Author Topic: Flyfishing. The Driftless. (Read 321 times)

Don Strandberg · « **on:** February 18, 2010, 07:47:26 PM »

Hey Guys.
I was wondering if anybody has ever fished the Driftless area in the mid west?
Even the name sounds romantic as hell to me.
I am just starting to look in to everything about it.
And it sounds like a gold mine. Not much is said about it. Compared to the rich and famous flyfishing the world John Barrett yuppie style of hot spots.
Any first hand accounts. Vids. Books, would be great.

As allways.
Thanks in advance.
Don///////

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #1 on:** February 18, 2010, 09:54:35 PM »

I don't know much about it but I did enjoy this pod cast about it. It might help you out.

http://www.askaboutflyfishing.com/speakers/steve-born/steve-born.cfm

John Killinger · « **Reply #2 on:** February 18, 2010, 10:59:28 PM »

TU On the rise did a show on that area last year.

Andy Rafter · « **Reply #3 on:** February 27, 2010, 07:58:11 PM »

I fished it for 5 days last summer around 4th of July. Not exactly the prime time in terms of hatches but since all the streams are spring creeks the water temps were still great. I loved the area and had a great time exploring. West Fork of the Kickapoo used to be one of the premier streams in that area but flooding destroyed a lot of TU's habitat improvements and the fishing has suffered as a result. We spent most of our time exploring the Timber Coulee drainage. It's really fun, some areas the streams run through cow pastures so there are no trees along the banks. Locals call that "Golf Course Fishing."

If you go, I recommend stopping at Driftless Angler in Viroqua, WI (http://www.driftlessangler.com/). The owner is a great guy and very knowledgeable. His fly recommendations and the spots he put us on to were awesome and really made the trip. One thing, since there isn't much cover stealth is pretty important unless you have the benefit of already knowing where the fish are holding. For that reason a guide might not be a bad idea but we had plenty of fun without one and managed a bunch of fish. If you're thinking about camping check out the West Fork Sportsman's Club (http://westforksportsmansclub.org). It was a really fun place to pitch a tent and swap stories.

Don Strandberg · « **Reply #4 on:** February 27, 2010, 09:27:46 PM »

Andy. Thank you very much for your help...

Andy Rafter · « **Reply #5 on:** February 28, 2010, 01:40:17 AM »

no problem! if you have specific questions let me know. I can probably point to spots where we fished by looking at the map though I can't recall too well off the top of my head. We're planning another trip out there - 5 days wasn't nearly enough. Also the town of Viroqua was really nice and hospitable. The food Co-Op makes a mean cup of coffee.