Trout Fishing Western Wisconsin

Blue River 9/29/11

2011-10-26T17:35:00.000-07:00

Fished the access points off of Snow Bottom and also Bowers. There were large #10 cinnamon colored stoneflies present. Fished midday. Very bright conditions, water ultra clear. Fish were, thus, quite spooky.

I spent a fun half hour trying to extricate two huge 25" or so rainbows out from under a brush pile. Threw everything in my box at them.

Otter Creek 9/28/11

2011-10-26T17:31:00.000-07:00

Fished this one at the confluence of Highway Q and 11. Fished at sunset. Very buggy that night. Was able to match the hatch on a #18 fly with gold body, cream tail and hackle. Also noticed tiny Blue Winged Olives. Two small browns took the small white flies.

Great access to this creek, by virtue of the DNR sign and easement. Thanks!

Castle Rock Creek 9/12/11

2011-10-26T17:19:00.000-07:00

At 11 AM I spent an hour on Castle Rock. This is one of my favorite streams because it is well-cared-for, including some terrific paths alongside the creek, has lots of fish and a ton of local character, and varied features.

On this day I encountered cloudy water, 75 degree temps, and bright sunshine. A 9" brown fell for a #14 pink squirrel and was promptly released.

Spring Coulee 9/11/11

2011-10-26T17:14:00.000-07:00

Tiny Spring Coulee winds through cow pastures and does not have much for access. One such bridge access points is guarded by a rather aggressive bull.

I was able to skirt the bovine and head to the other side of the bridge. Quite shallow in places I found Spring Coulee. Did not see any fish. We fished it just before sunset and through sunset.

That's my Dad and Brother on the bridge.

Rulland's Coulee 9/11/11

2011-10-26T17:09:00.000-07:00

Rulland's Coulee empties into the Timber Coulee. Like the stream it pays tribute to, it's an indistinguishable spring creek, smaller than the Timber Coulee. It runs through cow pasture and has relatively few access points compared to the very accessible Timber Coulee.

Conditions were 80 degrees and perfectly clear, which meant for ultra-spooky fishing. There are some huge browns in this creek, though none encountered my hook.

A much smaller cousin did fall for a #14 pink squirrel drifted through riffles 18 inches under an indicator, at 3:30 in the afternoon.

Timber Coulee 9/11/11

2011-10-26T17:03:00.000-07:00

We fished the Timber Coulee, one of the top 100 trout streams in all of America, as named by Trout Unlimited, from about 9 to 11 in the morning. Not a cloud in the sky, 80 degrees. Very clear water, fish ultra-spooky.

I had a lot of action on a #8 cricket pattern. Released a 12" brown and hooked many more. Timber Coulee is a fairly narrow spring creek and is not at all visually-distinctive. It looks like many other spring creeks you encounter in SW Wisconsin.

West Fork of the Kickapoo 9/10/11

2011-10-26T16:57:00.000-07:00

My first time on this fabled stream, one of the top 100 trout streams in America, according to Trout Unlimited.

Gorgeous day, not a cloud in the sky and 80 degrees. However, not great conditions for trout fishing. My brother and I got skunked but my Dad got a few on Elk Hair Caddis.

Before heading to the West Fork of the Kickapoo, I was told that hoppers, orange scuds, and cinnamon Elk Hair Caddis were the best patterns. In the 4 hours or so we were there, we did not notice any meaningful hatch activity. There were many fish sighted, but seemed to not be feeding.

Weister Creek, Vernon County 9/9/11

2011-09-24T05:06:00.000-07:00

We fished the stretch of Weister that is off highway P east of the town of Dell. Fished at sunset.

Weister seems to be one of the many rivers and creeks in this part of Wisconsin that is fit for a canoe. The photo shows Dad on the boat launch.

My brother said "it's certainly not contaminated with any trout!" We chuckled and shared his assessment.

Billings Creek, Vernon County 9/9/11

2011-09-24T04:55:00.000-07:00

A ranger at Wildcat Mountain State Park told me about Billings Creek. It's just down the hill on 131 from the park office, technically still in the park. There's a nice parking lot for it just off County Road F.

Dad and I waded a half mile stretch and did not even see a single trout. Water was clear and we were being stealthy. Fished it at about 4 p.m.

Crooked Creek, Grant County 9/9/11

2011-09-24T04:33:00.000-07:00

This beautiful little creek is just south of Boscobel. I accessed it off Route 61, north of town hall road. Fished at 10:30 am. Bright clear conditions. Water perfectly clear. In other words, the trout could see you and were spooky.

Released one 12" brown. Drifted a #14 gold beadhead gold rib hare's ear 15" under an indicator. Had to crawl through jewelweed and stay sitting. Drifted it almost blindly beneath and undercut. That's the only way the trout would not see me.

Also tried a #12 cinnamon elk hair caddis, #14 orange scud, #8 Dave's Hopper.

This stretch was narrow and deep with lots of watercress.

Mecan River

2011-04-17T20:14:00.000-07:00

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

2011-04-17T20:09:00.000-07:00

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

2011-04-17T20:06:00.001-07:00

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.

Willow Race, St. Croix County, 06/06/10

2010-06-10T19:04:00.000-07:00

Page 70 on your DeLorme map.

The Willow Race is a section of the Willow River below the large falls in Willow River State Park. It's a beautiful freestoner with stairsteps and fast water. Released two rainbows and two browns on a #12 prince nymph. The beautiful specimen in the photo showed characteristics of both a rainbow and a brown. Could not positively identify it.

Kinnickinnic River, Pierce County, 06/06/10

2010-06-10T19:00:00.000-07:00

Page 58 on your DeLorme Map

Fished it twice that day, once from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and once from 7 pm until dark. In the morning, found that tiny scuds were active and caught 2 browns and 1 brookie on a #18 tan scud.

In the evening, we found that the water level was up significantly and the water muddied. Caught a modest brookie and a 14" brown on a #14 pink squirrel.

Rush River, Pierce County, 06/04/10

2010-06-10T18:57:00.001-07:00

Page 59 on your DeLorme map.

We put in just south of the bridge at Route 72. We entered across from the very lively (at 4 pm!) tavern. We saw tons of fish and they were not as spooky as we thought they might be, given the high sun and clear water.

I released 6 browns. including this 15" beauty on a #12 gold beadhead prince nymph.

Eau Galle River, Pierce County, 06/04/10

2010-06-10T17:25:00.000-07:00

Page 59 on your DeLorme map.

That's my brother Andy providing some color to a bland signpost.

We fished the stretch at the confluence of Routes 128 and 72.

The trout got the best of us. Nothing to show but some photos. A local later told us that the best fishing on the Eau Galle can be found nearby in the town of Elmwood, under the dam, FWIW.

Kinnickinnic River, Pierce County 06/04/10

2010-06-10T17:18:00.000-07:00

Page 58 on your DeLorme map.

9:30 a.m.

In the spot where my Dad is fishing below the waterfall, I released 3 brookies and 3 browns on a #14 gold beadhead flashback pheasant tail. My brother released 3 browns on a #12 gold beadhead prince nymph. My dad released two browns on #18 Griffiths Gnats.

At the outflow where the twin creeks empty into the lake-like portion, I released 8 browns and brookies using the same #14 gold beadhead flashback pheasant tail.

Willow River, St. Croix County, 06/03/10

2010-06-10T14:34:00.000-07:00

Page 70 on your DeLorme Map.

Off County Road A

5:30 p.m. Sparse hatch of #16 sulfurs. Some large #8 caddis.

My brother got two rainbows of modest size on a #12 gold beadhead prince nymph.

Dad lost a rainbow on a #12 elk hair caddis

Blue River, Grant County 03/06/10

2010-03-07T18:32:00.000-08:00

Page 33 on your Delorme Map, D7. I accessed the Blue River off Bowers Road, which is off county highway G, in the Snow Bottom State Natural Area.

I fished the Blue at around 4 p.m. Seems as if I had the whole place to myself. Wonderful solitude. Scared up a large buck, I was being so quiet.

Grey midges present. Light surface feeding. Hooked and lost one on a #14 gold beadhead Hare's Ear.

Big Green River, Grant County 03/06/10

2010-03-07T18:18:00.000-08:00

Page 33 on your Delorme map, D4. I fished off County Road K, just north of Werley.

1:30 p.m. Plenty of grey midges, some surface-feeding. Wading below riffles, 50 yards downstream from the bridge.

Caught 9" rainbow, 36" below a strike indicator, small split shot 6" up from a #14 beadhead prince nymph. Got very cold water down my right hip wader. Was having so much fun that I kept fishing anyway. Was a very cold ride home!

Crooked Creek, Grant County 03/06/10

2010-03-07T18:07:00.000-08:00

Page 33 of your DeLorme Map, 5D. Section north of Town Hall Road, off Highway 61.

I encountered Crooked Creek at possibly the worst time to fish it. Just past 11 a.m. Sun overhead, water perfectly clear. The trout were plentiful and extra-wary.

V-Shaped banks made it extremely difficult to sneak up on these fish, but still a lot of fun. In one 25' section I saw an estimated 75 trout. None were bigger than 15" but still I was encouraged by their numbers.

Where I'm Heading for Opening Day 2010

2010-02-21T09:23:00.000-08:00

Cabin fever is just about cured! I am looking forward to wetting a leader in some of the finest streams in Grant County.

