Category: 2020, June, Driftless Area

I’m heading home today, a few days early. Thinking about heading home and then heading out in a few days for someplace new, someplace I haven’t been, maybe the Minnesota Lake Superior shoreline.

Yesterday I took a ride to Galena, Illinois about two hours south of my campsite. It’s a town built on hills. You can walk into a building on the first floor, go upstairs and walk out the backdoor onto a different street. A very historic town. The Galena River goes through town and connects to the Mississippi River which is not far away. It was a very busy town before lead (Galena) mines ran dry. President Grant retired to Galena. Most buildings in town are National Historic Landmarks. The oldest building was built in 1823, pretty old for the midwest. Now it’s a popular tourist town for antiques and restaurants. They blocked off the main street and the restaurants put tables outside under canopies. It was crowded on a Monday.

My campsite at Sidie Hollow Campground. Crowded this weekend.

This is the stream that flows under the above bridge. People fish these small streams and catch decent size trout. I don’t because I enjoy casting more than catching.

My campground is full. It’s a county park about 5 miles outside of Viroqua Wisconsin. I would guess most campers are local. Beautiful weekend. People have been stuck inside for some time and want to get out.

Last night about 9:30 someone or some people set off a great fireworks display about 100 feet from my trailer. I couldn’t see the source cause a big trailer blocked my view. Seemed like it lasted for 15 minutes but I’m sure it didn’t. They were pretty good size fireworks. Anyway, it was fun.

I don’t fish here on the weekends for two reasons. One reason is that I like to fish alone unless I’m with a friend. The other reason is I can fish anytime but most people can only fish on the weekends so let them have it. Why crowd them when I can fish the weekdays and have the streams pretty much to myself.

Caught one brown trout about 13 inches on the Timber-Coulee this morning. It’s a beautiful day.

Had to change campsites today. Moved my trailer about 100 feet to my new site where I will be until next Friday.

First day of a twelve day trip. Got on the water early for me and caught 4 trout by 10:30 am, one small brook trout and three brown trout from 13 to 15 inches.