Guide Trips

Let's go fishin'

Musky Fool Fly Fishing Co. offers guided fly fishing trips across Northern Wisconsin for all skill levels from your first cast to chasing giant muskies. Everything you need to know about our trips and guide service is right here on this page, and when you’re ready, head to our booking page to lock in an unforgettable day on the water.

our trip packages

Musky Trips

Intermediate - Advanced Anglers

Our musky program is more nuanced than just casting 10,000 times in hopes of a bite. We aim to break down the entire method for you - from flies, casting, and gear to learning different tactics by season or water body. These trips are not for the faint of heart. Musky are the pinnacle of freshwater fish here in the Midwest and present the ultimate challenge to fly anglers. We can also provide conventional musky gear for those that can't handle a full day fly fishing for musky.

Types of trips

• River: These float trips will take you to some of the most beautiful places in the state, all for a chance at a native trophy.
• Lakes: While targeting musky on bigger water can be more challenging, jumping in the powerboat in musky country can give you a shot at a lake monster.

Details

• What: Full Day (8 hours), fly gear and lunch provided.
• Where: Park Falls area
• When: June - November
• Who: 1 - 2 anglers/boat, group trips available
• Cost: $600 / full day ≈ 8 hours (Tip not included)
(half day’s not available)

Beginner Trips

No experience needed

Never picked up a fly rod before, or still consider yourself a novice? Perfect. Our beginner trips are designed to make your first experience easy, fun, and stress-free. We’ll guide you through everything—from your first cast to landing your first fish—at a relaxed, comfortable pace. This isn’t a hardcore trip or a musky grind, and no experience is needed—just a vacation-friendly day on the water built to boost your confidence and help you enjoy something new. Just show up and we’ll take care of the rest.

Types of trips

• River: This trip will emphasize casting fundamentals, fly presentation, fish behavior, through on the water learning and a family friends environment.

Details

• What: Full Day (8 hours), lunch and fly gear included. Half Day (4 hours) includes fly gear but does not include lunch.
• Where: Minocqua area
• When: May - early September
• Who: 1 - 2 anglers
• Cost:
$350 / half day 4 hours, (Tip not included)
$600 / full day ≈ 8 hours (Tip not included)

Smallmouth Bass Trips

Beginner - Advanced Anglers

Wisconsin has some of the world’s best smallmouth bass fishing! Fishing for smallmouth is one of our favorite things to do in the peak of Summer. The majority of our Smallmouth Trips are float trips based in Northern Wisconsin. We also can tailor these trips to be "musky-lite" or the "wisconsin special" where we cast 8wts with wire bite tippet for anything that's eating. We don't target large musky on these trips but we do have an absolute blast on a multi-species adventure.

Types of trips

• River: We love to target bass on our northern rivers.

Details

• What: Full Day (8 hours), lunch and fly gear included.
• Where: Minocqua & Parks Falls area
• When: May - early September
• Who: 1 - 2 anglers/boat, group trips available
• Cost: $600 / full day ≈ 8 hours (Tip not included)
(half day’s not available)
Book your fly fishing trip now!

Meet our guides

Nick Gellerstedt

Midwest native and totally nuts about fly fishing, Nick Gellerstedt is one of the only guys in the country that is 100% dedicated to musky fly fishing. We are absolutely thrilled to have one of the top guides in the country working for Musky Fool and even more excited for you to get in the boat with him.

Josh Berry

Josh joins the Musky Fool team after moving to Wisconsin from Montana’s Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, where he built a decade-long career guiding anglers on some of the most iconic trout rivers in the American West. Having worked alongside some of the country’s top guides—including time with Musky Fool’s own Nick Gellerstedt—he brings a thoughtful, adaptable approach to chasing bass and musky in northern Wisconsin. At his core, Josh is passionate about teaching, whether helping experienced anglers pursue their first musky on the fly or introducing beginners to the sport, always focused on delivering an unforgettable day on the water.

Book your fly fishing trip now!

client photo gallery

Client Testimonials

Long story short, Musky Fool is one of (if not the) best fly shop and angling community you could ask for.

In terms of gear and supplies, they have what you need for whatever Wisconsin species you need to target on the fly whether that’s musky (surprise),trout,  bass, pike, etc. Whether you’re looking for a kit to start out, or a specific fly or piece of equipment, they’ve got you covered.  They also have plenty of and a wide range of fly tying material, including some of the best bucktail around.  And if what you need is sold out or isn’t in stock, they will get it ordered and shipped to you very quickly.

On the people side of things, the shop staff are incredibly friendly and knowledgeable.  They can help with pretty much any species or situation or question that you’ve got and they take the time to walk you their experience and rationale.  They are an awesome group of people and it’s clear how much they love to fly fish and how much they excel at it.  And on top of that they are truly passionate about sharing that knowledge with other folks.

Last but not least, if you’re looking for a guided trip, this is the place to get setup with.  I did a 2 day musky trip with Nick and it was the best guiding experience I’ve had.  He was both friendly and super knowledgeable on all things musky fishing.  He helped a newer fly angler in the boat and also gave me great info and advice on my first time targeting musky.   For our group, he had a perfect sense of when it was heads down fishing time and when it was relaxed fishing and talk time.  You couldn’t ask for a better guide.

Gage D.

