Hit the Jackpot at Monsterland

So I have never caught two trout 20″ or larger in one day, let alone same pool in the same place. Four trout caught from 5:30 – 6:15 on the Vermillion. How could I not blog about this?

Hit the Jackpot at Monsterland

http://markdahlquist.blogspot.com/2010/05/hit-jackpot-at-monsterland.html

Hope you like my write up and my photos. I am on a natural high right now. I cannot wait to fish the V ALL DAY LONG NEXT MONDAY OR TUESDAY WITH A BUDDY. We are going to kick some major tail, you wait and see. Watch out big trouts!!!

How far west do you fish? Nice fish by the way!!! Where does the stream run through donnelys? I only know of one field south of CR50 that they own. I wonder if they can get up some of the tributarys that come from the south and get in to some of the ponds that are behind Bachmans? Also how far east? I never see people out this direction? Im not looking for spots just damn thats a day of trout fishing. Ive caught some nice ones in farmington and also behind toro but never multiple fish of that size.

Sounds like you know who owns what better than I do. Donnley Bridge is the first bridge west of HWY 52. This is public easement. TCTU and MDNR went in there and spent $60k on habitat improvement in that section. Right now there is very little cover for trout but that should change over time as the river benefits. The design is for deeper faster colder water. There are protected undercut banks, root wads installed. I caught a big alligator sized northern out of there last Friday morning. No trout out of Donnley yet this year. I landed an 18″ last year here. I also had a GIANT on here for a split second. Watched him suck in my worm. I set the hook about one second too early. He was on for a splash and then off. Big colorful male that looked over 20.”

Yes there is a trib that joins at 52 that holds trout. There is public access at Biscane Ave too, plus a parking lot by the soccer field.

As for Toro I have only tried that once. I did not hike downstream far enough. The water was to small and skinny. I hear this area is plagued with beaver dams at the moment. Brian Nerbonne, metro HI specialist at the DNR mentioned trappers will get the critters and then after trapped DNR and maybe TU guys will break those beaver dams down. Currently the water is getting way to warm in this area as a result and trout numbers declined last year compared to 2008. Brian said try Toro Plan area later this summer after beaver dams gone.

Hope this helps.

I was thinking you were more towards Lakeville. Im not sure what the Donnelys own out there. I grew up field hunting in lakeville and have been to every farm looking for permision to hunt. Thanks for the info though. Ive floated from 3 to 52 in a canoe. I noticed all the work they have done to the stream west of 52. Its all posted up though. Theres a guy that owns property on the river that ran a barbwire fence across it. We managed to make it through though. With the easment you have to enter the easment at a bridge? Thats a shame about lakeville and the beavers. When they did all the work at toro they drained that pond back there and wrecked one of the best duck hunting spots Ive ever hunted. Late season mallards would be so thick in there it was unreal. Id go out and bust up some of the dams if the DNR need some help with it.

I cannot imagine doing a canoe trip from 3 to 52. Kayak maybe. So many downed trees. And then barbed wire? I know an old timer that has barbed wire east of 52. If the water is navigable by canoe, that ain’t right. Yet people have been trashing his fence and then his horses get away.

Donnley is Donnley bridge, next bridge up west of 52. It is a pasture section with recent HI work. It also has public easement. Nice to see all the easement. Landowners have been cool too. I’ve asked two and both said yes right away. Been hauling a lot of trash out of place though so I can see how landowners get ticked. Lots of beer and soda cans and other random junk.

Sorry to here the HI work killed the duck hunting spot, that is terrible. As for beaver dams, I’ve been in touch with the habitat improvement specialist Brian and in a month or two hope to arrange a morning for a bunch of us to help break them down. Good time to scout the water and ask lots of questions too. Brian is incredibly knowledgeable about the V.

Been out fishing a few more spots recently.

This was last Wednesday:

Jon got this guy on Monday.

I caught this one tonight. One hour of fishing, one fish. Better than a skunk!

Rocked out this rainbow the other day too.

V is fun for catch and release however I’m looking to smoke a bunch. Heading to western WI on Sunday with a buddy.