5.0(3 Reviews)Half Day Brule River Salmon and Trout Adventure
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
River Fishing
Halfday morning trips target salmon and trout species.Guide provides all necessary equipment and local expertise.Fourhour adventures accommodate two guests starting at 7 AM.
The Brule River is hands down one of Wisconsin's premier fishing destinations, and Guide Cory knows every bend, pool, and current like the back of his hand. This half-day morning trip gives you four solid hours to work the water for some of the Great Lakes region's most prized catches. You're looking at coho salmon, steelhead, browns, and brook trout – all species that call these waters home during different seasons. Bring your valid fishing license and leave the rest to us. We've got all the gear, tackle, and local knowledge to put you on fish. Early morning starts at 7 AM mean you're hitting prime feeding times when these fish are most active.
The Brule flows clean and cold from Lake Superior's tributaries, creating perfect habitat for both resident trout and migratory salmon. During your four-hour window, you'll cover different sections depending on what's running and where the bite is happening. Cory adjusts trip timing by season because fish behavior changes dramatically throughout the year. Spring brings steelhead pushing upstream, summer offers consistent brown trout action, and fall means salmon runs that draw anglers from across the Midwest. The river varies from deeper pools where big fish hold to shallow riffles perfect for sight fishing. You'll learn to read the water, understand current breaks, and identify the structure that holds fish. Weather plays a huge role here, so be ready for changing conditions that actually improve your chances – overcast skies and light rain often trigger the best feeding periods.
We run a variety of setups depending on target species and conditions. For salmon, you're looking at heavier tackle with egg patterns, streamers, and flesh flies that mimic their natural food sources. Trout fishing calls for more finesse – lighter tippets, smaller presentations, and precise casting to avoid spooking fish in clear water. Cory provides spinning and fly fishing gear, so whether you're comfortable with conventional tackle or want to try your hand at fly fishing, we've got you covered. Techniques vary from drift fishing with floats in deeper runs to active retrieval of streamers through current seams. You'll learn proper mending, how to detect subtle strikes, and the art of fighting fish in flowing water. The key is matching your approach to what the fish want that day – sometimes they're aggressive, other times you need surgical precision to get them to bite.
"Corey is a super nice guy and very knowledgeable guide. We really appreciate and enjoyed time together on the Brûlée river!" - David "Corey was awesome!! Reason for my booking was 100% educational - I wanted the how's and why's. Told that to Cory ahead of trip and that catching fish was secondary (maybe even tertiary) to that. He really delivered - from his set-ups and reasons for the various rods, to techinques, reading water, and details about the various presentations we offered. He is an awesome resource, patient teacher, and a great guy to spend time with on the water (and fish to boot). In summary, a great day. Highly recommend." - Kyle "Cory guided us and provided a great experience. Cory is not only passionate about fishing but wants to teach his passion to others in a way that is patient and kind. He is also well prepared and very engaging on anything in the outdoors sports. This guy lives his passion. You be fortunate to have him guide you." - Jeff
Coho salmon are the river's marquee species during fall runs, typically showing up in September and October. These silver rockets average 8-12 pounds and fight like nothing else in freshwater. They're aggressive feeders when they first enter the system, hitting streamers and spawn patterns with authority. What makes cohos special is their acrobatic fighting style – expect multiple jumps and screaming runs that'll test your drag system. The best action happens during overcast conditions and low-light periods when they feel secure moving through shallow water.
Steelhead trout are the Great Lakes' ultimate prize, with fish ranging from 6-15 pounds of pure muscle. These lake-run rainbows enter the Brule during spring spawning runs and again in fall. They're notorious for their stamina and unpredictable behavior – one minute they're sulking in deep pools, the next they're airborne trying to throw your hook. Steelhead are line-shy and require stealthy approaches, but when you connect, it's a battle you'll never forget. They prefer water temperatures between 38-45 degrees and often feed on emerging insects and small baitfish.
