About: I live and work in Winona, Minnesota. I started this journey after receiving the basic gear for christmas in 2007. I began fishing later the next year in June. Something clicked, fly fishing quickly became a large part of my life. This is a record of my journey which also doubles as a way to recall information and learn from others.
Caught on Sept 29th, 2pm size 10 Yellow Hopper
1st Year Fly Fishing June 2008-Present: I spent the summer scouting streams and hunting trout. I learned information regarding fishing regulations and locations, access to water, trout and their behavior, casting, and the basics of fly tying by reading, asking questions and using youtube.com.
Summer Afternoon Fishing for Rainbows
I caught few fish at first but after hours of practice I started getting the hang of it. Catching a few has helped push me to learn more and more so that eventually I can anticipate my prey and consistently catch trout under varying circumstances. I started fly tying early in the fall just prior to my first trout season ending. Starting with a basic kit and a poor quality vice I whipped out an oversized awkward looking Zebra midge. I was soon spying ebay looking for my new vice. I got my Renzetti Traveler in the mail and this changed my path once more, making it far easier to work with the materials I had on a stable hook.
After spending the off season reading and tying I learned more and began developing more solid opinions about ways of doing things and how to approach aspects of fly fishing. With this in mind I still have more to learn and even more to re-learn.
Soft-Hackled Brassie tied by The Winona Fly Factory
With the start of the new season I will be researching my waters, tying from found natural insects, and catching trout. I will also be volunteering for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency starting this summer testing the waters I fish.
December 29th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
WFF,
I found your site after seeing your comments from the Driftless Angler blog. I’m impressed with (and appreciative of) your photos and the details you share. Like you, I’ve been fly fishing only a couple years but love it. If you ever want to fish the Timber Coulee in WI this spring/summer and want someone to show you around a bit, let me know. I’m no expert, but have spent enough time on the TC and its tribs (Spring, Rullands, Bohemian) to know how to catch a few fish and not get lost!
Peace in the New Year,
Curt
December 29th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
Curt.
Thanks for the comment. I have big plans for the warmer months and exploring some Wisconsin streams are on my plans. Keep in touch, I’d like to get to know that side of the Mississippi.
January 1st, 2009 at 2:16 pm
Very nice site. Give me a shout any time and we can talk trout.
Len
January 1st, 2009 at 6:35 pm
Will do Len, thanks for visiting.
January 30th, 2009 at 10:43 am
Like the site but not digging the Google maps nor the stream name listings. Takes all the fun out of exploration and adds pressure to specific locales. I find that discussing general areas will suffice in most cases, and many times I find guides naming non-primary angling sites for a variety of reasons. I am sure your intent is simply to share, educate and inspire but I encourage you to consider the longer term impacts of such detailed reporting. Tight lines.
January 30th, 2009 at 11:02 am
Thanks for the comment, and I’ve re-read all of my posts scouring for location information. There are a few, I’m thinking about re-uploading the Google earth images and cropping the Long/Lat. out but other than mentioning the Whitewater and stating I fished a tributary of that system the only specific name I dropped was Forestville. I do try to be careful not to give away too much, I am personally of the opinion that if someone wants to know they can ask me and just like I asked for a spot or two to get started I might hint in a good direction but I’m not about taking the leg work out of this, thats half the fun. Thanks for the comment, gave me some food for thought. Take care.
February 9th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Gotta get you on some of our limestoners out east. You have a great site! We drive past you every year on our way to Montana. It would be great to be able to take a break from the road trip and get on a few trout with you. Stay in touch, and keep up the nice work on the site!
Eric Stroup
February 12th, 2009 at 12:57 am
I too also have a couple of spots if you are ever down by the praire du chien area we can get after a few trout. Great Site!
March 20th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
WFF…your site always evolving for the better. You are doing cool things…seriously…keep up the fun energy…SwittersB
March 21st, 2009 at 8:11 pm
I certainly will, keep up your work as well, it pushes me to work harder.
April 4th, 2009 at 11:47 am
Stumbled on your site and think it is great…excellent details of not only how, but why you fish…..
in reading some of the comments, i notice a lot of guys looking to go fishing…
i suggested to andy roth too to maybe have a forum for guys/gals looking to go out for a day or two and share some streams…i agree with you that finding streams is half the battle, but for novice/intermediate anglers like my self, it is nice to have some partnership to keep the energy level up!
thanks for sharing, and i would welcome any email thoughts….
cheers
April 5th, 2009 at 10:28 am
I agree with you, I am very willing to help with suggestions on locations. Location with regard to conditions can make it much easier to catch a fish. I think the location of where you go is best determined when looking at time, both how long your on the water and what time your on the water, also the weather and water conditions. We can email further about ideas and locations if you’d like. Keep in touch.
