Trout Unlimited

MINNESOTAThe Official Publication of Minnesota Trout Unlimited - February 2016

Hay Creek - A Success Story Ice Fishing for Trout NEW SE Minnesota Book Just Released Fly Fishing Film and Video Competition The Lost Metro Trout Streams Expo Program Information

The Whitewater River Fish Kill

without written permisssion of Minnesota Trout Unlimited. Trout Minnesota of permisssion written without

ROCHESTER, MN ROCHESTER,

PERMIT NO. 281 NO. PERMIT

Chanhassen, MN 55317-0845 MN Chanhassen,

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P.O. Box 845 Box P.O. March 18th-20th, 2016 See Ad on Page 17

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Non-Profit Org. Non-Profit Minnesota Trout Unlimited Trout Minnesota Trout Unlimited Minnesota Council Update MINNESOTA The Voice of MNTU Here Comes The Expo! By JP Little, Minnesota Council Chair

On The Cover elcome to the 2016 winter for Lessard-Sams project dollars is due Minnesota Trout Unlimited in May, and we will again have the op- A wild North Shore steelhead comes statewide newsletter. This portunity to improve miles of streams to net. Steelhead will be running in W big, bountiful, glorious edition is com- across Minnesota. less than two months, make plans to ing out in advance of the 2016 Great visit the North Shore this spring. At- Waters Fly Fishing Expo, which for the John Hunt, our National Leadership tend the Great Waters Expo to learn first time is going to be operated by the Council (NLC) representative, has how to participate in the latest steel- Minnesota Council. More accurately, it agreed to step in as the new council head genetic research. Cheri Hender- is being planned and will be operated by treasurer to replace outgoing treasurer son photo. our esteemed editor Carl Haensel and Don Eckenrode. With this move, John co-operator Jade Thomason. But for stepped down as Vice Chair, Central. the first time ever, MNTU may be able Mark Johnson, past President in the to call the Expo a source of revenue for Twin Cities, has agreed to step into that In This Issue conservation work. Much more on this role. We now are in need of locating a in other articles in this newsletter. new council secretary, as Glenn Barth years of service, as well as Glenn over • More “Lost Trout Streams” is stepping down after years of service. the last decade on the Minnesota Coun- As the days grow longer and we start Anyone in the state with an interest in cil. • New SE MN book review the steady trek toward spring, chapters stepping forward and getting involved across the state are already planning with the Minnesota Council can contact Tight Lines! • Great Waters Expo programs what stream projects will be done over me directly at [email protected]. the next couple of years. The request I’d like to again thank Don for his many • Plan to volunteer in 2016

• And much more! Table of Contents An Unsolved Mystery in the Whitewater Valley...... page 4 Restoring & Fishing Hay Creek...... page 6 Expo Conservation Programs...... page 10 Join TU Today! Winter Trout Through the Ice...... page 11 Want to subscribe to this newsletter? Fly Tying - The Double Wing Trude...... page 13 See the back page for details or visit www.tu.org to join Trout Unlimted! Book Review - Fly-fishing SE Minnesota...... page 15 Women’s Fly Fishing Programs...... page 16 Twin Cities Lost Trout Streams...... page 18 Trout Unlimited - Connecting Us With Rivers...... page 20 Trout Unlimited Minnesota is the official publication of Minnesota Trout Trolling the Web...... page 21 Unlimited. Issues are distributed to all members of Minnesota Trout Unlim- Fly Fishing Film & Video Contest...... page 21 ited chapters. Subscriptions are available by joining Trout Unlimited. See MNTU Chapter News...... page 22 the back page for further details. Reeling It In...... page 24 Copyright © 2016 Minnesota Trout Unlimited. No Portion of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from Minnesota Trout Unlimited.

Advertising rate sheet available on request. Send all editorial and advertising correspondence or other inquiries to the editor:

Carl Haensel 2067 E. Pioneer Rd Duluth, MN 55804 [email protected]

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Trout Unlimited, 1550 Wilson Boule- vard, Arlington, VA, 22209. This bull buffalo stares down at visitors in the Hay Creek Saloon. Learn about the history of Hay Creek, the challenges it has faced and where to start your fishing adventures on page 6. 2 From The Executive Director Fighting The Threats To Our Trout Streams By John Lenczewski, MNTU Executive Director

ast month I attended the DNR trout streams and decline of trout fish- Fisheries Roundtable where con- eries. Eventually, I began to find time Lservationist James Martin talked to send a letter or make a phone call, to about factors squeezing conservation in fight for my future fishing. the 21st century. What most stuck with me was his statement that, “You don’t TU members and readers of this newslet- get the natural resource future that you ter are all at different places along a sim- deserve; you get what you fight for.” ilar spectrum – from just gaining knowl- MNTU edge to become better anglers or fly tiers, class 2A trout waters, yet water quality I doubt any of us got into trout fish- to learning local waters, to awareness of standards would have been lowered had Connections ing because we are looking for a fight, conservation issues, to carving out time many members not responded quickly other than with fish on the end of our for conservation work. There is no right and fought for the river. Within days of Executive Director line. My own childhood fascination or wrong path or pace. Eventually most being alerted to this threat, more than John Lenczewski with the fishing and trout evolved into of us realize the truth captured in James 150 of you contacted the JPO. And [email protected] a wonderful ride into fly fishing, fly ty- Martin’s statement, that we only get the roughly 30 members attended the public 612-670-1629 ing, and travel to the beautiful places, natural resource future we fight for. hearing on January 26, where the JPO www.mntu.org near and far, which trout and steelhead announced that due to the flood of TU inhabit. While I was aware of conserva- In January we discovered that the Ver- comments it would correct this mistake. tion issues, both from my father as well million River Watershed Joint Powers Those of us at that Farmington meeting Minnesota Council Chair as from a steady diet of articles in Field Organization (VRWJPO) has been lob- wanted to be at TCTU’s previous sched- JP Little & Stream and other magazines, I joined bying state agencies to reduce the water uled, concurrent meeting covering fish- [email protected] Trout Unlimited in high school primarily quality standards for the trout reaches in ing how to and where to. I want to thank to learn where to find more and larger the watershed. While the draft manage- each of you and all the comment writ- trout and how to catch them. Even now ment plan is otherwise good, this one ers for making this conservation fight a TU MN Newsletter Editor on any given day I still would prefer to aspect of the plan would have under- priority. I hope the fish show you their Carl Haensel just be fishing, fly-tying, or packing the mined years of good work by TCTU, its appreciation this summer. [email protected] vehicle for the next fishing trip. Howev- partners and many watershed volunteers. 218-525-2381 er, like any observant trout angler it was This good work deserves to be support- Tight lines, John not long before I saw the degradation of ed and expanded upon via protection as TU MN Newsletter Copy Editor Jade Thomason [email protected]

Gitche Gumee Chapter Jon Aspie, President [email protected] 218-724-5014

Headwaters Chapter Bob Wagner, President [email protected] 218-586-2798

Hiawatha Chapter Phil Pankow, President [email protected] www.hiawathatu.org

Mid-Minnesota Chapter Micah Barrett, President A Massive female brown trout caught in SE MN in January of 2016. Learn the details on page 21. [email protected]

Twin Cities Chapter Editor’s Angle Dean Campbell, President [email protected] Expanded Offerings from MNTU 612-564-TCTU www.twincitiestu.org By Carl Haensel, Editor any new things are afoot at MNTU these days, and we are For those of you that are writers and Waybinahbe Chapter pleased to bring our members photographers, drop me a line if you’re Rod Prusi, President M [email protected] and readers our largest issue in recent interested in contributing to the newslet- years. We hope that you enjoy exploring ter in any way, and check out the annual the history of Hay Creek, the challenges MNTU photo contest on page 12. You of the Whitewater valley and everything never know, you could be the lucky in- Win-Cres Chapter in between. As you explore the newslet- dividual with their photo on the cover Joe Lepley, President ter and the new content, we invite you to of the June 2016 issue and a new box of [email protected] provide feedback to us on what you’re flies in their vest! www.wincrestu.org interested in seeing in upcoming issues. From how-to articles on fly tying and As we get closer to spring, remember to casting to the biology of mayflies, we’ve mark the Great Waters Fly Fishing Expo got lots of different articles in store, and on your calendars. Check out the ad on www.mntu.org we would love to hear from you as we page 17 for more information. We hope plan more. to see you in March at the Expo! 3 An Unsolved Mystery in the Whitewater Valley The 2015 Whitewater River Fish Kill By B.J. Johnson onday, July 27, 2015. White- trout in that long section of the stream, the start, based on lost time. The first Northern corn leaf blight is a fungal water Valley, Southeastern had perished. anglers to spot the fish kill drove to the infection of corn, especially common MMinnesota: It was a scorcher Crystal Springs Hatchery the afternoon in fields where corn is grown year af- of a summer day, 90 degrees, with an Finding the cause of a fish kill isn’t al- of Wednesday, July 29. Staff weren’t on ter year, with no crop rotation. Corn oppressively high dew point. Given the ways easy. It’s especially difficult on duty at the hatchery at that time, and the blight reduces yields, and thus income, steamy air, the forecast for strong eve- trout streams, where the current quickly anglers weren’t aware there were other for farmers. Chemical fungicides are ning thunderstorms was not a surprise. washes away clues and evidence. Still, options to report a fish kill. By the time used to prevent blight. One new variety the likely suspects are well known. They the DNR was made aware of the kill on of fungicide, Priaxor, had been sprayed But what followed the rain certainly was. range from “natural causes” (disease, July 30, at least 18 hours had passed from helicopters in the immediate area change in water temperature or oxygen from the time of the heavy rains. That prior to the storm. The storm rolled in after midnight, early levels) to manmade causes (industrial was more than enough time for water- on July 28. In just a few hours, a drench- chemical spills or agricultural chemicals based evidence to be miles downstream, Jeff Broberg lives three miles from the dispersed and diluted. The trout car- South Branch of the Whitewater. He is casses that weren’t already consumed a geologist, an environmentalist, and by scavengers were rotting into mush, president of the Minnesota Trout Asso- reducing their value for scientific test- ciation. He believes aerial spraying of ing. All of which contributed to the “No corn fungicides has a strong potential for Answers” official report. being the cause of the South Branch kill. “This stuff is incredibly toxic to aquatic Still, the report ticked through a series of life,” he said. He noted that California likely suspects in the kill, and eliminated and New York have restrictions govern- each as causes or indicated there was no ing the use of Priaxor. In New York, the evidence to definitively prove they killed product cannot be aerially applied within the fish. Discounted as causes were: 100 feet of aquatic habitats (this requirement is not in place in Minnesota). The • Disease in the fish population. New York Department of Environmental • Illegal dumping or leakage of haz- Conservation initiated a review of the ardous chemicals. product in 2014 based on “concerns that • Effluent discharge from local waste- the use of this product may potentially water treatment plants. impact groundwater” and sensitive aqui- • Any substances related to a local fers. As a result, it limited the areas in limestone quarry. which the fungicide can be used in New It is estimated that Over 10,000 fish were killed in the • Metals, like Copper Sulfate, used as York. south Branch of the Whitewater River. MN DNR Photo a bactericide on cattle. • Manure. Manure-spreading helps Priaxor’s label warns users it should not ing rain dumped between 1 and 2.5 and agriculture by-products). fertilize farm fields, but manure can be applied within 48 hours of expected inches of precipitation into the White- also carry high concentrations of rainfall, due to the danger of the chemi- water Valley. The intense but brief storm The South Branch kill was likely the re- ammonia, chemicals or metals. cal being washed into lakes and streams. splattered rain onto the forests, bluffs sult of a brief but highly toxic pollutant • Fungicides, herbicides or pesticides. Broberg claims some local residents saw and farm fields surrounding the valley. load coursing down the stream. It was lo- Farmers use these chemicals to pro- helicopters spraying something (it’s un- It gushed downhill collecting sand, silt, calized to a portion of the South Branch, tect their significant investments and clear if it was fungicide or not) as late as bugs and more. The gully-washer fun- with no fish mortality in the Middle or maximize crop yields. Monday, July 27, despite the forecast for neled that debris into the streams of the North Branches of the Whitewater. It rain that evening. watershed, which rose rapidly. The silty created (at least briefly) an incredibly Two items on the list deserve special water clouded the streams into a brown- long dead zone on one of Minnesota’s attention: old fashioned manure and a The Priaxor label also indicates a risk ish tint, the trout angler’s dreaded “choc- most well-known, blue ribbon trout newly introduced fungicide. associated with aerial spraying during olate milk.” streams, and it cried out for answers. warm weather. “…High temperatures in- What caused such a dramatic and mas- The state’s report mentions manure ap- crease the evaporation of spray droplets After the storm, the temperature and dew sive fish kill? plications on two farms in the area of and therefore, the likelihood of spray point fell, and the next few days were in the kill. On one farm, liquid manure was drift.” In other words, the chemical can the low 80s, dry and pleasant. There was Three state agencies launched investiga- applied on July 27, just prior to the kill. spread to a larger area than intended every reason to believe the high water tions: The DNR, Department of Agricul- At the second farm, manure was applied when sprayed during hot weather like would recede, the streams would clear, ture, and the Pollution Control Agency. on a “daily / weekly basis” starting May the 90-degree temperatures in the valley and the trout of the Whitewater Valley Soon the three banded together to pursue 23 and continuing up to the time of the preceding the kill. would soon be on the rise again. a “unified response.” deadly event. The state’s “unified response” report Except that didn’t happen on the South In December 2015, the agencies de- With one exception, the amount of ma- found no evidence that fungicides Branch of the Whitewater River. livered a report titled “South Branch nure applied was “consistent (with) or caused the fish kill. But Wotzka is suspi- Whitewater River Unified Fish Kill Re- below” state regulations (the single ex- cious. “There are so few chemicals out Fish Kill on a Blue Ribbon Stream sponse.” The 367-page report was highly cessive application was reported to Wi- there that will kill a stream from top to detailed but glaringly inconclusive about nona County). The report did not name bottom,” he said. “This is one of them.” The first alarm was raised on July 30. An what killed the fish. The state agencies manure as a cause of the kill. But Paul angler spotted dead fish floating down- announced that “Scientific analysis of Wotzka, a professional hydrologist and Broberg is also concerned with potential stream and littering the shorelines of available evidence was unable to draw resident of the Whitewater Watershed long-term negative effects of fungicides the South Branch. Department of Natu- a clear conclusion as to the cause of this takes exception with the amount of ma- on trout populations. ral Resources (DNR) fishery staffers fish kill, as a combination of biological, nure-as-fertilizer allowed by the state. from Lanesboro and the Crystal Springs chemical, and environmental conditions “Those applications were horrifically Priaxor Xemium Brand Fungicide® was Hatchery soon reported a massive fish may have led to this event.” Stated more large,” he said. Manure runoff, he said, first registered for use in Minnesota in kill. At least 6.5 miles of the South simply, the state’s experts had conceded, may have caused or contributed to the 2012, according to the state Department Branch were affected, from the Crystal “We just don’t know” what caused the fish kill. of Agriculture. Prior to 2012, the DNR Springs Hatchery upstream to Bethany kill. counted between 1,600 and 1,700 brown Drive, near Altura. It was later estimated The use of fungicides may be an even trout per mile on the South Branch. that between 9,000 and 10,000 fish, in- Likely Suspects greater concern, though the report said cluding most of the brown and rainbow fungicides “were not suspected” as a An Unsolved Mystery in the Whitewater The investigation was hampered from cause. Valley continued on page 14 4 5 Hay Creek - A Success Story This Stream Has a Story to Tell

