Trapper's Guide Service

Opener

2011-02-03T17:00:00.000-08:00

Opener Early Trout 2011
West Fork Sportsman’s Club is having a bonfire and other activities on March 5th. We will celebrate the early season of Wisconsin Trout fishing. The clubhouse will be open for interior camping. The heat is on. Many hardcore guides and other folks from the upper Midwest will be here. Aaron Otto-Sleeping in the dirt- we be here. Other Trout dignitary’s have replied as well. Regular camping rates will apply.($10). We may have a lot of other activities as well. If interest applies- we may cook a few meals during the weekend. Got cabin fever? Mark this on your calendar. Bonfire is sponsored by Trapper. Cheap date-be here.

Tiger Trout

2010-09-14T17:20:00.000-07:00

This one lives here-in the West Fork- 12-14 inches long

2010-09-07T13:38:00.000-07:00

Fishin has started to pick up as of lately ,here in the Driftless Area/Vrenon County. Todd Baker fished with me over the weekend and caught a Brown,Brook and Rainbow Trout out of a single creek. Large fish are moving at night. Shelli Lundback muffed a mid 20'S last night right at the bank.

Link to Wisconsin DNR Trout Report

2010-09-07T12:18:00.000-07:00

http://dnr.wi.gov/news/DNRNews_article_Lookup.asp?id=1523

Very good reports. Mike Miller must be reading this blog.
NOW is the time to hit the creeks!

2010-08-29T12:47:00.000-07:00

Wisconsin has one month of Trout season left for this year. September is always an excellant time to catch lots of Trout and BIG ones too.
trapafox@hotmail.com
608-434-1566

Temps are droppin

2010-08-26T17:28:00.000-07:00

With the latest weather we have recieved, water temps are dropping. This has started a feeding trend that will last for the rest of the season. Season ends in Wisconsin on the last day of September. Get your gear ready and go for it.

Trophy Driftless Area Trout

2010-08-23T16:26:00.000-07:00

Bryan Trapper Voldahl Now is the time to book your Driftless Area Trout trip for trophy Trout. End of the season is only weeks away. trapafox@hotmail.com

Rain,flood and etc

2010-08-16T17:09:00.000-07:00

We sure have been getting wet. All the springs are charged up. Fishin is back to "Normal" Now is a great time to score a nice Trout.

New Link

2010-08-12T09:06:00.001-07:00

Avalanche West Fork Brown Trout

2010-08-11T08:31:00.000-07:00

Rain, Rain-so what!!

2010-08-10T17:53:00.000-07:00

Here is a pic of Eric's fish caught on the WF when everyone was at home. This fish is 23 inches long. Eric came all the way from Canada to catch this fish. Congrats.

mouse-ing at night

2010-08-08T15:34:00.000-07:00

This pattern was given to me by Dewey-Thanks. Fishing at night is a newer sport here on the West Fork. Now is the PRIME time

Driftless Area Spots

2010-08-07T10:54:00.000-07:00

Fishing Report/Aug. 1st

2010-08-01T14:32:00.000-07:00

Bryan Trapper Voldahl Fishing Report: Fishing after dark has picked up lately. Numerous Trout came to the hand over the weekend. One fish over 18 inches was the largest. I exspect the large ones will start in very shortly. As reported before,, areas that have a 5 degree water temp. difference hold lots of Trout this time of the year. Pleas...e practice C&R. Make sure you release your fish back into the cold water right away. Higher than 75 degrees, I do not fish for Trout. This year with the continued rainfall, streams and springs are kept recharged, keeping the water temps nice and cold. We have been lucky to have a great season all year.
Send inquiries to : trapafox@hotmail.com

