Brian Smith

An old Canoeist coming over to Fly Fishing from the 'Dark Side'

[Brian Smith @mspaddler]

@mspairport currency exchange in Terminal 2 times are incorrect. Not open in the am just 3 or so hours in the evening. Please update website.

[Brian Smith @mspaddler]

Well I caught my first trout of 2025 in the Minnesota early catch and release season. A beautiful 14 inch Brown Trout from a new to me Creek. This will be my last post on this platform as I give Blue Sky at try. Same mspaddler old canoeist happy fly angler.

[Brian Smith @mspaddler]

An unexpected warm spell this weekend had me driving 250 miles west to a Minnesota State Park for catch and release extended season. My pal is releasing a nice Brown Trout in the Creek.

[Brian Smith @mspaddler]

All year trout fishing is allowed in some Minnesota State Parks, avoiding the redds where the Brown and Brook trout spawn. As both 'trout' species spawn at the same time a male Brook trout will occasionally fertilise Brown trout eggs, the result is a sterile Tiger Trout.

[Brian Smith @mspaddler]

A successful day's Riverfly monitoring on the Yorkshire Don yesterday. Two locations both with a score of 7. Of note a rare appearance of a gammarus in the urban Don. The rural Don sample included in excess of 30 heptagenia and this unusual cased Caddis (?)

[Brian Smith @mspaddler]

@riverfossYork @IWA_UK @Channel4 Wormalds Cut Rowntree Wharf

[Brian Smith @mspaddler]

I had hoped to fish a trout only stream this am to finish off the season. The rapidly rising water put paid to those plans. My last trout of the season was yesterday from trout only stream up on the hills of West Yorks, tough wading small trout but mostly on the dry so all good

[Brian Smith @mspaddler]

@stuartminnikin Thanks Stuart a spectacular stream which gave up more trout than last time!

[Brian Smith @mspaddler]

Two days was really not long enough fishing in Slovenia. I hope to be back.
#stuartminnikin I'm sure you recognize this bridge and the amazing steam.

[Brian Smith @mspaddler]

Now fishing in Slovenia, still as beautiful as I remember it.

[Brian Smith @mspaddler]

Crystal clear water and willing trout. Rive Serio in the Province of Bergamo Italy.

[Brian Smith @mspaddler]

Last day being guided in Italy before we head for Slovenia on Sunday. A better catching day including fooling the trout with dries. Fantisic 3 day experience with great guides from https://t.co/8ANcKcwu4U

[Brian Smith @mspaddler]

On the theme that it's never just about fishing even or especially in Italy. I asked our guide if the sign to Talagegio was the same as the cheese village and 35 minutes later we were in the creamery.

[Brian Smith @mspaddler]

The Black Hills of South Dakota never disappoints. The creek is running clear and cool (48f/9c) in spite of unseasonably hot weather.

[Brian Smith @mspaddler]

The Creeks in the MN Driftless Region are gradually recovering from the dozen or so inches of rain which have fallen in the area in the last two weeks. We managed to find skinny but clear water near the spring source. The dirt roads needed to find good water left its mark!

[Brian Smith @mspaddler]

After a really wet June my partner and I managed to complete the month's river monitoring last evening. Here he is working on the dissolved oxygen levels. No kick sample, as this scheme only requires a sample in May and September. #WAV

[Brian Smith @mspaddler]

Heading to the airport after a great week of camping and trout fishing in the Black Hills. I guess I better stop at the car wash before returning my rental car.

[Brian Smith @mspaddler]

@slhilljr Way up Boxelder Creek

[Brian Smith @mspaddler]

it's not the River Holme in Huddersfield but I could get used to it. Black Hills, SD

[Brian Smith @mspaddler]

Living the dream, camping by a trout stream in the Black Hills of South Dakota.