Trout Unlimited

MINNESOTAThe Official Publication of Minnesota Trout Unlimited - November 2019

without written permission of Minnesota Trout Unlimited. Trout Minnesota of permission written without Copyright 2019 Minnesota Trout Unlimited - No portion of this publication may be reproduced reproduced be may publication this of portion No - Unlimited Trout Minnesota 2019 Copyright A Month as a Trout Bum Regional Artist Profile: Jake Keeler Ice Fishing for Lake Trout

Youth Series: The Trout Life Cycle

ROCHESTER, MN ROCHESTER,

PERMIT NO. 281 NO. PERMIT Tying the Purple Prince Charming

Chanhassen, MN 55317-0845 MN Chanhassen,

PAID

P.O. Box 845 Box P.O.

U.S. POSTAGE POSTAGE U.S. Trout Stream Designation Changes

Minnesota Trout Unlimited Trout Minnesota Non-Profit Org. Non-Profit Trout Unlimited Minnesota Council Update MINNESOTA The Voice of MNTU Trout on Tap Garage Sale By Steve Carlton, Minnesota Council of TU Chair On The Cover here are 20-foot waves on Lake Over the years, fishing gear gets acquired Superior today. Some people say and much of it isn’t used as it once was. Pete Koski fishes to wild trout on a T“That’s good steelhead weather.” Looking in my garage, I’ve got plenty productive section of Hay Creek. Pho- It sounds more like a night for tying of gear that’s in good shape, that could to by Mike Riemer. steelhead flies to me. Not much time is use a good new home. I’m hoping that left to get up north. The end of the Wis- someone could get it out on the water consin season is November 15, but I’m more often, and catch a few more trout hoping to get in another few days on the than I have with it recently. If you have Bois Brule River. pre-owned trout fishing equipment you would like to part with, please plan to This winter I’m really looking forward get a table on January 25 at Able Seed- to the “Trout on Tap Winter Garage house & Brewery. Sale” that MNTU is planning this Janu- ary. A detailed ad is on page 23 of this Maybe you are just getting into fly fish- newsletter. I’ve wanted to put on one of ing and need quality gear, but don’t want work for you. We’ll also have the op- In This Issue these events for years, and I think it will to make a big investment. This event portunity for you to tie some flies, or just be a great social event and fundraiser for is for you! There will also be plenty hang out and grab a beer with friends on MNTU. of MNTU volunteers who can answer • A Month as a Trout Bum a cold winter day. questions about gear and how it might • MNTU Education Update

• Youth Series: The Trout Life Cycle • Ice Fishing for Lake Trout Table of Contents • “Driving from Willow to Bee Regional Fishing Artist Profile: Jake Keelerby Ben Nelson...... page 4 Creek” by Larry Gavin Fly Tying: The Purple Prince Charming by Paul Johnson...... page 7 A Month as a Trout Bum by Mike Riemer...... page 8 Select Poetry by Larry Gavin...... page 9 MNTU Education Update by Amber Taylor...... page 11 Join TU Today! Will MPCA Changes Help or Hurt Trout? by John Lenczewski.....page 12 Want to subscribe to this newsletter? Youth Series: The Trout Life Cycle by Evan Griggs...... page 13 See the back page for details or visit www.tu.org to join Trout Unlimited! Book Review by John Hunt...... page 14 Ice Fishing for Lake Trout by Jason Swingen...... page 16 Hippie Stomping Hay Creek by Mike Riemer...... page 18 Six Rivers by Bob Wagner...... page 20 Trout Unlimited Minnesota is the of- ficial publication of Minnesota Trout Chapter News...... page 22 Unlimited. Issues are distributed to all members of Minnesota Trout Unlim- Landscape Healing by Hannah Miller...... page 28 ited chapters. Subscriptions are avail- able by joining Trout Unlimited. See the back page for further details.

Copyright © 2019 Minnesota Trout Unlimited. No portion of this publica- 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 volunteer editor:

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

Address change?

Please call 1-800-834-2419 or email [email protected] to update your contact information.

Sixth-graders from Upper Mississippi Academy wade through Minnehaha Creek on the hunt for aquatic macroinvertebrates. 2 From The Executive Director Brook Trout Resilience By John Lenczewski, MNTU Executive Director or the past year, Minnesota TU and brown trout were begun to provide has been working closely with fishable populations. Since then, land Fthe land protection community use has improved and most trout stock- to combine habitat restoration with tar- ing has ceased as wild, self-sustaining geted land protection. This is targeted trout populations have flourished. Given in a small group of southeast Minnesota the historic stream degradation, years of watersheds which hold remnant popu- stockings of eastern-origin brook trout, lations of native brook trout unique to and abundant brown trout populations, it southeast MN. had been assumed, as late as the 1990s, MNTU that Minnesota’s native brook trout were Connections Prior to European settlement, native extinct. southeast MN have persisted in a small brook trout inhabited all of the current number of streams. The resilience of Executive Director coldwater trout streams in southeast MN, This assumption began to crumble fol- these truly native populations in the face John Lenczewski and almost certainly additional streams lowing genetic research on brook trout of genetic swamping by eastern hatchery [email protected] which have not recovered from degrada- in the late 1990s, funded in part by an plants is amazing. 612-670-1629 tion in the 1800s and early 1900s. Over Embrace-A-Stream grant from Trout www.mntu.org thousands of years, brook trout evolved Unlimited. Primarily aimed at “coaster” The trend of increasing spring flows in at the edge of their species range in the brook trout in Lake Superior, we pushed southeast MN has created conditions unique conditions found in this corner to include samples from southeast MN. favorable to preserving and expanding MN Council of TU Chair of the state. During the mid-1800s, log- Genetic testing methods were more lim- the range and resilience of these native Steve Carlton ging and intense agriculture degraded ited then and could only hint at native populations. Targeted work with our [email protected] trout streams and, by the late 1800s, it brook trout resilience. Recent genetic partners at the Minnesota Land Trust, was presumed that most native brook research by the MNDNR and University The Nature Conservancy, and Trust for trout populations had been wiped out. of Minnesota has revealed that remnant Public Land Work with allow us to do TU MN Editor Stockings of eastern strain brook trout populations of brook trout unique to just that. Jade Thomason [email protected]

TU MN Advertisement Manager Carl Haensel [email protected]

TU MN Communications Coordinator Dan Callahan [email protected]

Gitche Gumee Chapter Brent Notbohm, President [email protected]

Headwaters Chapter Bob Wagner, President A heritage-strain brook trout from southeast Minnesota. [email protected] 218-586-2798

Editor’s Angle Hiawatha Chapter Phil Pankow, President Design Your Own Volunteer Experience [email protected] www.hiawathatu.org By Jade Thomason, Editor

had the recent joy this fall of hav- for MNTU. He explored many habitat- Mid-Minnesota Chapter ing a trout stream photo assignment improved sections of Minnesota trout Micah Barrett, President I in southeast Minnesota. In two days waters and shot photos of the habitat my husband and I photographed 15 trout sites and the fishing available. His back- waters and it was a splendid task to be ground as a photographer and his pas- Twin Cities Chapter required to do. Much of the streams sion for fly fishing were well suited for Janine Kohn, President we could only fish for a few moments, this unique volunteer task. Check out [email protected] but the value and diversity of each was Mike’s two articles on pages 8 and 18 of 612-564-TCTU quickly apparent. Many of these wa- this newsletter. At the end of the month www.twincitiestu.org ters have also had habitat improved by he also hosted a successful stream clean- MNTU in the past, and it was eye-open- up along Amity Creek in Duluth. A huge ing to see so many years of effort paying thanks is due to Mike for his effort this Win-Cres Chapter off in a myriad of ways. Needless to say, September and his initiative in reaching Dr. Chuck Shepard, President it was difficult to peel ourselves away out to MNTU. [email protected] from rising and eager trout to move on www.wincrestu.org to the next watershed. We will be back Do you have free time you would be to visit the trout in these streams as soon interested in volunteering for MNTU? organization and there will always be as we can. Contact your local chapter president, room for your particular skill set. I also Northern MN Vice Chair, Carl Haensel, would be interested in hearing about Mike Riemer spent much more time or MNTU’s executive director, John how you got involved with MNTU this www.mntu.org than us in September out photograph- Lenczewski for ideas on how you can season. Contact me if you would be in- ing Minnesota trout streams. Mike con- get involved. All of the contact informa- terested in writing or providing photog- tacted MNTU with a proposal to use a tion needed is in the right column of this raphy for this publication, we are always month-long work sabbatical to volunteer page. MNTU is a volunteer-supported looking for new contributors! 3 Jake Keeler A Regional Fishing Artist Profile by Ben Nelson • Photos by Kelley DeSmitt • Art by Jake Keeler

