Trout Unlimited

MINNESOTAThe Official Publication of Minnesota Trout Unlimited - November 2017 without written permission of Minnesota Trout Unlimited. Trout Minnesota of permission written without

Copyright 2017 Minnesota Trout Unlimited - No Portion of this publication may be reproduced reproduced be may publication this of Portion No - Unlimited Trout Minnesota 2017 Copyright Creatures of the Night Volunteering on the Vermillion Stream Habitat Improvemnt in MN Dakota County’s Trout Brook

2018 Fly Fishing Film Showcase Details

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Minnesota Trout Unlimited Trout Minnesota Non-Profit Org. Non-Profit Trout Unlimited Minnesota Council Update MINNESOTA The Voice of MNTU Time on the Water By Steve Carlton, Minnesota Council Chair

On The Cover ello my angler friends and con- high bidders on donations I gave to a servation aficionados, welcome few fundraisers. The Trico hatch in Sep- Twin Cities Chapter Member Micah to another wonderful edition of tember was off the hook, so that got me Crider with a huge nighttime brown H the Trout Unlimited Newsletter. MNTU out four weekends in a row…once with trout. Hear about his adventures in the Continues to stay very active. This edi- my family! Watching my nine year old dark and how to set out on your own tion is loaded with everything you need daughter catch a brown trout made a fa- mission to find giant brown trout in to know about trout in Minnesota and ther proud. Recently, I got up to the Bois the night on page 8. Photo by Abigail what we are doing to protect them and Brule to hook a steelhead. Yes, hook one Crider. their watersheds. You will also find sto- - not land one. Though it was fun while ries on TU partnerships, youth educa- it lasted. tion, fly tying tips, places to fish and ways for you to get involved in Trout Also in September, MNTU Executive Unlimited. Director, John Lenczewski and I attended the Trout Unlimited National Meeting in salmon. Other issues that worry us are Personally, I have been able to get out Roanoke, Virginia. I have been attending the selling of public lands and reducing In This Issue much more this year than the last few these meetings since 2005, with a short the places we like to fish, and, as always, years. I started the year with a few trips break in 2015 and 2016. This meeting climate change is something we need to • Habitat Improvement in MN over to the Rush River in western Wis- wasn’t as spirited as some of the others. address. consin with my buddies. In May, I was The Annual Meeting celebrates the ac- • Brook Trout in Dakota County able to fish in Ireland for a few hours on complishments of TU Councils and TU If you have an interest in volunteering a trip I did with my wife, Amy. There is Chapters all over the country and one of with Trout Unlimited on the state level • Mentorship Update nothing like catching native brown trout the main topics was the re-immergence or in your local chapter, we’d love to in some of the most scenic places in that of the pebble mine threat in the headwa- have you. There is always room for you • 2018 Expo Speakers beautiful country. During the summer, ters of Bristol Bay in Alaska. That area and you no doubt have something to add I guided five different parties that were provides the world’s largest supply of to make MNTU better. • And much more! Table of Contents Fear of Change...... page 4 Join TU Today! Foster the Outdoors: Get Into Mentorship!...... page 5

Want to subscribe to this newsletter? Exploring Our Habitat Work - Trout Brook...... page 6 See the back page for details or visit www.tu.org to join Trout Unlimited! MNTU Education Update...... page 7 Creatures of the Night...... page 8 Stream Habitat Work in Minnesota...... page 10 The Driftless Area Border Battle College Contest.....page 12 Trout Unlimited Minnesota is the of- ficial publication of Minnesota Trout Tying the BWO Klinkhammer...... page 16 Unlimited. Issues are distributed to all members of Minnesota Trout Unlim- Volunteering on the Vermillion...... page 15 ited chapters. Subscriptions are avail- able by joining Trout Unlimited. See 2018 Great Waters Expo Update...... page 16 the back page for further details. Chapter News...... page 18 Copyright © 2017 Minnesota Trout Unlimited. No Portion of this publica- Reeling it In...... page 20 tion may be reproduced without writ- ten permission from Minnesota Trout Unlimited.

Advertising rate sheet available on re- quest. Send all editorial and advertis- ing correspondence or other inquiries to the editor:

Carl Haensel 2067 E. Pioneer Rd Duluth, MN 55804 218-525-2381 [email protected]

Send address changes to:

Trout Unlimited, 1550 Wilson Boulevard Arlington, VA, 22209.

Looking at plans for our recently completed habtiat work along the South Branch of the Root River in Preston, Minnesota. Read about how we design our habitat work on page 10. Hal Tearse Photo 2 From The Executive Director Habitat Volunteers Needed More Than Ever By John Lenczewski, MNTU Executive Director

y putting Outdoor Heritage and not others. We’ll also explain why Funds to work restoring and en- newly “completed” projects typically Bhancing trout and steelhead habi- need another year or two for vegetation tat around the state, every year we are establishment and floods to sort sedi- improving vastly more degraded habitat ments. Presentations are also planned than we did a decade ago. At the same for upcoming chapter meetings. time the science of stream habitat resto- ration is progressing, adding improved As project designs continue to evolve MNTU techniques and new tools to our toolbox. to incorporate lessons learned and the Older approaches and tools are not being miles of restored habitat grows, the role Connections thrown out, rather we are taking a hard of volunteers is evolving too. Some look at each individual site and asking projects may incorporate fewer man- Executive Director whether another approach might work made “lunker structures,” but we need John Lenczewski better there, or at least as well while pro- at least as many volunteers to help in- some new water in the process. Or vol- [email protected] viding variety for 110,000+ diverse trout stall erosion control blankets, seed, plant unteer to visit a couple. Or become a 612-670-1629 and steelhead anglers. One size does not and protect trees, control invasives, trim/ River Steward for one stream and check www.mntu.org fit all project sites, nor all anglers’ pref- tweak installed wood features, remove it each spring and after floods. By Feb- erences. trees deposited by floods, perform in- ruary we’ll have a smart phone app to spections and make small repairs. quickly fill out a basic inspection report, Minnesota Council Chair Recent conversations with TU members attach a photo and submit, as well as a Steve Carlton touring southeast habitat projects con- We also need many more volunteers template for email reporting. Volunteer, [email protected] firmed that most members and anglers directly engaged in our habitat work as or get more details, by sending an e mail are unfamiliar with the factors consid- monitors of completed projects. A few to [email protected] ered when designing effective, durable individuals have been covering an ever TU MN Editor fish habitat. This newsletter begins a increasing number of miles of restored See details in the “Habitat Helpers Carl Haensel series of articles intended to provide a habitat. This is rewarding, essential Needed” box on page 19. [email protected] basic framework for understanding why work, but time consuming. Sign up 218-525-2381 each habitat project uses certain methods to visiting one site in 2018, and learn Thank you for helping!

TU MN Copy Editor Jade Thomason [email protected]

TU MN Communications Coordinator Dan Callahan [email protected]

Gitche Gumee Chapter Brent Notbohm, President [email protected]

Headwaters Chapter Bob Wagner, President [email protected] 218-586-2798 A Driftless Brown from earlier this fall. Read “Fear of Change” to Learn More on Page 4 Hansi Johnson photo Hiawatha Chapter Phil Pankow, President Editor’s Angle [email protected] www.hiawathatu.org Sharing Trout Unlimited By Carl Haensel, Editor Mid-Minnesota Chapter Micah Barrett, President igh up above Lake Superior in If you’re interested in playing a larger [email protected] the northland, it looks like win- role, we invite you to get in touch and Hter has arrived early this year. talk about being involved with the Expo, Snow is on the ground and a stiff wind writing for TUMN, or playing one of Twin Cities Chapter has started biting in the mornings as I the many “behind the scenes” roles that Dean Campbell, President get ready to head fishing for steelhead. make TU chapters and the state board [email protected] It’s this time of the year, when the days hum as we go about conserving, protect- 612-564-TCTU shorten and the nights grow cold that ing, restoring and enhancing our streams www.twincitiestu.org we have the opportunity to work on and rivers around Minnesota. There are growing our TU chapters and planning plenty of threats on the horizon for us to both events for the winter and habitat be aware of, and we need all hands on Win-Cres Chapter improvement for the summer. As you deck to play a role as we move forward. Joe Lepley, President read this issue and look at photos of gi- Read in the following pages about some [email protected] ant trout, restored streams and beautiful of the volunteer opportunities that mem- www.wincrestu.org scenery, consider sharing your copy of bers have found, as well as ones that TUMN with a friend, family member they’ve went out and sought, some lo- or coworker. Spread the word about cal and some far and wide, spreading the TU broadly, along with the opportuni- word about Minnesota Trout Unlimited. ties contained in here to get together www.mntu.org throughout the colder months in Min- I hope to get to see many of you at events nesota. throughout the winter, 3 Fear of Change Trout, Habitat and Growing Up in the Driftless By Hansi Johnson

