BWCA Brule to Winchell and back.... Boundary Waters Trip Planning Forum
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MrBadExample
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09/16/2018 08:12PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Hey folks,

My friend and I are going to do a trip that his dad used to love doing back in the '70s - '80s.

Entering on Brule bright and early October 2nd and coming out either the 5th or 6th. Single portaging. We plan on doing some fishing. Maybe a pike or walleye for dinner.

Anyone have any suggestions as to which of the 2 routes would be better? The west route has more portages but they are shorter in length.

Any cool sights to check out?

Any fishing intel you would be willing to give would be greatly appreciated also :)

Thanks

Mr. B
 
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09/17/2018 11:05AM  
I've only ever done the eastern route through grassy lake. The grassy lake portage very long but not all that bad in my opinion. Check your maps not sure if the portage is updated on newer maps. Grassy lake drained several years ago so now instead of 2 portages with a short paddle in between you have one long portage around the lake. Double portaging my wife and I made it from the Brule EP to camp on Winchell via the grassy lake route in under a half day easily. It was 6-7 years ago now so I don't recall exactly how long but it was a quick trip in.

The western route through the Cones will add some time as its about 3 miles longer, some of that is offset by having roughly 200 rods less portaging. However, if you've got a strong west wind you'll have a harder paddle on Brule which is going to slow you down and eat up any advantage shorter portages might give you.

Fishing on Winchell is tough. I'd probably look to surrounding lakes for better fishing.
MrBadExample
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09/17/2018 12:05PM  
The tale my friend tells is that of a tough lake to fish. But also, very rewarding for those who hit it right. He wants to target northern pike on Winchell for a day. We’ll be moving around so hope to get into walleye somewhere along the route.

Thanks for the info :)


Mr. B
09/17/2018 12:20PM  
Thats pretty much what I've heard and experienced as well on Winchell. There is some quality to the fish there just very hard to find them and fish for them. Also its got to be near impossible to fish if you've got a strong east or west wind. You'll have a lot of day tripping options from Winchell so you've got other options if you get frustrated with Winchell.
nmillette
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09/19/2018 06:55PM  
Fishing on Brule was great in August for us. Caught a nice mess of walleye, and c&r many 17+" smallmouth. Bring leeches!
09/20/2018 09:29AM  
Leeches will probably be tough to find in October.
MrBadExample
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09/20/2018 07:53PM  
Planning on crawlers and artificial stuff.

09/21/2018 09:21AM  
Minnows or crankbaits have always been my go to for fall fishing.
MrBadExample
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09/23/2018 09:03PM  
Packing a fair amount of crank baits. Thanks for the tip.

Might just skip the crawlers then.

Our plans have changed. We are now going from Brule to Poplar. Hoping to stay on Winchell night 1.
09/24/2018 08:53AM  
MrBadExample: "Packing a fair amount of crank baits. Thanks for the tip.


Might just skip the crawlers then.


Our plans have changed. We are now going from Brule to Poplar. Hoping to stay on Winchell night 1."


That will put you on better fishing lakes the majority of your trip. Which route are you taking to Poplar? You taking out at the landing on poplar or Rockwood?
MrBadExample
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09/24/2018 10:59PM  
My friend wants to go to Winchell and I want to fish on Horseshoe. Other than that, no plans other than coming out at Rockwood Friday night.
09/25/2018 10:34AM  
Winchell is a great lake to spend one day on. In my opinion its a beautiful lake with some stunning cliffs on the south side. Check out the map section and you'll find info for a trail that leads up on top of the cliffs giving you an incredible view to the north. Also the campsite on the point just east of the bay leading to the Omega portage is one of the nicest sites in the BWCA if you can snag it.

Horseshoe is very moosey so keep your eyes open early and late in the day.
 
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