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Letter From Evan: A Guide and His Boat

Guiding is a craft. One that is honed over many years, miles, and mistakes. It’s a trade that requires dedication, and mastery of skills that mostly have nothing to do with fishing. I’ve known and worked with many guides, but no two are alike. We find our own preferences, styles, and terrible one-liners. But every good guide has their favorite, old trusty tools. Like a builder’s hammer, a chef’s knife, or a cowboy’s horse. Without a doubt, my favorite tool is my Clackacraft driftboat, Ole Blue.

As another season winds down, it suddenly dawned on me that a major milestone was hit without giving proper adulation. And I would be remiss if I didn’t pay homage to my trusty old friend. For fifteen years, Ole Blue has floated us down some of the greatest rivers in the country. For fifteen years, Ole Blue has slammed and scrapped along rocks, and been pushed down and dragged up various precarious slopes. Ole Blue has survived roaring rapids, horrendous storms, blazing heat, and operator errors. There’s even been a few times we almost sank Ole Blue! For fifteen years, Ole Blue has facilitated life long memories and friendships. Ole Blue has harbored innumerable laughs, stories, candid confessions, and silent moments of bliss. It’s seen tears of joy for the first or biggest fish, and tears of agony over the ones that got away. In the trade we say, “This boat has mojo.” Mojo is a type of magic that can’t be quantified or bought, it can only be earned and felt in spirit.

I got Ole Blue back in 2011, at the end of my second guide season in Montana. I didn’t make enough money that summer to buy it outright, I think I pocketed just over $3000. So I called my dad and pleaded with him, “If I had a driftboat, I could guide out west and move out of Minnesota for good!” He had a strong distaste for Minneapolis and Minnesota, and his main mission was to see his sons get out of their hometown for fear of us settling in mediocrity. So he gave me the missing two grand I needed for Ole Blue on the promise of never returning to Minnesota, and I spent nearly every cent I had to bring home my first driftboat.

I’ve always loved its dark royal blue hull. Our little childhood sailboat we kept on Lake Harriet, which belonged first to my grandfather, was the same color. And I remember thinking as a 19 year old, “Now that I’m a real man, I can be a real guide with my very own blue boat.” My guide mentor in Minnesota, Kip, laughed when he first saw it and said, “I hate it, every scratch will show on that thing!” And he’s not wrong, after a hard life of running rocky rivers, Ole Blue has gotten chipped, dinged, and scratched many times over. And each one is prominently displayed against the dark blue.

My grandpa Roger, the same one who owned our old blue sailboat, flew dive bombers in WW2. He talked about how much he loved the old prop planes because, “You actually fly with them! Not just push-a-button-and-go like the jets.” And that’s what I love about drift boats too. Ole Blue is a simple boat, but it’s purpose built, and I am actually connected to the river when I’m rowing. Over the years with Ole Blue, I’ve come to know exactly how it moves and turns, how shallow it can go, speak with its squeaky oars, feel which thuds on rocks hurt the most, and how to work with the river as it pushes or pulls. Truth be told, if I suddenly blacked out while rowing, I half think Ole Blue could get us to the landing on its own!

Boats and guides build their own personas, and Ole Blue has arguably become a bigger river legend than the guy who rows it. With my longtime clients, I can see it on their faces as soon as they step off land and sit in the seats- it’s like they’re returning home. Ole Blue has become their boat too, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. So the next time you find us floating down the Croix, or see a blue scrape left on a river rock, I hope you’ll think fondly of this guide and his boat. Cheers to fifteen years with Ole Blue! If you have a favorite memory or picture of you and Ole Blue, please share it with us!

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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!

August & September Fishing

September Wyoming Camp

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Coming Up: Tie, Cast & Create

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Local Highlight: The Snake River’s Explosive Past

If you spend much time around Pine City or at Bass Camp, chances are you’ve crossed the Snake River without giving much thought to what the river looked like 100 years ago. Today, we think of the Snake as a great fishing river—home to smallmouth, walleye, northern pike, suckers, sturgeon, and countless other species. We fish it, paddle it, hunt around it, and generally enjoy having a river running through the backyard.

But the Snake River wasn’t always primarily a fishing destination. For generations, it was a vital transportation route for the timber industry, later became an important source of electricity, and has been shaped by dams, flooding, development, and restoration. If you want to understand the history of Pine City, the story of the Snake River dams is a pretty good place to start.