Spirit Beast (Andre’s GT) | 2018 | 30” x 22” | Pen and ink on paper “Dude. You need to trust your instincts,” breathes, he smiles. He starts to think have that sense of wonder and creativ- I always strive to achieve a certain de- says Jake Keeler. Jake is a few sips into about drawing pike. ity,” he says, “an unknown world.” gree of greatness with whatever I put my a beer and a conversation about his pas- mind, time and energy towards. Doesn’t sions: art and fly fishing. He’s just get- “The energy ebbs and flows,” says Jake. Jake’s grandfather, mother, and brother always happen, but the drive is there.” ting warm. He sets down his drink, al- “I’m inspired by the season.” In the sum- are artists. “My family has always had a lowing him to talk with his hands. “It’s mer, Keeler will have pike, walleye, carp positive influence on my work. Primar- A friend from Africa commissioned deliberate. You have to go find them. and smallmouth on his mind and on the ily through support, but also in their own Keeler to paint a piece commemorating They won’t find you. I’m doing some- page. He’s thinking and drawing steel- artistic endeavors, which have always his giant trevally. Keeler was almost fin- thing very deliberate.” Jake makes eye head in the shoulder seasons. “The more been inspired by the natural world,” ished and was sure his friend would like contact. He speaks like it matters. “And I fish, the more I want to draw. They feed Keeler says. He has formal training: an the art. But to Jake, it was only OK. It when it comes together, that’s going to off each other.” undergraduate art degree from Macal- was good but not good enough. He sent stay with me. I’m going to remember ester College and a Masters of Fine Art an apology and started over. that.” Keeler begins to describe fishing “When I make one of those pieces, and from the University of Wisconsin. Jake a cold, wet spring day in the Twin Cit- people respond like I want them to, to be met his wife, Lucretia (also an art ma- Jake approaches fishing with the same ies. He knew the river would be high. He understood, that’s a pretty amazing feel- jor), at Macalester. They were married intensity. Year after year, Jake returns to didn’t care. He needed to get out. ing,” Keeler says. “At the end of the day, after college. They have an eleven-year- the same rivers, the same sections of riv- whether I intend to or not, I use these as old son named Arlo. ers. He wants to know how the runs and “My friend and I were poking around a vehicle to communicate with people. If the riffles change with season and depth. some flooded water in the metro, not I could put it in words I would just write Jake started drawing fish eight years He wants to know them completely. He far from my home in Eagan,” Jake says. it. I can’t communicate it in other ways. ago. “It clicked. I’d been a lifetime fish- wants to know about the boulder below They read currents and eddies, watch- I want some openness to it. The best erman. Of course I should be doing this. the surface and the bugs by month. A ing patterns in bubbles, the way water art, music, are just guideposts to help I loved it,” he says. Jake practiced the mid-sized river in Wisconsin is his lat- slides over rocks. “We weren’t finding you come to your own conclusions. The forms, then introduced humans and char- est obsession. “It’s small enough to much, and then we came upon some re- viewer makes the art their own. You feel acters into his work. “I’m an experiential wade but big enough to fish all day. It’s ally good looking water. Flooded grass, something. There is a vibe. These are learner. I need to dive in, fail, repeat. It’s great for smallmouth in the summer. You knee/thigh deep.” Keeler senses some- small cues to help you go somewhere. like a good caster. How do they make it can catch huge brown trout at night.” thing. He ties steel tippet and a streamer Hopefully the journey is a fun one.” look so smooth? They practice a lot.” Jake wants to know every inch of it. “If onto his leader. “It looked fishy. It looked Over time, he’s taught his hand the form you’ve spent a lot of time on the water like a perfect spot for a pike to chase Keeler’s journey started in Central Min- of fish and skulls. “Now it’s instinc- you’ll know - fish this bank, swing that wayward baitfish.” Jake steps into the nesota, outside of St. Cloud. “My dad tual, either instinct or muscle memory.” run. The flow is right, the temp is right. water, pulls line from his reel and casts was a hardcore fisherman. We’d fish the Keeler creates illustrative paintings and That knowledge resides in you. You toward submerged grass. Jake strips line Mississippi for walleye and bass. As a drawings. His work is informed by graf- can’t get it from a book.” and the water erupts. His reel spins, his kid that’s all I wanted to do,” Jake re- fiti, fantasy art, poster art and album art. rod bends. Thirty inches of teeth and tail calls. “I would pedal off with my fish- He studies a narrow subject matter. “I “A lot of people value nature,” Jake come to the surface. Jake lands the pike ing rod and be gone until supper.” Jake find much more satisfaction in focusing says. “Fly fishing connects people to na- and releases it. The pike slides back into would dig in ponds, finding creatures and being deliberate with fewer pursuits, ture, intimately. There’s gravity in that the current, back to the darkness. from another world. He’d catch snakes versus spreading my attention, time and moment, imitating a mayfly. Tying a tiny 4 Keeler stands in the water. He and salamanders. “Not a lot of things energy across a wide-swath of activities. bug that most people wouldn’t notice. Left: Waders and water bring out Jake Keeler’s inner teenager. Right: Distortion Pedal Speyer | 2017 | 18” x 24” | Pen and ink on wood panel And they’re only right here, they aren’t sales to clean water charities like Trout And in brewing, your mash regimen, the Keeler and his friends have been making in the lake over there. They weren’t here Unlimited, efforts that protect places like design of the mash tun, steeping milled fall steelhead trips to Wisconsin’s Bois earlier. You participate, become a part of the Boundary Waters and Bristol Bay. grains--there’s massive amounts of sci- Brule river for years. Everybody brings the ecosystem, part of nature. That in- “We need to stay focused on conserva- ence. I get to work with something so something. One guy’s wife always teraction is so intense. I am part of the tion and environmental issues. Do the technical that can be enjoyed as such a makes lasagne. Jake brings the beer. He landscape right now.” small things. Some of it is really fun. It basic experience.” might buy a few six packs for the trip, feels good.” something good and easy. He might also In 2016, Keeler became a more active Jake keeps a special photo of his father. plan weeks ahead, spend hours, and brew environmentalist. “I have a responsibil- Jake has worked in the brewing industry It was taken on a day they spent bass something personal. “Usually something ity as an angler,” Jake says. “I can’t just for 15 years. He is the vice president of fishing together on Lake Minnetonka. hoppy, about 6 percent.” Jake ties his use the resource and expect it to take care marketing for BSG, a large ingredients The smile on his dad’s face is timeless, it own flies too. “I’ll use my flies to a fault. of itself. I can’t expect others to pick up supplier. He works on a five block cam- could be a child’s. One of Jake’s favorite I tied it, I’m going to keep using it until the slack.” As the federal government pus; he travels around the world. Keeler things now is fishing with his own child, I catch a fish.” Jake knows that both the deregulated industry, Keeler asked what finds similarities between brewing beer Arlo. They cast 3-weights over a local home-brewed beer and the home-tied he could do. “I can’t always join proj- and fly fishing. “Both are a combina- lake and catch sunfish off the surface. flies are a risk. They might not work out, ects to clear buckthorn on the Vermillion tion of art and science. Fly fishing is “It’s something that can be shared with but when they do, it is more satisfying. River, but I can contribute in a way that very technical. You are trying to predict a kid and a grown person. That’s some- works for me. I can sell my art.” Jake has a fish’s behavior, using water clarity, thing special,” Jake says. “I’ve gotten older, anglers go through been donating at least 30 percent of his bugs, barometer. The flies we tie are art. p h a s e s , n o w i t ’ s a b o u t a g o o d

From vice to box to tippet, Jake Keeler prepares to swim a streamer. 5 experience,” Keeler explains. “We keep gentlemen’s hours. We might not get to the river until ten. We might leave before dark.” They fish their favorite runs. They don’t always catch fish, but they will leave the river happy. And then they’ll play cards. “Fly fishing is a vehicle for experience. I think of new anglers, wear- ing flat-brimmed hats with stickers on their trucks, I hope they find that. I’m seeing more pictures of landscapes or animals they run into rather than a grip and grin. That’s good.”

Jake thinks back to the pike he caught this spring, “It was a good fish; what made it special is that my instincts told me right where to find it. That’s a sat- isfying feeling when 30-plus years of fishing turns into a sixth sense and helps put you on fish. It was the exact experi- ence I was looking for that day. I think that’s when I feel the most connected to the natural world. At 42, I get the same giddy excitement with fishing that I had when I was ten. I think that sense of wonder, discovery, and connection to the natural world never leaves you, it can evolve and change with time, but it’s always there under the surface.” Jake pauses, he smiles. “And art is the same way. As a kid I would draw a dragon. Now I can still draw a dragon. Or maybe it’s a musky.”

See more of Jake Keeler’s artwork at 20acrecarcass.com, on Instagram @Jake- Keeler and on facebook @JakeKeelerArt.

Ben Nelson is a physician in Duluth, Min- nesota. He lives there with his wife and three children.

Four Horsemen: War | 2018 | 12” x 12” | Pen and ink on wood panel

6 Islands in the stream. Trout water twists around Jake Keeler. Fly Tying With Laughing Trout Fly Fishing

By Paul Johnson

Purple Prince Charming Several years ago, I came across a fly pattern called the Prince Charming. Materials List It was kind of a cool-looking fly tied Hook: Scud hook with an olive body and a short mar- abou tail. I tied a few up and they Size 14-16 looked okay, but just OK. I decided Thread: Purple Uni 8/0 or 6/0 that I really did not like the mara- bou tail, so I switched that to Zelon. Bead: Gold, Brass or Tung While I was at it, I changed the body sten, Sized to Match to purple. With those changes, the Hook Purple Prince Charming was com- plete. Wing: White Goose Biots Tail: Mayfly Brown Zelon The fly is really just a modified Abdomen: Purple Sexi Legs, Span Prince Nymph and fishes well all season. I think the greatest strength Flex, Dubbing or Fly of the fly is the collar tied with stan- Tyers Dungeon Purple dard dry fly hackle. The collar seems Bug Legs to hold some air bubbles in the water. The collar is also the greatest weak- Ribbing: Gold Wire, Size Brassie ness in the fly. It always seems that Collar: Brown or Grizzly after catching a handful of fish, they chew threw the hackle and it comes Rooster Hackle loose, even with a couple wraps of tying thread.

The fly catches fish, but isn’t super durable? I think I will go with catch- ing fish!

If you have any questions about any of the patterns that we feature here in our newsletter, please feel free to contact me.

Paul Johnson Laughing Trout Fly Fishing Step 1. Step 2. Step 3. [email protected] Insert bead on the hook and place the Tie in the Zelon behind the bead and se- Tie in a length of wire from the bead 952-334-4688 hook in your vise. Start your tying cure on top of the hook back around the back around the bend of the hook. thread behind the bead. bend of the hook. Clip off excess Zelon to form a shuck about a half hook-gap in length.

Step 4. Step 5. Step 6. Step 7. At the bend of the hook, tie in a Palmer the stretchy floss in touching Counter wrap the wire with even spac- Strip two goose biots and clip the length of stretchy floss, securing it turns from the bend of the hook up to ing from the bend of the hook to the butt ends. From the two biots into with your tying thread from the bend the bead. Secure with your tying thread bead. Secure with your thread and clip a “V” and tie in on top of the hook, of the hook up to the bead. Be sure to right behind the bead. Clip off excess. the excess. right behind the bead. keep your wraps as smooth as pos- sible.

Step 8. Step 9. Step 10. Clip off the excess ends of the biots Prepare a rooster hackle by closely Palmer the hackle in three or four and secure with your tying thread. trimming a small section of barbs off touching turns, moving towards Take care to cover all of the white of the stem. Tie in the hackle where the bead. Clip off the excess hackle of the biots. you tied in the goose biots. feather. Whip finish directly behind Go fish! the bead.

