Jigging for Trout

The wind was out of the south at 25? mph, and being my chosen stream of the day runs north to the south, fly fishing was pretty much out of the question for me.  I chose to use my spinning rig, a light weight fast action rod, matched to a pflueger reel.  I have had the best luck over the years with a wooly bugger jig, and because of the wind, I used a 1/16th jig in all back with painted eyes.  There was no spring runoff this year due to lack of snow making the water clear, but not too low, due to the springs flowing pretty good.                                                                                                                                            

Starting with the first hole, the trout were cooperative, in fact very cooperative.  I lost count around 20, and manage to get quite a few pictures with my Blackberry.  I did see a few "monsters" but only managed a 15 1/2 inch brown with beautiful dark colors, and a very nice 13 inch brook.  I figure the ratio ran 3-1 favoring  the brown trout.  Brook trout were first stocked late in the spring of 2008 and I'm guessing them to be measuring about 8 inches now.  I have caught a brook or two a year on this stream each year, even though the DNR says there haven't been brook trout stocked since the early 1980's.

The pictures show a few of the fish caught including the big brown and big brook of the day.  As usual, I thank God for giving me the bounty, and giving me the health to partake.

2012

I'm going to start with a belated post. I got out for a session on Jan 11th for an early start to the 2012 trout season. The temp was near 60 (yes, in January and in Minnesota). The stream was clear and had a medium flow as we had no snow to speak of at all this year. I didn't bring my fly rod, so I was using a small Panther Martin. My first cast brought me a 12" brown, but the hole was quickly spooked, so I kept moving. I caught several more fish in the next two hours, and was quickly fishing without my jacket. Anytime I can sneak a trout session this early in the year, I feel blessed!

And now for yesterday, Mar 5th......... I was anxious to get out, even if the conditions were far from perfect. The temp was more like Minnesota, low 30's with a brisk wind. I fished Crow Spring Creek, east of Rochester, Mn. I was using my new small stream rig, a custom St Croix 3wt 6' rod built by my son-in-law, Jeff Weatherly. I paired this with a new 2/3 Okuma SLV reel with Cabala's Prestige premier WF 3 F line. It was a perfect combination, much thanks to SIL Jeff.

I fought the wind and cold, and sorry to say, the trout were not cooperating, but any day on the trout stream is a beautiful day. Thank God for His Bounty!

First Trout of 2011

March 19th, 2011. 50 degrees. I couldn't resist getting out today. I got on the stream about 2 pm. The trout were active but spooky. I caught a couple small brown trout right away, and decided to take a hike up the the headwaters looking for a little more run off and darker water. I was rewarded with a beautiful brook trout with some of the prettiest colors I've ever seen. I wish I would have taken a quick picture, but I wanted to get her back in the water quickly. A couple minutes later, I popped a real nice brown and this time I took the time to get a quick shot. After this I had about a mile and a half to hike back to the car and the sun was setting so I called it a day. Thank God for allowing me to enjoy his bounty!

Jun 2010

I have been on my favorite stream only three or four times this spring, but fishing has been good for numbers, not so good for trophy fish. Last weekend I fished the Middle Branch of the Whitewater River near the headwaters. Only a few small trout, but next time will be better. Thank God for his bounty!

Snow shoe trip to my fav trout stream on 8 Mar 2010

As I said yesterday, I came back to the stream with snow shoes today. Even with snow shoes, it was hard going as the snow was wet and heavy. It took about an hour and a half to go 1.5 miles to the head of the stream. The snow melt hasn't been enough to bring the water level up, and the big trout to the head of the stream. Although it would be bad for the major rivers, I need a good rain to fast melt the snow and bring the water level up. When that happens, the big trout will head to the headwaters, and I'll be there. It was an exhausting trip, but the valley was beautiful in all it's winter glory. I am truly blessed to be able to enjoy God's bounty!

Snow shoe trip to my fav trout stream on 8 Mar 2010

First 2010 trip to my valley

Mar 10th, 2010: I took my first trip to my valley today. The temp was about 45 degrees F, and it seemed a great day to hit the stream. When I arrived, I found snow up to my knees, and no trail broke. I couldn't get to the stream without totally exhausting myself, so I turned around and went back home. I will soon head back, only this time with snow shoes.