Another Nice Driftless Minnesota Brown Trout s a kid, I was extremely lucky cases, myself or my friends actually re- became involved with TU as a kid. pissed off. I was 13. I did not give a to have lived literally on a turned to the folks whom we knew had That summer, the Hiawatha Chapter of damn, as long as I could catch fish! Agreat spring creek trout stream lost them. Fishing in the stream at that TU and the MN DNR started working on in southeastern Minnesota. As a fam- point was full combat. There was a lot two streams in the valley where I lived That all mentioned, I recently spent ily we moved into our home in 1980. of wood in the water, many cutbacks and and did some great volunteer days of a solid four-day stint in the Driftless At that time, the stream was in a really also plenty of sandy shallows. We were which I attended. I remember two things Area this fall, 30-some years later. So serious state of affairs. We lived on a kids, we loved it and we caught some de- vividly. One was the MN DNR inviting much has changed since I was a child. bluff above an old stone mill with an cent fish. But I also remember walking us all to witness an electro-shocking First, the fishing seasons themselves amazing mill pond and this pond was long stretches of that stream and pass- study. That blew me away as I was able have changed. There were no catch covered in watercress and was teeming ing them up because they clearly did not to see the fish in the stream for the first and release or special regulations when with fat brown trout. A year after we hold fish. time. I saw where they were hiding, how I was a kid. Now there is a fall sea- moved in, a massive flood destroyed big and how small they were, and how son, a winter season and some of the a large chunk of the village, killed the I think I was 13 or 14 when Trout Un- many resided in each hole. I saw fish I streams are open darn near year round. mill pond and also damaged the mill it- limited and the MN DNR started doing had only dreamed about and realized I That is so awesome! self. The pond never recovered to the stream work in the valley. My grandfa- had been fishing past and missing many state it had been. It was re-established ther on my mother’s side had been good of them all along. I also saw how some You can almost be a year-round trout eventually, but the watercress never re- friends with several members of the TU of the grown-up TU members were con- angler in SE Minnesota these days. turned and now the pond is just a large chapter and Izaak Walton League in cerned with some of the methods used What a dream. I still mourn every sea- shallow body of water that is warm and town. My grandfather died too early, by TU and the DNR on some streams. son closure up here in the NE along the mostly holds sunfish, of all things. The and as a result was not the guy who was They felt it was going to be too invasive North Shore and near Duluth where I stream itself was totally blown out. able to show me the ropes when it came and not be good for the fish, and thus live. The other thing that has totally Downstream of the village, I remem- to trout fishing. His buddies did how- the fishing. It was an open question as changed is the number of trout stream ber vividly fishing through debris that ever, and they took the initiative when to the future results of the work. To say easements that TU and the MN DNR were pushed down by the destruction they saw my interest to get me involved the least, people were concerned, but have worked with landowners to add, of the flood. A lot of personal belong- and, between them and my mother and also many of the local fisherman, who both in mileage and in numbers of ings and other effects that, in some father encouraging me to check it out, I were not involved with TU, were simply streams. This is massive. There are so many accessible stretches of river now it almost makes you dizzy. That was not the case as a kid. I needed to know a guy, who knew a guy. Which as a local was easy, but as an outsider was impossible.

Lastly of course is the that the early work that TU and the MN DNR have done both around Aquatic Manage- ment Areas and also stream restoration are fully paying off. Not only are there more fish in the region then when I was a kid, there are much, much larger fish in the region. An 18 plus inch fish in the 1980’s was like a unicorn. If some- body caught one, the whole town was a buzz. This trip down I tricked two fish over 20 inches and saw at least two more that were in that class. More importantly, the other fish I caught av- eraged a stout 16 to 17 inches. That is solid, solid fishing my friends and that is the pay-off that those habitat improvement projects are reaping. All that griping, all that bellyaching, all A normal morning in SE MN that BS I was hearing from the locals 4 Sunrise in the Driftless back in my youth has been clearly put Case in point, I spent a solid Sunday fish- The food was awesome, the cost is rea- Editor’s Note: Hansi Johnson is the in its place. That fear of change was a ing on three different streams, all within sonable, and the place was not crowd- Director of Recreational Lands for the waste of energy. I don’t think a serious a 15 minute drive of each other. All of ed. I thought to myself how I had seen Minnesota Land Trust in the City of fisherman on the Minnesota side of the these offered easy access and amazing only ONE person fishing the entire day, Duluth. His work focuses on assisting Driftless can seriously doubt that the fishing. Fish were gulping hoppers and caught some truly nice fish, and then was the City of Duluth in identifying, se- work the MN DNR and TU have done slamming streamers in the early morn- eating food and drinking a cold beer in a curing and promoting its nature-based has not been anything but spectacular ing and late evening. I had my biggest nice place for very little money. Those recreational assets. Prior to joining the in its results. fish of the day come zinging out of brush experiences belong to the Midwest, and Land Trust, Hansi was the Regional Di- pile from three feet away to fully engulf SE Minnesota has created a really amaz- rector for the International Mountain My whole professional career has been a large streamer I was tossing just for ing and unique version of it. This version Bicycling Association (IMBA). He also built on helping areas establish them- that purpose. It was so fast and so vio- is based around trout fishing and that is spent 12 years in sales and marketing selves as great places to live and recre- lent, I actually jumped from surprise and due to many things, but absolutely the for such companies as Patagonia, We- ate, but I have to admit, if you’re a fly yet I somehow still managed to strip-set TU and MN DNR early work has made nonah Canoe and Garmont USA. fisherman and, better yet, a trout fish- and make it happen. the fishing part of this experience world- erman, the quality of life in SE Min- class. Hats off to them. nesota is damn near heaven on earth at That night I drove over to Rushford and this time. met my parents for a really fun dinner I lived it and I can attest to the fact that at Il Luigi, a family style Italian Cafe. your work has made an impact.

Il Luigi, Rushford Minnesota. Treat yourself. it’s so worth it. Joe’s Hopper 5 Exploring Our Habitat Work: Trout Brook Restoring a Wild Brook Trout Stream Near the Twin Cities By Tony Nelson

A Newly restored reach of trout Brook in Dakota County, home to wild brook trout. plan to stop by and visit this next trout season.

he Twin Cities Chapter of Trout ing a plan for the physical work to be Unlimited and MNTU have been done. These plans went through a num- Tworking with Dakota County‘s ber of refinements and in the late spring Park Department for several years to re- of 2017, the plans were finalized. Due store part of Trout Brook. Trout Brook to a wet spring we started in June and is a native brook trout stream that runs completed our project in late July. Most through the 1600-acre park reserve in of the work done involved taking down southern Dakota County near Miesville, high banks, installing some woody habi- Minnesota. In fact, the park is essentially tat and creating a number of pools with the valley that was formed by the creek. large rocks for scouring and providing This was considered un-farmable due to trout the hiding places they needed. Be- the valley’s narrowness. It is surrounded fore our work, the creek was extremely by tall bluffs and is very slender at the top shallow and wide with a few pools that of the park and widens out at the bottom were usually packed with small brook- where Trout Brook runs into the Cannon ies. We narrowed the stream width by River. The result is a landscape that has 2/3 and the fish now have plenty of habi- been virtually unchanged since the com- tat to grow to a larger size. Rocky cobble ing of settlers in the 1800’s. It was never was also added for improved reproduc- logged or tilled. The lower part of the tion. wild brook trout with brilliant colors abound in Trout Brook park was used as pasture in the 1970’s. It is surrounded by farmland and has a his- Another issue that the stream currently tory of intense flooding due to the run- has is a filamentous algae bloom in the off coming from the surrounding fields. late winter and late summer. We are con- This has caused many delays in starting tinuing to do research on the cause of our restoration efforts. Trout Brook is a these blooms. Early findings are show- small, cold, and extremely clear spring- ing the cause could be large amounts of fed creek that has a good population of nitrates coming out of the many springs brook trout (3500 per mile, according to that run into the creek. Trout brook and the DNR) and some brown trout that run its springs have the highest concentra- up the creek from the Cannon River. Av- tions of nitrates in all of Dakota County. erage water temperatures in the summer TCTU plans to continue restoring the re- are in the mid 50’s. mainder of the creek in the park over the next few years. In the fall of 2016, we did our initial stream walks with staff members from One note to anyone who would like to the County Parks Department and the fish the creek is that Dakota County is DNR on about 4000 feet of Trout Brook not part of the southeast Minnesota at the top of the park. Due to the intense group of counties that have the extended flooding events, we felt it would be eas- seasons and also has no winter season. ier to start at the top where the stream is Check state regulations for proper fish- smaller and we could create an environ- ing dates. ment that would soften the effects of a large rain event as it raced through the Editors Note: Looking to get involved park. Once the actual stretch of stream in this project moving forward and oth- was chosen, we hired an engineering ers around the state? Sign up via email Survey work prior to restoration on trout Brook. Note the shallow water, even after a rain event discolored the stream. firm to assist us on creat- today. Look on page 19 for more details. 6 MNTU Education Update A Full Summer and Fall of Education Programming Around the State

