Guided Fly Fishing

On the
water.

Private guided trips for anglers of all levels — from first cast to technical dry fly work, and world-class steelhead on Michigan's finest rivers.

Guided by curiosity,
on every river.

Every stretch of water is a system — currents, hatches, holding lies, temperature gradients. Reading it takes time, experience, and a certain kind of attention. That's what a guide is for.

Whether you're learning to cast, chasing selective risers on technical trout water, or swinging flies for chrome steelhead on the Manistee, Muskegon, or Au Sable — we'll put you in the right place at the right time with the right fly on.

Our rivers →
1 Pg Guide

Periodic Guiding
Fly Fishing

Named for the patterns that repeat on every river — seasons, hatches, rises — the way elements repeat across periods in nature's table.

What We Offer

Every trip is private

Full Day

All-Day Float

Wade or drift a full stretch of river. Morning hatch through evening rise — this is the complete picture. Includes lunch on the water.

8 hours · 1–2 anglers

Learn

Beginner's Day

Never held a fly rod? Start here. Casting fundamentals, reading water, knot tying, entomology basics — everything to get a fish in the net.

6 hours · 1 angler

Technical

Technical Dry Fly

For experienced anglers. Spring creeks, selective browns, technical presentations, custom hatch-matching flies tied on the bank. Challenging by design.

Full day · 1 angler

Steelhead

Steelhead Swinging

Two-handed rods, spey casting, and swinging flies for chrome steelhead on the Manistee, Muskegon, and Au Sable. Fall and spring runs.

Full day · 1–2 anglers

Where We Fish

Michigan's finest rivers

Wexford County

Manistee River

One of Michigan's premier steelhead rivers. Cold, clear water holds trophy-class fish through fall and spring runs. Excellent dry fly trout fishing in summer.

Steelhead · Brown Trout · Salmon

Newaygo County

Muskegon River

A tailwater fishery fed by Croton Dam, the Muskegon stays cold year-round. Exceptional steelhead numbers and some of the best nymphing for wild browns in the Midwest.

Steelhead · Wild Browns · Walleye

Crawford County

Au Sable River

Legendary for its technical dry fly fishing and wild trout. The Au Sable's "Holy Water" stretch is sacred ground for fly fishers. Home to the iconic Au Sable River canoe marathon route.

Wild Browns · Brook Trout · Steelhead

Calendar

Fish all season

Spring

Steelhead & Baetis

Spring steelhead run the Manistee and Muskegon in force. Blue-winged olives hatch on overcast afternoons. Trout are hungry and aggressive after a long winter.

Summer

Hoppers & Caddis

Terrestrial season on the Au Sable and Muskegon. Foam patterns, big attractor dries, evening caddis explosions. Best dry fly fishing of the year.

Fall

Steelhead Runs & Streamers

Prime steelhead season on all three rivers. Chrome fish fresh from Lake Michigan swing to spey patterns. Brown trout stack up before the cold sets in.

Winter

Midges & Tailwaters

The Muskegon tailwater stays fishable year-round. Midge hatches bring fish to the surface. Winter steelhead hold in deep runs on the Manistee.

"Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it."
— Norman Maclean

Get on the
water with us.

Trips book up fast in peak season. Reach out early — we'll match you to the right water, the right time of year, and the right experience level.

Book Your Trip →
(248) 978-9522 periodicguiding@gmail.com

Private · Catch & Release · Steelhead · Trout · All equipment provided