trip to town

After our late season snowstorm last weekend, guests trickled in and filled the ranch with a new life. This week has allowed for some larger projects to be completed. Myself and a few others knocked down and replaced an old buck fence. A buck fence is the wooden railed fence with leg supports, characteristic of the western landscape.

A walk along one of those fences will make obviously clear their inherent benefits. The rocky ground in many locations makes sinking a post impossible without a drill and a few sticks of dynamite. Tough terrain combined with plentiful pines makes the buck fence the appealing method for keeping stock fenced in. The legs are notched to fit together and rails are nailed to the face in an alternating pattern. A simple enough design that even an amateur fencer like myself can build a solid structure that will last 15 to 20 years.

Since my first horse ride I’ve been in the saddle a couple more times. Sandy was my steed of choice. A draft/mustang cross he’s a big guy, and perfect for keeping my feet dry on cold stream crossings. He’s well suited for this type of terrain and makes a walk up a hill feel like an elevator ride. Many of the horses, particularly the mustangs, were once wild horses on BLM land as much as deer are wild animals in Minnesota. They were adopted from the U.S. government and tamed. I learned that more recently, abandoned horses have become an issue in parts of the west where owners turn their horses loose when they can’t afford to care for them anymore.

Atop of Sandy we rode through Empty Saddle Meadow (historically named in honor of dudes unable to keep their feet in the stirrups while galloping across the field) and continued up to Screaming Woman overlook, where, as legend has it, a rancher’s wife ended her life with a leap after he left her. Other trails have less threatening names such as Big Skyline and Sarah’s Meadow but the all promise great scenery.

Bear tracks are quite obvious along many of the trails, but the animals themselves remain unseen. Mountain Bluebells, Forget-Me-Nots, and Indian Paintbrush include some of the many wildflowers popping up that add some color to the greyed sage hillsides. Nearby limestone cliffs are dotted with caves and the depth of the river changes daily depending on temperatures and high elevation snowmelt.

Traveling the country side here gives me the feeling of living in a movie set. The distant mountains, cliffs, and meadows seem like an oil canvas backdrop. While working on the buck fence I looked up at the muddy truck in the pasture, and with the mountains in the background it was easy to envision a truck commercial. In fact, I’ve been told that the Chevy Volt commercial that is currently airing on TV was filmed just up the road from the ranch. The commercial depicts a time lapse with different scenes, like an old gas station, fading in and out of the background.

Living an hour from Cody makes any trip to the big city a special occasion. Twice a week the ranch sends someone to town to gather and deliver mail, dump garbage and recycling, and pick up supplies, both for the ranch and personal use. This week was my chance to get a tour of where the essential stops in town were, for future reference. As my guide was Jimmy, another ranch hand. Unlike myself, he’s seen quite a few dudes come and go from this place in his 15 years on staff. He’s 60 years old, give or take a few sunsets. A person would never guess he was originally from Illinois since for the past 30 years he has called Wyoming home and can blend in with most of the locals.

In describing Jimmy, one must explain a few things. First, he likes to talk. Secondly, he’s got a lot to say. That combination of traits makes for an overwhelming car ride. He is a very nice person and goes out of his way to make a person feel at ease. His conversation skills are incredible and his humor and wit are responsible for the many friendships he maintains. Finally, he’s worked quite a few long days in his lifetime and therefore has no qualms about encouraging a person to take it easy, slow down, and save some work for the next day. During one instance he nearly yelled at me to drop the fence rails I was hoisting into my arms because it was close to quitting time. I believe him to be the biggest threat to my Midwestern work ethic I’ve ever encountered.

In town we were slowly checking the stops off our list. The weather was warm and our windows were down. At a red light downtown we pulled up next to an idling truck when I saw Jimmy begin to stare at the much younger girl in the driver’s seat. Horrified and embarrassed by his behavior, I quickly became uneasy. Then, much to my worst fear, he started talking to her. “Hey lady, you need to stop watching all those young guys cross the street and pay attention to where you’re going before you hit somebody,” he shouted over the idiling engines. “Jimmy, knock it off,” I boldly and nervously yelled, but he paid no attention to me as it quickly became apparent that he knew this person. She laughed off his comment as if it were to be expected from him and for a few more seconds they engaged in conversation like old friends before the light changed.

