Stayed with a buddy near Taylors Falls and decided to do a couple afternoons chasing trout on the Willow River. I fished very briefly on my way through a few years back, didn't do that good.
This time was a different story. The sections I fished, near the park areas are very techinical with lots of tree lined banks, tall grass, nice wood jams and very nice runs. Caught lots of nice bows, browns, but no brookies. I did manage a 16" smallmouth, 1 bluegill and 1 rockbass. Now thats a variety in a trout stream. These fish want meat and that's what I gave them fishing buggers almost the whole time. What a hoot!
Definately will fish this river more if I ever get the chance. Bring bug spray, because the mosquitos were nasty.
Here is a pic of a nice Willow River brown.
im glad you had good luck, this past Friday my itching for trout got to much so i took my first trip into WI and visited the Willow. I fished a couple places in the willow river state park and tried to get around outside of the park but i had no luck seeing i forgot my map. The areas i fished were pretty warm and im pretty sure all my flies where out numbered and less appealing with the hundreds of crawfish in the water. In the end there was no trout, a lost smallmouth, but a beautiful river. I guess i shouldnt have jumped my guns and did a little more research on the area. On a side note, before i left i decided not to put my box full of buggers in my pack, kinda kicked myself in the teeth on that one!!!
p.s. nice brownie!
