In lakes, look for smallmouths early and late in the day at the edges of dropoffs, along rock cliffs, and where the shoreline is cluttered with boulders or fallen logs. Croix river association, and all images are being donated to both that organization and the national park service for use in. I had some outstanding fish on the nymphs on days like the one you describe, though. Hannah hudson sets the hook on a nice smallmouth bass while floating down the namekagon river with wendy williamson as her guide. In new york state the bass season opens the third saturday in june just after the spawning typically takes place. When fishing, anglers can expect to catch a variety of fish including bluegill, largemouth bass, muskie, northern pike, smallmouth bass and walleye. Discounts vary with type of trips and number of anglers. It is approximately 51 feet deep at its deepest point. In addition to trout, the namekagon also produces walleye, bass, muskellunge, northern pike and panfish.
If youre looking to get out and learn how to fly fish or. My main lure is a rooster tail since i can catch pretty much anything with it rainbows, smallies, br. Gapen howto fish river smallmouth book gapen fishing. Regardless of what species of fish we go after and the type of water to be fished, whether it be pond, lake, or. The flambeau river produced significantly higher angler catch rates of smallmouth bass 1. Fishing guides saint croix national scenic riverway u. Croix, the namekagon is a great floatfishing river, unspoiled and canoeable from start to finish.
The cooling water of fall generates a migration of smallmouth bass to slow deep water. Gravel riffles, boulders and deep holes hold smallies, along with walleyes, muskies, catfish and the occasional st. Use map 1 and map 2 for detailed river information. Smallmouth streams follow, while the largemouth rivers will be revealed in the next issue of bassmaster. Namekagon river pronounced namuhkahgun is a 95 mile long river which is a tributary to the st. Namekagon river smallmouth fly fishing wisconsin youtube.
Fly fishing for smallmouth bass on the namekagon river in hayward, wisconsin. The namekagon river fishery area was formed when the wisconsin conservation commission purchased 108. Wisconsin conservation department, 1958 smallmouth bass fishing 11 pages. The namekagon river offers the ideal destination for fishermen searching for a great fishing spot. The famous kinnikinic and namekagon rivers are the most notable. Croix national scenic riverway a real treasure near hayward, wisconsin in northwest wisconsin. Trucksized boulders, deadfalls, riffles and waterfalls are all part of the matrix here that is best accessed by cartopper or canoe and fished in a downstream float. Croix river association scra and blacklock photography galleries. We examined printed materials including books, magazines. River smallmouths the ultimate bass fishing resource. No need for a shuttle, then float back down river while i row the boat quietly in pursuit of smallmouth bass, northern pike, musky, walleye, and various other. Consult fly fishing reports and forecasts at whacking fatties for the latest weather reports and fly. Hayward fly fishing company fly fishing for smallmouth.
Things such as lips, slipping, crawfish, dabbling, downstream retrieve, current breaks, reprap, piling, stump knocking, bottom walking, and ugly bugs will come to light. During the winter season, river smallmouth anglers have three choices. I offer guided fishing trips based out of the northwest wisconsin communities of spooner and hayward. Specializing in musky fishing the hayward lakes, namekagon river float trips. Northern wisconsin musky and bass fly fishing guides and fly shop in hayward, wisconsin. Fatty information is a new section whereby we present practical fly fisherman knowledge such as fly fishing knots, fly patterns, tapered leader formulas, tippet rings, strike indicators, drift boats, nymph fishing, euro nymphing, knots for fly fishing, best fishing sunglasses, etc.
Numerous launch and pull out sites managed by the state, counties and national park service are available along its course. This video shows just how blizzardlike the hexagenia limbata hatch can be. Croix, the namekagon is a great float fishing river, unspoiled and canoeable from start to finish. I decided to do a little exploring by poling up river near larsens landing going almost to the hwy 63 bridge crossing. The spelling of namakagon however, with the fourth letter being an a, is a very common spelling in the upper reaches of the namekagon river area, especially concerning lake namakagon.
May 10, 2016 this last weekend was wisconsins bass opener so we decided to trip out with codys dad to codys uncles cabin on the namekagon river. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. The wests largest river is well known for salmon, steelhead, walleye and other species, but its wise to note that this river very often makes the national best bass fishing lists, thanks to its abundant and often big smallmouth bass spread out over hundreds of miles. Information on our favorite flies such as mop files, clouser, nymph fly, wet flies, muddler minnow, isonychia fly, mole fly, cdc and elk fly, trico fly, caddis fly, and flies for largemouth bass. I dont usually go after any one species since i just like being out and fishing. The namekagon river was one of the eight original rivers to be designated as a protected area by the national wild and scenic rivers act of 1968, which made the namekagon part of the st croix national scenic riverway. River smallmouth fishing is the most complete book about smallmouth ive ever seen.