At the post office he bumped into a friend in the parking lot. At the liquor store he knew the clerks and a couple of the customers. At the grocery store he chatted with the cashier like they were neighbors, and of course, he was best friends with the lady at Cowboy Cuts, his barbershop (where I read the paper and caught a nap while he got his ears lowered). He knew everyone, everywhere we went.

His knowledge goes beyond the layout and occupants of the town. He knows horses in and out and the landscape better than anyone I’ve met thus far. There’s a lot to learn from this man and his accumulated wisdom, and I know one summer won’t be enough to soak it all in, even if he were to talk non stop. Now that’s a theory I hope remains untested.

Happy Trails

June Snowstorm

After a warm and dry start, the cool June rains have begun to fall here in the Sunlight Basin. Each day this past week has dropped at least half an inch of rain and the forecast reads more of the same. The beautiful snow covered mountains surrounding us have gone into hibernation for the week as overcast skies seem to have disguised their presense. Occasionally when the clouds do retreat, a person can see the tree covered hillsides and the advancing precipitation gradient of rain to snow.

Sunday morning I had to look no further than out my wagon window to see the white stuff, six inches worth. I guess it’s a good thing we got the lawn mowed the day before. The snow continued into the afternoon and in total we received about one foot. As the sun came out later in the day, the snow seemed to retreat nearly as fast as it arrived. The pine tree above my wagon periodically dumped piles of melting snow. While writing this I noticed a small leak above my bed. The duct tape patch job I inherited isn’t quite doing the trick. For now, a pot will have to contain the leakage.

It has been my observation that Minnesotans generally like to think they’re tough for enduring long, cold, northern winters. Out here winter really does last nine months of the year and as a Minnesotan I tip my hat to those who endure these summertime snowstorms while the rest of the nation heads to the lake or beach and fires up the barbeque. After experiencing a couple snowless months this spring, the day almost had a feeling of the first snowfall of the season rather than the last. I even caught myself unintentionally humming a couple of Christmas Carols as I went about my chores. This cooler weather makes obvious the fact that most of the staff hail from warmer climates as they gravitate toward the fireplace whenever they enter the lodge.

Sunday was supposed to mark the arrival of the first guests of the seasons, the owners and extended family members of the ranch, but due to travel conditions we get a short reprieve. Many roads in the area, especially those surrounding Yellowstone NP, are temporarily closed.

I have yet to see first hand any notable wildlife, but other staff have reported seeing a black bear and a black wolf on separate occasions. With the snowfall came a grizzly bear that my neighbor reported seeing through her wagon window at three o’clock in the morning. Unfortunately, I slept through it.

On a morning hike this week I noticed plenty of fresh bear tracks on the trail up the gulch. With 38 cattle, wolves and bear hanging around is something we pay close attention to. I found the remains of one unlucky horse near the neighbor’s property. Bones were scattered over a 50 meter radius where a group of grizzlies filled their bellies last fall.

For the next couple of weeks the cattle will stay in the pastures. Starting June 16, the ranch’s National Forest lease begins. At that point, the cattle will be turned out to graze sections of the National Forest and our cowboy, Chris, will periodically check on them, traveling on horseback.
We have taken advantage of some pre season down time to prepare the woodpiles for the summer’s demand. Each cabin is heated strictly by wood stoves and with cool weather like this, we burn through the soft pine and spruce like wildfire.

After nearly two weeks at the ranch, I finally hoisted myself upon a horse. Up until now the unavailability of horses and rainy weather have made riding opportunities scarce. We went on a three hour loop around some of the prettiest country in Wyoming. We followed a trail up into the high country through the pine forests and swung down through a large meadow. At the bottom we crossed Sunlight Creek, a rushing torrent of snowmelt this time of year. I estimate the water was four to five feet deep at it’s deepest point. This was my first attempt at crossing a substantial body of water on horseback and I couldn’t help but be a little on the edge.

