A Perfect Day on the Water

[Scudly]

Well yesterday was nothing short of fantastic.

I started out at my favorite stream, Grass Creek. My plan was to start fishing around 4:50, sunrise being 5:37 still plenty of light. A little over two weeks a go I caught a 24" fat female personal best at 5am so figured follow what works. I was actually so excited to get back to this spot that I woke up a touch early which put me at the pool 4:37, exactly one hour before sunrise. I actually just sat down in the tall grass and watched the pool for a while. My initial thought was to give worms a try even though this is a fast run because worms are always a more subtle entrance than a big fat 1/2 oz dinner bell spinner. Fish hit around 5am. One heck of a fight. Once the fish got going in the pool I loosed up my drag to tire the fish out. Fish darted for cover on cut banks but I just maintained constant pressure. Rather than scare the fish further I avoided jumping in the creek and charging it like a rhinoceros which turns out is a better approach! Don't try to give the fish a heart attack. Wear out the big dogs so you have a better chance of landing them. I also thought getting in the pool would spook any other big fish that might want to bite as it was still dark out. Turns out there was only one active fish in that pool and I moved on. At 21" and a kyped jaw male is a great way to start the day.

Just ahead a narrow section with some dogwood on the right side looking upstream. I've always only caught average sized trout in this section. Going double barrel, I grab my rod with a #15 black with yellow spots and gold spinner and pitch the spinner through the narrow entrance. I see a nice sized fish chasing it and now the fish is right out in front of me and I'm at the end of the line. I started jigging and began what was to be a figure eight (like Muskie fishermen do) and an aggressive 19" male decided he just could not resist!

Next just up the way comes a surprise fat 20" male trout lip hooked on his kyped jaw. I actually had a hard time trying to get this hook (which was at the top of his beak, not deep at all) because the kype jaw was like spongy bone. The hook had an exceptional bite on this big dog.

Final fish of Grass Creek of considerable size was this male just shy of 18." He hit a worm in one of those pools Andy and I fished last Saturday that we did not get a bite on and scratched our heads. Find the best habitat and you will find the nice fish. Well this 18" I was happy to have landed. A strong fighter for his size indeed.

Well that is it photo worthy for Grass Creek for today. Honorable mention for the #15 Panther Martin spinner. This is a 1/2 oz spinner that even I was somewhat afraid to use this season. Aside from the 19" male I also caught four other average sized trout on this #15. Big trout and little trout will take a big spinner.

Still to come... Big brookies of Black Creek with my buddy Tommy.

[Scudly]

It was 7:30 and I had my fill at Grass Creek. Next stop, pick up my buddy Tommy and fish Black Creek. My hat goes out to Tommy, he really gave it his best. This was one of his first outings since two back surgeries in a row. Tommy is slowly recovering and he had to walk a few blocks before leaving to get warmed up. This was Tommy's first trout fishing trip in several months and he was a touch rusty however did end up catching the fattest brookie of the day. Tommy gave the goofy face grin as I asked him to smile. Pain killers still have the best of him at the moment I am afraid... For the record Tommy told me why was I lugging around the second pole with an all silver #6 PM attached. I was barely using it. Well after we ran out of worms (thanks for the month old digested sidewalk worms you harvested Tommy [unsure]), Tommy grabs my spinning rod and proceeded to catch the best of the day:

Prior to running out of half dissolved gooey garden worms, I held the title of biggest brook trout. I let my drag loose a touch and let this fish zing around. Tommy asked me why I was not just ripping that fish in. I wanted a photo shoot and I wanted to eat this fish. A fine specimen indeed.

Lots of other handsome sized brookies harvested nine in total. Here are a few photos of more quality brookies (in the 9-11" range).

Beautiful scenery. Good to have Tommy back on the water. Crossing barbed wire fences was a chore. Tommy you need Aquaseal for any possible leaks on your new waders [sad]. Flashlight in a dark room look for pin hole leaks where you felt the water enter. Mark with a pencil and dab on Aquaseal. I suggest disposable latex gloves.

[reinhard1]

the pictures tell it all. thanks for the pictures. by the looks of your hands you have had a busy day. good luck.

[Chad Peterson]

Love the photo's and looks like a beautiful day.

Sniffer

[certified jumbo]

Solid Man!!! Good job.

[Crankbait10]

Super awesome clear pictures, very lovely looking trouts. I'd like to possibly try trout fishing this year. Where would you recommend a good starter place for a beginner? Thanks

[Scudly]

Thanks for the read and nice comments guys. For starters in southeast MN I suggest Whitewater Valley, Forestville State Park area, Beaver Valley Creek Park area, and Trout Run. For TC folks looking for great water even closer I strongly suggest fishing the Rush River from Martell all the way downstream to the St. Croix. The Kinni is also a great place especially the canyon section below the dam in Glen Park.