I know that it hardly seems like November 11th here in SE Minnesota as temps have remained very mild with even the 70 degree mark being reached last weekend. Blue bird days with temps still firmly planted in the 50's and 60's make it difficult to turn our thoughts to snow and ice but rest assured, like always, it will come! But there is no need to pack up that fly fishing gear and wait for the arrival of Spring. Instead, check out the attached article (page 60) that I wrote on winter fly fishing in SE Minnesota (Nov/Dec issue of Midwest Hunting And Fishing magazine). Fishing opportunities are still out there in our area's State Parks (Beaver Creek, Forestville and Whitewater) and come January 1st all streams will once again be fair game! Also, remember the Holiday Season will be here soon so shop early and fill those stockings of your favorite fly angler with gear, flies or perhaps a gift certificate for a guided trip from the Driftless Fly Fishing Company!

Brian Schumacher 

***** PLEASE NOTE: the Woolly Bugger pattern mentioned in the following article was inappropriately represented with a Spinner bait lure by the editor using Stock/Googled images) ***** 

https://hub.midwesthuntfish.com/i/744438-midwest-hunting-fishing-nov-dec-2016/59?

Great stream conditions and fall weather is continuing the trout fishing and catching! The South Branch of The Root River is clear and trout are still active. CATCH AND RELEASE FISHING IS OPEN IN ALL THREE STATE PARKS! Look for the tiny Blue Winged Olives this weekend when it warms up during the day. Streamers can still hook that big trophy. Swing big buggers, Clouser Minnows and our Creek Chub or Baby Browns in cut banks and wood to coax one out. When they hammer the streamer, they want to kill it so hang on! It is all good. Iowa streams are open all year and tributaries of The Upper Iowa just south of the border are fishing great with nymphs like the Pink Squirrel, Pheasant tail or Copper John. Some BWOs and even Caddis were spotted last week and some fish taken on dry flies in October! It doesn't get any better than this unless it could last into December, probably not though. It will get cold soon. Count on it and get out this weekend. See ya, Mel