I prodded my medium sized horse into the cold water. He took that first step more easily than I would have. We made good time moving across the creek but after a few yards my long legs did me a disservice as the water topped my boots. A couple more lunges and we made it across to join the other dripping horses on the opposite bank. I had cold feet but no longer was it for fear of crossing the river. During our next pause in the ride, I emptied my boots and wrung out my wool socks, but wet feet were a small price to pay for the new experience, one that I hope to repeat soon.

Wrangler training began a few days ago. Despite my position as ranch hand, I am being included in the wrangler training as a fill-in incase they ever need an extra hand or a current wrangler gets injured. The wrangler position is perhaps the most coveted job at a guest ranch if not in the entire travel industry.

I have horse experience, but that experience is mostly limited to a couple of summers at a YMCA summer camp in northern Minnesota leading 10-16 year olds on 45 minute trail rides through the woods. It was a challenge enough to get these kids to keep their horses moving in the appropriate direction at an appropriate pace but required little skill beyond a loud voice, clear directions, and enough horsemanship skills to keep myself safely on a horse.

Here, when they call a person a wrangler they literally mean it. Each morning the wrangler’s day begins with a ride across the creek to the pastures to gather the herd and push them into the corral. The day ends in opposite fashion, at a gallop either pushing or leading a herd of horses eager to make tracks for greener pasture after being confined to the corrals all day.

The ranch gets half a dozen calls some days from people still looking for summer work, a regular reminder of the outside world and economy that suddenly seems distant and irrelevant. Out here safely crossing the creek, keeping the fence wires tight, and listening for the dinner bell mark our most pressing concerns.

Happy Trails.

Week 1: There was a young man, who lived in a sheep wagon

Every young man dreams of being a cowboy. At least that’s my perception of the matter. I must admit that its always seemed an appealing occupation to me; the freedom, ruggedness, work ethic, horses, unique apparel, and even its own genre of music round out some of the positives. Of course, the definition of a cowboy has changed over the years and many would argue the authentic cowboy has rode off into the sunset for the last time.

Then there lies the fact that I grew up in a farming community. Milking cows is quite different from wrangling cattle on horseback. No matter how hard you try later in life its hard to hide your roots and mine are colored black and white Holstein. Taken together it seems any childhood dream of mine to become a cowboy is just wasted thoughts distracting me from more practical undertakings.

Fortunately, I’m not one to give up that easily and I’m not always so practical. With no steady job, no house payment, and not much else to loose, I went in search of a job at a western ranch to fulfill this teenage dream of mine. And I found one.

Its not exactly your typical ranch, and I’ll admit by summer’s end I’m not likely to be a cowboy. It’s a guest ranch. People, usually from East Coast cities, come for a week to get a taste of ranch life. One might argue a guest ranch is not representative of the true west, but at least it’s a start, I reasoned. For some unbeknownst reason they offered a job as a ranch hand.

I left shortly before Memorial Day. Of the 1,000 mile drive, the last few were the hardest. As with many new experiences, nervousness overtook reason and suddenly I began second guessing my decision. After all, most anyone can tell I’m not a cowboy. Now here I was with my Midwestern flannel, cheap cowboy hat, and nearly brand new cowboy boots walking into a setting where my lack of authenticity would be sniffed out by others more experienced. I can ride a horse, but I can’t train or shoe one. I can tie a fly to my fishing line, but what fly to use is beyond me. I can water the lawn, but designing an irrigation system for the hayfields is a foreign concept to a Southeastern Minnesota boy. Turning back now, however, was not an option. It would be an embarrassment and the regret of a lifetime. I drove down the driveway determined to take full advantage of my Midwestern work ethic to pull me through and use the next three months to learn everything I could about ranching, cowboys, fly fishing, and the west.

The ranch I work at hosts up to 32 guests each week. Activities include fly fishing, skeet shooting, day trips to Yellowstone, campfires, music, hearty food, and of course, horse back riding. The ranch raises its own beef and pork with 38 head of Black Angus and a four pigs named Aristotle, Socrates, Plato, and Homer. We have 80 horses and plenty of neighboring grizzly bear. I’ll spare you the names of the horses since I have yet to learn them all. It sits on 277 acres along a currently flooded creek and is surrounded by National Forest land in the Sunlight Basin in Northwestern Wyoming.

