Learn fly fishing from experts on Michigan's best rivers. Shore trips for trout and bass. Book your premium experience today!

Fish Flicks

Expert Fly Fishing Lessons on Michigan Rivers

Discover world-class fly fishing on Michigan's rivers. Expert-guided trips for trout and bass. Book your premium drift boat adventure today!

Drift Catch

Michigan's Premier Guided Drift Fishing Experience

Experience world-class fly fishing on Michigan's rivers. 6-hour guided trip targeting trout, bass & pike. Book your adventure today!

Fly Float MI

Elite Michigan River Fly Fishing Adventures

Experience world-class trout and bass fishing on the Muskegon River. Book your private guided trip today!

River Reels

Top-Rated Muskegon River Fishing with Expert Guide

Explore the Pere Marquette River, a hidden gem perfect for satisfying your wanderlust with scenic kayaking, hiking trails, wildlife watching, and serene camping spot

Things to do

Things To Do In Pere Marquette River

Brown Trout

Awesome Fall Steelhead Run

Steelhead Trout

<div>Plenty of Chrome and Gold to strip up this Fall! &nbsp; Come up and take advantage of it through December!</div>

A scenic view of Baldwin with fishing equipment

Day time jackpot

<div>Water temps are back to par. &nbsp; Daytime hopper action and night time mousing are the programs of choice for the next few! &nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

Catch of the day: a 16-inch sea trout caught in Baldwin

Chrome and Gold

<div>&nbsp; Pre-spawn Brown Trout bite is very STRONG! &nbsp;Steelhead are amongst the Coho Salmon making their way in the Pere Marquette River. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp; Egging where appropriate. &nbsp;Streamers as always. &nbsp;Come up and learn how to swim a fly and find some fish along the way.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The next couple weeks are looking great!</div>

<div>Egg flies &nbsp; Nymphs &nbsp;Stripped Streamers</div>

Coho salmon caught while fishing in Baldwin

Chrome Push  

<div>Sorry it wont let me paste!</div><div><br></div><div>Rain tommorow, steelhead next week! &nbsp; Looking strong for about a week. &nbsp;Come try catching one while they're hot!</div><div><br></div><div>Plenty of Browns to fill in the void...</div>

Stunning landscape shot of Baldwin, showcased the best of fishing

Summer Smallies

Walleye

Smallmouth Bass

Rainbow Trout

<div>Fishing on the big river continues to be good! &nbsp;Smallmouth Bass, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, and the occasional other, have all been making an appearance each time out. &nbsp;</div>

A lone fisherman in Michigan enjoying a great day of fishing

Rock bass fish caught by angler in Baldwin

We are now offering guided fly fishing lessons in Baldwin, MI area for 2 hours each. These lessons include gear and we will practice from shore. Price includes 1 angler with room for 6 on this! You will need at least a Michigan 1 day fishing license since you are casting directly into water for this. 

Fly Fishing Lessons

Don’t use Guidesly hhhh

<div>Last call to register for June Camps in Big Rapids!</div>

Fun for the kids 

Summer Flies 

Brook Trout

<div>Dry fly fishing action is in full force on the local rivers. &nbsp;The main hatches will be during the evening hours, and later as we progress!</div><div><br></div><div>Streamer stripping has been great for Smallmouth Bass and Brown Trout. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Night fishing is always good... &nbsp; Mousing for the rest of the Summer.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Get out soon before &nbsp;water temps get too warm! &nbsp;This is the new norm for us the last couple of Summers.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Walk in wading trips are also available throughout the summer.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>See you soon!</div><div><br></div>

<div>Come find out and learn to swim a fly.&nbsp;</div>

Scenic view of Baldwin with fishing equipment

A picturesque fishing scene in Baldwin, showcasing the best catch of the day.

