[fixedlinepiker]

Greetings all,

Made the 3.5 hour haul to the Driftless Area today. after the weather that moved in yesterday I was nervous about stream conditions, and my fears were realized at stream number one: chocolate milk. drove a couple valleys over and the gods allowed a relatively clear (though off color) stream. air temp 48F, overcast conditions. it was windy on the road to stream number two (gusting maybe 25) but the stream was located at lower elevation in a valley so light winds is what I encountered. forgot my thermometer so don’t have water temps unfortunately.

had luck initially on a hares ear nymph but what really dialed me in was a black leech pattern (with a hares ear nymph trailing 10 inches behind). fishing was slow in the morning but the afternoon picked up considerably. dead drifting the leech with the occasional subtle jigging motion sealed the deal (but gosh these browns are oh so subtle on the take). I tie these leeches really heavy (tungsten bead and 15 lead wire wraps) so they get down quick.

take a look at that waterfall “spring” and tell me this isn’t one of the most beautiful spots in the flyover states?

beautiful area, beautiful fish. I got lucky with conditions.

 

[fixedlinepiker]

hmmm… not sure why it duplicated photos. anyway here’s the most substantial fish of the day

 

[FishinMatt]

Pretty fish and scenery. Not sure what the duplication problem is, but you are not the only person having that issue.

 

[fixedlinepiker]

Pretty fish and scenery. Not sure what the duplication problem is, but you are not the only person having that issue.

it’s enough just being there and wandering around.

 

[mike son]

Nice fish and pics! I'll be out that way in a few weeks. Can't believe it's already May 4th!