As mentioned in the General Discussion Forum,

If you have been toying with coming to Trout Day and needed something extra to sway you here it is!

A first no less,

All those attending this years Trout Day in Forestville State Park will NOT be required to have a trout stamp or fishing license to fish the designated waters of the South Branch!!!!!

Catch and release and all other applicable regulations remain.

I could not have done this with out the help of friend Steve Klotz!! Thanks Steve!! You deserve at least one Butter Burger!!!!lol

More info to come!!!

Keep the rods bendin’!!!

Jim W

Update:

Times are tentative:

8:30AM-3:00PM

Coffee Juice and rolls

Volunteer and DNR led stream seminars

DNR Led electro-fishing

Meet other fishing and out door enthusiasts

Guest speaker/story teller AL Batt

Weiner Roast

Of course Trout fishing

Free Door prizes

Trout Day is A FREE non-profit event.

This day is for all ages.

A much bigger announcement yet to come..stay tuned.

Keep the rods bendin’!!!

Jim W

All,

Down to the wire. As a reminder, we will have both experienced fly fishing and spin fishing helpers to assist in fishing or simply to answer questions or chat about stream fishing.

If you plan on fishing, please bring your own rod and reel.(think light when bringing tackle and rods etc)
Waders are not a necessity, but could prove helpful.

I ask that everyone arrive and be ready for the kick off by 9:00am sharp!! Please be on time! (we group up and announce the days intinerary)

Camping is available both in the park and the near by Maple Springs.

Hope to see you there Saturday!

Keep the rods bendin’!!!

Jim W

Just a few weeks out folks!

Jim Wernimont

For those attending for the first time, if you have light spinning gear or fly-fishing gear please bring it along. Hip-boots and or waders will help! Plenty of help to get started with either fly-fishing or spin fishing!

Jim

For thos interested in bringing Scout troops to Trout Day again this year please let either Steve or myself know so we can plan accordingly.

We have some VERY nice door prizes again this year…from Full day guided fishng trips to trout prints and tackle etc.

About a month out folks! Look forward to seeing ya there!

Jim

8:30 AM to 9:00am arrival with 9:00am sharp start!

When you arrive for the day, head over to the park pavilion. Simply stay on the main road past the office….can’t miss it on your left.

Best ages for children are at your discretion. However, walking/wading and fishing a stream can be a bit more “hectic”lol with children under that 7-8 year old range.

Again, we have stuff to give away, things to share, people to meet and fish to catch. Every year…I meet new people and someone new is introduced to SE MN trout fishing and stream fishing.

Questions, feel free to ask here!!!!

Thanks IDA for allowing me to spread the word.

Jim

Just the info I was looking for! Thanks CT!

Trout Day has once again come and gone.

Weather was less than desirable, but there were still 50 + who made it down to enjoy the day.

I want to thank all who donated and came to volunteer.

Many new faces and some new ones to meet this year.
People caught their first trout, people casted a fly rod for the first time.
One fine gal had made her first fly rod and brought it with her to Trout Day. One of our volunteers took the time to wade a while with her getting her in the swing of things.

Al Batt’s story telling brought many smiles and laughs.

Of course Steve Klotz from the Lanesboro office once again gave a wonderful electro-fishing demonstration.

Thanks to Steve Renneberg for his time on Trout Day this year as well.

Jim

Sounds good Trout Fisher!

I hope all take the time to introduce yourselves to me!!
4 days to go. My last post until the weekend! Hope to see you there!

Jim

All,

Curious how many from this area or other plan to make their first jaunt to Trout Day?

The extended forecast looks like possible record Trout Day weather. I am crossing my fingers that it holds.

2-3 out of the past 5 has experienced cold rain and snow.

Jim

Yup….left out
Wes Peterson
Cabellas.

Both are graciously donating product to this years event!

If anyone has questions about the event feel free.

Jim

At this time I would like to thank some that are donating, giving an idea of what you could win this year at the 6th Annual Trout Day.

(for those new to Trout Day, the day revolves around trout fishing and the streams of SE MN, but it really comes down to the love of fishing)

Culvers of Rochester
Hooked on Fishing Bait and Tackle
Gander Mountain
Mel Dickie Custom Rods
Northland Fishing tackle
Mepps Lures
Tyler Holms

PAST AWARD WINNING TROUT STAMP ARTISTS:

Micah Hanson – ’03 winner
Stephen Hamrick – ’04 winner
John House – ’06 winner

(each are graciously donating a print of their award winning trout)

Guide trips:

Scott Steil – Mille Lacs
Turk Gierk – St. Croix
Ace Sojberg – Lake Vermilion
Cliff Wadenbach – Lake Vermilion

Graphic Design: Jeff Satre

There is a good chance I am leaving someone out, not intentional.

