Vandenberg Guide Service
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Vandenberg Guide Service

Excellent
5.0 / 5
(7 reviews)
Map of Traverse City, MI, United States
874 Boardman Acre Drive
Traverse City, MI, United States
Trips & prices
Targeted species
What's included
Boat info
Reviews
Contact captain

Professional guided fishing trips on the scenic rivers of Northern Michigan specializing in Steelhead, Salmon, and Trout. The boat used is a SmithFly Big Shoals raft, this watercraft opens up exclusive access to the small and intricate rivers often overlooked by many anglers. Most trips will find you in the secluded forests of Michigan often not seeing another person the entire day.

Guests have a choice of using spinning rods or fly fishing gear. Lake Michigan consistently produces the highest quality Steelhead in the Great Lakes, making them fantastic trophy fish for anglers to target. An average Steelhead weighs in at 8-10lbs with a real chance of hooking one upwards of 15lbs. Rods, reels, tackle, and a grilled shore lunch will be provided by the guide.

Fishing rivers for Steelhead and Trout is where an angler’s skill is truly developed. Catching a Steelhead is well-earned and comes with proper coaching and practice, which is what makes landing one of these magnificent fish so rewarding.

Whether you are an experienced angler or have never fished before, Vandenberg Guide Service is devoted to teaching all guests the necessary skills and ensuring they have a successful day on the water.

  • Live Bait
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Drinks
  • Child Friendly
  • Ice Box
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Food (Snacks & Lunch)

Trip availability and prices

  • Private trip
    Fly Fishing Instructional
    Low rate deposit non-refundable
    2 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Price for up to 2 persons
    US $100
    If you are new to the world of fly fishing and are looking to get a jumpstart on your skillset, an instructional can be a huge help. I know this since I had an instructional when I was young and it was the most beneficial experience a new angler can have. We’ll focus on casting, rigging/knot tying, reading water, fly choice, and potentially catching a Trout or Steelhead in the process! All gear will be provided. Rates: $50/hour
    Targeted fish
    Salmon
    Salmon
    Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
    Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
    Brown Trout
    Brown Trout
    Salmon (Chinook)
    Chinook Salmon
    Salmon (Coho)
    Coho Salmon
    Brook Trout
    Brook Trout
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip
    Low rate deposit non-refundable
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Price for up to 2 persons
    US $375
    Short on time? No Problem. Offering the same experiences as a full-day float, this trip is perfect for someone with limited available time or working with a budget. Lunch is not included with this trip.
    Targeted fish
    Salmon
    Salmon
    Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
    Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
    Brown Trout
    Brown Trout
    Salmon (Chinook)
    Chinook Salmon
    Salmon (Coho)
    Coho Salmon
    Brook Trout
    Brook Trout
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip
    Low rate deposit non-refundable
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Price for up to 2 persons
    US $495
    A full-day float trip covering miles of scenic and secluded northern Michigan rivers and creeks fishing for stunning Steelhead and Trout. Avoid the crowds and noise of jet boats passing by all day like the larger rivers, and enjoy the quiet waters as you float down in a top-of-the-line drift boat. Gear used is either spinning rods or fly fishing. Steelhead may be kept or released at the discretion of the guest. Maximum of 2 anglers per boat, additional boats and guides are available for large groups.
    Targeted fish
    Salmon
    Salmon
    Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
    Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
    Brown Trout
    Brown Trout
    Salmon (Chinook)
    Chinook Salmon
    Salmon (Coho)
    Coho Salmon
    Brook Trout
    Brook Trout
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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 7 reviews
See details
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (4)
What an impressing trip
Half\/day with captain
Great Amazing Time!!
+1
Angler rating
5
0
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
71%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
100%
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Showing:
5 of 7 reviews
Yu-chuan L.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

What an impressing trip

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip on November 4, 2024
My son (11 yrs) and I are the first time to do flyfishing. Lucas teach us how to cast. Within a half day trip, we caught 7...
Yu-chuan L. recommends Vandenberg Guide Service
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Yu-chuan L. recommends Vandenberg Guide Service
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Kentaro M.

The captain canceled

VERIFIED   July 2, 2024
The charter operator canceled 2 days prior to the trip date. This is an automated posting.
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Carlton W.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

First time fly fishing!

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip on July 16, 2023
I’ve always wanted to try fly fishing, but never had the opportunity. Luke gave me the basics and some practice.  Within...
Carlton W. recommends Vandenberg Guide Service
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Carlton W. recommends Vandenberg Guide Service
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Michael P.
Holland, MI
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great Amazing Time!!

VERIFIED   Fly Fishing Instructional on May 15, 2023
What a fun time with a great guide/captain/guy!!!  Luke was so much fun to learn and fish with!!  I have fished for 50 plus...
Michael P. recommends Vandenberg Guide Service
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2 persons find this review helpful
You and 2 people found this review helpful
Michael P. recommends Vandenberg Guide Service
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2 persons find this review helpful
You and 2 people found this review helpful
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Tom B.
Hemlock, MI
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

6hr

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip on March 11, 2023
A Great Time, Our first time in a raft boat, I must admit for being a raft boat it was comfortable, the boat captain was on...
Tom B. recommends Vandenberg Guide Service
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Tom B. recommends Vandenberg Guide Service
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
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FAQs about Vandenberg Guide Service

Vandenberg Guide Service offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $100 per group - Fly Fishing Instructional (2 hours)
  • US $375 per group - Half Day Trip (4 hours)
  • US $495 per group - Full Day Trip (8 hours)
When you book a trip with Vandenberg Guide Service, you can expect the following amenity onboard:
  • Ice Box
Trips booked with Vandenberg Guide Service include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Snacks
  • Drinks
  • Lunch (Only on Full Day Trips)
  • Fly Fishing Equipment
Vandenberg Guide Service offers the following type of fishing:
  • River Fishing
Vandenberg Guide Service offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Spinning
  • Fly Fishing
  • Drift Fishing
Top targeted fish species with Vandenberg Guide Service include:
  • Brook Trout
  • Brown Trout
  • Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
  • Salmon (Chinook)
  • Salmon (Coho)

Your captain

Lucas Vandenberg
Traverse City, Michigan, United States
7 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since January 2023
Capt. Lucas runs trips out of Traverse City aboard a SmithFly Big Shoals raft. These waters are known for Trout and Steelhead and he will show you how to catch them, whether you're spinning or fly fishing. With extensive knowledge of the area, he has a trick or two up his sleeve, and the only way to learn is to join him out on the water!

The fish you can target

Brook Trout Brook Trout
Brown Trout Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead) Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Salmon (Chinook) Chinook Salmon

What the boat is like

Boat Image
Boat category
Unpowered boats
Capacity
2 persons
Boat length
13 ft
Year built
2018
Boat manufacturer
SmithFly
Boat type
Drift boat
Engine model
SmithFly Shoal Cut Oars

Which types of fishing are offered

River Fishing

Which fishing techniques you can try

Light Tackle
Spinning
Fly Fishing
Drift Fishing

Which amenities are available onboard

Ice Box

What’s included in the trip price

Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
Snacks
Drinks
Lunch
Only on Full Day Trips
Fly Fishing Equipment

How cancellations work

Deposit non-refundable

If it is unsafe to travel, you may still cancel free of charge or change the date(s) of your booking.

What the listing policies are

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
Catch and Release Allowed
Report listing

How you can pay

Book with 10% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 10% 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:

Cash
PayPal
Checks
Bank Transfer

What’s biting in Traverse City right now

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