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Letter From Evan: The Power of Fishing Buddies

One of the strongest bonds in the universe is the camaraderie between fishing buddies. We all have at least one! The hardy, ride-or-die human who is always ready for an adventure. The friend that laughs at your tangles, and cheers for your dinks. You don’t even need to embellish your stories, because they were there with you when it happened. I am lucky to see this bond in action all the time, and I firmly believe that having a good fishing buddy is what keeps most of us fishing at all.

The all-women’s bass camp this past weekend was a mixed group of newbies and regulars who came together for two days of epic adventure and learning. At the end of the weekend, the ladies all noted how awesome and rare it is to show up as strangers the first night, but by after dinner, “We were all laughing and playing cribbage like we knew each other for years!” Having a shared mission, the anticipation of adventure, and a welcoming community was the catalyst to bring them all together.

Every year I go on a “Dude Float” with a couple of guys who are always willing to try the craziest option I throw at them. Carrying the raft to the river? Sounds epic. Big Rapids? No problem. Dragging rafts through shallows repeatedly? They’re in! Often the type-2 fun (which is fun after the fact) experiences we’ve shared now serve as benchmarks to what our grit can endure, and the growing list of heroism has even resulted in commemorative custom “Dude Float” t-shirts.

Another consistent group we have is the “Princess Float.” A number of years ago, the principal of the school I taught at and her wife decided to try fly fishing. They loved it so much, they decided to keep coming back with new friends each time to introduce them into fly fishing too. This group has welcomed so many others into fishing, and generated some awesome traditions including: riverside smash burgers, the world’s softest ginger snap cookies, and tiara pins for all of us princesses to wear while fishing.

The mark of a good fishing buddy is the stories they leave with you. If you’ve fished with me for a while, you know of my favorite clients of all; Lucy and Stan. The dynamic duo of 90 year old anglers who can catch smallies with poppers and 5wt rods on the St. Croix like nobody’s business. These two are a treasure trove of birding knowledge, old fishing stories, and overwhelming generosity. Sadly we lost Stan this June right before his 97th birthday. But his memory is carried on in my drift boat with his old wooden fishing net landing every bass we catch. This season is dedicated to Stan and his generous spirit.

Today, most people get started in fishing by a friend inviting them along. And most of the time, that connection creates lifelong memories and opportunities for adventure. In a lot of ways, that’s why I started Fishing For All, to be that “fishing buddy” to get people into fishing and doing epic stuff together. So if you have a fishing buddy or two, don’t forget to give them a shout out once in a while, and start making plans for your next adventure!

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Bragging Board

Fish, fish, fish, and more fish are being hooked and landed in our great state! This is the time to get on the water for your chance at nearly everything that swims!

If you don’t know where to start, want to target something specific, or want to take your fish-catching ability to the next level, book a trip or class with our team so we can put you on some fish!

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Upcoming Programs

Get on the water this August! Whether you’re looking to build new skills, catch your first fish, or advance your technique, we have programs for every experience level.

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Fishing Report: July Recap & August Outlook

July reminded anglers that summer fishing is all about adapting. Water temperatures climbed quickly across Minnesota and western Wisconsin, recreational boat traffic increased, and fish shifted into predictable summer patterns. Anglers willing to fish early, fish late, or slow down their presentations continued to enjoy excellent success. Those trying to force spring techniques often struggled.

Water levels have ranged dramatically depending on where in the state you are. Southern and south eastern Minnesota have gotten walloped by repeated storms and flood events. While Central and northern Minnesota are in severe drought conditions again.

As we move into August, expect many of these patterns to continue. Fish are becoming increasingly tied to deeper structure, current, shade, and healthy weed edges until cooler nights begin arriving later in the month. While the “easy” shallow bite has faded, August rewards anglers who think like fish and fish patiently.

Metro Lakes

Largemouth bass continue to be one of the most dependable species throughout the metro. Healthy cabbage, coontail, and milfoil remain the best cover, especially where weeds transition into deeper water. Docks continue producing fish during bright afternoons while early mornings can provide explosive topwater action.

Northern pike are settling along weed edges and deeper cabbage beds. They remain aggressive and are excellent targets for anglers looking to cover water. Most lakes are too warm to target muskies, so give them a break until late September.
Bluegills have largely finished spawning and are moving toward deeper weed edges and basin transitions. Crappies are suspending around deeper vegetation, docks, and isolated cover.

Walleye anglers should focus on low-light periods, deeper weedlines, offshore humps, and points. Midday bites become increasingly difficult unless wind or current concentrates fish. Warm water has pushed many fish deeper during daylight hours.

Spin Fishing

This is the month to fish efficiently.

• Weightless stick worms remain outstanding around docks.
• Texas-rigged plastics excel in thicker vegetation.
• Swim jigs and chatterbaits cover weed edges well.
• Deep-diving crankbaits can trigger reaction bites on offshore structure.
• Slip bobbers with leeches or crawlers remain productive for walleyes during evening hours.

Slow down more than you think you need to.

Fly Fishing

Bass remain eager to eat large deer hair divers, poppers, and baitfish patterns during low-light periods.

Once the sun climbs, switch to:

• Clouser Minnows
• Game Changers
• Crawfish patterns
• Larger leech flies

Rivers

The Mississippi and St. Croix continues to provide some of the state’s most consistent summer fishing. High water temps and extremely low water levels have made fishing trickier, but if you can find them, it’s been great.

