THE BRULE.

This delighftul little stream forms the border between Wisconsin and Upper Michigan for most of its length. There is a historical marker and put-in on the Michigan side where the border leaves the river and heads up to Lake Vieux Desert, but make sure that water levels are moderately high before you go or expect to drag your canoe over the many rocky riffles found on this stretch.

Brule River Campground makes a good put-in and/or a base camp for exploring the upper reaches of the Brule. Usually there is enough water to run the river down from the campground. We paddled in mid July, and only had to drag the canoe two or three times. A Royalex canoe, fiberglass reinforced paddles, and expertice in reading water and steering a canoe are recommended if you tackle this river in summer, however. There are several primitive campsites along the right bank, but I don't recommend taking duffel downriver unless water levels are medium high.

From Brule River Campground down to HWY 139 is a good one-day trip. Allow about six hours, more if you have to drag over the many shallow spots. The next day you can paddle from HWY 139 to FS 2150, a six-mile dirt road off of HWY 70. This stretch had more water, better scenery, and fewer shoals, so you can easily paddle it in 5 hours.

The river is only 30-40 feet wide at Brule River Campground. There are some cabins, mostly on the Michigan side of the river, near the put-in, but these get fewer as you progress downriver. This is a trout stream, and a good one, judging by the many flying piscivores we spotted on the river. Kingfishers were very abundant, and we saw eagles, mergansers and herons, too. At one point on the river an unkindness of ravens (that's the official term for a flock of these big crow-like birds) made an eerie racket as we disturbed their nefarious activities.

Toward the end of the upper stretch of the Brule, the river forms many islands, forcing the paddler to guess which channel has the most water. A wrong guess can mean a short drag, but on a hot day that is no problem. Look for some severely slanted rock formations on the right bank about 4 1/2 hours downriver. They are reputedly fossiliferous and are located at the head of the only thing approaching a rapids on the upper stretch. Take out on the right bank at the HWY 139 bridge.

After a day of maneuvering through shallows, the next stretch down to FS 2150 is a welcome relief. There is more water, fewer shallows, and some bona fide rapids. Only a few cabins at the start and a farm on the left bank interrupt the pleasant scenery and wilderness ambiance of most of this section. After a long stretch of flat water the Iron River joins the Brule from the left. Soon after you'll find some long but easy rapids. There is an alternate takeout at the Pentoga bridge, but you will miss a nice 2-foot ledge that can be run on the right side.

The day my buddy and I paddled this portion of the river, we saw upwards of a dozen deer. Deer don't seem recognize a canoe as a threat if you don't move or talk. If you spot a deer from far enough away, and you don't have to maneuver, try keeping absolutely still while your stern man guides the canoe without taking his paddle out of the river. You can get very close to the deer -- we even got all the way past this one without spooking her.