steelhead fishing

[mitch]

I'm going steelhead fishing for the first time this spring. Can you give me any suggestions on where to go? Thanks.

[Quickstrike]

well it depends where you are driving from but you can catch steelhead all the way up the north shore of superior in minnesota, and along the south shore of superior in WI. You can also go over to the WI shore of lake michigan, they are catching steelies over there right now. where are you planning on going? the different locations peak at different times I believe in the order of lake michigan first, south shore second and last but not least the north shore.

[mitch]

I definitely won't be going to Lake Michigan. I will either be going in MN on the North Shore or in Wisconsin sometime in April.

[matthothand]

Mitch,

Even though I'll be up and down the north shore chasing steelhead (already fishing loopers, stocked steelhead) this season, I'd have to say that you'll probably have you're best luck as a first timer fishing streams in WI such as the Brule. I think there's probably more info on the internet for you to educate yourself on the Brule flowage and it's fish than there is on any of the North Shore streams. Read up and do your homework. It'll pay off when you make the trip and get a line in the water. Keep in mind that it's a different type of fishing than you are probably accustomed to and be out there to have fun and maybe catch a fish. Enjoy the change of scenery and don't get frustrated if you find yourself in a crowd, snagged, and fishless.

[Quickstrike]

although the brule is full of fish, it is very challenging water, if you choose to go there check out the brule river sportsmens web page and check out some of the info on there. you should also order a map of the river off that page or you can buy one in the town of brule at the flyshop or one of the gas stations. if the north shore interests you shoot me an e-mail and i'll point you in the right direction.

[mitch]

Thanks for all the help.

[ikeslayer]

hey quick i have been up in your parts stomping around for iron-noggens and i was wondering if i could get your e-mail add. i want to ask a resident expert a few questions if you wouldn't mind. thanks

[Quickstrike]

i guess leaving my address would help a little bit well here it is [email protected]. i am still a beginner when it comes to the brule but i know the north shore quite well.

[BRULEDRIFTER]

the brule is an excellent river. easily accessable, beautiful scenery, and nice fish. ive been fishing that river since i was 13, so about 15 years. last fall was my best season hands down. trust me, it takes a while to get a feel for that river, but once you do, oh man, what a feelin'. i fished it for quite a few years before i got my first steelie. so be pacient, and keep pluggin away.

as far as fly fishing the brule. that i know nothing about. im all about drifting spawn, yarn, and crawlers(some frown on this method and i dont know why, its like the skiing/snowboarding disputes, makes no sense) with an occasional spoon, spinner and flatfish thrown in the mix. i use a fly rod, however, i spool it with mono and rig a 3 way. the fly rod gives a guy the length and sensitivity needed to feel the bottom as you drift the bait, and it makes the fight that much more intense. there arent a lot of people that do it this way, too old school i guess. but it was the way i was taught by my dad and uncles(the green hats) who have been fishing that river since the 60's. and IMO its MONEY! good luck. cant wait till march 26th.

[Swamp Scooter]

BruleDrifter,

You and I fish the same way and for about the same number of years too! I will be on the water the weekend after Easter/opener. Hope there will be fish in the river by then. Any idea of how much snow is still up there? It can get really deep and I wondered if it was snow shoe conditions or not still.

Going to hit it hard, plan on getting cold and hope for the bump, bump and then the scream of the drag!!

[nolte]

The last five years when I was in college I went to the Brule every chance I got from Duluth. The first year I caught a small 17 incher the first time out and then didn't catch another one for 3 weeks going 3-4 times a week. It is without a doubt some of the most frustrating fishing you will ever do. Just a couple of tips, early season with cold water temps use small fresh spawn, yarn. Later I like to try out different stones, and woolys. Talk to the guys at Superior Fly Anglers or Brule Fly shop, they'll point you in the right direction. It usually gets better when the water temps warm up. One other thing to look at is check the water flow on the USGS water data survey and if it's over 300 cubic feet per second pick another date to go. It gets a lot tougher to fish once it gets blowed out and running over the banks. Also be ready to witness an old timer come in and catch fish after fish, right from the same run you have been fishing for an hour. Good Luck

[Quickstrike]

Quote:

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Also be ready to witness an old timer come in and catch fish after fish, right from the same run you have been fishing for an hour.

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this is very true, this past year was my first trying to tackle the brule and i've had it happen to me many times. i also had a guy come up to me and start BSing with me and took a couple lazy drifts through the riffle above me and sure enough as we are talking he hooks a nice steelie. nothing like the sound of screaming drag with a steelie on the other end!

[tie flyer]

Steelhead are so addictive because they make you wait and wait and just when you least expect it there's suddenly a two foot silver bullet four feet in the air at the end of your line...and all those frustrations peel away with the scream of your reel.

[Quickstrike]

hey Ike you've got mail

[BRULEDRIFTER]

swamp scooter, from what i hear the snow is DEEP. sounds like tough travel early season, and high water. could get interesting to say the least. i'll be out the as much as possible this spring. let me know when you'll be there and i'll keep an eye open for ya. what part of the river do you normally fish?

[Swamp Scooter]

Brule Drifter. Fish about half way up from the mouth. That is the usual hangout for us. Will be out the Sat and Sun after opener. e-mail me for more. [email protected]