Pleasant Valley Creek

The Fennimore Fork of Castle Rock Creek

The Blue River

Coon Valley Creek

The Six Mile Branch of the Blue River

The Big Spring Branch of the Blue River

Hope springs eternal!

Flybox for Opening Day 2010

2010-02-21T09:08:00.000-08:00

What I am tying for Opening Day 2010

Four each, all barbless

#18 Orange Scud
#18 Grey Scud
#18 Peach Scud
#14 Orange Scud
#14 Grey Scud
#14 Peach Scud
#14 Prince Nymph
#18 Prince Nymph
#18 Griffith's Gnat
#18 Mosquito
#14 Little Black Stonefly
#18 Black midge
#14 Copper John
#14 Gold Beadhead Hare's Ear
#14 Tan Elk Hair Caddis
#14 Black Elk Hair Caddis
#14 Little Black Caddis
#18 Black San Juan Worm
#18 Ginger San Juan Worm

Kinnickinnic River 06/07/09

2009-06-11T20:23:00.000-07:00

DeLorme map p.59

The group caught multiple browns and brookies nymphing under indicators. I got mine on #12 prince nymphs and a #16 beadhead flash pheasant tail. Dad landed a nice brown on a #16 sulfur dun.

Rush River 06/07/09

2009-06-11T20:13:00.000-07:00

DeLorme Map p. 59

What a difference a day makes. The Rush was clear and slow and the trout were ultra-spooky. We started fishing there at 3 pm. There were two hatches at the same time; #14 sulfur duns and #16 blue winged olives. I lost two nice browns, one on a #16 sulfur dun and a #18 parachute BWO.

Dad, on the other hand landed a nice brown on a #16 sulfur dun. He had several strikes by skittering the fly across the surface, imitating the mayflies we were seeing hatch.

Willow River 06/07/09

2009-06-11T20:08:00.000-07:00

DeLorme Map p. 70

We hit the Willow at 10 a.m. More caddis activity but no mayfly hatches apparent.

My dad and brother caught multiple rainbows and browns on #12 beadhead prince nymphs under indicators.

Rush River 06/06/09

2009-06-11T18:59:00.000-07:00

DeLorme map page 59

This was fun. The Rush is normally slow, shallow and clear in the spot where we fished. In other words, the fish are usually ultra-spooky. Not this time.

It rained buckets the whole time we were there. We arrived at 3 pm and stayed until around 7. Since the rain was coming down in sheets, the fish could not see us as well and we could get fairly close to them.

There appeared to be a hatch of a size 10 or 12 brown mayfly. March Brown? Trout were nailing the nymphs. I caught 6 browns that put a bend in my rod on #10 beadhead prince nymphs about 18" below an indicator.

My brother caught a nice brown on a pink squirrel.

Kinnickinnic River 06/06/09

2009-06-11T18:52:00.000-07:00

DeLorme Map p. 58

We hit the Kinni at 10 a.m. It rained all day and all night. The fish didn't mind. #10 beadhead prince nymphs, 24" below indicators seemed to be the ticket. I caught 6 brookies and 4 browns in the spot above. Dad caught large browns downstream on his green/brown leech/bugger combination he made.

Willow River 06/05/09

2009-06-11T18:33:00.000-07:00

DeLorme map, page 70. That's my brother Andy landing a rainbow on a size 10 tan elk hair caddis. He also caught a couple of browns on pink squirrels. We were there about 5:30 p.m. There was moderate caddis activity that night. As usual, there were tons of large and active crawdads skittering about our feet.

I made a big mistake of tying my flies too small for the trip. I tied up most of my selections in size 16. On the Willow, the Kinnickinnic, and the Rush, size 12 was the way to go. Lesson learned.

Flies for the June trip

2009-05-16T18:18:00.001-07:00

In early June I will be traveling to the Kinnickinnic, Willow and Rush Rivers in west central WI.

Here's what I am tying for the trip...

Midges (black and white)
Light Cahill
Grey Beadhead Hare's Ear
Pink Squirrel
Olive Elk Hair Caddis
Black Elk Hair Caddis
Tan Elk Hair Caddis
Stimulator
Brown Wooly Bugger
Olive Woolly Bugger
Black Woolly Bugger
White Woolly Bugger
Pass Lake tied trude style
Trude
Royal Coachman tied trude style
BWO
Prince Nymph
Copper John
Pheasant Tail
Terrestrials, particularly ladybugs and ants
Sulfurs
Yellow body with grizzly soft hackle
Gray body with grizzly soft hackle
Griffith's Gnat
Brown & White Bivisible
Crackleback
Scud, peach
Scud, grey
Scud, tan

Black Earth Creek Fly Box

2008-12-26T17:48:00.000-08:00

March

Midges (black and white)
Smaller Blue Winged Olive
Orange scuds
Little black stonefly
Little black caddis

April

Midges (black and white)
Olive Woolly Bugger
Black Woolly Bugger
Smaller BWO
Little black stonefly
Little black caddis
Hendricksons

May

Midges (black and white)
Olive Beadhead Hare's Ear
Olive Woolly Bugger
Black Woolly Bugger
BWO
Hendrickson
Little black caddis

June

Midges (black and white)
Light Cahill
Grey Beadhead Hare's Ear
Tan Elk Hair Caddis
Brown Wooly Bugger
Olive Woolly Bugger
Black Woolly Bugger
BWO
Prince Nymph
Pheasant Tail
Hendrickson
Little black caddis

July
Midges (black and white)
Light Cahill
Beadhead gold rib hare's ear
Brown Wooly Bugger
Olive Woolly Bugger
Black Woolly Bugger
BWO
Prince Nymph
Pheasant Tail
Terrestrials
Olive caddis
Tan caddis

August

Midges (black and white)
Light Cahill
Grey Beadhead Hare's Ear
Olive Woolly Bugger
Black Woolly Bugger
BWO
Prince Nymph
Pheasant Tail
Terrestrials, particularly crickets and hoppers
Olive caddis
Tan caddis

September

Midges (black and white)
Grey Beadhead Hare's Ear
Olive Woolly Bugger
Black Woolly Bugger
BWO
Prince Nymph
Pheasant Tail
Terrestrials, particularly crickets and hoppers
Olive caddis
Tan caddis

Willow River Fly Box

2008-12-26T17:18:00.000-08:00

March

Midges (black and white)
Smaller Blue Winged Olive
Orange scuds

April

Midges (black and white)
Tan Elk Hair Caddis
Olive Woolly Bugger
Black Woolly Bugger
Smaller BWO
Early black stonefly

May

Midges (black and white)
Olive Beadhead Hare's Ear
Olive Woolly Bugger
Black Woolly Bugger
BWO
Hendrickson

June

Midges (black and white)
Light Cahill
Grey Beadhead Hare's Ear
Tan Elk Hair Caddis
Brown Wooly Bugger
Olive Woolly Bugger
Black Woolly Bugger
BWO
Prince Nymph
Copper John
Pheasant Tail
Beadhead flash pheasant tail
Ladybugs
Sulfurs
Trico spinners
Crayfish imitations
Muddler Minnow
Sculpin imitations
Stenonema

July
Midges (black and white)
Light Cahill
Beadhead gold rib hare's ear
Brown Wooly Bugger
Olive Woolly Bugger
Black Woolly Bugger
BWO
Prince Nymph
Pheasant Tail
Terrestrials
Trico spinners
Crayfish imitations
Muddler Minnow
Sculpin imitations

August

Midges (black and white)
Light Cahill
Grey Beadhead Hare's Ear
Olive Woolly Bugger
Black Woolly Bugger
BWO
Prince Nymph
Pheasant Tail
Terrestrials, particularly crickets and hoppers
Trico spinners

September

Midges (black and white)
Light Cahill
Grey Beadhead Hare's Ear
Olive Woolly Bugger
Black Woolly Bugger
BWO
Prince Nymph
Pheasant Tail
Terrestrials, particularly crickets and hoppers
Trico spinners

Kinnickinnic Fly Box

2008-12-26T10:10:00.000-08:00

March

Midges (black and white)
Smaller Blue Winged Olive
Orange scuds

April

Midges (black and white)
Olive Beadhead Hare's Ear
Black Elk Hair Caddis
Tan Elk Hair Caddis
Olive Woolly Bugger
Black Woolly Bugger
Smaller BWO
Early black stonefly

May

Midges (black and white)
Olive Beadhead Hare's Ear
Black Elk Hair Caddis
Tan Elk Hair Caddis
Olive Woolly Bugger
Black Woolly Bugger
BWO
Prince Nymph
Sulfurs
Hendrickson
Yellow body with grey soft hackle

June

Midges (black and white)
Light Cahill
Grey Beadhead Hare's Ear
Black Elk Hair Caddis
Tan Elk Hair Caddis
Stimulator
Pink squirrel
Brown Wooly Bugger
Olive Woolly Bugger
Black Woolly Bugger
BWO
Prince Nymph
Copper John
Pheasant Tail
Beadhead flash pheasant tail
Terrestrials, particularly ladybugs and ants
Sulfurs
Yellow body with grey soft hackle
Giant brown stonefly
Trico spinners