Before Electricity, There Were Logs

The story begins long before electricity. In 1849, territorial Minnesota authorized Elam Greely to construct a dam across the Snake River near the outlet of Cross Lake. Known as the Chengwatana Dam, its primary purpose was to store and release water to help move the enormous quantities of logs harvested from the Snake River watershed downstream toward the St. Croix and its mills.

The dam dramatically changed the river system. Water backed up into Cross Lake and Pokegama Lake, flooding surrounding lands and creating conflict between lumber interests that needed high water and farmers whose property was being affected. The dispute eventually became so heated that, in 1902, rumors circulated that farmers intended to blow up the dam. In 1903, someone actually did. With millions of feet of logs waiting to move downstream, the destruction created a major problem for the lumber industry. The dam was eventually repaired, but by then the logging era was already beginning to fade.

Pine City Discovered Electricity

As the timber industry declined, the Snake River found a new purpose: generating electricity. The Pine City Electric Power Company was organized in 1909 and developed plans to harness the water flowing through the Snake River near Chengwatana. A new concrete dam and power system were constructed in 1912, remarkably taking only about six weeks to complete. Water was diverted through a long flume to create a drop that powered the plant and supplied electricity to Pine City and surrounding communities.

The new power system continued to expand under the Eastern Minnesota Power Company, eventually serving communities throughout the region. At the same time, the dams continued to influence the surrounding lakes and river system. Higher water levels helped make Cross and Pokegama lakes attractive destinations for boating, resorts, and summer recreation. The Snake River was becoming not just an industrial resource, but an increasingly important part of Pine City’s recreational identity.

The Dam’s Final Chapter

The concrete power dam and the original Chengwatana Dam were only part of the story. Additional structures, repairs, replacements, and legal battles continued for years. Another dam was constructed at the old Chengwatana site in 1914–15, but it was destroyed by explosives on May 14, 1930. The resulting changes in water levels affected Pokegama Lake, fishing, and the area’s growing resort industry.

The destruction of the dam marked another major transition for the Snake River. The era when the river was primarily a transportation and industrial system was coming to an end, but the question of how to manage its water—and who should benefit from it—was far from settled.

A New Era

In 1965, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources installed a low-head dam to help maintain water levels in the upstream lakes. But as Pine City grew, so did concerns about flooding, erosion, development, and the ecological effects of the dam. Some local residents wanted the dam completely removed and the river returned to a more natural state, while others wanted to maintain water levels for lakefront properties and existing infrastructure.

A major turning point came in 2005, when a local kayaker drowned after attempting to paddle over the dam. The accident galvanized the community around the need to make the structure safer. In 2010–11, the MNDNR created the rock arch rapids that exist today, eliminating the dangerous undertow below the dam. The project also reconnected fish passage between the lower Snake River, Cross Lake, and the upper river, benefiting species such as lake sturgeon and smallmouth bass.

Every time you fish the Snake River, you’re fishing a river that has been profoundly shaped by people. The Snake has been paddled, dammed, dredged, logged, flooded, drained, powered, bridged, and fought over for generations. And somehow, after all that, it’s still a pretty darn good fishing river. That’s one of the things I love about fishing Minnesota rivers: you’re not just fishing the water—you’re fishing history.

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October Fishing Report

The upper Midwest is officially starting to feel like fall. Cooler nights are dropping water temperatures, weeds are beginning to break down, and baitfish are starting to move. The big change right now is that we’re moving away from a consistent summer pattern and into a transition period—fish are beginning to feed more heavily, but where you find them can change quickly with weather, water temperature and rainfall.

Bois Brule River – Salmon & Steelhead

The Brule is entering the heart of its fall salmon and steelhead season, with coho, Chinook and early steelhead moving upstream as water temperatures drop. Current flows are relatively low for late September, so fish are likely concentrating in deeper pools, current seams and areas with stronger flow. Conventional anglers should focus on spinners, spoons, spawn and beads, while fly anglers should carry egg patterns, nymphs and streamers. Low, clear water means stealth is important, but the next significant rainfall could quickly increase flows and trigger a fresh push of fish upstream.

