Category Archives: Uncategorized

Evan Griggs’ Looking Ahead at 2023 Starting off winter with a polar vortex definitely gets me missing the warm days spent drifting for bass or casting dry flies to wily trout in the summer past- and of those days to come! The life of an upper midwest fly fishing guide ebbs and flows with theContinue reading “Fishing Journal 1/3/2023”

Fishing Report METRO ICE FISHING- Overall, metro ice fishing is heating up with most lakes covered in enough ice to explore them thoroughly. Most small-medium sized lakes have 6-8 inches of good ice. The big lakes should have a 4-6”, focusing on small bays will still be best. Seeing more atv’s and snowmobiles out thereContinue reading “Fishing Journal 12/15/22”

Fishing Report METRO ICE FISHING- Early season ice fishing can be very good. The fish are still in their fall feeding holes and eager to put on ample feed bags before we go into deep freeze. This means larger presentations and live bait are particularly effective. Consider testing small soft plastics and tungsten ice fishingContinue reading “Fishing Journal 12/1/22”

Fishing Report       The FFA team fished several trout streams in northeastern Iowa and found hungry trout willing to take a variety of patterns. We waded and floated through some less than desirable weather conditions but had great fishing regardless. It was extremely fun to fish nearly every style of fly: indicator nymphs,Continue reading “Fishing Journal- 11/15/22”

Fishing Report As we head into the fall months, now is a great time to find the local bite times and patterns that will pull in some fish. Fishing deep, low, and slow is the name of the game. Fish also won’t be eating all day consistently. Water and air temps play a huge roleContinue reading “Fishing Journal- 11/1/22”

Fall Fishing Report Just as warm temps, budding trees and blooming trout lilies beckon the start of the season, cooler temps and colorful leaves are a sure sign that the end is near. Trout fishing in SE MN and WI will close on Oct. 15. I often get asked why the trout season closes for a spellContinue reading “Fishing Journal- 10/12/22”

Mid-Summer Fishing ReportIt’s been an epic fishing season so far this year! Our guide team has been busy running trips of all types, classes, and camps. Clients have been sending me lots of fishing pictures and stories from their own adventures too. Across the board fish are happy, waters are level, and things have been goingContinue reading “Fishing Journal- 7/26/22”

Summer Fishing ReportWasn’t that a nice week of spring weather we had? Seems like we have been catapulted into the summer season: thunderstorms, humidity, mosquitos, and all! The last major spell of storms that went through a few weeks ago did a number on our local watersheds. Trout streams were flooded and fishing spots definitely got moved around.Continue reading “Fishing Journal- 5/30/22”

Spring Fishing ReportThe snow is finally gone, though winter seems to be holding on as long as it can. (Sounds like a typical April to me!) Because it’s been a relatively dry spring, our trout streams are in great shape. Water throughout the area is just slightly higher than average, but clear and crisp. This combo makes for veryContinue reading “Fishing Journal- 4/12/22”

Winter Fishing ReportIt’s been a long, cold winter this year! Hopefully you were able to get out and fish on one of the warm days we had. With the long cold snaps we’ve endured, many areas of our local trout streams have been iced over. The deep, slow pools (as well as areas without much groundwater influx) have been iced up theContinue reading “Fishing Journal- 2/16/22”