Fishing the Dream Stream

In the arid plains between the mountains is a stream that connects two reservoirs. A dream stream, The Dream Stream. We hired a guide from the Tumbling Trout in Lake George to take us there and show us the ropes. It was my first time fishing in the mountain west and I learned a ton from Tad. In September, the hopper-dropper was the hot rig. Or so we were told. The Dream Stream is by no means a secret.

A hot-air balloon drifts across the landscape.

I love visiting new biomes so removed from my Upper Midwest experience. We saw prong horned sheep and mule deer everywhere. It was amazing how flat and open is could be in the middle of a mountain range. 

These bison got out of their pasture and were being chased by a cowboy in a Jeep. They're a lot closer to us than they look. He did get them rounded up and back with the herd in short order.

The Dream Stream is really just an engineered stretch of river that starts at the Spinney Mountain Reservoir.

Every bend of the stream is filled with cold, nutrient rich water that grows huge trout. 

The ripples in this picture are the backs of trout.

The spillway.

Tad, our guide made us a delicious lunch and we spent the afternoon fishing the reservoir. We never did catch fish. They were either keyed in on some super specific bug or busy spawning. It's not unusual to run into fish that just won't eat and on this highly pressured water I bet it happens more often than not.

The whole environment was just so foreign to me that I loved every second of it, 

even if the fish weren't biting.

Water in an otherwise arid land.

The folks at Tumbling Trout were great and worked hard to get us on fish. Tad was a fantastic guide, very knowledgeable and a fun guy to hang out with for the day.

 

- Ride North

September 10th 2021

Eleven Mile Canyon, Colorado

Last September my father-in-law and I packed out bags full of camping gear and flew out to Colorado for a few days of fishing in the eleven-mile canyon area. I haven't spent much time in the Denver area before our Red Rocks trip earlier in the year. I was keen to explore the area just south west of the metro.

Driving through the mountains on our way to Woodland Park.

We turned west towards the hills at Sedalia. 

Once we gained a little elevation, the road quickly narrowed and turned to gravel.

The South Platte was waiting for us on the other side of the pass.

What a beautiful river.

Standing in the South Platte for the first time.

67 north of Woodland Park

From there we turned west to Lake George where we would be camping in Eleven Mile Canyon. I booked us a spot at the first campground from the entrance. There's not a ton of flat ground but the spot is beautiful. (trailer camping is also available)

The river at our campground was amazing.

Eleven Mile is, by far, the most beautiful place I've ever fished.

Because we were camping there, we could head out after dinner and fish until dark.

Deer visited the campground every morning.

Home sweet home, almost enough room for two.

We did catch fish in Eleven Mile but it full of anglers. I hooked into a really big one (by Minnesota standards) on the first night. I was able to watch it move out of its cover and gobble up my fly but after a few good tugs, it was off. In the Canyon, we found good fishing in the pools behind boulders. They weren't the prime spots but I bet they saw fewer fishermen.

Fish came out of here.

This.

The fly-and-camp trip was a huge success. My new backpacking air mattress made sleeping on the ground pleasant and a small stove meant we could cook our dinners without starting a fire. (important in the dry and windy west) Flights from MSP to Denver are cheap, our biggest expense was the rental car. We did have to stay in Denver one night so we could catch a 6AM flight the next day but the shower was appreciated by all.

-Ride North

September 9th - 12th | 60's | sunny

Minnesota trout fishing

Spring was not is the air this week but it was here none the less. Minnesota's torut fishing season opend up the day before Easter signaling the official start of the saeson. Every year my father-in-law and his buddies spend the week after opener in southe east Minnesota. I try to join them when I can.

I had dreams of taking the motorcycle down there this year but high winds, rain, and cold tempratures ment it would stay safley tucked in at home. We had high tempreatures in the 30s but the sun came out to visit us on Tuesday. Despite recent rain, streams were low and mostly clear. 

Easter Sunday (evening) saw some fish to hand.