By Benji Kohn

NTU’s education program ing them to be guides and mentors for “Connecting Students with some of our elementary school partici- Mtheir Watersheds through pants in the program. I think both the Hands-on Learning” had a busy sum- high school and the elementary school mer and a great start to the new school students are getting more out of this re- year. We finished up last year with 16 lationship than anyone thought! schools, over 4,000 students and some 2,300 trout released! In the coming weeks, 8,700 trout eggs will be shipped out to schools across the Over the summer months, we held 25 state giving thousands of students the events with 1,300 people joining us out opportunity to see, first-hand, the mira- on Twin Cities area lakes and streams to cle of trout life. They will learn how to learn about fishing, casting, and macro care for them, what they need in the wild invertebrates. On August 14th and 15th, to survive, what they eat, how ground- we held our annual teacher training at water plays an important role in their Dodge Nature Center, with a record 26 critical habitat, and how they can affect teachers in attendance! their fishes’ future chances of survival by actions in their watersheds today. Currently, for the 2017/18 school year, we have 23 schools participating (16 in The success and growth of this program the metro area) and two nature centers has been tremendous and we couldn’t do (Dodge Nature Center and Belwin Con- it without the support of the LCCMR and servancy). Already this fall, we’ve held a state ENRTF grant, the MNDNR and 16 field events teaching over 4,100 stu- amazing partners and volunteers across dents about their watersheds, fishing, fly the state. Keep you fingers crossed for fishing, macro-invertebrates and ground- another round of ENRTF grant funding water. One thing the education program next year so we can keep this great pro- is really working on this year is devel- gram going for another three years. oping mentors. Two of our high school teachers, Bruce Frutiger at Century in Here’s to a successful 2018, educating Rochester and Jon Gilmer at Lakeville students, connecting communities, and South have done a great job educating changing lives! their students about trout and empower-

A nice largemouth bass caught at a fishing program in Owatonna

A HIgh School student Mentors an elementary student in the art of fly tying.

A high school mentor teaching the finer points of fly casting

An enthused group planting native plants to help keep run- T.Un.E Camp participants on the South Branch of the Root River off in check by installing a rain garden in St. Louis Park 7 Creatures of the Night Finding and Catching Giant Brown Trout After Dark By Micah Crider

t’s a cool September night. Dark, be, instead it’s tense and often spooky. Different states have different curfews with the exception of the light pro- Raging mosquitoes, angry beavers, dan- Bugs Can be Awful for trout fishing. Do your research and Ivided by the nearly full moon. All is gling spiders, mud and the unknown make sure that you are fishing during quiet except for the occasional pester- around you are all realities when you’re Some of the worst mosquitoes I have legal hours. ing mosquito and the pack of coyotes night fishing. Many people ask why I do experienced have been during night fish- across the creek celebrating a fresh kill. it, and I’ve often asked myself that ques- ing. I would highly recommend wearing Fish Flies That Move Water We don’t talk much, instead we fo- tion as well. The same thing that hinders a buff over your face, as well as long cus on the task at hand: trying to limit many people from going out after dark sleeves. I also wear casting gloves be- I’ve been most successful when I use the noise we add to our surroundings. is the same thing that keeps me out past cause any exposed skin will be found. bigger flies that cause a commotion Concentration is crucial in these cir- dark—the unknown. I am by no means when fished. When night fishing, the cumstances; it can happen at any point an expert on targeting trout after dark, Fish Familiar Water goal is to target large trout. Most of and when it does, you better be ready. but I have done it enough to observe a these fish are not out looking for a small You see, we don’t do this because it’s few tips to share with those who might I always recommend people fish wa- bug, they’re looking for meat. I like to comfortable or enjoyable, we do it for be considering night fishing: ter that they are familiar with at night. use flies such as mice or large stream- the potential reward and the chance to When it’s dark, it’s hard to tell what you ers that push water and draw the atten- witness something not commonly seen, Rod and Leader are wading into. You won’t necessarily tion of these predators. Don’t be afraid especially in our area. know if there is a deep hole ahead, or an to fish these flies with some aggression, I prefer to use a rod in the 6-8wt range. unseen stump or rock that will trip you. but be open to changing your retrieve We move up the stream, and the cast- I’ve found that the trout I’ve caught at Familiar water also helps reduce much based on what you find is working. ing becomes repetitive. We are entering night are not leader shy. They see the fly of that anxiety that naturally comes from what I like to call “robot mode.” Many and attack. In most cases I use a leader being out in the dark. Plan Your Casting Lanes of my big fish-chasing friends know in the 5ft range ending with straight 10lb this point, where you’ve made so many Maxima leader material. Obey Your Local Fishing Regulations If you think getting your fly caught in a casts with no result that you start to lose tree or on the bank is frustrating in the focus. We’ve been at it for hours and are approaching the end of the stretch. Then… it happens.

“Fish on,” he yells with a sort of excite- ment, yet anxiousness, “Big fish!” The focus that was waning is now locked in as he battles the creature at the end of his line. We haven’t seen it yet, but we know it is what we came here for. As I flip my headlamp on, I immediately become anxious myself, knowing that I need to ensure this beast successfully makes it into my net. You see, netting a trophy fish for someone is a lot of pres- sure, because you don’t want to be re- sponsible for losing a fish like this. I’m patient, making sure to move in at just the right moment and successfully land the fish. We interrupt the coyotes with audible cheers and high fives, snap a few photos and release her back into the dark water from which she came. Just like that, the night resumes to its homeostasis and we begin the trek back to the truck. It was a good night.

This story recaps just one of my many night fishing experiences this past sea- son. Night fishing is not new, but is a technique that many of my friends, my wife and I have adopted in recent years. It isn’t comfortable or relaxing like most daytime outings tend to Drew with the giant brown trout landed at the begining of the article 8 day, it’s worse at night. Pay attention the last second. If your fly is in the wa- to your surroundings and make sure ter, don’t lose focus, because a strike can you have a casting lane before throw- come at any moment. ing your fly. Limit your false casts as much as possible. The less time your Fish With a Partner fly spends in the air, the less the chance you will end up in a tree. Remember, I always try to go with someone if I’m the cover of darkness will often allow out after dark. You never know what you to get closer to these fish at night may happen, so it’s always smart to have than you would during the day without someone else with you in case of emer- spooking them. You don’t need to wor- gency. If nothing else, having a partner ry about making extremely long casts, will keep the nerves down and your most of my casts at night range from mind at ease. They also come in handy 10–20 feet. as a photographer when you land your monster. Don’t Get Trigger Happy Light It isn’t uncommon for a trout to swipe at your fly, but not fully commit. When You’ll want to make sure you have a this happens, don’t get trigger happy. working headlamp, I don’t think this If you hear a strike, but don’t feel any needs much more explanation. We use tension, keep stripping, often the fish the light when walking to and from the will return for another attempt. If you stream, but fish with the light off. You’ll rip your fly out of the water after hear- also want to make sure you have a cam- ing the first swipe, you may spook the era with a flash to take a picture of your fish or your fly may end up in the tree catch! behind you. A good way to prevent this is to always strip-set. Night fishing is a unique experience that heightens your senses and allows you to Pay Attention to Your Fly notice little sounds and details that you may not catch during a day trip. If you’re I often see people starting to lose con- looking for a relaxing and peaceful out- centration as their fly is approaching ing, it may not be for you, but if you’re them. I can’t tell you how many times looking for an adrenaline fix, it may be a trout has followed my fly all the way just what you need. Who knows, maybe Abigail Crider with a Great Nighttime brown trout to where I am standing and strikes at our headlamps will cross paths someday.

