Iowa's Best Brown Trout: The Promising Fly Fishing Haven

The cool thing about this fly fishing thing we like to do is that there is never an end to the learning. Well there is never and end if you so choose I suppose.. Every time you hit the water the changing seasons will force you to learn something new or go home empty handed. Even on your home waters or even just familiar waters for that matter, you can try a new technique or try to target different fish.
Having an entire month dedicated to early season head hunting was such a cool way to approach familiar waters and it allowed us so many different opportunities to learn. Most of that learning came with a whopping side of heart ache, but every now and then the learning kind of paid off.
Spring is a fickle season.. but this is where magic can happen for those hard nosed anglers willing to embrace the grind. Now it’s hard to say if a month will be sufficient.. because week by week new challenges will bubble up.. the aim, it will remain the same, even if that means shooting toward a moving target at times.
No matter what the weather looks like, or what the water conditions might be. The goal is to dial in on the brown trout swimming in these muddy waters. Hunting for that one big bite, we are going to experience everything spring has to offer.. The good, the bad, and the downright ugly..
Folks this is going to be one dedicated month of fly fishing the best trout water in the Midwest.
Hope you enjoy the story.
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(FAS Adjustable Dry Dropper)
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(Modified RBW)
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Net Clip
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Reference:
2:35 - Week 1
33:16 - Week 2
1:12:00 - Week 3
1:27:00 - Week 4

[@waynecummins5591]

I must say your your videos have given this Missouri boy some hope in great midwest trout fishing! Great content as always. Inspirational

[@FLYALLSZN]

It’s phenomenal! I would highly recommend Wayne

[@stevenschoppmann4946]

Always have enjoyed your videos in the Driftless. That's where it all started.

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much Steven! Can't forget about where it all started!

[@dutchflyfisher]

Again a nice beautiful vid. Do you realize that you're living in a trout heaven? A country with many possibilitys to catch trout on the fly. Mountains, flatlands rivers and tiny streams. You're blessed with that my friend. All the best and tight lines. Greetings from The Netherlands.

[@FLYALLSZN]

I pinch myself quite often! Whether we realize it or not, anglers in the states are extremely fortunate. Tight Lines!

[@byrde4329]

Phenomenal video! Super impressed with everything from your narration to the cinematography to the knowledge you share. Seriously impressive work, man.

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much! Doing my best to capture it all!

[@MichaelKensinger]

I totally dig your videos. As a trout fisherman, and wildlife artist - I can't help but play your videos in the background while i paint. Working on a brown trout and brook trout painting for a trout stamp contest as we speak. Tight lines from the trouty waters of central Pennsylvania.

[@MrKindermusik]

I came back home to NE Iowa in late April after working down south for four months. I fished nearly every day in the month of May. Empty trailhead parking lots, lots of Browns in the 12-16 range, the rare brookie, birdsongs.

[@FLYALLSZN]

May is the perfect time to be out there!

[@dodge33w]

keep up the good content boss, I really like your driftless series!

[@FLYALLSZN]

The Driftless is amazing! Thank you so much!

[@daklight2792]

Spent many fall and winter weeks along the Upper Mississippi River near LaCrosse for work. Loved hiking and exploring that area. Very under the radar beauty there.

[@oldsmugglerflyfishing]

Another fantastic video!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much!!

[@barryhandahl8965]

Nice video!! love to watch you fish the area that I fish once in a while...love your videos and always look forward to watching them..

[@barryhandahl8965]

And as far as going for the Dolly Parton of browns they are there for sure but everything has to come together with weather, timing, hungry trout, lures and some luck can help.. I've caught 2 footers in the smallest streams that come out of nowhere and surprise the hell out of you. doesn't happen a lot but when it does...oh baby is it a rush!!! take care and keep it rolling!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Totally agree! And I’m hoping folks can recognize that through our grinder month. Thank you so much for the support Barry

[@leemowers9395]

Great story, thanks Mike for sharing.

[@FLYALLSZN]

Of course Lee! So glad you enjoyed!

[@pathstopocketwater1385]

Hey Mike, Mike here, Just moved to WI, also a new youtuber...week one living here, I fished the driftless and had a blast. You're an inspiration man! Would love to talk flies that churn butter some time! Keep Killin it! Mike (youtube: Paths To Pocket Water)

[@FLYALLSZN]

Howdy! The Driftless is amazing! Be sure to explore the Iowa side (Especially when WI and MN close their waters in the fall)

[@carywood3946]

Good stuff! Looks like an awesome trip.