Brown trout represent the river's year-round resident population, with some impressive specimens reaching 20+ inches. These fish are highly intelligent and extremely wary, making them a true test of angling skill. They're most active during low-light periods and overcast days, often hiding under cut banks and fallen timber during bright conditions. Browns are opportunistic feeders, taking everything from tiny midges to large streamers depending on the season. Fall brings out their aggressive spawning behavior, making them more willing to strike larger presentations.
Brook trout are the Brule's native jewels, displaying incredible colors that intensify during spawning season. While typically smaller than the other species, brookies make up for size with their willingness to feed and stunning appearance. They thrive in the river's coldest, most oxygenated sections and are excellent indicators of water quality. These fish respond well to traditional patterns like woolly buggers and small nymphs. Their aggressive nature makes them perfect for beginners, while their beauty keeps experienced anglers coming back for more.
The Brule River delivers consistent fishing action throughout the open season, but prime windows fill up fast with repeat customers who know what they're getting. This half-day format gives you serious fishing time without the full-day
Salvelinus FontinalisBrook trout are the jewels of cold water - those wavy back markings, red spots with blue halos, and white-edged fins make them the prettiest fish we target. They're smaller than other trout, usually 8-15 inches, but what they lack in size they make up for in spirit. These native beauties need pristine water below 68°F, so finding them is like discovering a hidden treasure. They hang out in the shallow areas near fallen logs, boulders, and undercut banks where the water stays cool and oxygenated. Spring through fall fishing is best, especially in the morning and evening. Brookies are aggressive feeders - they'll hit small spinners, worms, or dry flies without much hesitation. The key is being quiet and using light tackle. Here's my tip: look for the tiniest trickles and spring seeps - that's where the biggest brook trout often hide.
Tylosurus AcusBrowns are the smart guys of the river - they didn't get those golden flanks and black spots by being easy to catch. These fish average 8-24 inches and can live up to 18 years, getting wiser with age. They love cool, clear water around 60°F and hide near cover like fallen trees, undercut banks, and deep pools. Fall is when they really turn on, feeding aggressively before winter sets in. What makes browns special is they're both challenging and delicious - firm, sweet meat that's hard to beat. During the day they're tough, but they get bold at night. They'll eat everything from insects to crayfish to smaller fish. My go-to technique is drifting a woolly bugger or pheasant tail nymph near structure, but here's the secret: fish the nastiest, most snag-prone spots you can find. That's where the big ones hide.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, also called silvers, are some of the most acrobatic fish you'll encounter on the Brule. These 8-12 pound fighters run hard and jump high - some can clear 6 feet out of the water. They've got that classic salmon look with dark blue-green backs, silver sides, and black spots on their tails. What makes cohos special is their incredible table fare - bright orange meat that tastes amazing. Fall is prime time when they're moving through the system to spawn. Look for them in the deeper pools and runs, especially where the current breaks around structure. They'll hit spinners, jigs, and roe presentations. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep steady pressure but let them run - they'll tire themselves out with all that jumping, and you'll land more fish.
Oncorhynchus mykissSteelhead are basically rainbow trout that went to the gym - these lake-run fish average 24 inches and fight like nothing else in the river. They're silver missiles with black spots and that signature pink stripe, but what sets them apart is their power. These fish spend years bulking up in the big water before returning to spawn. Fall through spring is your best bet, and they love the deeper holes and current seams where they can rest between runs. Steelhead are tough to fool - they're selective and spooky. The reward is worth it though - they'll strip line and jump repeatedly. Swinging flies or drifting spawn works well, but here's the trick: use lighter tippet than you think you need. They're line-shy, and you'll get more strikes with 6-8 pound test even if you lose a few fish.
5.0 out of 5.0Corey is a super nice guy and very knowledgeable guide. We really appreciate and enjoyed time together on the Brûlée river!
It was a pleasure spending time on the Brule with you guy! Thank you for coming up! Hopefully see yo...
Corey was awesome!! Reason for my booking was 100% educational - I wanted the how's and why's. Told that to Cory ahead of trip a...
Cory guided us and provided a great experience. Cory is not only passionate about fishing but wants to teach his passion to other...
Thank you for the kind words Jeff! I enjoyed our time on the water! I was a pleasure allowing me to ...
Bois Brule River, Douglas County, WI, United States