Fishing Report 10-28-2009:
What a great week of fishing and hunting! Steelhead fishing has been fantastic, with daily averages on hook ups sitting at around 7 or 8 fish per day. Before the rain came and the water was low small flies were the ticket with size 16 psycho prince nymphs being the best producer. Since the water has come up, it’s back to the usual stuff, x-legs, fox squirrel nymphs and of course eggs. Change colors on eggs often, from one day to the next color preference seems to change.
On the hunting end of things, most of the woodcock have seemed to move out. With the leaves down now, grouse opportunities are increasing. On two ½ day guided hunts last week we had many good shot opportunities, and even connected on a few!
Damian
Tom Gunderson with his first Steelhead, a 27 inch Brule Beauty!
Tom and Woof with a limit of Woodcock on Tom’s first ever bird hunt!
Fishing Report 10-20-2009:
The Brule is low and very clear. Last week started out good, and then slowed down mid-week but we finished the week strong. The key right now is small flies and light tippet. Fish size 14 and 16’s and 3x fluorocarbon. It’s tough to land fish on this tackle, but it beats not hooking them at all.
Damian
Tim Landwehr of Tight Lines Fly Shop with his 1st wild Steelhead.
Fishing Report 10-12-2009:
We’ve had a good week of steelhead fishing and bird hunting! Steelhead numbers have been decent, and the fish are running very big this year, the fish have been RED HOT! We had a good flight of woodcock come down last weekend and shooting was great. Grouse still seem to be grouped up but that should be changing soon.
Damian
Fishing Report 10-3-2009:
There are definitely a few Steelhead around! Over the past couple of weeks we have been catching them consistently, though not in big numbers. The fish are really running BIG this fall. Yesterday’s rain should help.
On September 30th I closed out the season on the upper Brule with Dave Carlson from Northland Adventures. Fishing was tough, but we did manage to get a beautiful male Brook Trout upwards of a foot long that was in full spawning colors. Over all, the upper Brule was pretty good this year with good numbers of fish, and some very nice Brookies. After fishing we hit the Grouse woods and in the short time we had managed to get one Woodcock. This episode will be airing this coming week. Check out www.northlandadventures.com click on the “Around the Region” link for times in your area.
Damian
Fishing Report 9-10-2009:
I don’t have much to report on local waters right now, as I have spent the better part of the last 2 weeks in Montana. There is no doubt that there some Steelhead starting to move into the Brule right now, as well as some Cohos. The lake run Browns have been around since mid July and should be at their peek about now. Night fishing on the upper river had been good, and I see no reason why this would have changed.
Reports on Smallie fishing is that it is starting to slow down, the good news is that this means the Pike and Musky fishing is heating up and will only continue to get better as the season progresses.
Dates for fall Steelhead fishing are filling fast, so I you are interested in a trip call soon!
Tight lines,
Damian
Fishing Report 08-10-2009:
The smallmouth fishing has still been spotty, one day can be fabulous, the next you can’t buy a fish. Water temps on the smallie rivers have been barely breaking the 70 degree mark, and I think that this is the reason for the inconsistent fishing. On the bright side the night fishing on the Brule has been good. The Browns have been cooperative, and we’ve been getting a few really nice fish. There also fair numbers of lake run brown trout hanging around in the “lakes” now, the recent rain should bring even more fish in. The Trico hatch is now going.
Fishing Report 07-24-09:
After our night time forays on the Brule It was suggested that we hold over the following morning with Fly by Night guide service to spend a day floating the @#$%@&#@* in Damian’s drift boat to try our hands at chasing the bronzebacks. We had a liesurely breakfast of blueberry pancakes, bacon and freshly ground coffee before putting in. It was a real treat to fish from the drift boat.
The river turned out to be unseasonably cold as well as a bit on the low side as evidenced by the partially exposed rock bars and shallow riffles. Though the fish were defiantly off, we still managed a few fish including a fantastic fish that ST landed that we estimated at an honest 17" and perhaps 18".
We also netted an unheard of 4 largemouths from a section that Damian reported only ever catching a record of 2 per season. One was a good fish that I'm guessing approached the 3 pound mark and fell again to STs' popper. We enjoyed a moderate Bikini hatch on this stretch noting that several of those floating on rented inner tubes wore a decidedly blue tint and spoke to us between shivers. ST received a grand ovation complete with war whoops from a group who drifted past as he landed a short smallie. He repaid the kindness by releasing the fish close enough to a bikini wearing spectator to get her just a bit wet.
