Mecan River

This one's a little outside our geographical range for Trout Fishing Western Wisconsin, but the Mecan River is legendary. It's the fabled river in which a trout fisherman encountered a hippo. Yes a hippo. Seems it had escaped from a game farm and found a home in the Mecan. Sadly it met its end, never to wallow among the three naturally reproducing trout species in the Mecan.

Tough conditions on the Mecan when I fished it. Gin clear, quite shallow. Sleet pelting me in the face. Saw many fish but could not get close to them. Still a great time.

Opening Weekend - Black Earth Creek

Brutal conditions, but a blast nonetheless. Air temps in the 30s. Below freezing wind chill. Ice constantly in the guides. Stood in Black Earth Creek for an hour and a half in cold water. Wouldn't have it any other way. Drifted a #10 gold beadhead hare's ear beneath an orange palsa indicator. As it drifted through an undercut, a 20" brown leaped completely out of the water and dived down, taking my indicator in its mouth. I was so flabbergasted that I missed any chance at the fish. I spent the next half hour drifting the biggest gaudiest dry flies through his neighborhood, with no success, but a great fish story.

Opening Day 2011 - Mount Vernon Creek

An old favorite. Mount Vernon Creek. Perfectly clear. No hatches to speak of. Could not see any aquatic insect activity. Drifted a #12 gold beadhead prince nymph under an indicator. Terrible conditions, but a blessing to get out.