Steelhead Fishing Guides

If you're looking for a new "wallhanger" trophy fish, there's no better trip than this one with Bailey. He's made a name for himself by mastering all the local rivers flowing into Lake Michigan catching massive fish on both spinning gear and fly. Just look at his photo gallery to see how he consistently puts his clients on the giants, season after season. Starting in September, Chinook and Coho salmon enter the rivers in Eastern Wisconsin to begin their spawning stage. This is a great time to both cast hardware (crankbaits, spinners, etc.) and also float fish using bobbers and eggs for bait for these aggressive fighting fish! After a few good rains in fall, the Brown trout and Steelhead will move into the river systems to both spawn and take advantage of the egg buffet from the spawning salmon. During this time you can expect a lot of bobber fishing using both beads (single egg) and egg sacs for bait, as well as casting spinners/spoons. During your fishing adventure, you will be floating down the rivers in a 14' SmithFly BigShoals Raft. This will make it much easier for you to access parts of the river and fish, all while staying dry and warm inside the raft! All the rods, reels, gear and tackle will be provided for you, along with you fishing licenses! The only thing you have to do is show up and fish! Read More

If you've been looking for a top-tier sportfishing trip here on Lake Michigan, you're in the right place! Many people don't know that the Great Lakes are home to some of the biggest, baddest freshwater sportfish in the USA, and there's no better way to hook some up than a trip with Captain Lenny. On this trip, you'll chase big Salmon and Steelhead on trolling gear. Both of these species are a blast for any and all anglers, whether you're aiming for a new personal best, hoping to fill your cooler with keepers, or all of the above! You'll hunt these fish using a variety of baits and lures on trolling gear. All of the Salmonids—the family that includes Salmon and Steelhead—love to hit fast-moving targets, and when one of these fish takes the hook, you'll feel it! Both of these big-time sportfish are known for their fast runs and big jumps, so once that fish takes off, strap in for a fight. Once you're back on the dock, Captain Lenny is happy to clean and bag your keepers for you. Salmon and Steelhead are both excellent eating, whether you choose to throw them on the grill, sear them on the stovetop, or even prepare sushi! Ask Lenny for his favorite recipes. Captain Lenny's 31' boat is built for performance! She sports twin 454.crusader engines to get you moving fast, and has an enclosed console to keep you out of the wind. This vessel is built to cut smoothly through choppy lakewater, so you should be trolling with the utmost comfort. She also features a full kit of electronics, and a cooler for your keepers. Captain Lenny provides all the equipment needed for a successful day of fishing, including rods, reels, bait, and tackle. You should bring food and drinks so you don’t get worn-out, plus appropriate clothing, some sunglasses, and sunscreen. Other than that, Captain Lenny has got you covered! Read More

Captain Jim offers top-quality open-water fishing charters on Lake Michigan, as well as many of the smaller lake and rivers here in this beautiful state! He specializes in trolling for Salmon, Trout, Steelhead and other members of the Salmonid family, and when you book with him, you'll be in the best possible position to take home a trophy fish! Whether you're a beginner or an old hand, Captain Jim will ensure that you have a memorable and extremely fun fishing trip. He's great with kids and will make sure that even the smallest member of your party gets a chance to hook a fish! On board his 24' Qwest pontoon boat, you'll be able to relax in comfort until a fish hits the hook. Then, get ready for some rod-bending action! Salmon are hard-fighting fish, so you'll have to bring your muscles when you come on this charter! Jim is a friendly, enthusiastic guide who has served thousands of happy anglers since 1998. Jim's fishing knowledge and love for the sport has consistently resulted in a successful day of fishing. Jim enjoys helping others catch fish as well as sharing the secrets that have given him a competitive edge over the competition. Your fishing party will be given Jim's personal attention and best effort to ensure a successful and enjoyable guided fishing experience. Get out there and get hookin'! Read More

