Hey folks, the roundup is fast approaching!

Please post a message here to let us know if you're planning on attending, and how many people are in your group.

Also, let us know if you plan on paddling the river on Friday and what sort of watercraft(s) you'll be using.

I'm going to sticky this thread for the purpose of discussion related to the roundup, so all the posts can be read in one place instead of spread all over the board.

Please post roundup-related material to this thread.

The official roundup information page can be found here:
http://www.roughfish.com/articles/roudup-reports/2008-roundup.html

Rich is "Captain Roundup" the official roundup coordinator and master of ceremonies. If you have a request or suggestion related to the roundup, please direct your grovelling toward Rich.

Roughfishers who will attend:

Corey
Andy
Rich +1
Catfisher1 +1
JKnuth +1
E. Subvaria
Superfrog +1
Paula +2
Alex
Brad
Roughfishopen +2
RDM
Eric Kol
Brian
Avidfly
Tyler W
Leakywaders +3
KPE

Me and my friend will be there.
Planning on leaving central WI early and hitting the river.

Paddling in on kayaks.

I have a few questions however.

1. Location of the grounds and the bridge or put in where people are planning on starting the paddle in.

2. Cost of the campground

3. Location of baitshops in the area for my license and bait.

4. if we paddle in to the site is there transportation back to get the car?

Thanks and see you all soon!!
YAY!

P.S. Cory can we pick up pins there for the contest?

JKnuth -

1. Well, last year we just started at the Eagle Cliffs campground where we are staying and paddled down to Peterson. That's a nice float, but I'm not sure if we're doing the same float this year; we could do the north branch and float down to the campground as well.

Here's a map:



2. I can't remember the cost. Probably around $15 a night. Rich knows more.

3. Bait shops are few and far between in this region. Good question. Anybody? Roughfishopen? E. Sub? Last year Leakywaders, a prince among men, brought bulk crawlers. I'm not sure what route you're taking, but you probably would be best to pick up a license before you arrive.

4. Well, I'm bringing my pickup truck, which has canoe racks to hold two full-size canoes, plus 2-3 kayaks in the bed. I'm going to run the truck downstream before we go, and use it to haul boats. Once we get a better idea about how many people will be paddling/rowing/floating, and where, we'll iron out the details. Worst case, we can make multiple trips. It's not far. Personally, I'm not a good planner. I just have a truck and lots of anchor straps and rope, and I know how to tie excellent knots. So I'll plan on hauling anything that's left over when everybody else leaves, by hook or by crook.

The buttons for the nationwide spring species contest will be available only the week before the contest, so they won't be available at the Roundup. That way, even if someone were to be dishonest and start early, they would only get a day or two extra which is pointless for a month-long contest. I'm going to put the buttons online for sale right before the contest. There's also a mini-contest - The Species Derby - (2 hours) during the roundup which doesn't need a button - I'll be nearby to keep score. Anybody can enter, most species wins, you must fish within the campground area, and when the contest is over a very loud turkey call will sound.

Here's the official map of the Root River area from the DNR, for paddlers:

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/canoe_routes/root.pdf

Our campground is at river mile 53.

Thanks a bunch. That answers some questions.
Ill bring a bunch of crawlers.


I forgot about the buttons. lol
I always forget people can be dishonest about that stuff.

What about trout? Is it open this time of year? and are the in the river? if so will I want to get a stamp with my license?

I plan to do the paddle.

The north branch sounds like a great idea.

H

I'll be there for sure. My *little* (ok, 3 inches taller) brother will likely come with.

JKnuth -

Trout season is open. There are a few of them in the river. You don't need a trout stamp to fish in the campground or on the paddling trip; it's not designated trout water. But you'll most likely catch trout, mostly stocker rainbows from 10-14 inches and browns from 14-20 inches. If you want to keep them and eat them, you need a stamp. Otherwise, you can C&R the trout and concentrate on the other species. If you don't want to buy a stamp, you can beg for fried or baked trout around the campfire. Also, I'm going to make suckerburgers hopefully.

You said you're "paddling in" on kayaks - so you could run from Lanesboro, or from the North Branch, or run up from Whalen, if you're going to dump cars and arrive by boat only. The canoeist map will help with that.

If anybody has an extra day, they could make use of the waterborne-only campsites marked on the map, and thus best us all as the true roughfishers of the trip.

ESub - I'd like to do the North Branch too, let's see what others think.

Cool beans. I dont think we will paddle in.
I think we will do the paddle trip or float with the group on friday though, it should be fun.

I was talking this evening to my buddy and he doest sound too keen on the Idea of actually arriving by kayak only. lol

I think I will get a stamp. I wouldn't mind keeping trout at all. :)

but my real quest is a Silver redhorse for the Lifelist

There is no better place on earth to get a silver. And a big one, too.

We will be coming on Sunday.........UNLESS, it happens to be SNOWING.

Jason, Stephy and myself.

I can't wait.

I'm coming too. Planning on getting there Thursday night, but work might make it friday. If I come thurs night, I'll bring a canoe.

Is there any "community" gear that is or has been in high demand (stoves, cook kits, lanterns)? If I have enough time I might be able to drum up some extras..... and I have two extra tents.