July
Midges (black and white)
Light Cahill
Slate drakes
White glove howdy
Beadhead gold rib hare's ear
Brown Wooly Bugger
Olive Woolly Bugger
Black Woolly Bugger
BWO
Prince Nymph
Pheasant Tail
Beadhead flash pheasant tail
Terrestrials
Trico spinners

August

Midges (black and white)
Light Cahill
Grey Beadhead Hare's Ear
Olive Woolly Bugger
Black Woolly Bugger
BWO
Prince Nymph
Pheasant Tail
Terrestrials, particularly crickets and hoppers
Trico spinners

September

Midges (black and white)
Light Cahill
Grey Beadhead Hare's Ear
Olive Woolly Bugger
Black Woolly Bugger
BWO
Prince Nymph
Pheasant Tail
Terrestrials, particularly crickets and hoppers
Trico spinners

Castle Rock Fly Box

2008-10-21T19:28:00.000-07:00

March

Olive Woolly Bugger
Blue Winged Olive
Tan Elk Hair Caddis
Pheasant Tail
Brassie

April

Olive Beadhead Hare's Ear
Black Elk Hair Caddis
Tan Elk Hair Caddis
#10 Deer Hair Ant
Olive Woolly Bugger
BWO
#10 Gray Leech
Brown beadhead leech
Early black stonefly

May

Little black caddis
Sulfurs
Sulfur parachute
White streamers
Olive streamers
Hendrickson

June

Soft hackle pheasant tail
Olive gray scud
Sulfurs

July

Crickets
Hoppers
Ants
Beetles
Ladybugs

August

Zug Bug
Cap Buettner Stornefly Muddler
#20 Olive green midge pupa

September

#8 Woolly Worm with a black chenille body, grizzly hackle, black bead and red yarn butt

Black Earth Creek, Dane County, 09/29/08

2008-10-03T18:05:00.000-07:00

Page 35 on your DeLorme Map. You reach this access point on Route 14 between Scherbel road and the town of Black Earth. Park at the lot and take a quick and well-groomed grass road, which doubles as a farmer's artery to the highway. There is a handy cement slab that spans the creek and makes a nice perch from which to cast.

On the morning I visited, there was a misty rain the whole time. The creek was swollen and moving fast. It was surprisingly clear. There was some surface feeding on a slight #16 BWO hatch.

Mount Vernon Creek, Dane County, 09/29/08

2008-10-03T17:59:00.000-07:00

Page 27 on your DeLorme Map. This section of Mount Vernon Creek is south of the town of Mount Vernon. It is the first access point on the western side of the highway, but north of the bridge just after the big bend in route 92.

From the parking lot, you must trudge through shoulder-high weeds for 300 yards in order to get to the creek. They day I visited it was misty and the weeds were soaked. As you can see from the photo, the creek was quite clear with eelgrass plentiful. I tried scuds and prince nymphs to no avail.

Wolf Creek, Lafayette County 09/28/08

2008-10-03T17:51:00.000-07:00

Page 26 on your DeLorme map, just north of the Illinois border. This section of Wolf Creek is just after it is joined by Trout Creek. The water was very clear and there was a sparse hatch of #12 blue winged olives. This is the best I've seen the creek look. The bridge you see in the photo is part of the Cheese Country Trail, frequented by ATVs mostly.

Castle Rock Creek, Grant County 06/17/08

2008-06-21T06:21:00.000-07:00

Page 33 D6 on your DeLorme Map. County Road Q was washed out near Blue School Road. I had to take Tormey Road up from Highway 18.

Fished my favorite part of Castle Rock, just off Church Road, with the beautiful pastoral scene of the Lutheran Church up on the hill overlooking the stream.

Access is well marked on the north side of the stream. I would not stand on the south side, as it appears to be a part of a private property not belonging to the church.

With the major flooding in the area, Castle Rock was very full and showed signs that it had recently overflowed its banks. From what I understand, spring creeks fare better than runoff creeks in times of flooding.

I was there midday. There was a good bit of feeding action west of the bridge, out of casting range, of course. No visible hatch to speak of, but the trout seemed to be feeding on something just below the surface. I plied them with all manner of nymphs to no avail. I also tried woolly buggers and terrestrials with no success. Still, it was good to get out.

Leggett Creek, Grant County, 06/17/08

2008-06-21T06:08:00.000-07:00

Page 25, A6 on your DeLorme Map. Leggett and its twin, Newell Creek empty into the Platte River, which in turn empties into the Mississippi just west of Dickeyville. The section of Leggett I visited was private property, just south of Weinbrenner Road. Finding no person to ask for permission to fish the stream, I did not do so.

The section I visited was swollen with floodwaters, but was still running clear and pretty. It was bordered by a horse pasture as you see in the photos. After visiting Leggett, I drove east on Wienbrenner and found Newell to be poorly taken care-of.

Gordon Creek, Iowa County 04/02/08

2008-04-02T20:00:00.000-07:00

Gordon Creek, Iowa County 04/02/08

Page 27 on your DeLorme Map. The section pictured is off County Road A heading SW out of Daleyville. It's a rather sparsely populated stretch of road. Only two or three cars went by in about an hour. At about 3:00 p.m. there was a hatch of very tiny blue winged olives or white flies. I was too far away to make a definite appraisal. The trout were not feeding on the surface as far as I could tell. The creek was quite full and very swift. It was somewhat clear, but much debris was being washed with the spring floods. On the way to Gordon Creek, I passed several creeks that had overflowed their banks and had invaded farm fields. As you see, there is great access by virtue of the state Department of Natural Resources and kind landowners.

Gordon Creek, while not often mentioned alongside the Timber Coulees and Mount Vernon Creeks, is briefly chronicled in Humphrey & Shogren's Trout Streams of Wisconsin & Minnesota (2001, Backcountry Guides, second edition), pages 84-85. I did not have the same great results as these authors did, but it was a fantastic day to play hooky from work. What little I have seen in print about Gordon Creek says that brown trout are the only kind you'll catch in Gordon Creek.

Trout Creek, Iowa County 04/02/08

2008-04-02T19:55:00.001-07:00

Trout Creek, Iowa County 04/02/08

Page 34 on your DeLorme Map. The section pictured is off County Road T heading NW out of the very nicely-kept town of Barneveld. The optimistically-named Trout Creek is in one of the prettiest stretches of western Wisconsin you'll find. The farms are prosperous and picturesque. Trout Creek reminds me very much of Mount Vernon Creek. Lots of meanders, deceptively deep and silty. Easier to bank fish than to wade. You must be stealthy at all times on this creek, but in the springtime, it's essential. Sneaky anglers will be rewarded with brookies, browns & 'bows. I was not sneaky enough today.

The creek was flowing swollen and swift. It was somewhat cloudy. Beautiful day, though.

Trout Creek is also mentioned in Humphrey & Shogren's Trout Streams of Wisconsin & Minnesota (2001, Backcountry Guides, second edition), page 81. The authors speak highly of Trout Creek and suggest, as in many spring creeks, light leaders, tiny flies, and a kneeling presentation.

Gordon Creek video

2008-04-02T19:08:00.000-07:00

A beautiful day on Gordon Creek, April 2, 2008. Approximately 50 degrees, still a little snow on the ground in the shadow of the ridge overlooking the creek. If you listen closely, you'll hear robins, redwing blackbirds, and chickadees. Spring has sprung in the Dairy State!

Borah Creek, Grant County 03/01/08

2008-03-05T18:56:00.000-08:00

Page 25 on your DeLorme Map. This is from the very nice DNR access point off of Bluff Road. A picturesque spot with the bluff shielding the cattle and I from a chilly crosswind.

It is such a pleasure to find a DNR access point with no ambiguity to it and a sturdy stile to traverse (see photos). Borah Creek is one of many streams chronicled in Humphrey & Shogren's Trout Streams of Minnesota & Wisconsin. They were more successful on this stretch than I, by the way. They are published professionals. I am a rank amateur.

A spring creek, Borah, and as such was clear of ice, albeit very cold. Like Castle Rock, it was gin-clear. Its trout were plentiful, but spooky. Conditions like this call for fishing perpendicular to the creek, without casting much of a shadow, kneeling a good 5-10' back to avoid being seen. Still, the bluff blocked much of the icy breeze and in the sunshine it was more than tolerable. This section of Borah is quite shallow, non-channeled and will likely be wadeable.

I fished this spot for a lonely two hours with nothing but a large and loud herd of cattle that obviously were late for their milking and weren't afraid to let anyone know about it. In all that time, just two cars passed, locals likely. No fish, despite plying them with orange scuds, prince nymphs and hare's body soft hackles. An unscientific study of stream report websites from opening day seems to reveal that orange scuds were the right call, though not for me. As my dad says, "it's a poor mechanic who blames his tools."

I found it odd that on both Castle Rock and Borah, both well-known creeks, I encountered no other fishermen that day--especially on Castle Rock. Too cold maybe?

Oh, and my date stamp is messed up on my camera. It should read 3/1/08

Castle Rock Creek, Grant County 03/01/08

2008-03-01T20:03:00.000-08:00

Pages 25 and 33 on your DeLorme Map. Heading northeast from Fennimore on County Road Q. Castle Rock is also known as the Fennimore Fork.