7 A Month as a Trout Bum A September Spent Fly Fishing

by Mike Riemer

Left: I spotted this brown feeding enthusiastically while well downstream. It hammered the hopper as soon as it hit the water. Right: Fall colors were creeping into the foliage as I fished for brookies on this small creek on Minnesota’s North Shore.

s members of Minnesota Trout a non-profit that deals with either bicy- concept of getting good drifts, is great peats. Unlimited, my suspicion is that cling, social, or environmental concerns. for high sticking with nymphs, and al- Amany of you have shared a com- I contacted MNTU board member Carl lows for extremely delicate presentations Fish go from slumber-ish and unmoving mon daydream of mine: to live life as Haensel, pitched the concept, and came of dry flies. I still remember a brown that to enthusiastic, to cautious and moody, trout bum, free of the requirements and to an agreement that involved doing came entirely out of the water to inter- and eventually become eager eaters (as stresses of our normal lives. Unchained some photography for the organization, cept my still-airborne, tenkara-cast cad- if they know the long cold winter is from our desks, phones, computer writing an article or two, and helping dis fly as it gently floated downward on coming once again). Perhaps those tiny screens, and the plethora of meetings host a stream cleanup session. a beautiful spring day. brains comprehend a bit more than we that yield few (if any) outcomes during give them credit for? our 40-hour-plus work weeks. Free to And that brings us to the present, me Tenkara firmed up my belief that good roam; just a map, packed cooler, and a typing this article up in mid-October for presentation is the most important thing Within those major seasonal changes are drive away from fishing whenever and you to read in mid-November, sharing in fly fishing. In my mind, presentation the varied temperatures and conditions wherever we want. some of my thoughts and observations decidedly sits out in front of matching that each of those individual days can from my radical sabbatical: a September the hatch. In fact, precisely matching the possibly offer. Being out there, thigh- That’s just the situation I found myself spent living the life as a trout bum. hatch doesn’t even make my list. deep in the moving water, soaking in in this past September. the sunlight or hiding from the wind 1. Fish the Way You Like to Fish I prefer to work hard to be stealthy, iden- and rain under a cinched hood, brings I work for Quality Bicycle Products, tifying the spots I think fish probably lie. you a closer understanding of the days, a bicycle parts distributor located in I am unabashedly a dry fly fisherman Then selecting a fly that gets close in months, and seasons. It brings you closer Bloomington, Minnesota. I’ve been with and I’m not going to apologize for it. size and color as to any on the water or to being part of the natural world. the company for over 26 years, which Regardless of the season or weather on in the air, or choosing a versatile pattern should tell you that I feel very fortunate the day, I will start with a dry fly on the like a Griffith’s Gnat, Blue Wing Olive, There are so many reasons why Septem- to work there. Over the years, I’ve had end of my tippet. If and when it becomes or foam ant, then making a nice cast and ber is my favorite month to fly fish. The a range of positions within the company apparent that my dry flies are of no in- doing my best to present the fly natural- temperatures are typically conducive to but for 15 of the last 16, I was the mar- terest, I will switch to a streamer (most ly. But, hey: that’s just me. I encourage good fishing without the mean-spirited keting manager for one of the bicycle likely swung downstream). I’ve had no you to fish the way you like to fish. heat that July and August sometimes brands owned by QBP, Salsa Cycles. shortage of folks tell me that I’m passing present. The landscape has reached its by fish by not nymphing, but I knew that 2. September Is My Favorite Month to most colorful of the year, with all the Those 15 years were fantastic, but I before they told me. It’s just the way I Fish varied shades, hues and saturations must confess that the workload was like to fish. I’m actually pretty sure they found in the last of the blooming flowers pretty tough. Rough enough that there are passing by fish even when they are One of my favorite things about fly fish- and plants going to seed. was no way I could take advantage of nymphing, but I won’t waste time telling ing is that it brings you a closer appre- one of the benefits the business offers: them that. ciation of the seasons, or even of certain The insects are busy accomplishing their a month-long sabbatical for every ten months. Unless you are one of those increasingly important tasks. The day is years worked. My “dry fly first” philosophy might have fortunate to live on a trout stream, you long enough to make you feel satisfied something to do with the fact that I spent spend the first and last part of your fish- after a full day on the water, but without That all changed about a year ago when my first two years fly fishing using a ten- ing day driving to and from the stream. the “overly-dehydrated I’m wrecked” my position changed to that of Content and-a-half-foot tenkara rod. Apologies You witness the changes in the land as feeling that the heat of summer often Marketing Manager & Storyteller. Sud- if I surprised you and made you spit out the snow melts, frozen fields thaw, are brings. The sky starts to soften at dusk denly, much of the pressure I’d felt for your coffee. prepared and planted. The angle of the giving you warning to start the long a decade-plus was removed, and I began sun changes and temperatures warm. walk out, and, if fortunate, you’ll some- to think about taking one of the sabbati- Personally, I feel tenkara is the perfect Greenery erupts and crops grow. Insects times spot a rising fish along the way for cals I had earned. way to enter into fly fishing. It forces suddenly abound and hay bales sprout a few last casts. Often, a fog rolls down you to get closer to the fish, which means overnight. Eventually, flowers dry up, the river as the cool of the evening ar- Each sabbatical proposal needs to in- really learning where fish lie, and ap- leaves change colors and fall to the rives, an effect that I feel typically shuts clude some action and benefit to proaching with stealth. It reinforces the ground. Then, the miraculous cycle re- off the bite. 8 To me, September brings a feeling that ing. Standing in a river or stream, with everything is slowing down, and some- the water literally flowing around you- thing about that just feels right. -well, something special happens. You become part of the river, part of nature. 3. Hoppers. Need I Say More? The water pulls away time and stress, re- laxing you and easing the mind, perhaps This past September offered me the op- even healing the soul. portunity to fish hoppers more than I ever had before. A few observations: Hopper 5. Go Fish New Water color kinda sorta matters sometimes maybe. To me, it seems that the profile It is really easy to find yourself fishing of the bug is of far more importance. the same places, or the same rivers and streams, time and time again, but going Imagine how many midges a trout has to to fish new water can help make you a eat to add up to a single hopper. Yup, I’d better angler. Don’t get me wrong, I have want to eat the hopper too! my favorite spots that I love to fish, but hitting new water during my sabbatical On the smallest Driftless-style water was a great reminder on starting fresh. with plenty of snag-able vegetation all Reading the water, finding the correct around me, I used a very short 5-foot approach, and even having fish reject leader in 4x (next year I’m curious to try flies that I have confidence in normally, 3x). This tight quarters fishing demand- increased the challenge and properly ed a highly-angled, upward back cast humbled me. and, at times, I would focus on almost driving my hopper into the water, creat- Each new location was a new puzzle to ing a clearly audible plop. Often, those solve and when I would succeed, I would over-dramatized presentations would often find that the fish were “right where create the fiercest takes, almost as if the they were supposed to be.” sound of the hopper hitting the water was a trigger the fish couldn’t resist. A side benefit of incorporating new water into some of your forays is that Keep your eyes open to all the beauty around you next time you’re on The first shot is the most important. In the fish in your favorite areas receive a the river. It is all around us. my opinion, if a fish comes for your hop- little less pressure, and a little less pres- per but doesn’t take, don’t waste time sure helps them become bigger fish. I’m 6. Ask Not What MNTU Can Do For My goal is to help contribute to MNTU taking multiple shots trying to lure it guessing none of us are going to argue You on a quarterly basis. I figure it is the least back in. Almost all my best hopper takes against bigger fish. I can do for an organization helping to were the first cast to a fish (or more accu- Since you are reading this, most likely preserve and protect one of my passions, rately, to where I thought there might be If you’re looking for new water to fish, you are either a member of MNTU or fishing for trout. a fish). That hopper (or the hopper plop) here’s a tip: Go to the MNTU website you like fishing for trout. turned them on and they immediately page and click on the Projects tab, and a Mike ‘Kid’ Riemer is the Content Marketing engaged as if they were frightened an- map will open with dots showing proj- This sabbatical encouraged me to reach Manager & Storyteller for Salsa Cycles. He other fish would get to it first. If you do ects all around the state. Zooming in will out and become a volunteer, offering up my skills. I encourage you to consider lives in Richfield, Minnesota. Find him on miss a hookset and want to take another reveal even more dots. Clicking on a dot Instagram @RiemDawg_Fly_Factory shot, I suggest just hanging out for five will give you the option to zoom-in to doing the same. or ten minutes without casting in hopes the precise area where MNTU has done the fish forgets and goes back to its nor- habitat work. Odds are you will discover mal behavior. some trout water you never even knew existed if you just spend some time pok- Select Poetry 4. We Are Blessed With Wadable Wa- ing around on the site. By Larry Gavin ter Personally, I’m giving myself a goal of Admittedly, I’ve only done two fishing increasing the new water I fish next year. Driving from Willow to Bee Creek river floats, but I am so thankful for all It’ll add a bit of adventure on those days the wadable water we have to fish. To and help me further hone my skills. Cows amble down the middle me, wading is an essential part of fish- Of the road in front of me, Pasture to pasture. I drive from one stream To another, slowly, trying not To kick up dust, trying not to rush these great Beasts. They deserve time. Their Mighty flanks shift back and forth; The radio warns of bombing runs Cancelled in Iran. In Spain, a cork shortage. I wish the news could Not reach me today, but like the endless chain Of thoughts, always in my head, I can’t turn the radio Off. I take comfort: In moving water, in speckled sunlight, In the quiet lowing of cows; The dry flies in my chest pocket, And in all those impulses in the world I Will never understand.

Larry Gavin is a poet from Faribault, Minnesota. He is the author of five books of poetry. His newest, A Fragile Shelter: New and Selected Poems, is available in 2019 from Red Drag- onfly Press. www.redragonflypress.org A beautiful camouflaged Brook trout returned to its amazingly colorful stream bed. 9 IT’S TIME TO SHOOT YOUR VIDEOS.

THE MINNESOTA TROUT UNLIMITED 2020 FLY FISHING FILM AND VIDEO SHOWCASE Saturday, March 21st

SUBMISSION DEADLINE FEBRUARY 15th, 2020 • WWW.GREATWATERSFLYEXPO.COM

MARCH 20-22, 2020

Hamline University St. Paul, MN proceeds Support MN Trout Unlimited

WWW.GREATWATERSFLYEXPO.COM 1536 Hewitt Ave, St. Paul, MN 55104 MNTU Education Update By Amber Taylor, MNTU Education Program Supervisor

