DriftlessNow.com’s focus is on the nature, geological features, cultures, and people of the Driftless area. In addition, we showcase events that celebrate the pride and diversity that makes the Southwest Wisconsin Driftless region unique.
All tagged Wisconsin Trout Fishing
When I was a kid, we lived 33 steps from the Kickapoo River.
All outdoors folks have dreams of the perfect deer hunting place where the twelve point bucks are plentiful and there is a stream that runs through the center of it with many eager trout.
I ran in to Scot Schellhorn at the Apple Festival in Gays Mills. Scot and I usually talk fishing when we meet. This was one of those talks.
I need to give a little background to begin the story. Recently I have been doing lots of presentations at schools to encourage young people to take up fishing. Along the way I was asked to speak at some nursing homes also. I have spoken at five now and have a couple more scheduled. My wife used to work at a nursing home and she thought it was a good thing for the retired folks. She called it bringing the trout stream to them.
I didn't even have the trout on and it haunted me. My friend Andy's encounter with it was chapter one of the saga. I remember reading his email at first and dismissing the possibility of a monster in that stretch. My left knee was at full "I hate you" phase and I dismissed the fish story partially because of my knee not cooperating. I was supposed to be with Andy that day but I chickened out because of my knee.
I stopped at the farm house for the fifth time in six years. I was a little bashful as I exited my vehicle. Each time I had stopped here over the years the results were the same. We talked each time for a short time but he was always on task and our interaction was minimal.
The ritual was always the same. He would kick me out of bed at 4 am. Mom would have poached eggs over toast for us ready on the table. We would discuss where we were going and any things of interest in the area. We would examine our rods and reels for wear. The first spinner of the day was tied on at the table to assure the knot was true in the light. Tying on a lure in the dark on stream many times was a recipe for disaster.
In the past couple years, streams and creeks throughout the Driftless region in Southwestern Wisconsin have been reshaped and seen bank erosion due to severe storms and more than average flooding.
With the worst flooding hitting the Driftless last summer, conservationists are beginning restoration efforts that are crucial to the health and management of the area’s waters. Read more at DriftlessNow.com
