***Guiding***

Fly Fish Southwestern Wisconsin Trout with Rich Osthoff

The Fishery. The scenic, unglaciated valleys of southwestern Wisconsin harbor dozens of cold, fertile spring creeks. These are my home waters that I began fishing with my father and grandfather as soon as I could walk. Habitat improvements and introductions of wild-strain fish are increasing the amount of productive water. Native brook trout are rebounding in a number of streams. Dozens of streams hold wild (naturally reproducing) brown trout. The fishing for adult browns in the 11- to 14-inch class is exceptional, even when measured against Rocky Mountain standards. Browns of 17-inches and larger are present and can be targeted with special strategies.

Meeting Points. Chicago, the Twin Cities, and Milwaukee are within a 2-to 4-hour drive of the Driftless Area. Viroqua sits 30 miles southeast of LaCrosse and about 2 hours west of Madison providing quick access to many streams in Vernon, Richland, and Crawford counties. Having access to many streams gives us the flexibility to avoid other anglers and to pick streams that will fish relatively well for the given conditions. I usually rendezvous with anglers in Viroqua or Westby at the start of the day. We can also meet in Richland Center just over an hour west of Madison.

Should you wish to fish Grant County streams, which are on the southern edge of the Driftless Area and closest to Chicago, we’ll arrange a logical meeting place.

            Anglers will generally follow me in their vehicle. At times we may transfer to my vehicle. If you prefer not to take your vehicle on gravel roads please let me know.

Weekend or Weekday? Special-regulation streams like the West Fork of the Kickapoo, Timber Coulee, and the Big Green are among the very best in the region and are well worth fishing at times, but they can be popular places on the prime weekends. However if weekends are more convenient for you, don’t hesitate to book weekend outings. I know good water off the beaten path. I do much of my own fishing on weekends and know how to avoid the crowds.

            To encourage weekend bookings I offer a 10% discount on any Saturday or Sunday.

March & April. March and April are catch & release fishing only with barbless hooks. March can bring winter or spring conditions. March is a good time to book on short notice if the forecast is for daytime air temps of 50 degrees or higher, and streams aren’t muddy. Feel free to call me for current conditions. Blustery March days see some excellent blue-wing olive hatches. April is a great month for fast action and for targeting larger fish. In April invigorating water temps generally make for aggressive trout from mid-morning right into evening and there are some excellent caddis and mayfly hatches. All fishing is closed on the Monday through Friday preceding the first Saturday in May (a 5-day closure).

May & June. The general season opens the first Saturday in May. Most streams open to limited harvest. We’ll continue to practice catch & release regardless of the stream regulations where we are fishing. Daytime water temps remain very favorable and caddis or mayfly hatches occur most days. May in particular, is a pleasant month with gentle weather, the hills in full bloom, few biting bugs and some very fine fishing. June sees a transition into summer conditions. Early June sees some fine mayfly hatches including evening hatches of sulphurs.

July & August. Summer heat and foliage curtail angling pressure, but there is some very good and very interesting fishing to be had, particular in cool headwater sections. During very hot weather favorable water temps still prevail from daybreak to midmorning on most streams. Even when air temps soar into the 90’s, afternoon water temps remain in the low 60’s on select headwater streams where nymphing or fishing with terrestrials can be very good right through midday. Most years I take my best dry-fly fish of the season on hoppers. Some excellent morning hatches and spinner falls of small Trico mayflies occur in August. The days are long and leisurely with plenty of time to fish and relax. True summer conditions can prevail from mid June well into September, or for roughly half the season, so learning to fish the area effectively in summer will greatly expand your season and enjoyment.

September. September brings shorter days and cooler nights. By mid-month the maples can begin to sport fall colors. Cooler weather generally spurs good midday fishing. Browns and brook trout adopt their spawning hues and in many watersheds adult fish move upstream to suitable spawning habitat. Terrestrial fishing remains strong and blue-wing olive hatches reappear. The last half of September is a great time to fish the area (fishing closes at the end of the month).

My Guiding Philosophy. My role is to help you learn to fish the area effectively, and to advance your fly-fishing skills. Toward that end I prefer to carry a rod and do a limited amount of demonstration casting and fishing (I do most demonstrating on water you’ve already fished). Demonstrating various techniques and presentations helps you grasp them more quickly. Having a second rod along also gives you the flexibility to fish dry or subsurface without reconfiguring tippets or changing flies. 

            We’ll adjust our presentations and overall strategy to the activity level of the fish and to the conditions at hand. On any given outing you’ll learn a lot about cracking a particular set of conditions. Depending on conditions (and your preference), you’ll have the opportunity to prospect with nymphs, streamers, or dry flies. Most days you’ll get an opportunity to match a hatch (mayflies, caddis flies, crane flies, or midges) with dry flies or emergers.

            I enjoy developing ongoing relationships. To encourage multi-day outings and repeat bookings, I offer a 10% discount for each additional date after your first date of the year.

