Mainstream Guides - Newaygo
Mainstream Guides invites you to join them on a fishing quest on one of Michigan’s abundant rivers. Operated by guide Aaron Spence, this guide service is all about providing fun and adventurous trips for guests of any skill level. Aaron welcomes children over the age of six for an experience they will remember and be able to talk about for many years to come.
You can fish on a number of rivers including Muskegon, Manistee, Rogue, Grand or Jordan Rivers. Depending on the species you prefer to target and the time of the year you go out, Aaron will advise you which river is your best bet.
When it comes to seasons, Chinook and Coho Salmon are available from August 20th to October 31st; Brown Trout is here May 1st to July 31st; Bass is available from May 1st through August 31st; and finally, Steelhead is here most of the year - from September 1st through may 1st.
Fishing is done out of a 16’ Wooldridge Jet boat with a capacity for up to three persons. Powered by a 150 HP Mercury Outboard engine, this boat is pretty indestructible and an excellent choice for river fishing. It is equipped with a fishfinder to locate the best fishing spots, life jackets for safety, and an icebox.
Mainstream Guides provide mostly fly fishing equipment for fly fishermen, however, if you prefer spinning rods and bait casters, they carry those, too. Just make sure you let guide Aaron know what you skill level and preferred techniques are, and he’ll be able to accommodate you. Aaron also carries lures and live bait when necessary, and provides snacks and drinks on half day trips, whereas full day trips also include lunch.
Note: Fishing locations and start time will need to be decided based on fish migrations and stream activity. You must obtain a valid Michigan freshwater fishing license prior to the trip.
Customer reviews
Rating summary
Photos & videos by reviewers (25)
+22Angler rating
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Appropriate for children
82%
Friendly captain
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Caught fish
95%
Jan 2, 2025
Half Day Trip – Steelhead (AM)
January fishing trip
Portage, MI
Jul 28, 2022
Full Day Trip - Bass
Full day Smallmouth trip.
When we arrived into boat ramp Aaron was early and already prepping gear. He let us bring 3 on the boat and had everything well organized. We were able to use his gear or our own and he asked which hand we reeled with to make sure gear was set before we got on the River. Everyone in our group caught multiple fish both before and after he made us a grilled chicken lunch along the River. Aaron is courteous to our group and others on the River. Safe driver and has everything needed for the trip. He got us on fish right away and was open to putting on new lures and letting g us try our own gear. I have done multiple trips on the Muskegon River and this was the best trip and Captain I have experienced. Picture our biggest is a 4.5 lb 20.5 inch Smallie which we release and there were several other decent ones caught.
When we arrived into boat ramp Aaron was early and already prepping gear. He let us bring 3 on the boat and had everything well...
Jul 27, 2024
Half Day Trip - Trout
July fishing trip
Grand Rapids, MI
Nov 21, 2020
Half Day Trip – Steelhead (AM)
Full Day with Captain Aaron
Absolutely amazing day on the Muskegon river with captain Aaron. He is amazing! Really cool guy, easy to talk to and really puts you at ease regardless of skill and experience level. Went with my wife and we both got our first ever steelhead! Fishing had been tough on the day, most boats reporting none or 1 fish at best but Aaron was able to help my wife pull in a 6lb chrome despite her having NEVER fished before and being deep into her third trimester! This before helping me hook then fight a 12lb beast for a memorable first steelhead experience. We were able to grill lunch right on the boat, he had great fishing gear and the scenery was awesome. Even saw a doe and 2 bald eagles. Aaron knows every inch of water so well, even predicting (and often preventing) snags before they happened. So satisfied with our trip, the wife is hooked on fishing, we will definitely be back for more. Thank you!
Absolutely amazing day on the Muskegon river with captain Aaron. He is amazing! Really cool guy, easy to talk to and really puts...
Captain replied
Muskegon, MI
Sep 19, 2020
Half Day Trip - Salmon
Half day Salmon trip with Captain Aaron
One in a lifetime salmon trip for my 10 year old son and I. Captain Aaron is friendly, professional and wanted us to have a great time and catch some big salmon. Captain Aaron knows the Manistee river well and set us up with a hot spot and excellent fishing techniques to catch a lot of salmon. We spent more time getting a salmon on the line in the boat than we did in casting out our lines. Aaron knows how to make good fishing rigs and casting methods to get a good catch. Captain Aaron works well with adults and kids in the boat and navigating through the river and among other boats. Highly recommended; hope to get on a trip with Captain Aaron again in the future.
