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Checklists, expectations, packed schedules, sporting events, television, social media, smart phones, instant gratification on an extreme level, supreme materialism and over-abundance beyond measure…we all are constantly inundated with noise and distractions in the twenty-first century more than ever before.

After being dormant for about five years, a couple recent prominent scrapes to the flint reignited the internal flame which immediately realigned the focus back to the internal compass, the one compass that actually matters in life.

2013. Another year of getting closer still to the true meaning of fly fishing. Last year, we brought you the written story. This year, we bring you the filmed story. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the Driftless scenery and trout as the words of Dave Matthews Band and Coldplay drift through your speakers.

Since October 2012, I’ve explored 11 different trout streams located in the Iowa Driftless Area and have about 7 more targeted on my radar. The nice thing about Iowa is that you can trout fish year-round. They have no off-season mainly due to their extensive stocking program.

I arrived at my home a few days ago to see a tall, slender box leaning against my door. That can only mean one thing…the new replacement 3-weight rod has arrived. Excited to give this thing a real test, I planned to focus on one stream in the Minnesota Driftless today. I read up on this stream not long ago and figured I’d give it a go. It ended up being well worth the 1+ hour drive. To this point, this stream is easily in my top 3 of the MN Driftless and the top winter stream.

Today’s goal was to explore new sections of a complex located in the Minnesota Driftless. We spent a while scouting some sections before settling on the one we’d use to wet our line. It was a colder day with the temperature coming in at 16° upon arrival. I set up with a double fly rig using two different nymphs. Darren set up with a streamer.

I set out this morning wanting to target two streams, one of which I’ve never been to. After arriving at stream #1, I got out of the car and started scouting the stream before getting set up. This stream obviously had a much colder flow, noticing a lot of ice on the surface. Must not get a whole lot of pure spring creek flowage. It flows within a pasture and might be worth giving a try during the regular season. I hopped back in the car and set out for stream #2.

There is nothing like the intimacy, quietness, and solitude that you receive when fly fishing the Driftless Area streams alone. It truly is a magical place. On the other hand, fly fishing alongside a good friend has its incentives as well. You’re able to bounce off ideas, improve your tactics, and share new experiences together.

After having to cut the day short on January 1st, there was no question where I’d be going on January 2nd. I got an early start and targeted two different streams for the day. First, I wanted to pick up where I left off which was the stream that I can still so clearly hear, “Snap!”.