Upon arriving I was met by the head wrangler, Chay. He took me directly to my housing. Most might imagine a cozy bunkhouse the accommodations for ranch staff. That’s where this ranch masters the unexpected. Upon my arrival, I was escorted across the property to my very own circa 1912 sheep wagon. Four wooden wagon wheels, one door, a window front and back, and a tin roof with a faded red exterior. Lengthwise the wagon measures about 15 feet. At its widest width, 6.5 feet, just enough room to let me stretch out on the queen size bed in the rear. The height of the interior is only about five and a half feet, not enough for me to stand upright. Inside are some storage units painted white. Scattered on the frame are nails and hooks. A coat rack is fastened to the frame near the door. An electrical outlet powers my lamp and small space heater. I’m sure the wagon was level at one point in time, but now it leans a little toward one corner. Not two yards from the wagon is a small stream of cold mountain snowmelt. That’s the fridge. Milk crates hold the belongings we wish to keep cold. Beyond the creek is a bath house. Fortunately, it’s a little newer than the wagon.

Since this is prime grizzly territory, I asked Chay about keeping food in the wagon. He answered my inquiry by recounting an occurrence he had two weeks ago. Rather matter-of-factly he noted a grizzly knocked open the front door of his cabin while he sat watching TV in the evening with his dog. Noted, I thought to myself. No food in the wagon, ever. While making my bed I discovered a half eaten bag of Sun Chips tucked beside the mattress from the previous inhabitant. I’m glad I found them before the bear.

Breakfast is at 7:30, dinner at 12:30 and supper at 6:30, signaled by a dinner bell. Every meal is five star restaurant quality and my first taste of ranch food was salisbury steak wrapped in bacon. Then it was eggs and bacon for breakfast. Lunch hosted turkey sandwiches, with bacon, and the leftover bacon from that was chopped and thrown into the green beans for supper that evening. Around here, I think it reasonable to say bacon has reached condiment status.

In my short time at the ranch I’ve already discovered that without owning a truck, dog, my own saddle and tack, a Carhart vest, and a pair of chaps, I’m in the minority. There are 16 other staff members, some of them wranglers, some housekeeping, some wait staff, an irrigator, and one a fishing guide. They come from Texas, Idaho, Nebraska, Montana, Georgia, and California. Not all have arrived yet, but so far, they seem a pretty friendly bunch. No guests will arrive for another two weeks.

The weather is surprisingly warm. Humidity is low but temperatures have been climbing into the 80’s already. The aspens have just started to leaf out but the threat for snow has not yet vanished.

My long dreamed about western adventure is beginning to unfold. The days seem to go by like a blur but already I’m getting the hang of which direction to turn the unfamiliar shower faucet handles, what’s the latest I can sleep and still make it to breakfast on time in presentable fashion, and what darkness covered objects and shadows are actually pieces of lawn furniture and not a prowling bear.

It’s going to be a good summer. It seems it would be impossible not be good when the view from my office window is snow covered mountains, the stars are my nightlight and my morning commute is a 20-yard walk.

There’s the supper bell now, time to eat. I hope they’re serving bacon.

Happy Trails.

Library offers relief from bills, job hunting resources, friendly atmosphere

If the Caledonia Library were in the business of turning a profit, their number of clients would be increasing, sales would be setting quarterly records and stock doubling in value, an unusual trend in the current business sector. Of course, the tax payer funded, public service the library provides at no additional cost to the patron is not meant to fill the city coffers, but the point remains. The library is busy, and it keeps getting busier.

The economic slump haunting our nation is being held responsible for increased attendance at public libraries as people brainstorm ways to trim the fat off their household budget. The New York Times reported book, cd, and dvd sales were down in 2008 from 2007 and the number of movie, concert, and theater attendees also dropped. National booksellers Barnes and Noble and Borders saw 7 and 9 percent sales decreases respectively. Decreases in sales, combined with double digit increases of library patronage seem to tell an obvious story; more people are discovering and taking advantage of the free services offered at public libraries.

Studies indicate that similar trends are not unknown. During the Great Depression libraries saw a significant jump in patronage and again during the recession in 2001 when circulation rose 9 percent nationwide according to the American Library Association.