Gag grouper caught while fishing in Baldwin

Trout Opener

<div>Trout Opener in Michigan this weekend. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Let 'em go, let 'em grow!</div><div><br></div><div>Enough said...</div><div><br></div><div>Come check out some new rivers this weekend. &nbsp;Drift trips available as well on the Pere Marquette River or Muskegon River. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Smallmouth fishing has been great!</div>

A fisherman holding a 17-inch catch in Baldwin

With Michigan’s trout opener this weekend, many wonderful Michigan streams open up for fishing across the state.  Michigan boast’s having more than 20,000 miles of trout streams alone!   Let’s put that in perspective.  If you were to fish a 5 mile section of stream each day of the “season”,  it would still take you more than 25 years to complete such a feat.  On top of that, it is estimated that 850 of those miles provide excellent trout fishing.  Excellent trout fishing can be viewed in a couple ways.  Some may find catching many smaller trout as an excellent day of fishing, and who wouldn’t!?  Others enjoy the hunt, far from other’s footsteps, in search of giant trout yet to be weary of any angler.  And much like the Dogman of Northern Michigan, they exist, or at least some say so…

  Many of these streams across the state are home to Michigan’s only native trout, the Brook trout.  Brook trout prefer the cold spring fed streams, and provide an abundance of action on a small fly rod.  There are a wide variety of insects around these streams providing endless calories for the ever eager feeding brookie.  Quite often the Brook trout are not the only trout to reside in the smaller streams.  Rainbow trout were brought from California in 1876. These are often a lake run fish (steelhead), but many are planted as fingerlings in landlocked streams around the state.  Brown trout are also an imported fish from Germany.  The very first plant of fish in North America occurred in our very own Baldwin River, with its more infamous neighboring river, the Pere Marquette in 1884.  (Hence the 1884 Fly Shop in Baldwin).  With 20,000 miles of trout streams available, the possibilities are endless!


 Fly fishing is an excellent way to enjoy our beautiful resources.  During the next couple of months, most of Michigan’s traditional Spring “hatches” take place every day around these streams.  Blue Winged Olives, Caddis, Hendricksons, Sulphurs, Drakes, and on and on, carry about their annual business as Spring progresses, providing fly anglers some great dry fly fishing opportunities.  If you find yourself in the right spot, it is possible to catch a Brook, Brown, and Rainbow all in the same day!  With an already short season to enjoy these waters, the window is even tighter on these typical dry fly fishing opportunities.  Don’t wait until school lets out before you make it out!

  With so much untapped potential out there, it can be confusing where to begin.  Fly fishing itself can seem  a bit overwhelming, let alone finding a new bend of water.  Like most situations in life, you won’t know until you try it!  Everyone has that enthusiastic trip to the stream looking forward to catching dozens of giant fish all day long.  The day most likely ends with a couple of hooked trees, a few knots, an empty box of flies, and probably even finish up with wet clothes.  The best way to enjoy your time on the water is first starting with a guide.  The right guide can and should teach you how and what to use, what kind of water to look for, and you can likely still enjoy all the hooked trees and such while someone else shows you how to fix such a situation!  After some instruction, you may find yourself ready to go, or wanting to learn more.  There are many guides out there, but only a very select handful are true Michigan trout guides.  Make sure to look around and ask some specific questions for what you really want to learn and achieve on your trip so you don’t just end up another dollar in some fish jockey’s pocket!  So do some looking before booking.   Fly fishing is a “catchy” activity and you can find yourself getting “hooked” in a couple ways.  Finding the right guide to help get you started makes all the difference, and usually prevents you from giving up and missing out on just some of what Michigan has to offer!

The Streams of Spring

Streamer Season

<div>An absolutely beautiful day and the fishing was great in the shade and around the wood! &nbsp;The trout are on the prowl and eager for the streamer. &nbsp;The next couple of weeks will be ideal for streamer fishing as we head into the hatches. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div>

<div>Stripping streamers. &nbsp;The most universal way of fly fishing. &nbsp;</div>

Anglers fishing in Michigan with a 47-inch catch

Silver and Gold  

<div>Steelhead numbers are very solid this fall! &nbsp;The next few weeks are what makes up the Steelhead Season here in West Michigan (Not March and April!). &nbsp;Post spawn Browns are on the prowl as well. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>So before you start hearing old Burl singing “Silver and Gold”, come on up and catch some Silver (Chrome) and Gold. &nbsp;Let’s make it happen, fall numbers like this only happen so often!</div>

