Breaktime - What to do?

Hi Everyone!

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas! I am looking forward to the new year and getting those fish lines wet and setting the hook on a brookie or two. In the meantime, I got on ebay and bid on an inexpensive fly tying vice/tool kit. I am looking forward to tying some flies I learned to ty during our workshop this fall.

Also, for those of you who want to improve on your casting, Andy Roth is teaching a fly casting class in January and February through the Eden Prairie Community Education system. Check out the www.mnwomenflyfish.wi.is website under announcements for more information.

Wonder if anyone will be fly fishing at midnight on New Year's Eve? I know there was some dialogue about people getting together to fish at Whitewater................Anyone that does, please come back and comment on that!

Well, tune in and see if I post a pic or two on the flies I ty :-)!

Keep March 6-8, 2009 open - GREAT WATER EXPO - Sheraton Hotel, Bloomington, MN

In the meantime, plan on getting your fish lines wet!

Happy New Year (Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!)

Sat, Nov 1, 2008 Fly Tying Workshop

Passed up hiking on this beautiful Fall day. Instead, attended a workshop tying flies along with others, who are passionate about fly fishing.(Note: Melissa took advantage of the beautiful day and went for a run at the end of the workshop) DNR-TJ picked three popular flies to start with...........the wooly bugger, brassie, and pheasant tail. The attendees were eager to learn, inspired to shop for their own equipment, and ready for the next class. A seasoned FF, KB, also attended. Not one to sit quietly, KB shared tips on tying and during our lunch break, confessed he did get up extra early to frost the cookies (fish cutouts) he baked the night before.
Thanks to Patti, our centerpiece made a great place to display our finished flies.
Just an FYI - I checked out different fly tying kits for 150.00 or less. The two that I liked as a starter for a beginner are:
Umpqua: Kaufmann's Premium Fly Tying for Beginners Kit
or the Orvis beginner's kit. Both of these have the vise, tying tools, threads, and other materials along with a 'How to' book. I did not check out Cabela's or Sportsmen Warehouse. If anyone does, let us know at our next 'first-ever' meeting. Hope most of you will be able to attend!
Happy tying!

Tues, October 21, 2008 Meeting

Our WM FF monthly meeting, held at Sportsman Whse in Coon Rapids was well attended. The meeting presenter covered at the end of the season - fishing gear care. It was very informative and helpful . We read about fishermen keeping their boats and prop blades clean when they leave one lake and launch their boats at another lake.....................same concept with wader boots with felt bottoms..............Care of waders, rod and reel, fishing lines, and fishing boxes were well covered by a lot of Q&A between attendees, presenter, and KB, past president of TCTU. Kevin also commented on a hearing regarding another Ethanol plant being built in SE MN, voting on the clean water act, and also his involvement in starting a chapter of Casting for Recovery. Minutes of meeting will be posted on the women's FF website.

As we are at the end of the season, I will try to post information that will helpful for 2009 fishing season.

This Saturday, a few of us signed up for a Fly Tying Workshop taught by our favorite DNR -TJ.

In the meantime............keep those fishing lines ready!!

Saturday, Sept 27th, 2008

Here are pictures of The Kinni................
The trout season ended on September 30th; and it was mandatory that I make it to the Kinni......one more time. The forecast for a cooler morning was not worth the effort to rush to get there early. It was a blue sky day and got there at noon. I saw that a few others got there about the same time. Initially nymphing and then later switching to a dry flies, I missed a couple but saw a lot............again very frustrating to see and 'be in their face' but .................that's all!

Interestingly, during one of my down time while switching to a different fly, I met a guy, a former attendee of 2007 Fly Fishing Workshop headed by Lew B. He admitted he has not been out as much as he wanted to since taking that workshop, so we exchanged/shared some knowledge/ideas we had learned/experienced as novices to the sport. The others also frustrated with luck....tried different methods, and left to try another spot. I also took the time to check out different accesses along the river.

Iowa - trout is open all year round!

Keep those fishing lines wet!!

Tuesday, Sept 16th Mtg - Lebanon Prk

At our monthly WM FF meeting there were about 12 members in attendance. For those that got there early, they were able to practice their casting. Late comers, not mentioning any names, got there in time to listen to discussion, take pictures, and see everyone. It was a perfect place and time for casting. The beach area was clear of sunbathers/swimmers and the wind was rather calm. Included is a slide show of the group/activities.

