I went out to meet JC in Custer Park. I traveled overnight to avoid the heat and boredom. While Minnesota and South Dakota have many places to visit. I have seen them once and don't need to see them again. It is about an 11 hour drive for me. It gets longer every time I take it. I took a long nap at the Mo river rest area. Too long in a way, but it lined me up to visit the fly shop before going to the camp. I got to camp about noon and set up. JC and I went directly to the French Creek walk in. It was hot and humid. nothing was happening on the surface so we went to nymphs. I got 2 browns, 2 smallmouth bass ( a big surprise), and 6 crappie ( a very big surprise). When we got out of the canyon the temperature was 79 degrees. By the time we hit the highway the temperature had dropped to 59 degrees and it started to pour out. We were lucky we tuckered out so soon. We did learn teat the side road that goes to a gate is not the route to the walk in area.

Day two I went to Castle. It was high and fast to me, but I'm a flatlander. I tried hoppers, per another fishers comments. I had lots of hits but they did not seem to be able to take them in, I hooked none. I switched to bead heads and caught fish immediately. All brooks. I only got half way up to the dam. Rain clouds appeared so I headed  into town to meet JC and family at his daughters.

On day three JC and I went to Slate Creek. Access is through back roads and finally a jeep trail. We tried caddis on the surface near shore and in pockets and got a few fish. In the afternoon we went further down stream. John fished bead heads and I tried an ant. I got 6 fish in the first thirty feet of stream I fished. I worked further up stream and caught browns from 5" to 15".  I also got several brooks. JC said he got about 40 fish.

Thursday we fished Grace Coolidge below camp. My first fish on a bead head was a 16" rainbow. There up to the Fish Hook Picnic Grounds we caught numerous brooks and browns from 4" to 10". In the evening we went into the Grace Coolidge walk in area. I started out with a small rainbow and a brook and then couldn't catch anything but 3 1/2" dace. Even on my 6'-0, 1 oz., 2wt., they are no fun. JC however did well and I had to wait for him at the parking area for half an hour.

Friday we went to Rapid Creek above the dam, but it was very dirty. We went below the dam and fished the high but clear water. I had some very large fish  follow my streamer but they backed off near shore. I did get a couple nice 10" browns, while JC got some of those and a 16 1/2"  rainbow and a 17 1/2" brown.

Saturday JC and I went to Castle and fished the meadows. We fished the surface, with attract type flies. We cast right next to shore or to a rising fish. We got browns and brooks from 9" to 12 " . JC says he lost a really big one, but he's always saying that. We should have also fished bead heads in the deep holes but did not want to switch flies that much.

Sunday we went back to Rapid Creek above the lake. Still high but we fished it. I got two 10" browns and a rock bass fishing buggers.  There are fantastic views in this canyon. Due to length a bicycle might be in order. We switched to Spring Creek below the dam. I methodically caught five 10" browns feeding on midge and/or 28 mayflies.  I also caught a smallmouth bas about 9" long. They did say the water was warm. The big fish we saw avoided our attempts.

Monday John headed for his daughters and I went to Spearfish. I fished both big and little Spearfish. They are different than the other streams mentioned. For those not inclined to fish when going fishing there are two places I past that you should visit. They supply all the gear and you don't need a license. Trout Haven is on 385 just above Rapid Creek and 12 miles north just south of Deadwood is Fish and Fry. Deadwood is a gambling town. Even the auto dealer had one-armed -bandits. The only places I saw without them was the church and school. I drove all the way to Spearfish first. The stream goes dry before leaving the park. I first tried Little Spearfish. I caught small bright browns on a yellow humpy. I fished just above the picnic area / falls. A better area may be below the falls. I moved to the main stream and caught slightly bigger fish. they were very spooky. I had a hard time figuring out were I could fish.

Tuesday I was going to fish upper French. Unfortunately it poured during the night and so I headed home. Yes I got to see all of SD and MN. I also stopped at Cabelas in Owatana,MN. They are open 8am to 9 pm opening at 10 am on Sundays.