St. Croix Valley, River Falls, Wisconsin

Justin Netzer

Fishing started for me at the tender age of 5 years old. I was born and raised in Billings, Montana. This is where my passion for fishing and fly fishing started. My dad and Grandpa brought me trout fishing just about every weekend. We primarily fished the Big Horn Mountains on the Eastern side of Northern Wyoming. This is where they taught me the “rules” of fishing, including one of the most important: don’t let the fish see you--hide yourself whenever possible!

When I turned 6, my heart was broken; my dad got a job transfer to Minnesota. This meant leaving the wild, wild west and the wild, wild fish for a place where men fished in a house, on a lake, and in the middle of the winter for Crappies? For some reason, it didn’t sound as appealing. My dad and Grandpa assured me that Minnesota was the land of 10,000 lakes and there were plenty of fish to be caught. That old saying “listen to your parents” isn’t just a saying—my dad turned out to be right! I quickly learned that Minnesota had plenty of fish—regardless of the season.

Since moving here 19 years ago, I have learned a tremendous amount about the fish, lakes, rivers, and streams that Minnesota offers (and I truly believe we have more than 10,000 lakes). I have fished damn near all day, everyday, since I moved here. That is until I had to get a job, but I still make time to fish after work. My chocolate lab, Tucker, often joins me. I know he enjoys fishing by my side everyday, but I don’t think it makes my future Fiancé too happy that I’m never home!

But not being at home has taught me a quite a bit. I’ve learned to fish the Minnesota River and the murky backwaters. I’ve been fishing this river for at least 12 years, since 1993, for Carp, Catfish, Gar and other, often unknown, kinds of fish.

Since 1997, I have been fishing for Muskies on a small, relatively unknown lake somewhere in the Twin Cities. I have since learned the ropes of this wondrous lake quite well, helping me to catch these shy, yet enormous fish.

I’ve been fishing the North Shore Tributaries since 1998 for King Salmon, Pink Salmon, Rainbow Trout, and Steelhead (I went to college in Hibbing, Minne-sotah don’t cha knooooow, and missed more classes than I care to share). I guess you could say I went to the school of hard knocks! I learned more out of class on how to catch Salmon, Steelhead, and Trout than I ever would have learned in class. I frequently traded my catch-of-the day with my friends and classmates for their food (it wasn’t always a just exchange; Macaroni-and-Cheese isn’t exactly a fair trade for Salmon). I loved my fish, but I could only eat so much of them.

I’m a big trout fan too. I’ve been fishing for trout in Minnesota and Wisconsin (primarily the River Falls area) for many years now. I’ve learned how to maneuver and master the Kinnickinnic and Rush Rivers. I’ve gained quite a bit of knowledge on these and other rivers surrounding the area as well as other Southeastern Minnesota rivers and streams, including the Vermillion River. I have a good grasp on the flies that these spooked trout like to nibble on and knowing that right there is enough to catch fish!

My travels have led me to Southeastern Wisconsin to fish the tributaries of Lake Michigan since 2002. I have fished the Salmon runs, Steelhead runs in the spring, and Brown Trout runs in the fall. This is fly fishing at its best! The competition can be fierce, with many, many men lining up the shore to catch these big, beautiful fish.

Oh and every year I travel back and fish the wild, wild west including the Big Horn Mountains, Yellowstone, and the many other lakes, rivers, and streams that surround Cody, Wyoming.

My combined experience includes over 20 years of fishing. It is my goal for the angler to gain valuable knowledge about fishing, including: know when the fish are running, improve casting skills, learn how to locate and find where the fish are hiding, and gain the confidence to go fishing alone and be successful on any body of water. I want you to be a better angler, not dependent on me or other guides to catch fish. With that being said, I may not be the most “well-known or popular” guide Minnesota has, but if you fish with me, you will learn the ropes of how to catch trophy fish. Oh and you’ll have a good time too, because I’m a hell of a nice western boy living in an urban world and all I want to do is catch a big fish or two!

Email Justin at: guide@kinnicreek.com