North Branch of WW

O.K., I am saying that the N.Br. of WW management plan is not working. I am 68 years old. My dad took me to that steam many many years ago as a little kid. The stream as of now has not many fish in it. Trust me! There is a bunch of small trout like 6 inches that have been feeding on midge hatches in the low ends of pools above Bailys Crossing to the first hard right above the log jam area. Up to three years ago this area was just great! I used to hook and release 20 plus fish in a three hour time limit. Now it is down to three fish per mile. I am fishing the same area. I am going to write the Lake Fisheries area to tell them that this is what I have been experiencing. I was on another branch that is planted on an upper end on Monday. Great fishing. Even thought it is not hook and release I released a 14 inch brown, a 12 inch brown, an eleven inch brown, and three other smaller browns. I guess I am saying that the non-planting area stream of the north branch is not working out. I will not fish that stream again in the upper area. I know of one other fisherman who is much better than I am and he will not go back to the N. Br. again in the upper area. Anybody else out there that has been experiencing the same results?

I’ll give you a non-scientific perspective on a stream that is dear to me since it’s a stream I cut my teeth on, so to speak, as a young fly angler.

The NBWW has been a poor fishery insize and numbers of browns for about three years no, as well as a stream that has seen fewwer and fewer consistent hatches – specifically Light Hendricksons and the predecessor to that hatch, March Browns. I have definitely seen the stream decline not only from a hatch persepctive, but also from a numbers and size perspective. This downfall happens to coincide (or parallel if you don’t like coincidental happenings) the regulations change to a slot.

The water quatlity, IMO, was pretty bad two years back from, I believe, a housing project near Elgin. Last year it just didn’t plain have a lot of water as many streams (the Root withstanding) do right now.

So, did I answer your post? Probably not, but my point is that the variables that make a healthy trout stream: trout sizes and numbers froma variety of year classes, large forage and insect base, quality water, andquality habitat just don’t all exist right now on the NBWW.

A guy who could definitely give you more a perspective would be Steve Klotz of the DNR. Great guy, fly fishes a ton, and is a regular Joe. He might have more of the scientific input that could answer some of your questions.

Take care,
D.A.