top of page
Beyond The Bridges Outdoor Adventures and Mindfulness Practices

This site represents my work, my passions, and my philosophy of going beyond the bridge—pushing past the ordinary to find something truly unique. From documentaries and fishing adventures to art, craftsmanship, and home restoration, every endeavor here is rooted in a commitment to mindfulness, creativity, and adventure. Whether I’m transforming homes or telling stories, my goal is always to bring lasting value and go further than what’s expected. Hello, I’m Mark Brent, owner-operator of BridgeStar Contractors and Xterior Restoration & Repair, and founder of Beyond the Bridges.

Wear Beyond The Bridges

Beyond The Bridges Logo

Arm yourself with Beyond the Bridges' exclusive Fishing T-shirts and "Peace-Of-Mind" Defender Collection—crafted for the bold at heart. Discover adventure-inspired art for your walls in our unique outdoor art collection. Shop now and bring the spirit of the wild into your wardrobe and your home.

Featured

Outdoor Adventures & Mindfulness Practices
Beyond The Bridges Youtube Channel
Unbelievable! Watch me Catch the BIGGEST Smallmouth in the River - No Dinks or Smalls Need Apply!
06:30

Unbelievable! Watch me Catch the BIGGEST Smallmouth in the River - No Dinks or Smalls Need Apply!

Are you ready for an epic fishing adventure? Join me as I search for the biggest and baddest smallmouth bass in my home section of the river. Will I finally catch the monster bass that made me shake with excitement? Or will I end up with dink after dink? Find out now in this thrilling fishing quest! Don't miss out, "Dinks and Smalls Need Not Apply! - Fishing Adventure of a Lifetime!" 🎣 🐟 🤩🤪😁❤️💛💚💙💜 Welcome to Beyond The Bridges! A fishing channel dedicated to pursuing the biggest, baddest fish of all. Join us as we explore rivers and lakes across the country in search of monster bass and thrilling tales. We'll bring you tips and tricks for your next big catch, plus plenty of laughs along the way. Get ready for an adventure like no other - It's time to go fishing with Beyond The Bridges!!🎣 🎣 🐟 🐟 🤩 🤩🤪🤪😁😁❤❤️️💛💛💚💚💙💙💜💜 Check out the website https://www.beyondthebridges.com/ I'm on a mission to find the biggest, baddest smallmouth bass in the river. The ones that make my heart race and my hands shake. I switch between my Whopper Plopper and the Ned rig, but all I catch are smalls and dinks. I know they can show me the way, but I'm getting frustrated. Then, BOOM! My top water disappears beneath the water. I set the hook, but it's a miss. I'm getting closer. So, I head up river, against the bank. Another top water strike and a miss. Time to switch it up. I grab my trusty Ned rig and bounce it low and slow along the rocks. And finally, I feel it. The big one. My heart is thumping as I reel it in. I hold the massive smallmouth in my hands, feeling grateful and in awe. But, as I release it back into the river, I know this is only the beginning of my search for bigger and better catches. The journey to find big, fat, monster smallmouth will never end. And I'll be back on the river, heart racing and hands shaking, in search of the next one. #wisconsinfishing #wisconsinoutdoors #wisconsinlife
Outdoor Adventure Movie |  Bass Fishing in a Kayak on the Milwaukee River: An Epic Fishing Adventure
01:00:42

Outdoor Adventure Movie | Bass Fishing in a Kayak on the Milwaukee River: An Epic Fishing Adventure

Looking for an outdoor adventure movie that will take your breath away? Look no further than The Journey. This kayaking and fishing documentary follows the Milwaukee River as it winds through the heart of Wisconsin, providing a stunning view of nature at its finest. Whether you're a seasoned outdoorsman or just looking to get away from it all, this film is sure to please. Come along for the ride, and experience The Journey. The Journey features adventurer, kayaker, and fisherman Mark Brent as he traverses the waters of Wisconsin's Milwaukee River. Along the way, viewers will see firsthand the beauty of natural habitats, and witness how modern civilization has impacted this amazing stretch of land. From lush forested areas to giant industrial infrastructure. West Bend to the Harbor and Lake Michigan in Milwaukee. Visit Official Page for "The Journey" https://www.beyondthebridges.com/thejourney In America, we are free to explore the great outdoors and paddle down our amazing rivers. This kayak fishing documentary showcases the beauty of Milwaukee River and the endless possibilities for outdoor adventure in America. Locations For This Milwaukee River Documentary 0:00 - Kayaking From West Bend, Wisconsin to Myra 5:17 - Kayaking from Trenton to Newberg, Wisconsin 9:36 - Kayaking and Fishing from Newberg to Fredonia, Wisconsin 18:55 - Kayaking and Fishing Grafton, WIsconsin 27:50 - Kayaking and Fishing Cedarburg and Mequon 31:50 - Fishing and Kayaking from Mequon through River Hills and Glendale 41:00 - Kayaking and Fishing from Kletzsch Falls 44:21 - Kayaking and Fishing Lincoln Park on the Milwaukee River 47:18 - Fishing At Estabrook Falls 49:52 - Kayaking and Fishing the Milwaukee River in Milwaukee 55:37 - Kayaking Through Downtown Milwaukee
The Day I Caught My Personal Best Smallmouth Bass on the Milwaukee River
07:47

