My most memorable trip on the Wolf was a float I did with Herb Buettner, who owns the Wild Wolf Inn just north of the Menominee Reservation. Herb and I floated in a raft he designed downstream from Hollister for several miles on a no-kill stretch one warm afternoon and evening in early June. We caught a few nice browns before sundown, then got into a mess of heavy fish during one of the wildest fly hatches I have ever witnessed. We dragged ourselves off the river long after dark, wet and exhausted, but grinning from the fabulous fishing action.

Contact: Wild Wolf Inn, (715) 882-8611 or www.wildwolfinn.com.

PIKE RIVER
Among the many "P" streams that flow through northeastern Wisconsin, the Pike is generally considered to have the most consistent trout fishing. Anglers who prefer the Pine, Popple, Peshtigo or Pemebonwon may beg to differ, but hey, we don't all want to fish the same rivers now, do we?

The Pike is deep and narrow compared to the other rivers, and it holds its temperature better in summer. Designated a Wild & Scenic River by the state legislature, its banks are protected from development. The river dashes through a mix of hardwood and conifer uplands, with some of the wildest rapids of any river in the state.

Between the whitewater stretches, the Pike and its branches offer great fishing for rainbows, browns and brookies. Several season dates apply here. The entire river is open during the regular season. The main-stem stretch from Highway V to Highway K is also open during the early no-kill season.

The North Branch begins at the confluence of K.C. and McIntyre creeks south of Highway 8 near Dunbar and flows for 30 miles to the main stem. This is all wild brook trout water, with a series of falls and plunge pools that hold fish. Walking trails along the river provide good access.

The South Branch flows along Old County Road A and Benson Lake Road to join the North Branch near Amberg. It flows through swamps, then becomes a freestone stream in its last several miles. There is access at road crossings.

Contacts: Tight Lines Fly-Fishing Company, De Pere, (920) 336-4106; Gander Mountain, Green Bay, (920) 491-9110 or www.gandermountain.com.

RUSH RIVER
The Rush River rises north of Baldwin in St. Croix County and flows south through Pierce County to join the Mississippi River near Maiden Rock. Along the way, it passes the speed bumps of Martell and El Paso. Fished more heavily by anglers from Minnesota than by those from Wisconsin, the Rush has 25 miles of trout water that holds some big browns. DNR surveys have found trout well over 20 inches, indicating that there is good survival of stocked fish and, some argue, a sign of natural reproduction.

Limestone outcroppings and broad valleys provide a mix of scenery for this wide, fertile river that supports good fly hatches throughout the year. The Rush is open during the regular and early seasons. The trout water runs from the St. Croix/Pierce county line downstream at least to Highway 10. Below here, there may be a few scattered big trout.

The Ellsworth Rod & Gun Club has made a lot of in-stream habitat improvements that hold fish, and they also stock additional trout in the river. There is good access at road crossings from Martell to Highway 10. Lost Creek, which enters the Rush below Highway 72, offers five miles of additional trout water. All Pierce and St. Croix county streams are open during both the regular and early seasons.

Contact: Lund's Hardware, River Falls, (715) 425-2415 or www.lundshardware.doitbest.com.