[@FLYALLSZN]

It was amazing to get to see the full spectrum of a Midwest Spring

[@hawkijustin]

I took up fly fishing because of your videos and have been killing it at Estes park lake this spring. The rivers in CO are blown out from rain and run off but I’m okay with learning at the lake on some stockers before I hit up the big Thompson

[@FLYALLSZN]

That is amazing to hear! I love Estes Park

[@hawkijustin]

@@FLYALLSZN Its my happy place. I drive from Denver to EP just to fish and clear my mind.

[@scottrick5190]

Great vid Mike, looking forward to getting up there this summer!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much Scott! It should be an absolute blast!

[@stephenmurphy3056]

Great video! Keep up the good work

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much!

[@bamboozelled]

Great video brother, I loved going on the journey with y'all!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much!

[@bamboozelled]

@@FLYALLSZN also like a frog 😏

[@williampacey9194]

Will finish the video later. Did some fishing around Decorah once. A very beautiful place to fish. Caught my first Brook trout there.

[@FLYALLSZN]

Nice!! I love it around there!

[@Tastewithnewdrinks]

Great video.

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much!

[@chrisreid7742]

Another great video! Would love to fish the Driftless someday.

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you Chris! It’s one of my favorites

[@richardreid3572]

Like a frog!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Like. A. Frog.

[@uthe5]

Great video. Caught a 20 in the Upper Iowa at Canoe.

[@FLYALLSZN]

They are certainly out there!

[@-fishin]

Pretty awesome bud! Also I know your a long way from Ny but if you wanted to visit in the fall or spring I could almost guarantee you multiple fish over 20 and a chance at a 30 as long as the weather cooperates!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much! Fishing for lake run fish would be insane! It is for sure on my bucket list!

[@dodge33w]

I'm curious why did you never film fishing any of the northern rivers in Wisconsin when you were there? like why not the Boise Brule, lake superior tributaries etc, its a lot more back country, seems right up your alley.

[@zachcragoe]

It’s like Christmas in June!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Hope you enjoyed Zach!

[@AndrewBeveridge461]

Gravel banks....open casting room....minimal alder snags....what sorcery is this??? - Signed, a central WI guy

[@darrelbaillie7829]

Great video Mike. Awesome adventures and loads of fun. Had a look at some of the links. Awesome products- a bit out of my league, but they look great. If I may ask, what do you do for a career? Looked like something along the lines of project management🤔

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you Darrel! It is tough to explain what I do!

[@Maykil107]

awesome water

[@FLYALLSZN]

Some of the best!

[@Maykil107]

@@FLYALLSZN yeah😊😊😊

[@coffeekelly1169]

What do you think about Echo rods and reels? What’s your thoughts on people using less expensive gear ?

[@mangodesol]

hey all szn, huge fan on your content! question, how do you physically prepare for these types of trips? doing something like this is a goal of mine but i’m not very fit at the moment. i’ve heard you mention you train for these, mind going into more detail? thanks!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Oh man that is a good question! I work out really hard all year long. Running, lifting, and even rucking. Doesn't really matter what time of the year I am always out there.

[@mikewalsh1616]

You landed that first fish and buddy said don’t be a chub that hit hard my last river trip only thing I cought was a chub😂

[@FLYALLSZN]

Dont get me wrong.. chub are great.. but sometimes they can get in the way of trout

[@mikewalsh1616]

@@FLYALLSZN it’s was so funny I was looking away then saw something disturb the surface then looked and watched it miss the caddis dry 3 times then hit and put a good fight. Thanks for the reply tight lines brother

[@jamescreeley2196]

Is the Driftless still doing well in October?

[@shoptalkwithlangehaumercon1511]

What is that thing on your net? Is it a magnet or clip of some kind?

[@FLYALLSZN]

It’s a Broder Net Clip!

[@shoptalkwithlangehaumercon1511]

@@FLYALLSZN How do you like it vs the traditional pull magnet setup? I saw one but it had a release button that I thought would be problems.

[@snapapple2683]

LIKE A FROG

[@FLYALLSZN]

Praise Steve 🙏🏼

[@gabekile9708]

STOP TROUT SETTING BLAKE!!🤣

[@FLYALLSZN]

The streamer set is hard to do in the moment!

[@harryhood83]

Coming from a driftless native I would say throw your big shit in the summer. Fish are lazy. It takes a lot of energy for a fish to eat bigger pray in the winter. Smart big fish don’t expend much energy for pray in the winter.

[@harryhood83]

Also great content!

[@FLYALLSZN]

To each their own! We were hoping to capitalize on that spring bite (even though we mostly got winter conditions) But when I lived in that part of the world for 2 years, I noticed the bigger fish migrated to smaller water in the summer. Makes it hard to toss big meat in micro streams.

[@bananabreadtrades]

LIKE A FROG

[@FLYALLSZN]

LIKE A FROG