How to Catch Spring Steelhead (Brule, Wisconsin)

Рет қаралды 19,678

4 жыл бұрын

Learn how I target spring run steelhead in the Brule River, Wisconsin. Join me as I show you all the equipment, rigging and tactics it takes to put big steelhead in the net! Lots of fish catches in this video. A must see for any steelhead angler.
Gear:
Okuma SST steelhead rod: amzn.to/3snBGtN
Landing net: amzn.to/3cn3k4S
Sunline Float II line: amzn.to/3tVplOa
Seagaur flourocarbon: amzn.to/399x0An
Gamakatsu octopus hooks: amzn.to/3vZWrOE
Spro Power Swivels: amzn.to/3ciICTp
Pflueger President Reel amzn.to/3g2kHKz
(The above are Amazon affiliate links)

Пікірлер: 65

@davecarlson9350 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for posting this. Been fishing the Brûlée's for 35 years. This place is in my soul. When I go, I want part of my ashes sprinkled in her.

@calebwistad 3 жыл бұрын

It’s a special place. Been going there since I was very young. I still remember the first nice fish I caught after a couple years of trying, a nice 26” lake run brown.

@garycox7839 3 жыл бұрын

Guess I found this at the wrong time of year, but it's a great video and I learned at lot. There are lots of steelhead videos from Washington and Oregon. Their techniques and gear are a bit different. So it's fantastic to find a Lake Superior steelheader whose willing to share what he knows. I hoping this old man will hold up long enough to get out and try it this spring. Thank you so much for your experienced calmness.

@calebwistad 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Gary! Yep, it’s a little different fishery here. I don’t know if you saw this one yet or not but I just uploaded this fall Brule River video about a month ago. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/haqqmJqSlp2sn4U.html thanks for subscribing Gary!

@kinniguy Жыл бұрын

Awesome video, Info packed. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. You are one of the best on KZfaq in terms of no-nonsense relevant information.

@calebwistad Жыл бұрын

Thank you sir. That means a lot!

@MIFish96 4 жыл бұрын

Absolutely awesome video. You’re killing it keep it up. 👍

@calebwistad 4 жыл бұрын

H&F Michigan thanks so much!

@tomschenk3245 4 жыл бұрын

Another great video. Thanks Caleb

@calebwistad 4 жыл бұрын

Tom Schenk thanks!!!

@upnorthkayakfishing3159 4 жыл бұрын

Great video and nice editing! Slayed the trout and those colors are amazing! I have been wanting to fish a river for them and usual stick to the lake for them.

@calebwistad 4 жыл бұрын

Up North Kayak Fishing thanks! They do have a different color to them when they have spent the winter in the river.

@robbejohnson3085 2 жыл бұрын

hey I think your doing a great job teaching those who want to learn how to go about fishing for river run steelhead. What might also help some new fisherman is at the end of your program or the beginning if you even think it's a good thing to do is share with the people what the water temp is and if the river is high or low that day and talk about the date of the month, the size of the run in numbers if it's high or low, the water depth if fast or slow. just a thought I look forward to your next show yours is so helpful for the ones who don't have a father, friend ,neighbor anybody who would help teach them the proper way to catch steelhead while also learning all the rules of the river by that you know what I mean. give others room, trash,fish guts, hooked in the mouth area, have fun.

@calebwistad 2 жыл бұрын

These are all great suggestions! I’ll hopefully be able to put a few of them Into the next video.

@asmirdragonjic 4 жыл бұрын

Crazy how much timing means on the Brule last 4 years of fishing it every fall and only pulled out 1 coho and nothing else. But always better then a day at work!

@calebwistad 4 жыл бұрын

Seasonofthewoods MN you’ve got that right! A couple years ago I fished it 3 times in one fall and got skunked on 2 of them. The other time I hit one run just right and landed 5 cohos and a steelhead in less than an hour. You never know!

@juandiegojacinto2700 4 жыл бұрын

Nice beatdown on those fish amigo 🎣🐟👍🍻

@calebwistad 4 жыл бұрын

Juan Diego Jacinto thanks man! They sure are fun fish!

@juandiegojacinto2700 4 жыл бұрын

To me the best specie to target the steelhead man

@ericrafko1971 3 жыл бұрын

Nice! Gotta get up north and get into that!

@calebwistad 3 жыл бұрын

You should!

@aaronhughes610 3 жыл бұрын

With early ice out I might have to make a trip to the brule this year. It’s been awhile since I’ve been there

@calebwistad 3 жыл бұрын

Yeah. It’s a great place to fish in the “off season”

@benjaminheeb8931 3 жыл бұрын

I’ve been canoeing on the Brule for only 4 years and never thought about fishing on it until recently.. man I missed a lot of fun!

@calebwistad 3 жыл бұрын

Opener is coming soon!

@benjaminheeb8931 3 жыл бұрын

@@calebwistad I plan on trying to fly fish.. do you recommend anything that I need for beginners?

@calebwistad 3 жыл бұрын

@@benjaminheeb8931 yep. If you are planning on fly fishing I recommend a 7 or 8 weight rod, floating line and at least an 8 lb leader. 10 in higher water. For flies all you really need is an assortment of stonefly imitations, egg imitations and some basic nymphs like prince and hare’s ears.

@benjaminheeb8931 3 жыл бұрын

@@calebwistad thank you so much brother. I really appreciate your recommendation. Good luck to you and I plan on staying on your channel more often 👍🏼

@davidmartino2500 3 ай бұрын

Thanks!

@calebwistad 3 ай бұрын

Thank you sir! Good luck!

@bradlyolson 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Great video and very informative! For the fall steelhead run, what type of discharge (cfs) are you looking for ideally?