Left: Students from Hidden Oaks Middle School work with a kick net to stir up and catch insects along the bottom of the Credit River. Middle: Mark Nemeth, with MN DNR fisheries, assisting middle schoolers as they attempt to identify aquatic insects. Right: An eighth-grader bravely holds a water scorpion she caught in a body of water nearby her school. ord has gotten out about MN- TIC tank and regularly incorporate it seniors become Trout in the Classroom prehension and lessons in social studies, TU’s Trout in the Classroom into their educational programming with buddies with the 5th graders. Using di- history, fishing, art, water ecology, and W(TIC) program and teach- hundreds of students each year. chotomous keys, they helped to identify more. ers from all over the state are learning (and even hold) live fish and aquatic about this fantastic educational oppor- Fall field-day season kept the MNTU ed- macroinvertebrates caught right from The fun and learning didn’t stop at the tunity! Last spring, 15 very enthusias- ucation team busy leading and assisting the creek flowing behind Riverside! end of the 2018-2019 TIC school year! tic teachers were added to the Trout in with outdoor educational experiences Other activities that day included fly This summer, MNTU partnered with the Classroom community, for a total of across the state. More than 2,000 stu- casting and fly tying. These students will various parks and recreation departments 38 schools and two nature centers par- dents learned about aquatic macroinver- visit hatcheries, go fishing, and contin- in order to lead fishing skills programs ticipating this year. New schools are tebrates as bioindicators, played games, ue to learn from each other through the throughout the metro area. Partners in- located in Chisholm, Proctor, Cloquet, and engaged in a variety of lessons about school year. It was an incredible thing to cluded Ramsey, Washington, Carver, Crosslake, White Bear Lake, Lakeland, watersheds and water quality. Some watch as those high schoolers took on Dakota, and Wright counties, as well St. Paul, Minnetonka, Burnsville, Sav- teachers are also bringing their students the teaching role for these younger stu- as the cities of Burnsville, Eden Prairie, age, Prior Lake, and Rochester. As I on fishing trips and visits to nearby dents and had fun doing it! and Minnetonka. Led and implemented write this, there are already 25 excited hatcheries. Thank you to our growing by two MNTU fishing skills educators, teachers looking to bring TIC into their group of like-minded partner organiza- As the program grows in Minnesota, these spin and fly fishing programs were schools for the 2020-2021 school year, tions, including Washington Conserva- steps are being taken to better support a hit! More than 700 people, ranging in and I anticipate that list will continue to tion District, Prior Lake-Spring Lake TIC teachers. Our wonderful equip- age from 5-70, participated, many fish- grow! Watershed District, Carnelian-Marine- ment supply store, New Wave Aquaria, ing for the first time. St. Croix Watershed District, MN DNR is putting together a manual and how-to In August, the school year started off fisheries staff, Fly Fishing Women of videos in order to assist teachers with Interested in assisting with Trout in the with 32 new and returning TIC teachers Minnesota, and Belwin Nature Conser- equipment set up, maintenance, and Classroom or MNTU fishing skills pro- coming together for a workshop at Bel- vancy, for providing support and assis- troubleshooting. Additional resources grams? Please visit our website for a win Nature Conservancy. They engaged tance with Trout in the Classroom field include a guide on caring for their trout, description of opportunities that exist to in a variety of outdoor educational activ- days! lessons and activities to support their get involved and contact information to ities and learned from each other about TIC learning objectives, and a MNTU learn more. implementing TIC in their classroom A highlight for me this fall was assisting TIC Google group in which teachers can activities and curriculum. Thank you to with a field day for Century High School quickly and easily communicate with Amber Taylor Belwin for providing a beautiful space and Riverside Elementary in Rochester. each other throughout the year! Copies MNTU Education Program Supervisor for our teachers to come together for a These teachers work together to plan of MNTU newsletters are being provid- [email protected] fun day of learning! They also have a their TIC activities and the high school ed to teachers and used for reading com-

Left: Fifth-graders from Willow Lane elementary had a blast exploring Brown’s Creek in waders! Right: Century High school seniors teach a Riverside elementary fifth-grader how to use a dichotomous key in order to identify aquatic macroinvertebrates caught out of Bear Creek in Rochester. 11 Will MPCA Changes Help or Hurt Trout? Trout Stream Regulatory Adjustments

By John Lenczewski

he Minnesota Pollution Con- water quality standards for 2A waters. trol Agency (MPCA) is in the For example, discharges to 2A waters Tprocess of changing the rules must have at least 7 parts-per-million governing which water quality stan- (ppm) of dissolved oxygen, versus only dards, coldwater or warm water, apply 5 ppm for 2B waters. In addition, 2A to many streams currently classified as streams must have lower turbidity lev- cold trout waters. The proposed chang- els than 2B waters (10 units versus 25 es would effectively lower protections units), and discharges must cause no ma- for the 135 miles of streams in the state terial increase in water temperatures of by reclassifying them from coldwater 2A streams, versus permitting a 5-degree (Class 2A) to warm water (Class 2B). temperature increase in 2B waters. On the other hand, the reclassification would increase protections for 112 MPCA 2A Coldwater Classifications miles of stream by reclassifying them in the Past from warm water to coldwater (2A). Until now, the MPCA has relied on the What is going on here? Should trout DNR’s lists of designated trout stream and steelhead anglers and environmen- and lakes when assigning the 2A cold- talists be concerned? water classification. Streams and lakes Naturally reproducing brown trout in some SE streams left unpro- on the DNR’s designated trout water tected by the DNR will gain protections via MPCA rule changes. DNR’s Designated Trout Streams lists were classified 2A coldwater, and guage appears to go much farther. The claimed that 2A streams are coldwater and Lakes all others were classified 2B cool/warm language changes are detailed on page streams. Over this time, it has ne- In Minnesota, authority to regulate water by default. In other words, the 18 of the Amendments to Aquatic Life glected to document any “existing use” activities that can impact the health MPCA just adopted the DNR’s lists (Class 2) Use Designations (wq-rule4- different from the designated use. It is of trout fisheries is divided between without modification. However, there 21a). MNTU will remain engaged in suddenly reversing itself based upon several state agencies, with most of are many bona fide trout streams, with the rulemaking process to tighten up the current condition, and demanding the responsibility given to the Minne- wild, naturally-reproducing trout popu- this language. Written comments by anglers now prove that MPCA’s des- sota Department of Natural Resources lations, which the DNR has chosen not to concerned anglers and conservations are ignations were correct. We believe the (DNR) and Minnesota Pollution Con- protect with a “designated trout stream” due November 7, 2019. MPCA must clearly demonstrate its trol Agency (MPCA). The DNR has, designation. This failure of the DNR to designations were incorrect (and that for many years, maintained a list of protect these fisheries for present and fu- Proposed Changes from Coldwater to current conditions are not the result of streams and lakes which are man- ture generations is very problematic, but Warm Water! degradation). aged for trout. These “designated is an article for another day. What is en- In addition to change described above, trout streams” and “designated trout couraging is that the MPCA is commit- the MPCA also proposes to change the 3. Failure to notify the public in lakes” are listed in Minnesota Rules ted to looking beyond the DNR lists and use designations for 187 stream seg- plain English that it is reducing the pro- 6264.0050. Over time, the state leg- extending Class 2A protections to these ments and four lakes. On the positive tection levels of 31 stream segments by islature has enacted a number of im- unlisted trout streams by re-classifying side, the MPCA would upgrade the clas- changing their coldwater designations. portant restrictions and protections for them from warm water to coldwater 2A. sification of 34 segments from warm wa- Ambiguous and technical distinctions designated trout streams (DTS) that ter to coldwater. On the negative side, leave the average reader with the mis- are found nowhere else in statute or Amendment of Rule Language to Ex- the MPCA would remove 2A protections impression that there will be no nega- rules. These include a setback permit tend 2A Protections Neglected by the from 31 stream segments totaling 135 tive consequences for many stream for silica sand mining near any DTS DNR miles! Many of these changes may be segments. in southeast MN, greater scrutiny and The current MPCA rule, Minnesota Rule justified because there is solid evidence sustainability standards for extracting 7050.0420, gives the 2A coldwater clas- demonstrating that the stream segment 4. The new rules appear to cre- groundwater connected to a DTS, veg- sification only to trout waters listed on never was a coldwater one. However, ate new definitions and heightened cri- etative buffer requirements for small the DNR’s designated trout lake and for other stream segments there is evi- teria. There are easier ways to allow headwater streams designated as DTS, trout stream lists found in Minnesota dence that the segment was cold enough the MPCA to add new Class 2A waters and additional Best Management Prac- Rule 6264.0050. The MPCA is propos- to have a naturally-reproducing trout without creating potential problems for tice requirements for timber harvest ing rule changes to allow extension of population since the effective date of the retaining 2A status where MPCA failed near a DTS. the Class 2A designation to trout streams Clean Water Act (November 29, 1975). to document uses for decades. and stream segments not on the DNR Under the Clean Water Act, if a stream MPCA’s Role in Protecting Trout list. had an existing coldwater fishery of 5. The MPCA’s process of carv- Streams “use” at any time after November 1975, ing up adjoining segments used by With passage of the federal Clean Wa- There is a wealth of information on this but degradation has caused its collapse, trout, and declaring some to be warm ter Act in 1972, the MPCA was given proposed rule change at the MPCA web- the MPCA must devise a plan to restore water segments ignores fish biology the task of developing water quality site: www.pca.state.mn.us/water/wqs- it. and entire life cycle needs of mobile standards to protect “beneficial uses” designated-use trout. A coldwater fishery will be di- such as aquatic life and recreation Potential Concerns minished, and even lost, if all key (i.e., fishability). The Clean Water Act The most useful documents on this page Although the MPCA may have the best stream segments are not protected with framework requires the state to clas- are: intentions in proposing language and use Class 2A water quality standards. sify waters for beneficial uses, devel- • Dual Notice of Intent to Adopt designation changes, Trout Unlimited op water quality standards to protect Rules - Class 2 and Class 7 Use Desig- is concerned that the specific language 6. The current process used by those uses, and adopt antidegradation nations (wq-rule4-21d) proposed may have unintended conse- agency work groups to downgrade policies to maintain and protect exist- • Statement of Need and Reason- quences and that the agency may not be coldwater streams to warm water clas- ing beneficial uses. The MPCA clas- ableness (SONAR) for Proposed Rules following a rigorous enough process in sification excludes stakeholders, such sifies most surface waters as Class 2, (wq-rule4-21f) decisions to remove Class 2A designa- as trout anglers, from viewing all data which means they are protected for • Amendments to Aquatic Life tions. MNTU is in the process of draft- early in the process before institutional aquatic life and recreational beneficial (Class 2) Use Designations (wq-rule4- ing official comments and may request and rulemaking momentum builds. use. But, within Class 2, there are four 21a) a contested case hearing. Potential con- subclasses, including coldwater (2A) cerns include: While it is too early to declare the sky and cool or warm water (2B) classifi- The MPCA claims that it needs to alter the is falling, MNTU will continue to ana- cations. language of Minnesota Rule 7050.0420 1. Some downgrades to Class 2B lyze and comment throughout the rule- to allow extension of the Class 2A des- are proposed without demonstrating that making process. Stay tuned. Why We Care: Coldwater (2A) pro- ignation to trout streams and stream the current absence of trout or coldwater tections are greater than those for segments not on the DNR list. MNTU organisms is not the result of 40 years of Editor’s Note: John Lenczewski is the cool/warm water. agrees that the MPCA should reclassify degradation and neglect. executive director of MNTU. Interested in It matters whether a stream is classi- Class 2B waters as coldwater (Class 2A) engaging with the topic of the new MPCA fied for Class 2A coldwater use, rather when reliable scientific evidence sup- 2. MPCA appears to be moving the rules? John can be contacted at jlencze- than 2B cool/warm water use, because ports the addition. However, MNTU goalposts and shifting the burden to an- [email protected] Send an email with “MPCA Rulemaking” in the subject. the state has more stringent is concerned because the proposed lan- glers. For 40 years, the MPCA has pro- 12 The Trout Life Cycle Youth Series By Evan Griggs, MNTU Environmental Education Specialist

