log: split rock river (fall 2013)

setting

I took my first trip to the Split Rock River 21-23 September 2013 and combined it with a backpacking trip to the Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. 

where to stay

The remote camp sites provided an incredible view of Lake Superior, ready access to the river itself simply by hiking down the trail, and a place to call home for a few nights.  I did the typical trick of pushing the clock to its limit and arrived at almost 8 pm, which meant I need to hike to my site in the dark.  The other alterative is to leave about 2 pm to get there just before sunset.

first day

I spent the morning measuring the temperature and waiting for air to warm, anticipating that the river itself would warm up.  Later, I learned I could have head directly to the river without waiting because the river temperature was probably constant as a spring fed river.

The air temperature started at 33 degrees Fahrenheit and worked its way up to almost 60 degrees.  The water temperature was about 44 degrees Fahrenheit.  The sky was clear and there was little breeze throughout the day.

moving up the river

My journey along river started at the estuary under the highway overpass (parking across the street).  I went down and talk to some old timers who were ready to fish out into the lake and were probably wondering why I would move up any further.  On the way back, there was too much wind coming off Lake Superior to be able to fish.

On the other side of the culvert, there is path leading through the tall grass to a an inlet.  The water seemed to be moving upstream from Lake Superior.  I did not fish this area, but probably should have either the first or second morning or evening.

 

As I worked my way up the stream, it narrowed. Since I was backpacking, I moved down to the sound or running water from the Superior Hiking Trail and while the water was slowly passing through my filter, I watched the narrow stream.  I did not see any fish, but that does not mean there were not any fish there.

 

more pools than riffle

Once I could make it down to the river and work my way upstream from the a rocky shore or island, I started to fish the foam grasshopper you will see below.  This is the only fly I fished the entire day and I used it as an indicator fly.  The tannins in the water turned it a brownish color. There were no fish biting in any of the pools I found along my way to the falls.

 



 at the falls...

Arriving at the falls, was majestic and as I could hear the sound of water falling the background (left) and flowing into a tranquil pool (right).  I had the entire place to myself for all of the first day.

...and the fish

I decided to stay at this location once I caught my first, second, and third fish.  I only wished that I had brought my net (not ultralight, but not heavy).  My first steelhead was exciting but small.

 

 

 

 



On the way back I spotted a bald eagle circling the estuary.  He finally landed on the tree overlooking the water, making it a great day of hiking, fishing, and bird watching.

The sun set very quickly and I found myself stoking the fire until 8 pm before heading to bed.  I had on every piece of clothing that I had brought in order to stay warm as the breeze picked up off the lake.

second day

 My plan was to head back to the waterfall on the second day after checking out of my campsite.  Again, I was targeting a 10 am start time, which was probably too late, but I arrived just on time.  The weather was the same as the previous day and the sunrise was glorious.  It was hard to sleep at my tent glowed a bright yellow hue.

 When I arrived at the pool, I immediately tried the same fly that had caught so many fish the previous day.  No doubt the trout were on to my tricks.  I fished for four hours without the slightest interest my offering, using every fly (salmon egg, purple prince, stone fly, etc.) that was recommended.   I fished both all sections for the pool, but certainly had spooked them. 



 

Just as I was packing up my gear at 2 pm, the fish started to jump out of the water at all different points.  I tried several more flies (not recommended), but never caught a fish. 

 

lessons learned

1. Arrive early to get to camp for dinner.
2. There are plenty of good places to fish on the way up to the waterfall, I just need to learn how to fish them.
3. The river is probably the same temperature all day, so get out and get fishing when the fish are feeding.
4. Book next year's trip today.