MN Winter Trout Season

[Scudly]

Depends on where Scud goes and what the weather will be. Sunny? Scud might fly fish with BH scuds pink squirrels and PTs. Or Scud might throw spinners and if he finds a deep pool and it is dark or cloudy enough Scud Man might throw one I'd those scented Berkley powerbait worms. Got some powerbait eggs to try too. Also depends on the stream. Hay Creek pasture will be good practice for fly fishing, assuming the wind isn't howling.

[Scudly]

Decided I'm going Friday morning no matter what! Make it a tradition. I have gone

New Year's day last couple of years. I was inspired by a video of a Canadian fishing -40 without a fish house who used a pick axe to chop his hole. Braving the elements. It will be an experience even if I don't catch a fish!

My opportunities for pre-season are limited because it is at least 3/4 day. If I am going to drive 3+ hours round trip I'm going to want to fish minimum 3 hours.

I'll probably have my truck packed tonight with anticipation, that excited!

[Scudly]

For some reason I was hellbent on going fishing today. I told myself fishing January 1 for the pre-season catch and release is a tradition I'll stick to. Today it was 6 degrees out with 10 mph winds. The snow was deep which was exhausting. I took breaks every 25 yards or so. What normally takes me 15 minutes took me twice as long. Today I dressed in layers. Multiple fleece sweaters and jackets. Fingerless gloves underneath another pair of gloves. As I type my fingers are still tender from the cold. At times it was painful.

Lesson learned, don't fish with braided when it is below freezing. The braided line picks water and ice more easily forms. The ice is also harder to get off than mono. I was told not to use braided however I just spooled on new braided at the tune of $20.

Today I fished with a #6 hook, 2" nightcrawler, and a small piece of split. Fishing for two hours, this is the one and only guy I caught.

Nice average sized trout. This guy hit around 9am while it was still partly cloudy out. I did not want to disturb the pool. I was able to flip the fish up on the ice ledge and quickly drag him in. Lip hooked, he was quickly released in the drink after one photo. The fish was caught under the icy root wads in the far right corner of the pool.

Soon after the clouds cleared to bluebird skies. I stuck around for another hour however was getting cold and made the retreat back home. The next time I get out it will be when it is at least 25 degrees if not closer to 30 so I don't have to deal with freezing line and cracking ice out of my islets so I can make good casts.