Promoting TU Far and Wide Reaching Out with the Headwaters Chapter

By Bob Wagner he connection between the North Diversity Program is aimed at increas- at Great Waters. Great Waters was such Cascades of Washington, a Fly ing membership and acknowledging a rewarding and positive experience that Thinking through all these accomplish- TShop by Lake Superior, a man that we need to be more open, inclusive Don volunteered again to do another ments of our members in the last nine from International Falls, and Fly Shop and welcoming. This has spurred our show in International Falls. At the show months I realized that there is a signifi- in Perham, Minnesota is a story worth board to support a Women’s Fly Fishing he promoted TU, signed up new mem- cant common denominator. All of these telling. In 24 years, Headwaters Chapter Weekend. We hosted two workshops in bers and taught 30 eager beginners to tie volunteers attended Great Waters Fly 642 has never witnessed such a unique June, 2016 and two more this summer, their first fly. Don Graves is an enthu- Fishing Expo. In addition, this spring outreach of TU promotion that over a drawing participants far and wide. Forty siastic new member spreading the TU co-chairs John Lueth and Kris Williams, dozen volunteers accomplished this year. participants benefited from both fly ty- mission far and wide. along with six other chapter volunteers, ing kits and fly rod kits obtained via our designed, constructed and effectively This cadre of enthusiastic volunteers in- State Council. This equipment, espe- managed our first booth at the expo cludes Jim McCracken. Eight months cially those sweet TFO rods, greatly en- Three hundred miles south, Doug Har- which taught 90+ participants to tie their ago, Jim found out that he and his wife hanced the quality of the ladies’ learning than is another TU member and a guide, first fly. All eight volunteers had a fabu- were accepted to serve a one-year resi- experience. Without Val Wagner, chair instructor, and fly shop owner in Perham, lous time and want to return. The Great dency at Holden Village high up in the of our chapter’s Diversity Committee, MN. He is a great advocate for warm Waters Expo has been a positive motiva- Cascade Mountains of Washington state. this program would never have been and cold water species while supporting tor for volunteer involvement, provides Jim requested assistance from our TU implemented. TU goals. Doug has been a speaker at a skill development, hands-on learning Board in teaching fly tying to residents chapter meeting promoting exciting new and is a dynamic state signature piece and visitors at Holden Village. Our Fitting our story theme of “far and fly fishing opportunities for smallmouth for all TU members. The Expo’s im- Board agreed to loan out 13 fly tying wide,” this spring at the Great Waters bass, carp and pike. Our chapter will be portance and reach is monumental to all kits along with a supply of tying materi- Fly Fishing Expo, Cottonwood Camp sponsoring special fly fishing and tying state chapters in promoting TU far and als. Thanks to the support of our state on the Bighorn met Val and heard about events with Doug on the Ottertail River. wide. TU Board, all chapters had the option to our own “Almost Gourmet Women’s Fly receive additional fly tying kits which Fishing Weekend” events and wanted to made the loan decision easy. Jim also see these replicated at Cottonwood. This needed tying materials, which brings in was organized and in August another a major contribution from a shop north fun, successful workshop was concluded of Duluth called “Fisherman’s Cor- with camp owners Amy and Phil want- ner.” Tom, a well-known and gracious ing Val back in Montana on the Bighorn fly tyer, works at Fisherman’s Corner next summer. Stay tuned ladies, Minne- and donated tying materials to both our sota and Montana dates for 2018 will be youth and adult fly tying programs. Part announced in the New Year. of this donation was given to Jim to be used 1700 miles to the west at Holden One of the exciting and dynamic aspects Village. Jim’s thank you letter to our of fly tying is that an enthusiastic begin- board included a participation record of ner can learn the basics and, within a few 209 youth and adults. Thanks to Tom, months, can be teaching new beginners. Fisherman’s Corner, our State TU Board, Don Graves from International Falls Chapter 642 and Holden Village, we are is a perfect example of an enthusiastic able to promote TU far and wide. beginner. Don started fly tying at our Thursday tying nights and three months TU National’s Women’s Initiative and later he volunteered to work at our booth Chapter member John Lueth teaching fly tying at the Expo 9 MNTU’s Stream Habitat Work in Minnesota How We Design Effective, Durable Habitat Improvement - Part 1

By John Lenczewski

Fishing on a fully restored reach of pine creek in SE MN. Note the photo of the original stream in the same location on the opposite page. his is the first in a series of- ar use at each site. etc.) have degraded most of our trout with vegetation to reduce sediment loads ticles exploring how MNTU and streams across the state and upset this is a key objective on every project. Tits chapters go about designing A Key Relationship Exists Between balance. As a result, many stream chan- and implementing trout and steelhead Stream Flow, Sediment and Channel nels are overly wide and contain exces- Accounting For Sediment Loads habitat projects around the state. We’ll Dimensions sive amounts of fine sediments such as begin by broadly examining our ap- sand and silt. To make matters worse, Erosion is inevitable. Even the most proach to design and the importance of At the risk of oversimplifying complex many stream channels no longer have pristine streams and rivers erode some flood flows, floodplains and accounting and dynamic systems, the channel di- good access to their floodplain and in- material from their banks and beds. All for each stream’s need to transport its mensions of a healthy stream are able stead are confined between deep depos- streams and rivers must transport this sediments. Later articles will examine to accommodate the regular flood flows its of soils for the uplands, which contin- erosional material from their headwa- the many constraints we work under and efficiently transport the sediment ually erode and are redeposited a short ters downstream. Trout have evolved (legal, land use, infrastructure, water- load moving in the stream channel in distance downstream. to take advantage of stream conditions shed conditions, site conditions, etc.), such a way that it does not significant- shaped by moderate rates of erosion and the different methods we use tailored to ly build up sediment (aggradation) nor Consequently, a common approach on sedimentation. The problem for trout, as each project site, challenges of working significantly erode down into the stream our habitat projects is to narrow the well as water quality, is when degrada- in flood prone areas, efforts to provide bed and banks (degradation). A bal- stream channel so sediment is trans- tion of a watershed leads to much higher diverse anglers with a mix of different ance exists between sediment transport, ported through the project reach, while flows (stream discharge), rates of erosion styles of finishing touches and more. A stream flow, stream slope and the size of simultaneously lowering and sloping and sedimentation. Every watershed in key reality to keep in mind is that no sediments. However, historic changes back streambanks to allow the stream which MNTU works to restore and im- single method or material is suitable for in peak stream flows and sediment loads to quickly access its floodplain in rising prove, habitat has been degraded. In every project site. Rather we need to se- (due to clear cut logging, land clearing, flows and reduce erosive stress on the many cases historical land-use practices lect “different tools from the toolbox” to farming on highly erodible hillsides, outer bends. Of course securing soils led to much greater flood volumes than

Hay Creek Pre-Project: An overly wide channel has filled Hay Creek post-project: The Same location of Hay Creek, narrowed 10 with sand, making the stream shallow. and revegetated, now a deep run with a gravel/cobble bottom stream channels could accommodate. the valley was narrow and then depos- Stream beds eroded, cutting down into ited the material downstream in pile of the landscape as seen in the Pine Creek rubble as soon as the valley bottom wid- photo opposite, leaving steep eroding ened out. (see the photo below) banks. In southeast Minnesota, huge volumes of fine sediment were depos- Designing For Flood Level Flows ited in valley bottoms, further trapping stream channels in tight, trough-like When anglers think of trout habitat, they stream banks. These legacy sediments typically are thinking about moderate are continually re-eroding and covering and low flow habitat, rather than stream habitat downstream. conditions during flood stage. But ef- fective, durable in-stream habitat also Project designs must take into account requires designing for high flood flows. the amount of sediment being transported This is because it is the high flows which into the project area from upstream (the scour holes, move sediment and shape a “sediment load”) and be able to move stream’s channel. For this reason, the this amount of sediment through the high flow at the point when the stream project reach. If stream channel dimen- is just about to overflow its banks is re- sions are too wide, substantial amounts ferred to by scientists as the “channel of sediment will be deposited in the proj- forming flow.” MNTU and the stream ect area, essentially filling in the channel design professionals we work with de- and making it shallow. In some cases so sign habitat projects with flood flows in Pine Creek Pre-Project: A Downcut stream channel is trapped between much material is deposited that it raises mind and we design to work with floods. towering eroding soil banks over 10 feet high. the stream bed and creates a wide debris We design the entire reach from the top For example, the rock and log cross low note that a floodplain was recreated field through which low flows are spread down, not isolated banks, always mind- vane structures in the photograph below which permits high flows to quickly get out into shallow trickles. Large floods ful that flood energy must go somewhere extend well into the banks and are de- outside the channel and dissipate energy (“100 year events”, etc.) produce the downstream. We actually anticipate, signed to roll high flows into the center across the floodplain. most dramatic examples, but even the harness and direct the power of periodic of the stream. This takes stress off the stream banks, but also scours deep pools for trout and steelhead. We also utilize On Pine Creek severe flooding had them at the tops and bottoms of project caused the stream bed to cut more than sites for their added benefit as grade con- 10 feet down into the landscape so that trol structures preventing the down-cut- flows from even major flood events could ting action of severe floods from work- no longer release their energy onto the ing upstream into a project reach. former floodplain. Here large amounts of streamside soil were removed and low The Importance of Restoring Flood- floodplain terraces created so that high plains to Reduce Destructive Energy flows can quickly spread onto this new floodplain and protect the in-stream hab- The key to maintaining a stream channel itat from being blown out. Note the low that will both provide good habitat and banks on either side of the angler on the effectively transport sediment through photo on the opposite page. a project reach is ensuring that a rising stream can quickly get out of its banks You should now have a basic under- and utilize its floodplain to release flood standing of why we must design habitat energy (and fine sediment) there, rather projects to efficiently move sediments than tearing apart stream banks. The through a project reach, the role channel erosive stress of water against stream width and flood flows plays in this, how routine floods which occur every two or three years will deposit significant amounts of sediment if the channel is too wide to transport the stream’s sedi- ment load.

In sandy soils or where there is a large bed load of sand (see opposite page pho- tos of Hay Creek), overly wide stream channels are incapable of transporting the sand and fill quickly, becoming in- creasingly wide and shallow. For this reason, MNTU has professionals per- form detailed surveys of each project reach to determine the stream’s slope, the composition of its sediments and whether the channel’s dimensions are appropriate to prevent excessive sedi- mentation by fine material such as sand and silt. Narrowing channels to the ap- propriate dimensions can quickly flush fine sediments and create deep pools with gravel and cobble bottoms, as it did on Hay Creek. A severe flood filled the channel of the Little Stewart river with rock and debris in the photo to the up- per left. Above, the same reach is shown after restoration. the stream has access to the new floodplain in Channel Down Cutting times of high water. Rock and log structures direct flows to the center of the stream.

