The last two weeks have been really good fishing. Topwater smallmouth fishing is starting to fire up with the Frog Hatch getting going. Musky have been feeding mid day. This week we boat two musky that were just shy of 40"

After a week of follows and hook ups with no musky in the net.... It took a fly angler to break the ice. We boated a nice 43" healthy female that was all spawned out. The smallies are still on and off spawning. We had 65 degree water temp to start and finished a touch over 70 degrees. So, we are finally getting close some of the best smallies fishing of the year. Musky will continue to get better with the warming water.

In pursuit of smaller rivers with untapped water for musky opener, I dedicated my time on a small west WI river. Locally its know for big musky but is relatively off the radar of most anglers. We took a couple different approaches but covering ground seemed to be the key. We found fish in off current or slack water mostly. A big thanks to Heather and Steve from Tennessee. Steve grinded the day out hard. And much like Muskies.... they reward the work. Steve had an explosive take from a big girl on the mid 40s boatside. She magically jumped and shook the hooks (almost jumping into the boat). Sorry we could nof get her in the net. Things happen fast and the current plus strong winds didnt help lay the landscape for a quick net job. That is fishing sometimes. Making contact with a trophy musky in skinny water keeps me coming back for more. Next time! Conditions have improved and fishing is only going to get better. Smallmouth are starting to fan out beds (Finally). We moved 9 musky with 3 takes. Not often do we end up with Zero in the net. Tight Lines, BRIAN

I have had the chance to get out on some of our nicer days in the last week. Caddis and mayflies are sporatic when the water warms. The midges are were attracting some large trout the other night. I got furstrated playing the tippet / what fly do they want game. I tied on a big chunky streamer and was blessed with the biggest brown of the season. He came out of a beaver hut (with a few active beavers). The family unit of beavers had just spanked their tails on the water a few times as I was changing out leaders. It goes to show you... Not all the big fish spook! Better weather to come in a week. I have opening at the end of April and into May.... Fishing should be great. Smallmouth and trout fishing will be tough to choose between! Hope to see you all soon. For more up to date information - Follow us on Instagram @amaazen_outdoors

I floated a local river in Western WI yesterday to scout and just get a sense of where things are at. Well, we are running on schedule. Smallies are still stacked and in winter patterns. We are a couple days of warmth away from that pattern changing. This will set off a chain reaction and the spawn will start. It is looking like the end of April to early May is going to be pre spawn window. Just pray for some rain and some warmer days! No more snow :)

The itch to get out has been real. With cold, wet and gray days... things are progressing slower than a normal year. No significant hatch on 4/5 when we were out. But streamers and draging nymphs produced fish. We scratch a couple nice ones. A lit of really chuncky fish with noncommittal takes. Great day on the water on South East Minnesota chasing trout.