ASK ANDY- First Trip To The Brule

 

Net Man

Say, my brother and I are planning our first trip for chrome on the Bois Brule and I have a few questions that would make my day if you could help answer. We plan on fishing October 11th-14th.  For this time of year what kind of weather, water temperatures, water clarity, and flow discharge are ideal for steelheading? And, how should these variables affect how we hunt for steelies? Given this year’s run forecast (if there is much of one at all yet), and our unfamiliarity with the Brule, how close to the Big Lake do anglers typically find fish?  We will probably stay in Brule and work our way down the river throughout the trip. Would you advise a strategy like this? My brother and I are experienced fly fisherman and have spent the past two summers fishing various waters in Montana and the school years on the Rush and Kinni. So while we are new to Steelheading, we hope some of our developed nymphing skills will help us hook a fish, but I guess once the fish is on we’re steel head rookies!Also, as far as river access goes: I found the DNR’s map of the Brule State Forest online and it illustrates various parking spots and landing areas.  Are these the only/reccommended access points? Or, are there other fishing access points that I could find on another map?

On the topic of flies: We plan on nymphing. Do you have any fly patterns that you don’t go to the Brule with out?

I hope you were able to find these questions to be clear. Also, you can trust in sharing your knowledge with two anglers who plan on respecting the history of the Brule, caring for it’s fish and surrounding ecosystem, and one day enjoying it the thrill of landing our first Steelhead.

Thanks Andy,

That is a good choice for dates. Likely it will be busiest weekend of the fall season. It also tends to coincide with the peak or near peak of the run, if Mother natures statistics hold true.

Weather- Take what ever she gives out. You picked this date.  Go fishing.  Bad weather keep folks off the river, I like bad weather.

Water Temps- Not sure what is ideal- If I did, I would probably try to formulate some sort of theory why I was catching or not catching fish. DON’T LET TO MUCH THEORIZING GET INSIDE YOUR HEAD UNTIL AFTER FISHING.

Water clarity/discharge- I like between 125-250 CFS. At these levels clarity is not an issue. Many anglers fish at levels higher. Rising and falling water levels can be good. Keep a close eye on flows, it is the deal breaker on to go or not to go. Fish spread out and move in high water. They congregate in low flows. I would much rather have less river to strategize rather than more.

Methods- Indicator fishing or swinging.

I am hearing few have been caught but that is the same thing I hear every year at this time.

Anglers fish and catch from the Big Lake South to HWY 2. Everyone has there own feel for the water they like. The water closest to the lake is wide and big and less dynamic, but the fish have to swim through. Upstream, the water looks like the Rush River(kind of) rocky, fast, high gradient. You have to do a bit of exploring to see what you like. You will also get your feel of angler pressure. You will get to decide if 9 cars or 19 cars is too many to drive to the next spot.

Parking lots and bridge crossings. It is all pretty straight forward unless you have private access, those are the accesses. Some of the land owners can get a bit temperamental. It is hard to always keep your feet wet. Stick to the trails and easements. You will be fine.

Honestly, I continue to rotate through a large group of stone fly patterns. Bead Head Prince nymph, Kauffmans, x-leggs, in #6-8. Large hares ears in the same size. Anything with peacock in it I will try. Four or six different shades of egg flies in pink and orange. A new set of crazy flies- something new each year that I tie at random, just for something different when the chips are down. Last year it was Eggy Wan Kenobi Here is some Orvis marketing on the fly.

I honestly think it is more about getting a likely looking piece of meat, presented well, to a likely holding lie. The key to all this is; Are there  fish in the river, holding in the spots you are fishing, and can you get them to open their mouths and eat. It is easy enough to cast and mend for 8 hours and not get a bite.

As far as getting a bite;

Some anglers consider getting a bite or actually hooking a fish, enough contact to discuss the loss of their steely virginity. While a hook-up clearly gives you rookie status, and possibly some discussion credentials, I would more en-liken it to, say, getting to second base(sorry ladies, but I think you’re reading about that stuff in the 50 shades of Grey book, so PC wise, I should be ok here). Trout hooked can be deceiving  in terms of estimating their size. Unless the fish is seen by others as it leaps from the water, it can always be questioned for legitimacy. I will admit there is an honor code here and as experience in catching and landing grows, so grows will the ability to judge the size of fish hooked.

The Men Of Big Balls have strict criteria when it comes to the steelhead tally sheet. Trout of under 12″ are considered Wiener Dogs. You don’t even talk about them unless it has been a totally sucky day or everyone else is talking about them. Technically and shamefully, you will not have to report a skunk in your own mind. The honorable angler will buck-up and take a zero at the end of the day under these circumstances. It is mentally debilitating, especially for the first day on the water.

Trout(browns and rainbows) in the 12 to 20″ range are still nice fish, as always. These fish help you keep your head in the game and leave the door open to believing that the big kahuna is right around the next bend. However, rainbows in the size range are considered Skippy’s, and again, not counted on the steelhead tally sheet. This somewhat derogatory name denotes their juvenile status. They are like puppy dogs or college students, willing to try anything once, happy to make your acquaintance, and are generally rebels without a clue. They are fun to catch, but again, pat yourself on the back, but your still playing in the minor leagues, waiting for the call. Rainbows of under 20 inches just do not count on the steelhead tally sheet. Browns are browns, in this size range they are not your target but give you some confidence anyhow.

STOP!

By now your tail is tucked between your legs. You have fished for 6 hours on marginal water because all the primary holes are full. Anglers are now milling back and forth looking for any spot to slide into the water. A guy casting a big Rapala accidently casts over your line but lacks any kind of emotion in response to your dismay. The only thing he says is “Coming through”. Confidence is running at an all time low. You have lost $37.00 of tackle to the snag monsters and your left foot is cold from the leak in the waders you never fixed. The rain has started and you are shaking uncontrollably.

WHAT DO YOU DO?

You Suck It Up! Even though your balls may be blue and you can no longer feel your left leg, your bona fide tallyable 20+ steelhead is still out there. You’ve talked to other anglers, and a few people have caught fish. Take a break. Eat that power bar. Crack that 8% craft beer in your pack and walk or drive to the next likely spot.

Hooking and landing a 20″ steelhead puts you on the charts. Even hooking a 20″er gives you your confidence back. From 20-26″ puts you in the big leagues. You are on the board and can run with the big dogs at the Kro-bar after a long day on the water. Telling the story, along with embellishment  and historical fiction is encouraged. Fish in this size range are called Steelhead. They are your target, no further description is necessary. Virginity has left the building.

Steelhead over 26″ go by any name you choose for them. Some examples are Walter, Buck, Godzilla, Mother Fu#%$@ and Tiffany. They will give you the ride of your life. Mostly it is rare to land these fish. These are the ones that get away, or rip off your tackle, or cause you to make an error in playing them. Many times it is out of your control, but all efforts are usually made to get these fish to net. If that means risking your well being by chasing them down stream through treacherous wading conditions, filling up your waders or breaking your rod, you will most likely do it. On these fish, it is so nice to have a net man. Mostly any angler will help you just to get a look at the fish and be part of the quest. It will be special if your brother is there to help.

At this point the first celebration will take place. Your legs will be shaking and your hand and arm may be fatigued. Be extremely careful with the fish, as with all fish in this great river. Take the quick photo and release it unharmed. The replay will come back for the rest of your life. The 2nd, 3rd and 4th celebrations come with friends and family.

For some it takes 5 minutes, for others 5 days. There have been some who have fished for 5 years or more and not completed their quest. Some keep coming back. Some do not.

Have fun, treat other anglers with proper etiquette, respect the river.

I know you will.

Andy