North Shore fly fishing guide shares his love of sport

By Melissa Ganje, FOX 21 News

DULUTH - From techniques and tips, flies and hot spots, one Duluth Township man is an expert on the outdoor sport.

On the bank of a Northland river, you'll likely find fly fishing guide Carl Haensel.  Fly fishing for decades, he got his start fishing for blue gills and bass in lakes in central Minnesota.  "Then I got this desire to go out and explore streams and rivers, I love flowing water," said Haensel.  Since then, he hasn't stopped casting away into Minnesota's designated trout streams.  Wednesday, we headed to the Sucker River between Duluth and Two Harbors along the North Shore, just footsteps away from his home.  "It's a beautiful little location to be able to catch a few," said Haensel.  Wild brook trout, Minnesota's only native trout can be found in this river.  "Oh, there is a little tiny trout; even the smallest ones are like a little jewel in the stream," said Haensel.

But he doesn't just fish alone, Haensel has guided and taught fly fishing since 1996.  "I love guiding because not only does it let me get out in nature and spend a beautiful day outside but it also lets me introduce people to a sport that I love," said Haensel.  From beginners that have yet to cast a fly rod to those with years of experience.  "I've had people fly in from all over the world to come here and fly fish and learn a new spot or learn a new casting technique, or a new way to, oh, there we had one," said Haensel.  He doesn't want people to be intimidated by fly fishing; Haensel says it's fairly easy to cast a fly rod.  "A lot of people think it's a very complex sport but it doesn't have to be.  A little bit of basic easy practice casting to a few bluegills here in a pond really help you get started."

His fly fishing adventures have taken him across the country and into Central America.  "I've found trout as far South as the mountains in Costa Rica and wandered as far North, well off the beaten track in Alaska," said Haensel.  But he says Minnesota will always be his home and his favorite fishing hole.  Haensel says, "I think Minnesota has some of the best fly fishing around, it's a real well kept secret.  I always like to come back here to rivers that I know and rivers that I care about.  I love the solitude of northern Minnesota and the beautiful fish that we have here."

For more information about a guided fly fishing trip, log onto Carl Haensel's website at www.namebini.com