By Dan Callahan

ay Creek, a medium-sized I could cite many cases where better hatch of browns in 2010, and inconsis- http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/state_ trout stream near Red Wing, men, probably, have signally failed, and tent reproduction since then. However, forests/cmp00040.pdf HMinnesota, has some history where the restraining influence should they’ve documented much better num- behind it. have been much stronger. bers and sizes of fish in areas where Statewide regulations apply during we’ve done habitat improvement work. the regular stream trout season, which It was the first place close to the Twin The reason why I did not gratify my There’s a trophy trout stretch where you means you have to buy a trout stamp Cities to offer a winter catch-and-re- natural instincts was the opposing one, have to fish with only artificial flies or and have it listed on your license. The lease season, back in the late 1980s. and true sportsman maxim, never to kill lures, and throw back any trout between limit is five trout, with only one over 16 Now the winter season extends to what you cannot make use of; and, also, 12 and 16 inches. inches. You can catch-and-keep from the rest of the streams from Goodhue I am too great a lover of the gentle art Not coincidentally, the slot-limit is on a April 16 to September 14 this year, County and south, until April 16, when [of fly fishing] to hasten the extinction, four-mile stretch that Twin Cities Trout followed by catch-and-release fishing the regular season opens. through a mere wantonness, of a crea- Unlimited members did all their early until October 15. After that, put away ture that has so largely contributed to my stream restoration work, upstream of the your rod until New Year’s Day 2017. It was the first place we heard about pleasure and happiness.” tiny hamlet of Hay Creek. (See map.) the dangers posed to Minnesota trout The fishing upstream is on privately- Where & How to Fish streams from unregulated silica frac Dr. Sweney was a founder of the city of owned land, on which the owners have sand mining, leading to legislation that Red Wing. The 1878 edition of The His- sold angling easements to the DNR. So The MNDNR has just published its new protects all trout streams in the Pa- tory of Goodhue County describes him if you see one of those landowners while booklet and online version of “Trout leozoic bedrock areas of southeastern as “…a gentleman of education, large fishing that stretch, thank him or her. Angling Opportunities in Southern Minnesota. observation and diversified experience.” When you park on the side of the road and Central Minnesota”. You’ll find He was born in 1818, and moved to Min- or in the little turnouts, don’t block any the good area of Hay Creek is shown It was the first place the Twin Cit- nesota in 1850, to practice medicine in driveways, farm roads, access or gates. on Map 13. Online, it’s http://files. ies Trout Unlimited (TCTU) chapter St. Paul with the only other medical doc- Leave any gates as you find them. They dnr.state.mn.us/maps/trout_streams/ started doing major stream restoration tor in the state at the time. He moved were open, or closed, for a reason. south-2015/map13.pdf work. Since 2008, we’ve restored six his family to the Red Wing trading post There is no public fishing in the gap in Bob Trevis’ new book, Fly Fishing miles of Hay Creek. Together with the in 1852. the map between the upstream ease- for Trout in Southeast Minnesota….A other six chapters of Minnesota Trout Unlimited, we’ve now restored more “Among the first items of information I than 40 miles of trout streams across obtained from the Indians was that the the state, with more on the slate this small spring brooks contained an abun- summer. dance of trout, and the equally gratifying intelligence that they never used them as an article of food; in fact, their religious notions ‘tabooed’ their use.

From the name they gave the speckled beauties, I would infer they considered them too bad to eat. Hogal-wichasta-sni (literally, wicked-man-fish) is not sug- gestive of high appreciation among the Indian community. They really believed some malign influence resided in the fish.”

Trout stream destroyers, who have taken on Trout Unlimited protectors over the DR William Sweney First Fished years, might believe that malign influ- Hay Creek in 1854 ence is still at work. I’ll be aligned with the wicked-man-fish every time.

