Chainsaw Trout

I did this one solo. Those who missed it should regret it through the entire fast-approaching winter.

Leaving at about 0830, I drifted south on MN 52 through some clouds and temperatures in the low 50's. the electric vest was set on 2 or 3, but that came off at my first stop in Preston. As you may recall, I was in search of the elusive Chainsaw Trout, which plies the clear waters of the Root River.

What caught my eye coming into town was a 15-20' fiberglass trout (likely manufactured by FASTCO in Sparta, a Mecca for lovers of big fiberglass things). This modern trout was mounted on a trailer on the north side of town, just outside the tourist information booth.

So I stopped, and shed the vest, then went in to see what I could, which is more than I can say for the 70 year old dude behind the desk, whose glaucoma was so bad his eyes were reduced to two cloudy orbs. It was like I was caught in some awful made for TV sci-fi film on the WB.

I asked about the Chainsaw Trout, which stumped him for a little bit, until I could sense him starting to dredge up the memories from his past. I'd like to say that his eyes lit up at the thought but, you know, the glaucoma.

As the story goes, the Chainsaw Trout was spawned from an old dead tree. Since the tree was still standing, it was carved vertically, the fish standing on its tail. Sadly, as happens with many wild species forced to live out of their native waters, the trout suffered from tail rot,... and termites, and toppled a number of years ago. Ah well.

By now, it was gorgeous-sunny, and from there, it was east over the curvy section of MN 16, as it parallels the Root as it falls towards the Mississippi at La Crescent. Very nice highway, this, undulating up, through, and around the base of the bluffs. First on the left bank, then the right bank past Rushford. Although not quite at peak, the autumn leaves were spectacular. There were a few on the highway, but all of them dry, and not so many that they became a hazard.

I missed the Culvert Man in Nodine, because Ms. Garmin wanted to route me down aggregate to find it, and I refused to follow her instructions this time. Obviously pissed off, she tried twice more to get me on the rocks. Meanwhile, I got pleasantly lost on some narrow county routes before eventually stumbling out of the woods at Winona, where I stopped to eat a long lunch, make a number of calls, and shed the liner of the 'Stich.

Now homebound with plenty of daylight left, I considered a change in plans to play a few word games on Wisconsin's alphabetized county road system, but didn't, electing to get home in time enough to start earning the next kitchen pass. It was a quick shot north to almost Wabasha, then MN60 in Zumbrota.

MN60 wasn't my planned route, but it was so much fun flogging the twisties I didn't bother with the original plan to bypass through Millville, Hammond, and South Troy (maybe next time). Fortunately, all of the traffic seemed to be eastbound, so I rarely had to pass folks, even though I was moving slightly faster than the legal limit. I'd slow down for the curves, generally posted with advisory speeds between 30 and 50 mph, but 25 over that felt about right.

The run back on US 52 was as dull as could be expected, getting home around 3:30, with another 400 miles for the season, and one of my better Octobers.

Will there be riding in November?