Dan Nealy's Fishing Buddies
Dan Nealy's Fishing Buddies
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Explore Michigan’s top rivers with Dan Nealy’s Fishing Buddies! Captain Dan brings unmatched experience, positive energy, and a true passion for the water. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned angler, Dan loves teaching new techniques, helping you improve skills, and guiding you to success on Michigan’s best fisheries.
Your trip takes place aboard a 16 ft Hyde Drift Boat that comfortably seats two anglers. Dan rows while you relax, take in the scenery, or fish from the boat. Two leg locks allow secure fishing while drifting, and wading is always an option. This slow, scenic float helps you cover more water and target more fish.
Fly fishing is our preferred technique, but spin gear is also available — including TFO rods and Pflueger President reels. You’ll use top‑quality equipment, often including flies tied by Dan himself. No technique is wrong if it helps us catch fish.
Depending on the season, you’ll be targeting Steelhead, Salmon, Trout, and Smallmouth Bass. Full‑day trips include grilled lunch (weather permitting), water, and snacks. Half‑day trips include water and snacks. Please remember your Michigan fishing license.
We fish several great Michigan rivers, including the Muskegon River (Newaygo), Tittabawassee & Chippewa Rivers (Midland), and The Pine River (Gratiot County). Join Captain Dan for a relaxing, educational, and unforgettable day on the water.
Explore Michigan’s top rivers with Dan Nealy’s Fishing Buddies! Captain Dan brings unmatched experience, positive energy, and a true passion for the water. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned angler, Dan loves teaching new techniques, helping you improve skills, and guiding you to success on Michigan’s best fisheries.
Your trip takes place aboard a 16 ft Hyde Drift Boat that comfortably seats two anglers. Dan rows while you relax, take in the scenery, or fish from the boat. Two leg locks allow secure fishing while drifting, and wading is always an option. This slow, scenic float helps you cover more water and target more fish.
Fly fishing is our preferred technique, but spin gear is also available — including TFO rods and Pflueger President reels. You’ll use top‑quality equipment, often including flies tied by Dan himself. No technique is wrong if it helps us catch fish.
Depending on the season, you’ll be targeting Steelhead, Salmon, Trout, and Smallmouth Bass. Full‑day trips include grilled lunch (weather permitting), water, and snacks. Half‑day trips include water and snacks. Please remember your Michigan fishing license.
We fish several great Michigan rivers, including the Muskegon River (Newaygo), Tittabawassee & Chippewa Rivers (Midland), and The Pine River (Gratiot County). Join Captain Dan for a relaxing, educational, and unforgettable day on the water.
Trip availability and prices
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Customer reviews
Rating
Anglers' gallery (86)
What anglers say
All reviews (47)
Seriously my only regret today was not packing sunscreen. My girlfriend and I had a blast. Captain Dan is very easy to get along with and cooks one hell of a meal. He put us on largemouth, he put us on small mouth, he put us on pike, and bowfin (dogfish). What more is there to say other than thank you to the captain!
My wife and I had a great October day fishing on the Muskegon River thanks to Dan Healy, who is all you could ever want in a fishing guide. The water was crystal clear, and fish were visibly abundant...everywhere. Dan knows the river like the back of his hand. He located us over Chinook redds along an entire four-mile stretch of water. There is technique involved presenting yarn lures to fish holding their positions against the current over their spawning beds. Dan was a patient and encouraging teacher. We landed several large Chinook. The river and sunshine were beautiful, and Dan did his best to make it a memorable experience for us both. The pace was relaxing fishing from a drift boat. You will have a great time booking a trip with this captain who I recommend highly.
We had a great trip! Caught about 15 fish between the two of use over the corse of 5hrs. None of them were large enough to keep but still a fun time!
My son and I had a great time with Dan. He was very accommodating bringing both spin and fly fishing gear for me to use. We caught trout and bass on a variety of rigs. I would absolutely float with him again!
THANK YOU!!!
