it is now at about a 4 of 10 in spots. A shame. We did end up catching some browns. A lot of small trout were rising up and fell victim to the Bomber and my bro's elk hair caddis. A fine day on the stream and a great way to spend a winters day. Tomorrow is supposed to be in the 50's so I may head out. I never knew heaven could be so cold :)
Until Next Time.......Tight Lines to All !!!
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As alwaysI'm in awe of the blog layout and photos. My season is just a few weeks away, than let battle commence.
ReplyDeleteNice piece.
Regards.
FFMR,
DeleteThanks a lot. It felt great to get back out there. I look forward to seeing some posts from your opening season ;) Good luck and safe battling. Tight Lines.
I agree that Castle has changed...but I wouldn't say it's gotten worse. Some holes are different now, especially at Jerome's. My theory is that you didn't catch anything on Monday, because all their mouths were sore from my trip on Sunday! ;)
ReplyDeleteIf you want to see real destruction, go up to Doc Smith and check out how slow the water is flowing because of beaver dams! I bet it iced over in a lot of spots this winter.
Patsy
Patsy,
DeleteThe Upper stretches of Castle are looking good, but way to crowded for this guy :) We headed down in deeper and it is troubling to see how wide the creek is getting. Too much bank erosion. Could definitely be improved upon. Right below the bridge there is a huge beaver dam stopping the stream up. G Damn Beavers!! We should start a crusade for destroying beaver dams since nobody else seems to be doing anything about them!! The Willow is looking gnarly up top, beavers for days. Taj said he saw some dudes up top on Castle Sunday when Jonah and him were there... I wonder if you guys crossed paths ? Congrats on the baby on the way too :) See yu out there. Tight Lines.
I've called the DNR a couple times to report beaver dams in the Castle area...the guy told me they don't have the resources (budget cuts) to keep up with them. Apparently Jerome gets reports from the DNR and sets traps, but if you don't destroy the dam, what's the point?
DeleteWe were on lower Castle Rock on Sunday. We walked all the way back to that camper. Only saw one other guy down there, and he was walking out around 11:00...down where the old farm used to be. He would probably have seen my brother...he's 6'10".
Dude, email me if you want to exchange notes or get together sometime. I'll be back at Castle for a weekend in, mid-May for sure.
patrick.hasburgh@gmail.com
Patsy
12th Commandment (after the 11th "Thou must not be found out") has to be "Thou shalt not covet thine American brethren's earlier start to the trout season!"
ReplyDeleteI am a sinner. I have broken the 12th...
It's good that the Chronicles now continue afresh.
Regular Rod
Regular Rod,
DeleteThanks much. It is O.K. to feel that way about trout fishing :) I hope your season starts soon. I just about go crazy during the wait for opening day. I usually wait a day or two to really build up the anticipation :) Tight Lines.
Glad to see you back in business again...I've been looking forward to those posts and great pics for months now. Good stuff as always!!
ReplyDeleteHPFF,
DeleteThanks a lot man. It feels great to get out there and whip myself back into shape. It never hurts to give the trout a work out now and then :) Tight Lines.
Trout
ReplyDeleteI would love to fish some of those streams spread out through your images, not to mention the patterns to boot!!!
Bill T,
DeleteThanks a lot. Wisconsin isn't too far away from where you call home :) The streams are just waiting there for you ;) I am over whelmed by all of the different streams. Too many to cover :) Someday. Tight Lines.
Very cool photos...as always! Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteKiwi,
DeleteThanks much. Glad you enjoy the pics.
Nice to see you back and posting your beautiful photos. Have a great season.
ReplyDeleteHoward,
DeleteThanks a lot. You have a great season as well. ALL YEAR LONG. LUcky Dog. Tight Line.s
That stinks that the creek has become worse over a short period of time. Hopefully they work to restore it soon. On the bright side you didn't get the skunk. Good post! Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteBrian,
DeleteThanks a lot man. The DNR recently purchased the land where the stream needs some work so hopefully they have plans for the future. It still holds some huge fish though :) I was stoked there was no skunks that day! Tight Lines.
Glad that the season has finally arrived for you guys. Looks like a great day on the water, glad you got to spend it with your bro.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos as always!
Sanders,
DeleteThanks bro. It was a cold but beauty day out. Kinda wished it would have been snowing :) You better make some plans to get up to the Driftless and I will show you some sweet spots. I love early season because the bugs and the weeds are not a problem. Tight LInes.