Opener Weather--Thursday Report

[WxGuy]

I had a chance to fish for a few hours this morning, so I took it. The weather was rather nasty with rain and sleet driven by strong winds, but it was still nice to catch a few fish.

We fished the Middle Branch of the Whitewater, not too far from the park where there will certainly be quite a few people fishing this coming Saturday. Water was running slightly stained to crystal clear today, clearer as we got farther upstream as you'd probably figure.

Fish weren't jumping on our flies, but I did catch a little over half a dozen fish on a small pheasant tail, midge, and the infamous pink squirrel.

With rain falling today, tonight, and through Friday eventually turning to light snow Friday evening into Saturday morning, stream and river conditions will be quite different this weekend than they were today. Expect water to be running high and dirty in streams this weekend, but nothing should be "blown out" by the near 2" of liquid we're looking to pick up here in southeast Minnesota.

Big bite items will likely be the key this weekend...rapalas, worms, and big, ugly flies if that's your thing.

Weather for the weekend...

Saturday AM: Winds from 15-30mph, still cloudy with a few lingering snow showers, but amounts should remain low and mainly on grassy areas with accumulations around 1", possibly up to 2" in a few locations. Morning temperatures will be around 28°.

Saturday PM: Decreasing winds and a few breaks in the clouds. Highs will be around 34°.

Sunday AM: Chilly, light winds, mostly cloudy, and temperatures around 30°

Sunday PM: A little milder but still cool. Highs around 43° with partly cloudy to mostly sunny skies.

Good luck and be sure to let us know how you do!

[Chicago boy]

Thank you for the exceptional report. Not looking like the best opener, but will truly be another adventure in the book.

I'll enjoy the minimized traffic.

Glad to see you made it happen today.

[djlong]

Bring the biggest darkest flies and hit the bank shores...

[WxGuy]

A few key rainfall totals as of 9am Friday, April 11th...

LANESBORO 1.69"

WHITEWATER STATE PARK 1.46'

CALEDONIA 1.35"

ZUMBRO FALLS 1.33"

PRESTON 1.29"

Gauging stations on the Whitewater and Root are reporting very high and fast conditions...it's not looking too good right now for Saturday.

Rain can be expected today, although it won't be quite as heavy as it was yesterday, and any snow tonight into Saturday morning will only add up to around an inch at best.

[goblueM]

ugh, disgusting. Great report though! I hate to say this, but I'm probably not going to make it out. Might get a lot of work done so I can take a 3 or 4 day weekend and hit them later in the week when it should get into the 50s and 60s...