1986/2017 Two Generations…so far.

Dad had a bad back from shrapnel in the war…or maybe it was the two back operations, I’m not sure which. Lifting was out of the question and walking in a river bed was difficult at best.

So when I heard about trout fishing in a stocked pond at Trout Air near Forest Lake, it just made sense. We made many trips out there. Sometimes taking them home to smoke or have on the grill. Other times we enjoyed the Trout Air employees cleaning them in the butterfly method (not a bone in the fish) and deep frying them with their special seasonings.

A number of times there would be a youngster trying to catch a trout with a rented pole and bait, corn I think. They would struggle and Dad would hand his fly rod to them and let the kids pull in the fish. They are a much better fighter on a fly rod then a stiff old cane pole.

When the family went along my daughter became the little kid and Dad would let her catch most of the fish as in the photo. Unfortunately Trout Air closed in 1998.

Little did I know that Running Aces opened Trout Air a few years back. One pond with a fountain in the middle. Bench seats around the outside for watching and lots of trout! When I hear this, plans starting to be made for the family to visit the New Trout Air!

Favorite Granddaughter Ella got her first taste of a trout on a 4 weight fly rod. We ended up bringing in 5 fish but two broke off at pond side. I spose I should have changed the tippet since it’s at least 13 years old.

We then went into the Trout Air Restaurant while the crew was cleaning our three fish. A few cocktails while trying to figure out which horses were going to win and it was dinner time.
The trout were as good as I remembered and I could of forced myself to have another.

The FW won $8.30 on a two dollar bet but she lost $12 prior to that win…I was just happy with the fishing and watching the horse racing. They have card games there as well, but I would rather sit out in the rain watching the trout pond.

Running Aces is very kid friendly and I’m sure the Favorite Granddaughter will want to go out there again in the future because “Without a doubt she loves their trout!”

BK, I love that first pic! Her smile is priceless.

BK thank you for sharing. Would I need a trout stamp to try this with my son?

Cool story and pics!

Tuma wrote:

BK thank you for sharing. Would I need a trout stamp to try this with my son?

Don’t even need a fishing license!

What would you say the average trout weighs?

Here is the link
https://www.runaces.com/TroutAir

Memory makers.

Very cool. I have been to Trout Air and it’s a good experience. There is also a trout fishery called Rushing Waters in Palmyra, WI, if anyone lives out near Milwaukee. My brother lives a few miles from there and it is an awesome little joint. The experience is similar to Trout Air from the fishing to the fantastic food, minus the cards and horse races…

Tuma wrote:

What would you say the average trout weighs?

Less than a pound by eyeball (3/4?). I had the Marcum camera long BUT I forgot to press the RECORD button. Plenty of fish in that pond for sure!

They announce Happy Birthday to Ella over the loud speaker twice.

Holy Cow BK, your FGD is mini me of your FD.

BK, is that you in the second pic? Wearing the same sweatshirt 30 years later?

the better half wrote:

Holy Cow BK, your FGD is mini me of your FD.

She’s my FW’s FD’s, FD!

munchy wrote:

BK, is that you in the second pic? Wearing the same sweatshirt 30 years later?

Washed only once in 30 years and that was by mistake.

That’s pretty cool Brian. Brings back memories from the old Whipoorwill campground near Plainview. They had trout ponds, pay-per-pound of course. I took my oldest daughter there once and put myself in major debt but it was worth it. Great memories. Thanks for the flash back.

Brian that there is awesome!!! Great memories relived and great ones made.

D

I have nothing but happy memories of Trout Air!

Hope to take my grandson there in a couple years.

Mwal

very cool! I do think the guy doing it was the old owner of trout aire back in the day? had many trips there in the late 80s as the owner was a personal friend of my inlaws glad they are doing this again

That’s what they were saying Boyd. The owner of the original Trout Air was supplying the trout at Running Aces.

Glad it’s going well. And thanks thought so