Tom Strawther

Last week, I had the privilege of spending 4 nights and 3 days in the Minnesota Driftless Region attending a faith-based fly-fishing retreat conducted by ALTAR Fly Fishing in cooperation with Fly Fishers at the Crossing.  ALTAR is a non-profit that conducts multiple fly-fishing retreats each year all across the United States.  Their focus is the mental, physical, and spiritual renewal for individuals, clergy, and business leaders through Bible study and fly fishing.  Fly Fishers at the Crossing (FATC) is a large, faith-based fly-fishing club headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri.  I have been to several ALTAR retreats and have been a member of FATC for a little less than 2 years.  A finer bunch of Christian fly fishers could not have been found!

The Driftless Region primarily encompasses parts of Wisconsin and Minnesota.  Eons ago, a glacier scoured this area and left behind pocket water and blue-ribbon streams galore.  Most of the streams are spring fed, so the water quality is clear.  The banks are heavy with vegetation, and the stream beds are all the way from gravel to ankle busting size rocks.  This is small water, small trout fishing at its best.  Think Guadalupe River with no houses and lush vegetation, and you will have a good idea of what we fished.  Water temps were in the low 60’s which made wet wading the preferable way to fish during this time of year.  The primary quest was for smaller Rainbows and Browns, and our fishing mostly took place on the Root River at Lanesboro, MN.  Tackle ran from 3wt-6wt rods with floating lines and also included a few Euro rods.  Fly selection was not very different from most trout waters. 

We were fortunate to have experienced fisherman/guides with us with 3-4 men assigned per guide.  We fished different stretches of water each day and caught double digit numbers per fisherman.  Of note, Jason Randal, an internationally known Euro nymphing expert, author, and instructor was with us for one entire day.  He provided instruction on reading water, bug hatches, trout habits, and Euro fishing techniques. Jason is a true gentleman and a fine ambassador for our sport.

Our accommodations were in a renovated farm house just outside the city limits of Lanesboro.  The rolling farm land was absolutely beautiful in early corn.  A very quiet and relaxing atmosphere included great food from a man/wife team of trained chefs.  We were all a little fatter and completely satisfied with the experience.  I would go back in an instant.

Hope you enjoy the slideshow…..just click on the map and arrows to navigate it.