The Pere Marquette River Lodge has one of the most personable guide staffs in the Midwest. They love to teach and watch others catch fish as much as they love to fish themselves. Our guides are licensed, insured as well as federally & state permitted. Give us the opportunity to provide you the best possible destination fishing experience. If there is specific guide you would like to fish with please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you. Although there are no guarantees

2 person full day is $550. Includes lunch/dinner, tackle and transportation

2 person half day is $400. Includes snack, beverages, tackle and transportation. There are no half day trips during peak season between September 1 – October 31  and March 14 – May 1.

All prices exclude guide gratuity.  Clients are responsible for their own rain gear, clothing and sunglasses.

50% deposit required upon booking

Wader Rental is $65/day

Frank Willetts

Frank’s father taught him to fish at age two where he grew up on an all sports lake in Commerce Township. After which he began fly fishing on the Au Sable River where at his parents’ vacation home just below Mio on the Trophy waters of the Au Sable River. Then found the Pere Marquette River when he was attending Ferris State University. Frank’s love for this fable river never died. After working many years in the automotive business Frank and friends were able to return and purchase the Pere Marquette River Lodge. When not out on the river showing others how to fly fish he can be found working around the lodge. A true outdoorsman who enjoys archery and upland bird hunting with his Yellow English Lab “Orvis.”

Casey

Casey walked into the fly shop one day with a plat map, four friends and a whole bunch of legal questions in regard to access of public water surrounded by private land. He started working behind the counter when he was 14 and has been guiding for lodge since 2011.

Casey is very knowledgeable on the hatches, technique, and the gear needed to catch fish.

Ryan

Ryan grew up fishing in Michigan on the Thornapple and Grand Rivers in Ada. He studied and graduated from MSU with a BS in fisheries and wildlife management and then wandered the country for awhile only to settle back down in western Michigan.   Almost 20 years ago, with little more than a heart beat, a boat and a used set of oars, he began guiding on the Pere Marquette River.

For the past 10 years he has been guiding in Alaska’s Katmai National Park during the summer months.

Aside from the Pere Marquette, Ryan also fishes the Manistee, Muskegon, White and the Grand river systems. So whether its fall steelhead, summertime bass and pike fishing on the Grand River, to even a trophy Artic Char or Rainbow he is your guide.

As an avid fly tier he teaches classes year round while also having a private lake in his backyard, so a casting lesson is just a short walk out the door. Ryan can work with the most seasoned fly fisherman or new comers to the sport.

His wife and four daughters all love to fish so teaching comes naturally him.   He looks forward to meeting new people and spending the day on the water.

Miles

Miles has been fishing the Pere Marquette River since he was young, as he is the son of a local fishing guide. After years of guiding in Alaska and Arkansas, now he prefers to show clients around his homewaters, especially during steelhead season.

Miles enjoys teaching others how to fish using a variety of techniques, including fly, spey, centerpin, and conventional. Whether you are new to the sport or are an experienced angler, you are bound to learn something after spending a day on the water with him.

In his free time, Miles can be found fishing, hunting, tying flies and hanging out with friends and family.

Westley

Westley grew up in Northern Michigan, along the banks of the Betsie and Platte River, wielding a fly rod by the age of 14. He got his feet wet in the industry as a first mate on the charter boats out of Frankfort, fishing for Lake Trout, Steelhead, and Salmon in the spring and summer. In his free time, he honed his abilities pursuing steelhead, trout, salmon and smallmouth in all of Michigan’s great watersheds. After studying Natural Resource Management and Writing at Grand Valley State University, Westley left the concrete jungle of Grand Rapids, the Grand River, and the Rogue river behind. He drifted into the PMRL fly shop one day with a laundry list of questions, a head full of confidence, and a heart full of passion. After helping maintain the fly shop and lodge operations for a few years, Westley smoothly transitioned into being one of our guides here. Whether you are new to the sport, or a seasoned veteran, Westley’s mix of humor, patience, thorough instruction, knowledge and passion is sure to rub off on you. If you sign up for one of our monthly weekend long schools, Westley will be your instructor. In his free time Westley enjoys tying flies, spending time with his coworkers, and enjoying the company of his two dogs.

Jory

Jory is a fly-fishing guide with over a decade experience guiding on the Pere Marquette Watershed. Born in Holland, Michigan, his parents first introduced him to Baldwin in 1994 when they purchased a small cabin in the woods. It didn’t take long for the Pere Marquette to grab Jory’s attention. By 1998 he purchased his first fly rod and reel, and a few years later he found himself working at a local fly shop and began guiding in 2005. Since then, his passion for the sport and guiding has only grown.

Jory is sure to have the necessary equipment needed for the different options and styles of fishing on the watershed, as it can change daily. Every month brings us a different season and a set of different techniques. Whether throwing big streamers or drifting small eggs, chasing trophy browns through the night or enjoying an early morning trico hatch with 3wts and all methods in between, he will have you ready and prepared for the water. Safety, creating an enjoyable experience, and passing on knowledge are my top priorities on the water. With these simple ideals, having a great experience on the Pere Marquette is guaranteed every visit.

Whether it is your first trip learning the basics or you’re a seasoned angler hunting for a trophy salmo trutta, mighty migratory salmon or steelhead, Jory is grateful to bring that opportunity to the table. He takes great satisfaction in his work knowing that one should always be evolving as a guide and bringing new adventures and techniques to every angler that steps in his boat.