One in a lifetime salmon trip for my 10 year old son and I. Captain Aaron is friendly, professional and wanted us to have a great...
Trip availability and prices
| Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Customer reviews
Rating summary
Photos & videos by reviewers (25)
+22Angler rating
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Appropriate for children
82%
Friendly captain
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Caught fish
95%
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
January fishing trip
Half Day Trip – Steelhead (AM) on January 2, 2025
Portage, MI
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Full day Smallmouth trip.
Full Day Trip - Bass on July 28, 2022
When we arrived into boat ramp Aaron was early and already prepping gear. He let us bring 3 on the boat and had everything well organized. We were able to use his gear or our own and he asked which hand we reeled with to make sure gear was set before we got on the River. Everyone in our group caught multiple fish both before and after he made us a grilled chicken lunch along the River. Aaron is courteous to our group and others on the River. Safe driver and has everything needed for the trip. He got us on fish right away and was open to putting on new lures and letting g us try our own gear. I have done multiple trips on the Muskegon River and this was the best trip and Captain I have experienced. Picture our biggest is a 4.5 lb 20.5 inch Smallie which we release and there were several other decent ones caught.
When we arrived into boat ramp Aaron was early and already prepping gear. He let us bring 3 on the boat and had everything well organized. We were able to use his gear or our own and he asked which hand we reeled with to make sure gear was set before we got on the River. Everyone in our group caught multiple fish both before and after he made us a grilled chicken lunch along the River. Aaron is courteous to our group and others on the River. Safe driver and has everything needed for the trip....
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
July fishing trip
Half Day Trip - Trout on July 27, 2024
Grand Rapids, MI
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Full Day with Captain Aaron
Half Day Trip – Steelhead (AM) on November 21, 2020
Absolutely amazing day on the Muskegon river with captain Aaron. He is amazing! Really cool guy, easy to talk to and really puts you at ease regardless of skill and experience level. Went with my wife and we both got our first ever steelhead! Fishing had been tough on the day, most boats reporting none or 1 fish at best but Aaron was able to help my wife pull in a 6lb chrome despite her having NEVER fished before and being deep into her third trimester! This before helping me hook then fight a 12lb beast for a memorable first steelhead experience. We were able to grill lunch right on the boat, he had great fishing gear and the scenery was awesome. Even saw a doe and 2 bald eagles. Aaron knows every inch of water so well, even predicting (and often preventing) snags before they happened. So satisfied with our trip, the wife is hooked on fishing, we will definitely be back for more. Thank you!
Absolutely amazing day on the Muskegon river with captain Aaron. He is amazing! Really cool guy, easy to talk to and really puts you at ease regardless of skill and experience level. Went with my wife and we both got our first ever steelhead! Fishing had been tough on the day, most boats reporting none or 1 fish at best but Aaron was able to help my wife pull in a 6lb chrome despite her having NEVER fished before and being deep into her third trimester! This before helping me hook then fight...
Muskegon, MI
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Half day Salmon trip with Captain Aaron
Half Day Trip - Salmon on September 19, 2020
One in a lifetime salmon trip for my 10 year old son and I. Captain Aaron is friendly, professional and wanted us to have a great time and catch some big salmon. Captain Aaron knows the Manistee river well and set us up with a hot spot and excellent fishing techniques to catch a lot of salmon. We spent more time getting a salmon on the line in the boat than we did in casting out our lines. Aaron knows how to make good fishing rigs and casting methods to get a good catch. Captain Aaron works well with adults and kids in the boat and navigating through the river and among other boats. Highly recommended; hope to get on a trip with Captain Aaron again in the future.
One in a lifetime salmon trip for my 10 year old son and I. Captain Aaron is friendly, professional and wanted us to have a great time and catch some big salmon. Captain Aaron knows the Manistee river well and set us up with a hot spot and excellent fishing techniques to catch a lot of salmon. We spent more time getting a salmon on the line in the boat than we did in casting out our lines. Aaron knows how to make good fishing rigs and casting methods to get a good catch. Captain Aaron works...
FAQs about Mainstream Guides - Newaygo
The fish you can target
What is the boat like?
