Hatch-chart pattern list
Best Flies for Brule River (Wisconsin) (Wisconsin)
The Brule River (Wisconsin) in Wisconsin fishes as both a wade and a float. It is a spring creek fishery for Brown Trout and Brook Trout, with the most reliable window in April, May, June. The patterns below are matched to the hatch chart we publish for this water. They are not a live report of what other anglers caught this week.
This is not a live report of other anglers' catches. Presence and flow live on the Brule River (Wisconsin) river page and the Wisconsin — Driftless destination guide.
What's hatching now
Month, insect, size, and pattern from the Brule River (Wisconsin) hatch chart. October is highlighted when that month exists in the chart. We do not invent a hatch that is not on the chart.
| Month | Insect | Size | Pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | Blue-winged Olive | #16-20 | Parachute BWO |
| Midge | #20-24 | CDC Midge | |
| May | Hendrickson | #12-14 | Parachute Hendrickson |
| Black Caddis | #16-18 | Black Elk Hair Caddis | |
| Blue-winged Olive | #16-20 | Sparkle Dun BWO | |
| June | Sulphur | #14-18 | Parachute Sulphur |
| Brown Drake | #10-12 | Brown Drake Paradrake | |
| Hexagenia | #4-8 | Hex Paradrake | |
| July | Hexagenia (late) | #4-8 | Hex Wiggle Nymph |
| Trico | #22-26 | Trico Spinner | |
| Terrestrials | #10-16 | Foam Hopper | |
| August | Trico | #22-26 | Trico Poly Wing Spinner |
| Terrestrials | #10-16 | Chernobyl Ant | |
| September | Blue-winged Olive | #16-20 | Parachute BWO |
| October | Blue-winged Olive | #18-22 | Sparkle Dun BWO |
Nymphs
Subsurface patterns matched to this river's chart and catalog. Fish them at the size the chart lists, not the size that looks good in the bin.
Dries
Dries and terrestrials for the Brule River (Wisconsin). If the chart says a size 18 PMD, do not start with a 12.
Streamers
Streamers and wets for stained water, banks, and low light. This is not a claim that streamers are "on" today.
Setup
5X and 6X fluorocarbon on nymphs, 5X on dries unless the fish are on Tricos, then 6X or 7X. A 3.0–3.8mm tungsten on the point and a lighter dropper is a default until you see the water. Tight-line the near bank and the heads of pockets. Use an indicator only when you need to search water you cannot euro.
FAQ
- What flies work on the Brule River (Wisconsin)?
- Start with BWO Sparkle Dun and BWO Parachute, then match size to the hatch chart for the month you are standing in. The Brule River (Wisconsin) does not need a 40-pattern box. It needs the right size on the insect that is actually in the drift.
- When is the best time to fly fish the Brule River (Wisconsin)?
- The editorial window we list is April, May, June, July, September, October, November. That is a planning month range, not a guarantee. Shoulder months can fish well if flows and water temperature cooperate.
- Do I need a guide on the Brule River (Wisconsin)?
- Wisconsin has walk-up wade water and, on some sections, float water. A guide is worth it for a first float or a technical tailwater. A hatch chart and a gauge are enough for a first wade if you already nymph. We list local guides and shops on this page when we have them.
- Where can I see live flow for the Brule River (Wisconsin)?
- The Brule River (Wisconsin) has no USGS gauge mapped yet. The river page says so; we are not guessing a number. Access notes and the hatch chart are on that page. We do not publish other people's spots or fish counts.
- Is this a report of what's working now on the Brule River (Wisconsin)?
- No. Executive Angler does not publish other anglers' catches, GPS, or a crowdsourced hot fly. This page is hatch-chart patterns plus catalog flies. Presence on the river page is gauge and weather only.
Related
River guide
Brule River (Wisconsin)
Access, hatch chart, USGS gauge.
Destination
Wisconsin — Driftless
Trip planning for this region.
Pattern
BWO Sparkle Dun
Dry
Pattern
BWO Parachute
Dry
Pattern
Olsen's CDC Midge
Dry
Fly shop
Brule River Classics
Brule, WI
Fly shop
Driftless Angler
Viroqua, WI
Nearby water
Kickapoo River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.