April 5th, 2009 at 11:09 am
that sounds great; how do i email you?
April 5th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
winonaflyfactory@gmail.com
April 8th, 2009 at 9:36 am
Hi-
I came across your site awhile back and have been looking through it for some time…Excellent! It is fun to see someone growing to be an accomplished fly fisher and tyer right before your eyes. I’ve been doing it for quite some time (20+yrs) but I havent come across someone with the enthusiasm for the core of the sport like you have…well done and good fishing to you and your friends!
June 5th, 2009 at 6:48 am
Great site! I love your photography, your curiosity, and your attention to detail. And, of course, the fact that you write well about fishing…. It gives me an opportunity to vicariously fish the driftless in between actual trips down there. Keep up the good work. You and WB make a great pair!
June 5th, 2009 at 10:24 am
Right on man! Thanks for the encouragement. I have felt my writing progress during the last year, trying not to make it too boring/technical but not to leave that stuff out as well. Take care.
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:32 pm
I’ve been reading your site for a couple of months now and am in awe of your knowledge. I live in Rochester and just got in to fly fishing a couple of months ago. I would really love to pick your brain about entomology, fly tying and the path you took to get where you are now. I am already hooked, no pun intended, and want to be as knowledgeable as possible. You may email me if you so desire. Any help would be extremely grateful! Your blog is inspiring to read as well.
July 14th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
WFF-
Im here in Winona with my 6 year old for a hockey camp- big fan of your site. I want to introduce him to my passion while we are here.
Can you rec a flyshop in town and some easy wading close-by water were a novice is likely to catch something>
Thanks
SANO2B8
July 28th, 2009 at 7:06 am
Justin,
Love your site, and your passion for fly fishing.
I am a fellow Trout Bum who has just moved here from Oklahoma City where I spent 7 years fishing and guiding the Lower Mountain Fork river in SE Oklahoma.
Just finished guide school and looking to hook up with someone who shares my passion for trout and would like to become fishin’ buddies.
I don’t know anything about the area, but have a lot to offer someone with the time and willingness to hang with me!
BTW…was told to get a hold of you by a fellow trout bum on another fly fishing forum in the Sierra Nevada’s of California.
January 21st, 2011 at 4:02 pm
Just found your web site, love it. I grew up flyfishing the creeks south of Winona and even used to bring my fly rod to school and would fish Lake Winona during study hall. I moved out west a long time ago to hunt, fish, ski and go to school in that order, didn’t quite work out that way, but I’m still in the west. Your flys look great, if you ever have a chance you should try the San Juan River in New Mexico a lot of your midge patterns would work there.
Go till ya crash, turin’s for sissies.
January 25th, 2011 at 9:10 am
Thanks Randy, I appreciate the compliment. If I get to New Mexico I will be bringing my rod. I have a feeling I’ve got alot left in me, I won’t be slowing for a while. Take care.
January 31st, 2011 at 10:16 pm
I love the site. Thanks for all the great info. A buddy and I are coming down there this spring. I was wondering if I could ask you a couple questions. Send me an email if you are interested at answering some.
March 1st, 2011 at 6:28 pm
WFF,
I just took up fly fishing myself this winter, and your website and videos have been huge in helping me start to understand the sport. Thanks for sharing all your experiences!
March 1st, 2011 at 7:03 pm
Ted,
Thanks for the words, I’m glad what I do hear helps others. Keep me updated on your progress.
June 29th, 2011 at 11:41 am
I came across your site looking for info on SE MN trout fishing. My dad took me to Trout Run when I was very young but I’ve spent most of my time fishing out West. I figured it is time to get back to my roots and fish my home state.
Your site has been extremely helpful and informative. I haven’t found another one like it. I haven’t fished MN for over a decade but your site has allowed me to hit the streams with a little more confidence. Great site layout and pics!
July 7th, 2011 at 11:07 am
Glad I could help Micah. Thanks for the note, Trout Run is alot different than it was 10 years ago. Hope you can get back there and take advantage of the work that has been done. Take care.