This one will raise hell with your tackle

2010-07-28T16:35:00.000-07:00

Poor photo. Check out the size compared to the lure

Little Guy

2010-07-26T13:38:00.000-07:00

2010-07-25T17:17:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Trapper's Guide Service. We are located in Avalanche Wisconsin along the West Fork of the Kickapoo River. I guide for Trout in Vernon ,Crawford, Monroe and Crawford Counties, which are located in western Wisconsin in an area known as The Driftless Area. The D.A. has hills and valleys. These counties are noted for some of the best Trout fishing in the Midwest. I started Trout fishing here 45 years ago at 5 years of age. My vast experiance of Trout fishing assures you of a wonderful trip. Every year for the past 20 years, I have help release wild strain Trout in streams throughout the area. This program is a DNR/local sports club/co-op program. Over 150,000 of wild Trout I have helped plant so far. This year the total Trout released by area clubs was around 14,000.
www.westforksportsmansclub.org www.westbyrodandgun.com http://violasportsmansclubinc.weebly.com/links.html
I also keep as eye and ear open to Trophy Trout that live in area streams. Some of my favorite spots to fish for bigger Trout are where colder streams enter warmer streams.A few degrees difference in water temp make a huge difference The Trout stack up in these spots this time of year. Perhaps now is the time for you to catch your Trophy Trout. Fly, spin and bait fisherpersons are all welcome. Please refer to earlier post. I will post some pictures soon. I dropped my Sony in the West Fork. Not much hope for it.

Rain and more Rain

2010-07-22T15:19:00.000-07:00

It would seem that mother nature decided we needed more. 2 more inches here in Avalanche with maybe some more on the way. Creeks and rivers are very high now. This is Thursday evening. When the water level starts to get back to normal, fishin will be great.

Trophy Trout

2010-07-20T14:03:00.001-07:00

Large Trophy Trout are starting to stack up at cold water sources.608-434-1566 trapafox@hotmail.com

The Answer

2010-07-14T14:14:00.000-07:00

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/outdoors/98173324.html
Some of you have come here looking for the answer from the comment I posted in the Milwaukee Journal. About 20 years ago I transfered my 3 fish limit of urban pond fishing, 9 times in the creek at the Saukville Rifle and Pistol Club. This creek starts on my old trapline ,flows through the rifle club , through River's Edge Nature Center and then dumps into the Milwaukee River.The old RENC director stated to me at one of the first water monitoring meetings about the natural reproduction of Rainbows in the creek.That first meeting was here,,in Avalanche, 15 plus years ago. I informed her about how they got there. Years later, I was remodeling the old DNR fiels station in Plymonth,Wi and asked the area fish Biolgist, John Nelson, how I could do this, and the DNR could not. No answer. John is one hell of a nice guy, very honest and a great fish manager. I.E.= Onion River. This was an illigal act. To many years have gone by for me to worry about it. With the advent of VHS, do not do this yourself. In the past 20 years, I have helped stock over 150,000 wild stain Trout through clubs/DNR co-op program.Have questions? trapafox@hotmail.com

2010-07-11T09:56:00.000-07:00

The area streams are in great shape. Spring flows are up. This is the time of the year to target big trout. Night fishing has been great this past weekend.

Big and Black

2010-06-30T16:06:00.001-07:00

After all the yak about Mousin after dark, I thought I would show another pattern that really rocks. Note the size compared to standard business card.

2010-06-24T19:26:00.001-07:00

Thursday, June 24th. We had the highest water of 2010 these past 2 days. WF is back to slightly higher than expected level. Water is clearing up nicely. Fishing should be interesting Fri and Sat. Beatles have been the hot ticket on top. When these rain events occur, Trout feed like crazy. This is the prime time for Trout to put on weight

2010-06-21T10:51:00.000-07:00

Over 2 pounds of Vernon Cty Bluegill

Planting Wild Strain Brook Trout

2010-04-19T19:54:00.000-07:00

Trophy Trout Flys

2010-04-16T20:06:00.000-07:00

Large Trout get large by eating big things.