Take a trip out with Captain Dan and experience the great freshwater fishing that Lake Michigan has to offer! Lake Michigan is the third-largest of the Great Lakes and the fifth-largest lake in the world, with just over 22,000 square miles of surface area. It's loaded with fish, including fantastic sportfish species such as Steelhead, King Salmon (also known as Chinooks), Coho Salmon, and Lake Trout—all of which you can target on this trip with Captain Dan. On this trip, you'll primarily be trolling lines to attract big Salmon, which love to take fast-moving baits and lures. When these powerful fish hit the hook, you'll feel it! Salmon are great fighters that will really test your strength, stamina, and skills—so bring your A-game! You'll also have the opportunity to drop your lines down to hook up some massive Lake Trout, which prefer the deeper, colder parts of the Lake. In addition to their fighting abilities, all of these species are terrific table fare! Whatever you're hoping to catch, Captain Dan is an expert when it comes to finding, hooking, and fighting fish in these waters. You'll be fishing from the deck of his 33' Wellcraft sportfisher. She's a beautiful boat with all the equipment necessary for a great day of fishing, including twin Volvo engines and a cabin to keep you cool in the summer and warm in the fall. Your captain will bring everything you need for an ideal trip, including rods, reels, bait, and tackle. Dan and his crew will also clean and package all your keepers at the end of the trip. All you need to bring is a Michigan fishing license with the appropriate stamps, a cooler with snacks and drinks, proper clothing, sunscreen, and a smile! Get out there and enjoy the clear, cool waters of Lake Michigan with Captain Dan! Read More

If you've wanted to improve your fishing and hook up some champion fish in the process, look no further than this trip with Captain Ivan! On this trip, you'll hone in on Salmon and Steelhead, two of the Northwest's most popular sportfish. These fish are hard fighters and are also delicious on the grill, baked in the oven, or seared. Captain Ivan is an expert when it comes to these waters, and he'll guide you to the best spots. You'll use a variety of lures and bait, depending on the weather and the water conditions, but regardless, when that fish is on, get ready for a fight! Salmon run hard, and Steelhead—which are actually a sea-run Rainbow Trout—are known for their huge leaps and tail-walks when hooked. You'll be fishing from Captain Ivan's 24 Alumaweld boat. She's driven by a 90-HP Mercury engine, s you'll get out there smoothly, and has a live well for bait as well as a suite of electronics to help you find fish. Captain Ivan will supply everything you need, including rods, reels, and tackle; just bring some sunscreen, your Washington fishing license, and a hat! Read More

If you've been looking for a different way to target Lake Superior Salmon and Trout, this awesome trip with guide Cory is perfect for you. Most Midwest anglers are familiar with the big sportfish in Lake Superior, but not everyone knows that these fish can also be caught in the streams and rivers that feed the Lake! On this wading trip, you'll go after lake-run King Salmon, Coho Salmon, and Rainbow Trout. These fish are all terrific fighters and are amazing on the grill or in the oven as well! You'll be fishing on spinning gear, throwing lures that these aggressive fish love to hit. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a novice, Cory has a ton of knowledge when it coms to these streams, and he has a wealth of advice that will improve your fishing and help you land a personal best. Cory will provide the rods, reels, and tackle. All you need to bring is proper clothing, a pair of polarized sunglasses, and your own waders and boots! You'll be fishing in the river, so having a good paint of waders and boots is paramount. Read More

If you've wanted to improve your fishing and hook up some champion fish in the process, look no further than this trip with Captain Zach! On this trip, you'll hone in on Steelhead, one of Lake Michigan's premier sportfish and one of the best-eating freshwater fish. If you've never fished the Great Lakes, this is a perfect place to start! On this trip, you'll primarily be trolling lines to attract big Steelhead, which are really a type of lake-run Rainbow Trout. These fish are big fighters, and will perform hard runs and high leaps when hooked. Regardless of your experience level, Captain Zach will help you get hooked up and give you plenty of advice once that fish is on. You'll be fishing from the deck of his 18' Blazer jet boat. She's perfect for this type of trip, and is powered by a 60 HP Mercury engine so you can cruise smoothly. Your captain will bring everything you need for an ideal trip, including rods, reels, bait, and tackle. Zach is also happy to clean and package your keepers at the end of the trip. All you need to bring is a Michigan fishing license with the appropriate stamps, a cooler with snacks and drinks, proper clothing, sunscreen, and a smile! Get out there and enjoy the clear, cool waters of Lake Michigan with Captain Zach! Read More