Castle Rock is a spring creek, which came in handy today. Many of the trout streams I passed on the way to Grant County today were frozen over. Hard to find much fishable water today in the creeks whose springs are less vigorous than Castle Rock. Even vaunted Castle Rock was not entirely free of ice for its duration. In fact, the first truly fishable section was not until you hit Church Road. But it was worth the wait. Castle Rock is a beautiful example of a Wisconsin spring creek; clear, fast water with a somewhat soft bottom and quite a few limestone boulders along the sides, giving it a defined channel.

The photos are from the Church Road section. There is excellent bridge access and no problems with permissions, thanks to the DNR postings on the Northwest side of the creek. The Southeast side of the creek appears to be owned by a game preserve, so I didn't head over there.

Conditions were quite cold without the bright sunshine. In the wind it was downright bitter. This was a snowmobile suit and gloves day, both of which helped immensely because one has to crawl on one's hands and knees to avoid spooking the fish. Castle Rock was crystal clear (see photo) today and the fish were ultra-spooky. I saw six or seven fish of less than 12". No strikes and no fish landed. Still, it was great to get out.

Opening Day 2008

2008-03-01T19:48:00.000-08:00

Up at 4:30 for the trip to Grant County. I have the road to myself in the before-sunset peace. Fernando Ortega's Shadow of Your Wings on the CD player. "Grace and peace to you," he sings. Exactly my sentiment after a brutal week at work and the long snowy offseason.

The sunrise tells of the upcoming cloudy day. Overcast skies encourage me for my angling prospects. God has more surprises for me on the way. Two bald eagles, four cock pheasants, several red-tailed hawks and a troop of deer.

Sometimes it's just great to get out there.

Oh, and my date stamp is messed up on my camera. It should read 3/1/08

Aldo Leopold, Western Wisconsin Fly Fisherman

2008-02-16T08:09:00.000-08:00

This from the legendary conservationist Aldo Leopold in his landmark book A Sand County Almanac (1949) Oxford University Press, pp. 42-43. Leopold, aside from writing the seminal tome on American ecology, was a pretty fair outdoorsman. His farm, just north of Baraboo, WI was near quite a few of the streams chronicled in Trout Fishing Western Wisconsin. No doubt he fished many. Interestingly, Leopold, in this section of the book, creeled all the trout mentioned. This was before the catch and release ethic really came to fore. Were Leopold alive today, he would most certainly be preaching stream and trout conservation. Enjoy!

Excerpted from “The Alder Fork--A Fishing Idyll”

“Time to be at it now--they will soon stop rising. I wade waist deep to head of navigation., poke my head insolently into the shaking alder, and look within. Jungle is right! A coal-black hole above, so canopied in greenness you could not wave a fern, much less a rod, above its rushing depths. And there, almost rubbing his ribs against the dark bank, a great trout rolls lazily over as he sucks down a passing bug.

Not a chance to stalk him, even with the lowly worm. But twenty yards above, I see bright sunshine on the water--another opening. Fish a dry fly downstream? It cannot, but must, be done. I retreat and climb the bank.

Neck deep in jewelweed and nettles, I detour through the alder thicket to the opening above. With cat like care not to roil his majesty’s bath, I step in, and stand stock-still for five minutes to let things calm down. The while, I strip out, oil, dry, and coil upon my left hand thirty feet of line. I am that far above the portal to the jungle.

Now for the long chance! I blow upon my fly to give it one last fluff, lay it on the stream at my feet, and quickly pay out coil after coil. Then, just as the line straightens out and the fly is sucked into the jungle, I walk quickly downstream, straining my eyes into the dark vault to follow its fortunes. A fleeting glimpse or two as it passes a speck of sunlight shows it still rides clear. It rounds the bend. In no time--long before the roil of my walking has betrayed the ruse--it reaches the black pool. I hear, rather than see, the rush of the great fish; I set hard, and the battle is on.

No prudent man would risk a dollar’s worth of fly and leader pulling a trout upstream through giant tooth-brush of alder stems comprising the bend of that creek. But, as I said, no prudent man is a fisherman. By and by, with much cautious unraveling, I got him up into open water, and finally aboard the creel.”

What I'm tying for opening day

2008-02-11T19:21:00.000-08:00

With opening day less than a month away, I've decided upon the flies I am tying and taking. Remember that you must go barbless during the early season.

I am tying four each:

#14 Orange scud
#18 Copper Bob
#18 Beadhead gold rib hare's ear
#18 Beadhead prince nymph
#18 Pheasant tail
#18 Stonefly nymph (pictured)
#14 Royal Wulff trude
#14 Pass Lake trude
#14 Trude (all three tied as indicators)
#18 Griffiths Gnat
#18 Black Ant (seems counterintuitive, but anglers swear by using ants early season!)
#18 Blue Winged Olive
#14 Hare's ear soft hackle.

Streamcraft

2008-01-27T16:32:00.000-08:00

A treatise on the lost art of “reading a stream,” from an out-of-print title The Boy’s Complete Book of Fresh and Salt Water Fishing (1949) by Oliver H.P. Rodman & Edward C. Janes, Boston: Little, Brown & Co., pp. 70-74.

"We found that in lakes there are certain spots where we are always apt to find fish--the coves, weed beds, bays, and ledges. So in streams there are definite places where fish tend to lurk. This is true to such an extent that an experienced fisherman on his first trip to strange waters can tell almost instinctively which stretches will be productive and which will be barren. This knowledge is called streamcraft, and a thorough understanding of the subject will often spell the difference between success and failure.

This past season, I was fishing a trout stream near a village where I formerly lived. This is heavily-fished water, and by the time I had an opportunity to fish it, in the late season, it had been pretty well pounded. I whipped run after run and pool after pool with both wet and dry flies and when, at length, I returned to the car, I had one nine inch rainbow. I started to take down my tackle and then I chanced to glance at the water below the bridge. It was a flat stretch of uninteresting-looking rapids and I had never bothered with it before. However, it was a warm, bright day and it occurred to me that there is a possibility that the fish might be lying in the rapids. Rainbows in particular, like swift water in the warm weather. I tied on a nymph and waded into the stream. Moving across the slippery rocks to get into position to reach a boulder pool downstream, I suddenly slipped into a hole nearly up to my hips; and as I did so, I saw a nice trout dart from under my feet. By my careless blundering I had ruined a good hole which one would never have suspected was there in a cursory inspection of the stream. I moved more cautiously now, for I began to realize that there might be other hidden pockets in this stretch. There were, too--for from that 200 yards of fast, shallow water I took six good rainbows, as well as losing two and feeling a couple of missed strikes besides.

As I waded along, I discovered pocket after pocket--in clefts between boulders, along the shore and under the bank. Apparently most fishermen had passed by this stretch of rapids as I myself had often done until this particular morning. And so I added a new, productive area to my fishing waters, another chapter in the book of this particular river. I feel confident that when the water is warm another year I can duplicate my performance of the past season.

Along similar lines, was an experience on a well known brown trout stream. I had fished this river for several years and felt that I knew it thoroughly--that being back in the days before I had learned that the more you fish, the less you know. I took and old fisherman along with me on a trip to this stream one day. It was a new water to him, but his experience was so great that he had seen every combination of trout water it’s possible to behold. We left the car beside a ruined dam and I led the way upstream past the old mill pond shrunken now, since the dam had gone out, to a flat sluggish shallow. “Where do we start?” the old fisherman asked. “We have to get above the old pond,” I explained. “This stretch is no good.” “Who said so?” he wanted to know. “Why?” I replied in surprise, “Everybody. You can tell just to look at it.” “Anyway, I think I’ll try it,” he said, inspecting the water carefully. “I’ll be along soon.”

I smiled to myself as I watched him clamber down the steep bank and lay a wet fly on the calm, shallow surface. My smile disappeared, at the smashing wallop which was almost immediately forthcoming from a two pound brown trout. “It was just luck,” the old fisherman said modestly as he held up the husky fish, “but then I noticed some rocks under the surface, and quite often you’ll find a deep pocket behind them where the trout like to hang out.” I knew it wasn’t luck. “There’s a couple more likely spots here,” the old man went on. “Try drifting a fly past that clump of alders and about mid-stream. Let her sink deep.” I followed his instructions humbly and a moment later I was fast to an old soaker of a brownie. Truth compels me to admit that I lost him after a short, furious fight when he parted my leader on a sharp rock. But the point is, he was there and the old man knew he was there. I told him he could smell the trout, but I knew now that it was his deep and abiding knowledge of streamcraft that enabled him to look at this apparently barren stretch of water, which most people passed by, and realize its possibilities.

Fish do not lie in a stream haphazardly. They are where they are for three very good reasons--food, comfort and security from their enemies. The first factor, food, causes them to be in spots where worms, insects, and other favored items of diet are swept along by the current, for while in lakes the fish must seek their food, in the streams, they have only to wait for food to come to them. The second factor, comfort, makes them seek spots where they can keep cool in summer or warm in spring and they don’t have to battle the full force of the current as they lie in wait for food. The third factor, security, places fish in deep holes, under overhanging banks, in tree root dens and behind boulders--dark, shadowy hiding places where they are less visible to preying birds and animals.

