Hola All,

I have done a good number of trips starting on other lakes. This is my first out of EP 41 and Brule. In speaking with someone that has been on the lake they mentioned it can and typically does have some good wind on it. We are in on May 24th, and heading to South Temperance and on from there. I will probably answer my own question, normally we would get our canoes from the outfitters the day of and hit the water between 10am and 11am. With Brule and to be safe, are we better off getting organized the day before and getting on the water around 6am to 7am?

I will have two first timers with me (my son's buddy and his father), and my 13 year old son in the bow of my canoe. I know no one can predict wind, however is it consistently strong on Brule?

As always, very appreciative for any help with this.

It can be very windy. It's a large east/west running lake and that's coincidentally the way the winds tend to blow. I would say getting an early start is a solid plan. With inexperienced paddlers along you'll want to limit the risks as much as possible. Stay safe and have fun!

I'll be going into the same place on the 20th solo. I'll probably be on my way out as you're on your way in. If the wind is too bad my plan is to just stick to the eastern part of the lake and island hop as I fish and explore. Probably portage to some smaller lake chains as well if I feel like it. Fortunately the entry point comes in closer to the east end as well.

I'll be wearing a drysuit, but I'm on my own if something happens. I'd say as always be prepared for the possibility that someone goes in the water. Hypothermia is my #1 concern this time of year.

As usual just give yourself some extra time to account for potentially being wind-bound or plan to be close to your exit on your last day. That's usually how I plan for big windy lakes.

I'll be planning to try and get my paddling in early in the day as well.

When I was on Brule solo, going in was fine coming back fro the west side got a bit hairy with the wind. Get an early start

We began going to Brule for early June fishing vacations, in 1957. The BWCA regulations were not in force and many were using 14 foot boats with large outboards. Rough water conditions were not much of a factor, those days. I believe in the mid- sixties the restrictions went into affect and we camped with a canoe, until the Sky Blue Water Lodge opened. Recall one time being stranded on the Ruan Island, middle of the Lake, just south of Cone Bay. The wind tends to come up toward the middle of the day. Early morning and evening are the best time to travel. In the Spring, it doesn't get dark until around 9 PM. We always found places to fish on the eastern half of the Lake, around the islands. Walleye fishing was best in the evening, so rough water was rarely a factor. Bring a weather radio to predict the the wind. I have many wonderful memories of Brule trips. Search the message board for my posts.

Brule is a beautiful lake but it can definitely get nasty. Paddling from the parking lot to the portage into South Temperance can be a real struggle with a west wind since there's really nothing to hide behind once you get around jock mock point. My recommendation would be to watch the forecasted wind and plan on an early start. Have a plan B in mind too. Most of the island campsites on the east end of Brule are pretty nice although maybe a bit overused. But regardless, they are not the worst place to hang out for a day and spend the night if it looks like your entry date is going to be a real windy one. If you plan to come back out through South temperance, again, keep an eye on the wind and don't be afraid to wait it out if it is looking sketchy. I have paddled from the far west end of Brule back to the parking lot in the past with a good tail wind, and it was about all I could do to keep my canoe from getting spun around with the waves coming up behind me. The water is going to be extremely cold in late May this year and I would be far less willing to take any risks of capsizing in rough water then I would in later in the summer when hypothermia is much less of a concern.

The last two years I’ve used EP41 starting early, getting canoes the previous evening. Wind was the concern. Have always been glad of that decision as it increases the likelihood of a good start to the trip.

Experienced the wind on Brule some 40 years ago, it's a big lake and can be challenging. Last May the week before Memorial Day we went in and spent 5 nights. Did some day trips and the wind was never a real challenge. It's a beautiful lake to paddle when the wind is not up. We had a day and a half of rain and 50 degrees but we spent most of that in camp. I think it depends on the weather gods but I think an early start as you head westerly would be well advised. South Temperance is worth it, a beautiful lake with good fishing. One of my favorites.

