Recent rains have stained the water a bit providing decent trout fishing in the Minnesota Driftless Area. Larger flies such as the Root River Special, Woolly Buggers and Leech patterns are all working well. These have been especially effective during these cloudy, overcast days of late. A gradual warm-up is forecasted for this week with more showers likely coming in later. Spring is coming that's a fact but it's just taking its sweet time :-)

Brian Schumacher

Thank you to all who stopped by the shop's booth last weekend at the Great Waters Fly Fishing Expo - we had a great time talking with old friends and making many more new ones!

The latest issue of Midwest Hunting and Fishing Magazine is in the mail  and online. If you're interested in learning more about fly fishing in the Minnesota Driftless Area during Spring, scroll to page 36 after following the posted link. I hope you find it informative and enjoying to read.

https://issuu.com/sfsnmedia/docs/mwhf-march2017/1?e=27469709/45110128

Thank you,
Brian Schumacher

Yesterday afternoon brought sunny skies, little cooler temps and much wind. I explored a piece of water that I hadn't fished for well over a year and after today, I'm asking myself "Why?" A nice outing was had despite the slightly adverse conditions with the gusting winds but where there's a will there's a way. On my first cast, I put the fly tight to the bank in a deep pool that is sheltered by an over-hanging deadfall. I let the fly sink before starting the cadence of the strip and as began the retrieve, the oh so familiar flash came from the undercut - fish on! As the fish slid into the net a quick glance had me thinking it was a unique looking dilute colored Brookie but upon closer inspection, it was discovered that it was indeed a Tiger Trout. These rare "unicorns" are a Brook x Brown hybrid and are a real special treat to anglers here in the Minnesota Driftless Area. This was the third one I have had the pleasure of catching and surely hope that it's not my last! Today, the winds should calm a bit, some partially cloudy skies with temps nearing 60 degress so be sure to take advantage of this and hit the streams of SE Minnesota!


Brian Schumacher