By Topf Wells

Thanks to Nate Nye for an absolutely superb new survey and assessment of the Bear Creek watershed in Sauk and Richland Counties. Probably the key specific finding is that the Class 1, improved section of Bear Creek, especially the upper 2/3 of that stretch, offers excellent fishing. Along with thanking Nate for that restoration, we also owe enduring gratitude to the Aldo Leopold Chapter. This four mile stretch of Trout Heaven is one of that Chapter’s greatest achievements. (And we note some need for tree planting in some stretches … a possible workday in the future?)

There is much info in this report … including a new brook trout stream: Pumpkin Hollow Creek. Isn’t that a cool name for a stream? It does cross a highway and the lower end is on public property. Nate cautions, though, that it’s small and doesn’t hold many trout. But it’s not closely connected to any other brook trout stream in the Bear system and possibly has not been stocked. Very rarely surveyed. Those brook trout might be a remnant population of some wild brookies of the Driftless Area, which is also totally cool.

Thanks, Nate, for a great report on a great resource!