Next meeting will be on care of fishing gear!

Keep those flylines wet!

Rush River, Sept 6th

'Great Event' for the WM FF MN.............Thanks to Sue R and Tom H. (Midwest FF) we were able to have an event on the Rush River just south of Baldwin, WI. About 12 WM FF were paired up with FF that Tom H. rounded up to share their knowledge and expertise in this sport. It was exciting and fun to fish next to experts that were willing to take the time to mentor us, the WM FF. I know there were other women that wanted to sign up; but had scheduling conflicts that prevented them from joining us this time. I HOPE that this will be an annual event. There are so many things to learn; but as these seasoned FF claim........they are still learning each time they cast their flylines into the water.

What would really be nice if we could have a buddy system throughout the fishing season. It doesn't matter whether it is on the river/stream or on the lake. It's a matter of going out there side by side with a seasoned FF who can share and encourage a novice to this sport.

For my time, I learned nymphing and just reading the streams, water safety, and techniques of casting depending on your position in the water. Lew B., who teaches a workshop in the spring and I attended that workshop, and Jack H, a seasoned FF and artist, were mentors for Grace G, Carol M, and me. (Just a plug on Lew and his group....Check out the information for his spring Workshop at the FF Expo next year!--this workshop is a MUST for all novice FF (men or women))

Besides falling in the water, getting stuck in the muck, hiking up and down the streams, we learned a lot and I did CATCH a fish............maybe not big enough to take a picture.

Thanks to Sue and Tom for putting this together and thanks to the guys who volunteered to make it a successful event by all. I know......Sue, Carol, Grace, Margaret, Betty, Susan, Kate, Cinda, Yvonne, Melissa, Patty, and myself loved it!!!

Keep those fishing lines wet!

The Kinni

Visited the Kinni three the past week and a half!

Disappointed! Discouraged!! Defeated!! Desperate!! DETERMINED!!!!

Twice by myself and the other with another WM FF! I was armed with tricos (#22 and #24), adams, nymphs, and fly ants/hoppers. I got there early, checked the temperature, and it was still cool enough that did not see any 'trout rising' I tried nymphs and as soon as it started warming up, I could see a lot of activity on the surface so I switched to tricos. I would cast across but above the activity and let it drift over. I repeated this process and nothing. I would see them them rise and I had a few hits; but was not able to set the hook. I ran into a couple of FF who suggested a couple places downstream and even gave me flies to try; but no success. What seemed like a few minutes was really several hours; and it was time to pack up and go. One of those days was called to a halt when over 25 kayakers started their downstream adventure to their delight and to my disappointment. A usual stop at Lund's Fly Shop on the way out of town to talk shop and buy a few more flies to replace ones lost. Another day to return and hopefully get lucky to practice 'catch and release' for the first time on the Kinni!!!

Keep those fishing lines wet!!

Mn State Fair 2008

Had a great time at Mn State Fair! FF groups(Midwest FF, Trouts Unlimited, MN FF, St. Paul Fly Tying, and WMFFMN) had tables setup next to 'The Pond' by the DNR Building. As a new member of the FF Wm of Mn, it was great to meet other anglers from the various groups. Veteran anglers partnered with the DNR by 'The Pond' to demonstrate FF, comment on the different species of fish, and awareness of the conservation program available.

I also took advantage of chatting with one the veteran tiers. He shared a book 'Basic Stream Flies' by Schollmeyer & Peterson a must have for novice tiers; but also used by veterans. Also, for someone new to FF, Sue is a veteran member of FF Wm of Mn suggested 'Basic Fly Fishing' by Rounds is a good one to add to your reference library. I ordered these right away on Amazon.

We all took turns to demonstrate fly casting and invited the audience to participate. Young and old took the time to try it and we enjoyed teaching as much as the participants enjoyed learning.

Keep those fly lines wet!

FF WM of Mn meeting at W. Bush Lake was very informative. David Hall was our presenter. He spoke on the life cycle of Tricos and how fish responds during this cycle depending on weather conditions. The male tricos, black bodies, usually hatch at night; and the female tricos, green bodies with dun colored wings, usually hatch in the morning, around daybreak. During the mating ritual, the male and female will mate in a cluster over a riffle(try fishing the spinner pattern in in riffles-need to make a wiggle cast and make sure no drag). As the males completes the process, will land or fall on the water(spinner fall can be the hardest part to fish); and the female will lay their eggs shortly and die as well(before they hit the water try fishing emerger pattern across and downstream). Hook sizes #20,22,24.

