Fly Fishing Gals

          Urban Bone Fisher                           Big Pike Mike
            

Smallmouth, Largemouth, Muskie, Northern Pike, Steelhead, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout and Brook Trout are only a few species found in Minnesota & Wisconsin.  Regardless if you are looking for that secret hole on a river or prefer casting out of boat, these two states offer endless opportunity on 25,000 lakes and 240+ Trout Streams.  Below you can find information on Minnesota Fly Fishing Guides & Wisconsin Fly Fishing Guides.   Feel free to contact us with any questions regarding guides at info@flyfishinggals.com

Fishing started for me at the tender age of 5 years old. I was born and raised in Billings, Montana. This is where my passion for fishing and fly fishing started. My dad and Grandpa brought me trout fishing just about every weekend. We primarily fished the Big Horn Mountains on the Eastern side of Northern Wyoming. This is where they taught me the “rules” of fishing, including one of the most important: don’t let the fish see you--hide yourself whenever possible!

 When I turned 6, my heart was broken; my dad got a job transfer to Minnesota. This meant leaving the wild, wild west and the wild, wild fish for a place where men fished in a house, on a lake, and in the middle of the winter for Crappies? For some reason, it didn’t sound as appealing. My dad and Grandpa assured me that Minnesota was the land of 10,000 lakes and there were plenty of fish to be caught. That old saying “listen to your parents” isn’t just a saying—my dad turned out to be right! I quickly learned that Minnesota had plenty of fish—regardless of the season.

 Since moving here 19 years ago, I have learned a tremendous amount about the fish, lakes, rivers, and streams that Minnesota offers (and I truly believe we have more than 10,000 lakes). I have fished damn near all day, everyday, since I moved here. That is until I had to get a job, but I still make time to fish after work. My chocolate lab, Tucker, often joins me.

But not being at home has taught me a quite a bit. I’ve learned to fish the Minnesota River and the murky backwaters. I’ve been fishing this river for at least 12 years, since 1993, for Carp, Catfish, Gar and other, often unknown, kinds of fish.

Since 1997, I have been fishing for Muskies on a small, relatively unknown lake somewhere in the Twin Cities. I have since learned the ropes of this wondrous lake quite well, helping me to catch these shy, yet enormous fish.

I’ve been fishing the North Shore Tributaries since 1998 for King Salmon, Pink Salmon, Rainbow Trout, and Steelhead (I went to college in Hibbing, Minne-sotah don’t cha knooooow, and missed more classes than I care to share). I guess you could say I went to the school of hard knocks! I learned more out of class on how to catch Salmon, Steelhead, and Trout than I ever would have learned in class. I frequently traded my catch-of-the day with my friends and classmates for their food (it wasn’t always a just exchange; Macaroni-and-Cheese isn’t exactly a fair trade for Salmon). I loved my fish, but I could only eat so much of them.

  I’m a big trout fan too. I’ve been fishing for trout in Minnesota and Wisconsin (primarily the River Falls area) for many years now. I’ve learned how to maneuver and master the Kinnickinnic and Rush Rivers. I’ve gained quite a bit of knowledge on these and other rivers surrounding the area as well as other Southeastern Minnesota rivers and streams, including the Vermillion River. I have a good grasp on the flies that these spooked trout like to nibble on and knowing that right there is enough to catch fish!

 My travels have led me to Southeastern Wisconsin to fish the tributaries of Lake Michigan since 2002. I have fished the Salmon runs, Steelhead runs in the spring, and Brown Trout runs in the fall. This is fly fishing at its best! The competition can be fierce, with many, many men lining up the shore to catch these big, beautiful fish.

Oh and every year I travel back and fish the wild, wild west including the Big Horn Mountains, Yellowstone, and the many other lakes, rivers, and streams that surround Cody, Wyoming. 

My combined experience includes over 20 years of fishing. It is my goal for the angler to gain valuable knowledge about fishing, including: know when the fish are running, improve casting skills, learn how to locate and find where the fish are hiding, and gain the confidence to go fishing alone and be successful on any body of water. I want you to be a better angler, not dependent on me or other guides to catch fish. With that being said, I may not be the most “well-known or popular” guide Minnesota has, but if you fish with me, you will learn the ropes of how to catch trophy fish. Oh and you’ll have a good time too, because I’m a hell of a nice western boy living in an urban world and all I want to do is catch a big fish or two!

(El Paso, WI)

Class Meets at 8am and will commence at 5pm rain or shine.

A One Day, Hands-On approach to getting started in the art of fly fishing.

A great gift idea – certificates available!

Package Includes:  Lunch, snacks and healthy beverages, course materials including course book, leader, box of 13 specific patterns and a whole new approach to your fly fishing…

Optional rental of hip-boots, fly rod/reel/line and sunglasses for those who need gear.

Ask about Stay and Play options on camping and guiding after the class ends at 5pm Wednesday afternoon.

Basecamp:  Little Whiskey Fly Fishing Camp, El Paso, WI

Little Whiskey is available for camping anglers with a reservation throughout the 2008 season…sleep on the banks of the Rush River and experience Spring Creek Angling as it is meant to be.

Course Description:

For Beginning to Novice anglers

Brad Bohen and Big Pike Mike Thomas will share their hard-earned lessons in pursuing fish and life with a fly rod.  This is a full day hands-on experience that covers everything a beginner will need to know to get out fly fishing on his/her own with confidence.  We have been adapting this course for the past five seasons and feel it is one of the most comprehensive and ‘learnable’ curriculums there is.  This is about ½ classroom and ½ onstream instruction.

We cover selection of rods/reels/lines, knot tying and rigging, fly patterns and selection, fish foods from insects to mice, stream craft and becoming a well rounded angler in the classroom section.  Of course there is casting then a break for lunch followed by a bit more casting.  Then we take it to the water and practice putting it all together.

This is a hands-on course with lots of 1 on 1 instruction, classroom and small group experiences.  Specifically tailored to the beginning to novice fly angler this class will get you started on a sound path or can be used to ‘dust-off’ the rust…

Class has room for up to 6 anglers each session

Reservations require 50% deposit – non refundable, balance due upon Check-in on Wednesday Morning (rainchecks will be issued in extreme weather emergency situations that nullify any fishable water conditions with a 50 mile range)

2008 Wisconsin Fishing License and an Inland Trout Stamp are required

 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE ABOVE SCHOOLS PLEASE CONTACT MIKE THOMAS AT WWW.BIGPIKEMIKE.COM