The Brule River of Wisconsin

Book excerpt: Back in print at last, Leigh P. Jerrard's concise 1956 history of the famous trout stream has been greatly expanded and updated in this second edition published by Leigh's grandson, Richard Jerrard, to elaborate on the distinctions, curiosities, and myths of the stream formally known as the Bois Brule River. The storied Brule trout fishery is traced from the early years of rampant fish stocking and commercial harvesting, through Henry Clay Pierce's controversial rerouting of the stream around the Cedar Island sloughs in the 1890s. Early conservation laws written specifically for the Brule River fishery are detailed, as are the workings of the charismatic Sid Gordon, who designed and supervised the building of hundreds of "stream improvement" structures on the river during the 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps years. The war against the invasive, parasitic sea lamprey (and the collateral damage to the fishery) is examined in full detail, including the unfortunately prolonged use of the deadly electric weir near the mouth of the river, and the discovery that a previously unremarkable German herbicide called TFM displayed targeted toxic properties to sea lamprey larvae. The tribulations that brought about a more benign, structural sea lamprey barrier, and led to a resurgence of today's wild, trophy fishery, are described. The evolution of modern forestry is followed from the visionary plans of Wisconsin's first state forester Edward Griffith and the establishment of the Brule forest reserve, through the development of sustainable and multiple-use forestry and the expansion of the Brule River State Forest, to the contemporary master-planning practices and emphasis on native communities. New research is presented about the first map of the Brule-St. Croix portage trail, the persistent but failed Percival Mine ventures on the lower river, the Brule River Improvement Company's lumbering operations, and many other topics from the substantive to the bizarre. From Leigh Jerrard's archives, the new edition features post-publication notes from the first issue, additional map scenes, and editorial comments from his friend Hamilton Ross, author of 1960's LaPointe: Village Outpost on Madeline Island. With sparkling insight and engaging commentary from a host of local and regional experts, The Brule River of Wisconsin will intrigue, enlighten, and entertain fans of this unique stream.