2011 Winter C&R Reports

[ted4887]

Same here pkv. Next week is mine. I'll hopefully be able to get out at least a few times depending on what work looks like. I do prefer the streams south of Whitewater though. I'll likely go to duschee & camp tomorrow and hopefully provide a report for those area streams.

[itchmesir]

That makes 3 of us! Spring break next week

[ted4887]

Well guys, there was a huge midge hatch today. Although, the wind greatly hindered my ability to fish, along with forgetting my wading boots at home. The fish were pretty active today though. Ended up catching about a dozen browns, two rainbows, and one sucker.

[itchmesir]

Well guys, there was a huge midge hatch today. Although, the wind greatly hindered my ability to fish, along with forgetting my wading boots at home. The fish were pretty active today though. Ended up catching about a dozen browns, two rainbows, and one sucker.

around what time did they hatch? the typical 11:30-noon?

[ted4887]

Actually, when I arrived, they were already hatching, and that was around 10-10:30. They were pretty thick around noon.

[itchmesir]

Have been out the last two days... Midge and Stoneflys were hatching by and before 9am both days... Crystal clear waters.. streams not looking incredibly high.. good luck on #14-16 Hare's Ears, PT's and Prince Nymphs.. trailed by a nymph in the 18-20 range.. bite would slow as the day progressed.. probably melting snow contributing to decrease in stream temp as the day warms up

[Ic3wind]

Ive been seeing the same thing with trout holding low and trying to stay in pocket water. As we get closer and closer to Beatis and caddis Season I expect that PT should start getting more and more productive.

[ted4887]

Thanks for the report itch. I plan on getting out Friday, as it looks like temps will be in the 40's.

[itchmesir]

Yeah I plan on getting out again tomorrow and friday hopefully... sucks I just found out where this mystery leak in my waders is... a chunk is taken out of my stockingfoot.. dont know how that happened.. good thing i found out about the huge clearance the hodgman site is having... but until those arrive i'm gonna be stuck with a wet foot

[ted4887]

Yikes, that doesn't sound all that pleasant. Hopefully those new ones arrive soon!

Any snow totals coming in from that area yet? Did you guys get spared from the bulk of the heavy snowfall. I really don't feel like trudging through 2' of snow anymore.

[itchmesir]

Yikes, that doesn't sound all that pleasant. Hopefully those new ones arrive soon!

Any snow totals coming in from that area yet? Did you guys get spared from the bulk of the heavy snowfall. I really don't feel like trudging through 2' of snow anymore.

its comin down but its wet.. probably 2" at most atm

invest in a pair of snowshoes.. it'll make getting to the stream a lot easier

[ted4887]

Im sure I will next year. But I'm not spending another dime on winter gear this year. I'm in spring mode now. I just wish mother nature would get on the same page.

[itchmesir]

Im sure I will next year. But I'm not spending another dime on winter gear this year. I'm in spring mode now. I just wish mother nature would get on the same page.

true... but this is winter/last years closeout season right now.. so just keep an eye out.. you'll find shoes for 25-50% off.. I recommend Redfeathers when you do go with a pair though... great quality and made in LaCrosse, Wi

[ted4887]

That's true. Well, i'll have to keep an eye out at least.

Itch - Can you update tomorrow on the water conditions if you make it out? I'm curious to see if the water is getting muddy/high again after two decent melting days.

[itchmesir]

Yeah will do.. Haven't decided for sure where I am going to go yet =/

[ted4887]

I have no clue where i'll be going on Friday yet either. I always tend to gravitate down towards Preston for some reason. So chances are, i'll be down there.

[itchmesir]

I might end up there tomorrow.. Usually water levels are lower that way when other streams are up..

[itchmesir]

Water is relatively clear.. about 90% clarity.. so you should have no problem where you fish tomorrow.. doesn't seem much snow feel in the Lanesboro/Rushford area... better get out early tomorrow as its supposed to get up to 50F

[ted4887]

Thanks for the update itch. I plan on being on the water by about 8-830 if I can convince my body to function early enough to get on the road by 6. I would imagine I'll probably only get to fish until about 2 or 3 depending on the melting. Today is staying pretty cool which is nice.

How is the water level right now? Still pretty normal?

[itchmesir]

it looked to be marginally up.. but not bad...

So I went to Pine today(far from being a secret so im not worried about saying this here) down stream of where i started there was about a 1/2mi-1mi of stream that they were cutting down trees all along the stream.. the whole stream downstream of where i was looked demolished.. I dunno if this is Win-Cres/DNR starting HI or landowners... but it does NOT look good at all.. if anyone has any info on this.. it would be greatly appreciated

[ted4887]

That's unfortunate about the creek condition. Is the creek getting some habitat improvement done to it right now? I didn't think they could start those projects until late summer/fall. But I might be way off base on that assumption.

[itchmesir]

Not sure.. when and if i find out more.. i'll be sure to update

late summer/fall? really? During spawn?

[ted4887]

I must be wrong about that. Someone had told me once, and maybe it was spring. Who knows. My brain is fried after staring at land deeds from the 1800's all day long. lol

[itchmesir]

what are you doing staring at land deeds?

[ted4887]

I own a real estate abstracting company. I was looking at a farm property in the Mankato area which has been owned by the same family since it was homesteaded. When a legal document starts with "In the year of our Lord".... you know it's old.