It was the first place that a fly fishing Hay Creek Today physician from Red Wing did NOT fish when he arrived back in the ‘50s. He Hay Creek is a major tributary to the wanted to save it, like dessert. MPCA’s Mississippi River-Lake Pe- pin Watershed. Hay drains more than Years later, Dr. William Wilson Sweney 30,000 acres of mostly farmland, though wrote why he wanted to wait: as you get closer to Red Wing, residen- tial development, and then urban devel- “In my various tramps through the opment, add their burdens. country, when I struck a stream at a If you love watershed information, you ford or ripple, it was not uncommon can get more details online: https:// thing to see dozens of trout rushing and www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/ tumbling over each other in their haste wq-ws3-07040001b.pdf to reach their hiding places in deep wa- An Angler Fishes Hay Creek. Photo by Fleming Photography. ter. Hay Creek gathers waters from many small tributaries and springs as it carves ments and the rest of the creek that’s Troutchaser’s Guide is built around On Hay Creek I have thus frightened off down into a steep valley before rolling open to the public, downstream of the these stream maps as well. As a fish- a shallow ripple more than fifty pounds into the river bottoms, just southeast of town of Hay Creek. That downstream ing guide for 30 years, Bob knows bet- of the fish at one time, and though I al- Bench Street, upstream of downtown portion is the lower two miles on which ter than I do where to fish, and that in- ways carry an ample supply of fishing Red Wing. The limestone-softened we’ve done restoration work, in the cludes Hay Creek. He kindly allowed tackle with me, I never wet a line in that springs keep Hay Creek cold enough for DNR’s Hay Creek Management Unit of us to use an excerpt from his book. stream until 1854. trout. the Richard J. Dorer State Forest. There is more about fishing another You need to head upstream about six It caters to horse riders, so you’ll be part of Hay Creek that is not included This I consider the greatest instance of miles on Highway 58 to get to the good parking near trailers in some of the ar- here. Buy the book! self-denial and resistance of temptation trout water. eas. The DNR has an excellent trail “Hay offers almost 16 miles of trout on record. Brown trout are the creek’s bread and system that runs along stretches of Hay water, much of it prime fishing. Hay is butter fish, if you will. The DNR fisher- Creek. A detailed map showing the trails usually accessed by going west of Red ies surveys show there was a booming and parking areas of the unit is online: Wing on State Highway 58 for six miles 6 or so. Some Twin Cities anglers head east of US Highway 52 on State 50 at Hampton and go thru Miesville, home of the semi-pro Miesville Mudhens, to get to Red Wing. Warning – the speed limit is 35, and enforced! In the town of Hay Creek you can get a burger at the old Dressen’s Saloon (now Haycreek Valley Campground and Saloon), and then you can head north on Hay Creek Trail and access portions of Hay Creek in the state forest area. Most fly anglers instead head west of the saloon on Hwy. 58 to 320th St. Way and proceed to the slab bridge crossing. You can park on the right or left before you get to the bridge crossing and fish upstream or downstream…” “Much of this area has had HI [Habi- tat Improvement] work done, some as far back as 1976, and some as recently as 2013-2015. Width varies, but most of Hay is 30 feet or less in width, although this is not hip boot water. The trout are educated, and it’s artificial lures or flies only. Proximity to the Twin Cities makes it a favorite of winter anglers.” “…Another option is to go a bit further south and west on Hwy. 58 to 325th St. and follow 325th to the first dead-end road and a bridge. Access here (upstream or downstream) is public, but the weeds – including wild parsnip - can be very annoying after June 1st. There is a small cabin near the creek; please respect their privacy, and the outhouse is not for your use! Weekend use of Hay can make the wa- Highlighted areas on the map have been improved recently by the Twin Cities Chapter of Trout Unlim- ter very crowded; if you find 4 or 5 ited. Many other sections of Hay Creek are fishable. Check MN DNR Maps for more information. cars here, and there were 4 to 5 cars and on-shore is the biggest headache, drops south into the Hay Creek val- room of people on how to properly on 320th, it’s probably best to head to but not insurmountable. As with most ley. Quick investigation by several TU use environmental review processes, another watershed. trout streams, mid-summer’s hot days members revealed that sand, not oil, and pledged TU’s support for the fight If you were to continue on 325th St. are best for a fish-early or fish-late ap- was the company’s target. The first frac ahead. for another half-mile, you would come proach. sand mine proposed in southeast Min- to yet another bridge crossing where What to use? Turn over some rocks to nesota was to be located just about one The “Save the Bluffs” group was born. you can make your own parking spot. see the appropriate nymphs or caddis mile from Hay Creek. Downstream of the bridge is the upper larvae to match. Consider dropper rigs Patrick O’Neill was a key player. His reach of the public access area, but you or trailing midges behind larger weight- Energy companies want this type of family owns the historic, red-brick may want to stay in the water walking ed nymphs. SMALL indicators if you round, hard, quartzite, silica sand building that is the headquarters for downstream for a few hundred yards, need to use them - these fish have seen grains to mix into a special slurry. They the Hay Creek Valley Campground and rather than fight the shoreline trees and enough Thingamabobbers! inject this juice into the ground, prop- Old Western Saloon. brush. You’ll know when you get to the For hatches, check the spider webs in ping open the fractures they’ve made in bedrock, so that oil and gas can seep German immigrant Albert Burkard out and be pumped up to the surface in constructed the building in the 1870s, places like North Dakota. along with a hotel that is now gone. The building became a general store, then Tony Nelson, TCTU Habitat Chair, and fell idle. The Dressen family bought it MNTU Executive Director John Lenc- in 1967 and opened the Saloon, along zewski, were central participants in the with a few campsites. initial community meeting organized to address this new threat. The O’Neills bought the place in 1977. They added a restaurant and campsites, We had learned from the horror sto- now numbering more than 100. Some ries in Wisconsin. Massive groundwa- accommodate campers who bring their ter pumping was going on, so miners horses to ride on a DNR trail nearby. could reach sand below the normal A wintertime Hay Creek brown trout groundwater table. They also were us- It’s the main business in Hay Creek, ing groundwater to wash and sort the featuring a camp store, delicious burg- upper end of some HI work, since you shoreline vegetation, and choose flies sand. ers, cold beer, and an authentic, stuffed will hear plunge pools. Again, this for- of the same size and color. I could write buffalo head that glowers down at you mer pasture is quite weedy, but is often another book on “Tactics and Flies, by The pumping was intercepting cold from the wall above the bar. worth the hassle. Immediately upstream the Fortnight”, but that’s probably two groundwater headed for trout stream of the bridge is not eased water.” years away! springs. In some cases, the groundwater When I first met Pat, it was April 2013, There you have it, everything you need was used once in processing the sand. opening day of the trout season. I asked Bob if he would share some ad- to fish Hay Creek.” Then, much warmer, water was al- vice on what to use while fishing. He lowed to flow downhill until it reached John Lenczewski had invited Minneso- replied: Frac Sand Dangers ditches leading to trout streams, which ta DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr, “Hay should fish well from January 1 were already warmer because their and his son Hunter, to fish the stretches to the spring melt. After the melt, good All the work Trout Unlimited members groundwater supplies had been inter- of Hay Creek that TCTU members had until late June - then the shoreline put into restoring Hay Creek was jeopar- cepted. improved. weeds take over in many areas. dized in 2011. Trout streams are nothing without their Besides showing off the great partner- Nymphs or attractors should work well In March 2011, we learned that a Tex- cold groundwater flows. ship between the DNR and MNTU, and hoppers in the pasture sections as oil company had purchased the long John wanted to talk about protecting come August. Vegetation in-stream slope where Hwy 58 from Red Wing Tony and John educated a packed such an important asset from the dangers of excessive 7 Hay Creek - A Success Story Continued groundwater pumping associated with they probably would have shut down If I ever achieved my dream of owning a covering the hell out of any story. frac sand mining. right away because there’s no demand.” chunk of land along a trout stream where They bought the land from the Stumpf I could build a retirement cabin, I’m not family in 1990, with the permanent By this time, MNTU had spent many If the mine had opened, “It would have sure that I would look for a plot that had DNR conservation easement already in hundreds of hours working with the been ugly,” Pat said. “Traffic is already a public fishing easement on it. place. I asked him in an email why he DNR, legislators, geologists, the Save terrible on Highway 58, and sand trucks Lucky for us, Dean and Catherine Re- did it. the Bluffs group and others to craft a would have made it even worse. This is buffoni did. He answered, “Three reasons: (1) to bill at the state capitol that would re- a unique area with clean, cold water and The last part of the public angling ease- protect, enhance, and restore a tract of strict frac sand mining within one mile trout. Frac sand mining would have ru- ment on the map, north and downstream rural land and water in the stewardship of any trout stream in southeast Minne- ined it.” of 320th St, is their land. It encompasses tradition of Aldo Leopold, (2) to have sota. The bill was gaining momentum. a country get-away (my wife Catherine The fishing trip was strategically timed and I live in Minneapolis and we built to garner media attention and increase a cabin at Hay Creek), (3) as a long- public support for action. term investment for our two sons and their families.” MNTU had worked closely with State Senator Matt Schmit of Red Wing to He seldom fishes for the trout finning craft the one-mile setback legislation. in his stretch of stream. He has more He grew up fishing for trout in Hay pressing issues to deal with. Creek. Matt joined Pat O’Neill and “I would rather be practicing land and Commissioner Landwehr for inter- water stewardship or just observing fish views that day. and wildlife -- grubbing out buckthorn or cutting boxelder, for example, build- Trout streams attract a lot of tourism ing brush piles for rabbits, walking to Southeast Minnesota. While min- through our prairie, watching birds, or ing companies were touting temporary watching trout feeding in Hay Creek,” new jobs and economic benefits, they he wrote. “Cathy and I also watch for tried to minimize the negative impacts, a big snapping turtle that lives in our such as hundreds of sand trucks on lo- stretch of the creek.” cal two-lane highways, the removal of bluffs, and health concerns over silica His most memorable trout didn’t come dust—in addition to excessive ground- from Hay Creek. It came from his water pumping affecting neighboring childhood. water wells and trout streams. “It was a brookie from Kabekona Pat O’Neill told reporters, “Our busi- Creek in northern Minnesota. It was ness is tourism based. People come only eight inches long, but it was my here to fish, or to bike or ride horses first trout and I caught it on a fly rod,” on the DNR trail. People come here for Rebuffoni said. “My father was with the scenic beauty, the bluffs and hills me that day and I’ve never forgotten and creek. We’re worried that’s all go- the experience.” ing to be threatened by the frac sand mining.” When TCTU members approached the Rebuffoni’s about doing some stream An intense legislative session fol- restoration work on their land, they lowed. Pat traveled to St. Paul a num- agreed, convinced by our good reputa- ber of times to testify alongside MNTU tion, which meshed with the steward- at the state capitol. ship goals that Dean and Cathy had set. They’ve been members of TU for Educating lawmakers about this issue about five years now. eventually led to landmark legislation, giving the DNR new authority to regu- “We couldn’t achieve those goals with- late, and, where warranted, prohibit out the help of TU, the DNR and other frac sand mining within one mile of conservation agencies. Also, a big any Southeast Minnesota trout stream shout-out to Pheasants Forever, whose or tributary. volunteers help maintain our 10 acres of prairie plantings along Hay Creek.” While not the outright ban on frac Pheasants Forever volunteers are sand mining near trout streams that trained at prescribed burning. Native MNTU sought, it requires a special prairie needs periodic fire to renew DNR permit which the DNR has au- and beat back competition from trees. thority to deny, based upon possible Top: It looks natural, but invasive trees and eroded banks made the When European settlers stopped fre- impacts to the streams or the network water wide, shallow, silty and devoid of good aquatic habitat. Middle quent wildfires, forests took over in and bottom: Major reshaping of banks and narrowing the channel many areas. of subterranean channels which carry deepens the stream to flush out sediment and restore gravel bottom. cold groundwater to a stream’s feeder THe projects look rough for a few days, but within weeks, the restoration work is stabilized, and the benefits will last for years. When I joined TU back in 1989, the conventional wisdom was that our springs. These cold springs are what a mile-and-a half of Hay Creek. trout streams needed the shade of trees define Hay Creek and the other fertile, The law, which MNTU helped pass in This isn’t the only thing Dean has done to stay cool. Trees were good. That cold, limestone streams in southeast May 2013, appears to be working. No for the environment. He was the lead en- turned out to be untrue in places where Minnesota as “spring creeks”. new mines have been proposed within a vironmental reporter at the Star Tribune prairie grasses originally dominated, mile of Hay Creek or any other south- newspaper for decades. He started writ- and the water was largely spring-fed, However, the regulations have never east trout stream. However, if demand ing in 1970, the year of the first Earth cold groundwater. been tested. rebounds, the law may face its first real Day, at the St. Louis Globe Democrat challenge. When that day comes, TU and and retired in 1998 at the STrib, leaving Shallow rooted trees like box elder, Oil prices have dropped, and frac sand its partners in the Hay Creek communi- a trail of awesome stories. and the doomed ash trees now on the is no longer highly desired. The land ty will be ready to protect this amazing I was producing environmental coverage emerald borer beetles’ menu, will grow for the proposed Hay Creek frac sand stream and valley. at WCCO-TV Channel 4 in the 1990s, big and then collapse into the streams. mine is up for sale, cheap. Pat told me and he would beat me time and again on I thought that woody cover in a stream in late January, “I think even if they The Restoration of Hay Creek stories. He was just so solid in his sourc- was good, which it is, in some cases. had succeeded in opening, ing, research, writing and dedication to Up north it’s very important. 8 we hope, for years. However, to re- We’ve built wooden versions of undercut store the stream to that condition, re- banks. First came “lunker structures”. quires ripping it up. Think of a two pallet sandwich, with up- right pieces of wood holding them apart It’s horrifying to look at if you haven’t about a foot or so. Worked okay, but the been educated to recognize terrible (but posts meant you could never drift a fly or natural-looking streams) and don’t un- lure under it without getting tangled and derstand the serious surgery required having to break off. to undo years of damage from human development’s increased stormwater The improved version, and the last ones runoff and neglect. The cliché about we made for Hay Creek, are called “sky- needing to crack some eggs to make an hooks”. They are cantilevered, with a omelet is not a bad comparison. double stack of wood only on the back side and weighted, so the top side of the Rebuffoni said, “As a reporter, I had wooden sandwich can jut out like an aw- witnessed several environmental-res- ning. toration projects and knew that, while under construction, they can resemble Heavy limestone rock is then put on top, combat zones. to anchor the skyhooks. Then dirt is pushed over the top and re-seeded, cre- “But I also had seen how attractive the TCTU Volunteers building skyhook structures for use on Hay Creek ating a deep, dark, outside bend, a big finished projects were, and knew of Now more than ever, stream restoration cup. trout hidey-hole. their positive results for fish and wild- is a case-specific prescription which Flood waters easily rise up over the gen- life.” takes into account the pre-settlement tly sloping banks of prairie grass, spread- This is the area we held our free fly fish- ecological conditions, the slope of the ing the force of the water out across in ing clinics for TU members in 2015. Tom Lane, a TCTU member who led stream, the watershed, etc. the creek’s natural flood plain in a shal- You can watch a cool video of one of the many of the restoration projects on On Hay Creek, impenetrable log jams low sheet. When the water recedes, the clinics on our website’s Hay Creek page, Hay Creek, said that doing the early had spread out the stream into water prairie grass bends back up. at www.twincitiestu.org. work was labor intensive. “But it was a that was six inches deep and 20 feet really neat way to do the projects, and wide, which actually warmed the wa- It is important that skyhooks be set low I think the work we’re doing is holding ter. enough, so that if a big flood carries fall- up well.” en trees down the channel they do not Restoration methods on Hay Creek, The shifting, sandy bottom couldn’t lodge under the skyhook and rip apart like MNTU projects statewide, have support aquatic vegetation and cov- the work. Restoration experts have also evolved based upon new research. We ered up natural streambed gravel. In learned to harvest the invasive trees and now consult with engineers to design gravel, insects thrive and serve as fish incorporate them into banks to protect the restoration project and work with food. In gravel, trout lay their eggs to the outside bends from everyday erosion contractors using heavy equipment to be oxygenated by flowing water. The and strong water in floods, which are be- do the massive, but efficient, restora- eggs don’t hatch if they get buried in coming more frequent. tion construction. silt or sand. When we started stream restoration in There is still the need for hand-work by The log jams and toppled trees were 2008 through about 2010, the typical TU volunteers on projects, however. catastrophic to the creek in high flooding. Water washed fallen trees downstream, launching them into banks and diverting flood water to carve out even wider corners, undermining tall banks of dirt, which eventually would collapse into the stream, adding more silt.

Hay Creek Landowner The prescription was to narrow the Dean Rebuffoni channel, increase the velocity so it could carry away the sand, expose the Take a look at the photo to the right of natural gravel once again and deepen a restored prairie section of Hay Creek, it. photographed by TCTU habitat chair Tony Nelson, just days after a 10 inch The creek, in high-erosion mode, rain hit the valley in 2012. Not a bit of sported sheer, 10-foot-tall banks of damage. black dirt on outside bends in some areas. If the creek flooded, all that extra Native prairie grasses have deep roots

A Stable bank with prairie grasses after a 10 inch rainfall in 2012

way to armor the outside bends was with Clearing pre-project invasive brush, quarried blocks of limestone, which held working in areas too tight or sensitive things in place, while the prairie grass to use heavy equipment, re-seeding established itself. But it can look unnatu- and planting when projects are largely ral for a long time. done, and following up to control invasive plants are all necessary. More recently, the DNR has preferred we use “toe wood”, which looks less out of place, and serves as a transitionary Dean Rebuffoni says when he looks out bank armor. his window at Hay Creek, he thinks of A toe wood installation on the Vermillion River, demonstrating how fortunate his family is to have this some of the methods used on Hay Creek You take out a big invasive tree, leave land along a wonderful trout stream. about 15 feet of trunk, and then bury it energy would carve farther under those that grow thickly together, anchoring the into the bank with the trunk on its side, “It’s a gem of a trout stream, and it de- banks and topple them into the water. soil against erosion much better than the perpendicular to the stream. The root serves the strongest possible protection The cure was to knock down those shallow roots of box elders. ball faces out into the water, as a shield and perpetual T.L.C. (Tender Loving banks and reslope them to be gradu- protecting the bank. Care),” he said. al—make the surrounding banks more Overhead bank cover can be key to trout After a few years, the wood will rot and like a dinner plate’s gradual upturning growth. An osprey can’t swim under a wash away, the prairie grass will be es- Dr. Sweney must have thought that edges, instead of the steep sides of a bank and grab a fish. tablished and the banks will be stable, same thing back in 1854. 9 Great waters Flyfishing Expo Conservation Programs March 18-20 l Century College l White Bear Lake, MN

Friday March 18th – 4:00 pm Agricultural Threats and the Fish Kill in the Whitewater River A heavy rainstorm in July of 2015 brought death to a large portion of the South Branch of the Whitewater River in Southeast Minnesota. Learn about the still unsolved mystery that caused it, and discuss ways that we can work toward preventing future fish kills around Minnesota.