ike many other organisms in they begin to look more fish-like with nature, trout go through dif- tiny scales and fins. Lferent stages of development during their life cycle. Fry: Once the yolk sac is gone, the fry swim up to the surface of the wa- Spawning: In Minnesota, brook, ter and take a big gulp of air to fill lake, and brown trout spawn in the their swim bladders. Trout use this fall. Rainbow trout and steelhead special organ to float in the water. Fry mostly spawn in the spring. Trout will swim near the surface and hunt for go through physical changes before tiny prey, called zooplankton. They spawning season. Males will grow will resemble very small minnows a hooked lower jaw called a kype. and don’t have any markings like an Males and females both develop vi- adult trout yet. brant colors. Female trout use their tail to dig a nest in the gravel of shal- Fingerlings and Parr: Once the fry low, fast-moving areas of streams. grow to be 2-5 inches long, they are Look for the small black dots on these trout eggs from the 2019 TIC program. This state of egg is referred to as “eyed” because those dots These nests are called redds. Males called fingerlings. Fingerlings are are indeed tiny trout eyes. will try to impress females by fight- big and strong enough to start eating ing each other and performing mat- aquatic insects. They may even eat ing dances. Once a female is ready, their smaller siblings! When a fin- she will deposit the eggs into the redd gerling develops large, vertical dark and the male trout will fertilize the markings on its sides, they are called eggs with milt. The female covers the parr. These parr marks help them eggs in a layer of gravel and the eggs camouflage from predators like birds are left unattended. Trout can spawn and larger fish. multiple times throughout their life, unlike salmon which die after spawn- Juvenile and Adults: Juvenile trout ing. will lose their parr marks and de- velop all the colors and markings of Eggs: One female trout can lay 1,000 an adult fish, but they cannot spawn or more eggs! It takes around a month yet. It usually takes three years for After hatching, the next life stage of trout and salmon is the for the eggs to hatch, depending on a trout to become an adult and start Alevin, or sac-fry. Note the large egg sac on these small Alevin. water temperature. For the first half spawning. On average in the wild, of egg development, they are in the adult trout are between 6-16 inches “green egg stage.” During this stage, and live for three to six years. A few trout eggs are very fragile, soft, and trout can live for much longer and easily damaged. About halfway can grow to huge sizes. Minnesota’s through their development, the eggs state record trout are: Brook trout -- turn clear pink or orange and tiny 6lbs, 24 inches, brown trout -- 16lbs, black eyes will appear as two little 31 3/8 inches, rainbow trout (steel- dots. This stage is called the “eyed head) -- 16 lbs, 33 inches, and lake egg stage” and will last up to two or trout -- 43 lbs. three weeks. If you find yourself by a trout stream Alevin: The eyed eggs will hatch this fall, look for redds in shallow, into alevin or sac-fry. These tiny trout fast water. They look like a small, can’t swim yet, so they stay in the clean patch of gravel. You may even redd and gain nutrients from the yolk see trout doing their mating dance sac that is still attached to their belly. and going round and round in circles They will stay in the nest for up to together.

two or three weeks feeding off their These small trout fry from the Bemidji Trout in the Classroom pro- yolk sac. As their yolk sac shrinks, gram are free swimming and starting to show parr markings.

This wild adult Minnesota steelhead, a type of rainbow trout, shows The grey vertical bars on this young rainbow trout fin- how big some trout can get in our state. gerling are called “parr markings.” 13 Book Review Catching Yellowstone’s Wild Trout – A Fly Fishing History and Guide

By John Hunt

uthor Chris Hunt, no relation, in the interest of ecological restoration. should be a familiar name to ATU members. Hunt, based in The length of this book is fairly brief (107 Idaho Falls, Idaho, serves as national page flips on my e-reader), but between digital director for Trout Unlimited and the opening history on the park and a frequently contributes material to the closing note on public lands in Ameri- TU website and magazine. In his 2019 ca, the author organizes his thoughts by book Catching Yellowstone’s Wild Trout, fish species. Three varieties of cutthroat Hunt has assembled a concise overview are covered, as are grayling, rainbows, of the fishing opportunities available in browns, brookies, and the villain of this our first national park. story, lake trout. For each species, Hunt spells out a handful of park streams (or To my chagrin, I must admit that I have lakes as appropriate) that are well known never been to Yellowstone National Park to be home to that particular fish, as well (YNP). Family commitments and scarce as recommended fly patterns and time vacation time have conspired against of season. He also adds a secondary list me. My introduction to and education of other potential destinations for the about YNP has therefore come entirely motivated angler. Helpfully, Hunt also via a variety of books, magazines, and, provides a few notes regarding access, more recently, blogs. I am familiar with fishability, hiking difficulty, and the po- the names of many of the most popular tential for crowds and/or grizzly bears rivers, streams, and lakes of the park, but for these off-the-beaten path locations. would need a good old-fashioned map to really get off the beaten path and find Throughout the book, the author also some of the angling solitude that can be sprinkles his own reflections and ex- found in Yellowstone. periences fishing many of the waters described. Color photos are occasion- Hunt’s book does an excellent job set- ally sprinkled into the text, but maps are ting the stage for the transformation of mostly non-existent. Hunt is careful to YNP from the smoking, steaming “Col- remind the reader (multiple times actu- ter’s Hell” of pre-European discovery to ally) to be mindful of the park’s fishing the angling and tourist mecca the park regulations, closed seasons, etc. I am has become. And while the stories of not sure that this book alone would be non-native fish stocking and its negative enough to plan an extended fishing trip impact on native species have been well to YNP, but given the author’s famil- documented elsewhere, Hunt adds con- iarity with the park, it would be a great text and depth to the story by providing cross-check on other resources that pro- details on current efforts by the National vide more information on hiking trails, Park Service and others (including TU) accommodations, and area guides. to correct some of these past misdeeds John Hunt is the author of “Fly Fishing Minnesota’s Trout Lakes.” Check out more of his book reviews at mntu.org/newsletter 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 delay strictions or without. Because your gift Bloomington, MN 55439, my (specific 207 Bloomington, MN 55439 to be Aanswering 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 using this pro- legacy wishes, but it may help you and queath to Minnesota Trout Unlimited, a cess: [email protected] or at your heirs pay substantially less in Bequest Language Minnesota non-profit corporation, pres- 612-670-1629. 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- Win-Cres Chapter Bamboo Rod Raffle

Readers still have time to purchase a Win-Cres chapter raffle ticket ($10) for the fine 8’ 5 wt. bamboo fly rod fashioned by expert builder Steve Sobieniak of Root River Rod Co. The drawing is Nov. 23 at the Win-Cres Game Feed Fundraiser.

If you are interested in tickets, they are $10. Send cash, check or money order to Jim Clark at 391 Dresser Drive, Winona, MN 55987. There are two choices. If you are satisfied with an electronic notification of your ticket number, provide an email address, we will communicate the number and put the stub in the drawing. If you require a hard copy, signify that and one will be mailed to you. Requests must be received by 11/15/2019. One does not have to be present to win. Tickets may also be obtained by stopping at Root River Rod Co. in Lanesboro. MN regulations require ticket purchasers to be at least 18 years old.

Steve has also offered that if a person buys 10 tickets or more, and that person wins, he will throw in a guided day trip in SE MN. This is a deal you can’t refuse!

Frozen Fly Film Festival- Bemidji

Hand-tied Flies, Craft Beer & Catered Nosh Sponsoring Conservation & Education for Youth & Adults

Tuesday, December 3rd Bemidji Brewing Company

Join us for a fun evening showcasing videos of fly fishing. This is a fundraiser for all of TU Chapter 642’s programs. TU642 proudly boasts having the longest continuously running Trout in the Classroom program in Minnesota. Thirteen years with a presence in three school districts and five classrooms. Our fifth-grade afterschool fly tying, casting and fishing program is passing 17 years, as well as a middle school program prior. TU642 also lays claim to the longest running youth fly fishing program in the state. We have taken more than 700 fifth-graders fly fishing, with former participants now returning as adults to mentor today’s youth! Other programs include free community fly tying evenings, women’s fly fishing retreats, Get Hooked on Fly Fishing, and our annual Pike Hunt.

Enjoy craft beers or sodas along with snacks and hors d’oeuvres. Revel in videos of fly fishing at the time of year you may be stoking the wood stove! Receive swag and door prizes of EQUAL or GREATER value than the price of admission (You can’t lose there!) Plus, have the additional opportunity to support this TU642 fundraising effort through raffles and silent auctions of lots of cool stuff!

How does TU642 benefit? The dollars raised by this, our largest fundraising event, not only support all of the activities listed above, but permit greater outreach to support TU projects, classroom and community education, and access to fishing and outdoor activity. Who could ask for more?

Would you like your fly fishing video shown? Submit your video to TU642 by November 1 for consideration to [email protected] Please refer to guidelines for submitting videos to the Great Waters Film Showcase when considering submission to the TU642 FFFF, more information on these guidelines at www.greatwatersflyexpo.com

Only 80 tickets are available. Please contact us at [email protected] as soon as possible to reserve your seat!

Bold l Innovative l Imaginative www.lakeladyrods.com [email protected] - 218-562-4512 Ice Fishing for Lake Trout Lake Superior and Beyond By Jason Swingen

The author with a nice lake trout from Lake Superior. These fish can take long hours to acquire, but the take and fight are worth it. t can be intimidating to venture out can be similar to targeting species like my rod and letting my little white tube searching for: a 3-foot long Lake Su- onto the largest freshwater lake in musky or steelhead. You usually won’t jig fall back down onto the lake floor 80 perior lake trout that I could barely fit Ithe world, targeting a fish that can pull them in one after another, but all it feet below, wondering if I was using too through the hole. be in water as shallow as 2 feet or deep- takes is one on the end of your line, and thick of leader, or using the right color, er than 200. But, if you gear up with all of the time spent on the water (or ice) or if I remembered to turn the lights off... Enough with my lake trout stories. the right equipment, use the right tech- is suddenly worth it. When I lifted my rod yet another time, it Let’s go over the equipment and niques, and focus on a few simple tips, felt like I was snagged on a log. All of techniques so that you can have your you can catch one of the most exciting The first lake trout I had ever caught a sudden my reel started screaming! Af- own story about catching a lake trout fish through the ice: The lake trout. also happens to be my most memorable. ter nearly a 10-minute fight, I had finally through the ice! Not only because it was my first or the gained enough ground to pull the fish up It’s not every year that Lake Superior biggest one I’ve caught to this day, but to where I could see it through the ex- Catching lakers is a whole different freezes over. So when it does, you mostly due to how surprised I was at how tremely clear Lake Superior water. I was world than catching walleye and pan- should make sure to take advantage of powerful these fish truly are. I had spent only able to get a short glimpse before it fish. Not only will you need to upsize it. If the ice doesn’t form near Duluth, two whole days on the water trying to must have seen the light and shot down your equipment, but you’ll also often there are still often opportunities to fish catch one of these crazy fish that I was, back to the bottom of the lake and I had need to use different tactics to get them near the Apostle Islands, or many of for some reason, obsessed with (even to start the battle again. After another to bite. But before we get into tech- the lake trout-inhabited inland lakes in though I had never seen one in person five intense minutes, I was able to get niques, let’s cover the basic equipment northern Minnesota. before). Halfway through my third day I the fish up through the hole and finally you’ll need to get started. Fishing for lake trout, or “lakers,” was starting to day-dream, slowly lifting get a good look at the creature I had been Although you could land a smaller lake trout on a walleye rod, it can be worth investing in a heavy action rod at least 32” long. Generally, these rods aren’t that expensive and you can pick one up for fairly cheap. If you are target- ing lake trout (especially in Lake Su- perior) you have the potential of catch- ing a giant that could weigh 30 pounds or more, and you don’t want to lose a trophy just because you didn’t have the right equipment.