<div>All Flies! &nbsp;Challenge yourself. &nbsp;It is not "fly fishing" with beads. &nbsp; It is not "fly fishing" with chum. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>No "hook setting" required. &nbsp;</div>

Photograph of a pink salmon caught while fishing in Baldwin

Fall Chrome

<div>Plenty of steelhead around and warm weather to enjoy them in!</div>

Fall Chrome and Gold

<div>Fall fishing is picking up with steelhead in the system and the brown trout on the prowl. &nbsp;Streamer stripping and indicator fishing with the long rods is norm. &nbsp;</div>

Fall Fishing Adventure in MI Rivers

It's time for us to go fishing. The start of fall signifies the start of the fishing season. We are hoping for more fish on the way on the couple of weeks. 

<p>Fly Fishing Michigan Rivers Guide Service invites you to explore and experience a one-of-a-kind fly fishing adventure in the bountiful rivers of Michigan. Visit Pere Marquette, Upper Manistee River, The White and Muskegon. They sure know a thing or two about filling the boat with fish, creating lasting memories, and providing an incredible day of fishing out on the water. No matter your skill level or how long you choose to spend on the water, you’ll have the chance to battle with big game fish.</p><p><br></p><p>Captain Nick Britton has 17 years of fishing experience. He specializes in fly fishing techniques which he is very happy to share with you. Aside from his expertise, he will also tell you more about his relevant experiences and tips that will help you make your trip more fulfilling and fun. The charter is suitable for all ages and anglers of all skill sets. The Captain is committed to making your time on the River an enjoyable and memorable experience.</p><p><br></p><p>You'll start your adventure by hopping on a 15' Hyde (Drift boat). Then you'll go after Michigan's Brown Trout, Steelhead, Salmon, and Smallmouth Bass. Please take note that the Captain does not target spawning fish, snag or practice the "chuck ‘n’ duck" method as it is not fishing nor fly fishing.</p><p><br></p><p>Your fly fishing equipment will be provided as well as some snacks &amp; drinks but please be in your weather-appropriate attire, bring your sun protection and a lot of positivity and enthusiasm.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Surround yourself with the beautiful scenery of Michigan Rivers and roll up your sleeves to catch some fish. Plan a trip with Fly Fishing Michigan Rivers Guide Service and make it happen!</p><h4><br></h4><p><br></p>

EPSG:4269

Proud angler with a sea trout catch from Baldwin

Photograph of a Pink Salmon, a 28-inch fish caught in MI

Sea trout caught while fishing in Baldwin

Photograph of a 20-inch sea trout caught while fishing in MI

Plenty of Chrome and Gold to strip up this Fall!   Come up and take advantage of it through December!

Water temps are back to par.   Daytime hopper action and night time mousing are the programs of choice for the next few!

Guided Fishing Trips near Baldwin, Big Rapids, Newaygo, and more 

<p>Book your next fishing trip with Fly Fishing Michigan Rivers with Captain Nick, an expert in guided fly fishing! Perfect for beginners, experienced anglers and families with children!</p>

<p>Nick Britton boasts over 17 years of experience as an expert fly fishing guide in Michigan. Nick has dedicated his life to learning everything there is to know about fly fishing, and this shows in his exceptional ability to teach others how to fish.</p><p><br></p><p>Nick's passion for the sport began at a young age when he would spend hours exploring various rivers and streams near his hometown of Baldwin, MI. Since then, he has honed his skills on some of the most challenging waters across northern Michigan, making him a valuable asset for any angler looking to catch trophy-sized trout or steelhead. With Nick as your guide, you'll learn how to use different techniques such as nymphing, dry flies, and streamers that will help you successfully fly fish in various regions of the world.</p><p><br></p><p>Nick is committed to conservation and safe fishing methods.</p><p>He does not target spawning fish, participate in snagging methods or use&nbsp;the “Chuck n Duck” method as many refer to it. All guided fishing trips with Nick are catch and release to preserve the lifestyle as well as the wildlife ecosystem in Northern Michigan for generations to come.</p><p><br></p><p>Nick enjoys teaching young kids the sport of fly fishing. All guests will have the opportunity to learn new skills, use various equipment, and try multiple techniques so you can continue to perfect your craft with the best knowledge from a pro.</p><p><br></p><p>Your fly fishing adventures will begin in Baldwin, MI, just a short drive from Ludington and Manistee, on a 15' Hyde with room for two anglers, and you will drift along the rivers towards Lake Michigan. Your guide will determine which river is most suited for your trip date, but you are always welcome to message him your preferences.</p><p><br></p><p>Book your Michigan fly fishing guided trip today with Nick Britton!</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Meet Expert Guide, Nick Britton, Michigan's Fly Fishing Expert.

