Fly Fishing for Gorgeous Wild Browns of the Wisconsin Driftless - A week of Camping and Fishing.

In this video, I'm truck camping and fly fishing for wild brown trout in the Wisconsin driftless region. I'll spend the next week exploring a dozen or more of the areas famous spring creeks searching for some of the prettiest wild browns you've ever seen! This is part 1 of a 3 part series.
#flyfishing #fishing #truckcamping #camping #troutfishing #wisconsin

[@LooknFishy]

Other videos that answer specific questions about gear, finding streams, technique etc (more on my channel): How I find streams: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXibc5eqi9qNkMU The ONLY flies I use out west: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6rKfmOvZZmkqNU My favorite hopper (my Top Shelf Hopper) tying vid: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWiVnaaroriojaM My favorite wet wading boots: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWHFd4CafNR5Y9k My favorite wet wading pants: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6iafotom9SVqcU What's in my pack when I go off the grid: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5a8anmierp6rsk Tutorials and technique related videos... The 3 fly rods I use and why: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iISYnp6prbFkb5I This one simple adjustment will help you catch more fish: kzbin.info/www/bejne/paXTiGiFgKuBppY How to sight fish trophy trout walk thru: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5mck4esi8ikp7M How to indicator fish a run complete walk thru: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5-5k6KOaNqejrc All the indicators I use and why: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXSzhmiij7Gnj5Y My gear/setting for filming solo: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJbKop2urdJom6c

[@joewawrzaszek8117]

Nice video. The your fishing at 19 minutes in looked quite familar. After rewatching it a couple of times, it confirmed that you are fishing on what was my Grandparents farm just outside of LaFarge. Spent many an hour fishing there as a boy in the late 1960's. Thanks for the memories!

[@jimkelehan1366]

I cut my teeth on the Driftless! It so amazes people who go for the first time! I spent several years working on the restoration efforts thru my local and state TU chapters/council. It was well worth the effort.

[@LooknFishy]

They have done some good work in the area!

[@billschlafer]

Hey Drew! Glad you made it back to the Wisconsin Driftless. My stomping grounds. Ironically, earlier this week, I had just fished that first stream you showed. The upper pasture section isn't as good as the lower parts of that creek, as you found out. It's been a odd year here due to the weather. Little rain this spring and unusually hot weather has the streams looking and performing more like late August than late spring. The bug hatches have been sporadic and the Trout have been moody. A Perdigon or other small bead head below a foam hopper has been the go-to setup for awhile now and almost always produces. Not surprised you ran into some competition. The popular streams in the area just get hammered in the spring. But the nice thing about the Driftless is there's almost always another stream in the next valley over with eager Trout. Often the Class II & III streams will fish better than the popular Class I's. The more out of the way and harder to get to creeks will have plenty of hungry Trout to be had. Many of the local streams with easements in the area have had some work done on them. Although lately most of that effort has been stream bank erosion control than actual Trout habitat improvement. Good luck on the rest of your trip. Let me know if you would like some suggestions on streams to add to your list.

[@LooknFishy]

Yea fall or early before catch and keep season is my favorite time to fish the driftless. But like u said no end of streams to fish so finding water isn't a problem!

[@bobhammond8067]

Lots of great fish and fishing!! Really appreciate you holding the fly box with arrows!!

[@ephraimmanasseh4586]

Such a beautiful place. Lush green vegetation and trees. Birds and insects making their sounds. Wonderful.

[@MoFlyFlinger]

I live in Mid Missouri and taking my first trip to the Driftless in exactly 2 weeks. Will spend first part of the week in Decorah and then mid week head over to Viroqua. I have been watching the reports and hear how high the water temps are. Hope some rain rolls through a few times before I get there! Spent last weekend in a couple of the Blue Ribbons here in Missouri so I am excited to see how the creeks in Iowa and Wisconsin compare. Growing up in Central Arkansas and learned to Fly Fish on the Little Red over 30 years ago, I am always excited to try new types of water. Love all your videos Drew and thanks for the "previews" of what I will be seeing!

[@jimpearson4295]

I did Viroqua and Decorah last month! I agree with a previous poster. Hot weather and very little rainfall. WI streams are still low. But first time to IA. Great streams! Many of the popular spots have given the trout a lot of pressure. Wasn't the best year to fish the driftless but not the worst. Ran into a caddis hatch BUT the fish were not rising! Good luck. Beautiful country!

[@darrellloftin1466]

love the driftless..thank you for introducing it to me

[@robertzylstra6676]

Great video as always! One of my favorite places in the world!

[@laggismaximus]

Some very beautiful fish.....thanks for sharing Drew!