David recommended 'Mayflies: An Angler's Study of Trout Water Ephemeroptera; by Knopp and Cormier. Also a plug for their website www.troutnut.com.


_______________________________________________________________________
Fishing Reports for Kinni/RR at the website for Lunds Fly Shop in RF, WI. The list below have been reported successful as of 08/13/08 posting:

(K) Kinni
(RR) Rush River
....................................

BH Pheasant Tail-(K)
Black Ant-(K)
Pink Squirrels –(K,RR)
Allison's Two-Tone Scud-(K)
Prince Nymph-(K)
Bread & Butter Black Caddis – (K,RR)
Gray Midge-(K)
Trico Spinners-(K)
Blue Wing Olives-(K)
Black Crickets – (K,RR)
Some Hoppers – (K,RR)
Black Beetles-(RR)
Flying Ants-(RR)
Pheasant Tail Nymph-(RR)
BWO Struggling Dun-(RR)
Rob's Gray Scud-(RR)


Being new to FF, I still need visuals to associate the name.

So for the FF novice like me, I added the Fly Slide Show

Keep those fly lines wet!

Trout Fish Regulations for The Kinni and Rush River
Info from the web:

Tricos (Tricorythodes) Mayfiles

Being new to FF, I must confess when Tricos are mentioned I am a little clueless. So for the other Women FF and Men FF for that matter, read on. I googled and pasted this info from one of the website (http://business.virgin.net/english.flyfishingshop/dry-trico.html) that helped me know a little about Tricos!

............'These tiny white winged, dark bodied Trico mayflies can trigger aggressive trout feeding. The males normally emerge as duns in great clouds in the evening and overnight on bankside vegetation where they transform into spinners by the following morning. The larger white bodied female duns emerge in the very early morning and change into spinners within minutes. They then enter the mating swarm of male Trico spinners. The males fall back to the water after mating where they are eagerly sucked up by lurking hungry trout. The females collapse into the water after laying eggs. The massive hatches and spinner falls turn the trout into surface feeders'...................

........'The Trico duns of this mayfly normally emerge after dark, and are not as important to the flyfishing angler as the spinners. If you are out fishing on a cool early morning you may see a few Trico duns take off from the top off the water, but not usually in enough numbers to bring lots of trout to the surface. If you are night fishing a small hook black gnat parachute is a great Trico Dun imitation may be found successful. Knowledge of local air temperature conditions on the river you intend to fish is very important in judging when to expect Trico spinner falls. They normally occur in the summer months when the air temperature ranges from 68-70F during a relatively brief hour to hour-and-a half time period. Try to check the local weather forecast prediction overnight low temperature the day before you go fishing and try to estimate when the sun will warm the air to the correct level'.........

............'Trico hatch fishing needs good drag-free presentation. Use a long leader of about 10 feet that turns over efficiently with light supple tippets at least two and a half feet long 6X, 7X or 8X, depending on water conditions. The natural Trico spinners are dead-drifting in the water surface film and flow with the current. Therefore dead drift my trico flies without any movement to mimic the natural tricos as any drag will result in rejection by the hungry trout. When the Trico fall has finished do not pack up and go home. Open your fly box and tie on some terrestrial fly patterns like a hopper, ant or beetle. The Trico feeding trout have been focusing on the water surface. Have found that terrestrials, work well on trout that are still looking for more food from the top'..................

Remember hook sizes #20, #22, or #24

Hope this helps Gals!

don't forget the meeting tomorrow night, Tuesday, Aug 19th,..........subject matter on Tricos!

Tidbit when fishing Kinni late in the summer!

FF.........

Sharing comment from an email FF_PP, FF expert..........

my#18 hook, too big, go smaller.........#22 or #24.

............Now the 'it depends' be careful they likely were rising to tricos but after 10 AM or so they can switch over and continue to rise but might be taking something entirely different. As the morning wanes make sure they are still taking what would likely be spent wings from the end of the hatch if you don't see spent wings floating on the water and they are still rising then they've moved on and this time of the year after the trico hatch into mid day and afternoon start thinking terrestials ... ants, beetles and hoppers. If fish are rising in close to the banks near bushy areas etc then they aren't tricos they are likely beetles and ants ...............from KB

Thanks KB......

