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The Wolf River is the lifeblood of the area where we live. For many years Bill and I taught whitewater canoeing and kayaking here. Now Bill uses some of the skills he developed helping paddlers learn to break rapids down into do-able parts as a fly fishing guide on the waters near our home.
The Wolf River and the spring ponds around us are primarily thought of as trout waters that are both challenging and rewarding to fish. What's often overlooked is the great smallmouth bass fishing. Smallmouth are aggressive, hard-hitting powerful fish - lots of fun to play on a fly rod.
Bill guides for trout from May through mid-September, and for smallmouth bass starting in early July. He guides walk-in fishing on the river and kick-boat fishing on spring ponds. If you haven't fly fished before, Bill can provide basic instruction and equipment.
Whether you work with Bill as a guide or come to fish the area on your own, Bill offers this advice: "You will improve your success fishing these waters by being flexible in your schedule or in the species you target. Because of the fluctuations in water temperature, the time of day you fish can make a big difference in your experience. And on the river, the water level is a huge factor. It can be difficult or even dangerous to fish when the river is very high, but you can fish on the spring ponds until the river drops. Weather also affects the bug hatches the fish feed on, but when cold weather delays a hatch or it's too high to wade when an anticipated hatch is coming off you can still have fun on the spring ponds. Being flexible in your style of fishing helps, too. When the water is warmer or colder, using wet flies, streamers and nymphs, can be very productive."
If you'd like to talk with Bill about dates and rates for guiding, please call him at (715) 882-2822.
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