Preston: How To Experience Minnesota’s Trout Capital

Preston: How To Experience Minnesota’s Trout Capital.

 

Now’s your chance to “Get Hooked On Preston.” You’ll find friendly people, along with plenty of small-town charm in Preston. When looking at a map to plan a road trip you might not look at Preston closely, but you should. Like many small towns, many people think bigger cities have more to offer. That’s simply not true. In truth, just the opposite can happen here but at a slower, more casual pace. Escape the fast dash of a city and feel how relaxing a visit to The Trout Capital of Minnesota refreshes your soul.

Celebrate Trout Days In Preston

What better way to get acquainted with this small town in southeastern Minnesota’s bluff country than its annual festivity?

Trout Days in Preston, Minnesota brings enthusiastic trout fans together eager for a weekend of celebrating all things trout. Held each year in May, Trout Days packs as much as you can imagine into a weekend at one of the top 100 U.S. trout streams. Get a photo of the huge twenty-foot-long trout while visiting Minnesota’s trout capital.  

Of course, a highlight of Trout Days is fishing the 9-hole fishing course. Make a point to show off your catch by tagging Preston’s social channels or using their #GetHookedOnPreston hashtag.

Here are some Trout Days activities to look forward to from the Preston Chamber Of Commerce:

• Fish the 9-Hole Fishing Course 

• City-Wide Garage Sales

• Preston EMS Steak Dinner

• Music at the Servicemen’s Club Friday & Saturday Night

• Kids Fishing Contest 

• Preston Lion’s Club Pancake Breakfast

• Fillmore County Master Gardener’s Plant Sale

• Beer Tent and Bloody Mary’s at the Preston Servicemen’s Club

• FREE Youth Orvis Fly Fishing 101 Class

• Preston Pop Up Market

• Bounce Houses, Bungee Trampoline, Kids Balloon Show, Face Painting, Kids Pedal Pull 

• Quilt Show at Library

• Caboose/Elevator Tours and Magazine Signing by Ila Mae Olstad whose story and photos have been featured in the Milwaukee Railroader magazine. She spent several summers on the train with her family. 

• Show and Shine Car Show

• Preston Fire Department Beer Tent and Food

• Grand Parade

• Fireworks 

Trout City Brewing

Trout City Brewing is a must-see place on a visit to Preston. The old heavy bank vault door that leads to a restroom is a highlight you don’t want to miss. Have your pup with you? Don’t worry because it’s a dog-friendly brewery too.

To point out, the old bank building, built in 1889, has been wonderfully restored and adds to Preston’s small-town charm. Inside, fourteen-foot tall ceilings, original brick walls, and dark wood trim offer a glimpse of what the bank looked like in the old days. Pay particular attention to the stained glass windows from the inside. These are original to the building as well as being fully restored. Equally important, protective covers on the outside keep them safe although their color and detail are hidden from view on the streetside.

Trout City Brewing’s welcoming owners Craig and Vicki Hildestad, gave me a tour along with a little history. It didn’t take long to realize their passion for their brewery. Vicki enjoys creating in the kitchen whereas Craig’s fervor for smoking meats couldn’t stay bottled up. When I asked what his favorite meat to smoke was, he proudly said Texas-style brisket. Mainly because it’s a difficult cut of meat that needs to cook precisely at the right temperature for it to become tender. If it’s not cooked properly then it becomes tough.

 

Delicious Food and Drinks at Trout City Brewing

The most popular menu item made from Craig’s brisket is a sandwich, although the brisket flatbread pizza is another favorite. Craig and Vicki bake all of their pastries and cookies too. Yum! Another favorite, a Rueben dip comes with a freshly baked loaf of rye bread. Naturally, the Rueben and cheesy chicken dip with a loaf of homemade Vienna bread stay on the bestseller list. You also might want to try a Swedish meatball sub, another crowd-pleaser.  

If you would like to try beer with a cranberry twist then try a cranberry-infused blonde beer or a Belgium cranberry beer. Speaking of cranberries, check out our article Fantastic Ways To Have A Remarkable Cranberry Experience.

Trout City Brewing also brews its seltzers. In addition, they offer crowlers, growlers, and Cutwater ready-made drinks which include margarita flavors, Long Island Iced Tea, or White Russian.

