Minnesota Steelheader

While we're on the subject, here is a very productive Pheasant Tail variant: The PM Stone. A buddy of mine showed me this pattern as he demolished pink salmon after pink salmon at the Baptism one afternoon while I was resigned to playing tiddly-winks for lack of better things to do. I've subsequently caught everything from panfish to inland trout, to steelhead & chinook/coho salmon on this pattern. Just size the hook/fly appropriately to species. Where legal such as on the Brule, this fly makes an absolutely deadly dropper. Pattern illustrated was tied for salmon on a #10 TMC 2457 with 0.025 lead wire under the thorax & no bead. Hook: TMC 2457 Thread: Black 70-140 Denier based on fly sizing Bead: Gold or Copper optional Weight: 6-8 turns of 0.010-0.030 lead wire (optional & to size) Tail: 8-10 Rooster Pheasant barbs from the bottom 1/2 of the tail Abdomen: 2-4 long Peacock Herl barbs Thorax: 2-4 long Peacock Herl barbs Shellback/Wing Pad: 8-10 Rooster Pheasant barbs...

As NMF stated in the previous post, the off season is a great time to go through your gear and review your notes. The mapping info he has provided is also a terrific plan and I strongly recommend following his lead.  Having a good grasp on the water you will fish is essential for increasing your likelihood of  an excursion with fish on the end of your line. This time of year is also a great time to start tying flies or if you do not, maybe start giving it some serious thought.  If you are like several of us here at MS, you not only fish, you also do a bit of hunting.  Personally, I enjoy a few weekends each year out in the prairies of South Dakota pursuing the clever Ringnecks that have been in wonderful abundance over the past decade.  This passion is mostly due to my inherent love of the outdoors and the joy of upland hunting that started in my youth,  though the camaraderie with...

Now that everything is locked up in ice until spring, all we can do is dream about the tribs opening up again. But there are some important things you can do to get ready for next spring's runs. There are all the usual tasks: Wiping down rods, cleaning ferrule joints, swabbing guides, cleaning reels and backing down drags, cleaning line, repairing waders etc. All important tasks because North Shore tribs and the sediment they carry are heck on equipment. Then there are things like restocking the fly-boxes, making leaders or slinkies, tying spawn... If you're like me, the vest finally gets pulled out of the trunk and gets a once-over. My vest is usually an atrocious collection of debris and junk come November that takes hours to sort out, having been piled into the car in late March and staying there until freeze-up. Even simple things like waxing a stubborn zipper can save you from big headaches later on. I also like to go back over notes I've made so that I can do some win...

This is not a video about the coaster brook trout of our waters, but with mining interests and exploration around the entire Lake Superior region, it is a great refresher course as to what the byproduct of a Sulfide Mine is.  Watch all the way to the end.

(Released November 15, 2010)  Citizens interested in learning about or commenting on Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) strategies for managing Grand Marais area lakes and streams have until Dec. 31, to ask questions or submit comments. “Management plans describe the past, present and desired future conditions of the waters,” said Steve Persons, Grand Marais Area Fisheries supervisor. “The plans identify specific management activities planned for that lake or stream in the next five to 20 years.” Every year DNR fisheries staff prepares or revises individual lake and stream management plans for several waters in each management area. The Rivers that have special interest to us here at Minnesota Steelheader are the two rivers that are habitable to migratory and young Steelhead.  The rivers are: Flute Reed River - managed for steelhead, plan will focus on acquisition, habitat protection and restoration, and monitoring. Onion River - managed fo...

"On Friday, November 12, the world of fly fishing lost one of its most passionate practitioners; those concerned about the stewardship of natural resources lost an eloquent advocate; those who fished with him lost a mentor; and those who knew him as a friend lost a priceless companion." Tom was most recently noted as the owner of Midwest Fly Fishing Magazine and the founder and producer of the annual Great Water Fly Fishing Shows. Our good buddy Paul Hanson with Sporting Life Outfitters  said:   "When I started guiding in 1991 it was Tom who gave me the advice and encouragement to do so. I will miss his humor and wisdom. See you on the next river Tom. God Bless." A memorial service for Tom will be held on Saturday, November 20th, at 2 pm at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 700 Snelling Ave, So, St. Paul MN.  You can also visit his website for future information: Midwest Fly Fishing

I hope you found time in your busy day to reflect on the importance of this honorable day. We sure did and we are thankful for all who have served this blessed country of ours. Over the years I have meet many who have not known anyone who has served this country through one of our military branches. I have also meet many who have never walked up to thank a solder or veteran for the service they gave or our giving. With so many great heroes out there I thought it would be appropriate to share with you one Metal of Honor recipients citation, this one from a not so popular war. His name is Ed Freeman. Not only has Captain Freeman received a Metal of Honor for his valiant acts of heroism in Vietnam but he also lived to receive it. Captain Freeman also fought in WWII and in Korea, most notably at the horrific battle of Porkchop Hill where he was 1 of the 14 of 256 soldiers who survived the first stage of that battle. Here is how Captain Ed Freeman's official metal of Honor Cita...