An Update—Stories from the Brule

At the Mouth

QUICK UPDATE

The Brule has experienced another high water episode and the flows are beginning to drop back down. Conditions have been a bit dicey in the last week, but the river is in good shape. Angler traffic during the mid-week has been low, with the weekend bringing out numerous anglers. Fish have been hooked and landed through it all, but the general consensus is that the fishing has been tough this year and will continue that way. There seems to be a larger number of fish in the 16-20″ and  22-23″ range that are being caught. There have been some monsters hooked, but they have been explosive fighters and difficult to put in the net. My guess from talking to numerous anglers and guides is that there is a gap in the 24-26″ size fish for this year’s run. The feeling I am getting is that the run numbers are also a down from the last few years. This scenario was predicted by DNR for a year or so ago, but it may be showing now. Everything in nature ebbs and flows. I can feel the river calling me back.

Brothers Jim and Dan with Doug

BROTHERS CAUGHT DOING IT ON CAMERA!

On our last little outing to the Brule, The Brothers Thoreson were unexpectedly caught on camera engaging in one of their favorite activities, fly fishing for steelhead.  Fox 21 news found them on the river. This is a great little story about the brothers that are part of our group. I think they were a bit goatish sheepish about catching on TV. Neither wanted to show off, or encourage any more anglers to show up for the weekend, since it was quite busy already. Both hooked a fish as soon as the camera crew left. Nice work guys. Take a look. http://www.fox21online.com/node/15157

Sonic and Brian

SONIC

The night before he had tied one fly……..

When my friend Brian arrived on the Brule Saturday morning he made the drive around attempt to find the rest of the goat herd. Unsure of the vehicles we were driving or our location, he decided to fish. The spot he chose was the same spot where he and his dog Sonic had hooked and landed their first Steelhead together. Although Brian and Sonic were not new to trout fishing, this was their 3rd trip to the Brule. Both were seasoned outdoorsmen, Whether stalking turkeys, floating in the drift boat or checking out new hunting land, Sonic and Brian were together. On Saturday Brian was flying solo. Sonic had passed away this summer and the absence of his friend in the truck seat beside him weighed heavy on his spirit. On his second cast he hooked and landed a treasure from the Brule. The fish came on a fly he had tied from Sonic’s hair. The fly had been tied the night before. There would be another fish on his next cast and as luck would have it another member of the herd, who was browsing the same waters, helped him land and photograph his catch. Sonic was there with Brian, as always. As Brian told the story that night you could see the power of this magic place in his eyes. Bonds that are forged between the best of friends, remain,,,, forever,,,, on a river called Brule.

Smiles

Austin-Trout and Salmon Slayer

As it turns out our friend Jared who helped Brian with his Sonic catch would play into the next story. We met Jared a few years ago under the toughest of conditions the Brule can dish out. Camping at Brule River Classics, he had just set up the family pop-up camper when the winds of November came blowing. Lake Superior decided to add 6-8 inches of wet snow for good measure. I will never forget the tarp system he had erected over the camper’s less than leakproof structure to try and keep the weather out. As we watched from inside our warm comfortable cabin with the fieldstone fireplace pumping heat into our bones, the snow began to buckle and twist the structure of the pop-up into a popsicle. The decision was made to invite Jared’s crew over for dinner that night as our cheffy-Jeff had prepared us a giant pot of beef stew that was to die for. The night was entertaining. Jared was a die hard and he and his gal and his friend would climb back into the pop-down that night with warm hearts and bellies. By morning, the snow load was heavy. We were not sure if they had been crushed by the snow or not. They survived.

Last week after spending a few days fishing the Brule, Jared drove back at dark to pick up his son Austin and returned the next morning to fish the first light shift with his boy. As we talked, Jared explained to me that Austin had been on the Brule before but had only fished between sword fighting with the trees, turning over rocks and sliding in the mud. You get the picture.  Austin was now at the age where he could focus more on the fishing part. Because of Jared’s commitment to show the Brule to his son, Austin would have the fishing day of his young life. As I understand, A coho, a skipjack and the big one that got away were all in the mix for Austin. Two of the herd who attempted to help land the big one that got away relayed Austin’s disposition after the big fight as “Wide eyed and Trembling”. A place we all relish on the Brule. Awesome! Here is Austin getting comfortable with the pose.

Austin All Smiles

A MONSTER BROWN

On Friday night at the Kro-Bar I was greeted with a hand shake and a picture. The anglers, followers of this blog, return to the river each year as a tradition. They placed the blame squarely on my shoulders. They thanked me. It was humbling. These anglers had been successful that day. As the smiles and the beverages flowed, the pub had become an extension of river. Fishermen and women of all generations and styles of fishing meandered back and forth throughout the crowd energized and exchanging information. No one wanted it to end. By the end of the night this brown had grown to be 36 inches in length, fostered not by the catcher, who admitted never putting a tape on the fish, but by those who caught a glimpse of the photo. The sky was the limit. This fish, on that night, was definitely “Best Of Show”. Joel,  thanks for sending the photo. What a Ride!

Joel and The Monster From the Deep

This angler would contend that there is no finer teacher than the woods and the waters of the Brule River to realign the thoughts that can cloud the mind. This place represents the yin and yang of fly fishing and life for me. This river does not give up its bounties easily and sometimes serves to heighten the definition of struggle. I am reminded of that year after year as I partake along with a plethora of anglers who battle to achieve success. There is the uncertainty of pattern and technique. There is the draining of confidence. There is frustration. There is the agony of defeat. Some anglers never return. On the flip side, there is great pride in trout hooked and landed. There is the thrill, although sometimes brief, of the hook-up. There is the explosive aerial acrobatics and the great power of the fight. An angler is redeemed in an instant. There is the dangerous downstream chase and the ever popular run straight at you. There is the abundant beauty.  This roller coaster of emotions, focus and athletic responses serve as the reminder to only expect the unexpected. Such is life……. And the interconnected teachings of the Brule.