A South Michigan Fly Angler with a Passion for River Fishing

Getting to Know Me

I am Captain Daniel Nealy, a fly fishing and fly tying expert, professional guide, owner, and operator of the Fishing Buddies charter service based in Alma, Michigan. I have been fishing and guiding people over this trade professionally for a couple of years, but my passion for casting a line has been present since I was very young. I was born and raised here in Southern Michigan and have spent my youth trying to catch various freshwater fish. I developed a particular interest in river fishing while I was in my college days attending Central Michigan University. This passion came to be when I was chasing smallmouth bass in the Chippewa River. I was eventually introduced to steelhead trout fishing during a trip to the Pere Marquette River. By the end of the day, I caught a trophy-sized brown trout and lots of steelhead! From then on, I was hooked on the river fishing for trout here in my state. My fishing charter combines my passion and experience for that specific fishing method.

Fishing has always been present in my life — even before I recently started taking people on guided fly fishing trips. One of my earliest memories of being out on the water is going on fishing tours with my dad and brother around the state. The three of us would often target bluegill while standing on a bridge at Center Lake in Jackson, Michigan. I remember we’d always catch a ton of fish using a red or white bobber lure or having corn on a hook. Like what other guides would usually tell you, I want to extend my experience, love, passion, and positive energy for the water to guests who come with me on one of my river excursions. So instead of looking for bass river charters, try out river trout fishing with Fishing Buddies!

My Preferred Fishing Places, Techniques, and Targets

I’m fairly new as a professional fly fishing guide but rest assured that I know the local waters of South Michigan like the back of my hand. I also have plenty of experience exploring the waters of northern Michigan, where you can find and access some of the Great Lakes, like Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, and Lake Huron. On Alma’s southeast, I can easily travel to Lake Erie. Those places are fantastic fishing spots, and Michigan is known for being surrounded by large lakes, but that’s not where I prefer to hunt and catch my targets. 

I love Michigan’s rivers because they provide many angler opportunities. The state is home to some of the best rivers for fishing, like the Manistee River, Au Sable, and St Joseph. I was the first in my group of friends who loved fishing that get into river fishing. I started inviting other people on trips, and it became a trend. Then I decided I wanted to see if I could make it into a business when I saw how fun and rewarding it is taking other avid anglers on river adventures. Those experiences also contributed to why my guide service is named the way it is. It always feels like taking my friends and showing them why river fishing is so exciting!

Fishing Buddies takes guests on guided fly fishing trips in the Muskegon River. We’re different from other charters because they usually take people on lake excursions. You’ll usually find Lake Erie smallmouth fishing guides or Lake Erie guided walleye fishing around my area in the state's south. We offer unique and enjoyable freshwater fishing trips on the river. We would primarily target steelhead trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, coho salmon, chinook salmon (kings), northern pike, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass. I also offer guided trips to the Pine River and the Chippewa River. My trips usually take an angler to fly fish and steelhead fishing. But we can also accommodate those who want to go bass fishing and wade fishing in water that reaches our waists.

My favorite fishing place is in the Pere Marquette River’s fly water section from M-37 to Gleasons Landing on the South Branch. That was where I first fished with a fly rod with a fellow guide, Mike. He got my wife, Aleisha, and I to catch a couple of steelhead and beautiful brown trout that day. I’ve been obsessed with Pere Marquette and river fishing ever since!

Go On River Trips with Fishing Buddies

If you book a trip with Fishing Buddies, you’re guaranteed to have a fantastic experience fly and wade fishing on clear rivers and creeks surrounded by the lush natural environment of Michigan. I will show you the best fishing spots and take you on a wildlife adventure like no other! We offer tours that range from four to seven hours that are accessible to anglers of all ages and skill levels. I teach and coach guests about technical fishing, fly fishing, fly tying, wade fishing, and drift fishing. Expect to focus on trout and steelhead fishing but be open to also having the chance to catch plenty of salmon and bass.

Fishing Buddies takes guests out on the water with our 14 '6 Hyde drift boat that we call My Buddy. The vessel can accommodate up to two guests with plenty of storage space and leg room to spare. We will provide all the gear and equipment you’ll need, including a fly box, flies, fly lines, lures, rods, reels, leader tippets, medical supplies, insect repellant, sunscreen, and a camera for whenever there are photo ops! I will fly ties for you myself, and I will also teach you how so you have a new skill to add to your belt. We also offer grilled lunches, water, and snacks if you get peckish on half-day trips. All you need to bring is a Michigan fishing license and wear the appropriate clothes.

If you ever find yourself in Michigan, reach out to Fishing Buddies, and we’ll show you that there’s more to the state than any Great Lake! Check out our website and Facebook page to learn more. Fishing Buddies will be your friend that guides you through river fishing in the best spots of the state!