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Root River Rod Co.: A Historic Storefront with a River’s Worth of Stories

Front entrance of Root River Rod Co. in downtown Lanesboro, Minnesota, with a bright blue awning, ivy climbing the brick wall, and yellow mums by the doorway.
Root River Rod Co. welcomes visitors to its historic downtown Lanesboro storefront, where fly fishing expertise and Driftless Region stories come together.

September 18, 2025

 

In the heart of downtown Lanesboro, tucked inside a classic blue storefront that looks like it came out of a Norman Rockwell painting, you’ll find Root River Rod Co. At first glance, it might seem like just a specialty fly fishing shop—and yes, it’s one of the best in the Midwest. But even if you’ve never picked up a fly rod, you’ll want to step inside. This place isn’t only for anglers—it’s for anyone curious about the history, landscape, and spirit of the Driftless Region.

Historic black-and-white photo of downtown Lanesboro, Minnesota, in the 1920s showing a crowd gathered as the Langlie Brothers Grocery and Confectionery building is moved on beams to make way for a new bank.
In the 1920s, workers in Lanesboro moved the Langlie Brothers Grocery and Confectionery building 45 feet south—while keeping the store open—so a new brick bank could be built on the corner / Photo courtesy Lanesboro History Museum

A Building With a Story That Moves—Literally

Root River Rod Co. calls home to one of the most unique buildings in Lanesboro.

In the 1920s, the corner lot was home to the Langlie Brothers Grocery and Confectionery. When a local bank wanted that prime spot, townspeople didn’t demolish the store—they moved it. Workers lifted the entire grocery building onto beams and, using screw jacks, slid it 45 feet down the street. Amazingly, the store stayed open the whole time, with customers climbing the moving front steps to do their shopping.

Once the grocery store was settled into its new spot, a brick bank was built on the corner. Today, that very same grocery building—the one that moved—is home to Root River Rod Co.

You can hear this story come alive on the Lanesboro Talking Trail audio tour, where you’ll stand on the very spot and imagine the building slowly gliding down the block.

Vintage advertisement showing interior and exterior views of M.O. Bue’s Photographic Studio and Gift Shop in Lanesboro, Minnesota, including the sales room, reception room, and the building’s storefront.
Matias O. “Matt” Bue’s Photographic Studio once operated in the same building that now houses Root River Rod Co.—a gathering place where locals came for portraits, community, and conversation. / Photo courtesy Lanesboro History Museum

Lanesboro’s Great Photographer

The building Root River Rod Co. occupies today was once the studio of Matias O. “Matt” Bue, a Norwegian immigrant who became one of Lanesboro’s most cherished figures. Arriving as a teenager in the early 1900s, Bue turned his passion for photography into both a career and an art form.

His portraits and landscapes captured the spirit of the Driftless: shimmering shots of the Lanesboro Dam, winter scenes of Sylvan Park, and everyday townsfolk brought to life with warmth and creativity. More than 44,000 of his photographic plates still exist, preserving a vivid record of Lanesboro a century ago.

Bue’s studio was also a gathering place, and he gave back to the community through service on the city council, library and park boards, the Sons of Norway, and the Boy Scouts. He retired in 1954 and passed in 1969, but his legacy endures—every visitor who steps into Root River Rod Co. also steps into a building that once helped spark Lanesboro’s artistic spirit.

Interior view of Root River Rod Co. in Lanesboro, Minnesota, featuring displays of fly fishing gear, apparel, hats, and outdoor equipment arranged neatly inside the historic shop building.
Inside Root River Rod Co., visitors will find a welcoming mix of fly fishing gear, apparel, and local expertise / Photo courtesy Root River Rod Co.

Not Just a Shop—A Driftless Knowledge Hub

Step inside, and you’ll find more than rods and reels. The team at Root River Rod Co. are among the most knowledgeable fly fishing guides in Minnesota. Whether you’re an experienced angler or just curious about what’s swimming in the spring-fed streams around Lanesboro, they’re ready to share their expertise.

They’ll point you to the coldest creeks, explain current hatches, and show you where to find native brook trout in the Driftless backcountry. They also offer guided fly fishing trips that are among the best in the Midwest.

Ask about gear, local bugs, river access, or fly tying—they’ve got answers. Even if you never cast a line, you’ll walk away with a new appreciation for the rivers and geology that define this one-of-a-kind region.

Black-and-white photo of two men inside Root River Rod Co. in Lanesboro, Minnesota, examining rows of fly fishing flies and gear on display.
At Root River Rod Co., expert guidance meets hands-on exploration—visitors can browse rows of hand-tied flies and get advice from some of the Driftless Region’s most knowledgeable anglers / Photo courtesy Root River Rod Co.

Drop In, Even If It’s Just to Chat

Not shopping for waders or fly lines? No problem. The shop is welcoming, beautifully laid out, and full of stories. Many visitors stop by just to ask, “What exactly is fly fishing?” or “Where does the Root River go?” and leave with a deeper connection to the Driftless landscape.

Smiling angler in waders holding a freshly caught brown trout while standing in a boat on the Root River near Lanesboro, Minnesota.
Guided trips with Root River Rod Co. offer more than expert instruction—they create unforgettable Driftless moments, like reeling in a beautiful brown trout on the Root River / Photo courtesy Root River Rod Co.

Make It Part of Your Lanesboro Visit

Next time you’re walking downtown or taking the Talking Trails tour, don’t just pass by Root River Rod Co.—step inside. You’ll experience a piece of Lanesboro history, meet some of the friendliest guides around, and come away with insights into the waters and wild places of the Driftless. You never know—you might just be inspired to learn to fly fish through a guided trip!

📍 Location: 116 Parkway Ave N, Lanesboro, MN
🕰 Open most days—check their website or Instagram for current hours
🌐 rootriverrodco.com
📱 Follow on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok: @rootriverrodco

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