Trapper's Guide Service

2010-04-07T19:46:00.000-07:00

Does not support a one rule/ mind set at all.
I do not support a season past September.
Please help protect our fisheree.
Trapper

Fishin the Kickapoo on Good Friday

2010-04-05T16:07:00.000-07:00

Trout Water's need protection

2010-04-02T23:58:00.000-07:00

STEPHEN M. BORN, UW-Madison emeritus professor of planning and environmental studies Posted: Friday, April 2, 2010 4:00 am
Stephen M. Born is an emeritus professor at UW-Madison in planning and environmental studies. He is also former co-chairman of Wisconsin Academy’s Waters of Wisconsin project and former chairman of the National Resources Board, Trout Unlimited. The Capital Times archives
The surface and groundwaters of Wisconsin undergird a major tourism-recreation-outdoor industry, as well as significant portions of our agricultural and industrial economies (including beer-making).
But, our water resources are at risk. Increasing demands and land use changes resulting from a growing population, agricultural industry expansion and changing climate are leading to non-sustainable pumpage and environmental stress and damage in some parts of Wisconsin.
Recognizing the threats to long-range environmental health and water supply security, Wisconsin has taken actions to protect this "buried treasure" and related surface waters. A pioneering groundwater quality law was passed in 1984.
In 2003, the Legislature enacted Act 310 to strengthen the state's oversight of groundwater quantity management. The architects of this law recognized that it was only a first step toward integrated long-range management of the state's vital water resources, and directed a groundwater advisory committee to assess the functioning of the new law and recommend needed changes.
Last month — after several years of review by the advisory committee, scientists, and a coalition of environmental and conservation organizations — legislators took the next step to protect and better manage Wisconsin's waters by introducing legislation to remedy shortfalls in Act 310.
This new bill would:
• Improve the process for designating groundwater management areas and provide for better coordinated regional management of problem areas, including the preparation of plans to correct and avoid damages done to groundwater supplies and associated streams, lakes and wetlands.
• Allow the designation of groundwater attention areas where problems are likely to emerge in coming years.
• Expand the scope of existing law to protect more springs, broaden geographic consideration of impacts of high-capacity wells, and specifically identify water-bottling operations falling under the law.
• Provide for adaptive management in groundwater management areas, where existing pumpers could have their approval permits modified to reflect changing aquifer conditions and new demands.
• Provide for water conservation and accelerated water supply planning.
The ink was hardly dry on the new bill when opponents began attacking it. In a campaign suggesting they hadn't read the proposed legislation, the usual suspects in the agricultural lobby claimed the proposed legislation would harm their constituencies — threatening their wells, giving the state Department of Natural Resources excessive regulatory powers, encroaching on property rights, damaging the agricultural economy and more.
Conservative legislators labeled it "anti-jobs", and contended it was too important to be fast-tracked (although it had been the subject of intensive study for several years leading up to the introduction of the bill).
State Rep. Spencer Black, D-Madison, and Sen. Mark Miller, D-Monona — the primary authors of the bill — have fought back, arguing the importance of strengthening existing law to better protect trout streams, drinking water supplies, and other vital resources and thereby assure that the state will have sufficient water resources for the future.
Given the short amount of time left in this legislative session, support from the conservation community and business interests dependent on healthy ecosystems is needed to give this far-reaching legislation a chance to be enacted. We cannot afford to miss this opportunity to ensure sound scientific environmental stewardship of our invaluable water resources.
Stephen M. Born is UW-Madison emeritus professor of planning and environmental studies. He is also former co-chairman of Wisconsin Academy's Waters of Wisconsin project and former chairman of the National Resources Board, Trout Unlimited.
Posted in Column on Friday, April 2, 2010 4:00 am Stephen M. Born, Clean Water

Crume Spring, Avalanche, start of Seas Branch

2010-03-23T17:11:00.000-07:00

Way Cool Live Fish Cam.

