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!!!!

GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE - PRICELESS !

Thank You

O.K. this is a quick post about customer service.  I recently had a problem with my rod tip section on my ST.CROIX AVID SERIES 7' 3 WT.  My guides had worn through and ended up cutting my fly line.  Yes, I should have probably paid attention to my rod's condition a little better, but I was still sad to see my fly line float away into the depths of the stream.  This pole has seen a lot of action and has been through a lot.  This tip section was actually one of the third replacement tips.  The other two went down to automatic seatbelt and one got rolled up in the window.  So I decided to contact ST.CROIX and see if they could help me out with this problem.  I contacted Jeff Little of ST.CROIX and explained what happened and if there was anything they could do to help me out.  I received an email back almost immediately.  It said that if I sent my tip section in they would send a brand new one to me as soon as it arrived.  So I sent it into them and mailed it priority.  I received another email saying that they had received my rod and they were sending the new one out.  About 2 days later after returning home, there it was.  Leaning up against my door was a cardboard tube, heaven to the eyes.  Sure enough there was my new rod tip.  AWESOME.  FREE of charge!!!  No questions asked.  All I had to pay was about $5.oo on shipping and I was back on track.  Needless to say, I hit the water as quick as I could.

I don't know what kind of fly rod everyone else uses, but I myself will always fish ST.CROIX.  The prices on the rod's are pretty much one of the best deals when it comes to rods.  The way my avid is able to toss flies into spots no bigger than 10" is just great.  Your rod of choice is something personal, and what works for you is what works for you.  New technology comes and goes, something new every year it seems.  The one thing that I think is most important is the Customer Service that comes along with what you spend your hard earned money on.  Any rod can be used to catch a fish, but if that rod breaks and your left fishing with a broken stump of a pole. because you can't afford to replace it, than what good is it.  

I just wanted to give a big thanks to Jeff Little and the rest of the ST.CROIX team for your great customer service.  You got a customer for LIFE!!   

Tight Lines forever...!

Disclaimer:  This is my opinion only.  I was not payed or given anything for this statement.  Just some great customer service. 

" The MOREL of the Story" - Watch Out for Ticks!

Date: May 11th     Temp:  90 degrees    Time:  3:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

This is a quick post about my morel hunting/fishing trip I took with my younger brother on Wednesday.  We decided to head south a little in search of the delicious mushroom the MOREL.  The forecast today was calling for high 80's with chance of some showers.  Once we got to the area we were going to hunt for the morels we realized the ground was quite dry.  We hiked through the woods for a good 2 hours finding only under a pound of the mushroom.  By this time we were boiling hot and both looked at each other and had the same thing in mind.  Thank god we brought all our fishing gear!  So off we went with our mushroom hunting tails between our legs.  Off to a place where we could get in to some nice ice cold stream water. 

Younger Brother Jonah w/ Iowa rainbow.

  

When we got there  not  a soul in sight.  Probably because it was boiling hot out and mid day afternoon.  Didn't see much activity but we were going to try and change that.  I decided to leave my camera in the car because of the heat and I didn't feel like having the neck strap rub my neck raw.  Luckily my little bro had a nice camera phone and was able to capture a few shots of the many fish caught on this fine scorcher of a day. 

Caught this "Drifter" fishing down and across the rapids. A little bigger than my usual "Drifters"

One of the nice browns caught by Jonah.

We fished for about 4 hours total and had to end it a little earlier than we wanted.  As we were leaving you could see fish feeding at every hole.  We left happy knowing that we caught about 40 fish together during the hottest part of the day.  I can't imagine how many more would have been caught had we fished for 2-3 more hours.  Oh well I guess we will have to save them for another day.  We headed back to pick up our awesome kids and he headed back to Madison and I headed back to my home.  When I got home I cooked up a surprise for my wifee and we enjoyed every last one of them.  

Slice em, then soak them in salt water.

Get some butter going in a skillet.

While butter heats bread Morels in some flour mix.

Throw them in the butter and let them brown on both sides.

Sorry but I was unable to get a picture of the finished product.  As soon as they were done cooking they were gone just as quick as they came.  They were delicious and worth boiling to death for.  After we were done and lounging around I felt something on my upper leg.  OOh no its a deer tick imbedded in my skin.  Crap.  We pulled it out and hoped that it was only in me for  a little while.  These are the type of ticks that can lead to Lyme's Disease.  That my friends is the last thing I need right now.  I will be keeping an eye on the spot where I was bit and cross my fingers that no rash appears and that I got it out in time.  

Well that's my day of hunting the elusive Morel mushroom and hanging out with my bro and some trout.  The Morel of the story is always look out for ticks and never leave home without your fly rod!!!

Tight Lines to all.........!

All signs point to: GO FISHING !!!!

Date: April 17th   Air Temp: 40-50 degrees   Time: 8:30-12:00 a.m.

Today I was awoken  by the sun, yes the sun shining through the curtains.  I thought it was supposed to be cloudy and windy.  Well at least they got the windy part right.  The wind was whipping and the temp was low 40's.  Everyone is still asleep so I decided it would be a great opportunity to get some quick fishing in.  I made some coffee really quick and threw on some sausage and fried a couple of eggs.
  
I accidentally spilled some coffee on the counter and noticed it kind of resembled a fish chasing a fly...it must be a sign:)

Am I going crazy?

Everything taste better in Cast Iron:

YUMMMMMMMMMM

I think I have been reading so many fishing blogs that everything is starting to look like a fish.