Locally, Librarian Marla Burns has observed the changes firsthand over the past months. “It has increased tremendously,” she spoke of library usage comparing 2007 to 2008. “I can’t imagine what 2009 will be.”

“People and their own personal budgets” is how she attributes the surge in patrons. She said that last week a patron announced she had disconnected her internet and cable TV to save money. She’s not the only one, however, as Burns noted that cutting back on internet, TV, periodicals, and book buying has been a common chorus from patrons.

By the numbers
In 2007 registered borrowers numbered 1,800. A 16% increase in 2008 has brought that total to 2,131, quite an impressive number for a small town suggested Burns. A 40% increase in library visits increased the 2007 count of 1,852 visits to 3,120 visits in 2008. Internet usage increased 18% over the same time period and total circulation has increased from 26,998 to 28,615 items, a 6% gain.

What brings all of these new patrons to the library? Self-help, finance, job seeking, and do-it-yourself books are all popular according to Burns. “People are also using the library for updating resumes and job hunting,” she stated.

Burns describes the biggest increase in patronage is coming from the male gender. “A lot of men are coming in for computer usage,” she stated. “We even get truck drivers borrowing audio books.

“Some days we have people waiting to use the internet and every day somebody brings their own laptop and uses the wireless,” she continued.

Even some people with a dial up internet connection have been known to come to the library to use the high speed service provided, allowing them to get their work done in faster time than it would have taken them back home.

“When I came we had card catalog, we were open 11 hours a week, and we had no computers,” remembered Burns. Now, the library is open 27 hours a week, hosts 9 computers for public use, and the card catalog, well, that’s one for the history books.

This September Burns will mark her 25th anniversary as librarian. Eileen Jacobson has been on staff for 11 years. Together they keep the shelves filled, the computers running, and the continuous flow of books organized.

Beyond books
If you think the library only offers outdated books on irrelevant subject matter, you haven’t been to the library lately. For a couple of decades the library has been a member of the Southeastern Library Cooperative (SELCO). Through this service, patrons have access to over 2.1 million items owned by the 84 libraries within the SELCO system.

Whether looking for the complete 1998 season of the Red Green Show, an audio tape of Steinbeck’s “Grapes of Wrath”, a picture book of quilt designs, expert advice on how to build a shed, or local favorite “Jailhouse Stories” by Neil Haugerud, if the Caledonia Library doesn’t have it, chances are La Crescent, Plainview, Albert Lea, or one of the other libraries will. If the item you are looking for isn’t among the 2.1 million, a service called MNLink distributes materials statewide from other library systems and is likely to have it.

Money savings from borrowing books rather than purchasing them is only the beginning. Services offered through SELCO online can help guide a person through legal forms, answer health questions, and provide access to repair, maintenance and service information for up to 350 vehicles, potentially saving a person on lawyer, doctor, and mechanic fees. The library also contains 60 subscriptions to magazines and newspapers.

Free classes and guidance for people interested in learning how to use computers is offered. “This help is as simple as learning how to use the keyboard, setting up an e-mail account and most recently assisting in on-line job applications and setting up unemployment accounts,” described Burns.

The steps to becoming a library card holder and taking advantage of these services are simple. Stop in the library and ask for one. Some basic paperwork and a couple minutes of time is all it takes. Library cards can be used at any Minnesota library and books need not be returned to the same library they were borrowed from.

Asset to the community
Many libraries nationwide are contending with budget cuts at a time when their services are in most demand. While the Caledonia Library will see $2,000 cut from their budget, things could be worse. “Our city council is very generous,” complimented Burns. “We have a lot of people saying ‘please don’t take away from the library,’” but she continued, “we have to do our share, though.”

Karen Gran was interrupted by this reporter as she sifted through her e-mail inbox. By her estimate she stops by the library two times a week to borrow books, movies and increasingly, to use the internet.

In describing the value of the library she explained, “I think it’s a big asset, especially to residents who don’t have internet. I’d recommend it for almost any age.

“Oh, and they have wonderful employees,” Gran joked loud enough so Burns and Jacobson could hear, seizing the moment to show her appreciation for their dedication and helpful and friendly attitude. Judging by the friendly and personal greetings patrons receive as they walk through the door from Burns and Jacobson and increasing library patronage, it’s a comment most would probably agree with.