@calebwistad 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks man! In the fall I like to see between 160 and 180. Should be right in there this weekend. I might try to get up there. It’s gonna be cold but that will keep some pressure off too!

@bradlyolson 3 жыл бұрын

@@calebwistad Too true, and thank you! I might try and head over there myself!

@craiggerlach5548 2 жыл бұрын

Haven't fished that spot since the 70s... then we had those decades of low water, might have to return after few years of actual rain. Since just a few miles away...

@calebwistad 2 жыл бұрын

Opener is coming up soon!

@KingElm5 3 жыл бұрын

Awesome video! I just spent an entire day up on the Brule yesterday and got skunked. I bead fished the whole time. I noticed that you didn’t have on a slip bobber or anything like that? I’m just wondering if you can give me more info on your setup?? Thanks!

@calebwistad 3 жыл бұрын

Bulldog I prefer to drift nymphs and yarn on the fly rod or spinning rod without an indicator/bobber if the conditions allow it. In a deeper slower pool you need a float to keep the bait drifting and not hang up on the bottom but in a shallower, swifter run you don’t need to suspend the bait at all and you just feel for the bite.

@calebwistad 3 жыл бұрын

Bulldog I typically use one split shot to keep the bait down toward the bottom and vary the weight based on depth and current speed. You want the split shot just ticking bottom once in a while.

@cwhiatt73 2 жыл бұрын

I like this setup you've got here sans float. You mentioned you were running 8lb fluoro leader. I might have to bump to that from the 6 I usually use. Curious what your mainline is (couldn't quite catch it in the vid).

@mitchweber7171 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome videos, just wondering some good spots to go in at? Not sure where to fish?

@calebwistad 2 жыл бұрын

I usually leave that part up to you. People get bent out of shape if you start naming spots. 😂 The Brule Atlas is a good resource. I will say that the upper (south half) of the river downstream of Brule can be better in high flow because it doesn’t get as muddy. The lower half can be better when the river is lower. There is fish throughout and there will probably be people throughout as well.

@NothinFancyFishing 9 ай бұрын

The intro is great! I'm wondering if you have an issue with getting snagged on bottom not using a float? I am always retying when I try fishing this way.

@calebwistad 9 ай бұрын

I used to. I’ve gotten better at feeling the bottom though. Last time I fished the Brule I only lost two rigs the whole day. They key is not “dragging” bottom. You just want to tick bottom once in a while.

@NothinFancyFishing 9 ай бұрын

@@calebwistad gotcha! I also just seen that you used floating line, which I've never tried. I'm gonna try down here in Milwaukee tomorrow and see how my luck goes.

@codybertram6122 11 ай бұрын

I am going to be in Milwaukee Nov 1 for a concert at fiserv forum downtown by the Milwaukee river. Do you know of any close places to catch steelhead, browns and trout and what you would use? Thanks

@calebwistad 11 ай бұрын

I don’t fish in that area much but any of the larger rivers should have some kings browns and steelhead in them at that time of year. Lots of guys use spawn or egg patterns in the rivers.

@codybertram6122 11 ай бұрын

@@calebwistad thanks so much!

@russbjorn7077 3 жыл бұрын

What part of the spring do you have the best luck?

@calebwistad 3 жыл бұрын

I always do well as soon as it opens. It tends to slow down after opening weekend for a bit but gets better towards mid April again. I’ve even caught steelhead in May some years.

@sniperNOsniping26 3 жыл бұрын

Do these steelhead size similar to lake Michigan trib steelhead?

@calebwistad 3 жыл бұрын

No, not really. An average Lake Superior steelhead is probably around 25” a really big one is 32”. Very few get bigger than that.

@danielyang6100 3 ай бұрын

What was the weight of your rod? Thanks!

@calebwistad 3 ай бұрын

It’s a spinning rod so they don’t really go by weight like a fly rod. I believe that one was a 8’ 6” medium light moderate action steelhead rod.

@TommyS3119 2 жыл бұрын

👍🏻👍🏻

@calebwistad 2 жыл бұрын

Coming soon!

@kentwalley1207 3 жыл бұрын

what access on brule ya fishing

@calebwistad 3 жыл бұрын

I fish most of them. I usually try to hit the section with the right water clarity for that day.

@kentwalley1207 3 жыл бұрын

@@calebwistad I moved to Barnes last year. I need a pair of insulated waders and have to try that. Great video.

@DaCoops12 4 жыл бұрын

you should try fishing this river with a fly rod, its a blast!

@calebwistad 4 жыл бұрын

Average Angler I have. I’m pretty much a beginner with a fly rod but I have landed a few on it and you are right, it’s a blast! It just wouldn’t be very entertaining to watch me flog the water for 8 hours to catch one 20” rainbow. Lol.

@taliesinangling3564 3 жыл бұрын

Fly fishing is the pinnacle for sure

@JJ-kz7sm 2 жыл бұрын

I find most fly purists are smug, d-bags that power their Prius or Outback to the packed launch by way of collecting their soy farts in antique mason jars. However you catch a fish the rod nearly doesn't matter. The point is to angle a fish. The fight is great, use smaller and lighter tackle if the fight isn't enough to work up some good gas for you to power your hybrid back up the hills of the basin to your yurt. I use both. I have seen lots of lot fish on fly tackle, lots. Less on spinning but still a few. Most guys I watch on the brule throwing with fly tackle are snagged or flossers, say 90%. Most might not realize they are doing it but they are snagging. Too bad Orvis and Simms don't sell some overpriced snag hooks and "snagging waders"!! Lol....just fish dude!

@DaCoops12 2 жыл бұрын

@@JJ-kz7sm by this comment you sound like more of a smug dbag than any fly angler I’ve ever met lol