Saturday March 19th – 11:00 am AND Sunday March 20th – 2:00 pm Restoration of the Kinnickinnic River Through Dam Removal Join the Friends of the Kinni for a discussion about the restoration of the Kinnickinnic River through dam removal currently being considered in the City of River Falls, WI. During this discussion, the documentary short film “The Dam Decision” produced by UWRF student Sydney Howell will be screened and a question and answer session with Friends of the Kinni spokesperson Michael Page will follow. The Friends of the Kinni is a grassroots citizens group who love the Kinnickinnic River and want to see it flowing freely through the City of River Falls. They have been working in cooperation with the City of River Falls as a stakeholder organization throughout the FERC relicensing process and now in the Kinnickinnic River Corridor planning process.

Saturday March 19th – 2:00 pm Lake Superior Steelhead Management in MN: Attend to Participate in a New Steelhead Genetic Study! Get the latest details from the MN DNR’s new 2016 Fisheries Management Plan for the Minnesota Waters of Lake Superior (LSMP) straight from DNR Migratory Fish Specialist Nick Peterson. Nick will be discussing salmonids, including steelhead, and providing details of how steelhead will be managed over the next 10 years by the MN DNR. Included in this management will be an exciting new opportunity for anglers to participate in a steelhead genetic research study. The study will involve scale sampling from angler caught-and-released fish. Plan to attend to learn how to participate in the study and to sign up to help out the wild steelhead of Lake Superior.

Saturday March 19th – 3:00 pm Current Issues in Trout Conservation Learn about the top challenges that our trout waters around Minnesota are facing and how you can get invloved to help. Meet MNTU executive director John Lenczewski and hear about our efforts to preserve trout habitat and fishing opportunities around Minnesota for the next generation. The timeliest issues will be covered and simple actions that you can take to help will be provided. Threats to groundwater laws, trout stream designations, proper mapping of stream buffers and other issues will be covered based on urgency. Check the Expo and MNTU webpages for updates as March 19th approaches.

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Winter Trout Through The Ice By Doug Harthan

ce fishing for trout in Minnesota I will share with you some of the things provides us with another great op- that have worked for me. During winter Iportunity to chase one of my fa- in the lake that I fish, the trout seem to vorite fish. When we think of ice fish- be in the upper part of the water col- ing for trout, most of us would tend to umn and I usually do not fish very deep. think of northeast Minnesota, but there Anywhere from 5 feet down to 15 or are a number of opportunities through- so feet is where I will start jigging and out the state. Trout are stocked in both sometimes set a dead stick as well. The designated trout lakes that are managed particular lake that I fish is not a desig- specifically for trout, and into lakes that nated trout lake so we can use minnows

A flasher style depth finder is often key to finding fish in winter of baits in the winter including small after they have come in to the jigged minnows, wax worms, and even power bait. Jigging Rapalas and spoons will bait. I like using a small jigging lure with work as well; I use a little heavier line a crappie minnow and will jig it regu- when using spoons and Rapalas so be larly with pauses. At times I may use a prepared to use different presentations dead stick with a plain small hook and until you find the one the fish want on a minnow or wax worm on it and some- that particular day. times they will take the dead stick bait To find lakes that have been stocked with trout in your area, go to the Min- nesota Department of Natural Resourc- es web page at http://www.dnr.state. mn.us/index.html. Once here, choose the Lake Finder tab, click the stocking report species button, click on trout Portable shelters allow for mobility and comfort while ice fishing and click generate report. This will give you the counties where lakes and are managed for other species as well. and have two lines if we choose to do streams have been stocked with trout It is important to read the regulations so, but remember if fishing a designated by the DNR. From here you can identi- before fishing, because live minnows trout lake you are only allowed one line fy those that you may want to try. More are not allowed when fishing desig- and live minnows are prohibited. Due remote and difficult lakes to access will nated stream trout lakes. In addition to the cold temperatures of the water in usually result in fewer fishermen, but to this, a trout stamp is needed when the winter, we have caught fish in water not necessarily more fish. fishing designated stream trout lakes or depths from 12 feet to over 70 feet so whenever in possession of trout. Some you may need to move around until you So if you’re looking for a new chal- of the lakes are closed to winter fish- find fish. Depending on the lake compo- lenge this winter give trout fishing a ing as well. Trout taken from the clear sition, fish may or may not be relating try, I think you’ll enjoy it. cold waters of these stocked stream to underwater structure, making it more trout lakes are excellent table fare, a difficult to key-in on certain spots. For Editors Note: Doug Harthan is the downright blast to catch and easy for rigging, I like to use a fluorocarbon line owner of Front 20 Outfitters based in the young fisherman to enjoy as well. of 4-pound test or less. I feel the fish are Perham MInnesota. Find their ad on less likely to notice it as much and it A young angler with a nice the opposite page. There are many techniques and presen- tends be more abrasion resistant. I will rainbow trout tations that will catch winter trout and use and have caught trout on a variety 11 MNTU 2016 Photo Contest Share Your Best Fishing Photos and Win! his is the official announcement • Submission of photos gives MNTU the of the third season of the MNTU right to publish photos in the MNTU Tphoto contest. Send in your en- newlsetter and in online media. tries early and prepare to use your new flies this season! Prizes The winner in each category will receive Rules of the Contest: a box of a dozen flies ready to catch trout • Photos must be shot in Minnesota this season. The overall winner will re- • Photos should fall into a category: ceive a handmade, wooden-handled Minnesota Waters trout net. Trout, Salmon & Steelhead Family Fishing Share this announcement with your • Photos must include a trout, salmon friends near and wide, we welcome sub- or steelhead, OR a water body that missions from MNTU members and non- they inhabit. members alike. Photos from the contest • Photos must be submitted by May will be used in the upcoming June 2016 15th, 2016. Top entries in each cat- issue of Trout Unlimited Minnesota and egory will be published in the June will be highlighted on the MNTU web issue of the MNTU Newsletter. site and Facebook page and in promo- • All photos submitted must be sent in tion for next season’s Great Waters Fly *.jpg format at their original resolu- Fishing Expo. tion to the Editor at: [email protected] Questions? Contact the newsletter edi- There is a entry limit of three photos per tor at: [email protected]. individual. Please include the name of the photographer and the location the photo was taken in the submis- The Middle Branch of the Whitewater River in Winter sion.

12 Fly Tying With Laughing Trout Fly Fishing

By Paul Johnson

have had the good fortune to make The trouble was that Walter only had a an annual trip to Yellowstone Na- couple of the flies, so he could not sell Double Wing Trude I tional Park for the past 10 years me any. They had some of the materi- Materials List or so. On one of my early fishing als, but not all of them available back trips to the Park, my daughter Holly at the shop. Later that night, I tried to • Hook Dry Fly Hook, size 10 to 14 and I hired Walter Wiese from Parks duplicate the fly from memory and with • Thread Uni Dark Brown size 6/0 Fly Shop in Gardiner to guide us for the materials I had with me for us to use • Shuck Amber Z Yarn a day. Walter spent most of the day the next day. My attempt didn’t end up • Abdomen Peacock or black Antron Dubbing working with and fishing with Holly. exactly like Walter’s, but it has proven to • Rib Grizzly Rooster Hackle He would come and check on me ev- be a fish catcher ever since. • Underwing Bleached Cow Elk ery time I was resting my spot. Ok, • Overwing White Montana Fly Widows Web every time I was trying to untangle This is the first fly I will tie on when I get • Collar Brown Rooster Hackle my leader, tippet and flies! It was a to Yellowstone. It floats very well, even great day. Holly learned so much and with a tungsten bead head nymph tied on it was so much fun watching her fish. as a dropper. The fly is also very easy to see with the white wing, even in all the Holly caught a lot of fish that day. fast and broken water that I like to fish Most of her fish were caught on a in the Park. prototype fly that Walter was working on. That fly is now his Synth Double Thanks, Walter and thanks, Holly. Wing available at Parks Fly Shop.

Tying Instructions:

Step 1. Step 2. Step 3. Step 4. Insert the hook in your vise. Start the Tie in a length of Amber Z yarn. Trim Tie in the Grizzly Hackle at the bend of Form a dubbing noodle several inches tying thread at the 2/3 point and lay a the shuck to about the hook gap in the hook. long. thread base to the bend of the hook. length.

Step 5. Step 6. Step 7. Step 8. Wrap the dubbing noodle forward to Palmer the Grizzly Hackle forward Clean and stack a clump of elk hair and Tie in a length of Widow’s Web for form the abdomen of the fly. with evenly spaced wraps to the 2/3 tie in at the 2/3 point. The wing should the overwing. Trim at an angle slightly point. Secure with your tying thread extend to the end of the hook shank. longer than the elk hair wing. Trim the and clip the excess. Clip the butt ends and wrap tightly. excess and wrap smoothly.

Step 9. Step 10. Step 11. Step 12. Tie in a brown rooster hackle feather Form a short dubbing noodle on your Wrap the dubbing noodle to even out Palmer the brown hackle forward in 3 at the base of the wing. tying thread. the hill created from tying in the wings. or 4 touching turns to just behind the eye of the hook. Clip the excess. Whip finish. Trout stream protections to be Dropped! TU Work Group Needed! he DNR and MPCA are con- ensure bona fide trout streams do not lose in the subject line. ing considered for designation changes sidering removing protec- protections due to overlooked or poorly and how you, your relatives and neigh- Ttions from forty or more trout interpreted data, unsupported assump- All trout anglers will be able to help bors can help document Minnesota’s streams. While some streams may tions, bureaucratic pressure to reduce this spring by providing firsthand infor- historic trout fisheries. never have supported trout beyond put perceived workloads, or impatience. mation on whether or when trout were & take stockings and can be dropped, found in these streams. The information Look for more information online at: others supported naturally reproducing To learn more or join the team, please gathering campaign kicks off at the Great trout until recent degradation. We ur- email MNTU executive director John Waters Fly Fishing Expo in mid-March. www.mntu.org gently need members from around the Lenczewski at [email protected] The MNTU website will also be updated state to help analyze available data to and put “Stream protection work group” with information on what streams are be- 13 T.U.N.E.The Ultimate Nature CAMP Experience

Bigger & Better 4 Day Camp!

June 23-26, 2016 l Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center l Lanesboro, MN Fly Fishing Archery Target Range Pheasant Ecology Shooting Sports Canoeing Wetland Biology High Ropes Course Meet a Raptor Outdoor Survival and Orienteering Tie Your Own Flies Explore Your Career Path And Lots More!