Smallmouth bass are holding along deep current seams, rocky shorelines with drop-off’s next to fast current, and mid-river structure. Early morning surface action can be spectacular before fish settle into deeper current breaks.
Channel catfish remain outstanding throughout July and into August, particularly after sunset. Flatheads continue feeding aggressively on warm nights.

Northern pike remain active around slower current, backwater vegetation, and creek mouths. It’s too warm out there to target muskies, so give them a break until late September.

As water temperatures remain high, current becomes increasingly important. Moving water consistently holds more oxygen and often concentrates feeding fish.

Spin Fishing

Current breaks remain your best friend.

• Ned rigs
• Tubes
• Paddle-tail swimbaits
• Inline spinners
• Small crankbaits

Don’t overlook shallow riffles early in the morning before moving deeper.

Fly Fishing

Smallmouth continue crushing:

• Poppers
• Dahlberg Divers
• Minnow streamers
• Crawfish flies

Fish early whenever possible. Once sunlight intensifies, switch to sinking lines or weighted flies to reach fish hugging the bottom.

Driftless Trout Streams

July was challenging at times as afternoon water temperatures climbed, but quality trout fishing remained available for anglers willing to start early or fish smaller water.

Cold spring-fed creeks continued producing healthy trout while larger systems slowed during hot afternoons.

As August arrives, water temperature becomes even more important than fly selection.

Fish early for tricos mayflies. Carry a thermometer and fish hoppers in the afternoon.

If water temperatures approach 70°F, it’s time to give trout a break and head for bass or carp instead.

Fly Fishing

Productive flies include:

• Terrestrials
• Beetles
• Ants
• Hoppers
• Small attractor dries
• Pheasant Tails
• Perdigons

Dry-dropper rigs remain one of the most effective August techniques.

Spin Fishing

Small inline spinners and lightweight spoons continue producing fish in pocket water and shaded undercut bank.

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August Outlook

August often gets overlooked, but it quietly produces some of the year’s most rewarding fishing.

Morning temperatures gradually cool, recreational lake traffic begins decreasing, and fish become more predictable.

Look for:

• Early morning topwater bass action.
• Excellent evening walleye fishing.
• Consistent river smallmouth.
• Outstanding catfish after dark.
• Consistent trout on dry flies in the mornings and hoppers into the afternoon.

Rather than fishing where everyone else is, focus on transitions—weed edges, current seams, points, and changes in depth. Summer fish rarely stop feeding; they simply become more selective about where and when they eat.

Good luck, and we’ll see you on the water!

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Guide Tip: Fishing the Trico Hatch in the Driftless

If you’ve ever watched trout rise steadily while refusing everything you throw at them, chances are you’ve stumbled into a trico hatch. These tiny mayflies create some of the most consistent, technical—and rewarding—dry fly fishing of the year across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois Driftless streams.

While the flies are super small, the opportunities can be huge for anglers willing to slow down and pay attention.

Fish Early

Tricos hatch during the coolest part of the morning, often just after sunrise. The hatch itself may be brief, but the spinner fall that follows can create a feeding frenzy. Plan to be on the water before first light so you’re ready when trout begin looking up. The hatch will usually happen between 6-10:00am everyday starting mid-July through September.

Look for Gentle Water

Unlike caddis or larger mayflies, tricos often collect in slower currents, tailouts, and foam lines. Trout frequently slide into these softer feeding lanes where they can sip dozens of insects with very little effort.

Instead of casting to every rise, spend a few minutes watching where fish are consistently feeding. A patient approach usually pays off.

Match the Size

Presentation matters more than the exact pattern, but size is critical. Most tricos range from #20 to #24, making them some of the smallest flies many anglers regularly fish.

Carry several patterns, including:

• Trico Duns
• Trico Spinners
• CDC Tricos
• Griffith’s Gnats for difficult-to-see fish

If fish refuse your fly repeatedly, try changing the size before changing the pattern.Long Leaders Make a Difference

Clear summer water and selective trout call for longer leaders. A 10- to 12-foot leader tapered to 5X or 6X helps produce delicate presentations while keeping the fly line farther from the fish.

Reach casts and slack-line presentations can also reduce drag and extend a natural drift.

Keep Your Fly Floating

Small flies become waterlogged quickly. A light dusting of dry-fly powder or desiccant between fish helps keep your imitation riding naturally on the surface.

Avoid applying too much floatant to delicate CDC patterns, as it can reduce their effectiveness.

Stay Calm During the Rise

One of the biggest mistakes anglers make is casting too quickly. Watch a trout rise several times before making your first presentation. Most fish establish a predictable feeding rhythm, allowing you to place your fly just ahead of the next rise.

Often, one well-placed cast is far more effective than ten hurried ones.

Don’t Leave Too Soon

Many anglers head home once the morning hatch ends, but trout will switch their focus from the many tiny dryflies to big, old hopper patterns in the afternoon! Keep a thermometer handy and to continue to catch a bunch of fish on foam patterns like the moorish hopper, chubby chernobyl, or many other terrestrial patterns.

The trico hatch may test your patience, but it also offers some of the most satisfying dry fly fishing of the summer. With careful observation, light presentations, and a willingness to fish tiny flies, you’ll be ready when Driftless trout begin sipping one of nature’s smallest mayflies.

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