The enduring gift, also celebrates the 50th anniversary of the federal law that protects the st. If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the faq by clicking the link above. Namekagon river fishing report for april 10, 2017 another great day on the namekagon river. The namekagon river upstream from hayward is a cold water habitat and has received national recognition for its quality fishing. Jul 22, 2018 fly fishing for smallmouth bass on the namekagon river in hayward, wisconsin. Namekagon, with the fourth letter being an e, is the more common spelling, especially concerning the namekagon river that flows out of lake namakagon. Estimated to have 1,000 fish per mile, it is also one of the top smallmouth bass fisheries in the country, based on quantity and quality of fish caught. Croix is a state boundary river and is referred to specifically in minnesota and. New for 2019 jim will be offering fishing float trips on the namekagon river for musky and smallmouth bass. Lake namakagon is about 40 minutes northeast of hayward, and is located entirely in the chequamegon national forest.
So your best bet for summer smallmouth fishing is to find a river with a rocky bottom, clear water and midday water temperatures that stay below 75 degrees. Guided fly fishing kinni creek lodge and outfitters. Fall along the river is known for spectacular fall colors, fly fishing for large fish, bird hunting and saying goodbye to a special river for another winter season. A grand slam of a pike, muskie, smallmouth bass, and walleye are all possible in one day of fly fishing the st. The intent of the project was to provide public access to the namekagon river while also providing a public fishing and hunting area. Motor trolling is allowed with up to 3 hooks, baits, or lures, per angler. I only wish my digital camera had had respectable video capability back in 2005. Guided small mouth, muskie and walleye fishing trips on. Smallmouth bass fishing the eastern shore of lake ontario is incredible second to none. In addition to trout, the namekagon also produces walleye, bass. With the temperatures approaching 90degrees my son josh and i figured it would be a perfect day to float the namekagon river. A very educated pick for river fishing enthusiasts.
Smallmouth and largemouth bass fishing in ny salmon river. A variety of warmwater fish are caught in the remaining areas of the riverway, including smallmouth bass, muskellunge, walleye and catfish. While it wasnt the most productive day, it was great to get. Best smallmouth bass fishing in washington best fishing. In lakes, look for smallmouths early and late in the day at the edges of dropoffs, along rock cliffs, and where the shoreline is. Jul 16, 2014 i have been fishing the duck river in southern middle tn more lately and fish for pretty much anything that swims. I have been fishing the duck river in southern middle tn more lately and fish for pretty much anything that swims. The namekagon has received national recognition for the naturally reproducing brown and brook trout fisheries on the section of river upstream of hayward. Jul 08, 2015 namekagon, with the fourth letter being an e, is the more common spelling, especially concerning the namekagon river that flows out of lake namakagon.
The hayward fly fishing company is a fully stocked fly shop with the largest selection of musky flies, northern pike, smallmouth bass, steelhead, trout and panfish flies in the midwest. Namekagon river coldwater zone fish habitat history report. Known for camping and fishing, the namekagon provides lake and river canoeing with some low hazard rapids. Its a terrific book about two of my favorite things smallmouth fishing and rivers. Department o f the interior paddling guide to the namekagon river water levels on the namekagon river depend on the amount of precipitation that falls within the. Croix and mississippi rivers are fantastic fisheries blessed with great walleye, smallmouth bass, muskie, and sturgeon populations. Smallmouth bass and muskellunge fisheries in three. Wisconsin fly fishing for smallmouth bass on the scenic namekagon river in the st. Anglers looking for bass fishing information in the columbia riverwoodland, washington area can contact bobs sporting goods in longview, wa at 360 425. Fly fishing report and forecast for namekagon river, wisconsin.
Apr 10, 2017 namekagon river fishing report for april 10, 2017 another great day on the namekagon river. I guide on the namekagon river for musky and smallmouth bass, and on all the best lakes around the area for musky. One trip of this river made it my favorite fishing spot ever, its that special. Brook trout were more abundant in the namekagon river before. Anglers looking for bass fishing information in the columbia riverwoodland, washington area can contact bobs sporting goods in longview, wa at 360 4253870 or fishermans marine in portland, or at 5032830044. Namekagon river canoeing and kayaking, wisconsin trail guide. Croixsippi fishing guide service has 20 years multi specie professional guide experience on the st.