Jim

Are there questions out there regarding the 29th?

8:00am ish start. Fishing in the AM. Both spin fishing and fly fishing. Bring a sack lunch.

There will be hot coffee and rolls in the AM as well. Rolls are provided by Spring Valley Bakery and yours truly.

Event is FREE. Only cost is State Park, parking fee. (They are allowing discount on that for Trout Day Attendees.)

I say 65 degrees this year!lol

Jim

Well, we approach the one month window for the 6th Annual Trout Day at Forestville Mystery Cave State Park. Apil 29th!!

Donations are still coming and are greatly appreciated!!

I would like folks to be arriving by 8:30am. You are more than welcome to come earlier to start the day off with a cup of coffee ,rolls/donuts.

Renneberg has a clearer picture of nuimbers, but those volunteers returning from last year are once again welcome to set up camp at my place. I am 10-15 from the park.

Please contact Steve if you would like to set up camp, sit around the smart fire.

Saturday evening Steaks are on me for the volunteers!!!

Keep the rods bendin’!!

Jim W

All,

We would like to have everyone meet at the Park’s pavilion between 8:30am and 9:00am. The earlier the better. More time for the AM fishing!!

Also, at this time I woud like to thank Trout Day’s largest sponsor Culver’s of Rochester. I just couldn’t do it with out their donations over the years!!!!

Thanks Steve!!!!!

Jim

Can’t believe we are almost entering another Spring!

All,

I forgot to add a couple things.

For those pondering their first trip down to Trout Day,
this event is a Free and non-profit event.

Camping is available in the Park itself with discounted daily admittance to those attending the 6th Annual Trout Day.

I do know of a couple scout troops coming to the event who plan on camping in the group sites. Might want to book your sites if interested in the park. Maple Springs Campground is just down the road.

Also, the park is unveiling their new Mystery Cave visitor center. So much to see and do the weekend of the 29th of April.

Hope to meet many new folk this year!

Keep the rods bendin’!!!

Jim W

All,

I would like to give you a look at the days agenda.

In the AM , a brief introduction and then off to the stream for some trout fishing. There will be spin fishing guys and fly-fishing guys on hand to talk with and to hit the water with. Or you can head out by yourself.

After fishing we all meet back at the pavilion to listen to this years guest speaker Al Batt.

Al is a unique humorist/story teller and naturalist.

He appears weekly on “Memories and Musings” by Al Batt on QTV, “Movies you could watch with your mother” on KSMQ – TV, writes a weekly “Natures World” column and weekly “Tales from exit 22” and much more. Come listen and meet AL at this years Trout Day.

Following Al, we will reconvene at waters edge to watch and learn as Steve Klotz from the Lanesboro Fisheries office demonstrates electro-fishing while providing us with highly informative updates on stream and trout conditions in SE MN.

Sometime during the day, I like to give a few things away…from guide trips to tackle and trout prints.

Let’s hope for good weather this year and I hope to see you in beautiful Forestville Mystery Cave State Park, April 29th.

We are still looking for additional experienced trout fisherman to assist with the day. If you would like to come and help with the AM fish please write to [email protected].

Keep the rods bendin’!!!

Jim Wernimont

Spent a little time reading this.

What well needed “press” the smallmouth is getting from this!!!!

Personally, the regs are awesome…however the whole river needs some form of slot or one over etc.. And with that would be a need for increased….more DNR patrolling…ensuring these rules are kept.

Also as mentioned an even better( in my eyes) smallmouth river system…the Root River system…needs similar protection and awareness brought it’s way.

The irony of this form of attention will only bring more anglers to these waters..so a sense of urgency has now been ear tagged.

What we have access to inregards to smallmouth fishing in SE MN, really is world class..I’d be up to helping when I can.
However, I would like to see some movement towards the Root for protection etc.

Thanks LEW and yes I care!

Jim

The 6th Annual event will be April 29th, 2006 starting at 9:00am.

A very entertaining guest speaker is lined up for the day as well.(more to come on that).

We still need additional “Stream walkers” to help with the day. Both fly-fisherman and spin fisherman needed.

Thanks

Jim Wernimont