Half Day Pro-Level Salmon and Trout Fishing Trip
Private Trip
River Fishing
Professional halfday salmon and trout fishing on Brule RiverExpert guide provides local knowledge and seasonal fishing strategiesAll equipment included with option for additional anglers
Guide Cory's half-day salmon and trout fishing adventure on the Brule River is built for anglers who know their way around a rod and reel. This isn't your typical beginner outing—it's a focused, four-hour mission targeting some of the finest cold-water species in the region. Starting at 7 AM (though times shift seasonally to match prime feeding windows), you'll hit productive zones where coho salmon, steelhead, brown trout, and brook trout are actively hunting. With all gear, tackle, and bait included, you just need to show up with your fishing license and the drive to land some serious fish. The trip accommodates two anglers, with room to add more for $100 each if you're bringing extra friends who can handle the pace.
The Brule River system offers the kind of diverse fishing that keeps seasoned anglers coming back season after season. Cory knows this water like the back of his hand—every deep hole, current break, and structure that holds fish throughout the year. You'll be working prime spots based on real-time conditions and seasonal migration patterns, not just the usual tourist holes everyone else hits. The four-hour window gives you solid time to work different techniques and locations without rushing, but it's focused enough that every cast counts. This is hands-on fishing where you're reading water, adjusting presentations, and really working for your fish. The private setup means you're not competing with other boats or dealing with crowded public access points—just you, your fishing partner, and some of the best trout and salmon water in the area.
Cory comes equipped with quality rods and reels matched to the species you're targeting, plus a full selection of proven baits and lures for Brule River conditions. Depending on the season and what's running, you might be drifting spawn bags through deep pools, swinging streamers along undercut banks, or working spinners through current seams where salmon stage before their spawning runs. The beauty of this system is the variety—you're not locked into one technique all day. Spring steelhead might call for different presentations than fall coho or summer browns, and Cory adjusts tactics based on water levels, weather, and fish behavior. He'll have you working everything from traditional drift rigs to more aggressive presentations when the fish are fired up and feeding hard.
Coho salmon are the silver bullets of the Brule River system, typically running strong from late summer through fall. These fish average 8-12 pounds but can push bigger, and when they're fresh from the big water, they fight like absolute freight trains. Coho are aggressive feeders during their runs, making them exciting targets for skilled anglers who can read the water and present baits in the strike zone. They'll slam everything from spawn to hardware, and their acrobatic fights make every hookup a memorable battle.
Steelhead trout are the crown jewel for many anglers, and the Brule system sees both fall and spring runs that bring these chrome-bright fighters into fishable water. These lake-run rainbows typically range from 6-15 pounds, with occasional monsters pushing even bigger. Steelhead are notorious for their explosive runs and jumping ability—they'll test your drag settings and fighting technique like no other freshwater species. Spring fish tend to be more aggressive after wintering in the system, while fall fish are fresh and powerful straight from the lake.
Brown trout in the Brule are year-round residents that grow fat and smart in the river's nutrient-rich waters. These fish can be incredibly selective, especially the larger specimens that have seen every lure in the tackle box. Browns in the 3-8 pound range are common, with occasional bruisers topping double digits. They're ambush predators that love structure—undercut banks, fallen trees, and deep pools where they can hold in comfort and pick off easy meals. Landing a quality brown trout requires patience and finesse, making them a favorite target for technical anglers.
Brook trout might be the smallest species on the target list, but they're pure dynamite on light tackle and absolutely gorgeous fish. The Brule's brookies typically run 10-16 inches, with their brilliant orange fins and spotted flanks making them one of the most beautiful freshwater species you'll encounter. They prefer cooler water and are often found in the headwater areas and spring-fed tributaries. Brook trout are aggressive feeders when conditions are right, and their willingness to hit a variety of presentations makes them a reliable backup when the larger species are being finicky.
This half-day pro-level trip delivers exactly what serious anglers are looking for—quality time on productive water with a guide who knows how to put you on fish. The four-hour format gives you enough time to work different spots and techniques without the fatigue of a full-day grind, and the seasonal timing adjustments mean you're always fishing during optimal windows. With gear and tackle included, you're getting maximum value for a focused fishing experience that's built around results, not just time on the water. Keep in mind that deposits are non-refundable, so plan accordingly, but with Cory's track record on the Brule River system, you're investing in one of the top-rated salmon and trout fishing experiences in the region. Whether you're chasing chrome-bright steelhead or working for a trophy brown, this trip puts you in position to connect with the fish you came for.
Salvelinus FontinalisBrookies are the native jewels of cold, clean water with those stunning colors - olive backs, red spots ringed in blue, and pink fins with white edges. They typically run 8-24 inches and are incredibly sensitive to water quality, so finding them means you're in pristine habitat. Look for them in shallow areas near fallen logs, undercut banks, and boulder pockets in the cooler sections of the river. Fall spawning season brings out their most vibrant colors and aggressive feeding. They're spirited fighters for their size and absolutely delicious. What guests love is their beauty and the challenge of fishing small, tight spots. Pro tip for the Brule: use a long fly rod to drop small dry flies or nymphs into those tiny pockets under overhanging branches where they hide.
Tylosurus AcusBrowns are the smartest fish in the river and probably the most rewarding to catch. They average 8-24 inches but the big ones can push close to 40 inches and several pounds. These golden-brown beauties with black spots love cool, clear water and will hide under cut banks, fallen trees, and deep pools during the day. Fall is when they really turn on, feeding aggressively at night before spawning. They're incredibly wary but fight hard once hooked, and the meat is excellent eating. What makes them special is their challenge - they've seen every lure thrown at them. My go-to trick for Brule browns is fishing crawfish patterns tight to structure at dusk. They can't resist a well-presented crayfish imitation bounced along the bottom near their hideouts.
Oncorhynchus KisutchSilver salmon are pure fighters that'll test your skills on the Brule. These acrobatic fish average 12-30 inches and can weigh 8-12 pounds, with that classic silver body and dark spots along the back. They're famous for jumping up to 6 feet when hooked. You'll find them in deeper pools and slower water, especially during their fall runs when they're feeding aggressively before spawning. The meat is top-notch with bright orange-red flesh that's hard to beat on the table. Fall through early winter gives you the best shot at fresh fish moving upstream. Here's a local trick: when they're holding in deeper water, try twitching a bright jig with a long tail near the bottom structure - the movement drives them crazy.
Oncorhynchus mykissSteelhead are sea-run rainbows that pack serious punch when they hit. These chrome rockets average 24 inches but can stretch to 45 inches and fight like nothing else in freshwater. They're streamlined and silvery with black spots, built for speed after years feeding in the big water. Look for them in deeper runs and pools with good current, especially around boulders and woody cover. Mid-fall through spring is prime time when they're moving upstream to spawn. What makes them special is that ocean muscle - they'll peel line and jump repeatedly. The key here on the Brule is fishing early morning when the water's cold. Try swinging flies or drifting spawn through the deeper holes where they stage before moving upriver.
Bois Brule River, Douglas County, WI, United States