Hewett Creek
Fly fishing in Iowa · advanced · Best seasons: spring, summer, fall
Target Species
Brown Trout, Brook Trout
About This Water
Clayton County spring creek with wild trout. Technical fishing in small stream.
Fishing Recommendations
Welcome to the Driftless Area of Northeast Iowa. As your guide, I’m excited to introduce you to Hewett Creek in Clayton County. While many anglers flock to the more famous streams like Waterloo or French Creek, Hewett is a local favorite for those who value solitude, technical stalking, and the chance at wild, wary fish in a classic limestone spring creek setting.
🎣 Location Overview
Hewett Creek is a quintessential "Driftless" stream. Located near the town of Volga and flowing through the Volga River State Recreation Area, it is characterized by its cold, spring-fed waters, limestone outcroppings, and lush, rolling valley scenery.
What makes Hewett special is its intimacy. This isn’t a river where you’ll be making 60-foot casts. It is a small, narrow, and often brushy ribbon of water. It features a mix of deep pools, undercut banks created by lunker structures (man-made habitat improvements), and gravelly runs. Because it is slightly more "off the beaten path" than other Iowa streams, the fishing pressure is often lower, but the fish are no less sophisticated.
🐟 Target Species & Behavior
Hewett Creek is managed primarily for Brown Trout, though you will find pockets of Brook Trout, particularly in the upper reaches where the spring influence is strongest and the water remains coldest.
- Brown Trout: These are the kings of Hewett. Expect wild-spawned fish and some stocked specimens. They are notorious for hugging the "lunker structures" and deep undercut banks. They are opportunistic but highly spookable.
- Brook Trout: Primarily found in the faster, colder oxygenated water near the headwaters. They are aggressive hitters but require a stealthy approach.
- Behavior: During the day, larger fish stay tight to overhead cover. They move into the riffles and tail-outs to feed during low-light periods (dawn/dusk) or during a heavy hatch.
📅 Best Times to Fish
Spring (Late March – May)
- The Window: This is prime time. The water is warming, and the "Spring Blue-Winged Olive (BWO)" hatches are consistent.
- Conditions: Look for overcast days. A light rain can trigger incredible surface activity.
Summer (June – August)
- The Window: Early morning (before 10 AM) and late evening (after 7 PM).
- Conditions: The "Trico" hatch in July and August is legendary in the Driftless. Be prepared for mid-day terrestrial fishing with hoppers and ants when the sun is high.
Fall (September – October)
- The Window: All day.
- Conditions: This is the pre-spawn period for Browns. They become more aggressive and territorial. The fall colors in the Volga River Valley make this the most scenic time to be on the water.
🪰 Recommended Flies & Techniques
Dry Flies
- BWOs (Size 18-22): Essential for spring and fall.
- Tricos (Size 20-24): For those tiny white-winged morning hatches in mid-summer.
- Terrestrials: Dave’s Hopper (Size 10-14), Fat Albert (Size 12), and Beetle/Ant patterns (Size 16-18) are lethal in August.
Nymphs
- Scuds & Sowbugs (Size 14-18): These are the "bread and butter" of Iowa trout. Pink or grey are the most effective colors.
- Pheasant Tail & Hare’s Ear (Size 16-20): Classic patterns that work year-round.
- Bead-head Zebra Midges: Excellent for picky fish in slow water.
Streamers
- Wooly Buggers (Black or Olive, Size 8-12): Fish these tight to the undercut banks.
- Muddler Minnows: Great for mimicking sculpins.
Presentation Tips
- Stealth is Mandatory: Crawl if you have to. If you can see the fish, they have likely already seen you.
- Short Leashes: When nymphing, use a small indicator and keep your leader relatively short to navigate the tight quarters.
💡 Pro Tips & Local Knowledge
- The "Volga State Rec Area" Stretch: Focus on the sections within the State Recreation Area. The DNR has done extensive habitat work here, installing "lunker structures" (wooden platforms submerged under the banks). If you see a suspiciously square-looking bank, there is a trout under it.
- Approach from Downstream: Always fish upstream. The silt on the bottom of Hewett can cloud the water quickly if you wade, alerting fish below you.
- The "Dropper" Rig: My go-to on Hewett is a Dry-Dropper. Use a high-visibility foam hopper as your indicator and hang a #18 Pheasant Tail about 18 inches below it. This covers two zones and prevents the "splash" of a heavy plastic indicator.
- Watch the Cows: Some sections of the creek may have cattle nearby (on easement land). While they can be a nuisance, they often kick up insects, which can actually trigger a feeding frenzy.
⚠️ Important Information
Access
- Much of Hewett Creek is accessible through the Volga River State Recreation Area.
- Look for the green "Fish Iowa" signs for public access easements on private land. Respect all fences and gates—close them behind you if you found them closed.
Regulations & Permits
- License: You must have a valid Iowa Fishing License and a paid Trout Fee.
- Limits: Check current DNR regulations, as some areas may have specific "Catch and Release" or "Artificial Lures Only" rules. Generally, Iowa trout streams allow for 5 fish per day, but I highly encourage Catch and Release on Hewett to protect the wild population.
Special Considerations
- Waders: Breathable waders are best. In the heat of summer, "wet wading" in quick-dry pants is very comfortable.
- Ticks & Poison Ivy: The Driftless is notorious for both. Use high-DEET repellent and wear long pants when hiking through the tall grass to reach the stream.
Hewett Creek is a rewarding challenge. It asks for your best casting and your quietest footsteps, but it pays you back with some of the most beautiful wild trout in the Midwest. Tight lines!
Bug Hatches & Matching Flies
| Hatch | Type | Peak months | Time of day | Hook sizes | Matching flies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue-Winged Olives (BWO) Baetis tricaudatus | mayfly | March, April, September, October | Mid-day | #18-22 | RS2 #18-22, Parachute Adams #20-22, Pheasant Tail #18-20 |
| Grannom Caddis Brachycentrus | caddis | April, May | Afternoon/Evening | #14-16 | Peacock Caddis #14-16, Green Weenie #14-16, LaFontaine Sparkle Pupa #14-16 |
| Sulphurs / Light Cahills Ephemerella invaria | mayfly | May, June | Evening | #14-18 | Sulphur Parachute #16-18, CDC Pheasant Tail #16-18, Sulphur Spinner #14-16 |
| Trico Tricorythodes | mayfly | July, August, September | Early Morning | #20-24 | Trico Spinner #20-24, Zebra Midge #20-22, Sunken Trico Spinner #22-24 |
| Little Brown Stonefly Nemouridae | stonefly | February, March, April | Mid-day | #14-18 | Little Brown Stone #16, Prince Nymph #14-18, Copper John #16-18 |
| Cinnamon Caddis Hydropsyche | caddis | June, July, August | Evening | #16-18 | Elk Hair Caddis #16-18, Caddis Larva #16-18, Iris Caddis #16-18 |
| Grasshoppers Orthoptera | terrestrial | July, August, September | Late Morning/Afternoon | #8-12 | Dave's Hopper #10-12, Morrish Hopper #8-12, Fat Albert #8-10 |
| Black Ants Formicidae | terrestrial | June, July, August | All Day | #16-20 | Cinnamon Ant #16-18, Black Foam Ant #18-20, Soft Hackle Ant #18 |
| Midges Chironomidae | midge | January, February, March, December | Late Morning | #20-26 | Griffith's Gnat #20-24, Zebra Midge #20-24, Morgan's Midge #22-24 |