A HAPPY PLACE
We all have one, or many; at least I hope so. I have a happy place. It is one of many.
Hay Creek is a small trout stream in southeastern Minnesota. It has its headwaters west of Goodhue and empties into the Mississippi River just to the north of Red Wing. It runs 25.1 miles (40.4 km), over half of which is a Minnesota designated trout stream. Like the Vermillion River, Hay Creek receives extensive fishing pressure due to its proximity to Minneapolis–St. Paul.
Hay Creek was named for the hay meadows near its banks. A railroad once ran along Hay Creek from the clay banks near Goodhue to the pottery and stoneware factories in Red Wing, which also made use of the water from the creek. The railroad was torn up in 1937, but traces such as trestle pilings remain.
The red dot [on the map above] on the western end of 320th Avenue is one of my happy places. Minnesota Trout Unlimited has done a tremendous amount of work on this stream over the years. It is truly a gem and a pleasure to fish.
The valley is so peaceful; a beautiful display of nature. This morning was exceptionally beautiful with the fog settled in the spring creek valley.
A vertical panorama looking upstream from the bridge on 320th Avenue.