[@tomeuk_tn9566]

Bro is back on his feet to fish again after a long adventure 🎉

[@surfcruzer]

Great job Drew! Nice to see your work.

[@fourlakes]

The Driftless is amazing. So fortunate to live here..

[@daveklimtzak4487]

The driftless waters resemble western ny streams. I appreciate the way you displayed your fly box and fly selection. It helped me tune in on your methods of the day. Please continue to do that. Thanks for your videos and great attitude for life.

[@Dustinschultz847]

Great video, welcome to Wisconsin! Next time, ditch the $10 dehydrated camping meals, in Wisconsin you're never far from a local tavern!

[@DeeJamz]

Awesome video, those streams are great! Loving the long video too!

[@albertdeangelo7804]

Great entertainment, just fishing and exploring without necessarily being in the middle of nowhere. I would get in the water where it's shallow and moving, ice cold adrenaline rush to end the trip, then sleep like a stone.

[@havespurswillclimb]

Enjoyed the video.

[@oldsmugglerflyfishing]

Amazing video

[@williampacey9194]

Nice looking stream. I have only fished the Driftless streams around Deborah Iowa. Loved it.

[@WildLife_Perspective]

Great video!

[@dogsoldiertoo1099]

After watching all your Wyoming, Montana and Idaho vids those cars driving by caught me off guard. thanks for another good video, Drew.

[@RandallW20]

I was looking at going to this area on a detour from the BWCA back home to Texas last June. I appreciate your time showing us the layout. Planning on doing another Rocky Mountain tour this year? They’re always the favorite of the wife and I.

[@uni_shadow164]

Enjoyed that one Drew! Would love to fish the driftless! Enjoy!

[@jimpyle560]

Was looking forward to this, and you didn’t disappoint. 👍

[@LooknFishy]

Definitely had a fun trip!

[@jimgollach6202]

Enjoyed watching. Some of those fish looked like stocked fish. Tight lines drew.

[@Thea-gj2or]

They don't stock a whole lot of trout. The ones they do stock are mostly smaller like 4-8 inches. Many years of poor farming practices caused a lot of sedimentation, limiting the breeding and the hatches. Lots of good stream work has improved many streams and sections but the good breeding and the diverse hatches are slower to return. I have lived here all my life. The creeks on average look and fish better then when I was young (early 80's) with fewer stockers. I have three good creeks within a 5 to 15 minute drive from my house. It most definitely is what it is and it's not too bad.

[@jaredi6221]

Taking this vids is not exactly easy, it's fast and you have you be quick, so many people enjoy them ! Drew; all the best to you and keep fishing, Jared

[@stephenbrody2717]

Great video. I had to laugh at around 26.50 that ridiculous cast under the tree and under cut bank. I have watched you throw darts for past 2-3 years.. Another great video. Love how you always adapt when stream hopping calm. Hears ears a couple wraps of tinsel work great as well there too

[@Sides1160]

It’s good to see you in the driftless area again. I think I know that stream. I hope that you are planning on spending some time in Iowa.

[@blackflycreations]

Another great video Drew! I enjoyed the fly box and the camp talk. Great work my friend! Take care and tight lines👍 Steve @blackflycreations Utah

[@toddodle8688]

Great video. This has proved what I worried about in the Driftless. Lots of people! It does seem you can relocate pretty easily though to find water. Anxiously waiting for the next in the series!

[@billschlafer]

The popular Driftless Area streams (the ones that get written up in books and websites) can get busy, especially in the spring. It's a destination fishery so you see lots of out of state plates. But, the best secret of this area is there are hundreds of miles of Trout water there. Many of the unheralded or less accessible creeks are great fisheries with thousands of Trout per mile. There's almost always another Trout stream in the next valley over. The fishing later in the summer and fall is great also and typically has fewer fishermen around. Summer Hopper patterns are really fun to fish and generate terrific strikes.

[@toddodle8688]

@@billschlafer Thank you for this information! I really like to be alone in solitude when fly fishing. I will go to the smallest streams in Colorado and catch 5" wild brookies... and be happy most of the time just finding enjoyment simply being there!

[@kyleorf7446]

Hey Drew! Always watch your stuff and love the content! One question on this video, how do you tie your adjustable dry dropper setup? I’ve seen you adjust your dry and that would be awesome. Let me know!

[@mikemagers1299]

Looks like you may have “retired” the net from last summer’s trip West! I love the Driftless. M2

[@tylerolson5314]

This is near me. I enjoy your videos and this last Friday, I got my action hat together man with my go pro installed. Saw your video that helped, thanks for your knowledge drops. I only know the fishing all the videos and editing is what I need to learn.

