Hi Folks,
I had an opportunity to fish the Whitewater River in Southeastern Minnesota on Tuesday. This area has several miles of trout water open for a special catch and release winter season that lasts from January 1 through the end of March. The weather forecast called for temps in the mid 30s so I made the two hour drive and arrived at the North Branch at about 10:30 AM. As I strung up my rod next to the water, I noticed that the snow was already soft. I knew it would be plenty warm. No ice in the guides. The banks had thin ice on the edges but the water was running clean and clear. I fished a stretch of water between two bridges and never saw another person. We had a fresh snow from a few days before so mine were the only tracks along the river (except for deer tracks).
I fished for about three hours making my way upstream and caught and released seven browns and two rainbows ranging in size from 8" to 13". Most of them were on the larger size. Nice. As I approached the second bridge I found fresh people tracks along the big pool just below the bridge. From there it looked like the fisherman fished upstream. It was at that point I decided to hike the road back to my car.
After a sandwich and a cup of coffee, I drove down and fished the South Branch just outside of Elba, MN. It was early afternoon and the sun was high and bright. I couldn't find a fish anywhere. I've fished this water many times in the past and was suprised that I couldn't raise a fish in the 'usual' spots. As I waded upstream I came upon a large pool formed by a fallen tree. This pool was alive with trout. Not suckers but trout. There must have been 300 trout in that pool. I was just a few steps below them. I casted my nymph way upstream in an attempt to get a drift through this 'school' but the shadow of my flyline spooked the pool and the fish swirled around in circles until they finally setteled back into the deepest part in the pool. Another cast brought the same results. Now what. I can't leave this spot. I'd been hunting for a trout for about an hour since lunch. I had finally found what I was looking for.
I looked into my fly box and picked out a big fat leech pattern. One with natural turkey marabou and a big tungston conehead for weight. From past experience I knew that in this situation there's always going to be some fish that are following the crowd and still willing to hit a fly. I just needed something that would sink quickly down to their level before the fly drifted into the tree. I lobbed the fly (more like a rock) into the middle of the pool and started stripping. The dark cloud of fish went frantic but in the midst of confusion a fish hit my fly. Before I could get control it came unbuttoned. I let the pool settle down and tried again. Same result. On my third try I hooked up solid to a nice 13" brown. I released the fish back to the pool and reeled up my line. That was enough exercise for these fish for today. It was time for me to head back home.
I have a few photos of this trip posted on our photo album page so please take a look at them under the photos tab at http//fishingwithjoe.com. These pictures don't do justice to the beatiful views of the bluff lined water. When the weather cooperates, this is a great time of year to get out for a little fishing. Also, please check out Episode 28 "Opener Anticipation" which was just posted. As always, Chris and Joe did a nice job and I was there to add to the laugh track.
Ken
I had an opportunity to fish the Whitewater River in Southeastern Minnesota on Tuesday. This area has several miles of trout water open for a special catch and release winter season that lasts from January 1 through the end of March. The weather forecast called for temps in the mid 30s so I made the two hour drive and arrived at the North Branch at about 10:30 AM. As I strung up my rod next to the water, I noticed that the snow was already soft. I knew it would be plenty warm. No ice in the guides. The banks had thin ice on the edges but the water was running clean and clear. I fished a stretch of water between two bridges and never saw another person. We had a fresh snow from a few days before so mine were the only tracks along the river (except for deer tracks).
I fished for about three hours making my way upstream and caught and released seven browns and two rainbows ranging in size from 8" to 13". Most of them were on the larger size. Nice. As I approached the second bridge I found fresh people tracks along the big pool just below the bridge. From there it looked like the fisherman fished upstream. It was at that point I decided to hike the road back to my car.
After a sandwich and a cup of coffee, I drove down and fished the South Branch just outside of Elba, MN. It was early afternoon and the sun was high and bright. I couldn't find a fish anywhere. I've fished this water many times in the past and was suprised that I couldn't raise a fish in the 'usual' spots. As I waded upstream I came upon a large pool formed by a fallen tree. This pool was alive with trout. Not suckers but trout. There must have been 300 trout in that pool. I was just a few steps below them. I casted my nymph way upstream in an attempt to get a drift through this 'school' but the shadow of my flyline spooked the pool and the fish swirled around in circles until they finally setteled back into the deepest part in the pool. Another cast brought the same results. Now what. I can't leave this spot. I'd been hunting for a trout for about an hour since lunch. I had finally found what I was looking for.
I looked into my fly box and picked out a big fat leech pattern. One with natural turkey marabou and a big tungston conehead for weight. From past experience I knew that in this situation there's always going to be some fish that are following the crowd and still willing to hit a fly. I just needed something that would sink quickly down to their level before the fly drifted into the tree. I lobbed the fly (more like a rock) into the middle of the pool and started stripping. The dark cloud of fish went frantic but in the midst of confusion a fish hit my fly. Before I could get control it came unbuttoned. I let the pool settle down and tried again. Same result. On my third try I hooked up solid to a nice 13" brown. I released the fish back to the pool and reeled up my line. That was enough exercise for these fish for today. It was time for me to head back home.
I have a few photos of this trip posted on our photo album page so please take a look at them under the photos tab at http//fishingwithjoe.com. These pictures don't do justice to the beatiful views of the bluff lined water. When the weather cooperates, this is a great time of year to get out for a little fishing. Also, please check out Episode 28 "Opener Anticipation" which was just posted. As always, Chris and Joe did a nice job and I was there to add to the laugh track.
Ken
1 Comments:
Great entry, Ken. Thanks for sharing the day with us. The photos are lovely as well.
It's almnost time for the opener, folks. It reminds me of how I used to feel when I played baseball and the first game was around the corner. Giddy.
joe
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