“How was your day at school?” Jacobson asked Sydnee Halverson as she entered, backpack in tow. Halverson, a 5th grader from Spring Grove and frequent visitor, came to the library to work on a science paper.

“In a small library you get to know people. They’re your friends,” smiled Burns as the interview concluded.

If that’s the case, Burns and Jacobson have 2,131 friends and counting.

National Library week is April 12-18. As a promotional tool the library is sponsoring an “I’d rather be reading” photo contest. The contest, open to anybody, is for silly, goofy, happy or sad photos that suggest “I’d rather be reading” than what I’m doing in this photo. Photos can be submitted in person or mailed to the library the week of April 12-18. Prizes will be awarded.

Trout populations strong for season opener

All winter long anglers anxiously await the opening of the spring trout season in Southeastern Minn. April 1 first marks the first day of the catch and release season in the southeast region while April 18 opens up trout fisheries statewide. Anglers from across bluff country and greater Minnesota annually converge on the Root River, Whitewater River, Forestville, Beaver, and Winnebago Creeks eager to explore their favorite fishing holes in hopes of catching the big one and enjoying a little serenity in the meantime.

Minnesota, well known for its 10,000 lakes, is not as popular a destination when it comes to trout fishing bluff country streams. “This is the last frontier for trout fishing,” stated Vaughn Snook of the DNR Lanesboro Regional Office. “A lot of people don’t know there are trout here. I grew up in Michigan and you ain’t seen nothing yet as I said to some people here when I first got here. Relative to a lot of states we don’t have a lot of angling pressure. In Michigan you’re shoulder to shoulder in some places.”

A season long survey (see sidebar) conducted in 2005 reported 90.6% of anglers were Minnesota residents while 3.9% and 0.9% hailed from Wisconsin and Iowa respectively. Over half, 52.3%, of anglers were Southeastern Minnesota residents while 31.1% came from the seven county metro region.

After the flooding in ‘07, and again last spring, raised water levels more than 50 feet above normal flow in some streams, many anglers assumed the population numbers would be low as a direct result of stream damage. Snook reports, however, that the numbers tell a different story.
He explained, “we looked at how successful spawning was based on numbers of little guys we catch. In May/June of ‘08 the catch was huge, off the charts. We don’t know for a fact, but we can kind of deduce that the floods may have had some positive affect in their spawning.” In one instance, an average of 533 fish/mile in three streams surveyed was reported pre-flood, and an average of 672 fish/mile was recorded after the ’07 floods in the same streams. How populations will react in the long term is still unknown, but for now population numbers look promising.

Snook noted trout populations generally go in a seven year cycle. At the time of the flooding, populations in the Whitewater river were already bottoming out, perhaps explaining the disappointment experienced by some post-flood anglers.

Rainbow, brown, and brook trout represent the trout species in local streams. Only brook trout are native. The others were introduced to fill niches left by brook trout as brook trout populations plummeted through the 1930s, ‘40s, and ‘50s according to Ed Stork of the Lanesboro Fish Hatchery. Stork described brown and rainbow trout as “good sport fish, readily available, economical to raise, and fun to catch. They are quite tolerant of the somewhat turbid and warmer water in southeastern Minnesota,” he added.

This spring 28,100 rainbow trout yearlings, 27,600 rainbow fingerlings and 391,750 brown trout fingerlings will be released in Houston, Fillmore, Winona, Goodhue, Wabasha, and Olmsted counties. Beaver, Winnebago, and Crooked Creeks receive 1,300, 1,050, and 500 rainbow trout each year respectively.

Brook trout continue to be stocked in specific, hospitable streams including Eitzen Creek. “With the conservation reserve program we’ve increased our concentration of cold clear water,” noted Stork. “Once they (brook trout) start coming back they are going to start getting more popular,” he predicted.

Trout populations strong
Overall, trout populations have tripled since 1970 levels thanks to stocking efforts and overall habitat improvement. Fisheries managers hope one day area waters attain a self sustaining population. Stork see the loss of natural lands as the biggest threat to healthy trout populations, and as a result he fears stocking will always be necessary.

