It's been a sweltering summer here for Midwest trout, but I've done my best to not let that keep me from the stream. Here's a little smattering of pictures from my season thus far. Most were taken in Western Wisconsin, with the exception of the rainbow make-out pic.
Martinlf on Jul 22, 2012July 22nd, 2012, 6:25 am EDT
Yes, lucky rainbow! Great photos overall. West. Aside from the pretty girl (lucky you) I especially liked the berry photo; it reminded me of finding a trove of ripe wineberries one day when I was famished after a long hot day of fishing. Very delicious. Yours look like wild black raspberries, even sweeter.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
Jmd123 on Jul 23, 2012July 23rd, 2012, 4:18 pm EDT
Nice photos all! Beautiful fishies! I had my class (Field Biology) out this afternoon (in 95 F heat with deer flies no less) and we found some nice sweet red raspberries for a welcome break. Also, notice the classic fly-fishing hat on that fellow in the first photo!
Trout fishing has declined significantly here in northern lower MI with the heat and lack of rainfall. May and June were unbelievable and we're paying for it now. However, [REDACTED] Pond has a spring-fed stream flowing into it, providing a thermal refuge for the brookies (thanks goodness!!!), plus they are all stacked in there right now and seem to be willing to hit about anything, from hoppers to Royal Wulffs. Put a buddy on his very first trout last night and got my biggest brookie ever (photos coming shortly)! So, I at least have one spot left to go...
Jonathon
No matter how big the one you just caught is, there's always a bigger one out there somewhere...
Thanks guys! As I have been more than less obsessed with the sport of fly fishing for about eleven years or so now and am still only 22 years old, I have a long list of places where I'd like to fish and/or live in my life. That being said, Wisconsin will always be my holy water. From the fertile spring creeks of the Driftless to the rugged waters of the north, there are lifetimes of trout water to be explored and the time has long since passed where I would ever take that fact for granted.
My plan now involves an indefinite move out west after college graduation this winter. Due in large part to that fact, I have been cherishing this water now more than ever before.