FAQs about Dan Nealy's Fishing Buddies
- US $235 per group, additional US $35 per person after 1 guest - 4 Hour Trip - PIKE Fishing (4 hours)
- US $250 per group, additional US $25 per person after 1 guest - SUMMER SPECIAL August 5 hour Trips (5 hours)
- US $280 per group, additional US $55 per person after 1 guest - 5 Hour Trip – Bass, Pike & Trout (5 hours)
- US $300 per group, additional US $50 per person after 1 guest - 5 Hour Trip – Salmon or Steelhead (5 hours)
- US $325 per group, additional US $60 per person after 1 guest - 6 Hour Trip – Bass, Pike & Trout (6 hours)
- US $325 per group - Kids fish for FREE in August 6 hrs (6 hours)
- US $350 per group, additional US $60 per person after 1 guest - 6 Hour – Salmon & Steelhead (Boat) (6 hours)
- US $375 per group, additional US $60 per person after 1 guest - 7 Hour Trip – Bass, Pike & Trout (7 hours)
- US $390 per group, additional US $70 per person after 1 guest - 7 Hour – Salmon & Steelhead (Boat) (7 hours)
- US $600 per group, additional US $125 per person after 1 guest - 2 Days - 2 Different Rivers - 6 hrs (6 hours)
- US $825 per day per group, additional US $175 per person after 1 guest - Float and Camp - 2 day & 1 Night (2 days)
- Rods, reels & tackle
- Live bait (The only live bait we'll ever use are wax worms and crawlers. )
- Lures
- Catch cleaning & filleting (Can clean salmon, steelhead and trout)
- Snacks (I always have snacks on board like Trail Mix, Uncrustables, Fruit, and a variety of other snack bars. )
- Drinks (I provide water for each trip. Customers are welcome to bring their own beverages. )
- Lunch (For my 7-hour trips, I provide a grilled meal. Please communicate with me any food dislikes or food allergies. My menu staples are Chicken Thighs, Brats, Hot Dogs, Pork Chops, Steaks, Hamburgers, Sloppy Joes, Smoked Wings or Chicken Thighs and multiple ty)
- Fly fishing equipment
- River fishing (Muskegon River (Newaygo), Pine River (Alma),)
- Light tackle
- Spinning
- Jigging
- Fly fishing (Provides flies for guest. )
- Bass (Largemouth)
- Bass (Smallmouth)
- Brown Trout
- Pike (Northern)
- Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
- Salmon (Chinook)
- Salmon (Coho)
Your captain
I grew up in Jackson, Michigan which is in the southern part of the state. I grew up bass and pike fishing up ponds and lakes. I had limited fishing opportunities and I was always looking to get someone to take me out to fish. I couldn't ever get enough. After high school I ended up going to Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant to study Sports Management. While at school, I fell in love with fishing Smallmouth Bass in the Chippewa River that runs through Mt. Pleasant. During this time, I started coaching travel basketball. One of my athletes' fathers was a river captain. He invited me to come with him to fly fish late spring steelhead the Pere Marquette. I had never been in a drift boat or used a fly rod to this point… I fought numerous Steelhead that day, and landed a trophy brown trout. From that point on, my passion grew for learning and fishing Michigan rivers. I currently live in Alma, Michigan. I live with my wife (Aleisha) and my three dogs (Berkley, Caddis and Stella) and my two cats (Orvis & River). I also organize youth basketball tournaments, travel teams and officiate basketball in the winter.
I grew up in Jackson, Michigan which is in the southern part of the state. I grew up bass and pike fishing up ponds and lakes. I had limited fishing opportunities and I was always looking to get someone to take me out to fish. I couldn't ever get enough. After high school I ended up going to Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant to study Sports Management. While at school, I fell in love with fishing Smallmouth Bass in the Chippewa River that runs through Mt. Pleasant. During this time, I started coaching travel basketball. One of my athletes' fathers was a river captain. He invited me to come with him to fly fish late spring steelhead the Pere Marquette. I had never been in a drift boat or used a fly rod to this point… I fought numerous Steelhead that day, and landed a trophy brown trout. From that point on, my passion grew for learning and fishing Michigan rivers. I currently live in Alma, Michigan. I live with my wife (Aleisha) and my three dogs (Berkley, Caddis and Stella) and my two cats (Orvis & River). I also organize youth basketball tournaments, travel teams and officiate basketball in the winter.
Real catches by this captain
What is the boat like?
What kind of fishing will you do?
Which fishing techniques you can try
Which amenities are available onboard
How cancellations work
Free cancellation up to 7 days prior to trip
You can cancel or modify your booking up to 7 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.
What the listing policies are
Pickup included in price
How you can pay
Pay online in full
Pay online in full through FishingBooker and save on credit card fees at the dock.
No additional fees.
Book with 20% deposit, pay rest to captain
When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 20% deposit to guarantee your reservation.
The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:
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