As a young man I moved to the “Driftless Region” of Northeast Iowa and discovered this “Gem” of a fly fishing region.”E” is what my … If you’re anywhere near Iowa, it’s worth checking out the extensive network of trout fisheries that the state has to offer. You might want to keep in mind that even the smaller fish in the river can put up a tough fight, sometimes even more than the larger fish in the river. Out of town rates incur a travel fee for the guide. Either way, we can take care of you!! Part of the draw of this area is that there are many amenities available to enhance anglers’ experiences. On Waterloo CFreek in late summer you might want to pull out your grasshopper imitator, particularly in the catch-and-release section. On days when water temperatures rise you might see midges hatching and fish rising. The river runs roughly between Waterville and the Yellow River State Forest, and is stocked yearly with fingerling browns and rainbows. Iowa City, IA. You can easily access the water via 128th Street. Indeed, it can be overwhelming, deciding exactly where to begin. The Lower Swill Valley Creek isn’t far from Dubuque and Mississippi River and it is where angler’s dreams come true. You can read more on our. For your rod, the smaller trout streams of Iowa call for about a 4 weight, no longer than 8.5 feet, with 7.5 and 9-foot leaders with tippets from 3X to 5X. About our Guided Trips fly fishing and fly tying. If you don’t want to wade while fly fishing, you can head down to Yellow River with your kayak or canoe. More... SIOUXLAND FLY FISHING. Waterloo is a favorite among both locals and visitors alike in large part due to its high wild brown trout population – at its peak, the creek was thought to have about 4000 browns per mile. As a bonus, the corridor is also home to walleye and smallmouth. "King of the Waters" Curt Abney, Siouxland Fly Fishing. The upper portion is stocked weekly from April to October, with 10-12 inch brookies and rainbows, and the portion below Highway 76 is designated catch-and-release and artificial lure only. When you visit this fly fishing stream in Iowa, you will both the time you spend fly-fishing and relaxing at the campsite. How to download and use the fishing structure file for GPS units (Windows 10) Fly Tying. Fall is ideal for trout fly fishing, offering nice weather and a range of bait options. CLICK HERE to see more of our favourite fly fishing destinations. Iowa Fly Cast A Podcast & Blog Promoting the Challenging Fun of Iowa Fly Fishing. The Turkey River meanders through the Big Strings Trout Hatchery, which makes the area an interesting fly fishing destination, not only for local Iowa residents but also for folks from other states. Otherwise fish low and slow. Ethan Pole. WANT OUR BOOK? Plan your Iowa fishing trip, view fishing reports and hotspots, and get a fishing license online. What comes to mind when you think of Iowa? You can purchase these in person or online. We love to fly fish. Touching corners of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois, the Driftless Region is home to a unique landscape, thousands of miles of public clean and cold streams, and countless trout willing to take a fly or spinner. Bring along the standard gear – hip or waist waders, polarized sunglasses, broad-brimmed hat, sunscreen, bug spray, rain jacket or windbreaker, and a pack to hold small items. Copyright 2021 DIY Fly Fishing, all rights reserved. Mount Vernon, IA. Lake Macbride State Park. What We Do. Each season offers its own quirks. The Volney Canoe Access features a public access carry-down boat launch to make life easier. The bluff country of the the Mississippi River basin contain spring creeks known to … Felt soles on your boots will allow for better stealth than rubber or cleats. In addition to the fly fishing, there is also a picnic area, nearby campsite and playground, making the whole area a family-friendly fly fishing destination. Monte Bowden has fished many of the streams in Northeast Iowa over the last two decades. There is public access with a carry-down boat launch available at the Volney Canoe Access. Fly Fishing Zen: Getting Started with Tenkara If you're interested in experiencing fly fishing in one of its purest forms, it's time to give tenkara a try. If you have the right flies and just a little patience, you can reel in wild Brown Trout. Monthly Meetings. Paint Creek offers fly fishermen brooks, browns, and rainbows, with a daily bag limit of five and no length limit. And, you never know how big they’ll be – word on the street is that even the little guys in this area put up a fight worthy of a much larger fish in any other stream. THE COMPLETE BEGINNER GUIDE TO FLY FISHING GEAR DOWNLOAD FREE NOW! As an Amazon Associate Fly Fisher Pro can earn a commission from qualifying purchases. The river provides a 500-foot casting opportunity like no other, coupled with incredible surrounding landscapes. Owner / Guide / Instructor / Photography / Media I first learned to fly fish at a young age of 9, angling on rivers in Montana. Your email address will not be published. Lists of flies and hatch charts for each water along with a comprehensive description of each water. This unique geological