Hopper Season!

Most streams in the Minnesota Drifltess Area are in good shape, running clear to slightly stained with trout being eager to eat. Nymphing (with / Hare's Ear, Pheasant Tail, Pink Squirrel) remains consistently successful, surface action with dries including Parachute Adams & Elk Hair Caddis "skittered" across the surface has been producing as well. We are entering into one of my personal favorite times of year to fish - Terrestrial (aka Hopper Season)! At this time, I love to seek out streams that meander through pasture land. Not only do they provide the angler with better casting opportunities as they are devoid of the thick vegetated tree canopy of wooded areas but these are the areas that contain the insect life such as crickets, ants, beetles and grasshoppers. To escape the summer heat and sun, trout often times tuck themselves in undercut banks with eyes focused up waiting for the unsuspecting insects to either fall under their own accord or get blown into the water. Casting a Dave's Hopper along the edges produced several aggressive takes with many nice Browns put to the net. Be sure to stop in at the Driftless Fly Fishing Company in Preston, MN to stock up on flies, gear, information or just tall tales! :-)

Brian Schumacher