Food and security are the two fundamentals of streamcraft and when you find a place which affords both you will practically always find a fish. On the other hand, by fishing in those places which afford neither food nor security, you will only be wasting your time. Stand upon the banks of a stream and you will notice that the current does not flow evenly across. The swiftest flow will be noticeable usually in the middle of the stream or along one side. You won’t find fish in the very center of a swift flow, but, rather, along its edges, where the current dips under a bank or into pools, at a sharp bend in the stream, in the quiet water below big boulders, into debris-littered eddies--these are the places to look for fish. Also in pools at the end of glides and rapids.

There are other spots--caves and boulder dens--which are not apparent to the angler during the high water of early spring. For this reason, it’s a good idea to study your favorite waters at different times of the year, especially in late summer when they are low and such hiding places are revealed. Contours and currents will give you, with experience, an idea of what sort of bottom lies beneath; and you can extend this knowledge from your familiar local trout stream to more distant strange waters. You can, with practice, learn to read a stream as you would read a book.

The remaining factor, comfort, depends upon temperature as it does humans. In the high, cold roily waters of spring, you will find fish lying in the deeper, warmer water, feeding near the bottom. Later on, when the air and the water have warmed to late spring temperatures, the fish become more active, lying in shallower water and moving about freely in pursuit of minnows and insect hatches. Still later, when the waters have warmed uncomfortably, the fish will often come right into the rapids where there is more oxygen in the waters, or else they will seek the cool spring holes around the mouths of feeder rills. Therefore, where you fish depends in part upon the weather and the time of year.

Keep these factors in mind--food, hiding places and comfort--and you’ll be able to catch fish throughout the season. "

Great description of a brook trout

2008-01-25T14:56:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favorite descriptions of a brook trout, from Ted Leeson’s 2002 book Jerusalem Creek: Journeys Into Driftless Country. Guilford, CT: the Lyons Press, pp. 87-88.

The indigenous trout of the driftless area is the brook trout, and if its common name accords well with the place of countless little creeks, the scientific designation is more fitting still: fontinalis, “of the springs.”

The brook trout is often said to be the most colorful of all trout species and I will concede that it is colorful, almost improbably so, decked out in the kind of composite chromatics you might expect from a committee of hyperactive first graders turned loose on a box of crayons. It is, however, imaginatively done, and the only species of freshwater fish I know of that would not look out of place among the phantasmagoria of a coral reef. It possesses the most magnificent of tails, broad and square and elegantly proportioned, like the sail of a clipper ship.

Interview with Mat Wagner of the Driftless Angler

2008-01-13T18:43:00.000-08:00

Mat Wagner runs an excellent fly shop in Viroqua, WI called the Driftless Angler. As you surmise from the shop’s name, it sits planted in the middle of the “driftless area” of Wisconsin, home to myriad spring creeks and a host of brook trout. Mat was kind enough to answer a few questions this off season. The Driftless Angler Fly shop is located at 106 S. Main in Viroqua, WI 54665. You can reach the shop at (608) 637-8779. Its hours are as follows: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM Friday and Saturday and 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM Sunday. Trout Fishing Western Wisconsin thanks Mat Wagner for his help.

TFWW: It’s been said that the curse of owning a fishing shop is that you never have time to fish. How often are you able to tear yourself away from the shop and wet a line?

Mat: It is true that fly shop owners do not get much time to fish during the day, however we do get to fish at prime times, first and last light if we plan accordingly. I usually get out to wet a line at least 3-4 times a week. Not full days, but a couple hours each time. Enough to keep me from twitching while listening to how good the fishing is from customers.

TFWW: Viroqua finds itself situated among some pretty great trout waters. What’s your favorite stream of the driftless area and why?

Mat: I love the tiny streams that look like trickles most of the year, but if you time them right can be phenomenal fisheries. Anywhere that I can pull trout out of a tiny waterway is special to me. Out of the big named waters, I am partial to the Timber Coulee system not only for its reliability, but for the variety with the main branch and all the tributaries.

TFWW: Much has been written and talked about concerning the floods that hit southern Wisconsin last year. What’s your take on the impact these floods had and will have in the future?

Mat: Floods are an overall positive thing. Mother Nature flushing the toilet, really. The flood cleaned out a bunch of sand and silt, re-carved the bottom and created incredible spawning habitat and insect habitat that may not be immediately evident to the angler, but within the next few seasons it will!

TFWW: What’s been the best selling fly at the Driftless Angler over the past few years and is there a fly that you recommend that often gets overlooked?

Mat: Too many anglers overlook midge pupae. Our spring creeks are LOADED with midges and they can be an incredibly effective pattern when fish are fussy or just do not seem to be feeding. The best selling fly is easily John Bethke's pink squirrel. One of the 'magic' flies that seems to represent everything and that fish love.

TFWW: How did you personally get started fly fishing?

Mat: I started fly tying before fishing. I was 13 and bored so I took a fly tying class at a fly shop near my house and was hooked after that. Luckily a good childhood friend of mine loved to fish so we spent a good deal of time on the creek just down from our houses catching trout.

TFWW: What would you consider the specialty of the Driftless Angler? What sets it apart from other fly shops?

Mat: What sets us apart is that we focus on information. We are not the style of shop that looks down on people if they do not have the 'cool' gear or ask questions we have answered a million times already. We want people to be out and fish and enjoy it as much as we do and will do our best to keep up to date on exactly what is happening in the area and share that information freely with everyone.

TFWW: What percentage of the shop’s business is devoted to its guide service?

Mat: I'd say we under emphasize our guide service right now. There is myself and a couple of part time guides who take people out, as well as working with local established guides. This being our second year, we will push the guiding and teaching services a bit more.

TFWW: Why do you do what you do?

Mat: I do what I do because I love what I do. I get paid to fish and take people fishing, what can be better than that?

TFWW: Do you think that trout streams in the driftless area are improving? What can be done to do more to improve these streams?

Mat: I know trout streams in the area are improving and continue to improve. I think the biggest hurdle to the streams in our area is to educate the public as to what we actually have here. I have talked to too many local people that never realized what a unique fishery they have out their back door.

TFWW: What are your best selling products at the Driftless Angler?

Mat: We're a fly shop and we carry lots of flies for the area. We work hard to integrate local patterns and ideas into our fly bin so that everyone can find something cool or different and catch fish on it! We're a destination fly shop, so what we sell the most of is what people need on stream, flies leader tippet tools etc. We have also received many compliments on our logo and have sold a few T-shirts with the bug on them too!

West Fork of the Kickapoo flies for Opening Day

2007-12-22T10:56:00.000-08:00

An unscientific survey, hat tip to www.wisflyfishing.com, of successful flies on the West Fork of the Kickapoo River in the month of March. I read all of the stream reports on the West Fork of the Kickapoo River in March over the last 10 years. Flies are listed in order of times mentioned in the stream reports. The list could make a good tying regimen as you prepare for opening day on West Fork of the Kickapoo River.

Pheasant tail #18
Black woolly bugger
Orange scud
Beadhead olive caddis pupa #16
Flashback pheasant tail #22
Olive CDC dun #18

Mount Vernon Creek flies for Opening Day

2007-12-22T09:40:00.000-08:00

An unscientific survey, hat tip to www.wisflyfishing.com, of successful flies on Mount Vernon Creek in the month of March. I read all of the stream reports on MVC in March over the last 10 years. Flies are listed in order of times mentioned in the stream reports. The list could make a good tying regimen as you prepare for opening day on Mount Vernon Creek.

Scud
Size 18 BWO
Beadhead hare's ear size 18
Hornberg
Black midge #24
Gray scud

Black Earth Creek flies for Opening Day

2007-12-20T20:02:00.001-08:00

An unscientific survey, hat tip to www.wisflyfishing.com, of successful flies on Black Earth Creek in the month of March. I read all of the stream reports on BEC in March over the last 10 years. Flies are listed in order of times mentioned in the stream reports. The list could make a good tying regimen as you prepare for opening day on the vaunted Black Earth Creek.

Gold rib hare's ear, with or without bead, (mentioned 6 times)
Pheasant tail (3)
Prince nymph (2)
Orange beadhead scud (2)
Pink squirrel (2)
Olive Woolly Bugger (2)
Grey scud (2)
Cinnamon caddis nymph (2)
Blue winged olive (2)
Black woolly bugger
Copper john
Black tent wing caddis
Tan tent wing caddis
Hendrickson nymph
Yuck Bug
Black leech
Biot nymph
Yellow fox
Soft hackle
tan beadhead scud

I am thinking of heading to Black Earth Creek for opening day. Anyone want to come along?

Western Wisconsin Hatch Chart

2007-12-14T19:53:00.000-08:00

Here I was about to try to create a hatch chart for our Western Wisconsin area and I find an absolutely outstanding one on the web.

It can be found at www.silverdoctor.net

Go to the Menu section and under the Guided Fishing section, you'll find an extensive hatch chart that includes mayflies, caddis, stoneflies, midges, terrestrials, and a portion on streamers and searching flies. I was unable to link directly to the hatch chart, but that gives you time to explore this great site.

Special thanks to:

Bob Blumreich of Silver Doctor Fly Fishing.

Best Midwestern Trout Flies

2007-12-11T13:10:00.000-08:00

This, at least according to Tom Meade in his book Essential Fly Fishing, 1994, New York: The Lyons Press.