area was skipped over in the last glacial period, so it lacks glacial drift (sediment) from the last glaciation. WE ARE LAUNCHING OUR WEBSITE SOON. The creek is a premier northeast Iowa fly fishing destination. This area is interesting because it runs straight through the Big Springs Trout Hatchery, six miles northwest of Elkader. From $149.99. There are also picnic areas and public restrooms. It is said that if you can catch trout on the fly in Iowa's cold water spring streams, then you can catch them anywhere. Looking For More Fly Fishing Destinations. it has a good population of wild brown trout. Required fields are marked *. The waterway is stocked with rainbows and brookies twice weekly from April through October. If you’re headed to the Midwest, don’t count Iowa out of your fly fishing itinerary – you might just be pleasantly surprised. Some of the brown trout are very large, especially for such a small stream. ! Education – The HFFA sponsors a number of educational activities including introductory fly fishing and fly tying clinics at several state-wide locations, as well as fly-tying sessions on the local level. Altogether the state boasts roughly 148 species of fish, including bass, channel catfish (the state fish and the most popular gamefish in the state), perch, pike, and sunfish. Fly anglers on the lakes in Iowa have a field day due to the lack of flies the fish see. You can let your kids play nearby as you spend your day angling. Fishing is year-round in Iowa, so the best time to go is whenever is best for you. Monte is a native of Northeast Iowa and resides in Cedar Falls. The water is divided into two sections — the lower part just below Highway 76 is an artificial lure and catch and release area, while the upper part is regularly stocked weekly with Rainbow Trout and Brook Trout from April through October. This term is used to explain terrain that was not cut through by the last continental glacier, thousands of years ago. Fishing is year-round in Iowa, so the best time to go is whenever is best for you. More recent numbers indicate specimens up to 23 inches long at a density of about 700 per mile. Tenkara is a style of Japanese fly… The creek is a premier northeast Iowa fly fishing destination. Tenkara is a style of Japanese fly… Terry Trueblood Recreation Area. Palisades Kepler State Park. Even if you don’t catch anything while at Coldwater Creek, you are guaranteed to have fun in this part of Iowa. Our goal is to share our passion of fly fishing with others through private beginner lessons to guided fishing trips. Waterloo Creek is tributary of the Iowa River that is about 10 miles long. Iowa DNR maintains a catalog of habitat structures installed in Iowa lakes, as well as other important features. Tight lines everyone! You can expect to catch Brown Trout, Brooks and Rainbow trout while you are here. While the fact that you can’t wade or walk is inconvenient, if you’ve got a canoe it might be worth the effort, as the state deposits an average of 50,000 fish yearly. The Hawkeye State not only offers tens of thousands of miles of rivers, creeks, and streams, but the DNR also engages in a highly active trout stocking program that keeps fishermen coming back and always offers a good challenge. This blog is about my journey. Other bodies of water, including the Upper Iowa River (the fastest moving river in Iowa), as well as the man-made 33 acre Lake Meyer (15 mi SW of Decorah) are other popular stops for fishing. I am getting back to fishing and most importantly, my long time desire to delve into fly fishing. Coldwater Creek is stocked weekly with an abundance of Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout and Brookies. As well, the state of Iowa is a diverse region, providing different angling opportunities as you cross the state. These streams provide excellent fishing opportunities for anglers of any skill level. Monte is anxious to share his knowledge of … Although some sections of the streams are stocked with trout weekly, many other sections host native trout. Northeast Iowa has plenty to offer besides its trout streams, there are also incredible camping sites that offer amazing shoreline fishing places with great access. The creek is a northeast Iowa favourite, for visitors from both inside and outside Iowa because it hosts a high population of wild Brown Trout. Unlock this map and get directions to over 30,000 fishing hot spots and real-time stream flow conditions with a membership! You will also need a fishing license from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. We offer wading trips on the spring-fed creeks of Northeast Iowa. And while you cast your line, you’ll revel in being surrounded by incredible natural beauty – tree-lined banks, lush foliage, and richly textured landscapes create a tranquil scene that awes. There is no catch and release order or the limit to the length of the trout you can fly fish from the Turkey River. New IPTV Video : Iowa Public Television Bear Creek Anglers is a fly fishing guide service focused on introducing beginners to the sport of catch and release fly fishing or the novice who has spent time on the stream, but has not had success. Posted In journal. There are