Northeast Iowa is getting hit with the heat right now.  We also got a lot of rain last week but I just got off the water and the streams are fishing well.  Had good early morning and late night action today.   If you can handle the heat and bugs then get out and fly fish.

I would have expected the water to be low and the fish very spooky by July but it is not so.  The water level and fly fishing in our Northeast Iowa streams is perfect.  We have had a few hot days which made for some hard afternoon fishing but that was easily forgotten by successful mornings.

The 4th of July weekend was a perfect time to be on the water.  To my surprise the water was not crowded.  By Monday morning, Art and I had the stream to ourselves and we took advantage of it.  We saw caddis and mayflies all morning but the fish were not rising to them so we fished soft hackels and pheasant tails with no bead.  This proved to be successful.

If you have not gotten out on the water this summer, now is the time.  If you are new to the area and not sure where to go, or are new to the sport of fly fishing, you can book a trip with us and we can help you get started.

Thanks again Art.

The fly fishing and weather has been great the past two weeks around Decorah.  We have had some top water action but most of the fish are being caught under the surface.  We are having great luck fishing Beadhead PT size 18, along with soft hackles in the tail end of the fast water.  Enjoyed seeing all the Iowa trout this weekend – Brook, Brown and Rainbow.  If your waiting for the right time to go fly fishing in Northeast Iowa now is the time.

Thanks for booking a trip with us Max.

It was a full weekend for Northeast Iowa Fly Fishing.  We were on the water Saturday – Monday and the water was perfect.  This was a great weekend for fly fishing trout in Northeast Iowa.  The weather had temps in the lower 70’s and mostly sunny all weekend.

The water was flowing well and was crystal clear.  It had been a week or so since we had gotten a good rain in Northeast Iowa.  That changed today so we will see how the water looks this weekend.

Saturday was a little cooler (lower 70s) so we saw a lot of fish rising and taking drys (Adams size 18).  They were also very active under the surface and that is where we had the most success.

Sunday was a full day of nymphing.  We had great luck on the Beadhead Pheasant Tail, Prince and Black Copper Johns (size 18-20).

Overall it was a fun weekend and everyone had success.  We strive to help beginning fly fishers as well as experienced ones learn about fly fishing Northeast Iowa.  We hope you all enjoyed your trips.  We enjoyed fly fishing with you.

Thanks, Mark; Heidi and Cara; Mike, Mitch and Mason.

After waiting for the tornado warnings to clear the area, Paul and I headed out for an evening fly fishing trip.  We fished S. Pine for the first time since we were kids.  I didn’t remember the hike in being so long, but once we got down in the valley it was quite the surprise.  What a great place to see and fish.  We were short on time once we finally got to the water but we had some beautiful Brook Trout taking our caddis in no time.  There have been several articles written about S. Pine lately talking about this hidden gem.  If you have read these stories you may remember them talking about the long hike in.  Let me tell you, it’s true.  Be ready for a hike not a walk.  Once Paul and I got back to the car we both agreed that it was a great trip and we would go back even though we were only on the water for about an hour.  That time might have been longer had we not seen a few Morels on our way in.   The Morels may have been the biggest surprise of all.  We both had written off the Morel hunting for the year but as you can see we found a few.

It’s hard to plan a weekend trip fly fishing looking at the weather forecast we had for the weekend but that’s why I’m happy to live in Decorah.  At a drop of the hat I can be on the water checking things out.  Saturday was cold and rainy which is not the type of day you would plan to go fly fishing.  The rain let up in the afternoon and the temp. hit the low 50’s so I made my way to Coldwater.  The water level was good and the fish were active.

Then on Sunday I joined Greg and his son on the North Bear for their first fly fishing trip.  It was a great day to be out on the stream.  The sun was out all day and the temps. hit the mid 60’s.  Lots of bugs in the air and the fish were feeding well.  What a difference a day makes for fly fishing in Northeast Iowa.

We just can’t get the warm weather we should be getting for this time of year.  The water level is a little high but the fly fishing in Northeast Iowa has been good.  The weather has to turn around soon so great ready for your weekend trip to Decorah to fly fish the Driftless area of Northeast Iowa.

The Caddis were thick this morning. This is a picture of my leg.  They were all over the place, even my waders.

The Fish were rising to them non stop.  What a great day to be out on the water.  This is why we love  fly fishing.

 

 

 

This is another Northeast Iowa Brown Trout.  The color on these fish is something else – my pictures don’t do these trout justice.

The weather is warming up and the fishing is great right now.  It’s time to get out and go fly fishing in Northeast Iowa.

What a great weekend in Northeast Iowa!  David and I took advantage of the Sunday afternoon with a temperature topping out at 70.  It was an overcast day for the most part, but the fish were active.

It had been a while since David and I had fly fished together and we covered a lot of  water in a short time.  David excels at fly fishing with streamers.  The trout were all over his

style, and after a few helpful tips I started hooking trout, too.  We were fishing  black and brown bead head micro streamers tied by our local bamboo rod maker and fly tier, Chris Wasta.  I was not use to such a small streamer, but these little flies are hot.

The warmer spring weather should be here by the end of the month, but despite cooler temps, the fly fishing has been very good so far.  Now is the time to get out and explore some new streams.  The weather is cool and the weeds have not grown, so scouting new water is a lot easier.  Casting streamers in the spring is a great way to see a lot of new water and a chance to catch some big fish.

 

 

 

I was anticipating getting back to the river this weekend – I had a short window so I was hoping the weather and the fish would cooperate with my time.  I got up early Saturday morning to find that the wind was blowing harder then it has in awhile and the temperature had dropped about 20 degrees from the day before.  But whats new – its March in Northeast Iowa.  If your looking to fish in  the Driftless Region – March and April are great times to do so.  The wild brush is still down and the fish are more active during this time.  You can find some pretty big Browns if you know where to look .  However, prepare for some cold days – but I would rather fish during this time, if I wanted a day on the river all to myself.  I stopped by one of my favorite shops (The Chick Hatchery – Decorah) to pick up a Klean Kantine water bottle for the days trip and to talk fishing with Steve, the owner.

It was windy, cold and slightly overcast when I got to the water.  I made my way to the areas I wanted to fish and within minutes I was on fish.  The temperature had dropped and just about every 5 casts I had to spend time breaking the ice out of my rod eyelets, but I had dressed warm and was prepared for the elements.   I did not have to change flies too much in order to find what the fish wanted for the day (BH PT & BH HE).  I was in a peaceful area with no one around – in fact I didn’t see another person on the river.  The wind and chill  wasn’t welcoming the anglers today.  If you’re going to go fly fishing I believe it’s a lot like a football game – the game is only canceled when lighting strikes,  otherwise the game is played no matter what-rain, snow, wind, cold.

When the day was done I had caught and released 20 plus fish and had some pretty cold hands.   But I enjoyed ever minute!

See you on the water.

Ethan