On the flip side, if the stream channel is flooding to scour out deep pools and sort banks increases as the depth of the water we design projects to work with flood- too narrow to accommodate high flows, sediment loads in ways that will be ben- increases. Spreading flood waters over a ing, and the importance of reconnecting the force of flood flows will cut down eficial to trout, aquatic invertebrates and wide floodplain relives these stresses on streams to their floodplains. In the sec- into the bottom of the stream bed (bed other aquatic life. We also position in- stream bends. For this reason restoring ond part of this series we will examine erosion) and carry the large sediment stream habitat features, which provide ready access to the floodplain through the many constraints we face working in load downstream to be deposited as soon food production areas and trout cover bank sloping and even re-creating flood- DNR easement corridors (limited width, as the channel widens out. This pattern under moderate and low flows, in such plain is a top priority on every project. existing land use, landowner coopera- was dramatically displayed on the Little a way that they become better as a re- tion, infrastructure, etc.) and turn to the Stewart River project site where a flood sult of flood flows, or at least withstand The Little Stewart project restored a suite of methods we use to create good, cut down the stream bed 3 to 5 feet to them. stable channel which has withstood nu- durable habitat tailored to bedrock over several hundred feet where merous floods. In the photograph be- site conditions. 11 Driftless Area Border Battle Raising Money for Habitat with College Fishing Programs

By Jason Rieke

lthough the blackened clouds anyone from not having a good time ex- and torrential rains attempted ploring the vast array of Driftless Area Ato keep the event at bay, the streams cascading to and from one val- first annual Driftless Area Border Bat- ley to the next. Even so, every single one tle (D.A.B.B.) not only featured a suc- of the 13 teams walked away with prizes cessful turnout but proceeded to raise thanks to the generosity of the sponsors over $700 towards TU-DARE and the and individuals devoted to the cause. Boundary Waters Trust. There was sup- port from local Trout Unlimited Chap- All in all, the clubs would like to extend ters, local fly shops, and a multitude of their thanks to anyone and everyone who sponsors for gear as prizes and silent helped make this event possible. The de- auction items. Winona State On the Fly, tails are currently being worked of when Fly Fishers of UW-Plattevile, Gusta- another Border Battle might be able to vus Fly Fishing Club, and the Stevens occur, whether it be in the springtime of Point Fly Fishing Club brought to life next year or as an annual fall occurrence! a points-based fly fishing tournament in the surrounding Driftless Area in WI and Thanks to Our Sponsors: MN. As part of the TU Costa 5 Rivers Costa Del Mar program, over 25 individuals were able Trout Unlimited to fish for the event, as well as connect Cheeky Reels with others passionate about the sport Sendero Co. and the stream conservation associated RepYourWater with it. Root River Rod Co. O’Pros Ranging from over 90 to just two fish per Cabelas team, the fishing was decisively more Scheels Outfitters competitive with the weather condi- Postfly tions, as finding a clear, slower moving Dead Drift Fly headwater was key. This did not prevent Driftless Angler

A nice brown trout landed during the event

Sporting Minnesota colors while fishing during the battle

Poster from the First D.A.B.B. Fishing contest held this october. Want to be involved with next year’s event? Contact the organiz- ers. Interested in starting a college fly fishing club at your school? Check out the information at www.tu.org/5Rivers 12 Fly Tying With Laughing Trout Fly Fishing

By Paul Johnson The BWO Klinkhammer

he BWO Klinkhammer will be most of our meetings we have some- a fun fly for you to tie this win- where around 30 people in attendance. Tter, as we think of Spring and We typically have a Fly of the Week pat- the sight of rising fish. tern that a lot of our members will be working on. Some tie what they need The fly is pretty straight-forward to for their fly boxes and others show up, tie. It is also relatively easy to see get all their tying stuff out and don’t tie on the water with the white parachute any flies. It is all good. post. Other options for the body of the fly include using goose biots, a If you ever find yourself in Wayzata on stretchy floss such as Montana Fly a Wednesday night, feel free to stop by Company Sexi Floss or even just and see what our Laughing Trout club is making a thread body with olive tying up to. Materials List thread on smaller sized hooks. Paul Johnson • Hook #16 Dai-Riki 125, Daiichi 1160 or Partridge 15BN Laughing Trout meets every Wednes- • Post White Widows Web, EP Fibers or Para Post day night at the American Legion 952-334-4688 • Thread 14/0 Gordon Griffith Sheer Post in Wayzata. We describe our- • Abdomen BWO Superfine Dubbing selves as an informal gathering of fly [email protected] • Thorax Peacock Dubbing fishing and fly tying enthusiasts. At • Wing Rooster Hackle in Dun or Grizzly

Step 1. Step 2. Step 3. Step 4. Start your tying thread right behind the Wrap in a small clump of Widows Web Pull the two ends of Widows Web to- Wrap a base about half way down the eye of the hook. Wrap a smooth thread to form the post. I wrap it in with 3 “x” gether and wrap your tying thread up bend of the hook. Form a very fine base back to the ½ mark. Return it to wraps in each direction. about 1/8” to form the post. dubbing noodle on your thread with the 2/3 mark on your hook. the BWO Superfine Dubbing.

Step 5. Step 6. Step 7. Step 8. Wrap the dubbing noodle forward to Advance your thread to the front of the Continue to wrap the rooster hackle Form a short dubbing noodle with the form a smooth tapered body ending post and tie in a rooster hackle. stem up the post. Peacock Dubbing. right behind the post. 2018 IS COMING. SAVE THE DATES!

Step 9. Wrap the dubbing in front and back of the post to form the thorax. Return your thread to directly behind the post.

March 16th-18th, 2018 l Hamline University l St Paul, MN

Step 10. Palmer the hackle around the post, working down to the hook shank. Se- cure the hackle to the post with your WWW.GREATWATERSFLYEXPO.COM thread. Clip the excess off close to the base. Whip finish and go fish! Foster the Outdoors Angling Against the Mentorship Update Grain: Bass By Tim Hemstad By john Fehnel

ids love to fish. They focus participants are required to have ap- on the take. They set the hook plicable fishing licenses and stamps. Kwith all their might. They fum- Rivers, creeks, lakes and backwater ble with the line on the retrieve. Touch- ponds are all great destinations as long ing the fish becomes an absolute ob- as mentees are exposed to the outdoors session and the release of any species with an emphasis on the basics of fly from sunnies to trout, will leave them fishing. Fly rods are fun to catch every with a toothy smile from ear to ear. species of fish, not just stream trout.

