It’s been exactly three years since Granny and I moved to Wisconsin after 34 years in the Jackson Hole area. Making the move was one of the toughest decisions of our life. We left our cozy home in Victor, Idaho and the best of friends. We said goodbye to the Harriman Ranch and the fantastic culture of the Henry’s Fork, gorgeous Snake River Cutthroats and the wildlife of Yellowstone. I even miss Blackfoot Reservoir mirror carp. But change is good. Granny and I love our new digs and the last few days we took off in the Ruby Van and explored some of the trout fishing Northern WI has to offer.
We slipped out of Hayward around 5:30 PM Monday night after Granny got home from work. We’re taking advantage of the fact that the mosquitoes aren’t active yet. This week is also primo spring weather conditions with hardly a cloud and temps in the upper 70°s and low 80°s.
Rather than preparing a camp dinner Monday we opted to stop off at a roadside bar and burger joint on the way. It was the timing. We had an hour drive and along the way you pass so many neat looking places. We ate outside on a lake and it was fabulous.
Once to camp we were serenaded by a chorus of frogs. If you’ve never experienced the “spring peepers” you need to. It’s the decisive sign of spring. There was also the sounds of snipes, loons, woodcocks and a favorite, the barred owl.
Tuesday began on a stream that I noticed musky fishing last fall. It looked trouty. I did some research and learned that it has brook trout and brown trout. It’s a tiny river and I broke out my short Winston Pure 5’ 9” 4-weight. It was fun to fish this shorty rod but I had a hard time keeping small leaping trout on for more than a second. Part of the river was so overgrown the best spot to fish it was from a logging bridge. I hooked five fish off the bridge and lost every one of them!
By 10 am the day got hotter than forecasted. Ridiculously hot for May in northern WI. It was too hot for even Gore-Tex Simms waders and far too hot to mess with trout. For the most part the trout on this cute little watershed stopped eating anyway and all I could catch was this aggressive minnow. If I ever figure out the species I’ll add it to my list. I’m not a fan of chasing minnows for my list but when one happens, it gets added.
Due to the heat we ended up driving and looking at numerous streams and lakes for future fishing. All I can say is that WI has more water than you could ever imagine and a ton of stunning little streams everywhere.
Tuesday night we boondocked at a fantastic camp. We found a lake attached to a massive bog. Once again the area was full of spring peepers, snipes and owls. It was a beautiful camp. Granny did up one of her usual delicious came meals that was to die for.
Today we awoke to a change in weather. This was not in the forecast but we welcomed it. The temperature was much cooler than yesterday. Best of all, we had a light drizzle. It’s been very dry in the region of late and any moisture is a blessing. Drizzle also makes for prime spring trout fishing.
Though I’m unfamiliar with the stretch I fished, the river I chose today was a favorite of mine when I went to Northland College back in the 80’s. Its slightly larger than yesterdays and although parts are overgrown, many sections allow for a long cast. Today I broke out the new 9’ 4-weight Winston Pure 2. It’s a beauty to say the least!
My fishing was fantastic. I caught all brown trout. Granted, the fish were small. But they hammered my Stimulator and I never saw another human my entire fishing. Though I loved the fishing, the best thing about today was that around every corner the water was new to me. Not knowing what’s next is a beautiful thing in fly fishing.
Supposedly we have more moisture on the way over the next few days. Granny and packed it in early afternoon and headed home for the first 2025 mowing of the lawn. We’re also nurturing new trees on our half acre lot. One thing I didn’t mention as far as “missing” in Idaho, is our gorgeous yard that we created from sagebrush and knapweed in Victor. Though our Hayward home is old, the yard was nearly vacant of trees. We’re doing it all over again. Fortunately, landscaping and yardwork is my second favorite thing to fishing!
3 YEARS!! That was fast! Liking yardwork??? Your a very strange guy… enjoy the great spring weather
Enjoying yardwork confuses a few of my friends. But I waited a long time to own a house and yard, its a pretty cool thing to have and enjoy. And a fantastic place to listen to Cubs games on the radio!
Gorgeous placees and beeautiful swimming “gems”. You guys are hitting more water in 3 years than most people fish in 30! Awesome!
Anytime you are again in central Oregon and need a place to just pug your feet up call me. I am not in town but gaze out at “Monkeyface” to the east of highway 97. Always need advice about my gardening on 5.5 acres with a small pond. Fir and fire owner is my neighbor. No fish in pond but lots of frogs!!