Monday was cold and rainy, not a lot of green polking up on the river banks but the birds were in full swing. I probably spent half my time looking at the king birds instead of fishing. I caught more than one fish while distracted by birds. 

Not much bug avtivity which ment the fish were hungry.

 

Lots of cattle on the landscape.

On most farms, new-born calfs we bounding by their mothers.

Big fish on Monday, almost all were put right back into the stream.

I did have fresh grilled trout for dinner last night.

The Shack in Pilot Mound.

When you fish with the guys, you eat well.

A goose (Canadian) pastrimi ruben for lunch, ribeye for dinner.

Tuesday the sun came out and warmmed us up, the only sunshine all week.

I had to head home that afternoon, lucky me.

The spots were really good.

Big fish of the trip, quickly returned to the water. 

The Driftelss landscape is still amazing and the roads are in good shape too. I sould be out on the Guzzi really soon! It may not seem like it but, spring is here.

- Ride North

April 117th - 18th |  30f-40f |cold and windy (with some well needed sun on Tuesday)

Wyalusing State Park, Wisconsin

Sunrise is when the magic happens at Wyalusing State Park in south west Wisconsin. Our rolling dairy land comes to a terminus at the mouth of the Wisconsin River, emptying  its water and sediment into the Mississippi River. Perched on the high bluffs overlooking this junction is the most scenic campground in Wisconsin, make your reservations in advance. 

Looking down at the morning fog that covers the Wisconsin River Valley.

Day breaks.

Hiking the bluff trails in the campground.

Not a bad spot for a coffee break.

The upper campground is where you want to be, specifically the spots along the bluff's edge. We scored the last site by the parking lot but managed to have fun anyway. My Mom, Dad, Brother, Sister in-law, and their three boys had spots just down the road. It was a much needed family hang out weekend with a couple of adventures thrown in to keep the excitement up.

Home sweet home. Jr. North wanted to spend a night in the tent so we did that too.

Fire pits and grills at every site, it's good to know what you're working with.

Wood is available at the camp store, a walkable distance from the sites.

The beach just south of the State Park. 

When the water is low you can walk out into the Mississippi River for hundreds of feet and barely get your knees wet. I set up some carp lines but the spot had no holes or structure to speak of. The swimming was excellent.

I took the boys on a short hike to visit the caves and explore the bluff. Starting at the Camp Store you can climb down the bluff and take a left to the caves. A right will take you on an adventure below the campground, spitting you out at its far end.

The terrain is steep!

Climbing up to the cave.

The limestone bluffs of the Driftless Area are full of caves, sinkholes, springs, and underground waterways. It's the defining feature of the area, feeding cold water to trout streams and sustaining rare ecosystems.

Looking north, Wisconsin River below.

Historic Buildings along Prairie du Chien's waterfront.

We stopped at the Depot for a fun, outdoor lunch.

Across The River, in Iowa, is Effigy Mounds National Monument, one of the greatest mound sites in the upper Midwest. If you have it in you to climb the height of the bluff in its entirety, do it. Otherwise, there is an excellent visitors' center full of history and artifacts. 

Views from the top, looking down on the Yellow River emptying into the Mississippi.

I love a good 3D map.

Used by native peoples since the beginning, this church continues to host its congregation. 

A line of mounds that mark the solstice, this calendar predates the Dakota.  

The pre-history of mound building in the Americas is fascinating. If you, like me, were taught a primarily post-Columbian history, I  highly recommend the book "1491" by Charles Mann. 

If you get a chance, visit Wyalusing State Park and Effigy Mounds National Monument. Even if it's just to take a hike, you will not be disappointed. I also need to mention nearby McGregor Iowa for its lunch spots, winery, and antique book shop, where I stumbled upon "Longitude" by Dava Sobel. It covers the fascinating race to calculate longitude (position east or west) from the deck of a moving ship, which is way more important to our history than you know.

- Ride North

Wyalusing State Park  |  Effigy Mounds National Monument

Wed. August 18th - Sunday August 22nd