St. Croix Watershed

The St. Croix is looking like a classic early-fall transition fishery. Water at St. Croix Falls is about 60°F, with flows around 1,480 cfs—lower than the long-term average for the date but still offering plenty of fishable current.

For conventional anglers, start concentrating on current seams, rock, deeper edges and places where baitfish are moving from shallow water toward deeper structure. Smallmouth should remain available, while walleye, pike, muskie and other species become increasingly important as the water cools. Fly anglers can work streamers, crayfish and larger nymphs around current and rock. We’re getting close to the point where baitfish patterns will become increasingly important, especially very large bucktail streamers for muskies.

Mississippi River

The Mississippi is still a little behind the colder northern waters, but the fall transition is underway. Recent regional water data show the St. Paul section has remained relatively warm, so I’d expect fish to be using a mixture of summer and fall locations rather than committing completely to deep-water patterns yet.

For conventional anglers, look for transitions: current breaks, creek mouths, rock, weed edges and the edges of backwaters. Crankbaits, jigs, minnows and crayfish presentations should all have a place in the boat. Fly anglers should concentrate on current seams and structure with streamers, crayfish and larger nymphs, especially during lower-light periods. As water temperatures continue to fall, expect baitfish patterns to become more important.

Metro Lakes & Rivers

Don’t overlook the water close to home. Metro waters are entering the same fall transition, although some remain warmer than northern rivers. Recent readings included about 62°F at Minnehaha Creek, with nearby metro streams in the upper 50s and low 60s.

For conventional anglers, this is a great time to fish the outside edge of vegetation, creek mouths, docks, riprap and shallow-to-deep transitions. Start shallow in the morning and move deeper as the sun gets higher. Fly anglers should look for bass, panfish and other warmwater species around structure with streamers, poppers and nymphs. Fall doesn’t always require a long drive—the fish don’t know they’re in the metro.

Driftless Trout Streams

The Driftless is already feeling like fall, and the current conditions look excellent. Recent reports describe clear to slightly stained creeks with excellent temperatures following cooler weather and recent rain. Hoppers, scuds, nymphs and small streamers are producing, with blue-winged olives beginning to show during afternoon periods.

This is prime time for fly anglers. Start with a hopper-dropper or nymph rig, then watch for rising fish as the afternoon progresses. Streamers and larger flies are worth trying around deeper slots, undercuts and low-light periods. Conventional anglers can also find opportunities with small spinners, crankbaits and other compact presentations where regulations allow. The biggest thing right now is stealth—cool water has the trout active, but many streams are still clear enough that they’ll see you before you see them.

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Guide Tip: The Ultimate Fall Muskie Leader Setup

Fall is prime time for throwing big flies at muskies, but those big flies require a leader that can turn them over without becoming a tangled mess. FFA’s go-to setup is simple: about 3 feet of 40–50 lb fluorocarbon or stiff mono, connected to 12–18 inches of 40–60 lb knottable wire. Connect the butt section to the wire with an Albright knot, and finish the wire with a Perfection Loop or a small heavy-duty snap for quick fly changes. A loop-to-loop connection between the leader and a fly line’s welded loop keeps things clean and allows the leader to pass smoothly through the guides when a muskie eats during the figure-eight. This short, powerful leader turns over large flies well and keeps the fly close to the rod tip during the critical final moments of the retrieve.

For the rest of the setup, we’re generally reaching for a 10–12+ weight rod with a large-arbor reel and 30 lb+ backing, paired with a dedicated weight-forward muskie/pike fly line. An intermediate line is a great starting point for fishing shallow in fall, while a short sinking tip or full sinking line comes into play when fish are holding deeper. The important thing is matching the line to the fly—big fall flies are already a workout, so a properly weighted line makes casting much easier and helps turn that fly over instead of collapsing the leader.

Finally, check the leader often. Wire can kink, fluorocarbon can become nicked, and big muskies have a talent for finding the one weak spot in your tackle. After every fish, snag, or particularly violent follow, inspect the connection and replace anything questionable. There aren’t many worse feelings in muskie fishing than watching a fish of a lifetime swim away with your favorite fly. Build the leader to handle the abuse before you make the first cast.

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Thanks for Being Part of Fishing For All

Whether you’re joining us on the river or learning something new indoors, we’re glad you’re here. Let’s keep making fishing memories together.