Middle Branch of Root

[cornfed]

Hi guys,

Looking for a little advice here. I grew up fishing combo trout/smallmouth streams in Northeast Iowa.

In the trout fishing I've done in SE MN in the last 5 or 6 years, it's what I've enjoyed most, too. Bigger water, fewer but bigger browns, Rapalas, cover a lot of water, walk a long ways, less people, etc, and often fish the non-designated trout water.

So, that being said, is the Middle Branch of the Root worth exploring this weekend? How's the water clarity right now?

Or would the North Branch north of Chatfield be better?

I'm not looking for anything specific, just a general sense of a good spot for a guy to do some exploring.

I've hit the South Branch before, and caught some nice trout, but I wouldn't mind exploring some more marginal trout water with fewer people. If the South Branch is still my best bet, though, I'll do that too.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[chosenvalley]

5 years ago the middle branch was just what you are looking for, however after a couple of articles in the PB, the middle branch has become very popular. Since April 1st, pretty much every portion has been fished fairly hard especially on the weekends. During the week it might not be too bad, but this weekend it will be filled up with people. Please keep in mind that it is still a catch and release only stream even though the regs change this weekend for some trout streams. The only way it might not be busy is if it is snowing on Sat and Sun...which might be a possiblity...

If it's me, I wouldn't even bother with the middle branch, the numbers of trout just aren't there, however with the catch and release only signs maybe it'll be a couple of years and it should produce both numbers and size... I know I'll be on the South Branch this weekend battling a couple 5-6 pound brownie's!!

[cornfed]

Thanks Chosen Valley.

Any more thoughts? I was looking for some more insight on some of the rivers...I lurk on here a lot, I know there are a lot of experts out here. Not looking for specifics, just some more discussion on the differences between branches of the Root and the amounnt of pressure on each.

Are some of the larger streams and rivers getting pretty muddy down there right now?

[WxGuy]

Even the upper end of the MB Whitewater was muddy last night, after being fine yesterday morning. I dropped a report in the trout forum with a little more info.

All the branches of the Root will be running high and dirty this weekend...chocolate milk...along with the larger branches of the Whitewater at least according to the gauging station in St. Charles.

Your best bet will be smaller headwaters streams that will clear quickly. Take a close map at your trout maps and you can see which streams these are--they feed into the larger bodies of water. You may have to do a bit of exploring if going out this weekend.

Regarding your other question...no spot is "not good" to start exploring. That's the best part of it! You'll find some productive water, and some not so good. Many places have particular times of the year when they're more productive for trout...much depends on temperatures and spring flow.

Many places worth exploring will offer up more smallmouth than trout though, and YUCK...who wants to fish for smallmouth!!!

[cornfed]

Thanks WXGuy.

I might not venture all the way down this weekend due to conditions. I agree, probably better to hit the headwater streams this weekend.

[WxGuy]

I certainly don't want to talk anyone out of fishing...there always seems to be at least a few places worth fishing.

If you don't get down here this weekend, next week looks to be much quieter, weatherwise, and streams should recover relatively quickly from our latest rainfall.

[Bass_Master1]

i agree with WxGuy 99.9% i live in Chatfield and the only reason im going out this weekend is because of Trout Opener. Im gonna eat me some panacakes and fish

[WxGuy]

Bass_Master1, what's the organization that puts on the pancake breakfast in Chatfield? Just curious...I was thinking of bringing the family down for some yummies.

[Bass_Master1]

its actually at the firehall the firemen cook the pancakes and serve sausage. it cost some money to get in. its just for donations. but if the kids want to enter the fishing contest it cost $10 to get into the fishing contest. and also if you like to give blood. you can give blood to the red cross. there is a bunch of fish in a big bucket u will see that in the corner if u come your kids will love to play with the fish if they like fish. hope you come:)

[Tipup101]

Am I the only guy looking forward to high muddy water. I mean come on less people the streams ar dark so you don't spoke fish. I love this opener. Even in the big rivers it take a special touch but you can hammer them if you know what to use. I fished preston last year when the water was so high from all the rain and I still found fish. Plus the rumor is that there are some lakers that escaped the hatchery and are swimming up and down the streams. Now that would be bragging rights. I am more pumped for this year than the last ten. Bring it on swollen rivers, snow, and bitter cold. That can't keep me from bringing home dinner. I got a group of eight going with me, this should be a blast. I am so stoked..

Good luck guys. Have fun thats what its all about.

[cornfed]

Hey Tipup,

So what's your advice on fishing high muddy water?

Bigger spinners and raps? Nightcrawlers? Find slower water?

You planning to fish bigger water or small creeks?