<p>Contact Captain Nick for available gift certificates.</p>

Gift Certificates

<p><strong><u>Common Questions</u></strong></p><p>What months are best to fly fish in Michigan?</p><p>- With Nick, the most popular months to fish are&nbsp;spring and fall&nbsp;when the weather is generally ideal and fish are hungry. However, June is typically the best month for dry fly fishing. The hatches are at their best, the water temperatures are optimal, and the river conditions are ideal.</p><p><br></p><p>How much is a guided fly fishing trip in Michigan?</p><p>- Our guided trips start at just $425 and include two anglers with meals and all equipment. You only need a michigan fishing license and you're set!</p><p><br></p><p>Do you keep the fish when you fly fish?</p><p>- Our guided fly fishing trips are catch and release only. We support fishing with conservation efforts so we can preserve the lifestyle for generations to come.</p>

Guided Fishing Trip Locations near Grand Rapids, MI

FISH WITH ME OUT ON THE RIVER

Pere Marquette, Manistee, White, and Muskegon Rivers and more.   

Year-Round Fly Fishing and River Fishing in Baldwin, MI 

<p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Deposit:</strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;"> A 20% deposit is required for all online bookings</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Balance is due in cash or credit card on the day of the trip.</span></p>

<p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Tips:</strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> Tips are greatly appreciated for a job well done</span></p>

<p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Guest Cancellation</strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">: In the event that you need to request a cancellation, you must do so 14 days before your charter date in order to receive a refund for your deposit.&nbsp;</span></p>

<p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Guide Cancellation:</strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> In the rare event that your guide must cancel due to inclement weather, equipment issues or health, you will have the option to reschedule for a future date or cancel and receive your deposit back in full.</span></p>

Trip Policies

Bait's fee

Mate's fee

Fish the Muskegon River with Nick Britton and target various trout along the way. This summer guided trip is made for anglers of all ages. Grab your Michigan fishing license and let's get on the water! Price includes 2 Anglers on this private fishing trip.

6.00hour

 Muskegon River Fishing

Bait Fee

Mate's Fee

Join us for a day of Fly fishing on Michigan's rivers. Michigan is famous for its population of wild Brown Trout and Brook trout. many of these river born fish can be hard to fool with a fly which is what makes fishing here such an exciting challenge. We run our fly 
fishing trips year round and can take up to 2 guests on our drift boat. Whether you have fly fished before or are just getting started, our Michigan fly fishing trips are an incredible way to immerse yourself in the beauty of nature and to learn about the sport as well. 

Northern Pike

Hyde

8.00hour

Guided Drift Fishing

Fish with Fly fishing guide, Nick Britton through local Michigan Rivers for 6 hours on his drift boat. Bring your Michigan fishing license and snacks and drinks you prefer. Price includes 2 anglers and you'll have the chance to catch various trout species, pike and bass, depending on season and waterbody. 

Michigan Fly Fishing - 6 Hour Trip

Fly fishing is one of the most rewarding and exciting ways to catch fish and enjoy the natural beauty of your surroundings. Whether you're a seasoned angler or brand new to the sport, learning the fundamentals of fly fishing can help you catch more fish and have more fun on the water. And there's no better place to learn than on a guided trip with an experienced instructor. At Fly Fishing Michigan Rivers we take great joy in introducing new anglers to the sport fo fly fishing and teaching them how to be successful while doing it. We cant wait to hit the river with you, book today! 

Meet your Guide Nick Britton

Articles by Nick Britton