Hopefully the wind cooperates and you can do your planned route. There is an alternate which would involve taking the portage to Juno and spending time there , Vern, and the Pipe Lakes. Great area and a daytrip up the Vern River is well worth it. Exit at Homer, a reasonable walk back to Brule. But this is only if you get unlucky with a day or two of sustained high winds. Just something for your back pocket.

If you can hit that huge western expanse of Brule on a calm early morning I can only imagine it would be glorious. But definitely have a Plan B.

i've been on trips where the wind has blown constant for many days in a row without dying down... but generally speaking , an early start is the best , winds have a tendency to pick up as the day gets longer, than calmer at sundown.

Ditto to the comments on have a Plan B ready. I took 3 first timers (dad, 12, 14 year kids) last summer. The wind blew every day except for a few sunrise hours - white caps most of the day. We played it safe and were lucky and able to get a campsite on the island east of the EP. As Shoveler said they are nice sites for a Plan B - especially the far east site. Have a great and safe trip.

I've done this route more than once. Be on the water at dawn if you can. The part you need to be careful about is between Jock Mock Bay and the big island on the west end of the lake. If you can get to that big island before the wind picks up, you will be much better off.

One trip, we were at the EP within a few minutes of dawn but some of the guys weren't ready so it took us an hour to get on the water. That one hour meant that we got to Jock Mock Bay as the wind picked up instead of the island. The wind went from about 5 mph to more than 10mph. That crossing was rough and the waves were getting big by the time we made it to the island.

30 minutes later in getting to that crossing and we would have never attempted it. The wind and the waves just kept building, starting about an hour after dawn and leveling off another hour or two after that.

Thanks for the note I appreciate it

Thanks for the note I appreciate it, that is some good history on the lake

Thanks for the note I appreciate it

Thanks for the note I appreciate it, you confirm my thoughts thanks

Thanks for the note I appreciate it

Thanks for the note I appreciate it, and the idea for the Plan B

Thanks for the note, hope you and your crew enjoyed a good trip

I will echo; the real trouble is coming out. It's easy enough to get an early start on the way in. But, unless you actually stay on Brule your last night, you can't really get too early of a start. It'll take you some time to get from south temperance to Brule. I'll admit to being scared with me and another experienced paddler. We hugged the shore a lot. Hopped around different points. It can be challenging. Good luck.

pswith5: "I will echo; the real trouble is coming out. It's easy enough to get an early start on the way in. But, unless you actually stay on Brule your last night, you can't really get too early of a start. It'll take you some time to get from south temperance to Brule. I'll admit to being scared with me and another experienced paddler. We hugged the shore a lot. Hopped around different points. It can be challenging. Good luck.
"

I think that most of the time, coming out is better than going in due to the wind usually blowing west to east. Moving with the waves is much easier than against.

I would still say to get an early start, but one of the things that makes these situations dangerous, is working against the wind and getting worn out in rough water. If you have to work twice as hard to go half the speed, you spend a lot more time in the rough water and are much more likely to make mistakes.

Spent an afternoon about a week or so after the 1999 blowdown with my 14 year old son, heading southeast from Cam Lake to the entry point. Very windy, and huge waves, which were quartering us from the EAST in a tandem Wenonah Boundary Waters canoe. A very sphincter tightening adventure that I would not like to repeat. Very tough to keep the canoe on track with the high winds and waves. We made it OK, but I was thinking how pissed off my ex wife would be if things didn't work out well for my son and I, and her lost child support.

Tom

I have had lots of windy days on Brule. One of my boats swamped on the way out
several years ago. We had to just drift for 1/2 mile or so to get to an island to dry off and refloat. The wind was out of the East that day but I have experienced some monster wind from the west as well. Seems wind is the norm on Brule. The misquah hills are on the north and Eagle MTN (Highest point in Midwest is South. One big (butt) wind tunnel. Stay close to shore! Be safe.
Steve