Adams
Ants in Black and Cinnamon
Beetles, assorted sizes & colors
Blue Winged Olive
Cricket
Elkhair Caddis in various colors
Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear Nymph
Grasshopper
Griffiths Gnat
Hendrickson
Humpy
March Brown Nymph
Maribou Streamer, in White, Black and Yellow
Michigan Caddis (to imitate the giant Hexagenia Limbata)
Muddler Minnow
Olive Matuka Streamer
Pale Evening Dun
Pheasant Tail Nymph
Red Quill
Roe Bug, various colors
Sparkle Caddis Pupa
Trico
Woolly Bugger
Woolly Worm
Wulffs in Royal, Gray and White
Yellow Drake
Zug Bug

Kinnickinnic River video June 2007

2007-11-29T14:58:00.000-08:00

This video is of the Kinnickinnic, accessed in River Falls at Glen Park. Walk down the trail at the tennis courts. This stretch of the Kinni is referenced on page 169 of Humphrey & Shogren's Trout Streams of Wisconsin and Minnesota, 2001 (second edition), Backcountry Guides.

Top 8 Western Wisconsin Trout Streams

2007-11-23T08:07:00.000-08:00

According to the DeLorme Map people, the top trout streams in Western Wisconsin*, in no particular order:

Black Earth Creek, Dane County
Kinnickinnic River, Pierce County
Mill Creek, Monroe County
Mount Vernon Creek, Dane County
Rowan Creek, Columbia County
Rullands Coulee Creek, Monroe County
Soper Creek, Monroe County
Trout Creek, Iowa County

It is puzzling that DeLorme does not list the Rush River, Namekagon, or West Fork of the Kickapoo in their master list of Wisconsin trout streams.

* This blog defines Western Wisconsin as the area west of Interstate 90 and south of interstate 94.

Why no Illinois trout streams?

2007-11-18T18:26:00.000-08:00

This question has wracked the brains of dedicated trout anglers as they delightfully fish the streams of the Driftless Area in the other three states touched by the glacial anomaly. Anglers ask, "since Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota's Driftless Area has fine trout streams, why not Illinois?

Ask the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and they will say, "we don't know what you're talking about. Look at the Apple River. There are planted rainbows there right now." The Illinois DNR will also point out all of the trout ponds throughout the Land of Lincoln stocked with rainbows.

Well, yes, that is true. But there is more to trout fishing than suspending corn or salmon eggs under a bobber for "put and take" dumb hatchery trout. Tell the DNR that and they'll tell you "if you want to fish for wild trout in Illinois, go fish Lake Michigan. End of story."

But is it the end of the story? Is that the best that Illinois can do?

Is there a possibility of creating (or even discovering) a gem of an Illinois trout stream that accommodates naturally-reproducing brook, brown or rainbow trout? That's what we're talking about, really, when we mention a blue-ribbon trout stream, isn't it?

If you look at some of the commercially-available maps of trout streams in extreme southern Wisconsin, you will find a couple that bleed into Illinois, most notably Raccoon Creek in the Rockford area. This creek contains stocked Brown trout. However, one could make the argument that Raccoon Creek is really the same kind of thing as the Apple River in northwest Illinois--a put and take trout stream with no hope of ever sustaining a population of naturally-reproducing trout.

Delving deeper into the issue, the Achilles heel for an Illinois trout stream in the Driftless Area that would feature a naturally-reproducing trout population is the state's southernmost position in the four-state area. Most creeks just don't stay cool enough to foster a successful reproduction program. Still, it's very possible that in extreme northwest Illinois, that there are a few choice spring creeks that maintain the right temperature throughout the year.

Another strike against an Illinois blue-ribbon trout stream is the fact that there's no Trout Unlimited chapter in Northwest Illinois. There is a Chicagoland chapter and a Champaign chapter, but each of those is more than 100 miles from the Driftless Area. And while the Lee Wulff Chapter in Chicagoland does a fine job rehabbing Elk Creek in SW Wisconsin, I'd love to see them try to establish some brook trout water in Illinois.

Compounding the problem is that the Illinois DNR is perpetually underfunded and its priorities mainly follow saving what it has and not branching out into new projects.

Additionally, the other three states in the Driftless Area have worked with landowners to help them become stakeholders in perpetuating excellent trout waters. Agricultural runoff is limited. Buffer zones are planted and maintained. For Illinois to have a blue-ribbon trout stream, it would need to do the same.

An Illinois blue-ribbon trout stream could create a tremendous tourism boon to northwest Illinois. One reason that Wisconsin is a leader in out-of-state fishing licenses sold is because of its marvelous reputation for trout waters. These Northwest Illinois towns are picturesque, but devoid of much industry these days. They could use some tourism dollars. Look how Galena has been able to parlay its bucolic setting into a multi-million dollar annual visitors revenue stream. A beautiful little town like Mount Carroll could really take off by helping it to propagate some of its spring creeks with brookies.

Think about it.

Top 8 Trout Streams in WI

2007-11-18T18:13:00.000-08:00

Dan Small of wisconsinsportsmanmag.com shares his top 8, in no particular order...

Bois Brule River
Namekagon River
Wolf River
Pike River
Rush River
Kinnickinnic River
West Fork of the Kickapoo River
Tomorrow River

Of Dan's top 8, the ones in red are in our Western Wisconsin cohort. My beloved Kinni made the list, as it should.

Flooding of Fall 2007 aftereffects

2007-11-18T12:32:00.000-08:00

The biggest trout fishing news in Western Wisconsin this fall has been the significant flooding that the southwestern and southcentral portion of the state received.

According to Dan Small of wisconsinsportsmanmag.com and dansmalloutdoors.com, the floodings resulted in a couple of catastrophic manure spills:

In Richland County, manure made its way into Smith Hollow Creek and Willow Creek.

In Lafayette County, Otter Creek received a manure spill.

As for the effects, we'll know more in the Spring.

A quick and dramatic flood sometimes can be beneficial to a trout stream, however. In such cases, floods often remove longstanding log jams and beaver dams that slow the water and contribute to higher, trout-averse temperatures.

The Driftless Area

2007-11-15T19:04:00.000-08:00

If you're going to fish Western Wisconsin, you'll undoubtedly spend some time in the rolling hills of SW Wisconsin, also known as the Driftless Area. About the best explanation I've ever encountered of what this actually means was penned by Jeff Erickson in "Minnesota's South Branch of the Root River," Fly Fisherman, December 2006 issue, beginning on page 44.

Erickson writes:

"Unlike much of the Midwest...the Driftless Region was missed during the last period of glaciation in North America, 12,000 years ago. The area was deprived of glacially-deposited drift (hence the term "driftless), but its sedimentary bedrock was deeply dissected by streams carrying enormous volumes of runoff from retreating glaciers along its perimeter.

The calcium and carbonate-rich limestone that stimulates...high aquatic productivity acts as an enormous sponge, absorbing moisture and then releasing it in steady, trout friendly increments. Innumerable springs percolating through the limestone moderate stream temperatures and PH levels, producing excellent conditions for aquatic insects and the trout that hunt them. The glacial runoff left relatively steep stream gradients, crating numerous riffles and short rapids that supercharge the water with dissolved oxygen. As a result of these natural factors (the Driftless Area) offers suberb wild trout habitat."

For more information on fishing Wisconsin's Driftless Area, check out the excellent fly shop, The Driftless Angler and its website, driftlessangler.com or stop by at 106 S. Main Street Viroqua, Wisconsin 54665 :: (608) 637-8779

Top 5 Trout Streams in WI

2007-11-15T18:48:00.000-08:00

According to writer Brenda Bredahl of TravelWisconsin.Com, the top five trout streams in Wisconsin are:

1. KinnicKinnic
2. Namekagon
3. Kickapoo West Fork
4. Pike River
5. Black Earth Creek

Numbers one, three, and five are in our Western Wisconsin cohort and I look forward to testing Ms. Bredahl's recommendations. Will report when I do.

Just curious, if the question were posed to you, what would be your top 5?

Here's the link, if you want to read for yourself...

http://www.travelwisconsin.com/Article_detail.aspx?articleid=248&menuid=77

Elk Creek, Vernon County

2007-11-02T15:03:00.000-07:00

Page 33 on your Delorme Map.

Our friends at the Lee Wulff Chapter of Trout Unlimited have done some amazing things on Elk Creek in Vernon County--and they're not done. They have some ambitious goals, including...

Improve 1.2 miles of trout stream in 2007

Reduce sedimentation by stabilizing stream banks

Improve spawning habitat by exposing gravel substrate

Install habitat favorable to brown trout (i.e., undercut banks, lunker structures) on 2,750 feet of Elk Creek

Create habitat favorable to brook trout (i.e., vortex weirs, deep pools, grassy banks) on 3,670 feet of Tenny Spring Creek, a tributary of Elk Creek

Install a one-way fish barrier to prevent further migration of brown trout into Tenny Spring Creek brook trout waters

Project Costs

Total cost to complete the Elk Creek Project is estimated to be $171,000. This includes labor, equipment rental, rock, seed, mulch, and lumber and materials for building instream trout habitat lunker structures.

The above portion is quoted verbatim from their site:

http://www.leewulfftu.org/index.html

I can't wait to get up there and try my hand at their handiwork. When I do I'll post pix of what they've done.

