Ic3wind

John Bethke's Pink squirrel has become a bit of a classic in the Upper midwest driftless area. a quick search in google images will pull up numerous examples

sure thing, Let me know how you did. sorry that mother nature isnt cooperating in the least today

I was out chasing pannies in the Rochester area about a week ago. There were some in shallows but its still a bit early for them as stated above. I would probably recommend hauling down to the whitewater state park area. If you drive to the small town of ELBA there are 2 bars on the main drag. Take the road between them and follow the gravel back until you drive over the 2nd bridge. immediatly after the 2nd bridge there is a small parking lot. There is trail leading back west along a corn field. Follow it back until it hits the river and start fishing. If you need better directions shoot me a PM or email and I can give you more specifics. Bring some Midge and BWO patterns, also the grey caddis are just starting to come out and are very prolific on that stream. That hatch can really get em going. If you feel like exploring a little more, or dont want to make the drive that far south this website should help in the hunt. The area I am refering to is in the top left corner of map 8 and spills over into map 7 http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fishing/trout_s...th_mn_maps.html

Im from the area and can point you in the right direction. What date do you plan on going fishing and how far are you willing to drive? If you can put in an hour or 2 of driving I can put you on some good water. unfortunatly the trout fishing options in the metro area are very limited if not non existent

This is hands down my favorite all around fly. I've used it for warm and cold water and its never failed me. A couple of the previous posters are dead on If you let it sink at the end of the drift and slowly pull it up trout have a tendancy to smash it pretty fiercely. I've also dubbed these with a very thick thorax and it will push water much like a popper. Thats what makes it great for Blue gills and when tied in @ #12 will manage to fool the occasional Bass. I once even got results putting a sinker on one and fishing it like a nymph. This guy is a pure meat taker.