Kelly Creek

Kelly Creek

Once or twice a year I head over to take a walk at Kelly Creek, 

a beautiful little cold-water feeder stream that flows into the 

upper Kinnickinnic River.

Besides being a wonderful sanctuary for native brook trout, the 

magical thing about this creek is the way it springs wholly from 

a modest rock outcrop beneath an old bur oak tree. I can stare at 

that spot for hours and never come close to plumbing its depths.

This time of year it's just nice to check in on the green watercress, 

and poke around in the brushy alder, watching the birds come to 

the water for a drink.

~ Hal

Winter Fishing

Winter Fishing

This Saturday was the winter trout (catch and release) fly-fishing

opener. A small group of us showed up at Chris's house with our

gear, hoping for the best.

Joe and Ben reported that the river was running high and dark.

Below the dam in River Falls there was seven inches of foam on

the water's surface.

After some discussion, we decided to take a look at the rivers

east of town rather than climb down the icy trail to the lower

Kinnickinic. We drove about 5 miles to the Rush, then headed

further on to the Eau Galle.

Parking below the Spring Valley impoundment, we walked

along the Eau Galle river. My catch of the morning turned out

to be this brief moment on the trail.

~ Hal