Mount Horeb area nymph

2007-10-29T19:08:00.000-07:00

My dad gave me a copy of Dave Hughes' Taking Trout (2002) Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books.

Among other nuggets, Hughes shares a pattern that worked wonders on our beloved Western Wisconsin spring creeks:

"I would never be without a supply of a certain beadhead nymph that, as far as I know, doesn't even own a name. I first tied a dozen of them on a picnic table beneath the spreading leaves of a shade tree in the back yard of Andy and Marie Davidson's home in the rolling limestone hills near Mount Horeb, Wisconsin. The whimsical size 12 tie has a brass beadhead, olive dubbed body, and yellow thread rib. That's it.

It took an enjoyable hour to tie those dozen on the Davidsons' picnic table, listening to the birds sing. Later in the week, I met Ted Leeson, author of Habit of Rivers, and we fished the spring streams rising from those limestone hills. It took just two days to lose those dozen beadhead nymphs to fat trout."

I'm off to tie a few myself. But what to call it? How about Hughes' Whimsical?

Skinner Creek, Green County part two

2007-10-04T19:27:00.000-07:00

Skinner runs north of Highway 11 in the south central part of Green County. It can be found on page 27 of the Delorme Map. The State of Wisconsin has in years past listed it as a legitimate trout stream in their yearly guides. It has fallen on hard times. The Green County tourism folks don't list it in their trout streams to visit in the county, although, they don't list the fine Hefty Creek either. For an expert opinion, see below.

A Baseline Survey of Skinner Creek in Green County, WI was done in August 2004 by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

The results weren‘t encouraging.

They surveyed three sections of Skinner Creek: “upstream from Klondike Road; upstream from Hiawatha Road, and upstream from Skinner Hollow Road.”

Shockings revealed that the upstream from Klondike Road section was the best of the three, with two brown trout (10.7” and 11.9”) among the bluegill and large amount of rough fish. Hiawatha yielded one brownie of 13.7” along with a pile of rough fish, and surprise, Skinner Hollow produced a rainbow of 14” with an assortment of undesirable fish. Water temp at all three stations was 58 degrees, warmer than what trout typically like.

The report concluded that the DNR consider “adding Skinner Creek to the state’s list of impaired waters.

Thank you to Jim Amrhein, Watershed Specialist for the South Central Region.

For the full report, visit:

http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/pages/reports/final/green_skinner_creek.pdf

What qualifies as western Wisconsin?

2007-09-28T18:57:00.001-07:00

For the purposes of this blog, I am focusing on the following counties, roughly to the south of Interstate 90/94 and to the west of Interstate 39 in Wisconsin. I will focus on the trout streams in the following counties:

Buffalo
Columbia
Crawford
Dane
Dunn
Eau Claire
Grant
Green
Iowa
Jackson
Juneau
LaCrosse
Lafayette
Monroe
Pepin
Pierce
Richland
Rock
Sauk
St Croix
Trempealeu
Vernon

One could certainly make the case for other counties to be included or some to be excluded, but these are the parameters that made sense to me.

The Delorme Map

2007-09-26T15:01:00.000-07:00

When I refer to the Delorme Map, I am referencing the Wisconsin Atlas & Gazetteer which features detailed topographic maps with roads, creeks, landmarks, etc. FYI.

Mount Vernon Creek, Dane County, 9/14/07

2007-09-26T14:52:00.000-07:00

Page 27 on your Delorme Map.

Brisk 50 degree afternoon and windy. Still beautiful day on Mt. Vernon Creek. I floated modified Dave's Crickets downstream near the far shore and landed a 15" and a 12" brown trout. They fought hard and deep. Didn't take pix of them as I didn't want to stress them any further with time out of the water.

Caught them within 25 yards of the stile pictured in my previous Mount Vernon entry. It is at the first bridge south of the main access area. Saw no other fishermen on this trip. My experience with Mount Vernon Creek is not supporting the conventional wisdom that the creek is always packed with fishermen.

Bushnell Creek, Green County 9/14/07

2007-09-26T14:37:00.000-07:00

DeLorme Map, page 27. This creek is listed in the Wisconsin DNR 2007-2008 Trout Fishing Regulations and Guide as a viable trout stream.

I did not find any clearly marked public fishing areas, but I did ask Mr. Alois Mayer for permission to fish his section of the creek off County Road N. He graciously complied and I said I'd clean up all the trash I saw on his property.

Beautiful, swift, cold, clear, classic SW Wisconsin spring creek. Mr. Alois said the best fishing was below the bridge so I took his advice.

The 9" rainbow (returned) pictured took a black crystal bugger with sponge rubber legs. What a surprise it was to catch a rainbow in this creek. Naturally-reproducing rainbows are not at all common in this part of Wisconsin and I have not heard if the state stocks them in this or other connected creeks.

As I was concentrating on fishing beneath the bridge, I heard a loud snort behind me and discovered I had 30 head of cattle right behind me. Being a city boy, it startled me so much I jumped the fence. The cattle muddied up the stream after that as they took drinks. I had a fish story and a cow story, so I was done anyway.

Other access points to Bushnell Creek appeared to be impassible due to a significant amount of road construction just to the north of Mr. Alois property.

Mount Vernon Creek, Dane County, 8/31/07

2007-09-15T18:52:00.000-07:00

Delorme Map page 27. This creek enjoys wide acclaim from a variety of experts; it's among the finest trout streams in western Wisconsin. Mount Vernon has been described as a "showpiece" for the Wisconsin DNR and it's easy to see why...lots of access, abundant trout, insulation from surrounding farmland. Several access points have "public fishing" clearly posted and there's even a section designated a "state fishery area." Despite some fine streams to the south of it in Green County and to the west in Iowa County, I have to fight the urge to fish Mount Vernon exclusively.

The section I fished on this day was off of Route 92, just north of County Road A. I fished upstream from the bridge for 100 yards or so, traversing the fence via the helpful stiles (see photo). The 14" brownie hit a #10 Dave's Hopper and fought with great tenacity. He didn't spend more than a minute out of the water and then sulked back to his hiding spot.

Mount Vernon, in my experience, is very soggy at the edges. I'd wear knee-high waterproof boots. Waders are impractical as it is difficult navigating the stiles and wading Mount Vernon would be a muddy and counterproductive pursuit.

I encountered no other fishermen on the Mount Vernon that weekend. This after being warned that it would be elbow-to-elbow labor day weekend and all. I found it was also opening weekend for a variety of hunting seasons, which probably helped my cause. If my family can spare me, I may make labor day weekend on the Mount Vernon Creek a tradition. Join me if you like.

Dougherty Creek, Green County 9/1/07

2007-09-15T05:40:00.000-07:00

Delorme Map page 27. Another of the creeks recommended by the Green County tourism people. Sadly there is no access to this creek posted and it's hard to figure out who owns the land so you can ask permission. Some beautiful country, though.

Hefty Creek, Green County, 9/1/07

2007-09-15T05:21:00.000-07:00

Delorme Wisconsin Atlas and Gazetteer page 27. Interestingly, this is not one of the creeks recommended by the Green County tourism people, but it was pointed out by a fellow angler on another fly fishing Wisconsin blog: www.wisflyfishing.com/reports

Hefty Creek has a nice access point at the third bridge (all very close to one another) over it heading North on Highway N. In fact it has public fishing clearly posted. It's nice to not have to worry about access. Something that is rare in Green County.

Somewhat clear water and a little higher due to recent flooding. I tried grasshopper and ladybug imitations with no luck.

Ward Creek, Green County 8/31/07

2007-09-15T04:26:00.000-07:00

Delorme page 27. This is one of the creeks suggested by the Green County tourism people. There are three potential access points and all are on private property. Off Airport Road, the creek is quite narrow, but was very clear and seems to be in good condition. Didn't seem to be accessible. Off Kubley Road, it was foreboding, with no trespassing signs aplenty.

Fortunately, off Ward Creek Road, which is adjacent to Argue Road, there seems to be friendly access via a bridge. That's where I fished just before dark. It's a swift, clear, classic SW Wisconsin spring-fed brook. I tried ladybug imitations to no avail. Incidentally, Ward Creek is one of only two streams in the county to have brook trout and brookies are the only trout found in Ward Creek, according to an older Wisconsin DNR publication.

The picture I uploaded is of the section off Ward Creek Road.

Flies for the Labor Day trip

2007-08-24T18:37:00.000-07:00

Consulting various sources, chief among them being Jim Humphrey & Bill Shogren's excellent Trout Streams of Wisconsin and Minnesota, the best flies for the upcoming Labor Day weekend in Wisconsin should be...

Dark Blue Quill #14-16
Slate Winged Mahogany Dun "
Blue Dun "
Small Yellow Mayfly #20-24
Griffiths Gnat #16-24
Blue Winged Olives #16-24
Gold-rib Hare's Ear #18
Tan, Olive, and Speckled Caddis imitators #14-20
Green Raggedy Caddis Larva #16
Peeking Caddis #16
Dave's Hopper #6-10
Scuds in tan, pink, olive, brown & purple #14-18
Wooly Buggers in olive, brown, and black #6-10
Pale Evening Dun #16
Black Ant #10-18
Ladybug #14-18

I've got a lot of tying to do!

Don't make the same mistake I just did

2007-08-23T18:41:00.000-07:00

As I went out to the garage to get my vest. I noticed a gigantic hole in one of my pockets.

