Just got back... Browns Creek???

[kywest]

Hey guys, I am going to do my best not to ask any noob questions but here's the deal. I just got back from Afghanistan and am itching to get out fishing. I did a little research on the DNR site for trout streams and saw Browns Creek in Stillwater. From my time living in Stillwater I know its a pretty small creek but its beautiful closer to the croix. Has anyone ever fished it? The info on the site is pretty outdated so any help/info you guys would be willing to share would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys

Bran

[Mike_Top]

I fished brown's creek last summer...ok actually I didn't even fish there but I brought my fly rod and waders, I just didn't find what I thought would be a good spot to try. It's a pretty small stream with limited access in my opinion. I parked at the mouth to the croix by the marina thinking i could wade upstream from there. I also fished the Old Mill stream just up the road in Marine on St croix, another small stream. I tried a few spots without any luck.

This April I fished at Hay creek in Red Wing, a little longer drive but worth it, I caught 5 10-12" brown trout and my 2 buddies each caught about five fish too....and that stream is loaded with fish. I also fished vermillion river yesterday, fly fishing with streamers...hooked a bigger fish (I'm thinking about an 18"er) but it got off, and my friend landed a 17" brown trout...vermillion is a little tougher to fish i think but its closer, and from what I've read on these forums there's a lot of trophies hiding in there. My advice is go to the streams by red wing that have decent numbers, or try the vermillion--its closer to the cities too.

[Mike_Top]

I'm kind of dissapointed I didn't try brown's creek now that I think about it. Maybe the effort would have been worth it? I'd also be interested to hear if anyone else has fished there.....let's hear it!

[kywest]

I will definitely heed your advice. The biggest reason for me going to Brown's creek was its close and Bob Mitchell's fly shop is on the way... I had planned on stopping in there as this is really my first year fly fishing for trout. I've been fly fishing for bass and musky for quite some time but theres a marked difference between the two. Long story short I don't have a clue right now as to the flies to be using.

[Mike_Top]

I don't really have much of a clue as to what flies to use either. I've tried small beadhead nymphs, but after awhile of not catching, my bass fishin' instincts take over and I start throwing woolly buggers and streamers. I have only hooked trout this year so far on the latter. My idea is that even though trout do eat the tiny bugs, what big aggressive brown trout won't grab a bigger meal if you can put it right in his face??? I'm pretty new to it, and the hardest part is landing the fly where I want to put it without snagging branches, and making it swim naturally...good luck!

[ted4887]

I'm new too, but have had the most luck on Scuds, and Pheasant Tails, and Copper Johns. Right now, my go-to has been Pheasant Tail nymph, with a BH Pheasant Tail dropper. If they're not hitting with regularity, I'll switch the top fly to an orange scud.

[kywest]

Its nice to see I am not the only almost clueless person here... I think I am just going to go for it and go for a walk... I figure the worst thing that happens is... well I guess there isn't a worst, I will be out

[kywest]

Alright... went against what the owner of the fly shop in Lake Elmo told me and went to Browns Creek... I now know why no one ever says anything about that place. I walked for about two miles starting from the river and saw nothing, caught nothing... pretty much a bust. Going to make a trip to either Vermillion or Cannon next week...

[Mike_Top]

Yeah I think the streams to the south just have more fish, and more fishable water...I never knew about the Lake Elmo fly shop 'til you mentioned it in an earlier post. I was working in Oakdale today so I stopped in there on my lunch break to pick up some streamers for the Vermillion, cool store. Maybe you were there picking up some gear?

I'm working in Osceola tomorrow, so I think I'll bring my fly rod and waders and try out the Apple River after work. If you've got $60 at your disposal for a license, Wisconsin's also got a lot of nice water within 45 minutes of the cities, so I've heard...

[kywest]

I am pretty sure you and I were in there at the same time. I was the goofy looking guy in the cowboy boots and the retarded flannel shirt... my wife hates that outfit You are right, that is a great store. Today was my first day in there and I spent enough money for my wife to forget about the outfit... The owner there is a first class guy and took the time to help me out more than any other guy has.

I have thought about getting a WI license but I don't really know anyone over there and since I am new enough to trout fishing, I don't really know what I am doing... I don't mind just going and trying and searching but sometimes it's nice to have a friend to go with and show you a thing or two. Oh well, it was just nice to get out today. Good luck tomorrow.

[popriveter]

I tried Brown's creek one time last year. I walked it for about an hour and found a total of 1 hole deep enough to fish. It had a nice (roughly 14") brown in it. The fish kept poking out from under a log. I gave up after that fish ignored my nightcrawler sitting in front of his nose for 10 minutes.

I ended up going to old mill creek instead and found a few willing brookies.