“Now your turn…” I love to fish. I fo- Why Teach Kids to Fish? cus with intensity on the take. Admit- tedly, sometimes I set the hook with a Trout Unlimited’s mission is to con- bit more force than required. I am gid- serve, protect and restore North Amer- dy and fumble with the line on the re- ica’s coldwater fisheries and their trieve (only on the big ones, of course). watersheds. For our mission to suc- Touching the fish has become an addic- ceed beyond our current generation, tion. The release of a wild caught trout we must reach out now to children clears my mind and calms my soul. and youth to teach them to fish, how to be conservationists, and to encour- If the 2nd version brings you back to age them to become future leaders in a favorite fishing memory, you are our organization. Today’s children and ready to mentor the next generation youth are the ones who must take over of fly anglers. Save your modesty for from us in caring deeply for the fish that the stream, you don’t need to be a pro. we love and the places where they live. Everyone snags the bushes once in a It’s equivalently important to mentor while and it’s the patience you have at- the guardians so the pair of them can The Author on the Water with his quarry tuned in becoming an angler that suites continue to explore the outdoors be- you quite well as a mentor. yond the mentorship experience. To- eah, it’s not fancy stuff, deli- or The Ear Piercer. Beauty of course is wards the end of summer, invite them cate presentations, or 15’ lead- in the eyes of the beholder, or the tyer. This summer we paired up youth and to a local TU Chapter meeting, show Yers, but what it lacks in finesse, Some of the flies look like the local cat their guardians with volunteer fly fish- them around a fly shop or invite them it makes up in fierce attacks and torn got hold of them, others are works of ing mentors. We worked with students to a local fly tying club. Recommend up gear. There are no words in ancient art that you don’t want to use due to a from Trout in the Classroom (thanks to start up rods and gear so they are ready fly fishing books or star-studded mov- fear of losing it on a log or worst yet: Benji!) as well as Big/Little pairs from to take that next step together. ies that spell out what’s awaiting those Mr. Northern! the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the who take up fly fishing for smallmouth Greater Twin Cities (thanks Grant!). It Sign Up Now and largemouth bass. Heavy, stiff 8wts Minnesota has put into law many river was simple and effective and you are (Before You Forget!) (those that survive), burned finger dig- and lake management regulations that officially invited to join us for the sum- its and humiliating refusals make up fly allow us that are crazy about bass to mer of 2018. Please text, email or call me with your fishing for bass! Green trout, bronze- continue reaping the benefits and pur- name, phone number, email address backs, bodacious warriors, and bucket suing these beautiful fish. There are How it Works and town you live in so I can add your mouths, call them what you want, they some lakes and rivers out there where name to the roster of mentors for 2018. are the rebels of the freshwater world. catching a 5-6lb and, in some places, a We provide each mentor with two Later in the spring we’ll cover more They hide in knotted up weed jungles, 7-8lb fish makes it worth getting into rod and reel combos for the youth/ details, mentor match-up dates and any lie beside rocks in tumbling rivers and that canoe, kayak or drift boat and con- adult pair to borrow and hand tied lo- questions you may have about the pro- are ready to pounce on top water pop- tinuing after them way after dark. This cally donated flies. Once I have a solid gram. Donated flies and gear are al- pers or devour leech-looking streamers. is fueled by a passion for that elusive volunteer roster, I coordinate mentor ways appreciated. In closing, I wanted They will almost jolt the rod out of your “tank” or “hog” that got away. “Reck- match-up events which are 2 hour meet to share a favorite quote which I feel hands. We tack on Dahlberg divers, strip less and crazy” are the best words to and greet sessions introducing mentors summarizes the unprecedented value leeches, foam concoctions, and stream- describe the fight of the bass! They to their mentees. We cover gear 101, of mentorship. ers resembling anything from baitfish to don’t stop. Trout and steelhead prefer technique 101 and practice casting crayfish. When pursuing these beasts, to run away from you, bass come at together for 30-40 minutes. You swap Tell me, I forget stout leaders and bass taper fly lines are you and force you to strip line in and phone numbers, pick out flies from the Show me, I remember the weapons of choice for launching get that familiar index finger burn. donation box and go fishing together as Involve me, I understand these insane hunks of fur and deer hair. your personal schedules allow. Men- Mostly to keep the runner in the game, All said and done, after a long float on tors retain the rods for the summer and Tim Hemstad these lines can launch in a moment’s no- the river or kickin’ around a lake all bring along to each outing. There is no MNTU Mentoring Coordinator tice. Get in quick, short strips and pick day, nothing beats getting back to the minimum or maximum number of out- [email protected] up and try another spot. launch and cracking a cold one with ings but 2-4 is average for a season. All 612-247-1536 good friends and talking crap about the Sounds easy? It’s not! Be prepared to one that kicked your butt. This is what pursue them in all different kinds of hab- makes the day so much fun. The added itat. We are blessed here in Minnesota benefit is no pressure from other an- to have these fish in so many different glers, most lakes and rivers that have places. With six fish being the keep limit bass are pretty much devoid of other in some waters and most areas becoming people. Tim Holschlag writes in his catch and release, it shows that this state book Smallmouth Fly Fishing: “Bar- cares about our up-and-coming bass reling downstream, then just as quick- fishery. I just hope that the same attitude ly upriver, staging a spectacular leap, shifts for some of our fishing people then another, followed by more finger who tend to think of our bass as trash burning runs back and forth across the fish. You can’t tell me that when you flow.” I could not describe it any bet- lay a perfect cast under a low hanging ter! tree, pop the fly once and all heck breaks loose that you don’t get all crazy like a Editor’s Note: John runs the Great kid again. The traditional flies you cast Lakes Fly Shop in Duluth, MN, and is Big Sister Stacy is impressed and Little Sister Naomi with her game are ridiculous like the stories that come a long time TU supporter, steelhead face on after pulling in a respectable large mouth bass! They had a with them: Spider Grubs, Fat Mamas, angler and fishing fanatic. Find the ad blast catching sunnies and bass with their mentor Mark Nemeth. Bad Ass Frogs, Lip Rippers, Dr. Tattoos, for his shop on page 12. 14 Volunteering on the Vermillion The Wonders of Handling Our Wild Brown Trout

By Larry R. Olson

out the deep-rooted grasses and leave As anglers, we all know there are some the sandy loam soil exposed to erosion. big fish out there. That is part of the mys- Many of TU’s volunteer work days have tery, challenge and dream that your fly been centered around removing buck- and that big fish will connect in an epic thorn. Fish sampling is done in this area battle. When you participate in these by DNR personnel and TU Volunteers to samplings you see the fish that are pos- collect data on the brown trout and other sible and the places they hide in. I know species to gauge the health of the stream. I will be strategizing all winter now. You A fish sampling was done in the fall of can read all kinds of really good books 2014 and another just was completed in on reading the water, but actually stand- the fall of 2017. I had the opportunity to ing in the river you will fish and see- participate in the one this last fall. Sam- ing it live makes us all better anglers. plings are done over a couple of days in Over the two days of work this year, two sections of the river each about 900’ 310 brown trout were sampled rang- in length. The DNR calls this electro- ing from 3.4” to over 18”. The popula- fishing. Basically here is what happens: tion estimate for both areas, about 1800 feet of stream, was 667 trout. In 2014, Two people wear big backpacks hooked the number of brown trout sampled was up to large circular wands that zap the wa- 49. That is a huge increase. There are, of ter. Depending on water conditions, this course, many factors to these numbers. is usually about 2 AMPs worth of shock In 2012 and 2013 there were very warm that stun the fish for less than a minute. summers and high spring water flows. olding wild, living animals in Another person with a long-handled net In 2015, 2016 and 2017 the spring flows my hands still energizes me. The South Branch of the Vermillion then stands as close to the person wav- were much more moderate and spawn- I’m not talking puppies and kit- River Aquatic Management Area is a ing the big electrified wand as is willing ing areas were not blown away. The H to do. We are all wearing long rubber South Branch of the Vermillion is colder tens, wild is the key word here. They section of stream that the DNR and TU don’t want to be held, let’s make that volunteers have put a lot of work into gloves and waders but it is strongly sug- than the Vermillion River and provides perfectly clear. Close to thirty years ago, improving the fish habitat. As a Manage- gested to not fall in the water, especially critical refuge habitat, and that is what at Carpenter Nature Center, I held a five ment Area it was created in 2013 and is close to the guy with the wand. Anyway, is truly important. Our work as TU vol- year old bald eagle. I was cradling it in roughly 62 acres in size with over 7000 as the fish are momentarily stunned the unteers in collaboration with the DNR my arms like a baby and with very thick folks helps to create diverse and deep and very long leather gloves I secured habitat for future generations. its feet. The talons were impressive. The most surprising thing was its weight, or Let me point out two more important specifically the lack there of. The eagle partners and stream stewards on the did not move at all. It just stared at me. South Branch. Cornerstone on the Ver- This bald eagle had been rehabilitated million and the Hmong American Farm- at the Raptor Center at the University ers Association show what is possible of Minnesota and was ready to return to when we all work together to protect our the wild. Only right at the instant of re- watersheds. They both support stream lease did I feel it tense just a little. It was access, believe in stream buffers and an amazing experience. I felt the beauty deeply care about the land around them. and power of nature in my whole body In a world full of really disturbing news, through my hands. spending time wading in rivers and hold- ing wild, living things is the perfect an- The contrast could not have been great- tidote. er. At the end of September, I tried to hold a beautiful 18” brown trout on a wooden scale to measure it and eventu- ally weigh it. It never stopped moving. This trout did not have the time, or the The TCTU Crew This fall along the grassy banks of the vermillion talons, to stare me down. It was in sur- vival mode. The beauty of the fish we feet of river. As many of you in local TU first netter scoops them up and passes seek never ceases to overwhelm me and chapters know, the streamside forest is them on to a second net person behind I could have held it and looked at it for dominated by box elders and buckthorn. them. This second netter then releases a long time. The shallow rooted buckthorn shade them into water-filled buckets for collec- tion. These buckets are on a river barge, imagine a small winter sled. This barge is pulled along in the back and at various intervals the buckets of fish are brought to shore and, under DNR instruction, measured and weighed. Tallies are made and the fish are returned to the water.

As a side note to the DNR, the Guarayo people of the Amazon River had this all figured out years ago. The Guarayo Another great brown trout on a would crush a native plant with a stone beautiful day to be on the river and let the juice spill out into the river. There it formed a milky cloud and short- ly thereafter fish came to the surface, Editor’s Note: Want to get involved in swam in a circle and then floated around sampling our streams and rivers around on their backs. Although incapacitated, the state? Contact your local TU chap- they were not dead. The Guarayo then ter and make plans to participate this waded out picked out a fat one or two to next season. To connect with the Twin eat. This poison only stunned them and Cities Chapter of Trout Unlimited, check the fish soon returned to life and swam out the Chapter News section on pages away. 18 & 19. Measuring a brown trout before returning it to the water 15 2018 Great Waters Expo We Need Your Help for a Successful 2018 Event

By Jade Thomason ast March Minnesota Trout Un- limited presented another suc- Lcessful Great Waters Fly Fish- ing Expo, and now we are working on planning a robust and even larger 2018 program. As always, we need your help as volunteers to set up, staff rooms, sell tickets and much more. If you’re interested in playing a role this season, please get in touch so we can get you on the list.