The Day I Caught My Personal Best Smallmouth Bass on the Milwaukee River

I love Milwaukee River Smallmouth Fishing. River Smallies are pound for pound my favorite fish to catch. The day I caught my personal best (PB) Smallie started out normal. Naw!!!! No it didn’t! I flew my drone up the river and over the falls which gave me a view of what the water looked like on top. I’d been up the falls before, but the river was deeper back then. I could not advance by wadding very far beyond the falls. My aerial scouting showed me this time was going to be different. What I found up the falls and beyond was beautiful if not lower than normal water and a bunch of angry and hungry fish. In fact, I caught what I believe to be my personal best smallmouth bass as the last fish of the day. Read and Watch on Beyond The Bridges https://www.beyondthebridges.com/post/personal-best-smallmouth With my Beyond The Bridge adventures I aim to discover what exists deeper or further than the common access points or viewpoints that most of us know well. This personal best smallmouth was caught at the end of my day as I pushed further up the river beyond the falls than I have before. This fish being the biggest smallie I've caught on the river (20+ inches and at least 5lbs) is great. Equally as awesome is that I caught this personal best smallmouth pushing further into my journey and not at the beginning. This somehow sweetens the accomplishment for me. This is proof that beyond the bridges is a mindset that brings reward when executed properly. Key Moments In Video 0:00 - Intro: Getting Up The Falls 2:54 - Catching First Big Smallmouth 5:31 - Catching My Personal Best Smallmouth #smallmouth #wisconsinfishing #beyondthebridges
Creek Fishing for Fat Spawning Smallmouth Bass | Best Fishing Of Year
12:48

Creek Fishing for Fat Spawning Smallmouth Bass | Best Fishing Of Year

This was an epic outing for fat spawning smallmouth that ended in a really painful way. WATCH FULL VIDEO to see the surprise ending. My buddy and I headed out to a certain hole on the Milwaukee River. This is a creek and river confluence with fast water on three sides of the hole. We aimed to find us some fat spawning smallies. After some discussion as to where the spawning smallmouth bass might be we ended up going up the creek that poured into that hole creating the confluence. It seemed a bust right from the start. The water was shallow and there were no holes where a fat female smallmouth bass may like to lay their eggs and get them fertilized by an aggressive little male. Just before we quit the hike up the creek and returned back to the Milwaukee River, we stumbled into some slightly deeper water behind rocks and laydowns. With some conviction before we started up the creek, I told Lee that there was a good chance the smallmouth in that part of the Milwaukee River would spawn in this creek. Lee was skeptical and I couldn't blame him. The creek at the confluence was barely six inches deep due to a lack of spring rain. Lee caught the first smallmouth. A real tank. And we didn't look back after that. This may have been the best outing for me this year. Enjoy the video and let me know what you think about my stories. - Mark Read and Watch on Beyond The Bridges https://www.beyondthebridges.com/post/fishing-spawning-smallmouth #smallmouth #wisconsinfishing #beyondthebridges
An Outdoor Adventure Documentary About Mindfulness And Finding Purpose
Beyond The Bridges Shop

About The Journey

I kayaked, fished, and explored over 80 miles of the Milwaukee River. Once beyond the bridges the Milwaukee river is amazingly wild, serene, and at times difficult to navigate.

 

My journey started in the spring up in West Bend and continued through early fall ending at the Milwaukee Harbor. This documentary will tell the story of how my journey down the Milwaukee River came to be a celebration of a river that saved my life. 

Beyond The Bridges Shop
From The Blog
Beyond The Bridges Shop
Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
bottom of page