After trailoring the boat we headed for beer and pizza at Damian’s favorite beatnick/blues/brewery/pizza place, The Thirsty Pagan.
Fishing Report 07-24-09:
The Brule is indeed everything it is said to be. It has been on my life list for as long as I've fished trout. It is not hard for one to imagine a Santee Sioux brave standing along its tannic flow or perhaps an Ojibway who forced the Sioux out and laid claim to the river but left the name given it by its original keepers.
It was truly inspiring to drift the same route the Voyaguers traveled as the only water route from the Mississippi river to the eastern trading posts
I was able to bring my first "burnt wood" brown to net and have the great opportunity to make the acquaintance of a gorgeous red tailed native of certainly 14" (I'm claiming 15") who fought doggedly, even leaping clear of the water before slipping the hook just beyond the lip of the net. I cast streamers until hidden camp and then enjoyed one of the finest steaks I've ever had and a better than average bottle of wine with Damian and the two Steves.
After supper we pushed the boats back onto the river and tied on mouse patterns. The scenery was perhaps even more amazing as we continued on along slow glides and wide spots like big lake. We met and rode raucus rapids with names like "wildcat" and "the falls" in the black of a northwoods night and emerged downstream weary from casting, a bit damp from the rapids and somewhat humbled by the beauty of a wild untarnished icon of angling history.
Don Shulka
One of the Steves with a night time Brule brown.
Fishing Report 07-15-2009:
On July 11th and 12th Fly By Night Guide Service and the Superior Fly Angler hosted trip over to the Menomonie River for a couple of days of smallmouth fishing with the guys form Tight Lines Fly Shop in Depere WI. Conditions were not the greatest, with big winds blowing for most of the weekend. Thanks to our guides and their expertise and hard work they made our trip a success. Everyone in our group landed some very nice smallies! Anyone interested in fishing for BIG smallmouth bass should definitely give Tight Lines a call. Thanks again to Tim, Bart, Todd, Nelson, and Hunter, you guys are top shelf!
Locally, things are winding down as far as the hatches are concerned. We had a great Hex hatch and caught some very nice fish this year. The next hatch on the horizon is the Tricos. But for me, the real fun is throwing mice for the big fish. That will be getting good any time now!
Damian
Fishing Report 07-03-2009:
Last week we started seeing some Hex, and then they disappeared. Today is going to be the first warm day in a week, and the big bugs should start showing again! The peak of the hatch is still to come.
Fishing Report 6-22-2009:
The Brown Drakes are on! This past week we have had good fishing as long as the Drake spinners have hit the water. Smallmouth fishing has still been hit or miss, with some good days and some bad days. With temperatures predicted to hit near 90 over the next several days we could see the start of the Hex hatch within the week!
Fishing Report 6-16-2009:
Spotty. That’s probably the best word o describe the fishing. Sulphurs are hatching when the weather has been cooperative, and a few Brown Drakes are starting to show. When it has been warm enough and the bugs are there, the fishing has been very good, when it has been cool, nothing happens. It has been the same way for Smallmouth, one day can be great, and a day or two later, you can’t hardly buy a fish. I guess that’s fishing.
I am happy to announce that my young German shorthaired pointer “Woof” earned a “Prize 1” last Friday in his first NAVHDA hunt test with a perfect 112 out of 112 points. He should really rip it up in the grouse woods this fall!
Fishing Report 5-22-2009:
Fishing has remained good on the upper Brule, with some really nice brook trout showing up. The Hendricksons are done, which is bad news, but the Sulphurs should be showing any time now, which is good news! We had a good day last week on the lower Namekagon for smallies, and there are still plenty of Steelhead around on the upper North Shore.
Last week I picked up a “new” canoe that will be in service for next year. It’s a 1919 Old Town Octa 18. It’s a beautiful old boat that’s in remarkable condition for its age. I can’t wait to get it on the River!
Damian
Fishing Report 5-5-2009:
What a GREAT time of year! We now have choices, Steel head, upper Brule hatches, sallies, the North Shore, it’s all open now. As far as Brule steelheading goes, there are still some fish around, We had some action on Saturday and also got some good reports. There are Hendricksons coming off on the upper Brule and Namekagon in good numbers. This should last for about a week to ten days. We spent Sunday up the North Shore and am I glad we did, only hooked one fish, bout what a fish! It was my largest Steelhead. 30 inches, and ridiculously girthy, estimated weight 11 to 12 pounds. Props to Dave Benson for his fine net work!