Before you put your vest away, make sure you clean the sunflower seeds out of it lest mice chew through the pocket to get at them. Lesson learned.

What's in my flybox 8/23/07

2007-08-23T18:22:00.000-07:00

In my nymphs box..

3 green, 3 grey, and 3 pink scuds in #14
3 weighted wet Pass Lake #12
6 Hare's ear in sizes #14-18
5 Beadhead Flashback Pheasant Tail #14
7 Beadhead Prince Nymph #12-14
2 Pink Squirrel #12
4 Beadhead Pheasant Tail #12-14
3 Pheasant Tail #14-16
1 Copper John #14

In my dry box...
4 Blue Winged Olive (BWO) Emerger #20
7 BWO #16
5 Parachute BWO #16
3 Pass Lake #14
4 Royal Wulff #14
3 Blond Elk Hair Caddis #14
3 Black Elk Hair Caddis #14
3 Dark Green Elk Hair Caddis #14
3 Brown Elk Hair Caddis #14
3 Sulfur Dun #10
4 Griffiths Gnat #16
3 Dark Cahill #14
3 Colonel Fuller #10
1 Stimulator #10
1 Mosquito #16

In my terrestials box...
3 Gimp #10
3 Dave's Hopper #8
3 Black Ant #10
3 Black Wooly Bugger #8
3 Brown Wooly Bugger #8
3 Sponge Rubber Ladybug #16

The fly with the blue background is a Gimp. The Colonel Fuller graphic is from an old tums box for sale on EBAY.

Skinner Creek, Green County 07/07/07

2007-08-19T18:48:00.000-07:00

DeLorme Map page 27. Southwestern Wisconsin in Green County. Extremely hot conditions at the time of this visit. The state of Wisconsin lists Skinner Creek as a legitimate trout stream in their 2007 Trout Fishing Regulations and Guide. Access is OK via a bridge from Cadiz Springs Road, just north of Highway 11. The bridge spanned a very shallow, possibly wadeable creek, that was quite clear. One had to venture into very tall grass and jump down a steep bank to get there, but it was possible. I didn't try.

Brown Branch Creek, Lafayette County 07/07/07

2007-08-19T18:41:00.000-07:00

DeLorme Map page 27. Southwestern Wisconsin in Lafayette County. Extremely hot conditions at the time of this visit. The state of Wisconsin lists Brown Branch Creek as a legitimate trout stream in their 2007 Trout Fishing Regulations and Guide. Fortunately, there is some access of this locally-known creek.

Off old highway 11, there is weedy access, but not great.

Off new highway 11, there is a fine access point below the bridge (see photo) just east of Wayne Center Road. i stopped by Marty's in South Wayne and spoke to an old timer about trout fishing in these parts. He was three sheets to the wind, but relayed how he and a partner had spied a two-foot brown trout below the bridge many years ago and couldn't get the fish to bite on anything. So the two of them grabbed a stout rod and a snagging hook and jerked brownie out of there. Where's the DNR when you need them?

I spent the better part of a day in this spot and did not catch a thing. I threw half my fly box at them, mostly concentrating on wooly buggers. Still, it was good to get out and find access. I encountered extremely muddly conditions and warm water (air temp 95 degrees).

Silver Spring Creek, Lafayette County 07/07/07

2007-08-19T18:36:00.000-07:00

DeLorme Map page 26. Southwestern Wisconsin in Lafayette County. Extremely hot conditions at the time of this visit. The state of Wisconsin lists Silver Spring Creek as a legitimate trout stream in their 2007 Trout Fishing Regulations and Guide. Unfortunately, I found only one access point, private property. Plus the stream was little more than two feet wide. Still it could have held a brookie or two. Again, a huge problem for trouters in SW Wisconsin is the lack of public access.

Copper Creek, Lafayette County 07/07/07

2007-08-19T18:32:00.000-07:00

DeLorme Map page 26. Southwestern Wisconsin in Lafayette County. Extremely hot conditions at the time of this visit. The state of Wisconsin lists Copper Creek as a legitimate trout stream in their 2007 Trout Fishing Regulations and Guide. There does not seem to be any public access--a big problem in Southwest Wisconsin. Each access point off highway K looked like private property. Still, there was a beautiful looking spot off the highway across from the big white house. Anybody got any insight on Copper Creek?

Wolf Creek, Lafayette County 07/07/07

2007-08-19T15:52:00.000-07:00

DeLorme Map page 26. Southwestern Wisconsin in Lafayette County. Extremely hot conditions at the time of this visit. The state of Wisconsin lists Wolf Creek as a legitimate trout stream in their 2007 Trout Fishing Regulations and Guide. Access point off Patch Road appears to be private property and did not look navigable. North of there, into Gratiot, access improves greatly.

There is full access to Wolf Creek in Gratiot. Just south of Highway 11 is a meandering bank that affords OK access. North of Highway 11 is a city park with terrific access, with weeds at the immediate bank, but nicely mowed otherwise. The Cheese Country Trail makes a stop in this park and there is the constant buzz of ATVs. It's not peaceful solitude, but there is access, and access is everything.

I fished here throughout the day and encountered very muddy conditions. I threw beadhead nymphs, scuds, and terrestrials out there to no avail.

Trout Brook, Lafayette County 07/07/07

2007-08-19T15:39:00.000-07:00

DeLorme Map page 26. Southwestern Wisconsin in Lafayette County. Extremely hot conditions at the time of this visit. The state of Wisconsin lists Trout Brook as a legitimate trout stream in their 2007 Trout Fishing Regulations and Guide. Southernmost possible access point, off South Prairie Road finds a dry creek bed! One access point north, off White School Road reveals a brook two feet wide, but entirely choked with weeds. The next access point, off Dunbarton Road, is OK, affording fishing under a bridge. The property just south of the bridge appears to be owned by a farmers Co-op. Some kind soul has put a bench next to the stream and has made some site improvements (see photo). I am afraid that the stream north of the bridge into Gratiot is inaccessible due to posted no trespassing signs and barbed wire over the stream.

Still, it was enjoyable fishing under the bridge with beadhead nymphs that day. No trout, but sometimes it's good just to find access.

Willow River, St. Croix County 05/30/07

2007-08-19T15:31:00.000-07:00

Date: 053007 First access area North of Willow River State Park County: St. Croix Time of day: just before dusk	Weather: pleasant Water: crystal clear Hatches:
Submitted by Phil Newton Comments: Caught a 10" rainbow on a #10 sulfur dun upstream from the bridge and a 9" rainbow on wooly bugger under the bridge in fast water.

Willow River, St. Croix County 06/01/07 part II

2007-08-19T15:30:00.000-07:00

Date: 060107 inside Willow River State Park, 200 yards below the falls. County: St. Croix Time of day: just after lunch	Weather: pleasant Water: clear Hatches:
Submitted by Phil Newton Comments: Fished for 90 minutes with my dad and brother (that's my Dad in the pic). None of us caught a thing--except for creek chubs, which were everywhere. We were using everything from wooly buggers to various dry flies. We did however, see an angler using a small rooster tail and a spinning rod. He boasted of great success using such methods.

Willow River, St. Croix County, 06/01/07

2007-08-19T15:29:00.000-07:00

Date: 060107 Willow River, accessed by 95th and 140th County: St. Croix Time of day: after supper	Weather: pleasant Water: clear and fast Hatches:
Submitted by Phil Newton Comments: Very fast water. Caught a 12" brown by dropping a ladybug imitation in a quiet pool next to shore. As you may have figured out, we were wading. No more than mid-thigh deep in most places.

Kinnickinnic River, Pierce County 05/31/07

2007-08-19T15:28:00.001-07:00

Date: 053107
Kinnickinnic River, downtown river falls
County: Pierce
Time of day: 9 am to noon

Weather: pleasant
Water: crystal clear
Hatches:

Submitted by Phil Newton

Comments:
Just below the waterfall that has the footbridge high above it. Accessed by the tennis courts off of 29/35. Caught two browns one was 12" and two brookies less than 10". Caught them on beadhead prince nymphs, beadhead pheasant tails, and pink squirrels. As you can see, this section of the Kinni is one of the most picturesque of any trout stream in Wisconsin. With the abundance of brownies and brookies and the beauty of the spot, it is amazing that we don't see very many other anglers when we visit.

Kinnickinnic River, Pierce County 05/31/07 part II

2007-08-19T15:27:00.000-07:00

Date: 053107 Kinnickinnic River, residential area in River Falls County: Pierce Time of day: after lunch	Weather: rainy Water: clear Hatches:
Submitted by Phil Newton Comments: We accessed this section of the Kinni by turning right into a residential area south of where you turn off for the tennis courts access. My dad caught several browns and brookies with a Stimulator.

Kinnickinnic River, Pierce County 06/01/07

2007-08-19T15:26:00.000-07:00

Date: 060107 Kinnikinnic River, downtown river falls County: Pierce Time of day: 9 to noon	Weather: pleasant Water: clear Hatches:
Submitted by Phil Newton Comments: Fishing below the waterfall with the footbridge high above it. Using mostly #12-#16 beadhead prince nymphs my brother and I caught 8 brookies and browns between us. The lighter the tippet the better, we are finding with these fish. That's my brother with a modest brownie.