When you need an event hall they have a private room to reserve, at no charge, that seats 47-50 people with an attached glass panel garage door opening to the patio.

Another option you might enjoy would be brunch on Sundays. Find the menu every Friday on Trout City Brewing’s Facebook page and they serve brunch from 11 am to 3 pm.

 

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Driftless Fly Fishing Company

Another reason to visit Minnesota’s Trout Capital is to have a remarkable fly fishing experience. Look no further than Preston because Driftless Fly Fishing Company happens to be the Minnesota Driftless area’s only Orvis endorsed outfitter. From beginners level to experienced, their expert guides can lead to the best chance for success.

Stop in for a fully stocked floor-to-ceiling fly fishing store where you can also get expert advice. Whether wading or by boat, they make sure your fly fishing experience creates memories to last a lifetime.  

Next door, they also rent Jackson Kayaks from their shop, Driftless Kayak.

Next, take your map of Preston’s Nine Holes of Fishing and try your luck. Don’t forget to strike a pose with your catch and tag Preston’s social media channels, along with their #GetHookedOnPreston hashtag.  

Beginner or veteran angler, try your hand casting for trout in Preston. As a matter of fact, Driftless Fly Fishing Company holds a free Beginner 101 fly fishing class every other Saturday.  

Every guide is fully insured and certified in first aid and CPR. 

 

Your guides to choose from include:

• Driftless Fly Fishing owner Mel Haynor has more than 25 years of experience in southeast Minnesota as a guide and instructor.

• Mel’s sister, Monta Haynor, previously held the position of Fly Fishing Women of Minnesota’s president. As a guide and instructor, she has been fly fishing in the driftless area since 1998.

• Tim Carver, in the photo, serves as a guide, instructor, and in sales. 

• James Weis is an instructor, guide, and in sales. 

 

The 9-Holes Of Fishing In Preston

Preston makes it easy for anglers to find the best places in town to try their hand at landing those beautiful trout. In 2012, the National Trout Center created the Nine-Hole Fishing Course for everyone to enjoy.  

Unfortunately, the National Trout Center closed but you can still download the map. 

Each popular fishing hole lies within a .8 mile-long stretch of blue-ribbon trout water on the South Branch Root River in town. Fishing holes vary between 40 to120 yards with each one having its distinctive flow trait.

All nine fishing holes are marked on the map so everyone can easily enjoy the best spots to hook brown, brook, or rainbow trout. The course starts with hole #1 at Big Bend Rapids and then moves upstream to hole #9 at the St. Paul Street Bridge. 

Download your Nine Holes of Fishing map here.

 

Play Disc Golf In Preston, Minnesota

Before too long Preston could offer choices of where to play nine holes between land and water.  Currently, a committee is working on bringing disc golf to Preston.  Regardless, it still needs to be approved through the park board and city council despite being in early planning stages.

If curent concepts go through, Preston could have three nine-hole disc golf courses throughout the town. Plans include one course by the river that will include trout baskets and community art. Furthermore, two other nine-hole courses can potentially be located throughout town. So, keep an eye on Preston for disc golf updates.

 

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Trout Bike Racks and Bikeshare

Many people like to bring their bikes to Preston because of its 60 miles of paved bike trails. Notably, the Harmony-Preston Valley State Trail and Root River State Trail. Portions of Preston’s bike trails follow the South Branch Root River so more than likely you’ll see anglers casting for trout while you’re riding.

You’re in luck if you would like to ride but didn’t bring a bike. Visitors and residents can check out bikes and helmets from Preston’s Bike Share program at City Hall. Bikes are free to check out at City Hall from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during the week.  

A rider needs to be over 18, fill out a form, and provide an I.D.

Also, check out Preston’s colorful trout-shaped bike racks throughout various places in town. The Preston Trailhead has one beside the Trailhead Inn. Look for the bike repair and air station across its parking lot

Final Thoughts

Even if you’re not an angler, an experience in Preston should be on the schedule. Slow down and take a closer look. You’ll love it!

 

Thanks for reading Preston: How To Experience Minnesota’s Trout Capital.

Tom and Kristi