Fishing Report 4-27-2009:
The Brule is still fishing well. It seems that there are Steelhead spread throughout the entire river. As of late the fish really have preferred nymphs over the eggs. I would say that good fishing should last at least another week before things really start tapering off. On a related note, the North Shore is just getting started, and depending on how far north you travel, we could see good Steelheading through may and possibly into June this year!
Damian
Matt Swenson with a 26 inch Brule River hen
Fishing Report 4/6/09:
Thing are definitely heating up on the Brule. A total of 12 Steelhead were hooked over the past 3 day by either customers or myself. So far most of the fish have been taking nymphs. The X-legs and the Copper X have been the best producers.
Damian
Lee with her first Steelhead!”
Fishing Report 4/03/2009:
Everything is in great shape right now! The Brule looks good and has been fishing pretty well. Inland waters have been excellent this Spring, and we are about a week away from the ice going out on the Duluth end of the North Shore! Check out Northland Adventures Easter weekend for some great Steelhead action from last Monday!
Damian
Fishing Report 3-17-2009
The rivers are in great shape! With the recent warm weather a lot of little black stones and an amber stone about a size 12, have been coming off in good numbers. The fish haven’t been on the drys yet, I think because the water’s too cold, but it could be any day. Stonefly nymphs in size 12 through 16 have been the ticket!
Fishing Report 3-09-2009
Well, it took until Monday to get out on the river this year, but it was worth the wait! I landed 3 nice browns, all on nymphs, two of which were caught on the Superior X legs. That fly just plain works! I saw a couple of little black stones crawling around on the ice shelves but that was it . Fishing season is finally here!
Fly by Night Guide Service and the Superior Fly Angler would like to thank all of the people who stopped by our booth this past weekend at the Great Waters Expo in Minneapolis.
Fishing Report 10-28-2008:
Finally the steelhead fishing has picked up! Saturday we went 2 for 4, and on Sunday went 1 for 5. Not great, but a lot better than it has been! Water levels are perfect, and I expect the fishing to be good to excellent for the remainder of the season!
Damian
Mark Maffit with his first Steelhead
Fishing Report 10-18-2008:
Unfortunately Steelhead fishing has yet to really pick up. It has been a fish here and a fish there, not much consistency. Conditions are near perfect, just not many fish around.
On the Bright side, Woof and I hosted our first Grouse hunt together and had some pretty good success, 4 grouse and a pair of Woodcock (pictures to come). Woof is still pretty green but is doing quite well for a pup of only 5 months old.
Damian
Woof on his 1st Guided Hunt
Fishing Report 10-11-2008:
Damian,
Thanks again for the great day on the water! Catching that Steelhead was the highlight of fishing this year. I have been fishing for Steelhead a long time and the tips you gave me made the difference. Thanks for showing us all of the great water the Brule has to offer.
Wild Steelhead are truly better.
Steve Heuser
Fishing Report 09-22-2008:
The past week I have bee doing most of my fishing on the lower Brule, targeting Steelhead, lake run Browns and Coho Salmon. There are definitely some fish around! I’ve hooked a few Steelhead on nymphs and a couple of Browns on streamers. Thus far the cohos have eluded me for the most part, but there have been a fair amount caught by other anglers.
Damian
Me and Woof with a September Chromer!
Fishing Report: 09-11-2008
Fishing has been pretty good this past week with some nice Brook and Brown trout being taken on the Upper Brule. Streamers have seemed to be the ticket. The Tricos seem to be dwindling. Small BWO’s have been showing up in big numbers, but historically this hatch doesn’t bring up too many respectable trout. Fishing on the lower river for lake run fish is definitely picking up. We landed several nice Browns and a Coho this past week, and have heard some reports of a few Steelhead being caught. With rain forecasted over the next few days, I expect things will really break open soon!
Damian
John Kolb with a hefty Brule Brown
Graham Kolb not to be out doe by his father!
Fishing Report: 08-24-2008
This year has been one of the best Trico years I can remember! The average size of the fish has been spectacular in comparison with the past few years, with 15 and 16 inch fish coming to these tiny flies regularly and occasionally some larger. This hatch should stay consistent for the next week or Two!
The night fishing has also been good. Plenty of action with some resident browns over 18 inches showing up. We have also hooked a few Lake Run browns. This fishing should just get better between now ad the end of the season.
Damian
Fishing Report 06-09-2008:
The past couple of nights we have had great Sulphur hatches, and have started seeing a few Brown Drakes! The time has arrived for great dry fly fishing. Lots of good fish from 13 to17 inches, mostly on sulphur duns so far. Fishing should continue to be great for the next few weeks.