currently five regional chapters centered in Dubuque, Iowa City, … If you’re going to trout fish, you’ll need to pay the trout fee, which is $13 for residents and $15.00 for non-residents. Look for deals on fly fishing … if you are lucky, you can expect to reel in Rainbows, Browns and Brookies. There are an estimated 136 trout per mile here, which isn’t that bad. Check out our interactive map of over 30,000 of the best places to fly fish in the US. Iowa DNR provides resources to help Iowa fishers succeed. This data is available via downloadable GPX file. Search for: Recent Posts. Home; Iowa Fish Species. As you wait for the trout to strike from the streams, you can marvel at the wonders of nature around you, including the lush foliage, tree-lined banks and the richly textured Iowa landscapes. All over the state, lakes give anglers a chance to catch all types of freshwater fish. There are, however, six trout fisheries in which naturally reproducing and sustaining browns and brooks offer anglers exciting action. It is a great location for beginners to experiment on new angling skills. Each season offers its own quirks. Fishing Spots Near Iowa City IA. The width of the river combined with the surrounding landscape offers something very few Iowa trout streams can – the ability to forget worries about the backcast, or even practice a 50-foot cast. There are over 100 trout streams in Iowa, and all are situated in the northeast portion of the state. 2020 Club Activities & Events. A spring rain can dislodge food and turn your day into a fishing glut, provided you’re using nymphs and streamers rather than dry flies. Solon, IA. There are also resident and non-resident one-day and seven-day options, and discounts for veterans. There is even a carry-down boat launch. Like other areas in Iowa, there is no length limit on fish caught, but there is a bag limit of 5 fish. Lower Swiss Valley Creek. The water is divided into two sections — the lower part just below Highway 76 is an artificial lure and catch and release area, while the upper part is regularly stocked weekly with Rainbow Trout and Brook Trout from April through October. The surroundings are serene, making the whole region a fly fisher’s paradise. But this state harbors a secret – its dozens of rivers and lakes are actually excellent resources for the diehard angler. Considered one of Iowa’s premier fly fishing destinations, the creek is divided into two sections for angling purposes. Paint Creek, located about 3 miles west of Harpers Ferry, is a tributary of the Upper Mississippi River that stretches for about 11 miles, cutting through the Yellow River State Forest. Continue reading to discover some of the best locations for fly fishing in Iowa. This waterway may only be fished by canoe or kayak unless you get landowner permission. Because the land was not ground into “glacial drift”, it remains hospitable to the cold, crystal clear waters that allow a wild trout population to thrive. Driftless Area, Iowa Fly Fishing Reports & Conditions Winter is on us. Like other states, they have varying regulations and catch limits depending upon the fish species and location, but unlike many other states, Iowa has an outstanding DNR website with thorough and comprehensive information on all of their fishing sites, and even advice, how to’s, maps, fishing reports, and much more. Winter can be a challenge to the fly fisherman but you could get lucky simply on the merit of the fish having not seen a lure in quite a while. The source of the river starts at Bee Creek in Minnesota. As always, watch the hatches, consult local fly shops if possible, and match as closely as possible. So don’t jump to conclusions about the size of what’s giving you all that struggle. Just make sure you read the signs properly so you don’t end up trespassing. Check out the beautiful woodlands at Bailey’s Ford County Park. The fish species are about 10-12 inches long, which is quite impressive. The brown trout population is believed to be about 4,000 fish per mile, and fish can measure up to 23 inches. This 11-mile stretch – a tributary of the upper Mississippi – cuts right through the Yellow River State Forest, three miles west of Harpers Ferry. Looking for clothing, home decor, or fly fishing gear in Iowa? Children under the age of 16 do not need a fishing license, although interestingly, they do need to have the trout fee in order to fish for or possess trout. Warmwater or coldwater- let Driftless on the Fly … With many trout streams and rivers flowing through the state, Northeast Iowa presents anglers with abundant fly fishing opportunities. Summer brings hatches, which is advantageous to fly fishermen, but it will also reduce the spread of cold-water species, causing them to stick closer to their chilly water sources (such as the hatchery at Turkey River), rather than moving up or downstream. White suckers in the Yellow River have no limit. There are also a few wild Brown Trout in the area. There are also campsites near the Bloody Run Creek, giving anglers plenty of room to go fly fishing with their families. Plenty of room to go fly fishing … if you don ’ t far from Dubuque Mississippi! 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