Winter Opener

[WxGuy]

I got out today with a group of friends for the SE MN Winter Trout Season opener. Air temp was 3, wind chill was about -15 to -20, and the water temp was around 38.

Fished for a couple hours, landed 4 fish with the largest about 10". Since it was so cold I fished just one fly, a size 14 orange scud with a split shot about 6" above the fly...when it stayed there. No midges to be seen, but I heard there were a few coming off closer to some springs.

Managed to keep all my fingers, but couldn't feel them by the time we were done. Still thawing out, but got to feed a craving.

[Duncan7709]

You are a really die hard fisherman for going out today. I really wanted to but with that -15 wind chill I was happy sitting next to the fireplace watching some college football.

[sodajerk]

You know it's winter trout season when you're tempted to take a swim in the stream to get warmed up!

I was ice fishing today (a dozen decent sunfish C&Rd), but I did think about going after trout and decided against it.

Kudos to you for getting out an braving the cold, and at least you caught a few. It's supposed to be around 40 degrees this weekend and if that holds true there will most likely be more guys getting out after stream trout, with a good chance that I'll be one of 'em.

[I'llTakeWhatiCanGet]

Nice work, its usually brutal, but in a sick way satisfying to get out on one of those 'tough guy' days. I know very well the itch you were scratching, and mine is getting pretty bad. We've got a warm spell coming, so maybe we'll be able to pull out the fly rods up here soon too. We'll see I guess, worse case its only three months till steelie season

[turiprap]

I couldn't get out to fish, but I did take my daughter's dog for a walk along a western WI trout stream on New Year's Eve day. It was warmer that day than on the first and I did see a few rising fish, although with the flat, gray skies and my weak vision I couldn't see to what they were rising. It was a great sight to see on the last day of the year.

[so haaad]

Randy, you're more of a diehard than the rest of us. I did pull out the Griffin vise last week, so at least I'm thinking trout.

[WxGuy]

I'm typically not that hard-core at all, but it was the opener after all, and it turned out to be pretty cathartic going out in such miserably cold weather.

Despite not shaking the shivers until the next day, it was well worth it. I can wait for warmer weather now...