Damian
Fishing Report 05-28-2008
The fishing the past several weeks has been very good! After the water receded there was some good steelhead fishing well into May. The upper river boasted some excellent Hendrickson hatches, but those are now over. Next up should be sulphurs. I expect to start seeing some any day now. Brook trout numbers have been good, as well as the numbers of browns, with quite a few really nice sized fish. This next month is what we live for on the Brule, sulphurs followed by brown drakes, a few caddis and batiscas thrown in, all culminating with the hex hatch!
Fishing Report 05-05-2008:
Despite big rain on Friday, the upper Brule fished pretty well this weekend. There are a fair amount of Steelhead around in the upper river, which means that as soon as waters recede in the lower river we could still have a couple of weeks of good Steelhead fishing down there, and in relative solitude! I didn’t see any Hendricksons over the weekend, and believe that this hatch is yet to come.
Damian
Fishing Report 04-22-08:
Water, water, water, it just keeps coming. The Brule has been what I would call “fishable” only a handful of days the past couple of weeks. With no significant rain, things should shape up by Friday. Also there have been some reports of a few Steelhead being caught on the North Shore before our most recent rains. Looking ahead to the regular opener, I expect the Hendrickson hatch should be going strong this year!
Damian
Fishing Report 04-07-2008:
The Brule is in tough shape right now. Recent rain and melting snow have things pretty well blown out. If we get no more significant precipitation, the river should be back to fishable by Wednesday or Thursday. As of today I haven’t yet seen any fish spawning in the lower river.
Damian
Fishing Report 04-02-2008:
Fishing has been very good, both on the inland waters and on the Brule! On the inland waters the little black stoneflies have been showing up in increasing numbers and there have been a few fish now moving on the adults (drys). Fishing this hatch should remain good for at least the next week to 10 days.
There were good reports from the Brule this weekend with angler success being pretty good. I got out my self on Monday, and hooked 6 fish between 2 of us. Unfortunately we landed none. I’ll blame it on “early season rust”. The river is in great shape right now, and looks like it will it should stay that way for quite a while. We have significant snow pack, but temperatures are not supposed to get really warm so the melt should be gradual.
Damian
Fishing Report 03-24-2008:
Water levels are still good and the “Little Black Stones” are starting to show in significant numbers. We saw quite a few of them crawling the ice shelves along the river this weekend, though none flying. It should be any day now that we can expect some dry fly fishing. Caught several nice fish on a small (size 14) black stone fly nymph. The Brule opens from hwy 2 to the lake this Saturday!
Damian
Fishing Report 03-12-2008
It was a beautiful day to get out yesterday with temperatures near 50 deg and sunshine. Lots of midge activity, but no fish coming up for them, I thought there would be some little black stones but saw none. I suspect we should start seeing the stones in about a week or two if the weather holds. I did manage to hook a few nice fish on nymphs.
Damian
Fishing Report 3-3-2008
It’s good to be fishing again! Most everything is still froze up in our area. We found a little open water and found some success, mostly on small nymphs. The first fish of the year is always a great fish.
Damian
Fishing Report: 06-25-2007
The Hex hatch has been sputtering along for about a week now, but tonight it finally got going in earnest! Fishing was terrific, and should remain great for the next week to ten days
Tight lines,
Damian 
Fishing Report: 06-16-2007
Everything is staring to bust loose in Northern Wisconsin. Sulphurs have been coming off regularly, Brown Drakes are showing up insignificant numbers and even a few Hexagenia have been showing. Fishing has been good, with good numbers of Brook Trout and some nice Browns too! Fishing should just keep getting better over the next couple of weeks!
Tight lines,
Damian
Fishing Report: 05-020-2007
The Upper Brule is fishing well right now. Yesterday we caught several nice brook trout a few good browns and a couple of rainbows. The old reliable pass lake was our most productive fly, though a black wooly bugger produced our largest fish, a 16 or 17 inch brown (sorry, no pictures). Sulphurs should be starting soon, probably within the next week to ten days.
Damian
Fishing Report: 05-07-2007
The upper Brule opened this past weekend, along with the rest of the states inland waters. Conditions are good for the time being, but we re going to need rain for it to stay that way. Fishing was good, with nymphs taking most of the fish. I fished streamers for a while, and had one good take, but no hook up. There are still some steelhead around in the lower river, but numbers are dwindling rapidly. With the warm weather, and relatively low water, the Hendrickson hatch is all but over, and we may be seeing sulphurs earlier than usual.
