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 Early Trout Season - Weather May Vary :)

March 10th 2012

Today the streams had settled down and the water quality was great.  The sun was out and the sky was blue mostly blue.  With the temps up past the 50's and much of the snow gone, what else could a person ask for??  Maybe a huge concrete wall to stop the winds gusting up to 4o mph.  With the wind to my back it seemed to push me upstream effortlessly and the next thing I knew I was at the top of the stream where the two creeks come together to form one.  I busted right and did some surveying, but was disappointed to find only one hole holding some trout.  Below where the two creeks meet there was a decent size beaver dam blocking up the stream.  I opted to do my best to take it out and ended up doing a little damage.  I know, I  know, they will just rebuild it!  Well at least they will have to work on it instead of starting a new project.  Beaver dams seem to be a real problem so far this spring.  You know what they say,"Busy as as Beaver".  The rest of the day was spent trying to get my fly line into the water and not the surrounding obstacles.  I just aimed ten feet to the left and that usually landed the flies close to where I was hoping.  Despite the winds doing their best, I was able to hook up with some beauty Browns.  They were ice cold to the touch and when released took off in a hurry.  I was testing out some new flies and they all seemed to do their intended job. Attract fish.  I had the most luck with the Mini Muddler Mud Honey fly.  Right up until the point it magically disappeared and was never heard from again. Bummer. When I finally looked back and could no longer see my vehicle I realized I was in for one heck of a long hike back.  I hopped onto the road and made the long haul back straight into the wind.  There were a few times where I was sure I had been walking in place.  I can't remember the last time I had that much of a struggle walking into the wind.  Hey if the fish are willing to come out and play then so am I ;) 

G Damn Beaver Dam !!!!

A mini surfers paradise!!!! :) A fly fisherman's nightmare!!

Castle Rock Killer Variation

Mini Muddler Mud Honey

First fella to get tricked on this fine blustery day :)

Bead Heads soaring in the wind.  Tight Lines

Where the two creeks come together.  Which way would you go??

Streamer Variation

New Name :  The Gusty Go Getter :)

Ice Cold Buddy

Close Up of some Waves breaking :)

A little Mud with a little Honey :)

Gone just as quick as it came.

My favorite pic from the trip.

Every windy cloud has a silver golden lining.

Until Next Time.....Tight Lines to All !!!!