Brule River Report for Oct 17-20

Doug

A bit of a warm up came last weekend and seemed to cause the fish to become a bit more active. Anglers throughout the weekend and into Monday and Tuesday were a bit happier. Make no bones about it, fishing was still tough and many bugs were sacrificed trying to float flies through the rocks and past the snags. There was a bit of rain yesterday and some today but I am not sure when the next push of fish will come. Yesterday we saw a few fresh fish being caught in the afternoon and at dusk. Still no rhyme or reason on bugs. Size 10-14 seems to be the best range and fish are being caught on yarn as well. The water is extremely clear for this time of year. Be stealthy. You never know when these fish are going to feed actively. A hole that has been fished for hours can produce fish on the next cast. I have seen this time and time again. Never worry about who has fished just before you, because your cast, fly, presentation or method could be the one to make that fish bite. In the bigger holes try not to lose confidence; the fish are there, believe it!

Greg

A few words about etiquette: This last week there were a few problems with rude anglers on the river. Some I don’t believe knew they were doing anything wrong, Some were blatant comments made to intentionally be heard. Try not to react with malice. This is just what the provoker wants from you. Smile or nod, act like you were not bothered by the comment. Move on if you feel uncomfortable. It is just not worth a fight.  People do tend to fish a bit to close on the Brule at times, but for every one idiot there are 5 nice anglers, 2 total newbies and 2 who don’t have a clue. Many you can have meaningful conversations with, some you cannot. It will be obvious, so don’t let it ruin your day. There is a lot of water to fish on the Brule.

Andy

To the friends and newcomers that I met this last trip up I wish you nothing but luck and thank you for keeping an eye on this site.  To those who caught fish, send me a picture and I will post it so others can see your prize. Here are a few pic’s from last week. Check out the expressions!

Mike

If you have not seen this update on the Brule River Steelhead I think you will find it interesting.

2009 BRULE RIVER STEELHEAD UPDATE BY BRULE RIVER SPORTSMENS CLUB http://www.bruleriversportsmensclub.com/?201100001

The steelhead fishery on the Brule River has been quite robust in recent years due to consecutive large year classes produced in 2003 & 2004 along with increased numbers of repeat spawners since enactment of the 26” size limit. Wild steelhead fisheries fluctuate in their native range due to varying climatic conditions in both the stream and ocean environment which impact survival. The Brule River steelhead are similarly limited, with year class strength mostly influenced by stream flow conditions (especially in the lower river) after emerging from the gravel and conditions within Lake Superior upon entering the big body of water for their one to four years stay prior to returning as adults. Large year classes are typically produced during years lacking floods during the early June through July period combined with warm favorable lake conditions when they enter the lake in their third summer. If it luckily happens to consecutive year classes as experienced in “03” & “04” a quality fishery can result and be sustained it for numerous years.

A change ahead!! The year classes produced in 2006 and 2007 which first returned as skipjacks in 2007-08 and the fall of 2008 appear to be weak and as a result the population will likely experience a considerable decline in the next couple of years as these fish pass through the fishery. What level will be witnessed is unknown but, in the last 23 years wild returns have fluctuated between 3,000 and 8,700 fish. The population probably won’t approach the lowest observed because these year classes were larger than those in the early 1990’s which produce the poorest returns. How long will it last? Itwill depend on the size of year classes produced the last two years and lake conditions this summer and next. Good regulations are in place to protect the fishery and recent improvements to tributary and upper river habitat have enhanced reproduction so it is up to “mother nature” in determining future returns. The graph below represents the number and percentage of 26” or larger steelhead found in the fishery from 1986-2008. Their numbers vary depending on year class strengths of five year and older fish along with the type of growing season they experienced in Lake Superior. The peak of 3,339 fish in 1998-99 was a result of good year classes in 1992 & 1993.

Fish on!