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A trout angler's paradise
by Lorna Benson, Minnesota Public Radio
April 30, 2003

John Goutcher, a longtime trout fisherman, stands near one of his favorite fishing spots -- Camp Creek. (MPR Photo/Lanee' Benson)

Preston, Minn. — Southeastern Minnesota is home to some of the best trout fishing in the state. The region's bluff and hill country is crisscrossed with fast-moving rivers and streams, fed by icy-cold underground springs. It's the perfect environment for trout.

Preston resident John Goutcher has been fishing these waters for more than 50 years. MPR's All Things Considered host Lorna Benson caught up with him recently at a small stream called Camp Creek, just outside of Preston.

It was a windy day, so Goutcher didn't want to put his line in the water. Instead, he talked about what it will take to preserve these precious, but extremely fragile streams. He says if the Department of Natural Resources hadn't intervened at Camp Creek, the stream wouldn't be able to support trout.

(Listen to his interview with Lorna by clicking on the audio link in the right column.)

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