All of our guided smallmouth trips are run on the new river, recognized as some of the best smallmouth and musky water in the entire country. Including only days without mitigating conditions, the flambeau river was fished for 273 hours 94 smallmouth bass and 179 muskellunge, the chippewa river was fished for 664 hours 294 smallmouth bass and 370 muskellunge, and the namekagon river was fished for 598 hours 438 smallmouth bass and 160 muskellunge. River smallmouth lure selection smallmouth bass fishing. Regulations listed below may not reflect fish species actually found in the lake. Our namesake river between brokaw and wausau in far northcentral wisconsin is some of the wildest water you can imagine for chasing smallmouth bass. Consult flyfishing reports and forecasts at whacking fatties for the latest weather reports and fly. Croix national scenic riverway national park service u.
A portion of the book proceeds is being donated to the st. Jim stroede guide service provides guided fishing trips around hayward and spooner wisconsin. Namakagon consists of 3 different lakes that make up the head waters of the namekagon river. But being hooked to my line it was at the mercy of the musky that swam to within inches of the 15inch smallmouth bass. The mighty smallmouth is found in over 2,000 rivers and thousands of lakes across north america, and readily strikes flies year around. Britt and his team of professional guides have plied these ancient waters for decades in pursuit of trophy smallmouth bass. Lots of fishy looking water with out a lot of foot traffic from what i could tell. This last weekend was wisconsins bass opener so we decided to trip out with codys dad to codys uncles cabin on the namekagon river. For those who like excitement with their worldclass fishing for smallmouth bass, few rivers, if any, are better than the new.
Department o f the interior paddling guide to the namekagon river water levels on the namekagon river depend on. Namekagon lake is located in bayfield county, wisconsin. Al lindner river smallmouth fishing is an excellent book. Hey west, based on my one season fishing the namekagon hard in march, im surprised you saw any fish rising. Feb 17, 2016 namekagon river my cousins 20 inch northern pike taken from the namekagon river, july 4th, 2015. In the summer, some people have caught 100, 200, even 300 bass a day. Smallmouth and musky fly fishing only, catch and release. In addition to fishing and hunting, the ojibwe used the river as a primary. In addition to trout, the namekagon also produces walleye, bass, muskellunge, northern pike. All smallies were caught and released on streamers.
Jun 15, 2009 smallmouth streams follow, while the largemouth rivers will be revealed in the next issue of bassmaster. A portion of book proceeds will be donated to the st. The gorgeous john day river in oregon remains the longest unfettered and undammed river in the united states. Whether enjoying the natural beauty or hooking up with hungry smallmouth bass, a day on the river with hayward fly fishing company is memorable. Smallmouth and musky fly fishing only, catch and release headwaters fly fishing. Good maps are valuable for finding any fishing hole, and theyre essential for river fishing. Photo by tim lesmeister the sport show season is upon us, and there are many vacation destinations to consider as you walk up and down the aisles. The namekagon river is a popular canoe trip for many people looking for a wild float. Hayward fly fishing company hayward wi fly fishing guides. The smallmouth bass, dan gapens favorite river fish, are exposed in this book. It is definitely good enough to take off work so get out there. The structual diversity on lake namakagon offers the oppertunity to use a wide variety of tactics under all types of conditions.
Maps for the cannon and other state rivers are available from the dnr information center at 651 2966157. I also chase the best seasonal multi species bites for walleye, bass, crappies, ect. Many class i to iv rapids daunt the new throughout its course. Catch and release fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass is open year round unless otherwise noted. Smallmouth bass are the best fish to catch, and fly fishing is a superb way to catch them this is the place for accurate and helpful information on fly fishing for smallmouth, without the jargon or hype.
The namekagon is a very popular river for canoe and kayak day trips. It contains all the tricks gapen has acquired over the years. Fly fishing can be one of the most effective ways to catch smallmouth bass and musky. The namekagon is not known as a hex hatch river, for good reason. Headwaters fly fishing company has been guiding fly fishermen for smallmouth bass, trout, and steelhead on the premier rivers of minnesota, wisconsin and all over the upper midwest since 1987. Good trout fishing exists on the namekagon river above hayward, wi. The monster musky was seemingly eyeing it up for lunch.
Fly fishing for smallmouth bass on namekagon river with hffc. Leaving the river to go home on sunday was always extremely depressing. These businesses operate on stretches of the namekagon river from namekagon dam landing to trego, wisconsin. Sep 30, 2010 good maps are valuable for finding any fishing hole, and theyre essential for river fishing. So at the conclusion of our namekagon trip in 2011 we put our heads together and finally just let go well for redhorse sake, lets take a year off from canada, and spend seven or eight days right here, right on the namekagon river. This book tells you everything there is to know to catch smallmouth bass in any type of river, anywhere in north america. Smallmouth bass swim in more streams, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs than any other gamefish, and exceptional, worldclass fishing opportunities for them are found across the country, from the john day river in oregon to the great lakes, to maines penobscot. Finding and catching smallmouths trout fishing articles.
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