We’re excited to announce a couple of our headliners for 2017, including author and fly tier Skip Morris from Washington State. Skip is among the most prolific fly fishing and fly tying authors in existence and has written 18 books as well as over 250 articles (along with a smaller number on jazz guitar). His articles have appeared in Landon Mayer, left, and Skip Morris, Right, two of our 2018 headlining speakers Fly Rod & Reel, Fly Tyer, and Ameri- can Angler, along with many oth- Also on board for this season is Landon to make several noteworthy contribu- ers. Among his books are ``Fly Tying Mayer from Colorado. Landon’s an- tions to the sport on and off the water. Expo Questions? Made Clear and Simple,`` ``The Art gling success is fueled by an addiction This has included travels to fly fishing Start planning your Expo visit for Friday, of Tying the Bass Fly,`` and ``Survival to pursuing large trout with small flies related organizations of the Mid-Atlan- Saturday and Sunday March 16th-18th, Guide for Beginning Fly Anglers.`` and lightweight fly fishing equipment. tic, West, Pacific Northwest, Southwest, 2018. If you’re interested in exhibiting Skip’s original fly patterns are sold and He shares these tips and secrets in his and southern states, as well as teaching or being involved as a volunteer, get in distributed by multiple fly companies books ``101 Trout Tips: A Guide’s Se- through guided trips, fly fishing classes, touch with us on the website at: and he is the instructor on six videos. crets, Tactics and Techniques,” ``Colo- presentations, and demonstrations of his He has worked in radio and television rado’s Best Fly Fishing,`` ``Sight Fish- unique techniques. Mayer has been guid- www.greatwatersflyexpo.com as both a fly fishing host and celebrity ing for Trout,`` and ``How to Catch the ing in Colorado full time on the South guest. Biggest Trout of Your Life.`` Landon’s Platte River for the last 20 years and cur- Email us at [email protected] or passion for fly fishing has allowed him rently resides in Florissant, Colorado. call the Expo at 612-562-9242.

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Including MNTU in your Estate Planning

ny loss in a family is challeng- or a percentage of your estate, with re- ently at 7201 West 78th Street, Suite 207 ently at 7201 West 78th Street, Suite ing. It’s much easier to to de- strictions or without. Because your gift Bloomington, MN 55439, my (specific 207 Bloomington, MN 55439 to be Alay answering uncomfortable doesn’t come to MNTU until after your personal property item(s) and/or real used at the discretion of its governing questions such as “What happens to lifetime, you can change your mind at property located at ______) to board.” my assets and my loved ones when I any time. To make sure your will ac- be used at the discretion of its governing or my partner dies?” So it’s no surprise complishes your goals according to your board.” The information above is not intended that roughly half of Americans don’t wishes, we recommend that you obtain as legal or tax advice. For such advice, have a will, and even fewer have an the professional counsel of an attor- Gift of Residuary Estate: please consult an attorney or tax ad- estate plan. While it is a hard subject ney who specializes in estate planning. visor. Contact our executive director to discuss, an estate plan goes much We’ve included specific bequest lan- “All the rest, residue and remainder of John Lenczewski with any questions further than a will. Not only does it guage below for usage with individual my estate, both real and personal, and or for assistance with estate planning, deal with the distribution of assets and or estate planning. wherever situated, I give, devise and be- using this language or this process: legacy wishes, but it may help you and queath to Minnesota Trout Unlimited, a [email protected] or at 612- your heirs pay substantially less in Bequest Language Minnesota non-profit corporation, pres- 670-1629 taxes, fees, and court costs, as well as The official bequest language for Min- benefit the people and causes that you nesota Trout Unlimited is: care about. Unrestricted General Legacy: Including MNTU in your estate plans not only helps to provide for future “I give Minnesota Trout Unlimited, a programmatic and organizational se- Minnesota non-profit corporation, pres- curity, it can take many different forms ently at 7201 West 78th Street, Suite to balance your financial and philan- 207 Bloomington, MN 55439, the sum thropic goals. Drafting these docu- of (dollar amount)/ or percentage of ments may seem like a daunting task (___%)/ residue of my estate to be used at first, until you realize all the good at the discretion of its governing board.” that comes from having them. A gift in your will or living trust lets you make Specific: a meaningful gift to MNTU with ease and be flexible in your commitment. “I give Minnesota Trout Unlimited, a You can give cash, specific property Minnesota non-profit corporation, pres- MNTU Chapter News

socials at local taprooms. In the spirit of Gitche Gumee Hiawatha Chapter “Trout on Tap” events that TU has done elsewhere in the state, these will offer Chapter The summer of 2017 was a busy season the chance to talk trout, drink some good with lots of work on streams through- local beer and plan your fishing adven- Steelhead season has been great and we out Southeast Minnesota, including big tures for the next sesason. Events are had a awesome October meeting. After work on the South Branch of the Root currently being planned and the details learning about how and where to catch River in Preston, Minnesota. Stop by to will be posted on an updated HTU Face- fish, some anglers were able to go out check out the reach when it opens back book page by mid-December. and land steelhead the next week. We’ve up for fishing on January 1st! got a full schedule of programs coming Phil Pankow up for the winter. Make your plans to Hiawatha Trout Unlimited (HTU) has spend some evenings in Duluth and get also been busy this year with Trout in the together with chapter members from Classroom (TIC) programs, casting in- around the area. struction, TUNE camp and much more. HTU has upcoming events starting with Headwaters Fly Tying and Holiday Social our annual Christmas Party on Monday December 4th. We will be having our Chapter Learn how to tie flies from one of the party at the History Center of Roches- Our board and all our volunteers have best. John Fehnel of the Great Lakes fly ter. Fun, food, and prizes will be on the produced a stellar year for projects and shop will be teaching us some of his fa- menu. increased participation and community Headwaters chapter member Steve Young with a great nighttime vorite patterns. No vice or materials are involvement. Every month this year has needed. All are welcome from beginners December will also start our annual brown trout from the straight been filled with TU volunteer success river, highlighting the success to advanced! open fly tying every Saturday morning stories accomplished by enthusiastic and of local habitat work. When: December 7th, at 7 p.m. in Rochester. Look for location details hardworking 642 members. Where: The Great Lakes Fly Shop to come soon. The Kabekona River is seeing signifi- Fly Tying Nights: cant benefits from volunteers cutting al- der out of the river channel with DNR January and February fly tying at the staff assistance. Garden Grill and Pub finished with 20 new participants in 2017. All enjoyed Film night is planned at Bemidji Brew- learning new skills. We have eight pre- ery on Dec. 9 with exciting films, great set new dates for fly tying, Nov. 30, Dec. brews, good food and a little fundraiser. 14 & 28, Jan. 11 & 25, Feb. 8 & 22 and There will also be a short presentation ending March 8. Open and welcome to on catching trout through the ice. Mark all from beginners to advanced. Plus - your calendars! it’s free! T.I.C.: Steve Young, our project coordi- nator, reports the addition of a fourth site The March 2017 Great Waters Expo was starting in Northhome school district. a huge success for our first chapter booth. Also, a special new outdoor activity day Eight members planned, constructed, is being planned. We thank all our vol- and delivered a hands-on educational ex- unteers and members. perience which included 90 participants tying their first fly. We’re excited to do Bob Wagner our booth again next spring, sign up!

