Fly Fish for Steelhead and Salmon on the Brule River. This DIY camp is for anglers who want to grow their skills and are open to a good challenge.
What is a DIY Camp with Fishing For All?
Our DIY camps are the perfect way for intermediate-advanced anglers to test their skills, meet fellow anglers, and explore new water. These trips are considered “DIY” because participants are expected to share in the camp experience by cooking a meal or two for the group, help with cleaning, rowing, fishing, and provide their own equipment. FFA guides will be there to coach and advise on the needed skills and tackle, ensure everyone is comfortable, safe, and having fun, but they get to fish too. Because of this, our DIY camps are offered at a greatly discounted rate compared to our all-inclusive, fully-guided camps. FFA will still handle the trip logistics and lodging, you just have to show up with a healthy dose of team spirit and be ready for an adventure.
Who Can Go on DIY Camps?
These trips are best for anglers who are intermediate-advanced with a solid enough foundation in fly fishing to be able to fish independently. This is a good “next step” for anglers who have completed our 201 level class. Before anglers can join a DIY Camp, they have to complete certain 301 level classes as prerequisites. These classes will ensure you have the foundational skills needed to be successful and safe on the DIY Camp, and the required classes will be listed below. Otherwise we welcome anyone and everyone to join us: men, women, BIPOC, LGBTQ, young, and old! Just be ready and willing to share camp responsibilities, grow your skills and self-confidence, and work as a team to create an awesome fishing adventure.
DIY Brule Steelhead Camp
The Fishing
Steelhead are migratory rainbow trout that grow to impressive sizes. The Brule River steelhead are born in the river and grow there for up to three years. Then they swim out to Lake Superior, gorging themselves in the deep for another three years. At around age 6, they forge back up the Brule River to spawn or feed on the spawn of other migratory fish like salmon and brown trout. These river warriors grow to heavy sizes, shimmer with a silver glow, and fight like their lives depend on it! You’ll be wade fishing among rolling hills studded with great stands of pine and poplar, using 9’ 7-8wt rods and nymphs with long leaders. Enjoy two full days of guided fishing for the fish of “1,000 casts.” The opportunity to catch lake-run brown trout and salmon also exists.
The Lodging
You’ll stay in a 1800’s cabin on a historic farmstead nestled right on the riverbank near Brule, WI. The cabin is freshly updated with four bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, and all the modern amenities of home. The property is located in the heart of the best fishing area on the river, putting miles of prime water just a few minutes drive from the front door. Two bedrooms have one double bed, two have two twin beds. Large decks and porches can be enjoyed before and after fishing. The property is roughly a 3 hours drive from Minneapolis-St. Paul.
The Experience
Day 1:
Arrive in the late afternoon to the cabin, welcomed by your friendly guides. Enjoy a hardy meal and get to know your fellow anglers over snacks and cocktails. Learn all about the river, its history, geology, and fishery. Get your equipment rigged for the day ahead.
Day 2:
Wake up early to coffee and breakfast. Get geared up and take a short drive to the morning fishing spots. Fish until we all get cold and/or hungry, then return to the cabin for lunch. Head back out for a few more hours of fishing before dark. Recharge and share stories by the fireplace.
Day 3 :
After a restful night’s sleep, wake to another delicious breakfast. You’ll fish a new section of water with your guides. And again return to the cabin for lunch and a warm up break. Then fish til dark. Enjoy one last mouth water meal and cocktails.
Day 4:
Wake up and pack leisurely, with the option to DIY fish on your own at the sports you fished before. Give hugs and high fives with your new fishing family before leaving late morning.
Required Prerequisites
- One 301 Fly Fishing – Steelhead Rigging and Strategies Class
- Become a Frequent Fisher Member to get free 301 classes and more!
2026 Rates & Date
$900/person. $125 deposit due at time of booking.
(All-inclusive price: $1300/person)
Nov 5-8
What’s included
- 3 nights cabin lodging
- 2 full days of fly fishing
- Transportation to and from the fishing area
- Shared camp responsibilities, like cooking and cleaning.
- Opportunities to grow your advanced fishing skills.
What’s you’ll need
- WI Fishing License
- Transportation to the cabin in Brule, WI
- A meal or two to cook for the group
- Personal fishing equipment and flies. (A detailed supply list will be provided.)
- Personal gear items, like polarized sunglasses and rain gear
- Gratuity for guides and cabin staff (recommend $100/pp/day)
The Details-
Deposits are due at the time of booking, plus $2 per person booking fee and a 3% processing fee. Our booking software will auto-collect the remaining balance on the first day of the trip.
Hosted trip deposits are nonrefundable within 30 days of the trip start date., but can be applied to alternative trips. In the event that trip is canceled by the guide due to unsafe conditions, etc- the deposit can be fully refunded or be applied to alternative trips.
Equipment needs will vary per trip. We will send you a full packing list and itinerary so you know what to bring/expect. If you don’t have your own fishing equipment, we can provide you some free of charge.
It is advisable to purchase travel insurance for your hosted trip in the event of last minute cancellations. Fishing For All LLC does not provide this service, and it will need to be purchased separately at the discretion of the participant.
Please tip your guides and hosted trip staff, it is greatly appreciated!
Private Custom Camps-
Private camps can be arranged on a limited basis at Troutopia on Trout Run Creek in Chatfield, MN, the Bass Camp Cabin on the Snake River in Pine City, MN, or to other custom areas. We’ll organize all the details for you! Please contact us to inquire about private custom camp options and pricing.
