by Sara Strassman, Driftless Area Program Manager
Good day friends of the Driftless Area Restoration Effort,
    You are invited to join us for an in person Driftless Area Symposium in La Crosse!  Our 2025 event will be hosted at the La Crosse Center in collaboration with Wisconsin Wetlands Association.  The main TU symposium will occur on Tuesday, February 25.  Registration for the TU Symposium  on February 25 is here.  We will have a joint networking session with WWA and TU from 6-9 on February 25 including desserts and a cash bar at the La Crosse Center overlooking Riverside Park and the Mississippi River.  We hope you will join us to catch up with old friends and build new relationships!

Winter fly fishing presents unique challenges, but with the right preparation, you can still land some great catches. Here are some key tips to ensure you stay warm, safe, and successful this winter season:
1. Sleep in:
The best time to fish is when the water has warmed up, so sleep in and avoid those cold mornings!
2. Insulate:
Layer up with wool or synthetic materials to stay warm. Avoid cotton, as it traps moisture.
3. Electric Gear:
Electric socks (iHood, Gerbing) are great for warmth! Keep your feet toasty without worrying about wet conditions. And consider an electric vest for your core.
4. Gloves & Hand Warmers:
Gloves are personal, but always bring extra pairs and hand warmers for breaks. Remove them when handling fish, and use tools to safely release fish without getting wet.
5. Stay Warm:
An insulated hat helps prevent heat loss from your head. A good face mask is also key to avoid frostbite in extreme cold.
6. Finding Fish:
Look for sunny spots where fish are more active. Trout often hang out in slow, deep pockets next to faster moving water.
7. Tippet & Fly:
Use a 6X fluorocarbon tippet for nymphing, and 7X monofilament for dry flies. Stick to smaller flies (18, 20, 22) like midges, copper johns, or pheasant tails.
8. Ice in Guides:
Avoid breaking ice off with your hands—this can damage your gear. Instead, dunk your rod in the water to clear ice buildup.
9. Stay Safe:

• Eat snacks and stay hydrated.
• Always be cautious of the setting sun—it gets dark quickly!
• Never walk on ice over flowing water.
• Fish with a buddy and take it slow to prevent accidents.

10. Regulations:
Know the local fishing rules and regulations! Winter catch-and-release periods vary by state. In MN, some SE State Parks and areas are catch-and-release only from Sept 15 to April 12. In WI, trout streams are catch-and-release from Jan 4 to May 2.
11. Handling Fish:
Cold water means fish are slower and need to conserve energy. Keep fish wet and minimize handling. Use barbless hooks to release quickly and gently. Avoid air exposure to prevent fish gills freezing.
Stay warm, fish safely, and enjoy the quiet beauty of winter fly fishing. If you have any questions or want more tips, don’t hesitate to reach out!
Tight Lines!

Click here to see a video of Mike Hodgens' presentation on Greater Yellowstone.  Don't forget to subscribe to our channel!  You can view or download a copy of Mike's presentation below.

by Jim Sauter

"Many men/ women go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after." 
     - Henry David Thoreau 

Welcome to the winter season!  As 2024 winds down, we want to say thank you to all our members and stream volunteers who have helped us accomplish so much over the past year.  The response has been overwhelming and included monitoring streams, training using Save Our Stream protocols, stream cleanup days, habitat work, and having so many "eyes and ears" on our streams to help keep them healthy.  Thank you!

I have discovered that since becoming somewhat obsessed with trout fishing, I have a strong propensity to pay very close attention to the weather.  I am always curious about the air temperature, precipitation, wind, and now even water temperatures.  

So, when does winter really start?  After the first snowfall?  Once the lakes are iced over?  When temperatures fall below freezing?  After shoveling that first dusting of snow?  By all these accounts, winter is in full swing in Minnesota.

There have been some important recent developments in our efforts to restore the Kinni to a free-flowing river by removing two dams in River Falls.  For details, please read this message sent to our donors.

Here is an electronic version of the copy that Kasey Yallaly of the Wisconsin DNR handed out at our November chapter meeting.  To see a video of Kasey's presentation on YouTube, click here.

If you attend our chapter meetings online, following is a list of tips for maximizing your Zoom experience!

The TCTU Board has proposed some changes to our chapter bylaws that will be voted on at our Annual Meeting on January 27, 2025.  Details are below.

The Annual Meeting of Twin Cities TU will be held on Monday, January 27th 2025 at 7 pm at the Fat Pants Brewing Company in Eden Prairie and via Zoom.  Agenda and Registration information follow:

By Jim Sauter

"Now that fall has officially begun, it’s time to start thinking about winter salt."
- Izaak Walton League

I.  INTRODUCTION- Just One More Cast
Welcome to October!  Suddenly, the rains have diminished, and the warm weather continues.  Our air temperatures set a record for most 80+ degree days and a near record for lack of precipitation for the month of September.  The water temperatures varied with a low of 57 degrees in Hay Creek to a high of 73 degrees in the Little Cannon River.  We will continue our chemical monitoring efforts through the end of October.

The good news is that I finally caught a brook trout during this season.  ​

Volunteers are the engine that power TCTU's activities.  In the twelve months from September 2023 to August 2024, nearly 400 volunteers contributed over 2000 hours of time to Education, Habitat Improvement, Advocacy and Community Engagement.  We had 19 super volunteers, who participated in 5 or more volunteer events.  We'll be giving them a shout-out at Oktoberfish.

Thanks to Cory Goldsworthy and Nick Peterson who gave a terrific presentation on Coaster Brook Trout.  You can see a video of the presentation on YouTube here (don't forget to subscribe!).  You can download a copy of the presentation by clicking below.

​​A new edition is out from our friends in SE MN and Iowa, including everything new about Habitat, Conservation, Advocacy, and, of course, a fishing report!

​“Live each season as it passes, breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each.”
— Henry David Thoreau, Walden

Welcome to the fall season.  Many subtle changes are appearing during this time of year.  The Apple House at the Minnesota Arboretum is now open and serving apple cider slushes and caramel apples.  The local coffee shops have unveiled pumpkin spice drinks.  The days are getting shorter, and the leaves on trees and sumacs are transforming.  The evening temperatures are cooling as are water temperatures in area streams.  And the trout are getting hungrier and more active.  I really love this time of year.

You can find the latest edition of our chapter newsletter here