Currently browsing… Driftless Area
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Winter Fishing Tips and Best Practices for Trout After Spawn
By Cameron Akers Where legal, winter can be a great time to get on the water, if you’re adequately prepared. Trout are hungry after spawning, but low, clear water can make them a challenge. First and foremost, if you see a redd, which is a trout’s nest, stay off it! Redds are areas, typically near riffles, that trout clear out to lay their eggs. These eggs can…
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Landowner “Lunch and Learn” highlights Driftless stream restoration
Without willing, conservation-minded landowners, very few stream restoration projects would happen in the Driftless Area. Over 90% of Driftless trout streams flow through private land, so building relationships and educating landowners about the benefits of stream restoration are critical first steps in assuring that stream restoration work will continue. With this reality in mind,…
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A busy restoration season for TU in the Driftless Area
The summer of 2024 has been busy for Trout Unlimited staff and volunteers in the Driftless Area. Several projects were completed this summer and many more are in the works. There was activity in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa this year, with work to remain underway until winter. The most recently completed Wisconsin project was…
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Driftless program adds first Iowa staffer
Cameron Aker joins team as Iowa engagement coordinator As the Iowa Driftless Engagement Coordinator for Trout Unlimited, Cameron Aker helps connect growers, landowners, anglers, volunteer groups, and government agencies to help restore the cold-water habitats of Iowa. Cameron has spent the past 17 years of his career in the Ag Industry, where he worked with…
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Big projects on tap in Driftless Area
Several major restoration projects are on tap for the coming field season in the Driftless Area, one of Trout Unlimited's Priority Waters. Here are several of the biggest efforts on tap Nohr Chapter - Snow Bottom Stream Improvement Project - Wisconsin The Nohr Chapter was awarded a Department of Natural Resources Surface Water Grant to…
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Tips for fishing the Driftless in late winter
Winter and early spring fishing can be remarkably good in the Driftless Area. However, flexibility is the name of the game in low temperatures. Generally, I favor the classic slow and deep approach. If I see no visible rises, I start out indicator fishing with a scud or a caddis on point and a Brassie…
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Sharing expertise: The Driftless Symposium
More than 15 years ago, when Jeff Hastings took over leadership of Trout Unlimited’s Driftless Area Restoration Effort, one of his first priorities was to build his knowledge of restoration techniques. As he dug in, he found plenty of information. He also found that much of it didn’t get wide distribution throughout the area’s four…