Brule River Steelhead Opener

[certified jumbo]

Thanks for the updates guys. Gonna give it a go on Sunday as there's not much else to do. If anyone fishes tomorrow please report. As usual I will give a detailed report and pics on Sunday night.

Thanks and good luck.

[certified jumbo]

We didn't fish to long on Sunday. Decided more to scout some area's I have never been before. Fished for about 5 hours or so, never had a bite. River is fishable(but somewhat so so), roughly 6-8" of visibility, flow was cooking pretty fast. We were unable to cross the river in the area's we fished. Snow obviously has melted a lot this past week, but plenty remains. Still knee deep or higher in many areas.

Its been a fun couple of weeks on the Brule. Lots of good memories and some really nice steelhead. Somewhat bizarre with all the snow, cold water and ice. I have to say I'm ready for the snow to be gone, warmer water and fresh fish. With the temps this week barely reaching the mid 30's and snow forcast for Wednesday I might just take the next ten or so days off and wait for better times to come.

We also checked out the MN north shore and found most of the same. Water was running on and under the ice on most streams. But lots of ice and snow remain. Inland, from the lake deep snow is still the norm. Gonna be awhile and when warm weather does come rivers will get big and a period of turbulent waters will happen before they are fishable.

Anyways, keep me posted if any of you get out. I enjoy reading the reports. Good luck and be careful on the Brule right now.

[MichaelSwan]

Thinking about heading up soon, anyone know anything more recent about the brule flow? iced over? with the new snow, not sure if it might be a waste of a long drive for steelies.

[certified jumbo]

Michael, the Brule is flowing at 330. There is presently 2-4 feet of snow. You aren't going to be able to cross the river safely. I would personally wait. If you go with low expectations and just have the itch you could fish, but be careful and I wouldn't fish alone.

Cj

[Garett Svir]

It's raging. Be safe if you go.

[snowguy]

based on the forest service gauge the river must be pretty nasty... any thoughts on when it might be fishable again? Was planning to go up 4/27-4/29 but won't waste the drive if it's not fishable... bummer too, my schedule the next few weeks is really bad. I might only be able to make a one-day run 5/12 for the rest of the spring... ugh! Sucks to have the steelhead itch go unscratched... D

[certified jumbo]

Unfortunately, its going to be awhile. Best thing to do is keep watching the gauge.

[mwal]

Been fishing the Brule for 38 years Looks like its been holding at over 600 cfs. I used to consider it fish-able to about 320 cfs solo crossing at those levels can be considered foolish. I no longer attempt to cross if over 300 cfs. Still more snow to melt and add rain it may be awhile till she calms down. If river temps are right they may spawn and be gone when it drops and clears. Clarity does not bother the fish. Some fish trickle in during the spring but the majority of the Brule run are already in the river before winter. One of the few rivers where they behave like real steeelhead run in the fall winter over, spawn when temps right in the spring and go back out with the receding flows. There are some spring run fish but look back at the charts and you will be surprised how few there are. I have caught drop backs and fresh fish into the first week of June many times especially after a rain when fishing below the weir. Fish in the evening see no redds Fish early next morning hook a few smaller chrome fish or larger drop backs and notice fresh redds that were not there yesterday. Fish the dark water above or below the redds and pools.

so you still have a chance in Mid May just have to be on the water during low light and be versatile in your methods. I do floats with crawlers and indicators with nymphs and even toss a spinner or two.

Mwal

[Garett Svir]

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?site_no=04025500

Doesn't look good for the immediate future but as soon as this drops to 300 cfs, it'll be game on.

[Nastynate]

Well the river is blow, blowed, blowing, bowed, blowing out lol. Will there be any fish in the river after this thing calms down? I see she was almost at 800CFM on Thursday. Will the steelhead still run when it comes down and warms up or is it to late for them?

[Garett Svir]

Nate - From what I am hearing last weekend was pretty good on the Brule. Now that being said, wading it at 500 cfs is fairly dangerous. It is important to know what holes you are walking into as most crosses are not an option. I have moved most of my trips over to Lake Superior's North Shore and the fishing has been pretty good;)