A Long Hike Deep into the Kinnie

Date: March 28^th  

Weather: Snow and Cold

Stream: Willow Clear

Hatch: midges

Beer: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

            The Kinnie has spoiled me, especially after my 2012 season. I had no competition due to bridge construction and all the holes were clear of overzealous anglers. This March I’ve seen more anglers on my beloved gem of a stream than all last year. I’ve always wondered what hidden secrets the Kinnie holds beyond my usual stomping grounds so today, captive to my imagination, I set forth a long haul back beyond the canyon.

            It was like I was in the Southern Hemisphere, everything was different. It reminded me of the Brule. Something about fresh snow absent of footprints set my soul at ease as I looked for a promising spot. As is unusual for me, I set down the fly rod and set up my new Saint Croix ultra-light spinning rod. As my uncle told me, March is for spinners. In a promising combination of deep water, riffles and structure I threw out a spinner and got hit after hit. It was beautiful.

            It was great slaying the trout on the spinning rod, it’s different than a fly rod and I was out of practice. I lost a few as a result. Switching it up I tied on an ugly pink scud and hooked a beauty on my first drift. I love the action on a fly rod, the bend and the fight is just so fun. Fifteen fish later and I was set. 

            It’s hard marching through a foot of snow. As eager as I was to keep pushing on the sun was setting and I had a long hike back. Some of my days on the river blend together, I cant keep all the details separate. However, today as I charted new territory I had a big smile on my face all day. Next time I will be pushing onwards and upwards deeper in the heart of darkness that is the Kinnie. 

Day Two After a Hot Bite

Date: March 25^th  

Weather: Snow and Cold

Stream: Willow Clear

Hatch: midges

Beer: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

            Through a stroke of divine luck my camera still works after dropping it in the river. I left it overnight in a container of rice and it’s working like it always has: flawless. Feeling so good after the camera, I thought I’d try my luck again after such a hot bite. I hit the same holes plus a few others. I managed four beautiful 10-12 inch trout in the same seam close to my favorite spot. Despite the cold, I opened the drag and had some fun reeling in my quarry. But after that the bite stopped and I was left to partake in the beautiful, frozen scenery. 

  

Dropped the Camera in the River

Date: March 24^th  

Weather: Snow and Cold

Stream: Willow Clear

Hatch: midges

Beer: New Glarus Snowshoe Red

Right after I dropped it

            It really sucked when I hooked the day’s first fish only to drop my camera in the drink taking my trophy shot. With my lighting quick reflexes I grabbed it from the water before it sunk but it was still wet. Two miles upstream and my options were bad: go back home and put the camera in a container of rice or keep fishing. Obviously, being the red-blooded male I am I chose to keep fishing.

Redux

            A size 14 stonefly nymph was my ticket to the gates of glory and redemption this day on the Kinnie. Though my camera was not working the trout kept smacking my fly. I lost tally but it got the point where my hands were numb and burning from releasing so many fish in the cold March water. One of the best fishing days of my life but no trout pictures, you’ll just have to trust me. 

The Pink Squirrel Actually Works

Date: March 16^th  

Weather: Snow

Stream: Willow Clear

Hatch: midges

Beer: New Glarus Snowshoe Red

            The Pink Squirrel actually works. I’ve heard a lot of guffaws about this fly but I gave it a try. I hooked a nice Willow brown and let it go. At the next pool I lost the fly in a snag but caught some more trout using spinners. 

Snow Trout

Date: March 9^th 

 

Weather: Snow

Stream: Clear

Hatch: midges and stoneflies

Beer: Summit Horizon Red

            It’s been a snowy March but I’m not complaining because the fish are biting and the crowds are minimal. 

WI Catch-and-Release Opener

 Date: March 3^rd

Weather: Cold and Snow

Stream: Clear

Hatch: midges and stoneflies

Beer: Coffee

            Winter is still in full swing but I’ve been out of the trout fishing action since the season closed last September 30^th. Nothing was going to stop me from heading out. Scuds and prince nymphs were the ticket to some long awaited trout. Being out on the river again for an afternoon really lifted my spirits.