What an amazing guided trip I had with Nick...it’s true what you guys say about Nick being the “guides, guide.” I came back to Wisconsin with a very minimal knowledge about these amazing creatures we go insane about, he took my basic skills and added and added and then added some more, leaving me with much more confidence and wherewithal on how to catch musky on the fly. Not only that but he was one of the most genuine people I have ever met, the day was filled with laughs, smiles, shakes from fish, a bunch of knowledge transfer, and by the end feeling like we were long standing friends. I can’t wait to move back and have Nick be my only guide I book trips with.

Billy G.

“I have fished with Gallatin River Guides for 28 years. I have never felt the need to write. I fished with you last week, and I’m writing to tell you that Josh was the finest fishing guide I've ever gone with. I have fished with over 50 guides in the Bozeman area, and Josh was by far the best.”

Fritz H.

“One of the best river fishing days I’ve ever had. Far beyond my expectations. Our guide Josh was knowledgeable and put us on many fish throughout the day.”

Patrick G.

“I had an amazing experience with Josh. We lit it up and he worked tirelessly to make sure I was on top of the fish and always had the right fly. I asked Josh for some pointers and coaching and I learned a ton, he’s a great teacher. I couldn’t be happier with the experience I had.”

John C.
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Frequently Asked Questions

All trips require a $100 deposit to hold your date.

No, but musky fly fishing is what we’re best known for. We also offer smallmouth bass trips and cater to anglers of all skill levels, from complete beginners to advanced.

Yes, but to clarify we don't offer beginner musky fly fishing trips. Beginners should book a beginners trip and we'd love to teach you how to fly fish.

We are interested in chasing fish with a fly rod, because we think it works better and is more fun. That simple. If you want to bring your conventional gear, that's fine. Just don't blame us when your friend catches more fish.

Tips are not included in your fee to Musky Fool. Please tip your guide directly. A recommended tip is 20%.

We will provide all gear needed to fish, but you are more than welcome to bring your own. Pack sparingly! The guide has the final call on what can be brought in the boat.

We never know when a good bite is going to come together. As such, we will try our best to get on the water in all conditions. If safety is a concern we will reschedule.

Yes, please reach out and we can put something special together!

Stay tuned for Musky Fool hosted trips in the future.

If you have any special requests, medical conditions, or food allergies, please let us know ahead of time so we can prepare accordingly.

You are able to cancel up to 30 days before your trip for a full refund, otherwise we will look to reschedule you for your preferred available date. Ultimately, we want to get you on the water and will do everything we can to make it happen.

We run trips all over Wisconsin and will suggest specific lodging recommendations based on your trip location.

1. Submit a Booking Request.

2. We give you a call to discuss and finalize details. A $100 deposit is required to hold your date.

3. Prior to your trip, you pay the full booking fee balance and sign a liability waiver (required for every guest).

4. In the few days leading up to your trip, we will confirm logistics (meetup location & time, conditions to prepare for, etc).

We are after trophy fish. Especially, when it comes to Musky, this is not for the faint of heart! Oh yeah and its also with a fly rod which we will be casting non-stop all day for maybe only a few chances at an eat. If your success metric for a guide day is catching a bunch of fish, this is not the trip for you. If you cannot cast an 8wt consistently 40-60ft all day and figure 8 after each cast than musky fly fishing trips are going to be very very difficult.

If you are looking to get started with something less intimidating than musky on the fly don't hesitate to reach out. We'd love to get you on a beginner trip to get you started on your fly fishing journey.

For every trip it is still best to be as well prepared as you can. Our guides spend countless hours in prepartion and you are spending your hard earned money. Taking some time fishing or casting before hand, having the right clothes/equipment, and coming with a positive attitude make a world of difference!

For beginner trips don't worry about practicing before hand. The day will be centered around teaching you how to fly fish. That being said it's important to come with the right clothes and a positive attitude.

- All fishing rods, reels, line, terminal tackle, and flies will be provided, but you are more than welcome to bring your own gear and flies if desired. If you are looking to get outfitted ahead of your trip, please call the shop!

- Wisconsin Fishing License

- Rain, wind, and cold-weather gear -especially if the forecast suggests Mother Nature will rear her head!

- Hat & polarized sunglasses. Polarized glasses are an absolute must for fishing.

- Waders and Boots (trip dependent)

- Sunscreen and Bug Spray

- Water Bottle (No glass allowed on the boat)

- Any personal medication, snacks, etc that you need to feel comfortable for the day. Please keep personal gear to one bag.

Yes, the goal of the guide trip is to maximize the time fishing. You never know when the window will open. It is highly recommended to practice casting beforehand. We are here at the shop if you want help or a 1:1 lesson!

For Beginner trips - don't worry about practicing before hand the whole point is we'll teach you that out there.

Frankly, it will be a very challenging day and we do not recommend it. We are excited about your interest in musky and fly fishing and would be thrilled to help you get started as a new fly angler. We recommend a bass or trout trip! We promise it will be a lot more fun and in no time you will be ready to face off with a musky!

Don't take it personally....or maybe you should... We don't really know and spend most of our waking hours puzzling over the same question. Muck Fusky is what we came up with.

Yes, every single time. After three trout sets we are not responsible or liable for any of the guide's behavior towards you...

Book your fly fishing trip now!