“A land, ethic, then, reflects the existence of an ecological conscience, and this in turn reflects a conviction of individual responsibility for the health of the land. Health is the capacity of the land for self-renewal. Conservation is our effort to understand and preserve this capacity.” Aldo Leopold

Learn More and Register Today! Registration Deadline: June 1st www.tunecamp.info l 651-773-2000 l [email protected]

An Unsolved Mystery in the Whitewater South Branch – vs. stocking hatchery- working to help secure Senate authors Valley continued from page 4 bred brown trout fingerlings – will yield for a companion bill. See Something? While there is no direct, proven “cause- fish with hardier genetics, he said. No “Developing a uniform protocol to en- Do Something! and-effect” relationship between fungi- decision has yet been made on the po- sure a rapid response which gathers the cides or other chemicals and trout num- tential stocking of rainbow trout (which right types of information, and shares it The mystery of the 2015 Whitewa- bers, since 2012, brown-trout-per-mile don’t naturally reproduce in the White- with all scientists, is essential if we are ter fish kill may have been solved if on the South Branch have declined each water). The DNR has no plans to change to learn what is causing these fish kills,” the kill was reported more quickly. year -- in 2013 less than 800 per mile, regulations or require catch-and-release Lenczewski said. “We need to be able to in 2014 approximately 500, and in 2015 on the South Branch. document what is causing these fish kills The State of Minnesota operates a about 400 or so. Following the July 2015 as a first step to changing management 24/7 resource known as the “Min- fish kill, there were about 65 brown trout Minnesota State Rep. Rick Hansen re- practices and regulations so fish kills are nesota Duty Officer” available to per mile in the South Branch. cently filed a bill regarding fish kills, prevented in the future.” MNTU is also citizens and local governments for which will be formally introduced when working to engage all angling groups, reporting of: “Many farmers asked me about the kill,” the 2016 Minnesota Legislative session since this bill covers all fish kills, of all • Hazardous materials incidents Broberg said. “They don’t want to inten- begins in March. The bill would require species, statewide. • Pipeline leaks or breaks tionally do anything that would harm our the state departments of Health, Agricul- • Hazardous substances released streams.” ture, and Natural Resources, the Minne- Minnesota Trout Unlimited and the Min- sota Pollution Control Agency, and the nesota Trout Association encourage an- into the air Mark Reisetter, a respected area fishing University of Minnesota’s Department glers to report to local authorities or the Anglers who witness a fish kill or guide, echoed that: “We’ve got good- of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation State of Minnesota Duty Officer any ac- other serious event on Minnesota hearted farmers down here,” he said, Biology to develop a protocol consist- tivity or scenario related to potential en- trout streams should report the in- “but they’re in a position where they ing of steps that state agencies must take vironmental damage on Minnesota trout cident immediately to local authori- need to use chemicals to compete.” when responding to a notification of a streams (see right). ties and/or to the state Duty Officer. fish kill. The protocol would be devel- 651-649-5451 The Road Ahead oped by October 2016, reviewed by an “That used to be one of my favorite administrative law judge and go into ef- stretches,” Reisetter said. “I’ve caught 1-800-422-0798 TDD: 1-800-627-3529 The strong, locally reproducing brown fect by spring 2017. You can find the and released 18-inch brown trout there. Satellite Phone: 1-254-543-6490 trout population will rebound, the DNR legislation, HF 2409, on the House’s Now, it may take four or five years be- believes. “It may take a couple of years, website:http://www.house.leg.state. fore we see trout of that size in the South but with reproduction and migration, the mn.us/ Branch.” Editors Note: B.J. Johnson is a Twin stream will recover,” said Ron Benja- Cities-based freelance writer, and the min, Lanesboro Area Fisheries Super- Minnesota Trout Unlimited met with publisher of the Boundary Waters Canoe visor for the DNR. Allowing the wild Rep. Hansen a number of times before Area Reader. He can be reached at: brown trout to reclaim the the bill was filed and our executive di- [email protected]. 14 rector, John Lenczewski, is currently Fly-Fishing For Trout In Southeast Minnesota Book Review By John Hunt

n “Fly-Fishing for Trout in South- page so as to not skip over the details east Minnesota – a Troutchaser’s of that paragraph. The guide is also in- IGuide”, author Bob Trevis has terspersed with a variety of fishing and produced a new, highly personalized outdoor quotations from writers such as resource for anglers. In doing so, he Mark Twain and John Muir, along with offers a fresh spin on southeast Min- other wry fishing proverbs. Trevis goes nesota’s Driftless Area. Trevis opens out of his way to call out stream sec- his guide paying homage to two of his tions that have had habitat improvement mentors, Dr. Tom Waters and Tom Hel- implemented by the DNR or TU. But geson, acknowledging the impact both unlike some guidebooks, he is also not men had on him and on Minnesota trout afraid to mention a stream or two where streams. Trevis then sets the stage for he did not find success. what he hopes to accomplish with his book, and offers a useful background After completion of the map-by-map on the state of stream access and fish- trek from the Iowa border up to the Twin ing regulations in southeast Minnesota. Cities metro area, Trevis steps back and offers an organized primer on Driftless Perhaps the first regional guide to take Area hatches and the flies that match advantage of the full slate of resourc- them. He also includes a short foray into es available on the Minnesota DNR’s winter trout fishing (the stream variety, website, the book next moves sequen- not through the ice), providing a basic tially through maps 1 through 18 of explanation of what fishing Minnesota’s the DNR’s trout angling opportunities “off-season” can be like. maps. Trevis highlights a handful of streams within each map area, drawing I appreciated the author’s clear mes- from his first-hand familiarity with the sage that respect for private property waters he mentions. He offers sugges- rights and a little common courtesy go tions for driving, parking, and wading, a long way toward preserving good re- along with occasional pieces of local lationships with landowners, as well as or regional history. The book contains his recognition of TU and many other frequent color photos, which serve to groups made up of people that are pas- accentuate or reinforce a key message sionate about trout or trout fishing. The from the adjacent text. groups mentioned share many of the same goals, and our membership lists The typeface of the book places some are likely cross-pollinated with people stream names in italics. I found that that belong to multiple organizations. this approach caused my eye to scan the page looking for a familiar locale, The short chapters on area guides and only to retreat back to the top of the the town-by-town listing of food and lodging options near the end of the book All in all, Bob Trevis’ Troutchaser’s are likely helpful for the angler new to Guide is a worthy addition to the long the sport or area, but have the potential line of titles written about Minnesota’s to become dated. The final several chap- Driftless Areas streams. ters offer a good synopsis of other books that might interest the reader, online resources, and a handy index of trout waters keyed to the DNR trout maps. Editors Note: Interested anglers and potential readers should plan to attend the Great Waters Fly Fishing Expo to see author Bob Trevis speak on his work and fishing throughout Southeast Minnesota. Find more information on the expo website at www.greatwatersflyexpo.com. Find the book for sale now on the author’s website at www.troutchasers.net

15 Wader Patriots Women’s Introductory Continued from the back page 5. The use of strike indicators would quickly split the movement into “bobber Fly Fishing Retreat v.s. non bobber” camps.

An Almost Gourmet Experience - June 10th & 11th, 2016 4. Leaky waders. The leak wouldn’t stop anyone but at the end of the day the By Val Wagner smell in confined spaces would cause an instant abandonment of the compound. ur goal is to provide a fun, informal and comprehen- 3. The landowner would show up and Osive hands-on experience that point out that this is ridiculous and we’d builds confidence and skill in fly fish- have to leave. All of us wanting to come ing. Designed for beginners to learn back again and fish … would graciously basic skills and knowledge of equip- leave. ment such as rods, tippets, clothing, fishing techniques, flies and on the wa- 2. Once the hatch started, the mighty ter fishing. This workshop is all about band of “fishertarians” would instantly you and your needs and will progress at disband, hiding from one another which your level to maximize your enjoyment fly they are tying on, and never to be and success in fly fishing. seen until after the last fish rose.

My husband and I will draw on over 1. As stated before, onlookers wouldn’t 60 years of teaching experience to uti- be able to tell the difference between the lize best practice techniques in cast- movement and Opening Day. ing, catching fish and tying your own flies. Simply put, we love fly fishing. In all seriousness, the main reason it We love its history, art and most of all wouldn’t work is two-fold. First, getting catching the fish. (Any fish on any wa- trout anglers together on issues is like ter, from trout to pike, musky to sun- herding cats. The very nature of the sport fish… all on a fly!) Instructor Val Wagner breeds and appeals to independence and that’s a good thing. Secondly, the water We look forward to sharing this adven- Program Schedule 2:30-6:00pm, Fishing and casting, River (technically at least in many states) al- ture with you. Fee: $85 and space is House ready belongs to us all of us. limited. Friday: 6:00pm-7:00pm, Social hour and meal 5:30-6:30pm, Social hour with wine & 7:00pm-9:00pm, Fishing, fly tying, or And here comes the flying “Yeahbut.” Fee includes 3 meals, usage of equip- cheese at the Garden Grill and Pub. socializing, your choice. The real take-away from all of this is ment, 9 hours of instruction, including 6:30-7:00pm, House special pizza that we need to be very conscious that on the water fishing, and flies to take 7:00-9:00pm, Intro to fly fishing and Sponsored by the attack on the idea of ‘public lands’ home to begin your adventure! Lodg- equipment Headwaters TU & Riverwood Design and access to those lands (and waters) is ing is on your own and there are many June 10-11, 2016, Bemidji, MN under a very real assault. options in Bemidji that we can recom- Saturday: mend. 9:30am-12:00pm, Waterfront casting in- For more info: call Riverwood Design at Take for instance one popular destina- struction and practice, Lake Bemidji 218-766-7757 or stop by the Riverwood tion for many of you: Montana. Mon- 12:00-1:00pm, Gourmet picnic lunch Design booth at the Great Waters Fly tana historically has been one of the 1:00-2:00pm, Break Expo, March 18th-20th. most progressive states when it comes to things like labor laws, land use, and public access. Why, Montana had, until Women in Fly Fishing Panel very recently, a law within its Constitu- tion that prohibited corporate campaign Connect at the Great Waters Fly Fishing Expo contributions to elections. On the heels of that revision is an influx of out-of- By Jade Thomason staters moving into and spending money on elections, many with the sole purpose his year the Great Waters Fly Magazine, Wendy Williamson, muskie coming involved with the sport. This of locking the public out of the land, and, Fishing Expo will be hosting a guide and co-owner of the Hayward Fly is an excellent opportunity for women of course, the rivers and streams. Tpanel discussion providing in- Fishing Company, and Marlene Huston, who are interested but may not know sight and expertise regarding women in certified casting instructor and member where to begin. It can be your starting As the West was settled, the concept of fly fishing. Geri Meyer, guide and own- of the Fly Fishing Women of Minnesota. network of friends to fish with, share public lands being available to all was er of the Driftless Angler in Viroqua, These women represent the various fac- stories to, or ask questions. Afterward introduced as a means of preserving WI and Athena and Artemis, will lead ets of fly fishing and will be available you can stop by these women’s vari- American Heritage for future genera- this discussion. Geri works tirelessly to to provide insights, share anecdotes and ous booths to learn more about this tions. It is an amazing legacy gifted to engage and involve women in the sport answer any and all questions regarding growing community. The panel will us by Theodore Roosevelt that is now of fly fishing and her shop, Athena and fly fishing in a relaxed and casual envi- take place on Saturday, March 19th at being pushed by the wayside under the Artemis, is a unique for-women-by- ronment. 4:00pm at the Great Waters Fly Fishing guise of ‘liberty and freedom’ and prog- women fly shop. The other prestigious Expo. More information on the expo ress. The truth is simple, a small percent- industry professionals that will com- This panel showcases the rise of women and a full schedule of programs can be age of the population would love noth- plete the panel include Kim Ferrie, in fly fishing and brings forth the abun- found at: ing more than to lock up the land into Simms/Hatch rep and co-owner of Dry dance of knowledge and community private fiefdoms while likely still letting Fly Sales, Jen Ripple, editor of Dun available for women interested in be- www.greatwatersflyexpo.com you, the outdoorsman and woman, support their lifestyle via taxpayer funded subsidies. The real question is whether or not you are going to sit by and let it happen. They are betting you’ll be too distracted or distractable with a resulting ‘yes’. Don’t forget to pack the snacks.

Author’s Footnote: After the outline and composition of this writing things came to a head in Oregon. Right or wrong, someone lost their life, and I want the readers to know that in no way have I attempted to make light of that loss … as Geri Meyer Kim Ferrie Jen Ripple Americans we are and can be better than 16 MARCH 18-20, 2016 Century College - White Bear Lake, MN proceeds Support MN Trout Unlimited

Flyshops l Guides l Art 2016 gear l Exotic Travel Midwest Fishing Secrets Dream Fly Fishing Destinations Food Trucks l Free Parking Learn To Fish Midwest trout streams Women’s Fly Fishing Programs Fly Casting & Tying Demonstrations Learn to fly Cast Conservation Programs Free Warmwater Fly Fishing Secrets from the Fly Fishing for Bass, Muskies and Pike International Kids 12 and under Admitted Free! Federation of Fly Fishers

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2016 FLY FISHING FILM AND VIDEO CONTEST Presented by Minnesota Trout Unlimited

March 19th, 2016 - Great Waters Fly Fishing Expo

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BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW: WWW.GREATWATERSFLYEXPO.COM 3401 Century Avenue North, White Bear Lake, MN 55110 17 Twin Cities Lost Trout Streams The Streams of Burnsville and Eagan - Part Two, Who Moved My Trout Stream?

