PERE MARQUETTE RIVER MOUSING TRIPS

Night fishing trips on the Pere Marquette targeting big brown trout on mouse patterns. June through August is prime time — topwater eats in the dark on one of Michigan’s most storied Wild & Scenic rivers. An experience unlike any other style of fly fishing.

$600.00

GROUP SIZE

6 HOUR TRIP

Clear

CHOOSE DATE: PLEASE COMPLETE CHECKOUT ABOVE IF YOU ARE BOOKING TO WESTLEY'S CALENDAR, OTHERWISE YOUR TRIP IS SUBJECT TO CANCELLATION W/OUT PAYMENT

If you are booking hosted travel, night time trips, or do not see your desired date, please contact Westley directly: westleysallen@gmail.com | (231) 871-1459

LARGE GROUPS - PLEASE EMAIL FOR PRICING & AVAILABILITY

For corporate or groups larger than three, please reach out to us via email at westleysallen@gmail.com to inquire about pricing and availability.

Please share with us how many people are in your group, their experience levels, company information and any specific goals or interests for each individual. This helps us tailor a customizable experience for your group.

QUESTIONS BEFORE BOOKING?

TRIP OVERVIEW

SEASON DATES | June 1st – August 15th.

Experience the heart-pounding thrill of a nighttime fly fishing adventure on the Pere Marquette River, where the hunt for giant brown trout comes alive after dark. Cast mouse patterns into the shadows and logjams, waiting for the explosive surface strikes that make mousing unforgettable. Guided by an expert who knows every inch of this legendary river, you’ll fish under the stars for aggressive, trophy-class browns in one of Michigan’s most exhilarating angling experiences.

MOUSING FOR BROWN TROUT ON THE PERE MARQUETTE RIVER

What to Expect

When the sun drops below the tree line and the Pere Marquette goes dark, something changes. The river that spent all day holding cautious, selective brown trout transforms into a predator’s highway — and the biggest fish in the system come out to feed. Mousing is night fly fishing for large brown trout using buoyant, surface-skimming mouse patterns. It’s one of the most visceral experiences in freshwater fly fishing: you hear the eat before you feel it. On the Pere Marquette, where wild browns routinely push 20 inches and beyond, a blown take at midnight will keep you awake long after you’ve left the river.

Trips launch at dusk and run through the dark hours on carefully selected Pere Marquette stretches that Westley has floated hundreds of times. Navigation happens from the oars of his StealthCraft Bighorn drift boat — a low-profile, quiet-running platform purpose-built for technical river work. You’ll cast to bankside structure: undercut roots, overhanging willows, logjams, and the kind of dark water that holds a 24-inch brown trout waiting for one bad decision from something on the surface.

Expect to throw large, wind-resistant flies on a single-hand rod in the 6-8 weight range. Leaders are short and stout. The casting is aggressive. The takes are violent.

The Flies

Westley ties his own mouse patterns specifically for Pere Marquette brown trout, including the Midnight Slider — a low-profile, trailer-hook mouse designed for maximum surface disturbance and solid hookups on aggressive eats. Flies are available in the shop and can be added to your trip.

Who This Trip Is For

All skill levels are welcome but is a huge plus if you are comfortable casting a 6-8 weight in low-light conditions and handling aggressive takes without hesitation. If you’ve never fished at night before, Westley will get you dialed in — but come prepared for a physical, technical experience that rewards anglers who can stay focused after midnight.

If you’re chasing the largest brown trout the Pere Marquette has to offer, this is the trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many anglers per boat?

One to two anglers per trip. The StealthCraft Bighorn comfortably fishes two, but single-angler trips mean more water and more casts per person.

What should I bring?

A valid Michigan fishing license, polarized sunglasses, layered clothing appropriate for the season, rain gear, and sunscreen. Waders if you want to get out of the boat. Everything else is provided.

Can beginners do this trip?

Absolutely. A significant number of Westley’s clients are first-time fly anglers. He’ll teach you to cast, read water, and set the hook. You’ll catch fish.

What happens if the weather is bad?

Trips run rain or shine — some of the best fishing happens in poor weather. Trips are only cancelled for unsafe conditions like severe storms or dangerously high water. See the cancellation policy for details.