Northeast Iowa Driftless Region

[DeepDiver75]

Was wondering if anyone has fished this area and what you thought of it.

A friend of mine wants to drive to Des Moines and pick up his son and then do some trout fishing. We are familiar with all of the ozark streams but thought since we were up that way why not try something new. After fishing our streams and rivers will it be a disappointment? Just do not know what to expect, we don't have to catch lots of big fish to have a good time (that's what RockBridge is for) just want to catch a few fish in a new scenic area. Any suggestions would be appreciated. By the way we all flyfish so we're looking for good areas for flyfishing

[gnelson]

I have fished Spring Branch near Manchester, Iowa. Trout are stocked as fingerlings, so they are stream reared. There are rainbows, brookies, and some good sized browns. I haven't fished there for about three years, but it probably hasn't changed.

[Kicknbass]

I have fished the spring branch at manchester as well. It is a nice quiet place to fish. It is a small techincal little stream the fish are very spooky. I fished there last year and saw a couple of huge fish. 6-10 lbs. Giant fish for this tiny stream I don't know how you could land a fish like this on so little water, but I never got a take on the big fish.

The access at the hatchery is easy. Lots of fish, not many other fisherman. I wouldn't make this a destination, but it is a nice place to stop. The access from the HWY is easy along HWY 20. This location is the southwestern portion of the DZ and there is more areas north a few miles around Strawberry Point. I haven't fished this area, but it was refered to me by locals as a better stream than spring branch.

Good Luck.