2010-03-19T12:15:00.000-07:00

http://www.wolfrivercam.com/Shiocton%20Cam%201.html

Hy 80 Stream in Winter

2010-02-06T16:16:00.000-08:00

Pictures of my house

2010-01-15T13:17:00.000-08:00

Unique Opportunity

2010-01-13T16:38:00.000-08:00

Unique Opportunity
We are offering a two day float trip on the Kickapoo River. We will be camping on the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. I will supply two tents, three tents for trips with two clients, if needed. I will supply boat, canoe, food, beverages, snacks, bait, lures, stove, tarps, lantern, coolers, firewood, grill, tableware, radio, cell phone, etc. After doing extensive scouting in Fall 09, I am assured that you will catch a lot of Trout. The main branch of the Kickapoo River is noted to harbor very large Trout. Many Trout over 20 inches are caught every year. This will be a somewhat primitive fishing and camping trip. The river flows through the 8500 +acre KVR. Expect to see plenty of canoes using the river, yet rarely fished. You may also decide to make this trip a walk-in/wade trip only, or a combination. You supply your own bedding, cot, air bed, wader’s, fishing gear , rainwear, personal items, and one car/truck.
Cost for 1 or 2 people is $900
Includes 2 full days, one night camping, three meals a day of your choice. Eating a fresh skinless/boneless Trout is a great idea. The great majority of Trout will be released as there is a 3 fish limit/day. I am excited to offer this excursion. This would make an excellent father/son-daughter outing. Email at:trapafox@hotmail.com
Cell# 608-434-1566

Nice fish

2010-01-10T19:51:00.001-08:00

Clean Water-Round Barn

2010-01-08T15:36:00.000-08:00

Interesting spot One of many round barns

My Girls

2010-01-06T21:54:00.000-08:00

Misty on left

Sheila on right

Both house dogs and hunters

Helping Hands Making Fish Lunker's

2010-01-06T17:04:00.000-08:00

Guiding Rates/ Other Information

2009-12-27T11:03:00.000-08:00

Rates: $400 Full day- 1-2 people 8-10 hours
$250 Half day 1-2 people 5 hours
Full day rate includes membership to WFSC, streamside grilled lunch, snacks, drinks, lures, bait, transportation from Avalanche.
Half day rate includes snacks, drinks,lures, bait, transportation from Avalanche
50% deposit is required for each booked trip. Deposits are not refundable. A deposit may be applied to a furture trip, the same year. Balance due at end of trip.
I will contact you several days ahead before the trip to arrange a meeting time and place. We will discuss details of the trip, including appropriate gear to bring, rainwear,boots,tackle needs and food preferences.
Valid Wisconsin fishing license and Trout stamp is required. We only fish according to the laws of Wisconsin.
Gratuity is always welcome and is up to individual client. Cash or personal checks only.

You bring your favorite fishing gear,sunscreen,mosquito repellant, camera, fishing hat or cap, rain gear, boots, polarized sunglasses and waders. Try to wear dull earth-tone clothing.

Also bring along the attitude that the day is going to be fun!

Important - please understand

2009-12-24T20:52:00.000-08:00

This may sound a little ornery, yet it should be said.

It does Not make any difference weather you are fishing with me or not.If you can not hit a 9 inch paper plate at 30 feet, you need to practice. I can not overstate this fact. Spin or fly rod, you need to make the cast to catch a remarkable Trout. Food for thought. Have a great Christmas a nd have a super new year.

Trapper

Finished Projects

2009-12-18T11:21:00.001-08:00

Want to fish improved water?

2009-12-18T10:35:00.000-08:00

I have helped construct numerous projects in the past two decades with WFSC. Here is one spot in progress

Here is some Driftless Area Pics

2009-12-17T18:57:00.000-08:00

Link

2009-12-14T12:16:00.000-08:00

Here's a link to West Fork Sports Club

"http://www.westforksportsmansclub.org"

Introduction

2009-12-11T21:47:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Trapper's Guide Service.
I specialize in quality Trout, guiding in the Driftless Area ,mainly in Vernon,Crawford and Richland counties. I live in a small hamlet called Avalanche, which many consider Trout Central.
I do not teach fly fishing. I will show you great places to fish and how to catch them. Spin fisher-people are encouraged. My 40 years of experience fishing here is a great bet you may find the fish of your dreams. I am an officer of West fork Sportsmans Club and also in charge of our wild Trout fish rearing program. Having release over 120,000 wild strain Trout in the past 17 years, gives me an advantage. Bring a camera as we encourage catch and release. Email at trapafox@hotmail.com