I headed out to one of my nearby streams and was ready to do some fishing.  Once I arrived I realized it was a lot windier than I thought.  Oh hell, oh well.  Grabbed my fishing gear out of the trunk and strapped on my camera.  Threw on another layer, this being my fourth layer.  The  wind was chilly and cut through my layers like a knife.  Maybe it will warm up as I hike.  The sun was out but was hidden most of the time, either behind a cloud or behind a rock bluff.  The water was a little murky looking but clear for the most part.  Here are the two main flies I used today.  These were trailed by a smaller nymph creation.

                                                                                                                                                 
I fished a few holes and quickly discovered that this was going to be a difficult casting day.  Forget everything I know about casting and it is time to improvise.  The wind just couldn't decide wich way it wanted to blow.  I drifted a few into the rapids and down into hole.  No Bites.  Just huge waves on top of the water.  After no luck fishing the first few holes I decided to meander up to the next hole along a bluff.  It was still shaded which made my hands turn numb but apparently the fish were jiving on the still water pockets.  OK I will give it a try.  Figured out which way to adjust my cast and plunk a few flies in.  I ended up catching 4 fish out of the same little spot.  Right where the rock comes down behind first fish in pic.

First Brownie of the Day

After catching another one that got off right when I went to grab it, this was the next fish to come out of the hole.

Hump Back and Big Tail Fin

He put up a nice fight and caught him on the fly on the right from above.  Some  of the holes were to small to drift into on such a windy day so I decided to drift a fly down into hole from above.  Usually this gets the little ones to rise and take the fly at top of the rapids.  Here is a little one, so beautiful.

Tiny But Beautiful Markings

I continued fishing with reckless abandon.  The wind was just brutal.  I almost caught myself in the face a few times but was able to bend and adjust.  I have never hooked my skin on windy days but have had flies whap me in the side of head a few times.  Small price to pay.  The sun felt so good when it would appear in the sky.  I just had to keep fishing, even though my inner core was pretty cold.  Wheres my coffee when I need it.  Caught this fish on same fly as one above,right under a log.

Lost my fly in the tree above on my next cast in

Switched to the fly on the left to test it out and it also produced some results.  Here are a few fish caught on this fly.  

Picture Day buddy, Smile

This last fish was one of my favorites.  I had fished this hole and saw a fish go to strike my fly, but unfortunately my hands were both busy adjusting my belt and pants.  I ended up catching a fish out of the hole but it was not the one I had seen go after the fly before.  So I continued upstream and figured I would come back and tempt the fish again in a little bit.  After hiking upstream and making my way back I realized I had lost my lens cap. Crap.  Went back upstream, nothing.  Got all the way back to where I first discovered it missing  and there it sat.  Sweet.  Lost my tippet line too.  Found it on the way back.  Sweet.   I finally was able to get back to the hole where I missed the fish and tossed my flies in.  I landed it right next to the stump and BicketyBang.  Fish ON!  I am almost positive it was the fish I saw strike at my fly from before.  

I thought this fish had beautiful markings and the red on the fin was cool

I decided that it was about time to get to steppin and was unaware of the time.  Of course the sun started to stay out longer on my hike back and it seemed like the temp was up a good 10 degrees.  Oh well, you gotta get out and fish when you can.  Sometimes that means fishing at the worst times of day.  I guess that just makes it that much easier when you get to go out on the perfect day.  I love it all.  

This stretch of stream was hit with a trout kill, manure spill about 5 years back.  I love catching any fish out of this part of the stream.   I was super happy that there are some decent fish in here and not just fingerlings.  I think if I see wind in the forecast again I will make sure to head out and give it a go....  Until next time.....

Tight Lines to all.........!!!

Some run for cover when they hear Severe Weather, I run for the trout stream!

Date: April 9 - 2011 Air Temp: 60's  Water temp: Hi 40's Low 50's  Time Fished: 5-8:30p.m.

 They are calling for Severe Thunderstorms again.  Great.  Just when the streams were starting to look tip top.  I know its already getting late, but I decide it is never too late.  I decided to head out to a stream about 40 minutes away.  I knew it would be a haul to get there, but it was worth the drive time.  It is a stream that is out in Amish country.  Then again I think every stream around here is in Amish country...  Thats fine by me because where there is a gravel road there is usually a sweet trout stream nearby.  Nothing but the sound of nature.....

Good Old Two Rivers..............??

Things were looking pretty good and no clouds rolling in just yet.  Lots of little risers. 

Lots of little Risers.....

 Got a call from a buddy that lives nearby saying he was out on the Kickapoo River floating down on a canoe.   I hope that he got to catch a few trout out there. Either way I am sure the canoe trip was sweet. I headed out and it wasn't long before the little risers were on the attack.

Healthy Little Brookie

Chubby Little Brown

Another Healthy Little Guy

This one really put up a fight:

Don't worry I released this one too!

A lot of the creeks where I live have natural springs spilling in, it seems like they are everywhere.  I always want to take huge drink from them, but prefer to stay parasite free.  I guess the camelbak will have to do the trick!!!! Maybe I will buy one of those purifying bottles.

Yummm, looks so tasty!

Since I got out there so late, it wasn't long before darkness started to set in.  Say goodbye to the sun.

I kept fishing until I couldn't see anything,  had to go by feeling.  I like to drift down into holes when the darkness creeps in.  I ended up with a few more fish caught using this technique.  This is when having a 3 wt. rod really helps due to the sensitivity of the tip.  It started to get hairy, so instead of losing a bunch of flies and leader I decided to make this my last hole.  I had to crouch and cast underneath the huge tree going across the hole...good old side arm technique.

Can't wait to fish this hole when I can see better...!

These guys just didn't want to stop biting... Fine by me.......

Looks like I caught someone out past their curfew.........!

All and all it was a beautiful night of being on the trout stream.  The fish look healthy and the stream has new holes.  I can't wait to discover what is next up around the bend.  It never did rain.. not yet anyway.  Until Next Time...

Tight Lines.....................