Deep in the Superior National Forest is a tiny campground on the Temperance River. It has nine campsites, gets foggy when the temperature and dew point are just right and has some seriously spoiled chipmunks. This is where we stayed. With the exception of canoe-toting SUVs, the dirt road passing by the campground was quiet. We watched a storm roll in while playing cribbage and … Continue reading Temperance
The trip looked glorious when we were planning. Drive the bikes and fly fishing gear to Lanesboro, set up camp, load the bikes with fishing gear to fish the many river access points of the Root River State Trail and catch trout and sip on suds until nightfall, then do it all again the next day. As this trip showed Parker and I, things don’t … Continue reading It’s The Thought That Counts
If there were an award show recognizing the most beautiful places in the world to fish, Rainy Lake would be a nominee. This place is heaven. A high alpine lake deep in the North Cascades. You can find it on the Pacific Crest Trail, just east of North Cascades National Park. The water is clear and blue from glacial melting. Trees line the eastern shore, … Continue reading Rainy Lake
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
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
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.
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.
Where there is death, there is new life. That’s what I told myself when I sold my Masi Speciale CX to buy a Salsa El Mariachi. Selling the bike reknewed memories I had atop my black Masi, the best of which was the 2014 Almanzo 100. This is a race in southeastern Minnesota. Aside from the starting line, the course is entirely on gravel roads. … Continue reading Race Bikes. Catch Trout.
Another Friday morning began at 9:30 am. The text from Phil read “I’m a little tempted to hit the river this afternoon.” A quick glance at WxUnderground showed the day to be the warmest in the next two weeks. If we were to get in a day on the river before the Wisconsin early season opens, it would have to be now. Temptation also hit … Continue reading Little Oscar’s Makes Everything Better
Music. New Belgium beer. Dam busting. Fly fishing. What more do you need? The night was advertised as such. New Belgium is launching their new Slow Ride Session IPA. Friends of the Kinni are in a pivotal time in tearing down two infamous dams on the Kinnickinnic River in River Falls, Wisc. Music by Gabe Douglas needed to be played. Mend Provisions, being the best … Continue reading Dam Busting, Beer and Rock and Roll.
Birch & Flannel 