[@sirwinston2368]

Nice fishing Drew. Some really nice casts and some really nice fish. I really enjoyed your videos of the out west trip. It's good to see you in the Midwest. My advice? Keep going north until you hit Lake Superior. Once you get into Michigan ('Oly wah... da U.P. eh?) you start hitting some great trout streams. There are probably some great streams in northern Wisco but I have spent most of my time (pretty much all my 62-year life) in Michigan with a few trips to MT/CO. Stop in Iron River, MI and visit the Dark Waters fly shop (coffee shop in front, fly shop in back. You get a twofer). My man Seth will set you straight on some good water that hopefully will not be well-traveled. If you make it to Houghton, stop by the Keweenaw Brewing Company. Tight lines Drew.

[@Pwrcritter]

Good action. For as pressured as they are they seem willing to eat..

[@arcticmorning]

Hey Drew different terrain I'm not accustomed to seeing you fish farmland. Seems like your knowledge and skills catch fish no matter where you go. Nice video.

[@dxradioman6351]

Great vid and back to the camping/fishing content. I always learn from you and believe it or not, liquid Bisquick?? Got the idea it was not up to par? Leaving O dark thirty for the Conejos, WY and ID. Good luck this summer...

[@LooknFishy]

I like it for the no mess easy clean up. 2 minor complaints...can't get all the batter out and it's difficult to mix just shaking it. But u can break the clumps up easy enough. I'll definitely use it again

[@stanokeefe2713]

Great Vid as usual, and good to see you back in the Wisconsin Driftless. I can always find places to go, but it does get crowded sometimes.

[@bigbadfella]

The caddis hatches can be really hit or miss, but when you hit it right, its absolute mayhem.

[@desertbrewcrew1974]

See if you can find Indeed Pistachio Cream Ale beer. Very delicious!

[@briljantje9583]

You see, Drew, altough you caught some fish an the dry, the nymphing way is superior. That's my experience too.

[@briljantje9583]

So, unless there are hatches I always double nymph. No indicator, just feel. It works.

[@dankochanek8056]

Good ol Cheeseland!!

[@williamgallagher4783]

Hi Drew, love the videos, great fishing info. Question: do you use different metals (brass, copper, tungsten) beads on your perdigons to control depth? I find tungsten so heavy it sinks my indicator fly.

[@LooknFishy]

Yep, I pretty much use tungsten on my hopper dropper rigs and brass on traditional dries.

[@williamgallagher4783]

@@LooknFishy thanks

[@chrisbullock9652]

Will you be heading out west this year?

[@OregonUplands]

Hey guys, I'm new to Flying Fishing. I've only gone out a few times and had some success. I'm fishing for small to medium trout mainly and just curious if size 16 is a good fly size ? Just ordered a few nymphs the other day, and I went with 16. Thanks for any help.

[@lenzflyfishing]

size 16 nymphs and dries are perfect.

[@troutman8495]

Drew, what's the average water temperature in those spring creeks?

[@budfahnestock2418]

you got really close to some of those deep pockets and still hammering them in that super slow water, were you crouching or doing anything to avoid them seeing you while getting close?

[@LooknFishy]

Lots of crouching and slow approaches

[@MaxwellTheMf]

Headed there in 3 days. Any tips?

[@theaveragejoefisherman4287]

Was that first section you tried not private property? It sure looked like it with all of the barbwire fencing.

[@lenzflyfishing]

It's a cow pasture

[@LooknFishy]

No, part of an easment...those wooden climbing posts are good signs you can climb over and fish but usually not anything else.

[@theaveragejoefisherman4287]

@@LooknFishy Got it. Thank you for the explanation.

[@adamholbrook3999]

Looks like the crossroads of no camping

[@ericrollins4607]

How bad are ticks up there?

[@davehallett2977]

go hook up with the ndkayakangler...fish some big bass pike muskie

[@johnathonvangundy3241]

Jug and Weister?

[@desertbrewcrew1974]

Deshutes IPA is good beer. Stay thirsty my friend.

[@2-old-Forthischet]

How long will this haircut last?

[@tedbiladeau9330]

Well you are certainly not in the west anymore.

[@ryantherock7664]

Where did my comment go??

[@franklocquiao1288]

let us know the streams you fished in the driftless...lots of area for you to explore in beautiful WI!

[@PackerManForLife]

No. Nobody needs to know the names of these streams

[@richrellihen1908]

People, people, people, there’s nothing to see here in the Driftless. Better off staying home and saving your gas money. I hear Crappie fishing is fun and sporting. Give it a shot!

[@Botoburst]

Yep, it's just stinky farmland.

[@blakeblevins2129]

Lol remind me never to visit shit whole Wisconsin not that I ever would

[@imaxfli]

God I wished you'd stay out of Wisconsin....