Guided Fly Fishing Trips
When to go?
I guide all year round, and will take you fishing under almost any conditions that are safe. I guide around the state to try and chase certain seasons of fish as well as different hatches. However, certain times of the year are just better than others for fishing, so my typical fish specific seasons are broken down like this!
Smallmouth: April through June is early season, where we focus heavily on finding pre spawn fish that are ultra aggressive. It involves large streamers for angry bass; a deadly combo. June through early September is prime time, where bass will readily eat about anything you throw at them. From big poppers, dry flies, or streamers, the bass are active and happy.. and so are we! September until it gets too cold is the late season, where we switch back to big streamers to try an entice fish on a fall feast before winter. I fish for smallmouth both in the rivers and the Grand Traverse Bay as well as other parts of Lake Michigan!
Steelhead: Steelhead usually beginning running for their spawn in March and are usually out of most systems by May. Steelhead are very active during this time of year and can be caught on streamers, nymphs, and eggs! They then return in October through December to chase after salmon eggs and prepare to winter over in the river before spawning in the spring. The fall fish are usually more aggressive and are more elusive, as they are fresh from a summer in the big lake.
Trout (resident): Trout fishing happens year round in this great state, but our tactics change with the season. Typically, winter fishing is nymphing and slowly working streamers, matching the cold days and slow water. Spring fishing gets more exciting with potential dry fly fishing and more active steamer fishing! Summer is a great time to test your night vision and try at a chance for a big brown trout after dark! Either on a mouse fly or if our timing works out, during the Hex Hatch! Fall fishing swtches back to heavy streamer fishing, as fish need calories to stay fat for winter!
Pike: An underrated fly fishing target in Michigan are pike. They inhabit very different waterways in Michigan to trout and offer exciting visual fishing you have not seen before on your fly rod. They eat with a purpose, and really can be a fun way to spend the day. Pike are a year round fish but are definitley more active in the spring as the water warms up, all the way to late fall before the rivers begin to freeze and lock up. If you've never experienced fly fishing for pike before, give it a go, and thank me later!
Half-Day Fishing
A half-day fishing trip is right around 4 hours, depending on the fishing! These trips are done out of a boat, and will include all fishing gear and tackle. Snacks and drinks will be provided as well. These trips are perfect if you only have a small window to fish on vacation or if you want to try out fly fishing. You're not committed all day but still get a real fly fishing experience down beautiful Michigan rivers and will still have an opportunity to catch fish! Fish species will depend on the time of year and river but I target; Smallmouth Bass, Brown Trout, Steelhead, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Pike, Muskie, Carp, and Largemouth Bass
Pricing: $400
*Rated for 2 people, raft can hold 2 people + guide*
Full Day Fishing
A full day fishing trip is 8 hours, and is designed to get out and fish hard all day. These trips are for more dedicated anglers that want to get out for a day (or night) and really try to understand the water. These trips are best when hatches are going for trout or when the days are long and hot for smallmouth bass in the summer. Full days are also great for learning as it gives more time to work on fly fishing skills as well as focusing on trying to catch fish. These trips include gear, flies, snacks, drinks, lunch/dinner (time dependent) and these trips are done out of the raft. These trips are longer in both duration and the float mileage, allowing us to see more of Michigan's beautiful rivers!
Pricing: $550
*Rated for 2 people, raft can hold 2 people + guide*
Walk n Wade
Fishing from the boat provides a way to explore the river that you just cannot do on foot. However, fishing on foot allows you to work the water more diligently and comb it thoroughly, something that is not as easily done out of a boat. These trips on the river usually are for trout and will focus on smaller streams that are easier for traversing up and down. These trips will bring us into intimate fishing spots, as well as into the open bays and waters of Lake Michigan. Walking on foot for Bass & Carp on the flats of the bays gives anglers an opportunity to practice flats fishing that you wouldn't normally be able to do unless you're by the ocean. You can walk the shore of Lake Michigan with me in search of Smallmouth Bass, Carp, Muskie, Freshwater Drum, and really anything else that will bite!
Pricing: $400
*Rated for 2 People*