Get ready for an exciting day of Salmon fishing on Lake Michigan with Captain Fred! Lake Michigan is the third-largest of the Great Lakes and the fifth-largest lake in the world, with just over 22,000 square miles of surface area. It's loaded with fish, including famous sportfish species such as Steelhead, King Salmon, Coho Salmon, and Lake Trout—all of which you can target on this trip with Captain Fred. These fish are a blast to catch and are even better to cook up with friends and family! Fred captains a 31' Tiara sportfisher custom-built in Michigan. It can comfortably fit up to 6 fishermen, so call some buddies for this trip! She's powered by two 385-HP Crusader engines, so this boat will get you to the fish in a hurry. With outriggers, a GPS navigation system, and fishfinder, Fred's sportfisher is perfect for putting you on the fish and haulin' em' in! As an added bonus the onboard bathroom will keep in you in the action for the entirety of the trip. Fred provides you with all the rods and tackle you will need, but be sure to have your fishing license upon arrival. Be sure to dress accordingly with some rain gear, hat, and sunglasses so you can stay comfortable on the water. The only other thing you'll need is an ice chest to take home your fresh catch! Read More

Catching Steelhead is what Captain Fred lives for, and he strives to provide the highest quality Idaho steelhead fishing adventures available on the Salmon River. Get out there and catch some of these beautiful, delicious Salmonids! Born and raised on the Salmon River, Fred is a professional and experienced Steelhead fisherman that will give you the best opportunity to safely hook into that Steelhead or Salmon you have always wanted. With over 70 miles of Idaho’s best steelhead fishing directly accessible from his headquarters in Riggins, Idaho, he can offer the best in Idaho guided Steelhead fishing. All of Fred’s trips are guided in a drift boat. Fred is not only an expert at navigating the river, but is also extremely knowledgeable about the history surrounding this area. A good lunch, quality rods and Steelhead fishing equipment are all provided, along with a propane heater for your comfort. Read More

Join Captain Caleb on a thrilling fishing adventure in Astoria, Oregon! Aboard his sturdy 21' Alumaweld boat, you'll be heading out to the Willamette and Columbia Rivers in search of the mighty Salmon and Steelhead. These iconic fish are known for their acrobatic leaps and fierce fighting spirit, making them a prized catch for any angler. As you cast your line, keep an eye out for bald eagles, ospreys, and other wildlife that call these waters home. After a day of excitement on the water, kick back and relax as you enjoy the stunning scenery and the gorgeous sunset over the river. Book your trip today and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime! Read More

If you've been looking for the perfect half-day Walleye trip on the beautiful waters of Lake Erie, there's no better trip than one with Captain Moke! He's an expert guide who's great at putting his clients on "wallhanger" Walleye, and he'll show you a great time whether you're totally green or already an experienced angler. On this trip, you'll be trolling and drifting for lunker Walleye, throwing a variety of lures to draw bites. Walleye are some of the best-eating freshwater fish out there, and they're super fun for every level of angler! These fish migrate across Lake Erie every year, moving from colder, deeper waters to warmer areas and back. They can be caught reliably all year long. You'll be fishing from the deck of Captain Moke's 21' WarriorHigh Performance Muli Species boat. 350-HP Suzuki engines, so you'll be absolutely flying off the dock and out to the hot fishing spots! Captain Moke will supply everything you need for a blue-ribbon day, including all rods, reels, bait and tackle! Just bring a cooler with some snacks and drinks, sunscreen, and proper clothing! Let’s go fishing! Read More

