"Accurately recalling an entire day of fishing is like trying to push smoke back down a chimney, so you settle on these specific moments."
-- John Gierach
A beautiful brown trout from southwest Wisconsin's Driftless.
As I sit here in my home office on the day before Thanksgiving, looking through the window at a yard full of fallen leaves and fresh snow, a feeling of thankfulness covers me like a warm blanket. I'm grateful for a wonderful year of adventures all over North America, and I'm going to attempt to push some smoke back down the chimney, as John Gierach once said, and share some of it with you.
Two of the three trips I'm sharing were done with my frequent traveling, hunting, and fishing partner, Shawn "Troutprospector" Larson. The third trip included good friends, old and new, in a bit larger group of eight. All three trips were distinctly different, but still included common themes such as travel, camaraderie, stunning landscapes, great fishing, and a certain peace and tranquility that only a trout stream can provide. I'm breaking this trip report bundle down into three chapters, since there's too many words and images to cram into one article.
Blast and Cast: Southwest Nebraska and Southwest Wisconsin
April 12-22, 2024
A fishing trip to southwest Wisconsin's Driftless region was a long overdue. Shawn and I hadn't been there for a few years, and we were itching to go. Both of us were now retired, and after lengthy careers, we finally had more time to devote to travel. This time we would first hunt spring turkeys in southwest Nebraska, and then travel with my truck and travel trailer east across the Great Plains to Missouri and then north through Iowa to the Driftless region of southwest Wisconsin. We named the trip the "Epic Blast and Cast Road Trip". We did way more "cast" than "blast"!
Our turkey hunting in southwest Nebraska was hot, dry, and windy! We had some VERY close calls with a gobbler or two, but in the end it was turkeys-2, hunters-0. That's the way it goes, and after becoming familiar with the public land spring turkey hunting opportunities in the rolling hills and valleys of this part of Nebraska, I'm sure we'll return for another chance at wily gobblers!
A warm spring day!
Working our way down a long wooded draw.
Listening to gobbles at sunrise.
After leaving the Nebraska turkeys in our rear view mirror, Shawn and I drove on east to my sister Sarah and brother-in-law Roger's home in northwest Missouri, almost exactly halfway between our layover in Nebraska and the Driftless. It was great to visit with Sarah and Roger, if even just for a day and overnight.
Crossing the Mississippi River at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.
Prior to taking this trip, I had contacted the fine folks at West Fork Sports Club, near Avalanche, Wisconsin. Since we were towing my rolling home on wheels, all we really needed was electricity and shower facilities. West Fork Sports Club is a great place to camp in Wisconsin's Driftless, and it's located smack dab in the center of the region, home to countless little spring creeks full of trout.
Our camp at sunset. West Fork Sports Club, Avalanche, Wisconsin.
In previous trips to the Driftless we encountered a mixed bag of weather. We've had sunny, warm days and even some snow one May a few years ago. This year's trip was no different, although the bag wasn't as mixed as it usually has been. It got cold and wet, and it stayed that way! We really didn't have much sun or warmth until the day we pulled out to drive home to Colorado. Our spirits weren't dampened by the weather though, and we had good days of fishing! Tenkara rules in the Driftless, and we had decided before leaving home for the trip that all we were taking were tenkara rods. They were all we needed!
A Wisconsin Driftless drive-by.
Fishing a tiny stream near camp.
Shawn with a colorful brookie.
After at least 50 fish, this fly needs a haircut!
Toward the end of our week in the Driftless we met up with two good friends, Dave Noll and Zoan Kulinski. I've known both of these gentlemen for years, and both have been clients of mine on guide trips here in Colorado. We had a great time fishing and hanging out with Dave and Zoan, and they took us to some special places. Many thanks to both of them for their hospitality!
Yours truly, Shawn, and Zoan.
Zoan, showing us the ropes!
Shawn with a nice brown trout.
A native brookie!
My first ever tiger trout!
Dave playing guide for Shawn.
Dave, landing one of many fish!
Good eats!
Cold days, hot food!
A quintessential Driftless trout stream. Clearing skies!
This was yet another spectacular trip to the midwest turkey woods and to the Driftless! Sunrise turkey gobbles, countless trout, a family visit, good friends, and a soft and peaceful landscape. We will return again and again!