Helicopter Tree Drop: May and June were spent planning and preparing for Twin Cities Chapter John Sorenson, our restoration coordina- tor, and for the fifth and final tree drop. I write this short column on October Several members experienced the real 14th, just as the general trout fishing fruit of all the hard work this year by season is coming to a close. It’s hard to catching browns in the 20”-25” class. believe summer has come and gone al- ready! Thus far, 2017 has been another great year of habitat restoration and A bright Knife River steelhead caught this fall after the Gitche Gu- Women’s Fly Fishing Workshops were mee october chapter meeting by Kyle Herr. held June 2 & 3 and 23 & 24. Both class- es were filled and all evaluations were Future Meetings What Brown Trout Eat overly positive. There was also a similar workshop held on the Big Horn River in F3T – Fly Fishing Film Tour January 8th will be our next regular Montana, July 28 & 29, as requested by Clyde Iron Works, Sunday, January 28th member’s meeting with guest speaker Amy and Phil, owners of Cottonwood Doors at 3PM, Film at 4PM. Dr. Jennifer Biderman from Winona Camp. Watch for more 2018 workshops. State University. Learn about what Fisheries Management Issues with MN brown trout prefer to eat and get ready The Clearwater River had expansion of and WI DNR. (Combined meeting with to start tying up some new spring creek the handicap-accessible fishing dock by the Arrowhead Fly Fishers) patterns for the upcoming season. adding another pier. It is placed in a per- Clyde Iron Works, 2-20-17, at 7 p.m. fect spot and produced a nice brown on Stream Restoration in SE Minnesota the last day of the season! Congrats to Trout Stream Restoration 101 Tony Standera, DNR Fisheries. SHOP HOURS with John Lenczewski February 5th will be our next member’s Tues-Fri 10-6 Hartley Nature Center, 3-08-18, at 7 p.m. meeting and will feature MNTU’s ex- The annual Pike Hunt was June 9 & 10 Sat 9-5 ecutive director John Lenczewski, high- and had 19 participants. There was major Closed Sun & Monday Annual State of the Steelhead Meeting lighting what it takes to make habitat successes had with 140 pike, 2 walleyes, Hartley Nature Center, 4-12-18, at 7 p.m. improvement happen in SE MN. 2 large bass and 7 jumbo perch caught. These were all caught on a streamer- We hope to see you this winter! Full dates and times and details will be style pike fly. A seriously fun fresh fish 310 Belknap St - Superior, WI 54880 at the HTU website calendar of events fry concluded the activities. Next year’s Brent Notbohm www.hiawathatu.org Pike Hunt will be June 8 & 9, 2018. A www.superiorflyangler.com plan is in place to replicate this design to (715) 395-9520 18 Hiawatha is also working on some fun a trout day next year. MNTU Chapter News growth for the Twin Cities Chapter, as scribe habitat restoration techniques em- our membership exceeded 2000 mem- ployed in our project work. bers for the first time! There will be a Vermillion River work Trout On Tap Summer began with our second annual day on Saturday, December 2nd. Work screening of the International Fly Fish- will begin at 9AM and last until around ing Film Festival (IF4) on May 22 at noon. A hearty hot lunch will be provid- Talk trout and drink good local microbrews. Surly Brewing Co. About 100 attendees ed by our grillmasters. gathered upstairs in Scheid Hall at 6PM Join fellow trout and steelhead anglers to swap for a social hour, door prizes, and silent Do you know someone who wants to news of rivers, fish and adventures. auction before the scheduled screening learn basics of fly fishing and casting? at 7PM. The film featured eight separate We’ve held several “how-to” clinics for Obsess with the obsessives. segments filmed at fishing destinations beginners this year as a way to get more in North America, the Caribbean, South people interested in our sport, and to in- Monthly from 6 to 8 pm. America, and Iceland. We plan to bring form them about the great work we do. this very fun film event back in 2018! More clinic sessions will follow soon, Fishing Is Spoken Here. Watch this newsletter and our chapter watch our website for upcoming dates! website (www.twincitiestu.org) for de- tails. Have you thought about becoming more Thurs. Nov 16, 2017 - Boom Island Brewing Co. involved in TU? Opportunities abound 2014 Washington Ave. N., Mpls We’ve made more great progress with to have fun while making a difference our habitat projects this year. We re- for the future of the sport we love. Do moved invasive buckthorn from the you like physical, outdoors work? Our Wed. Dec 13, 2017 - BlackStack Brewing about 4000 feet of the S. Branch Vermil- habitat projects always need more vol- 755 Prior Ave N., St. Paul lion River and Eagle Creek, and com- unteers. Would you like to help others Thurs. Jan 11, 2018 - Eastlake Brewery & Tavern 920 E. Lake St. #123 (Midtown Global Market) Mpls

on Garvin Brook on a Saturday morn- class for the release of the trout they ing building skyhooks for the Phase II raised in their classroom at Whitewater Habitat Improvement Project. Seven- State Park. Close to 250 rainbow trout teen structures were built. We returned were released into the Middle Branch a few weeks later to build five more and of the Whitewater River. Pete Weess, many club members showed up to help WSHS teacher, will continue work- build the structures. Our efforts were ing in his classroom with Trout in the supported by help from members of Classroom. Pete and John Weaver, a the Winona State University fly fishing Winona Middle School teacher, will club. be using fly rods donated by MNTU to introduce their students to fly fishing recently improved reach of the South Branch of the Root River in We used our new brush mower for the and conservation. Preston, Minneosta this summer. sections like this one offer easy ac- first time on Hemmingway Creek. A cess to the river and moderately sloped paths leading to great water. crew of 12 gathered to use chainsaws Win-Cres is also supporting the “WSU and help get the brush mower over the On The Fly” club. A new generation of pleted in-stream work on the about 3000 learn to fish? We always need help with fords and the rough spots. The crew trout anglers is out there and needs to be feet of Trout Brook near Miesville. This our periodic classes, clinics, and on- was treated to lunch at Stumpy’s in supported. Check out information from cold water gem holds a very healthy stream events. Do you enjoy organizing Rushford. Mowing crews were orga- their recent inter-collegiate “Driftless population of native brook trout, but it people or activities? Consider working nized for Garvin Brook, Rush Creek, Area Border Battle” on page 12. is subject to flash flooding during severe with our board of directors; there are and Diamond Creek throughout the storms. Our work sloped banks to allow many ways to get involved. Interested to summer. Joe Lepley flood waters to spread out and slow down know more about any of these? Contact in order to dissipate in-stream forces. We Dean Campbell ([email protected]) One weekend, club members sprayed also narrowed and deepened the stream for more information. for Japanese knotweed on Garvin. This bed to provide better overall habitat for is the third year we have targeted the fish and aquatic insects. Dean Campbell knotweed. We feel we have helped con- trol the spread of the weed on Garvin Member meetings are normally held on Brook. However, Jaime Edwards, MN the 4th Tuesday of each month between DNR Nongame Wildlife Specialist, has September and May (except December). Win-Cres Chapter said there is a new species of knotweed. Join us on November 28th at the Wood The species is Bohemian knotweed and Lake Nature Center to hear MNTU Ex- Win-Cres TU had a busy spring and can be spread by seeds. Keep an eye ecutive Director John Lenczewski de- summer. We started the year working out for this invasive plant.

Several members of the Win-Cres board Habitat Helpers Needed participated in pre-habitat improvement walks on Garvin Brook, Money Creek, We need volunteers to assist with maintenance inspections of com- Rush Creek, and Wisel Creek. Habitat pleted projects, as well as numerous hands-on tasks on 2018 projects. improvement projects on these creeks are scheduled to begin in 2018. To volunteer or receive information on opportunities to help with in- spections and/or hands-on work simply send an email to: monitor@ Win-Cres also hosted a fly fishing clinic mntu.org List “inspection,” “habitat help” or both in the subject line at the lake in Winona. Marlene Huston and Mark Reisetter helped teach fly and tell us what type of things or specific streams you might want to casting and Mark and Win-Cres mem- help with. Please provide a phone number; we will not use your infor- bers helped students from Pete Weess’ mation for other purposes. You can unsubscribe at any time. TIC class try their hand at fly casting . A few board members also joined Pete’s Want to Get This Newsletter? There are TWO ways!

Join Minnesota Trout Unlimited

Healthy streams benefit everyone, not just anglers. A restored reach of trout brook in Dakota County. Read more about our work on this wild brook trout stream on Pg 8 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 waters, organize fundraisers, and of course, swap a few fish tales and learn how to tie the latest fly patterns. Reeling It In

All members also receive this publication as well as TROUT, TU’s national mag- Patience and Expectations azine. Other benefits include a 16-month TU calendar, car rental & hotel dis- By Sam Troutt counts and more. TU offers a variety of membership categories. he sun was setting on another day People can be magical too. Time on of fishing on my favorite steel- the water with good friends and family Visit www.tu.org today to sign up. Thead stream. My net was still is to be relished and remembered. Too dry, and there had been nary a whisper quickly they will grow old, move away of a fish on the end of my line. For some or move on. A fishless day with my fa- people, that would be a reason not to ther remains more important to me now come back, to stop fishing on the river. than many fish-filled days by myself on Or Subscribe! But not for me. the river. For those of you who are members of chapters in other states, or who would Long ago, my father instilled a sense Here is my challenge to all of you: Take like to directly support MNTU’s newsletter, we welcome subscribers who would of wonder, time and place when we ex- time to make your next fishing trip not like to receive and support the newsletter. Sign up to get three colorful issues plored outdoors. He would pause, and about the fish. For yourself. Think about annually. Mail in this form today to receive the next issue arriving this February! say “This is magical. Right now, where your trip and the things that have mean- we are. Savor it. Remember it. It will ing to you as an angler and as a person. Name______not last forever, but your memories Then, set an example. Help set expecta- Address______can.” That way of living has guided me tions for the next generation of anglers. throughout my time on the water. For Too quickly, we tell children that to have City______State______Zip______me, the end of a fishless day is about a good time on the water, they need to savoring the day and remembering the catch fish. It’s not true, and it hurts our Email Address______magical parts. Seeing the dawn and ea- chances of them having a good time. gles building a new nest along the river, or watching fish roll while autumn leaves In in end, it is simple. Have patience, Circle one below: drifted down into the water. Think about share your experiences and savor the what you remember from your favorite moments. Take a couple minutes at the One Year Subscription: $20 trips long ago. Maybe it will be the one end of a day to pause and watch the sun Three Year Subscription: $55 with hundreds of fish. Or maybe it will set over the last ridges along the river. be a day with a single fish and a glori- As we glide ever so swiftly into winter, ous sunset over an unbroken forest at the our memories will sustain us into spring Only Checks Are Accepted. edge of a steep canyon. and beyond.

Mail Completed Forms To: Minnesota Trout Unlimited P.O. Box 845, Chanhassen, Minnesota 55317 Donate to MNTU! 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 your donation will be used here in Minnesota.

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