A Few Trout and a Few Creek Chubs.... aka Horned Dace.... and lots of beauty.

The forecast.... warm.... that's all I really payed attention to...  Turns out it would be warm alright...like damn near 8 hrs later.  I'm still not sure if I purposely ignored the wind speed, but the fact is, it didn't stop me.  I proceeded as planned.  I had stayed up super late tying all of my favorite flies the night prior and I was determined to go chuck them at some trout, whether they wanted them or not.  I chucked against the wind all day.. and I chucked and I chucked.  I chucked so hard and often my arm actually ached the next day.  Did I hit myself in the back of the head with fly rig more than once?...Yes.  Did I miss more bites than I did the entire year prior..?  Yes.  Did I give up...?... NO!  I tied on every last fly in my box and cursed the wind gods above.  I hiked till my heels hurt and knees ached... Was it worth every moment... Hells Yes.  The beauty I encountered was needed deep within my soul...the quiet rustling stream..like music to my ears.  Id be lying if I said I caught a ton of fish..2 to hand total.  I lost two nice trout hooked at the same time on a double rig.  The larger of the 2 snapped his head and off they both went... and along with it the day... Time flew by and I found myself stoked for the next chance I got to get out.. Next time the trout wont be so lucky.  They are going to hang out with my flies like it or not, and they better smile for the camera :) 

Sweet Bridge Hole along public stretch

Ham-Mushroom-Cheese Omelette and hash-browns....yummm

and toast with jam :)

Trying to pick a stream is a battle in its self.

Castle Rock Killer Conehead

If fences could talk....

Redington-St.Croix Avid set up

Getting down to the trouts level

Wishing I could also hunt Whitetail Deer here...yeah that is a big ole deer.

Little Brown Town.  aka Spirit saver...Thanks for obliging dude

Still hanging on from last year...

My take on a Pink Squirrel of sorts

Close up of my second participant :)

Early Morning frost had me shiverin me timbers...

Healthy Creek Chub ...  Horned Dace  ...

Not so healthy Creek Chub ...  Trout Food that got away maybe ?

One of the 3 streams I stopped to fish... spooked easily.. but produced bites

Last pic as the day began to slip away from me.....

Well until next time....... Tight Lines to ya'll!!!!

Wisconsins Southwest Driftless Trout Streams are LOokInG Tip ToP!!

The winter seems to be gone for good..... finally :)  I've been keeping an eye on the weather so that we would all be able to head out and check on the local stream conditions.  After some coffee...laying about...more coffee..and some laying about..we decided to get ready and head out on a lazy Sunday afternoon to see what spots were available.  Considering the actual time we finally made it out, I was surprised to see no vehicles parked in the spot closest to our house.  So with a good amount of enthusiasm from everyone, we hit the stream.  The weather channel forecast was for around 50 degrees.  They were right on point and the sunshine was mixed with light winds.  A beautiful day to be out with the family, enjoying one of earths finest treasures....A  small spring-fed Driftless Trout Stream.

Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout......Triceratops.....

Cross this wooden fence for extreme beauty

Photo courtesy of Bird...Explaining how we want to see fly line take off  in other direction...Sinkin em Deep

Dad forgot baggie of Peanut Butter Captain Crunch.....Duck Lips

Sephora ... Finnigan ... Talon doing what kids do best.. having a blast.

Bird and Talon..... stream = happiness

To learn the art of trout fishing one must first master the sand castle.

Sephora getting some air.... water ..... and earth :)

Streamafide...caused by extremely peaceful sounds from trout stream...  

Kids were full of sand when we got home for some reason.....

Laid back kinda day

Mini Trout MaGee

First one to give Ole Man Trout a hug wins...Pic courtesy of Bird 

I didn't end up fishing very much and managed only one single bite.  Sure some trout were spooked, but all the smiles and memories made easily make up for it.  We all returned home with a sense of calm and perma grins.  Well until next time...... Tight Lines y'all!

Wisconsin's Driftless Early Season 2018 Trout Fishing

Well its been what seems like forever since I last posted on my blog.  I recently got a new Nikon and been running it through the tests.  So far so good!  I am pumped to get back out on the stream with it and capture some pics from my adventures of fly fishing here in Wisconsins Driftless.  Its been to long and I am ready to get back at it and help everyone appreciate the amazing beauty the rolling hills of the Driftless have to offer.  Here are a few pics with the new camera.  Hope you enjoy.  

Until Next time my friends ...... Tight Lines to all!