Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Are there any dangerous animals in Southeastern Minnesota?

A: Yes and no. The most dangerous is probably an ornery bull, with the deer tick coming in second (Lyme disease). In reality, the Driftless Region is pretty friendly, and only normal caution is needed when in the woods. I have only seen one rattlesnake in 40+ years, and am more concerned with farmer's dogs in driveways. I also don't get between cows and their calves in the spring. Poison ivy is rarely found near streams, although wild parsnip is, and it can give a nasty burn. Long-sleeve shirts are always a good idea, as well as sun screen and sometimes DEET.

Q: How does a beginner know where to fish for trout?

A: For access questions, the DNR's Trout Stream Access brochure is a must. The stream portions with public access are usually marked stream-side with small tan metal signs as well. In addition, the presence of stiles (home-made "ladders") over fences are a good indicator of a friendly landowner. Even in areas without "public" access, a polite request often brings permission. Just remember to stay in the stream corridor and respect fences, livestock and property.

As to where to fish for trout in the stream itself, that's where a guide or an angling friend can be helpful. There are also numerous books at the library that can help you narrow your casting to the more productive water. A very good one is "Reading Trout Streams" by Tom Rosenbauer. Ross Mueller of Wisconsin has two good books out, and actually going out on-stream with a good pair of Polaroid sunglasses is probably the best way.

Q: How many hours do we fish for your "day rate"?

A: First, I don't fish when guiding someone. My job is to help you become a better trout angler - and that's my focus. As to hours, I generally meet a client early AM and we drive to one of a number of streams, fish for 3 or 4 hours, eat a stream-side or tail-gate lunch, and often fish until dark. I won't force anyone to fish until dark, but when the day is successful, "Supper" is often a Subway sandwich eaten on the way home - clients decide if they want to be home before midnight.

Q: Why don't you guide on weekdays?

A: Since it's hard to earn a living as a guide in Minnesota when the state is frozen half the year, I need to earn a living conventionally. That means I sell printing Monday through Friday - although I am always on the lookout for a fly-fishing printing customer!

Q: What if I want to try winter fishing - will you guide me?

A: Not at this time - although I have guided clients during the early spring season when the weather was worse than it was in February! I'm still learning the nuances of winter fishing myself, since the streams and the holding spots for trout definitely change once winter sets in.

Q: Why do you emphasize Catch and Release?

A: Bluff Country streams can only support so many pounds of trout per water acre and insect/baitfish biomass. We can either have a nice mixture of trout sizes over a 100 yards of good water - ranging from minnows up to 10, 12 and 14 inch "keepers" and maybe one or two 16" to 20" boss trout. Keep enough of the "frying pan-size" trout, however, and you will end up with the same 100 yards of water populated by 600 to 1,000 trout between 2" and 4" Ð with maybe a couple of 7" trout that might be lucky enough to breed the next year.

The DNR's emphasis is on natural reproduction not stocking for put and take. Having said that there are two exceptions. The DNR does stock Rainbow trout for a catch and keep public usually in state parks. They also stock Rainbow trout in lakes for the same reason. So, if you want to keep a few trout for supper make sure they are Rainbows and don't worry about it. They don't reproduce naturally in our Bluff Country streams to any great degree. But please, put the Brown trout and Brook trout back. They will take your fly again next year.

Q: Do you guide in Wisconsin?

A: Not yet - my focus in on Minnesota. But you can still find me over in the land of cheese and beer mid-week in the evenings. I wish Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin would manage the Driftless Region that runs on both sides of the Mississippi with a joint approach to improving the fishery in all three states!