By Dan Callahan

n Part 1 of the “Forgotten Trout last 50 years that it takes serious detec- construction, completed in 1980, Streams of Burnsville and Eagan,” tive work to figure things out. This railroad track opened in 1865. changed a number of streams reaching Ipublished in the November news- Since then, railroad owners have had Black Dog Lake and the river. letter, the history of a creek known by The DNR records show that some of continuous, unchallenged property the DNR as “Unnamed #4” was inves- these streams were given different ID rights and broad legal authority to deter- Imagine you are working for the DNR tigated. It had been dammed, altered and need to do a trout stream survey of and run as a private trout farm for pay- Unnamed #7. You’ve never visited being patrons to fish by the Blick family. fore, and the trout stream identification Marianne Naas and her daughter Alix, process happened before the new Ce- the last surviving Blick family mem- dar Avenue Bridge construction. The bers to be involved in the farm, were stream hasn’t been surveyed for years. interviewed and offered a fascinating This is happening during the deep dark history of Unnamed #4. This creek, days before GPS and broad availability along with two others called Unnamed of many years of aerial photographs, #7 and Black Dog Creek, are slated to and before better information exchange be removed from the DNR’s Desig- between agencies and local govern- nated Trout Stream (DTS) list. Their ments. paths and histories are nebulous as they interact with storm water, the nearby Based on the old written description, railroad and developments that have you walk along the railroad tracks west sprung up over the years. of Nicols Road, counting the unnamed streams coming out from under the The fate of these trout streams is tied to railroad tracks. the years of development around them. You know some of the story about Un- What you don’t know, is that since named #4. your DNR map was made, the railroad has closed some culvert crossings. Ce- The middle of Black Dog Creek, along dar Avenue’s construction has changed with a couple other small streams things and the construction of Xcel and their tributaries, was buried by Energy’s Black Dog Power Plant also the same Cedar Avenue construction has affected the streams. The City of project that bulldozed Marianne’s first Burnsville also has made changes to its house. Black Dog Creek’s headwaters stormwater system. are cut off, confined to the west side of the freeway. So you walk, and when you reach what you think is Unnamed #7, you do your The freeway cut off streams on the oth- survey. But you passed Unnamed #7 a er side too. Harnack Creek’s headwa- long time ago, not knowing it had been ters are confined to the east side. blocked by the railroad years before. It looked like just a tributary to another Harnack starts from a small boiling stream. spring pond surrounded by yellow cau- Unnamed #4 flows below one of the few remaining openings in the railroad tracks. Changes in stream courses made over the decades by tion tape, put up by a neighbor who the railroad have made stream identification challenging. The green I wonder if that might have happened warns people not to step into the quick- pipes in the photo are designed to thwart beavers from constructing to Unnamed #7. Could the longest sand, where you’ll fall so deep it’s over dams in the bridge location. stream in the area, the one running your head. through Burnsville’s Cedarbridge Park, numbers, and the numbering system was mine what happens in their right-of-way, be the original Unnamed #7? Harnack runs down the slope, under changed. But everyone seems to agree so they don’t really have to do anything the Union Pacific railroad, and past that Unnamed #4 is correctly identified, you might wish they would do to help Because there is no stream at the spot the flashing electronic billboard you especially after seeing a 1959 newspaper out trout streams. currently shown as Unnamed #7, which see when driving north on the freeway article. is much farther west on the DNR’s GIS to Bloomington. There are gravelly, They also don’t have to notify anybody map. foot-deep undercut banks, and nar- Both names appear together on fisheries when they decide to close a stream’s row, instream beaver dams that cause surveys for the creek, and the DNR uses culvert or remove a bridge, blocking the We went looking for the Death Row the creek to fall several feet in spots, both names online. The believed loca- stream and changing its course. streams with DNR Trout Habitat Spe- blocking any upstream migration of tions of the streams also are shown on cialist Mark Nemeth, who volunteered fish. It eventually dives under Nicols Map 17 of the DNR’s “Guide to Trout Based on a treasure trove of aerial pho- to help get some current data before any Road through a culvert, and emerges to Angling Opportunities in Southern Min- tos now online, thanks to the University decisions are made. He was putting occupy the severed lower extremity of nesota”. temperature loggers in every stream Black Dog Creek. that looked viable, along the tracks. I say believed locations, because the The remaining “Dead Stream Flowing” map truly is not accurate, for a number There was no stream crossing under the is in Burnsville, listed as Unnamed #7. of solid reasons. tracks where the map said Unnamed #7 should be. Unnamed #7 is not only unnamed, it’s The Union Pacific railroad plays a ma- missing. There is uncertainty about jor role in the stream identification The nearest stream we could find was which of the many streams in the area problem. The railroad runs parallel to so shallow and diffuse, you couldn’t is the one originally put on the DTS the river about halfway up the slope be- The potential unnamed #7, even completely submerge a tempera- list as Unnamed #7. Descriptions from tween Black Dog Lake and the bluff. All cedarbridge creek, flowing along ture logger in it. DNR Fisheries stream surveys don’t the streams run down from the bluff and the railroad tracks and causing significant damge and erosion. match, and where it’s supposed to be, smack into the railroad bed, which acts It seems unlikely that this short water- according to current DNR GIS maps, as a dam. Streams have to find a way course was ever worthy of protection there is no stream crossing under the under the tracks to reach the lake or the of Minnesota, it appears the railroad has as a trout stream, compared to the size railroad tracks. Minnesota River. If there isn’t an open- done away with several stream crossings of the unnamed creek running through Part of the problem is that there has ing, the water runs easterly or westerly in this area over the years. Photos go the City of Burnsville’s Cedarbridge been so much development, ditching, in a ditch along the tracks until it joins a back to 1937. Park. I’m calling it Cedarbridge Creek piping, and other alterations over the stream that still has an opening to reach from now on, for ease of identification. the other side. As I mentioned, Cedar Avenue’s new 18 But how could maps be wrong in this age of instant GIS on your phone, and when so many agencies and companies and governments can now share and cross-check information?

This is a remote area in the wildlife refuge, not often visited, and not that important to most map makers. Everyone assumes the person or agency giving them the map has correct information. Why would one question it?

If my research is correct, that mentality has led to the stream map in this area being wrong since at least 1971.

Right now, you can go to any map showing Burnsville streams—a USGS topographical map, City of Burnsville map, Dakota County GIS, DNR Fish- eries, literally any map that shows streams in this area—and you will see the same blue line representing Cedar- bridge Creek.

It is the longest stream of this type in the area. It has a ravine that begins in two very narrow-walled branches, each with a spring at the head. I’ve walked to them. Springs also join as you head down the ravine.

The maps show the stream running under Hayes Road (yup, saw that when I walked it.) The line then shows the creek going down the rest of the ravine into the densely wooded floodplain forest, running across the river bottoms directly to the railroad tracks and then under the tracks to reach Black Dog Lake.

It is one of only three DNR Public Wa- ters Inventory streams identified on the maps, with Unnamed #4 on its right, and much farther upstream to its left, The location of Cedarbrdige Creek, unnamed #4, the trout ponds, the railroad and other streams and the missing-in-action Unnamed #7. local features in the burnsville area into the system. dammed it. has an opening to follow under the I am totally speculating here, but if I “We used to go ice skating on it”, Mari- tracks. take you on a walk west from Unnamed The outflow is a bona-fide stream with anne told me. #4, there are two more small streams deeply incised banks that winds until it Unnamed #4. that reach the tracks, and then you will hits the railroad tracks and then heads But where did the water go after that? reach Cedarbridge Creek. east. Based on the aerials, it looks like the A check of stormwater records uncov- railroad bed opening that allowed all Except that Cedarbridge doesn’t run Another stormwater outflow appears at ered that the City of Burnsville decided the Burnsville stormwater runoff, and under the tracks where it’s supposed to. the base of the bluff, draining a smaller to take the creek out of its outlet channel Cedarbridge Creek, to reach Black Dog It’s not there. area of the bluff top neighborhood. and put it into a pipe to deal with mas- Lake was closed sometime between sive erosion problems caused by flash 1964 and 1971. No one updated the How could such a major stream disap- A third small culvert pipe drains just the flooding. maps. pear when it’s on every map? cul-de-sac above and doesn’t seem to have enough flow to cause erosive im- The city’s stormwater system in the area So the number of unnamed streams that I asked Marianne, “The creek you used pacts to the forest floor. was designed in the 1960s, before the emerge from under the tracks, going to own, that runs through Cedarbridge modern wisdom of building rain gardens west from Nicols Road, is not the same Park; it runs down the ravine and then Where Cedarbridge Creek should hit and infiltration swales, or at least storm- as it used to be, possibly leading to the straight under the tracks, right?” the tracks, as shown on old aerial photo- water ponds to hold water and release it misidentification of Unnamed #7. “Yes. Why?” graphs, there is no stream. But there is a slowly to surrounding water bodies well “Because it doesn’t anymore,” I an- mound of rip rap rock boulders and con- after a storm. Editors Note: This article serves as swered. crete panels armoring the side of the rail- part two of a three part series inves- I discovered the truth through a com- road bed here, suggesting this is where Walking along the creek I could see con- tigating these Burnsville and Eagan bination of slogging through the bot- the culvert under the tracks used to be. firmation of what I saw on paper. Street streams and how they have changed tomlands, researching the Burnsville Walking along the low-running “Tracks gutters in the surrounding neighborhood over time. Look for the next installment city stormwater system, and examining Tributary” I eventually saw a low culvert run directly into short pipes that drop in the June MNTU Newsletter to learn aerial photos. pipe running water into the stream. down into the ravine, outletting above more about these stream systems and the banks of Cedarbridge Creek. the challenges they face. Interested I walked along the base of the bluff and Could this be the outflow of Cedarbridge readers can find the first installment in saw three stormwater pipes. The large, Creek? And, since there no longer is a culvert the December 2015 MNTU Newsletter most westerly one turns out to drain a or bridge allowing Cedarbridge Creek or online at www.mntu.org wide area of the neighborhood going I pushed my way back to the bluff and to run under the railroad tracks and into all the way back below the powerline climbed into the ravine where Cedar- Black Dog Lake, all of the stormwater in easement corridor from Xcel Energy’s bridge Creek was supposed to be run- Cedarbridge Creek and all the stormwa- Black Dog power plant to the other ning. ter for the other areas of Burnsville that side of Highway 13. The major stream- feed the bluff bottom pipes combine into bed below the culvert always has a low There was an impounded pond. the “Tracks Tributary” that can’t find a base flow of water running through it It turns out it’s not that new. A 1956 way under the tracks, so it just keeps go- suggesting that groundwater is leaking aerial photo shows the Naas family ing east until it finds a stream that still 19 Connecting with rivers Observations on Trout Unlimited’s Role

By Bob Wagner

his newsletter has painted an im- years. Serving on the Headwaters Board Thank God Mother Nature is resilient. But rivers do even more. Streams portant picture of our statewide has increased my knowledge and aware- Rivers deserve our deepest respect, grat- and rivers can teach us our place and Trestoration projects through ness of streams and rivers, which has, in itude, commitment and protection. Riv- purpose to the land and to each other. “fishing our habitat” articles. The pic- turn, enriched my life. In learning more ers are the main arteries of Planet Earth. Obviously, rivers are an important con- ture of volunteers connecting with riv- about flowing water, I started to realize When the earth’s arteries are restricted nection to fishing. They help connect ers through restoration work has been Minnesota is not just the land of 10,000 or blocked, the earth’s environment and parents to children. In fishing, they’re painted in many places and in many lakes, but also 92,000 miles of rivers part of establishing history by connect- ways. A broad image has been created and streams. When you look at a map, ing families to families. Many fami- by the Driftless Area’s Pine Creek, the the lakes stand out because of their size, lies like ours have a traditional gather- Twin Cities’ Eagle Creek and Vermil- but where, and in what health, would ing for the opening of fishing. In our lion River, northeast projects on the lakes be without rivers? The Mississippi family, for the last 40 years, the Turtle Sucker and Stuart Rivers and the north alone runs 681 miles within the borders River has played a key role in the phys- central’s helicopter tree drops on the of our state. Can you imagine the expan- ical connection of making this happen. Straight River. Understand this is a sive and connected watershed of those In the custom of our Native American partial list of recent projects; TU has a 681 miles if that river wasn’t there? brothers, I need to say “thank you” to long and rich history of habitat work. The Minnesota River is 370 miles long. the Turtle River. The Turtle River has The BWCA is one of the world’s larg- given my family an abundance of fun est wilderness areas accessible by canoe and a richness of resources. because of rivers and streams. What would the BWCA be without 292 miles Another important lesson rivers teach of the Rainy River, Kawishiwi or dozens us comes through in our TU conserva- of other rivers? All of the great walleye tion, protection and restoration work. lakes in Minnesota including Mille Lacs, We’ve seen that these rivers run both Upper and Lower Red, Leech, Cass and warm and cold. A lot of good trout riv- Winnie all have hundreds and hundreds ers will also have warm water sections of miles of rivers flowing in and out. The On the Water, connecting with that provide important habitats for fish southeast Driftless Area is all about riv- the Turtle River species other than trout. Therefore, ers, including the 142 miles of the Root when TU restores and improves a sec- and the Zumbro’s 112 miles. corresponding habitats for plants and tion of “double duty” rivers, we’re real- animals suffer. Rivers have a history, ly getting double the bang for our buck. My wife and I did 65 canoe races mostly a specific identity, and characteristics TU’s river and stream work benefits a on rivers over a twenty-year period. I of size, flow rates, color, load carrying multitude of fish, animal and plant spe- was the crazy impulsive one but fortu- capacity, morphology, sound and feel. cies, both warm and cold water orien- nately, she also has a competitive side. Rivers connect people from one genera- tated. Our biggest challenge and learning ex- tion to the next through family stories. perience was a 400-mile, 10-day race on Though it’s a bit dark, people live and There have been volumes written on the Red River from Fargo/Moorhead to die, but rivers keep flowing and connect- the magical and spiritual connections Winnipeg. When you spend 10 days on ing people generation to generation. to streams and rivers. Suffice it to say, a river you have a lot of time to think and for many of us, flowing water relaxes be acculturated into understanding what Switch rod, spey rod, single-hand, East the body and sooths the soul. Part of A walk along a Favorite River that river is all about. Can you imag- Coast to West Coast, Gulf States to Alas- that magic has often been credited to ine northwest Minnesota and northeast ka, Europe to Kamchatka, Chili to New great works of art, poetry, music and North Dakota without the Red River? Zealand: it’s all about rivers. Rivers are literature. Finally, speaking of great Rivers connect visually with the vast Or, for that matter, without Lake Win- the one main connecting link to all of literature, 150 years ago after paddling majority of people. Rivers, streams nipeg and all the connected water trails fly fishing. Rivers are not just the liquid a week on the Merrimac River, Henry and creeks have that attracting, fluid to Hudson Bay? I don’t think we can medium that holds fish. Rivers are the Thoreau wrote the following, “Wheth- flow, and dancing, sparkling water that imagine it because it’s almost too bleak, connecting link to our watersheds. In er you live by the seaside or lake or catches and holds the eye. One of my too dry and too lifeless. Even though the Minnesota, our 92,000 miles of rivers river, or even a prairie, all need to be real joys and learning opportunities Red River is turbid, full of red clay silts play a major important role in our water- concerned with the matter of fish.” I has come in volunteer work through and we have ditched, tiled and drained sheds and water cycle. No water, no life. think Thoreau would be pleased TU is TU with rivers. I have to admit I’ve its headwaters, it still flows north as concerned and connecting people to been intrigued by rivers for over 50 the lifeblood artery of the entire region. rivers. We are all volunteers