You can use either a spinning rod or a baitcaster. Each has its pros and cons. Spinning setups are more popu- lar, cheaper and generally will have a better drag. The number one benefit of using a baitcasting rod and reel is that they reduce line-twist, which can be compounded when you are fishing in more than 100 feet of water.

Your standard 200 or 300-size spinning Spinning or baitcasting reels are both good options for ice fishing for lake trout. Be sure to strength- reels that you use for walleye and bass en your setup from the typical walleye or panfish rig, lake trout take long runs and can require will work great. Having a spool with 16 stout rods a large capacity and smooth drag is a must. Spool up your reel with at least will be the most productive, allowing 100 yards of 20-pound braided line. you to track these fish as they chase you Lake trout can easily pull 100 feet of up and down the water column. line out on their long powerful runs. Braid is extremely important and the I’ve caught lake trout in water ranging only line that will allow you to set the from 60-200 feet and there isn’t a sin- hook when you are fishing in deep wa- gle magic depth. I’ve even been in 160 ter. Monofilament line will stretch too feet of water and seen one swimming a much at these depths. It is also ben- couple of inches under the ice. To start, eficial to use braid because you can you’ll want to focus on depths around fit more of it on your spool and it will 80-160 feet. If there is a pile of anglers keep your line from bowing in the cur- out fishing, don’t get caught up thinking rent. that they are all in the right spot. The best tactic is often to get away from the When using a spinning rod especially, crowd. Try to not get too comfortable ei- make sure you use a high-quality swiv- ther. If you don’t mark any large schools el at the end of your braid, then tie on a of bait or lake trout within an hour or A selection of lake trout jigs and spoons. White is a strong option few feet of 10-20-pound fluorocarbon. two, move to a new spot. for Lake Superior lake trout. Lake Superior has extremely clear wa- ter so using a strong, nearly invisible Two of the most common techniques leader is important. If you are using used include “pounding the bottom,” a baitcaster, it’s optional to skip the and “playing keep away.” Sometimes swivel and tie straight to your leader. simply lifting your jig and letting it Then you can use a much longer leader. free fall to the lake bottom will kick up I prefer to use an FG knot that can eas- enough sediment to call in a laker. This ily be reeled through the guides, but an can also be a great tactic if you don’t Albright knot is also a good choice for have an electronic depth finder. Howev- making a braid-to-fluoro connection. er, the most exciting way to catch lakers is to play keep away. It’s important to Lake trout are predators and will swim remember that lake trout do not act like around the lake chasing down smelt and walleye or panfish. So throw all of your herring, which is why the most popular previous finessing ice fishing knowledge lures for lake trout are 3-6 inches long out the window and resist the temptation and mostly white and flashy. You can to slowly jig above them, hoping that catch these fish using different colors, they will slowly swim up and eat. They but if you are just starting, it’s hard to won’t. go wrong with something white. They rely on sight, sound, and smell, so add- Lake trout like to chase and will lose in- ing some rattles and/or tipping your terest if their prey doesn’t put up a fight. hook with a chunk of smelt can make a Keep your lure moving as if it’s a fleeing major difference and turn a looker into smelt. Fish that show up mid-water col- a taker. Some popular lures include jig- umn are more active and will chase more ging raps, rattling traps, spoons, tube readily. If you mark a fish, reel past it at jigs, swimbaits, bucktails, and other around 2-3 reel revolutions-per-second. similar jigs. One-half to 1 ounce jigs They will often immediately start chas- are ideal for fishing in water that is 100 ing. Don’t slow down! If they lose inter- feet or less. If you are fishing in more est, stop and drop your lure past them. than 120 feet of water, or there is a If the mark of your lure on your graph heavy current, you’ll want to use lures stops at the fish and your fishing line between 1 and 2 ounces. I’ve also re- goes limp, this means that they grabbed cently had great luck by adding a swim it on the way down. Set the hook hard jig head to a Game Changer streamer and hold on! I tied. Now all there is left to do is wait and Having a good flasher depth finder is hope it’s cold enough this winter for the pretty much a necessity when ice fish- big lake to freeze again! ing for lake trout. Half of the fun comes from the excitement of marking a fish Editor’s Note: Jason Swingen is a Gitche and watching it scream up to your lure. Gumee Chapter board member and resides You can use any basic Marcum, Vexi- in Duluth. Check out his outdoors blog at www.js-outdoors.com Spring days can make fishing without an ice shelter possible. A lar, or Humminbird unit, but having a Fishfinder, rod, and jigs are the only materials required to catch graph with a screen that shows history lake trout through the ice.

Ice houses dotted the Lake Superior near-shore ice this past winter. Be safe when fishing on this often unstable ice and use careful judgement when assessing conditions on this powerful lake. 17 Hippie Stomping Hay Creek Homegrown Fishing Stories By Mike Riemer

Pete Koski slowly works his way up a run that looks promising on Hay Creek.

n a previous life, I was a profession- looked forward to this first fishing pho- In all honesty, we didn’t last long in this culty but Pete put the fly right on target, al photographer. In those days, the tography challenge. section. An honest attempt in the prom- getting a good drift just inches from the Icamera was always close at hand, ising-looking points of the creek brought fish. The brown eased forward, slurp- ready for action. With the camera up to Our first stretch of water looked promis- no sign of fish, so we walked the gravel ing the rubber-legged hopper imitation my eye, my fingers would dance over ing, with nice bends, riffles, and the oc- road back to our vehicles, chugged water as Pete brought the line tight! A bunch the knobs and dials, making intuitive casional small deep-ish hole, though the in an attempt to knock back the heat and of hooting and hollering ensued as Pete changes on the fly. water was a bit stained. PK got under- fend off dehydration, and then headed fought and landed the fish. We grabbed a way, starting out with a dry-dropper rig. off to our third section of the day. few photos and slid the brown back into Those days are long past, and I’ve only An experienced angler since childhood, the water. Dry fly sight fishing at its best! occasionally played photographer dur- Pete has really caught the fly fishing bug Pulling up to a creekside vantage point, ing the last decade and a half. My sis- this past year. It’s a real joy when he we were excited to see rings from rising Amazingly enough, all the action had ter says, “Once you’re a photographer, stops by my desk at the office, detailing fish in a deep pool. Hurriedly, wede- not scared away the second sipping fish. you’ll always be a photographer,” and his fishing from the previous weekend, cided to make our way to a downstream We saw it resume its feeding, and Pete I know what she means, but the reality the flies that worked, how he rigged his section so that Pete could then fish his suddenly handed me his rod and said, is that my “eye” (and eyesight) and my setups, read the water, and succeeded or way back up to those risers. “You get this one.” fluidity behind the lens aren’t what they failed at landing fish. Pete’s an engineer, once were. so let’s just say he takes a very analytical Popping out of the brush along the wa- Excited to take a shot, I put my camera approach. ter, we were pumped to see a beautiful gear on the bank and stripped out some Still, the concept of trying to photograph stretch of what looked to be promising line. The gusts were truly difficult to fly fishing for trout was appealing to me, While Pete waded the stream, I worked water. As Pete methodically worked his manage, but after a few attempts I finally and something I’d never really attempt- through the brush. In all honesty, it took way upstream along a fairly fast-moving dropped the fly in the right place, got a ed with any sort of honest effort. exhausting effort and reminded me of stretch with a slightly undercut bank, gentle mend in to improve the drift, and wading in a very heavy current, just he saw a fish flash at his nymph. A few saw the fish slide forward to take the fly- My friend and coworker, Pete Koski, without water. If there was a convenient drifts later, it slashed at his Hippie Stom- -only to blow my hookset! agreed to be my fishing model for the way to package thick vegetation, you per but didn’t take. Then it was gone, day. I asked him to just fish as he would, could probably get rich selling it as exer- and we decided to move upstream and That was my one shot of the day, and and I’d move around as needed, trying to cise equipment. come back to the spot later to see if the despite “failing,” it certainly created a maintain a stealthy position so as not to fish had returned to its feeding lie. memorable moment for both myself and spook any fish. For the first few hours, Pete worked PK. As odd as it might sound, some- through various dry dropper rigs, but we Not much further upstream, still work- times the near misses are as fun as the We met up early on a weekday morning saw no sign of fish. Eventually, just be- ing the same fast riffle, it finally all came successes. at the horse trailer lot along Hay Creek, fore switching creek sections, a fish took together for the first time of the day. The near Red Wing, chatted briefly and de- but came off, and we saw one other riser. Hippie Stomper and a good hookset put Before heading back to our vehicles, Pete cided we’d try to hit a few different sec- a nice brown in the net, and as all of you retreated to the spot now slightly down- tions of the creek that MNTU has done A sandwich, some water, and a short know, it took a potential skunk off the stream, where he’d missed the take ear- habitat work on over the years. I’m not drive later, we walked downstream to books! lier. Sure enough, that fish (or its friend) going to share which exact segments we access our second section of Hay Creek. was back and had long forgotten its ear- fished, however. In fact, I heartily en- Feeling more like the dog days of sum- As we approached the slow pool just lier near-mistake. The Hippie Stomper courage all of you to keep any mentions mer than September, things were actu- above, success came Pete’s way for the came through once more, bringing one of your locations as vague as possible ally feeling a bit challenging. Bright second time of the day. I spotted two more fish to hand, and ending our day’s when socializing your fishing successes sunny skies, hot weather, and strong gently sipping trout, a couple feet apart, exploration of Hay Creek. or failures; it’s better for the fish and the gusty winds were all conspiring against just inches off the bank, in the cushion anglers. us. The water sometimes looked slow, formed by the creek turning downstream Mike ‘Kid’ Riemer is the Content Marketing which made me think it might be too into the riffle. Pete removed the dropper Manager & Storyteller for Salsa Cycles. He I will say that it felt slightly odd to gear warm, but PK’s thermometer proved and positioned himself to take a shot at lives in Richfield, Minnesota. Find him on up to wade and then leave the otherwise: mid-50s. the fish that was farthest downstream. Instagram @RiemDawg_Fly_Factory rod behind in the vehicle, but I The strong gusts of wind added diffi- 18 Left: Wild flowers covered the banks, adding even more beauty to the already stunning landscape. Right: This brown was finally caught by returning to its spot in the stream for a second try after letting it relax for a while.

PK keeps the rod high while landing one of the sippers we’d noticed in the soft edge upstream.

