Dan Nealy's Fishing Buddies
Dan Nealy's Fishing Buddies
Explore some of Michigan's great Rivers with Dan Nealy’s Fishing Buddies! Captain Dan takes extreme pride in providing his guests with an experience that they won’t soon forget. Captain Dan's experiences, positive energy, love, and passion for the water and fishing will extend to his guests. Dan loves teaching, coaching, and watching others learn new techniques, improve skills, and experience success fishing all the great waters Michigan has to offer.
Your boat will be a 16-foot Hyde Drifter that can comfortably sit 2 fishermen. Dan will oar while you take in the sights of the river or while fishing from the boat. There are two leg locks for those who would also like to fish while enjoying the drift. Wading or fishing from the boat, the float trip allows you to cover a lot of the river at a slow pace and chase more fish!
While many tackle options are available, our preferred technique is fly fishing gear. However, using spin gear (TFO Rods, Pfleuger President reels) is also a favorite and preferred by most clients. Top-notch gear will be provided, and, in most cases, flies tied by Dan himself. Dan is a willing and patient teacher; there is no wrong technique that helps us catch fish. We will be on the prowl, depending on the season, for Steelhead, Salmon, Trout, and Bass!
Capt. Dan also provides grilled lunch (depending on weather), water, and snacks for full day trips (7 hours) and snacks and water for half day trips (5 & 6 hours). Don’t forget to bring your fishing license!
River options include the Muskegon River in Newaygo, Tittabawassee and Chippewa River in Midland and The Pine River in Gratiot County.
Join Dan Nealy's Fishing Buddies for a day of bliss and relaxation.
Customer reviews
Rating summary
Photos & videos by reviewers (71)
+68Angler rating
Anglers claimed
Good experience
97%
Appropriate for children
87%
Friendly captain
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Caught fish
85%
Oct 20, 2025
5 Hour Trip – Salmon or Steelhead
Thanks for a great Muskegon River fishing experience!!!
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.
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...
Aug 18, 2025
SUMMER SPECIAL August 5 hour Trips
Great knowledge of the river
Dan was great at knowing the rivers ups and downs. Was great at having poles ready for quick change out of lures and bait. He stays on top of weather reports and keeps in touch on his options on if time changes are needed and goes the extra hr mile providing best experience.
Dan was great at knowing the rivers ups and downs. Was great at having poles ready for quick change out of lures and bait. He...
May 17, 2025
5 Hour Trip – Salmon or Steelhead
Highly recommend!
Captian Dan is very smart with fishing, and the water he guides on. The weather didnt make it easy, but we still caught a lot of fish. Dan was very patient and is a great captian to fish with if you haven't ever casted a rod, or are experienced. We hope to fish with captian Dan for years to come!
Captian Dan is very smart with fishing, and the water he guides on. The weather didnt make it easy, but we still caught a lot...
Captain replied
Apr 10, 2025
5 Hour Trip – Salmon or Steelhead
Great trip
Really got into the Steelhead . Also caught brown and rainbow trout. Good captain. Had a fun time.
Really got into the Steelhead . Also caught brown and rainbow trout. Good captain. Had a fun time.
Apr 13, 2024
5 Hour Trip – Salmon or Steelhead
Day on the Muskegon
I recently took my nephew on a fishing trip with Dan to catch some Steelhead. Even though the Steelhead season has been extremely slow, Dan managed to put us on some and my nephew even caught him a decent one. The experience was great and we learned some techniques that will definitely help us pick right up where we left off next time we come up. Dan is knowledgeable of both the river and the fishing techniques. We would definitely recommend him to anyone looking to book a charter in the area .
I recently took my nephew on a fishing trip with Dan to catch some Steelhead. Even though the Steelhead season has been extremely...
Trip availability and prices
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Customer reviews
Rating summary
Photos & videos by reviewers (71)
+68Angler rating
Anglers claimed
Good experience
97%
Appropriate for children
87%
Friendly captain
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Caught fish
85%
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Thanks for a great Muskegon River fishing experience!!!
5 Hour Trip – Salmon or Steelhead on October 20, 2025
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.
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...
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Great knowledge of the river
SUMMER SPECIAL August 5 hour Trips on August 18, 2025
Dan was great at knowing the rivers ups and downs. Was great at having poles ready for quick change out of lures and bait. He stays on top of weather reports and keeps in touch on his options on if time changes are needed and goes the extra hr mile providing best experience.
Dan was great at knowing the rivers ups and downs. Was great at having poles ready for quick change out of lures and bait. He stays on top of weather reports and keeps in touch on his options on if time changes are needed and goes the extra hr mile providing best experience.
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Highly recommend!
5 Hour Trip – Salmon or Steelhead on May 17, 2025
Captian Dan is very smart with fishing, and the water he guides on. The weather didnt make it easy, but we still caught a lot of fish. Dan was very patient and is a great captian to fish with if you haven't ever casted a rod, or are experienced. We hope to fish with captian Dan for years to come!
Captian Dan is very smart with fishing, and the water he guides on. The weather didnt make it easy, but we still caught a lot of fish. Dan was very patient and is a great captian to fish with if you haven't ever casted a rod, or are experienced. We hope to fish with captian Dan for years to come!
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Great trip
5 Hour Trip – Salmon or Steelhead on April 10, 2025
Really got into the Steelhead . Also caught brown and rainbow trout. Good captain. Had a fun time.
Really got into the Steelhead . Also caught brown and rainbow trout. Good captain. Had a fun time.
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Day on the Muskegon
5 Hour Trip – Salmon or Steelhead on April 13, 2024
I recently took my nephew on a fishing trip with Dan to catch some Steelhead. Even though the Steelhead season has been extremely slow, Dan managed to put us on some and my nephew even caught him a decent one. The experience was great and we learned some techniques that will definitely help us pick right up where we left off next time we come up. Dan is knowledgeable of both the river and the fishing techniques. We would definitely recommend him to anyone looking to book a charter in the area .
I recently took my nephew on a fishing trip with Dan to catch some Steelhead. Even though the Steelhead season has been extremely slow, Dan managed to put us on some and my nephew even caught him a decent one. The experience was great and we learned some techniques that will definitely help us pick right up where we left off next time we come up. Dan is knowledgeable of both the river and the fishing techniques. We would definitely recommend him to anyone looking to book a charter in...
FAQs about Dan Nealy's Fishing Buddies
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