Preserving Paradise: Fly Fishing Fosters Conservation and Community

DECORAH — In the heart of Iowa's Driftless Region, with its winding streams and luscious landscapes, a vibrant community of fly fishing enthusiasts thrives. Here, anglers find peace and challenge alike in the art of fly fishing - a pursuit celebrated for its focus on conservation. Fly fishing is an angling technique that uses an ultra-lightweight lure called an "artificial fly," which typically mimics small invertebrates, such as aquatic insects, to attract and catch fish. This method emphasizes sustainable practices and is most renowned for catching trout, grayling and salmon, but is also used for a wide variety of species including pike, bass, panfish and carp. Cameron Aker, driftless area engagement coordinator for Trout Unlimited (TU), is an area advocate for the activity. TU, a national non-profit organization, aims to unite diverse interests to care for and restore rivers and streams, ensuring future generations can experience the thrill of wild trout and salmon. "My favorite aspect about fly fishing is that it can take you to some beautiful places," Aker said. "The small spring creeks of the Driftless Region are perfect for fly fishing because of all the macroinvertebrate life in those creeks. Many of the flies used match the various lifecycle stages of these organisms." For Kent Kleckner of Bear Creek Anglers, a Decorah-based fly fishing guide service, the allure of fly fishing lies not only in its challenges - but also in its rewards. "Fly fishing is not easy to learn," Kleckner said. "It takes many hours over multiple months or years to become proficient. I think that makes it both unique and enjoyable. The satisfaction factor is high when something is difficult." Despite its challenges, fly fishing offers a sense of togetherness within its community. Kleckner notes that while the fly fishing community in Iowa may be small, there's a natural bond among anglers, often centered around sharing experiences and insights. "The Iowa DNR estimates that less than 30% of the trout anglers in Iowa use a fly rod and flies," Kleckner said. "There is some natural camaraderie on the stream and in local gatherings of fly fishermen. Maybe not sharing exactly where they were fishing, but certainly sharing the flies that were working or what hatch (bug activity) was prevalent on the stream that day." Aker echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the inclusive nature of fly fishing conversations, which transcend divisive topics to focus solely on the shared passion for the sport. "We are seeing a lot more people of diverse backgrounds enjoying this pastime," Aker said. "I find it really cool that I've met so many interesting people in fly fishing, and when we sit around and talk, it's just about fly fishing. We don't talk politics, work, religion or any hot button topics." According to the fishing regulations provided by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), there are very few special regulation streams in the state where you need to be releasing fish or fishing with artificial bait or lures. "For those who want to keep fish or fish with worms, Iowa is very lenient," said Kleckner. "Fly fisherpersons generally don't need to worry about regulations since they fish with artificial, generally barbless flies and release all fish." While there is opportunity to keep what you catch, both Aker and Kleckner advocate for catch-and-release practices, promoting minimal handling of fish and the use of barbless hooks to minimize harm. "I think catch-and-release is a great practice, especially for native or wild fish," said Aker. "The state stocks our most popular streams with rainbow trout, which is great for folks who would like to keep what they catch. The rainbows rarely reproduce in Iowa, so they're a great option for taking home." "As guides, we only do catch-and-release," Kleckner said. "We encourage the use of special rubber nets and wet hands when handling fish, prioritizing their well-being above all else." Environmental conservation, overall, is the key priority when it comes to the fly fishing community. "Every client that we take out, we tell the conservation story," said Kleckner. "One of the main components of conservation and environment revolves around soil conservation. Contour farming, waterways, terraces, CRP and buffers are all great ways to keep the soil in the fields and not in the stream. Even if clients aren't landowners that can conserve soil with their own land-use practices, we encourage everyone to give to local organizations that will spend funds [raised] to promote stream health." "Part of my role with TU is to help our local chapters with outreach," said Aker. "This can include clean-up days or other educational events that are targeted to the non-fly fishing community. I also try to lead by example. If I see some trash, I pick it up. The hope is that someone else sees that and picks up a few pieces, too." Looking ahead, Aker and Kleckner both envision a future where fly fishing continues to attract conservation-minded individuals, driving efforts to protect and preserve fragile ecosystems. "Seeing new people trying out fly fishing is very exciting," said Aker. "We're also seeing a growing trend of fly fishers targeting native and non-game fish species. This is bringing a new perspective on these fish and spurring conversations about their protection. Many of our non-game fish species don't have the same limits or protections as our game fish." "Our fly fishing guide business has doubled since COVID and has remained strong," Kleckner said. "The more people that get exposed to catch-and-release and hear the conservation story will start practicing catch-and-release and contributing to conservation. This will pay dividends to our northeast Iowa streams in the years to come." Trout Unlimited aims to assist with further improvements in Iowa stream maintenance and development. "[They] will help us make improvements in watersheds that feed our trout streams and will help us gain more public access through conversations with land owners about purchasing permanent public easements or handshake agreements," said Kleckner. "TU was recently at the center of a transaction where we leveraged $10,000 TU dollars to complete a project of over $100,000 with help from programs through the NRCS (Natural Resource Conservation Service). Another project of similar scope is currently breaking ground." With initiatives led by organizations like Trout Unlimited and Bear Creek Anglers, the Driftless Region remains a haven for anglers and serves as a testament to the bond between humans and nature. As fly fishing evolves, its commitment to conservation ensures that Iowa's streams will endure for generations to come. Unlock a world of knowledge! Sign up for free DecorahNews.com newsletters and receive local news, local events and everything that is happening in and around Decorah.