Labor day weekend report

[Spindoctor]

With the Labor Day weekend approaching, I thought that I would take a little time away from the craziness that has been plaguing me for the last couple of months and place a quick report of what I have found happening in the world of trout.
First, from my own experience, I have found that all the wet, cold weather of August has kept the rivers and streams of SE Minnesota at, (although low) tolerable levels, with good color and water temps in the mid to upper 50’s. So with such seemingly ideal conditions, one would think that the trout action would be fast and furious, Wrongo! For whatever reason, in spite of near perfect conditions, all of my recent experience and information points to the trout being there, but your going to have to work for them.
I have taken several parties out in the last few weeks, fishing the Root river, and have found that the best production has been on the designated water between Lanesboro and Caramona. Early morning and late afternoon/evening is best, with bright sun, hot afternoon hours resulting in poor to zero action. I personally have been using spinners, having best action on copper, gold, and gold/silver Super Bow spinners. Big Bow spinners have produced well, but overall production has been best on Copper Super Bow retrieved incredibly slooow. Numbers have averaged (depending on skill) 15 to 30 trout per angler in six hour outing.
Stomach contents have consisted of gorged feeding on large insects, many crayfish some of these unusually large, and a few minnows. Lots of grasshoppers clinging to overhanging vegetation at waters edge, along with some violent surface activity on water may indicate a feeding pattern, but I personally have not taken the time to stretch out my fly line yet. Casting accuracy is a key factor, placing spinners tight against logs, undercut banks and under low overhanging tree branches, is what yields results. Over half of the trout that I have been catching in the Root have been fountain pen sized Rainbows (tiny) this fall. Best fish have come out of deeper pools having some form of structure. Some fall leaves and trash on water but not a big problem.
What’s happening elsewhere!

Colorado:
(in the west) Dave York, of Roaring Fork Outfitters in Glenwood Springs reports:
Although anglers are grumbling about slow production, conditions in the area are excellent, with the Frying Pan river still producing well using caddis patterns and silver spinners. Roaring Fork river is low and clear, and the Colorado River is down and water temps are at 64 degrees. Caddis and PMW’s are the fly of choice with silver and gold spinners working well.

(East side) Mark Leonard, owner of “ Your Fishing Partner “ in Idaho Springs. Reports that the area fishing is good. The water levels are where they should be and water temps are in the low 60's. Overall the trout don’t seem to be too fussy. For fly fishers, Tan Caddis, Elk Hair Caddis, Parachute Adams, and Wooly Buggers are all doing well. Spinner fishers are having great results on Silver and Gold Super Bows. The local lakes are yielding some larger fish as well.

Wisconsin:
Brian Claure owner of Anglers Nook in Lancaster, reports that the area waters are clear with bigger fish starting to move up into the smaller streams. Best action has come from the larger slow pools using Super Bow and Big Bow spinners in colors of gold or silver.

Minnesota (White Water):
Although I have already talked about my experience on the Root, here is what Keith of Elba Valley Express in Elba has to report:
In the White Water area the streams are low and clean with steady stocking of good sized Rainbows. Fish are holding tight to structure and undercuts.

Well that’s about all I have to write for now except have a great Labor Day weekend, God Bless and please drive safely.
John Eggers (spindoctor)

You can purchase the Super Bow and Big Bow spinners at bait and tackle stores like Anglers Nook in Lancaster WI., Bill’s Sport Shop in Chippewa Falls WI., Faribault Bait and Tackle in Faribault MN., and WATERVILLE SPORTS in Waterville MN.
Magnum Sports in Chatfield MN., Root River Outfitters in Lanesboro MN. In the White Water area go to the Elba Valley Express. Also available at Curt's Bait and Tackle in Preston MN. In Iowa go to Ozzies Outdoors in Decorah, or Funcrest Sports in Iowa City.
And now available at “Your Fishing Partner”store in Idaho Springs, CO. ,and the Roaring Fork Outfitters Inc. located in Glenwood Springs, CO.
You can also see and purchase these fine spinners online at catch-n.com. you will catch fish!