FF Women of MN - monthly meeting

HI Gals,

Meeting this Tuesday, Aug 19th, at W. Bush Lake Park.......6:00 pm
Subject 'Trico Hatch'
time to learn, cast, fish and share stories............

Also, check out Trout Unlimited (link) for the Hay Creek Project in Red Wing. This will be a great time to learn about the river, meet new people, and 'lend a helping hand'

Keep those fly lines wet!

FF on the Root River from a State Bike Trail Angle!

This past weekend was a (Weekend On The Farm) a trek to the southeastern part of the state. The river bluffs and the lush green fields made biking fun. To combine biking and FF would be a BIG plus because of the access to various parts of the river. I put in over 100 miles and saw some wonderful river edges along the Iowa River in Decorah, IA and the South Branch of the Root River along the Harmony and Preston route. The Camp Creek that meets up to the Root River in Preston winds around the farm fields that are dotted with milking and beef cows along the way. The stretch between Lanesboro, Whalen, and Rushford is also an inviting FF paradise. Anyone who has fished the Root River, please comment! Anyone interested in combining the biking and fishing approach? The bike trail gives access to areas you would never see from the road. The 51 mile stretch gives you a lot of option to fish. I am up for it...........Are YOU??

Women Fly Fishers want to make a Fashion Statement!

Whenever I find a new passion, I would gather as much information as I can. As I OD through this process, I have bookmarked, cutout, accumulated books and mags to last me a few years on a deserted island. One of the sites I visited happens to be equipment with color options for rod and reel. Red (raspberry-would work) would make a bold statement, Although Pink, will generate the interest to help out cancer patients, but SAGE rod and reel has captured that market. I guess it is a woman's thing to make a fashion statement; within a reasonable budget. I came across a website, Elkhorn Fly Rod and Reel, you can link to it from my blog. I emailed Brian Chavet, the owner, for more information. A quick response from him indicated to me the kind of service they practice.

I have attached a picture of their rods, which looks quite fashionable and of good quality. He suggested the purple (new) color rod with the gray reel would make a great combo. I am putting a plug for that fly shop located in Loveland,CO. Take the time to check it out, see my links, and be sure to mention my name and blog. Ladies, the fly fishing gear, such as waders and boots, have a long way to go for all body types. So I welcome your comments when you come across some great places to shop for quality and price. In the meantime, keep those fishing lines wet!

First morning on the Kinni

Early start before the temperature starts rising. Our trek to the Kinni across the St. Croix River towards River Falls, WI was less then an hour's drive. My new waders and wading boots were packed in the trunk; but my Keen water sneakers would do fine along the river on the lower side of the dam. We parked our car along Glenn Park side of the street across from the residential area. Got our gears ready before starting a slow hike down along the steep trail to the river's edge. There were two other cars; two men just finished suiting up their waders and grabbing their gears and a father and son team just getting out of their car. We carefully found our own spot along the edge.

While witnessing trouts smacking the surface, I was pretty confident that I would be able to exercise the 'catch and release' practice for today. The day before I bought some flies based on the information noted on the website of a local website. Casting was not the problem of the day. I tried all my different flies; but they just wouldn't bite. What frustration! Presentation................I tried. I looked to see what was on the water and tried to find one to mimic. Size of the hook was a big factor because I did not have anything smaller than an 18. I had dry flies.......I did everything to put 'in their face' approach. They would jump and roll right in front of my eyes. Nothing!!

It seems like only a few minutes; but it was a few hours. It was getting warm; and was glad that waders were left in the car and water up to my knees made it comfortable and close enough to the 'subject matter'. I was skunked; but I know that I will be back to do this again and again.

As we called it a day, we started to wind toward the bottom of the trail that will ascend towards the park. We were met by 4 kayakers getting ready to start their voyage downstream. This made it easier to leave since there will be tubers later that will add to the recreational activity along the river. Before leaving River Falls, we made a stop to the local bait shop to check their message board to see what was biting. It was Tricos and much smaller.............size 22. Bought a few for next time and knowing that the next time it will be some other flies that will be successful. I am not discouraged, maybe a little disappointed. I will return to land one next time.

In the meantime, keep those fly lines wet!