By Phil Pankow

rout Unlimited is a volunteer- DNR. It’s a wonderful event and gives more involved you are and the more you based organization and I hope to many folks a day to look forward to. show that enthusiasm to others, the more Tencourage everyone to expand involved they will want to become or their minds as to other ways you can get We all have ideas waiting to be dis- support you in yours. involved. For the last 25 years or better, covered. Get together with your local Hiawatha Trout Unlimited (HTU) has chapters at monthly meetings or events The point I am making is that you should been involved in the Senior Fishing Day and talk to the board members and ask think more broadly. Look at other non- in Lanesboro, Minnesota. My wife and if there are ways for you to be a part of profit organizations that might want I have been involved for about six years a bigger picture. Part of why I became to do a joint event like a senior fishing and have helped to organize the day and involved with my local HTU chapter day, or church groups, civic groups, or feed the helpers from the Department of back in 2010 was because I wanted to youth groups looking for a way to get Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries in be part of something bigger than myself. outdoors, the list goes on. The more you Lanesboro and Chester Daniels and his I wanted to help keep streams, creeks, get involved, the more others will. It’s family. Chet and his family have been and rivers flowing clean and healthy, but contagious. involved for many years and they are the I also wanted to help raise awareness to reason this annual event has kept going. groups and individuals that maybe don’t Like I said, at the end of the day, we are We contact many senior living places in fish, but still affect the health of streams all volunteers and one good deed leads Southeast Minnesota and set up a day of and rivers. I also want these groups and to another. You perform a good deed and fishing and provide assistance and equip- individuals to understand why I am in- someone else will follow you to another Shelly Pankow volunteering at a ment with the help of the volved and get their support as well. The good deed and so it goes. fishing event 20 Trolling the Web Writers, Bloggers and More From the Internet

By Dan Callahan

y friend John Hunt, a book and released on New Year’s Day, on an Throw in the observations of a dad wish- to the home page and clicking on the author himself, frequently undisclosed stream in southeastern Min- ing to gift his two boys with the expe- Fishing Report tab. Fresh, almost daily Mreviews new books for Trout nesota. I know enough about him to rience of chasing trout on the fly, and dispatches from the streams on weath- Unlimited Minnesota (see his review of know that he is telling the truth. (fatuous writing warning!) it feels kind er, water conditions, and what is work- Fly Fishing for Trout in Southeast Min- of like just after the sun goes down when ing, from flies to techniques. Direct nesota elsewhere). you are in a deep trout stream valley, from the flymeisters of Viroqua, Wis- consin. They often include photos to il- We’re blessed with many local authors, lustrate their points. The web page has and not just in books. You can catch great fish photos, a local streams guide fine Minnesota and Driftless Area with a fly hatch chart, and info on what trout-fishing writing on the web. Un- you can gain from a non-virtual visit to like a book, there doesn’t have to be the fly shop. an end. Bloggers constantly add more material, and often it’s fresh from the Adrift stream. www.trustlabor.com/adrift/

So I’ll try to write something for each Andy Weaverling of Minneapolis is a issue, reviewing bloggers and websites creative triple-threat of writing, pho- worth your while. Please send your fa- The 30-inch brown trout from SE Minnesota on New year’s Day tography and video. He creates beauti- vorite to me: [email protected]. Let ful videos, though not for several years me know what you like about it, and if His writing is outstanding, as is his pho- when sound, colder air, and light is set- now. Shooting in the field, and editing, I may use your name, so we can share tography, which you can click on to see tling down for the night. Very calming. is exhausting. I’ve been doing those the love here. at full size. He publicly reveals only that Besides blogging, he’s also an author of chores since 1982, so I know. So, be he lives in the Zumbro Basin in south- a book of poems, Bottom Right Corner. kind and enjoy what the chef has deliv- Fishing and Thinking in Minnesota eastern Minnesota. No rhymes, just outdoor/fishing/hunt- ered to your plate already. He writes fishingandthinking.blogspot.com ing-themed poetry: Find it available on- entertaining feature-length articles, and His musings echo the contemplative line at www.reddragonflypress.org perky blog posts. He recently shared First off, the fish. You might have seen thoughts I’ve had while on fishing trips, that his writer’s block, paired with his this photo forwarded through the world and the memories I’ve creeled and tak- Driftless Angler Fly Shop wish to finish the year strong, fishing, elsewhere, but it was Wendy Berrell en home: The travel time together with www.driftlessangler.com/blog reduced his output of late, but he was who posted it: A silvery, 30-inch fe- friends, the fishing, and the talking after back in the game in January. Well male brown trout that he says he caught the fishing is done. You can also get to the blog by going worth the wait.

2016 FLY FISHING FILM AND VIDEO CONTEST

l March 19th, 2016 6PM-10PM

Presented by Minnesota Trout Unlimited

RESERVE YOUR SEAT - BOOK YOUR TICKETS TODAY!

Films l Local Beer only $3 l Great Food l Prizes l Exclusive Raffle Itemsl Limited Seating

CONTENT PRIZES SUBMISSIONS SCREENING AT THE EXPO

We are seeking short films • New Simms ADL Jacket • Must be 2-6 minutes long Selected films and videos and videos that showcase fly • Guided driftboat trip from • Must portray fly fishing in will be screened during an fishing in the upper Midwest. Scott Struif of the Fly Angler MN, IA, MI, or WI, any species evening event on Saturday, Share your experiences of • Wetterlings splitting axe of fish may be included March 19th, 2016 at the Great connecting with the water, from Mend Provisions • Must contain no copyrighted Waters Flyfishing Expo. Tick- hooking the big one, or that • $50 Gift Certificate to the Fly material without permission ets to the evening screen- day when all the fish were ris- Angler • Must be edited (no uncut ing and following social are ing. We encourage entries • More prizes to be announced video) and have a mixed available online now. Look that display creativity, adven- as the event approaches. sound track for more information on the ture, exploration and wise re- Great Waters Expo website: source use. To have your video considered, send a YouTube or Vimeo link of www.greatwatersflyexpo.com it to [email protected] by Friday, February 26th, 2016.

