SE MN opener help

[thrownflies]

Hello fellas,

I will be fishing the opener this year. I have many years of fly fishing experience but none in SE MN. I will be joing some friends for the trout opener in a couple of weeks. We're camping at the whitewater park and will be fishing that area. I'd certainly appreciate a little help with what fly assortment to have along as well as any tips on where to fish. I can imagine there will be plenty of fishermen out that weekend. There's got to be a way to avoid the crowds. I'm not scared of a bit of hiking or bush wacking! Thanks in advance. Tight lines to all.

Chad

[goblueM]

Well you just said it... hike in, or boat in somewhere to avoid the crowds. If you're going to be on a larger river like the Root or Whitewater, you could take a canoe and set up a shuttle to get away from crowds

as far as flies, I usually fish with streamers in SE MN, I haven't been privy to that many hatches since it is a long drive for me to my honey holes.

Olive woolly buggers, damselfly nymph imitations, standard nymphs, they should all work pretty well

as far as the opener and dry flies, i would say adams or BWO would be your best bet

this might help you out a bit http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/areas/fisheries/lanesboro/se_mn_hatches_080405.pdf

[247outdoors]

I know a private campground east of Whitewater call "Wilderness" that does pretty good and no crowd at all. It's in Elba, MN. Between MN 74 + County 26 (E. Center Street), right behind the gas station. The owner's name is Gary. $10 per adult for camping and kids are free, but no electric. I love that place, very peaceful and lot's of good holes.

[grate8]

down there do u catch mostly rainbows or browns i would love to stay in that campgrond

[so haaad]

Thrownflies, opening weekend can get pretty busy. Don't be afraid to search the smaller streams in the area. Like GoblueM said, streamers like a black nosed dace will attact the aggressive fish and are usually your better bet for catching a larger fish. As for dry fly patterns, the general rule for the early season is small and dark. Dark midges in black or brown, bwo's, sedges, etc. Size 14-20 but preferably closer to 20 if it's midges or bwo's. I prefer fishing nymphs and scuds during the early season because the hatches usually aren't that prolific or reliable. Pheasant tails, beadhead pheasants, princes, scuds, bh hares, and brassies or something similar if you use a dropper. Hope this helps. Good luck.

[247outdoors]

Mainly Rainbows, but there are brooks and browns around that area. Give it a try, you might like it.

[itchmesir]

Basically.. go to the head of your riffles and pick up rocks.. look at the rock.. and match what you see with whatever is in your box.. its about as simple as it gets.. smaller nymphs will often pull more strikes.. 18-22 range.. stock up on pheasant tails..

other than that.. really dont know much about anything north of I-90