“While its been very true that we’ve gained several miles of cold clear water through the conservation reserve program it now appears we are going backwards, because some conservation reserve has been taken out and put back into production,” Stork said. “We’re going to start seeing a negative trend again so the stocking is always going to have to be there.”

On a similar note Snook responded he believes the biggest threat to local streams is farmers “still plowing into setbacks. It’s not a good idea.” He explained their office has approached county governments requesting them to enforce current regulations regarding setbacks from streams but commented they are usually unresponsive. He fears if regulations are not enforced locally, a legislative mandate could one day put control into state authorities.

“A lot of us would like to see local control. I’d rather my county do it. I don’t want someone from St Paul taking over,” he responded. “Either St Paul makes the decisions or we start helping ourselves.”

Fisheries managers are always look to create more trout stream easements to protect riparian habitat and allow anglers access. Currently 720 miles of streams are enlisted in the program, up from 680 miles in 2004. An easement is a legal contract with landowners that in exchange for a one time payment allows public fishing and DNR management activities along the enrolled section of stream. They typically encompass 66 feet of land and water on either side of the centerline of the stream.

Easements allow anglers opportunities to fish in places that would otherwise be off limits, but getting to the easement can sometimes be a challenge. “You can’t trespass to get to that easement corridor,” Snook emphasized. He stated the biggest gripe their office encounters from landowners is anglers trespassing on private property. “Most farmers wouldn’t care if you ask them. When you go do it without asking, that’s what angers them.” Posted signs mark easement boundaries. In Minn. all navigable waters are public, but without easements an angler must keep his feet wet to avoid trespassing. Fines of up to $3,000 penalize trespassing.

Rules and Regulations
In addition to confusion of easement boundaries, the list of state and local fishing regulations can easily discourage the novice fisherman.

In southeastern Minnesota, April 1 through April 17 is a catch and release only season with barbless hooks. April 18 through September 14 a possession limit of 5 fish is in place, only one of which may measure more than 16 inches. Sept. 15 through September 30 is once again catch and release using barbless hooks.

Certain streams, as outlined in the 2009 DNR Fishing Regulations booklet available online or where licenses are purchased, host specific slot limits. For example, all trout 12-16 inches in length taken from East Beaver Creek must be immediately released. Many will remember a proposal to turn sections of Winnebago Creek into catch and release only was dismissed in ’04 upon the recommendation from local citizens.

Everyone over the age of 16 needs a fishing license and a trout stamp to fish for trout, a combination costing approximately $27.

Snook encourages people with questions to call their office at 507 467 2442. They can also provide booklets outlining local regulations and easement locations.

Whether a seasoned veteran or a novice angler exploring a new hobby, one need not go any further than nearby valleys to find the prized trout some anglers search for across the continent. That the streams were too crowded or characterized by low populations numbers are no excuses for an empty creel around here, but as the old saying goes, even a bad day of fishing is better than a good day of work.



2005 creel survey of selected trout streams
A survey conducted during the 2005 fishing season reported that 90% of anglers were males.
An estimated 214,307 trout were caught. Brown trout were the most sought after species as 38.9% of anglers indicated. Easy access was the number one reason 30% of anglers fished a particular stream. Favorite stream (28%) and that they live close by (21%) were other top reasons.

Angling using flies was more common in older age groups while younger anglers preferred bait. The highest catch rate was measured in August and April at an average of 2.1 trout/hour. The year round average catch rate was estimated to be 1.1 trout/hour.
The average age of anglers was 40.

Brown trout represented 72.2% of total catch and rainbow trout 26.1%. Mean catch size for brown trout was 9.6 inches, rainbow trout 10.3 inches, and brook trout at 8.2 inches.
May receives the most angling pressure with over 44,500 hours logged by anglers. Release rates of fish caught have increased over the years to approximately 83%, compared to approximately 96% out West.

Most anglers indicated they were satisfied or very satisfied with their angling experience.
The report concluded, “the southeast Minnesota trout resource is primarily used by resident anglers and is not a primary travel destination for non-resident trout anglers.” It went on to affirm that purchasing trout easements is important to provide easy access to streams. The survey indicated exactly what Snook originally suggested, that “relative to other fisheries, the amount of angler-hours estimated on streams in southeast Minnesota is low.”