Left: Successfully sight-fishing to a rising fish is pretty much the most fun you can have with a fly rod. Right: On this hot day, the Hippie Stomper got the job done on Hay Creek. 19 Six Rivers Four Weeks, Four States and Beautiful Trout

By Bob Wagner t started on Minnesota’s North river. Biking and walking trails; pic- Shore at the Manitou River. Hav- nic areas; and roads and bridges pro- Iing fished North Shore steelhead vide dozens of fishing access points. for 20 years, I’m completely ad- Our daughter lives in Boise, so we dicted and astonished at the grandeur have fished the river successfully in of Gitche Gumee. Back in Bemidji, the past, both above the reservoir, on John, one of the founding fathers of the upper river, and below in town, our TU Headwaters chapter, describes off of the greenbelt. The Boise emp- the Manitou as having the look of a ties into the Snake River in the south- northern Ontario trout stream. John west part of the state. The Snake emp- should know, as he has fished some ties into the Columbia and is home of Canada’s best and most remote to sockeye salmon, chinook salmon brook trout havens. Area guide Carl and steelhead, which all are born in Haensel, and other respected authori- the fresh waters of Idaho and migrate ties, believe that the Manitou de- to the ocean. Chinook salmon swim serves special care, such as special almost 900 miles from the Pacific to regulations, and I agree. My wife central Idaho’s Redfish Lake. That is and I hiked a mile past almost ancient an amazing journey! It fills me with yellow birch, a visual treat worth lasting gratitude to stand next to my the trip alone. The brook trout were wife and daughter in the waters of the as wild and willing to please as the Boise and catch beautiful rainbows. beautiful birches. They readily took a Flashback Pheasant Tail nymph in Val suggested, to my delight, that size 16, but preferred the more natu- we consider hiring the Payette River ral brown-and-cream color. Their guide we met at a Boise fly fishing preference seemed to match the clear show. I booked a 12-mile river raft cold waters of the Manitou. This trip om the North Payette River, with river sang a song of collaboration Shane out of Cascade Raft and Out- with the rock, water, birch, pine, sun fitters. I have met and fished with a and weather. The brook trout is their lot of guides in five different states, product, their masterpiece. These, and Shane is one of the best. Shane’s working together over eons of time, custom-built raft is set up for fly fish- shape and mold a river home for the ing. His guiding experience--in Alas- brookie. The Manitou, along with a ka, and on whitewater--makes his few hundred other North Shore rivers services worth every penny. We put and tributaries, deserves our respect, in 60 miles north of Boise. This river appreciation and care. Val and I can’t section is wild, with no visible roads Val Wagner holds a wild brook trout from Minnesota’s North Shore. wait to return. nearby. It has five exciting, but safe, was a thrill to land one of the most We had never seen redwoods be- Class III rapids. We were amazed at colorful iridescent rainbows I’ve fore. After several hikes in two dif- After leaving the Manitou, we head- the scenic beauty, and at the rain- ever held. It was caught in the up- ferent areas, I have to say President ed to Spey Day, an event organized bows’ size and prolific number. We per Rogue, just south of Crater Lake Ronald Reagan, in my opinion, was by the LSSA (Lake Superior Steel- honestly lost count after 60-some fish National Park. profoundly wrong. During Reagan’s head Association) on the Wisconsin and a half-dozen mountain whitefish. presidency, when he was pushing for Brule River. Spey Day was great Val even caught a legitimate 21” We stayed on the Klamath River in more cutting, he said, “When you’ve and the Brule is always spectacular. rainbow that she successfully danced northern California, to see the red- seen one redwood you have seen Historic and user-friendly are two to the net. A double nymph indicator woods and hopefully fish the river. them all.” That’s like saying when descriptions that always flood my rig was used: first fly was a Beadhead brain when I wade into the water of Prince in size 12, and the dropper the Brule. We fished the upper Brule fly was a Rainbow Warrior tungsten with bright sun, and willing brook beadhead, in size 16. trout took Pass Lake flies just below the surface. A small, but feisty, sil- Our next river stop was the Rogue of ver salmon added to the day’s excite- Oregon. In 1968, Congress passed ment. There is absolute joy in hold- the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. It ing a light weight (3-5wt) fly rod and provided lasting preservation under hooking small fish. three classifications: Wild, Scenic, and Recreational. An 84-mile section On the drive home from the Brule we of the Rogue, from Applegate Creek started planning a road trip to see the near Grants Pass to Lobster Creek giant redwoods. We realized that, in by the coast, is designated by this total, we could fish six rivers in four act. Trey Combs, in his book Steel- weeks and possibly catch trout in all head Fly Fishing describes it well: of them. You can always dream, and “Fly fishing and the Rogue are nearly psychologists tell us dreams are im- synonymous, so easily define each portant. This article is all about this other, that the blending of mystiques dream, (catching trout in all six riv- has produced an image more power- ers), actually coming true. ful here than on any other American river.” This statement by Combs Our next road trip river was the Boi- is largely due to the legacy of Zane se River in Idaho. One of the many Grey, the famous novelist. Grey first unique aspects of the Boise River is fished the Rogue in 1919. He did his that the city of Boise has developed first successful float through today’s a 35-mile greenbelt along the Wild and Scenic section in 1925. It An iridescent rainbow trout caught from the Rogue River in Oregon. 20 you have seen one rainbow or steel- fishing is below the dam, as typical of head, you have seen them all. Unfor- tailwater rivers. It was a bright sun- tunately, the redwoods, like the steel- ny day with browns visible in several head, have been devastated, reduced locations working their redds. We to less than 5 percent of their origi- made arrangements to meet a friend nal population. Overharvesting and from Boise who knew the river, and unregulated industrial growth have whose fly fishing group just posted a almost destroyed both. Which re- photo of the redds, asking fisherman minds me, I hope all of us remember to not disturb spawning fish. I have important elections are not far away. never seen so many browns spawn- But, back to fishing, we did not get to ing on so many different locations in fish the Klamath because there were the same day. Fishing was poor. Our a dozen or more sea lions cruising the friend and guide thought it was the river, chasing and eating the salmon bright day combined with spawning and steelhead. Even the local people time. However, I managed to land were having no success. three fish, one more than 18 inches. They preferred a Beadhead Pheasant The last, but not least, road-trip spot Tail in gray-purple mix, size 16. was the Owyhee River in southeast Oregon. This tailwater is known for When you can road trip and fly fish its big browns. To say it is canyon six rivers in four different states in fishing is an understatement, given four weeks, life is good! the sign warning “look for falling rock next 21 miles”! Canyon fish- If you have any questions on access ing has impressive beauty, including points, gear, or roads, give me a call. clean, cold, clear water with miles As this goes off to the editor, we’re and miles of riffles, runs, boulders, headed up to explore the Middle bends and pools. As in most western Fork of the Payette. Maybe we can rivers, caddis flies, stoneflies, midges add one more river and, who knows, and mayflies abound. There can also maybe hit the Bighorn on the way be great, but selective, dry fly fish- home! Fish on! ing. Oregon’s liberal camping ac- cess laws provided plenty of access Editor’s Note: Bob Wagner is the president and dry camping sites, plus there is a of the Headwaters Chapter. He resides in state park on Lake Owyhee. The best Bemidji with his wife, Val.

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A PROUD SPONSOR OF MNTU! MNTU Chapter News

State of the Steelhead Gitche Gumee Join us for our annual meeting about the amazing spring-run fish and fishing Chapter along Minnesota’s majestic North Shore. Genetics study updates, North Shore Another terrific open water season is habitat projects, and the latest fishing re- wrapping up in northeast Minnesota ports will all be discussed. with approaching snowflakes and fro- When: April 9 at 7 p.m. zen lakes. Our first GGTU meeting this Where: Hartley Nature Center in Duluth fall was one of the most well attended in recent memory, thanks largely to Brent Notbohm UMDFLY, a student fly fishing group at the University of Minnesota – Duluth. Thanks to all who came to hear about the amazing fall fishing opportunities Headwaters we have on Minnesota’s North Shore and Wisconsin’s Brule River. Chapter GGTU chapter meetings are always open to the public and one need not be A loaded spring and summer for TU a TU member to attend. Here are the re- 642 volunteers started with an expanded maining great programs we are offering Trout in the Classroom release day in this fall, winter, and spring: May. We added an aquatic investigation, observation and data collection project Fishing Chequamegon Bay involving 60 students and 12 TU vol- Learn from one of the region’s top unteers. Our fifth annual Pike Hunt took guides, Luke Kavajecz, on how to target place in June. Poor weather conditions the smallmouth bass and brown trout of didn’t damper the fun of 26 fly cast- Wisconsin’s Chequamegon Bay. Not a ers. Special thanks to 18 TU volunteers program to miss! acting as boat captains, guides, fish fry When: November 14 at 7 p.m. workers, and more. Fresh spring north- Where: Hartley Nature Center in Duluth ern pike are always delicious! Also, our chapter received a special state Hooked Fly Tying Holiday Social on Angling grant. Thanks to two board Learn how to tie flies from one of the members’ extra time and effort, we re- northland’s best, John Fehnel, owner of ceived the funding to buy equipment the Great Lakes Fly Shop. No vice or and successfully conducted three Satur- materials needed. Catch up with friends day fishing and fly tying events. June and fellow anglers to talk fishing while was panfish, July was pike and bass, and Win-Cres volunteers put their Brushhog to work on Garvin Brook and Diamond, Hemingway and Rush Creeks this summer. we wait for the thaw of spring. Annual September was trout. 20 participants GGTU board elections will be held at and eight volunteers had a rewarding A Call to Arms the beginning of the meeting. and fun experience, plus important grant Hiawatha Chapter When: December 12 at 7 p.m. goals were accomplished. Chapter 642 Every few years, HTU looks for new Where: The Great Lakes Fly Shop in was also involved in a Youth Outdoor On October 7, Hiawatha Trout Unlim- board members to infuse new enthusi- Duluth Experience Day in Alexandria, which ited (HTU) had our members meeting asm and fresh ideas into our board of di- will likely continue in the future. with John Lenczewski, MNTU’s ex- rectors. HTU is currently seeking those F3T (Fly Fishing Film Tour) ecutive director, and Ron Benjamin, the who want to join a great team that I Join us for our fourth annual screening Frozen Fly Film Festival DNR area office manager, talking about personally have had the pleasure of call- of the F3T. Watch great films about Mark your calendars for Tuesday, De- the health of trout streams in southeast ing friends and fellow board members fly fishing from around the world and cember 3 at BBC (Bemidji Brewing Minnesota. It was held at the VFW in for many years. We are asking for new win awesome prizes! Cosponsored by Company). We will have the entire tap- northwest Rochester. people to join us on our board as officers, the Arrowhead Fly Fishers. Check the room for the grand event. The top fly members at-large, and many other roles. GGTU Facebook page soon for informa- fishing videos from Great Waters Expo, On November 4, HTU will have an Au- We also invite people to join our board tion on how to buy tickets. fly fishing gear, flies, equipment, art, and thor’s Corner. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. to help out with our website and Face- When: January 26, door open 3 p.m. Christmas gift items will be available in and the meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. It will book page, as well as those who enjoy Where: Clyde Iron Works in Duluth bucket raffles, plus door prizes for all. be held at the Rochester VFW (2775 planning and setting up events, like our There will be food, beer, and soft drinks. 43rd St. NW). The authors will include annual Christmas party and annual fun- Projects and Fisheries Management All proceeds go to our regional TU ed- John Weiss of the Rochester Post Bul- draiser. It’s only a monthly obligation. with the WI and MN DNR ucational programs. See ad printed in letin, Justin Watkins, Larry Gavin, and You will have a great deal of fun and Once again, our annual joint meeting newsletter on page 15. James Holden. They will have their satisfaction knowing you’re a part of a with the Arrowhead Fly Fishers will books to sell and great stories and poems dedicated group of people who love our feature experts from the Wisconsin and Winter Fly Tying Nights to share. Please join us. trout streams and the trout that live in Minnesota DNR to discuss a variety of We are starting the winter season of fly them. You will have a say in preserving topics related to fishing and habitat. tying nights on Thursday, November On December 2, HTU will have the an- both for future generations. Please stand When: February 18 at 7 p.m. 21. Set up is at 5:30 p.m. Order food if nual Christmas party at the Olmsted up and be recognized. You can contact Where: Clyde Iron Works in Duluth you would like. Tying starts at approxi- History Center. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. me, Phil Pankow, current President of mately 6:30 p.m. Beginners welcome, HTU will provide the main dish and ac- HTU, with questions and your interests. Habitat Work and Fishing Opportu- however, please call Bob Wagner at 218- companiments. We ask anyone who at- Text or call me at 507-273-0934 or email nities on Minnesota’s South Shore of 766-7757 so we can plan accordingly for tends to bring a dish to share. Anyone me at: [email protected] Lake Superior equipment and instruction. Pre-set ty- whose last name begins A-M are asked Not familiar with this coldwater fishery ing dates: Dec. 12, Jan. 2, 16, 30, Feb. to bring a side dish and N-Z to bring a Phil Pankow just south of Duluth? Learn about the 13, 27, and March 12, 26. The TU board dessert. We will have many great raffle Blackhoof River and other trout streams may add more dates throughout the year. items, great food, and great friends to in the Nemadji basin, along with the share it all with. Mark your calendars habitat work MNTU has done to pre- Fly Fishing Classes with location and date. The address of Twin Cities Chapter serve and protect them. Val and Bob will offer another women’s the History Center is 1195 W. Circle Dr. When: March 12 at 7 p.m. class next summer, as well as another There has been significant progress on Where: Hartley Nature Center in Duluth co-ed class. Stay tuned for info. We are The next member meeting will be Janu- habitat improvement projects in Twin always open to questions and comments. ary 6. Speaker TBA. It will be held at the Cities area trout streams this season. VFW in Rochester. Thanks to all of those who volunteered 22 Bob Wagner and helped accomplish our habitat goals. MNTU Chapter News

