Tenkara in the Iowa Driftless - Vlog #81

Video log of a trip to North Bear Creek in Winneshiek County on Friday, January 17, 2025. During the winter months North Bear Creek contains wild brown trout and holdover rainbow trout.
I finally returned with my friend Dre to this popular section of the creek after a hiatus of nearly three years. Winter is a great time to enjoy solitude on these local waters.

[@TetonTenkara]

Isn't it amazing how much of a pain a little headwind can be? I love the sounds of the water. I can't wait to get out again myself!

[@tenkaraintheiowadriftless]

@@TetonTenkara Yes, we thought the bluff would shield us from the worst of it and I think it did, but occasionally a gust would deflect off the face of the rock into our faces. Glad you enjoyed the sounds, that section has an excellent gradient for a Driftless creek. Take care and keep healing!

[@tenkaragenki]

I thought that trout at 3:00 was a mini splake or something at first! Or a tiger trout! 🤞😁 but what a beautiful stream!

[@tenkaraintheiowadriftless]

Guess I didn’t give the camera a good look at that one. Just a holdover rainbow. Yes, it’s an extremely beautiful section of water, and gets quite a bit of pressure because of it. Thanks for the comment Jared!

[@danlindsay3708]

Thank you for this. Stuck inside in central Iowa and really needing to get up there. This was always my favorite NE IA stream until about 3-4 years ago when way too many people were fishing there. I have some great memories of staying at the cabins nearby and catching Brown Trout!

[@tenkaraintheiowadriftless]

@@danlindsay3708 Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. I like to save the most popular and well known local creeks for the first few months of the year (weather permitting) after the WI and MN seasons have reopened. With rare exception, I can pretty much count on having the target section of creek to myself.

[@blueridgeflyguy9551]

My favorite stream this reminds me of is up in the mountains and was impossible to fish last time I went. Going to have to wait until we have a few days in a row over 40 degrees

[@tenkaraintheiowadriftless]

@@blueridgeflyguy9551 Glad it reminded you of warmer times Mike. We’ve had consecutive days of subzero temps this week so I suspect the slower pools on this creek have iced over.

[@Bleda412]

What do you call that fly you started using at 7:00? I love fishing a leech jig, and that one looks a bit different.

[@tenkaraintheiowadriftless]

You’re exactly correct, it’s a jig leech tied on a #12 standard length jig hook. 2.4 mm gold tungsten bead. Black hen saddle collar. I can add the dubbing recipe when I return home from an ongoing trip.

[@david-marynoll5699]

I fished with friends on both Thursday and Friday. Thursday the wind was tough but the stream on Friday was protected from the wind and we had a very good day. With the forecast I'm not sure I'll make it out in January again.

[@tenkaraintheiowadriftless]

@@david-marynoll5699 Glad you were able to make it out Dave. I don’t think there will be much local activity this coming week.