A trip to the best trophy Rainbow Trout river in Alaska is now available for under $4000 per person! Come experience the smolt migrations in June, the huge runs of salmon in July, the acrobatic silvers in August and the incredible trophy Rainbow fishing in September. No longer will a trip to Alaska have to be ‘once in a lifetime’, because, according to Jim, a onetime shot of Alaska just isn’t going to get it done. No, for the true big fish junkie, once in a lifetime just isn’t enough. That is why the crew at Naknek River Camp has gone the extra mile to make Alaska affordable. If you're wondering why Jim gets away with listing this trip for half of most Alaska lodging/fishing trips, ret assured there is no catch; Jim keeps costs down by maintaining a family-run camp. His wife is head of housekeeping, the chef and a full time licensed guide. His older son, an avid fisherman and 4 time Michigan State Casting Champion, is Jim's right hand man around camp. His daughter has also been the Michigan State Casting Champion. She is the official camp photographer and the desert chef. And his youngest son is just starting his career as a fishing guide. His specialty is netting big salmon. Here are the several exciting species of fish you can expect to target depending on the time of year: **Early Season Fishing – June & July:** Smolting Rainbows on the Naknek: The best rainbow fishing is close to camp. The rainbows concentrate on salmon smolt and leeches migrating downstream to the ocean. The best offerings include large rabbit strip and marabou leeches in black, olive and dark brown. NOT egg sucking leeches. Minnow imitations are also deadly in small to medium sizes. Rainbows at Brooks: Brooks is flies only. In June, July and early August, rainbows will eagerly take mice, dead drifted small dries, sculpins and leeches. Recommended Tackle: an 8 ½ to 10 foot fly rod for a 5-6 weight line. The WF floater is the most popular choice, although sink-tips (130 grain to 200 grain) will work as well. 3x to 5x tippets. Grayling at Idavain: This fishing starts out with a 1 mile hike to the better fishing grounds. Grayling are best fished with light tackle. I would use a 4 or 5 weight fly rod with a floating line. #12 and #14 adams, caddis and stoneflies (dry), small beadhead nymphs, leeches, woolybuggers and deer hair mice will all work here. Kings: These begin showing up mid-June, building throughout the month. Most of the fishing is down in the lower Naknek, where tide is important and the water is deep. Treble hooks are legal. By late July, they will begin moving into the rapids to prepare for spawning. Single Hook Only. Recommended Tackle: We have a lot of heavy rods and reels – spinning, revolving spool and fly – that guests can use. If you want to bring some, I would recommend a 7 foot spinning rod with 30 pound braid for casting, a 9 foot spinning or casting rod with 30 pound braid for back-trolling and a 9’ for a 10 or 11 weight for flyfishing. The fly reel should employ a 400 – 600 grain sink tip line. Sockeye: Chrome sockeye begin their trip from the ocean around June 20th. This migration continues until late July (timing varies, of course, depending on weather). Until the spawn in mid- August, sockeye will hold in slow pools and side channels. They are usually turning red by early August. Recommended Tackle: A 6-8 weight fly rod in 9’ to 11’ lengths with a Climax Zip Line is by far the best choice. A floating line with either a strike indicator or a few split shot will also work well. **Late Season Fishing – August & September:** Rainbows on the Naknek: The best rainbow fishing is close to camp and in the rapids. The rainbows will still take salmon smolt and leeches migrating downstream to the ocean, but by far the biggest food source is salmon eggs. Sockeye eggs are 6mm, silvers and pinks are 8mm and kings are 10mm. Sometimes, oversize imitations work better. I like trout beads mottled beads in orange, dark roe and pinks in sizes 6mm – 12mm. Don’t forget #8 and #10 short shank hooks and toothpicks (or the clear plastic pegs). For leeches, I like articulated and bunny strip versions without eggs in front in black, olive, purple and flesh colors. Wool head sculpin also work well. Late in the season, flesh flies might be needed. Rainbows at Brooks: Brooks is flies only. In early August, rainbows will eagerly take mice, dead drifted small dries, sculpins and leeches. By mid to late August, the sockeye spawning kicks in and 6mm – 8mm plastic beads are king. Margot Creek: This is some of the best arctic char/ dolly varden fishing around, along with a decent population of rainbows. The stream is full of sockeye spawning by mid August, so beads are at great bet here, with or without a fly following behind. All the same patterns listed for Brooks work well here as well. If the water is discolored, 10 and 12mm beads are deadly. The rest of the time, 6mm and 8mm work best. Silvers: By early August, silvers should be running into the Naknek on each high tide. Bright marabou streamers in purples and pinks and other bright colors, spinners in sizes 3-5 in pink, orange, chartreuse, and silver all work very well at times, as do wiggle warts in the same colors. Lots of local guides prefer jigs in 1/8 and 1/16 ounce in pink and purple, fished with or without an indicator. When they get spooky, however, nothing compares to a shooting line, a very small split shot or 2 and a small marabou streamer (like a woolybugger or PM Wiggler) in black, purple, pink, olive and cream, fished on 2x-3x fluoro. The best rods are 9 ½-10 ½ for a 7wt or 8wt. Line. I would want to have a shooting line, a floater and, possibly, a 200 to 300 grain sinking tip. For spinning, a 7 ½ med light rod, a reel with a smooth drag and 8 – 12 pound test line is best. Pinks: Every even year is a pink year on the Naknek, which means that 2012 will likely bring another strong run starting in July and continuing into mid-August. They are extremely aggressive, hitting all of the flies and lures listed for silvers, and then some. Small silver spoons and spinners work very well also. They are in the 3 to 6 pound range, and so can be a lot of fun on a little lighter tackle. Light spinning rods with 8 pound line or fly rods in the 5-7 weight range are perfect. Same lines as silvers. Kings: Early in August, the kings begin moving to their spawning areas, either up the feeder streams or in the rapids of the main stream. King season closes at the end of July, but many will be hooked throughout most of August. They must be immediately released, of course. Most of the spawning area is single hook only. Large streamers, small marabou streamers and large eggs all work well. Sockeye: Reds are thick in August and most of September. They are either spawning, or holding in slower seams waiting to spawn. The river and creek mouths around Naknek Lake will also be full of them. **Lodging:** The lodging for this trip includes hard sided cabins, real mattresses, a porch to enjoy the sunset and a hot shower at the end of the day. Also equipped with a nice kitchen to cook in, a dining room to enjoy great meals in, and a toilet in every cabin. Naknek River Camp also has a few conveniences that neither one of us expected to have in the Alaskan bush, including phone service for both us and our guests. There is road access to the towns of King Salmon and Naknek, offering medical services, a general store, groceries and even fishing and hunting supplies. **What's Included:** A private riverfront cabin, all food and meals in your own comfortable dining room, and transportation to and from the King Salmon Airport. The cabins include towels, pillows and linens. Just bring your PJ’s, your toothbrush, your fishing gear and your sense of adventure. Jim will supply everything else. **What to Bring:** Jim has a lot of heavy rods and reels – spinning and fly – that guests can use. If you want to bring some, he would recommend: June & July: a 7 foot spinning rod with 30 pound braid for casting, a 9 foot spinning or casting rod with 30 pound braid for back-trolling and a 9’ for a 10 or 11 weight for flyfishing. The fly reel should employ a 400 – 600 grain sink tip line. August & September: a 7-9 foot spinning rod with 30 pound braid for casting and a 9 ½ for a 9 or 10 weight for flyfishing. The fly reel should employ either a 400 – 600 grain sink tip line, a floating line with a strike indicator, or a Climax Zip line (or other suitable shooting line). Other equipment needed or recommended: Split shot in sizes b, bb and 3/0. Cone sinkers in 1/64th, 1/32nd, 1/16th, tapered leaders in 0x and 3x, fluorocarbon tippet in 2x – 5x, strike indicators in both 1 inch foam and yarn style, #12 black barrel swivels, forceps, nippers, floatant, brown or amber polarized sunglasses with strap, hat with brim, rain jacket, chest waders, wading belt, some like a wading staff, fleece pants, fleece sweater(s), wool socks, windproof fleece fingerless gloves, headnet, insect repellant, sun screen. REMINDER- felt soles are illegal in all of Alaska! Please make sure you have rubber soled wading boots. Read More