I totally agree with Byron. I live in Cresco, west of Decorah, and gave up fishing Iowa streams after fishing the Root River. I however would suggest fishing the Root further west of Preston. The two Bear Rivers near Dorchester are also good options but some of that fishing is done in some open pasture areas that aren't as scenic. Jack, PM me and I'll give you more specifics about the Root. I fished the Root for over 10 years until I got into fly fishing for smallies on the Upper Iowa River.