Damian
Fishing Report 4-24-2007:
There are some Steelhead still around in the Brule, though most of the fish have spawned and don’t put up quite the fight you’d like to see from them. On the streams that are open for the early C & R Season, Start looking for Hendricksons with the warm weather. I haven’t heard of any yet, but it won’t be long!
Barbara with a Brule River Steelhead
Fishing Report 4-12-2007:
The river is in nice shape right now. Fish that were on the spawning beds have moved off due to the cold weather we have been getting, but with increasing temperatures, spawning activity should increase also. If you see fish spawning, PLEASE leave them alone. Since there is no planting of any trout in the Brule these spawners must be successful to insure that there are future generations of steelhead!
 Dave Carlson of Northland Adventures with a Brule River Steelhead.
Monday after noon we filmed a segment for the television show “Northland Adventures” with Dave Carlson. As soon as I find out when it is going to be televised, I will post that info on the “events” page.
Damian
Fishing Report: 04-06-2007
Whenever someone asks me “How’s the fishing”, I always respond with: The fishing is always good, but sometimes he catching is a little slow”. Steve T, and I may have experienced the exception that prove the rule yesterday. We put on the water at 10:30am, (it was all of 15 degrees) and fished until about 3:30pm. We hooked 5 Steelhead and landed just 1 adult and one skip-jack. The catching was pretty good, but the fishing was miserable! At least 3 of the fish we hooked took egg patterns, and one on a size 4 stonefly nymph. Our rod guides were constantly freezing, along with our fingers. Water temperatures are low, and the fish we hooked were very lethargic. There is about 10” of snow in the woods along the Brule right now.
Damian
Fishing Report: 04-03-2007
I fished the Brule last not without much success. Water is high and a little dirty, but not to bad. We are currently getting some snow, depending on how much and how fast it melts could make things a little interesting over the next few days.
Damian
Fishing Report 3-26-2007:
Not much to report as far as actual fishing goes, most of our rivers are blown out as of yesterday, and with more rain in the forecast, they may stay that way for awhile. Most of the tributaries running into Lake Superior will open this Saturday, with the high water fishing may be a little tough. If you decide to give it a try, think “big and dark” for your choice of flies. I’ll be at the Great Waters Expo in Minneapolis this weekend, but hope to have a steelhead report posted on Monday.
Damian
Fishing Report: 03-18-2007
Winter seems to have reluctantly released its icy grip on the waters we fish during the early season. Steve, Aaron and I have all gotten out over the past several days and all have had successful trips. Stonefly nymphs have produced a majority of the fish, though pheasant tails and fox squirrel nymphs, in sizes #12 and #14 have also produced. Fishing should remain consistent for a while now.
We’re still seeing a few little black stonefly adults, but not in numbers that will bring the fish up to the surface. That should start happening soon.
Damian
Fishing Report, 03-10-2007
Steve Therrien and I went out this morning to see if we could improve on last weeks outing. I had no luck in that endeavor, unless not breaking a rod constitutes an improvement. Steve faired better than I, landing four nice browns up to about 15”. Of course, I’m not sure that I believe him, as he is (in his own words) “a lying adulterous drunk”! Actually, he did show proof of his success, by means of a couple of photographs. All of his fish came on a #12 black stonefly nymph.
We saw a couple of adult “little black stones”, about a size #16. If the weather remains warm, we could soon have some dry fly fishing!
Damian
Fishing Report, 03-03-2007
Aaron and I decided to give opening day a shot, despite having blizzard condition around here the past couple of days. All said and done much of the river was iced in, and the time we did spend fishing , we did it while dodging ice sheets, and constantly de-icing our rods. Final tally: 10 frozen fingers, 4 numb feet, 1 broken Sage 590XP (from de-icing), no trout. It was nice to get out, the 2007 is finally here!
Thanks,
Damian
Fishing Report, 2-25-2007
As of right now there isn’t much to report as far as actual fishing goes, but that’s about to change! Wisconsin’s Early Catch and Release season is going to open on March 3rd this year. If you are willing to put up with cold air and water temps there is some fishing to be done. In March, giant stone fly nymphs are king in Northern Wisconsin. Fish them in deep runs and pools under an indicator. I’ll usually tie on a size #10 to #14 Hares Ear or Prince as a dropper.
Check this page often as it will be updated regularly.
Thanks,
Damian
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