Look for more updates through the win- was damaged this year and required ter and let us know if you would like to rework. Lesser impacts were seen on lend a hand next season. Read our up- most area streams. A fish kill on upper dates on the local habitat projects below Garvin was associated with heavy rains. Trout on Tap and find our upcoming events at the end It is still under investigation by the of this column. MPCA and other state agencies. Winter Garage Sale

South Branch of the Vermillion: Phase The DNR’s approach to habitat work two of habitat restoration of 7200 feet of seems to be shifting a bit. After sev- Saturday, January 25 the South Branch was completed in late eral years of emphasizing the “natural August, despite many rain delays. Work stream” concept, which involves bank 12-3 p.m. Able Seedhouse & Brewery included shifting four stream bends shaping, channel narrowing, and the use 1121 Quincy St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413 away from steep, eroding slopes. Phase of locally available materials (mostly three, using hand labor to fine tune chan- logs and root wads), there seems to be • Rent a table to sell your gear nel features, must wait for low flow con- the recognition that large rock is neces- ditions. In phase one, volunteers cleared sary to anchor some spots. • Donate your gear to MNTU to sell buckthorn throughout the riparian cor- • Contact Dan Callahan to sign up and for ridor. We will need volunteers again to Win-Cres’ habitat work this summer has help complete phase three. consisted mainly of maintaining stream information: [email protected] access by mowing. Using a Brush- New Easements: We are currently hog purchased with funds from our • Open fly tying working with the DNR to establish three last banquet, Mike Jeresek led a group • FREE entrance, kids and families welcome! fishing easements with three property of volunteers in mowing 15 miles of owners. One landowner is currently stream corridor on Garvin, Diamond, talking to other landowners adjacent Hemingway, and Rush Creeks. Take to his property to link about 2 miles of a look at the accompanying photo to additional restorable stream upstream see what they encountered. Another from our completed section. I hope to group, led by John Weaver, poisoned one day have 4 miles of fishable water the highly invasive Japanese knotweed between County Road 66 and County along Garvin Brook. Road 50 to the west. This is extremely cold water and the DNR would like to A memorial bench for Brian Schumach- re-stock with native brook trout. er and Janet Viet was placed in the Pres- ton Trailside Park on July 14. Brian Parsnip Patrol: We recently lost our and Janet died tragically while fishing spray boss and we need to find another. in Iceland last year. The site was one of We have the equipment and only need a Brian’s favorite fishing spots. Nearly leader to organize a group of about 4-6 30 people gathered for the dedication. volunteers. Engaging the next generation: Win- November Chapter Meeting Cres members sponsored a home-and- Tuesday, November 19, 5:30 p.m. to 8 home series of events with the Good- p.m. hue Fishing Club. In the winter, our Mentoring: Investing in the future of fly- members taught skills at Goodhue High fishing, and changing lives and lifestyles School. In April, we guided a bus load along the way. of enthusiastic young people on area The Green Mill, 57 Hamline Ave S, St. streams. The club is 70 members strong Paul, MN 55105 and has a strong contingent of young 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. - Dinner and So- women. cial Hour (own dime) 6:30pm to 8pm - Guest Speaker: Dan Agribusiness: For the moment, no Brown large feedlots are being planned for southeast Minnesota. The Catalpa Ag Winter Fish Camp proposal was denied a permit by the Friday to Sunday, November 22-24 MPCA. The Daley Farms proposal was We will again be holding a fishing camp denied a variance by Winona County. at the (heated) cabins in Whitewater The latter decision is being contested in State Park. This is a great opportunity to court. This will be an ongoing saga. socialize, learn about fishing, and catch some fish in one of the loveliest spring- Fishing: I am happy to report the fish fed streams in the U.S. Sign up for the have survived the climatic and human camp via the TCTU Facebook event. drama. The good old days are now. Area streams are full of 10” to 14” fish, with an occasional whopper. They are Tony Nelson as spooky as ever.

Fundraising: Win-Cres has two fun- draising events: a banquet on Nov. 23 Win-Cres Chapter and a bamboo fly rod raffle. Banquet tickets are $20; Sponsor tickets are $100 and are accompanied by 50 raffle Climate Change is here in the Drift- tickets. The fly rod is built and donated less Area. We are seeing more big rain by Steve Sobieniak of the Root River events. Our valleys function like large Rod Company. Guests and contribu- funnels, carrying rain quickly to area tions are welcome. See the accompany- streams. We have had intense rains and ing ad on page 15 for contact informa- intense floods this summer. This has tion on both. had an impact on streams and some of the habitat work. A large project on Chuck Shepard lower Rush Creek installed late in 2018 23 Want to Get This Newsletter? There are TWO ways!

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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 Reeling It In waters, organize fundraisers, and, of course, swap a few fish tales and learn how to tie the latest fly patterns. Landscape Healing All members also receive this publication, as well as TROUT, TU’s national mag- By Hannah Miller • Art by Sophia Heymans azine. Other benefits include a 16-month TU calendar, car rental & hotel dis- ow serene, I thought. I looked climate change-grief, at the least for the counts and more. TU offers a variety of membership categories. down over a river winding its loss of predictability and innocence? way with leaps and slides, like Visit www.tu.org today to sign up. Han otter, from the highlands to Lake Su- If I started my hike with Thomas Cole perior. How pristine the forest, how ma- in my eyes, as I retrace my steps, the jestic the hills, how far away, the nearest vision is displaced by a vivid, new set town! As if painted by a member of the of paintings by Minnesota-born Sophia Or Subscribe! Hudson River School, a dramatic cloud Heymans. In her series, “Post-Human,” hung across the Sawtooth Mountains. A Sophia seems to sharpen and mature For those of you who are members of chapters in other states, or who would worry flickered across the serenity. It’s my grief in bright oils. With majesty in like to directly support MNTU’s newsletter, we welcome subscribers who would like to receive and support the newsletter. Sign up to get three colorful already been a wetter than average sum- scale, this series presents a kind of ani- issues annually. Mail in this form to receive the next issue arriving in February! mer. Would the fish be blinded again by mistic utopia. The smoke, trees, winds, turbid waters, gillful of clay? Would the and waters are her actors and subjects; Name______weave of spruce and cedar fibers hold they seem to greet, reach, dance, and the scarce soils in another onslaught? search, inviting the viewer to partake Address______What will climate change wash away? in their wild jubilance. The longer you My awe at the view gave way to compas- look, the more the fervor escalates; it’s City______State______Zip______sion, as it must. We’ve begun, culturally, the closest color can come to laughter. to reckon with our role in nature; we’re Most of us humans think fondly on our Email Address______more than a witness outside the frame. own species, but it’s hard not to look at It’s beautiful, and it’s complicated. It be- these paintings and feel glad for the free- gins to rain. dom of expression nature has without Circle one: 1 Year Subscription @ $20 3 Year Subscription @ $55 us in them. Amid the laughter, the grief Landscape painting didn’t end with the is there. What would it take for us to Hudson River School. It didn’t even live our way into these paintings? What Only Checks Are Accepted. pause for a minute when the Grand would it take for nature to greet, reach, Marais Art Colony’s plein air class was and search for us? To throw a confetti of Mail Completed Forms To: scheduled during an easel-splintering snow to celebrate our coming of age into Minnesota Trout Unlimited gale! This must be; we need to evolve our role in nature? Grief is about trans- P.O. Box 845, Chanhassen, Minnesota 55317 our thinking about landscape. We must formation, about re-imagining a role for learn to move with ease through awe and ourselves in the confusion of change and compassion and back. How else will we loss. If we could mature our grief, we comprehend our own grief in the face of might find a way into the frame. 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 the work necessary to obtain grants to fund our stream restoration and environmental educa- tion programs, cannot continue without your direct financial support of Minnesota TU. We receive none of the donations raised from TU’s direct mail and other fundrais- ing 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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VISA or Mastercard #______CVV_____ Exp Date______Above: Twenty Seven Waterfalls, 50” x 60” 2017 paper mâché, moss, string, prairie grass seeds, burrs and oil on canvas Mail Completed Forms To: Minnesota Trout Unlimited Top: Should I Be Good or Bad Today? 60” x 84” 2017 P.O. Box 845, Chanhassen, Minnesota 55317 paper mâché, mop strings, prairie grass seeds, oil on canvas See more of Sophia Heymans’ art at www.sophiaheymans.com