Brookies For Days
It’s great to write those words. Brookies for days. Most Driftless rivers, where I usually fish, hold mainly browns. Some have a few rainbows. Select pools in select rivers hold brookies. My latest trip to northern Minnesota was a trip away from my usual rivers. It reminded me why I love fly fishing so much. Not like I’d forgotten, though. The Baptism River flows through … Continue reading Brookies For Days
Minnesota State Parks Poster
The state park often takes a back seat to the national park. Yosemite, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, etc. are all regarded as the ultimate places to experience nature. While none can/should argue the unique beauty of the national park, none can/should argue the equally unique beauty of the state park. These are places that don’t require a drive across the country to visit. Only have two days … Continue reading Minnesota State Parks Poster
Carver Park S24O
The 30 miles each way from my place in south Minneapolis to Carver Park Reserve in Victoria, Minn. is almost entirely on bicycle trails. The exceptions being the two miles from the house to the Greenway and a couple blocks in downtown Hopkins. This makes Carver Park Reserve a popular destination for bike campers. We loaded up our bikes with our gear the night before. … Continue reading Carver Park S24O
Hipcamp Adds Minnesota
The barrier of entry for the inexperienced outdoorsman to spend time in nature is too high. Where do I go? What gear do I need? How much gear should I bring? Do I need to make a reservation? Who do I call? What should I do if my main plan falls through and I’m stuck in the woods with no place to stay? The good … Continue reading Hipcamp Adds Minnesota
Park Rapids to Walker to Park Rapids
When I told Audra I wanted to bike the 31 miles from Park Rapids to Walker and back, she told me I was nuts. We biked from Park Rapids to Akeley and back the previous year. It was a much shorter route, though we picked a hot, windy day for the ride. By the halfway point, we hated it. On that ride, I said I wanted … Continue reading Park Rapids to Walker to Park Rapids
Skunked and Happy
The drive to the river took twice as long as normal. I waited in traffic on long, boring roads. A friend was kept waiting as I toiled in traffic. Work email was hitting my phone nonstop. The river was blown out from two inches of rain the day before. Few fish were rising for bugs. Water levels were 8″-12″ higher than normal. I was sweating … Continue reading Skunked and Happy
Fulton Gran Fondo
I’d been gearing up for this ride since last year when a buddy made it his first century. Having just upgraded my road bike at the time of the 2014 ride, I was up for anything involving many, many miles. A brewery was the host of the event. Not much more convincing was needed. Friday evening was when Pete, Casey and I decided on heading … Continue reading Fulton Gran Fondo
Backyard Fishing. Almost.
Driving to a fishable trout river means at least 45 minutes in the car from my place in south Minneapolis. That’s at least 90 minutes total both ways. To make such a trip worth it, I need 2-3 hours on the water. If I suddenly find myself with an urge to fish at 7pm on a weeknight, I’m screwed if it is trout I am … Continue reading Backyard Fishing. Almost.
Pastries > Pace
It’s been a fast year so far on the bike. Morning rides are spent sprinting to get to work on time (punctuality has never been a strong suit). Weekend rides are spent logging miles at a good pace to get in shape for the Fulton Gran Fondo. It isn’t often that I can get on a bike to relax. **Disclaimer: I’m eating a donut right … Continue reading Pastries > Pace
Finally.
Winter never seemed to begin, and it never seemed to end. The copious snowfall we usually see never arrived and the chill that most associate with Minneapolis was more cool than cold. The cool lingered until the middle of March. Minimal snowfall means good things for fishing, but bad things for rivers. Without snowmelt, rivers don’t overflow their banks or run fast. This makes for … Continue reading Finally.
Birch & Flannel 