Minnesota Trout on the Fly During a January Business Trip

Pretty Brown posing on El Bolso.

 

My New Years resolution is to catch more fish on the fly. For me, its my Zen, and it’s one of my favorite ways to recharge my batteries. This week, I had several meetings in Minneapolis and Rochester, MN. Packing for a business trip with fly fishing gear can be challenging, but not impossible. I managed to bring all my fly fishing gear, suit, ties, and business gear necessary for the week without checking a bag. Impressive, right? The month of January in Minneapolis is not usually thought of for great fly fishing. In fact when I talk about the possibilities, most people ask if everything is frozen. With a little homework and some help from locals, I had a solid plan. After three meetings in Minneapolis, I’d head south to Rochester and then east 25-30 minutes to fish the Whitewater River, just outside of Elba, MN. I spoke with my new friend Dan Anderson of ontheflyguiding.com who is a guide in the area, but unfortunately he was unable to join me.  Dan gave me some location tips. My advice to you is to hire a local guide when fishing a new river. The investment in some local knowledge is priceless, and will enhance your experience almost immediately. 

 

Yes, bringing waders, boots, fly rod, sling pack and gear is possible on a business trip, even when you carry on your luggage like me!

 

This is not my first time fishing a new river, so I felt I had an above average chance of success. After entering Elba, MN I quickly noticed that I was in a town with three bars, at least two liquor stores, a convenience store, twelve houses and a church or two.(there are slight exaggerations here, but surprisingly enough, not much). I was impressed by the bar per person ratio. 

When I entered the convenience store in my suit and tie worn for my morning meetings, the gentleman behind the counter politely asked, “Are you lost, mister?”  I still needed to strip out of my suit into more appropriate attire for Elba, MN clearly. I’d pull my Superman clothes change on the side of the road, because it may be cleaner than the bathroom, colder, but probably cleaner. Travel tip, if you plan on Superman changing out of a suit on the side of the road, make sure you bring hangers for your suit, pants, and shirt. 

 

Whitewater River just outside of Elba, MN

 

Whitewater River

 

Whitewater River

 

Once I arrived at the Whitewater River, the water was gorgeous, but the first fish I found were terrified of any movement whatsoever. I hiked along searching for fish to sight cast to, with no success. I couldn’t get a fly anywhere near them, even casting spooked the fish. I decided to move to another spot. The next spot, I hooked up almost immediately. The fish were calm and happy. After landing several small browns, I hooked a little bigger rainbow. Not the most vibrant of colors, but a thick little guy.  All in all, I landed eight fish.  The fish were eating basic nymphs and midges.  A size 18 prince nymph was the ticket for about half of the fish, a size 18 pheasant tail got a couple, and a size 20 zebra midge got the others.  I used 6X tippet on this water.  I generally like to go small when fishing new water.

 

 

I couldn’t be happier with my first fish of the year, energetic little brown trout, in Minnesota, in January. Happy New Year! Stay tuned for my next expedition at the end of the month to St. Louis, I’ve got some good intel and a plan to find some Missouri trout an hour outside of town.  

 

 

Rainbow next to El Bolso and El Cinco

 

When I got back to Minneapolis and checked into the Marriott, carrying my waders and boots in one hand and a suit in the others I got some strange looks from the people in the elevator.  A gentleman in a suit asked me "you aren't fly fishing up here, are you?"  My response was, "of course, aren't you?"  I showed him the El Cinco Combo clipped to my backpack, and he was hooked.  We shipped him a kit the next day!  

 

Quickly drying waders and boots is not easy, turn on the fan and hang them over it for best results.

 

If you want to incorporate fly fishing into your business trips or family vacations, follow us for travel tips and learn about off the radar locations.  

Happy New Year!

Jeff Ditsworth

Pescador on the Fly