Steelhead Opener May Be Affected By Harsh Winter

BRULE- The steelhead opener is set for this weekend but for many different reasons anglers may find themselves coming up short.Brule is usually very busy for the season opener, but this harsh winter has businesses worried.Angela Nollet works at Cenex, where most stop into town to pick up a license. She said, "With the weather, it might be a little slow. There havn't been a lot of licenses being sold yet.The river is still frozen in some spots, there is limited parking due big snow piles and the trout aren't pleased either.Fish biologist with the DNR, Paul Piszczek said, "At this point if there's ice cover it means the water is really cold, therefore the fish don't really get active when it's frozen of 33, or 34 degrees. That's very cold for them to be active."The owner of the Brule River Motel told us he's usually booked solid for the weekend but he's had several cancellations and only has 7 reservations.Even those who are planning to fish have their work cut out for them."I have had people say wow I really hate getting down to the river in snowshoes at this time of year for the opener."There is also a safety concern.Hungry Trout owner, Beth Campbell said, "And it might be dangerous also. Ice shelves and walking in waist deep snow, it could hamper the fishing."But Campbell is pretty sure all the cons will not be enough not stop certain folks from showing up."I think die hard fisherman will come. People will be curious. They may just come to look at the river for future weeks."Businesses say they are stocked to fulfill angler's needs."But we are set if people do come."If you are heading out, just make sure you have all the proper licenses because DNR officers will be on heavy patrol."The Brule River State Forest is very heavily into watching what's going on out there and I'm sure we'll have law enforcement active as well that day for the opener."With the snow already waist deep, getting to the river back there can be difficult and with more snow predicted for Thursday, it could be downright dangerous.