21 MNTU Chapter News Southeast Minnesota. He has had a lot of Gitche Gumee practice lately being he has been retired for some time. In his last five years of Chapter work life, Rich helped run We-No-Nah Canoe Co. He has also been the director ANNUAL MEETING of the National Trout Center (NTC) in The Annual Members Meeting of the Preston and is now a part of the board of Gitche Gumee Chapter is scheduled for: directors. Come and ask questions and listen to Rich cover how to enjoy winter Date; April 14. 2016 fly fishing. Time: 7:00 pm Location: Hartley Nature Center, Duluth ANNUAL MEETING Program: Annual State of the Steelhead March 7th is our last Hiawatha Trout Unlimited (HTU) members meeting at Plan to come to Hartley on April 14th to the Izaak Walton League Cabin in Roch- learn all about the state of the steelhead ester, Minnesota. Details and speaker fishery in Minnesota. The MN DNR has T.B.A. a new 10-year plan out for management of Lake Superior, and there are changes March 18th-20th is the Great Waters to the way our steelhead fishery will be Fly Fishing Expo presented by Minne- managed. With a little luck, anglers will sota Trout Unlimited (MNTU). If you have been out catching fish in the previ- haven’t been to one of these fantastic ous days, and we’ll be able to trade sto- events in past years, I’ll allow you to cry ries, share flies, and post some big fish over a glass of your favorite beverage, A tiger trout in the net in se MN this january photos from both MN & WI. but don’t miss out this year. I have been is in its 8th year of continuing success to every one of these weekends since Wagner and Rose Brown are planning a Our March 10 meeting features fly ting thanks to 5th grade teachers Jeff Wade they started with Tom Helgeson. It’s the Women’s Fly Fishing Retreat June 10- and jig making demonstrations. Learn and Joe Adams and Steve Young, TU only fly fishing show in Minnesota and if 11. See article in this newsletter for fur- from veterans. Bring your vise and join project coordinator. The following re- we want it to continue, we need to support comes from Joe Adams. ther info or call 218-586-2798 in the fun. 7PM at Hartley Nature Cen- port it. I give you the Indiana Jones reas- ter, Duluth. 500 eggs were successfully received surance guarantee. this fall in both classrooms, browns in Bob Wagner Wade’s room and rainbows in Adam’s. We continue to need volunteers to help April 9th is the HTU Annual Spring out with the North Shore Trout Stream A very high hatch rate was recorded by Conservation Banquet at the Kahler students who all receive a turn at being a Mid-Minnesota Temperature Refuge Project. The field Apache Canadian Honker Event Center. survey will continue in 2016, but many TIC technician. A successful transition Mark your calendars. After the Fly Fish- from sac fry to self-feeding size has oc- Chapter more volunteers will be needed to spend ing Expo, this is my second favorite fly a half day or more helping to map the curred and some have been sent in for fishing time of the year; let me clarify ANNUAL MEETING locations of groundwater. We expect to the annual testing requirement. Students that, outside of fishing. There will be The Mid-Minnesota Chapter will be sponsor several combined fishing/survey have been making books on the project good food, good fun, and really great hosting their official annual meeting on weekends to concentrate on watersheds including the data on temperature units, auction items and raffles. It’s a great Tuesday May 24th, 2016 from 5:30- in Lake and Cook Counties. Sites with growth rate projections and life cycle way to support your local chapter and 6:30 at the Great River Regional Li- nearby camping will be selected early projects. Special DNR fisheries presen- hang out with great people. brary in St. Cloud, MN. Plan to attend in the season with plenty of notice to al- tations have been given on anatomy of a to learn how to get involved with the low volunteers to set aside a weekend or trout, watershed and habitat needs. Jeff chapter and sign up for habitat improve- two for camping, fishing and monitoring Wade notes it is the first place the kids ment project opportunities later on this temperature. Come up on a Friday and go when they come into the classroom Phil Pankow season. fish the evening, take the opportunity to in the morning. Students develop a real explore North Shore streams on Satur- appreciation and respect for the fish. For more information on the Mid-Min- day looking for cool-water input, fish - Straight River helicopter fourth, and nesota Chapter and to get involved with the evening and Sunday morning while final, tree drop this past summer went the Little Rock Creek project, contact enjoying conversations with other fish- Headwaters well. John Sorensen, TU board and chapter president Micah Barrett at (320) erfolk. Contact Peder Yurista to sign up Straight River (SR) committee represen- 241-0870. and learn more at: Chapter tative is currently working on expanding SR access sites. Plus John is making Annual Spring membership meeting is Michah Barrett [email protected] final preparations for installing our new set for March 22. Mark your calendars, brook trout signs. pull out your cell phones, stop reading - Great news on the Clearwater River Twin Cities Chapter We hope to see you next summer on the and write this down. You don’t want to North Shore. with fisheries survey reports marking miss this meeting. A special “Kick Start the first significant natural reproduction Vermillion River Progress Your Trout Season Presentation” by two occurring, as well as decent carryover fisheries experts, Mike Kelly, DNR Park Work to restore 4000 feet of the South Jon Aspie numbers of browns and rainbows. Rapids and Tony Standera, DNR Bemi- - Open and free community fly tying Branch of the Vermillion River continued dji. Mike and Tony will present the lat- nights are continuing to bring in strong November 21st when about 25 volun- est updates on trout streams and lakes participation and several new beginners. teers gathered on a sunny but cool day to from the big browns on the Straight On January 28th we had 18 tiers with clear invasive buckthorn that was chok- Hiawatha Chapter River to our native brook trout streams. two beginners and three high school ing the riverbanks. Several large piles of Bring your spouse, kids, neighbors, and cuttings from this and prior work were Every Saturday until the end of March junior boys who all took our TU fly ty- friends, all are welcome. You don’t have safely burned by DNR in early January we meet for open tying in the second ing course as 5th graders. It was a great to be a current member of TU. We have in a snow-covered field. The Vermillion floor conference room at Scheels in delight to have these 17 yr olds join us the large private dining room reserved at is the closest trout stream to the Twin Rochester; just ask a manager how to after 6 years! It proves fly tying is a Bemidji’s new Four Point Grill and Bar. Cities Metro area and a recent electro- find it. Doors open at 9:30am and we are real gateway activity to fly fishing and It is located on Hwy 2 on the west side survey revealed a number of large brown there until about 12:00pm. TU involvement. Also thanks to five TU of Bemidji. Social hour is 5:30-6:00pm volunteers for helping us run two special trout. Check our website www.twinciti- and dinner is off of the menu, speaker estu.org for volunteer opportunities and February 1st we will have Rich Enoch at fly tying activities at Schoolcraft Charter to follow. We will also have a unique School serving 50 students. We want to progress updates on the Vermillion. our members meeting talking about fly display of fish art featuring three or four fishing in the winter for trout. He will thank the State Council for providing the regional artists. With questions call Bob extra fly tying vises and tools. It really Advocacy cover equipment, flies, clothing, and Wagner 218-766-7757 techniques. Rich is a very experienced helps these educational efforts. - Trout in the Classroom (TIC), one of Buckthorn isn’t the only threat to this fly fisherman of trout in - Women’s initiative coordinators Val 22 our most important educational projects, MNTU Chapter News trophy trout stream. The recently-issued catch-and-release fishing now. Go to the 10 Year Draft Watershed Management events calendar on our website for more Plan of the Vermillion River Watershed details, at www.twincitiestu.org Joint Powers Organization contained Bamboo Rod Class provisions that could have reduced DNR • Streamkeepers: We need volunteers At the Great Waters Fly Fishing Expo Class 2A cold-water ecosystem protec- to help us identify restored stream areas tions. A strong showing by TU members that need attention due to storm damage With Larry Donahe at the Tuesday January 26th public hear- or for other reasons. Streamkeepers look f you’ve ever wondered what it feels making. This class will help to speed ing in Farmington reinforced the impor- for these situations whenever they are like to hand plane a bamboo strip, or up the learning curve in this tradition- tance these place on the cold water pro- out fishing. They may, for example, re- Iif you ever tried to complete a thin, al approach to making a bamboo rod! tections to the JPO board, who said they port a bank that has eroded, or identify delicate 3 to 4 turn silk wrap tipping Walk away with new skills and insight, will modify their draft plan to preserve an area where an invasive plant like wild only to have it unravel before your plus an information packet filled with 2A status. parsnip has taken hold. eyes...then you owe it to yourself to node layouts, ferrule sizing, a great take this 2 hour hands-on bamboo staring taper and much more. The rod making class! class is 1pm-3pm on Sunday, March Upcoming Events If you can help us with any of these vol- 20th. Cost is $50.00 Sign up online unteer activities, or are interested in be- Join Larry Sunday afternoon for a today, follow the ticket link at: • Annual Fundraising Banquet. It’s been coming the new TCTU Treasurer, please fun-filled interactive, hands-on expe- decided that TCTU’s annual fundraising email your contact info to info@twin- rience you’ll be able to translate im- www.greatwatersflyexpo.com banquet, traditionally scheduled for Feb- citiestu.org and let us know what you’d mediately into your own bamboo rod ruary or March, will be held this fall. A like to do. firm date will be announced soon. • Feb. 15th, 6:30PM. Join us for a spe- Interested in getting involved in our hab- cial “Beer and Book” Membership Meet- itat work? Contact Tony Nelson @ 952- ing at Surly Brewery, 520 Malcolm Av- 486-2282 or [email protected] enue SE, Minneapolis. Local author Bob Trevis will share insights from his new Dean Campbell book, Fly-Fishing for Trout in Southeast Minnesota… A Troutchaser’s Guide. Win-Cres Chapter • Feb. 25th: Trout on Tap. Lake Monster Brewing, 550 Vandalia St #160, St. Paul, Win-Cres members have been busy MN 55114. Drink beer, talk trout, and enjoying the winter trout fishing season. meet new friends! As spring approaches, we are looking • March 5: Vermillion Work Day (see forward to starting another phase of below) habitat work on Garvin Brook. The • March 18-20: The Great Waters Fly new project will cover an area below Fishing Expo at Century College in the stream improvement project on White Bear Lake, MN. Sponsored this Garvin that took place two years ago. year by MNTU! • April 2: Hay Creek Work Day (See be- We will again help the Lewiston low) Sportsmen’s Club in teaching kids to fish as part of their annual “Kids in the ANNUAL MEETING Outdoors” program. Kids in 2nd to 4th • April 25th: TCTU will present a screen- grade will learn spin fishing, and older ing of the 2016 International Fly Fishing kids will take up a fly rod. A practice Film Festival (www.flyfilmfest.com) in session will be held in Lewiston on Surly Brewery’s Scheid Hall. Event and June 7, with actual fishing taking place ticket information will be posted soon on on June 14 as we expect to bus around our chapter website, www.twincitiestu. forty youngsters to Lake Winona. We org. This meeting will also serve as our also will help Whitewater State Park Annual Meeting to hold any necessary staff on June 11 with “Take a Kid Fish- elections by the membership. ing” day. Kids are given the opportunity to fish the Whitewater River for trout. Volunteer Opportunities When the weather warms and plants Want to get involved? We always need begin turning green, we will be watch- volunteers to help with a variety of chap- ing for Japanese knot weed plants on ter activities. Here are a few upcoming Garvin Brook. We conducted a major needs: spraying project to eradicate as many • Great Waters Fly Fishing Expo: Event of those plants as possible last fall. We volunteers are needed to help at the door, realize this may be a multi-year project. to set up before and take down after the event, and for other needs. Volunteers After twenty-five years as habitat Trout On Tap donating at least three hours are be eli- improvement chair, Mike Jeresek has By John Lenczewski gible for free admission to the event. turned over the chair to John Weaver, a Email [email protected] to science teacher at the Winona Middle een wondering what this Trout ent styles of good beer convinced us we sign-up. School. Pete Weess and his Winona on Tap thing is all about? It’s needed lots of help and lots more time • Habitat: Restoration of the Vermillion High School class are participating in Bsimple. Fish anywhere, drink lo- to do this right. And did I mention we River, Hay Creek, and other streams will MNTU’s outdoor education program, cally. No agenda, no members, no RS- are obsessive about trout fishing? Rods, continue this year. We always need help which includes the Trout in the Class- VPs. Just casual gatherings of anglers lines, flies, tying tips, rivers, hatches, with building structures, cutting and room curriculum. The trout eggs have who enjoy exploring the local taprooms. campsites, roadhouses, destination tap- clearing brush, seeding re-graded banks, hatched. We will support him and his Quality angling - trout and steelhead rooms, techy gadgets – you name it. Our and similar activities. The first TU Ver- students as needed. angling – deserves quality beer. These shared passion and inquisitiveness unite million Riverkeepers volunteer work are fun evenings comparing notes with pros and newbs alike. We all share and day will be Saturday, March 5, from 9 ANNUAL MEETING other passionate anglers on tackle, flies, learn a few tricks. Join us when you can a.m. to 12 p.m., followed by us grilling The annual members meeting of the rivers and of course good local beers. It and bring the doubter-friends wondering you free lunch. The first TU Hay Creek Win Cres Chapter will be held on began with the seed of an idea to gather what this whole troutsy, flyfishy thing is Streamkeepers volunteer work-day will Wed., March 23, 2016 a group of fishing nuts to help me con- all about. Come obsess with other ob- be Saturday, April 2, from 10 a.m. – 1 6:00 pm duct “research” for an “official beer sessives. Check out the ad on page 10. p.m. with a free grilled lunch. Then you Holzinger Lodge, Winona, MN sponsor” of mntu. The explosion of can fish, because Hay Creek is open to great local taprooms with many differ- Tight lines and cold beer! 23 Want to Get This Newsletter? There are now TWO ways!

Join Minnesota Trout Unlimited Reeling It In Healthy streams benefit everyone, not just anglers. Wader Patriots We’ll assign you to a local MN chapter. Chapters meet regularly to hear about fishing hot spots, discuss conservation issues, plan work days on their home By Corky McHandle waters, organize fundraisers, and of course, swap a few fish tales and learn hen trout anglers think of Or- why a fisherman militia would never how to tie the latest fly patterns. egon they usually wax and work. wane about that day on the All members also receive this publication as well as TROUT, TU’s national mag- W azine. Other benefits include a 16-month TU calendar, car rental & hotel dis- Deschutes or the existentialism and pu- 10. After gearing up no one would be counts and more. TU offers a variety of membership categories. rity of fishing the Metolius. Recently, able to agree on who would go upstream however, all eyes have been on the Mal- or who would go downstream and every- heur Wildlife refuge. It’s an interesting one would congregate at the same favor- Visit www.tu.org today to sign up. thing, this little incident. It makes one ite spots where they always catch fish. wonder about the never-ending issue of access to rivers for anglers and how that 9. The guy in the brand new SUV and might play out for an angler militia... $700 waders would become the TV Or Subscribe! spokesperson, instantly destroying the I can see it all now: The scene fades to credibility of any claims to being a For those of you who are members in other chapters in other states, or who an eerily quiet morning. Through the grassroots organization. would like to directly support MNTU’s newsletter, we are now welcoming sub- scribers to the newsletter. Sign up to get three colorful issues annually. Mail in mist and fog rolling off slowly undulat- this form today to receive the next issue arriving this summer in June! ing famous waters of the North Branch 8. Inevitable discussions would lead to of the East fork of Monster Trout Creek, a heated debate over which is the best 5 Name______slow dull crunching of gravel under tires weight rod to use on these Holy waters. begins to emerge from the darkness. Address______Slowly creeping shadows begin to form 7. That debate would spill over into an the coherent images of vehicles. First a all-out argument on how to properly rig City______State______Zip______Subaru Forester, followed by a Toyota for nymphing and which is better: Czech Four Runner and then a few Prius round nymphing or French nymphing … the Email Address______things out. All adorned with Simms and only benefit here would be that one Circle one below: Montana stickers, the odd YNP auto would now know who the beer drinking oval, over there a Fishpond logo, mixed anglers are versus the wine drinkers. One Year Subscription: $20 in there are a couple Range Rovers all converging on the covert pre-arranged 6. Speaking of beer and wine … this Three Year Subscription: $55 rendezvous. What is it? A gathering of group would have arrived with their own militant fishermen Hell bent on ‘taking snacks and plenty of them, thus elimi- Only Checks Are Accepted. their river back’? Nah … it just the morn- nating any need for a public appeal and ing of the opening day of trout fishing support. Mail Completed Forms To: season. But it gets one to wondering… Minnesota Trout Unlimited Wader Patriots So here are (in my humble opinion) the P.O. Box 845, Chanhassen, Minnesota 55317 Continued on page 16 top ten reasons (ala David Letterman) Donate to Minnesota Trout Unlimited Efforts Minnesota TU is the leading voice, your voice, advocating for coldwater fisheries and watersheds in Minnesota and the region. Our effective advocacy work and successful habitat grant writing efforts cannot continue without your direct financial support of Minnesota TU. We receive none of the donations raised from TU’s direct mail and other fundraising efforts, and the small portion of your membership dues we receive is less than the cost to print and mail this newsletter. We need direct support from you - members and non-members alike - to keep us working effectively for you, your family and your friends. Every dollar of that donation will be used here in Minnesota.

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Checks or Credit Cards Are Accepted. Donate online at www.mntu.org

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Mail Completed Forms To: Minnesota Trout Unlimited P.O. Box 845, Chanhassen, Minnesota 55317 24