.DESPITE ONGOING DROUGHT, CONDITIONS HAVE IMPROVED IN THE DRIFTLESS AREA OF MINNESOTA. WITH SOME RAIN IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS AND COOLER NIGHTS, TROUT ARE MORE ACTIVE AND KEYING ON TERRESTRIALS. REPORTS OF BIGGER FISH ON GRASSHOPPERS AND BEETLES ARE COMING IN TO THE SHOP. SOMETIMES THEY ARE SLUGGID=SH IN THE MID DAY BUT A "PLOP AND TWITCH" METHOD WITH A HOPPER, HIPPIE STOMPER OR FOAM HOPPER CAN TRIGGER VIOLENT STRIKES. THE HEADWATERS ARE COOLEST AND TROUT SEEM TO BE HOLDING IN UPPER PARTS OF MOST STREAMS TO BEAT THE HEAT. 

DESPITE A DRY SPELL, FISHING HAS BENN EXCELLENT IN THE MINNESOTA DRIFTLESS. CADDIS HATCHES HAVE BEEN LIGHT AND SPOTTY BUT ARE HAPPENING REGULARLY. SOME SULPHURS AND LIGHT HENDRICKSON HAVE BEEN SPOTTED. BEAD HEAD NYMPHS, (BOTH NEAR THE SURFACE AND DEEP IN THE HEAT OF THE DAY) HAVE BEEN TAKING SOME LARGER TROUT. EVERY DAY IS A NEW ADVENTURE AND NEW PUZZLE TO FIGURE OUT BUT WHEN YOU DO, IT CAN BE A BLAST.

THE WATER LEVELS ARE DROPPING AND BOTH THE SOUTH BRANCH AND SOUTH FORK WATER SHED FLOWS ARE THE BEST IN YEARS. ALL STREAMS ARE FISHABLE THIS WEEKEND. WARM WEATHER SHOULD BRING OUT THE BLUE WINGED OLIVES IN MASSES. WEEDS ARE DOWN AND THROWING STREAMERS CAN BRING OUT THE BIG ONES THIS TIME OF YEAR. TROUT ARE HUNGRY AND AGRESSIVE. THE TRADITIONAL TROUT OPENER IS APRIL 15 AND YOU CAN EAT A FEW AND RELEASE FEW. IT'S TRADITION. LETS GET OUT THERE!!!

All streams in SE Minnesota are now open for Catch and release artificial only fishing. Come and enjoy the solitude of winter fly fishing and beauty of The Driftless in Winter. Catching a trout is a bonus. Use small nymphs like Zebra Midges, Pheasant tails, Scuds. Warmer days look for rising trout and use small 18-20 Adams, Adams Parachute, midges and BWOs' bring you "A" Game because they are spooky and won't move much but a trout in winter is a wonderful thing. 

there is still lots of good water to fish in Minnesota. all streams are running clear that are open-all three state parks and in the city limits of preston (south Branch of the root) chatfield, (Mill creek) spring valley (creek) lanesboro (sb root) and rushford (rush creek) are open for catch and release trout fishing. use a bead head deep and slow or strip streamers. they are lethargic and won't move far but will bite with a good, stealthy presentation-get out there. stop by the shop for great deals on year end clearance items and .99 cent dries and nymphs to fill your box. look for midges and risers on warmer day-use parachute adams or small 20 midge emergers or dries. 

all streams in se Minnesota are in excellent condition. fishing is hot right now. hoppers and terrestrials fishing very good. some bwo hatches and midges in the evening.  the mid summer mid day lull is dying off slowly as the temps fall.

Terrestrials are on and water is awesome. The best fishing of the year is yet to come. bigger fish are active a feeding up for the spawn, throw meat and big top water bugs. Dave's hopper, hippy stompers, black beetles. nymphs are taking fish on sunny days go deep with bead heads or tungsten 

WITH TEMPS IN THE 40S AND 50S SUNDAY AND NEXT WEEK WE SHOULD SEE HUNGRY TROUT AND MAYBE BLUE WINGED OLIVES-GET OUT THERE AND STOP BY THE SHOP FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY. BIG CLEARANCE SALE ON GEAR AND 20% OFF ALL FLIES. WE WILL BE GOING TO WEEKDAY HOURS IN APRIL.

ALL STREAMS ARE NOW OPEN FOR CATCH AND RELEASE-ARTIFICALS ONLY FISHING. GET OUT THERE AND STOP BY THE SHOP ON WEEKENDS TO WARM UP AND TALK FLY FISHING. HAPPY NEW 2022!