I'm sure most of us have the required odds-n-ends in our tackle kits, but is there anything special in terms of terminal tackle that has proven itself "Root" specific (i.e. no roll/pyramid/bank weights...... rotenone/dynamite)?

Corey -

There is no better run on the Root than from the access south of Chatfield to Lanesboro - that's just my take. But that's too far to float in to eagle cliff on Friday.

What you've proposed sounds good and I'm all for it. I'll definitely be out Friday - but can't confirm because I may have to be in Lincoln until Thursday.

Bait -

You can get worms at the gas stations in Preston, Chatfield, probably Lanesboro but not Fountain.

Chatfield:
On the way down 52 stop at the Greenway Co-Op in Chatfield (don't get sucked in by Kwik Trip). They usually have worms, as well as red worms and those fly fishing grubs (sorry - drawing a complete blank at the moment . . wax worms, that's right).

Fountain:
I'm not aware of bait in Fountain.

Lanesboro:
Try the gas station in Lanesboro.

Preston (you're best bet besides Chatfield):

Preston has plenty of worms at each gas station - normally.

On the way into Preston, across from the Ethanol Plant, is what looks like a car garage. This is also a bait and tackle store (should have a large "open" sign in the window -- it's the only building around on the west side of 52). That guy has every variation of rooster tail and Panther Martin ever made. He has a better selection than the big box stores! Stop in and see what he's got for bait. I can't remember if carries live bait or not.

Other:

If you absolutely have to, drive in the country on Hwy 12 until you see a sign advertising crawlers at various Amish farms. The little kids will sell you some really good ones - they always seem to work well. Just pull into the yard and ask the first kid that comes running out!

I'll always stop in and buy from the Amish when I'm down wandering around in the summer.

Rochester:
Otherwise, get bait on the way through in Rochester. There are three main places: the easiest is Gander MTN right off 52 at the 55th Street & Hwy 52 exit on the north side of town (head toward Wal Mart - you'll see it).

The best places to go are the two local bait stores - either on Hwy 63 3 miles north of town or on Hwy 14 east 2 blocks east of Broadway.

And I have to mention Wild Goose Sports on broadway. Mel Dickie makes hand-made rods all over Rochester - but most of you won't have the time to stop by - just had to give him honerable mention for no good reason. I'm not even a fan of his particular rods.

Rushford:

I don't know of bait in Rushford - but I think all Kwik Trips in the area have fridge with crawlers. I don't know of bait in Peterson.

Plenty of Worms available - live bait get's tough outside of Rochester. Not that anyone does, but if you wanted live bait you'd have to go to La Cresent to get it after Rochester.

But do try the guy in Preston - if nothing else you'll get to see more spinners in one place than you've ever seen before.

The message board looks really weird on my computer.....

Me and my father will attend(Alex & Brad). Are minnows any good on that stretch of river?

If I had a boat or canoe I would more than likely float down with you guys. Unfortunately college is going to get in the way during the week.

I would like to add trout to my life list. Are there any sure fire ways of catching them on this stretch of river? Any tackle other than sinkers, hooks, spinners, rapalas....that I should bring?

Any answers would be greatly appreciated.

RFOpen, wow, thats a great description of the region.

I have never ran from Chatfield to Lanesboro by boat, I think I am gonna put it on my list however I have to finish the Root from Lanesboro to the Ole Miss first. All I have left is from Rushford to the big river. Prolly will take a few days to do it.

Pumpkinfisher, trout are easy to catch, you simply have to know where they live and present whatever you like to them properly. I am sure that you can get Rainbow and Brown trout for your lifelist this year at the Round-up.

Corey - I know what you are thinking about the North Branch. I hear that when the water is up a bit as it is now that sturgeon hold in that section, not sure why, but they are a new creature that, until I handle one, I will consider mythical. What type of water do Blue's feed in?

I'll be coming down Friday AM for the float and staying through Sunday. I'm open for the float...whatever route works for me. I'll have a canoe with room for one more (if someone is interested in joining me, let me know). I can also load two canoes on to my roof rack.

What time are you planning on starting the float?

it will take me about 4 hours to get out that way so I am trying to plan it out as far as departures.

Howdy Cowpokes,

I'll be there, crawlers and circle hooks at the ready.

Possibly floating on Friday either in my canoe or other watercraft borrowed / absconded.

JK

I need to work out some schedule details to know whether Friday will be open to fish and how long I will be staying, but current odds favor a Friday through Saturday timeline. The good news is that with JK's influx of venison from last year's hunt, there will be venison jerky to share in 2 flavors (inferno and pepperoni) when I arrive. I made some up yesterday, and now the only trick is to keep from eating it all before the Roundup. Jerky is something I have been bringing to the event for either 4 or 5 years, so this is part of the tradition!

Kevin

My brother and I for sure. More than likely my dad as well as my friend Rob K (he's the guy holding the carp on the cover of a recent Midwest Fly Fishing Mag).

We will be arriving Friday morning, setting up, and then heading for one of the many trout streams in the area. We will stay through Saturday and leave sometime Sunday.

Really looking forward to this trip!

Brian