Fishing Gear. I’ll furnish all terminal tackle needed for fishing including, flies, shot, leaders, tippet and indicators. Many of my primary flies for the region are my own patterns. Feel free to bring and use any of your own flies or leaders. Most anglers use their own rods and reels but you’re welcome to fish my outfits (my reels are set up for left-hand wind). I’ll bring St. Croix rods in 4- and 5-weight models. I carry a catch & release landing net with a soft mesh bag for releasing fish gently. I also carry a camera.

Wading Gear. Bring your own wading gear. I suggest waders – hip boots are easily ‘breached” if you step onto soft bottom or into a pocket. Breathable waders are amazingly comfortable in rain, cold, wind, and heat, and they’re comfortable to walk in. The ability to walk a few miles a day in comfort is a big advantage on these streams.

Clothing. Bring a raincoat. Outerwear should be in muted tones. I suggest long-sleeved shirts and a hat that shades your face, neck and ears. In hot weather I frequently dip my sleeves and hat and wear a wet bandana around my neck. Polarized sunglasses help you see fish, bottom, and fish-holding structure (and they protect your eyes from speeding flies).

Licenses. Before we meet you should purchase a current Wisconsin fishing license plus a trout stamp (you need the Inland trout stamp, not the Great Lakes trout stamp). Wisconsin has an automated licensing system so you can purchase any licensing option from outdoor shops (Wal-Mart and K-Mart also issue licenses). When you purchase your license be sure to ask for a copy of the Wisconsin Trout Fishing Regulations and Guide (it maps all trout streams by regulation category, and is a handy reference).

Meals. So that meals don’t limit our flexibility or drive up my rates, we’ll picnic as we kick back in the countryside and talk fishing. Bring what you want to eat and drink – I’d rather hold down incidental costs than pad my guide fee with exorbitant food and service charges. I’ll bring drinking water and a cooler.

Lodging and Camping. Viroqua has all services including motels and an assortment of fast-food and restaurants. Viroqua has a Super 8 Motel (608-637-3100). Hickory Hill Motel (608-637-3104) just east of Viroqua has reasonable rates. Richland Center, and Fennimore also have motels and restaurants. Lacrosse has many options.

            Camping (with toilets and showers) is available at Avalanche (near Viroqua) right on the special-regulation water of the West Fork of the Kickapoo; call the West Fork Sports Club (608-634-2303). The club also rents small cabins.

            On overnight trips I often tent camp at Sidie Hollow county park just south of Viroqua (opens April 15). The park also has RV sites with water and electric.

Planning. At the time you book your trip we’ll discuss a general plan. This is a good time to let me know if you’re looking for a specific type of fishing experience.

            A week or so before the trip I’ll call you to confirm our meeting place and time.

            Where we actually fish is best based on current conditions. Often we’ll fish more than one stream. Heavy rains or snow melt can muddy streams (nymphing and streamer fishing can be great as streams begin to clear). If conditions are poor or the weather forecast is lousy, we’ll talk shortly before the outing and make a mutual decision on whether to fish, cancel, or reschedule.

Deposits. A deposit of $50 per party is required to reserve each date. I may waive the deposit requirement when a date is booked on short notice.

            If weather conditions cause us to mutually agree on cancellation, the deposit will be refunded or applied to another date (at your option).

If I’m forced to cancel a date (that’s very rare), I’ll provide as much advance notice as possible and I’ll refund your deposit.

If you cancel a date with less than 30 days notice the deposit will be refunded only if I’m able to book that date for another party.

Guiding Packages. I offer competitive rates, attractive discount options, and a flexible range of half-day to full-day outings for one or two anglers. By offering prorated options between a half-day and a full-day you have the option to adjust the length of your fishing day according to fish activity, weather, and other factors. If you book a half-day and the fishing is too hot to walk away from, you have the option to extend your day. If you intend to fish a full day but decide to knock off a bit early, you have that option. Our time begins at the appointed meeting time.

Generally, we’ll want to select the prime fishing hours for the current season, but I’ll flex to accommodate your schedule.

These streams are best suited to guiding one or two anglers. For larger groups, or for on-stream casting and fishing seminars, contact me for options and rates.

Rates:          

Stream Time           One Angler         Two Anglers

1/2 Day (minimum)

5 hours                                 $175                             $225

6 hours                                 $190                             $245

7 hours                                 $205                             $265

8 hours                                 $220                             $285

9 hours                                 $235                             $305

Full Day

Up to 12 hours                     $250                             $325

Discounts: (you may combine both discounts if you qualify)

*10% discount for Saturday or Sunday fishing.

*10% discount for each date after your first date of the year. (Two-angler parties qualify for this repeat discount if it is a second date for either angler in the party).

Payment by cash or check is due at end of fishing. Sorry, I’m not currently accepting credit cards.

Reservations and Information contact:

Rich Osthoff

N6868 Sandstone Drive

Mauston, WI 53948

Phone (608) 847-5192