Mainstream Guides - Wellston

Mainstream Guides will take you fishing on Michigan’s most productive rivers and streams where an abundance of fish life awaits! Guide Aaron Spence has fished these rivers professionally for over 15 years and is able to show you just what Michigan river fishing is all about.

Depending on the season when you book your trip, Aaron will guide on one of the following rivers: the Muskegon, the Manistee, the Rogue, the Grand or the Jordan River. You’ll be able to fish for Chinook and Coho Salmon from end of August through the end of October; Brown Trout is here May 1st to July 31st; and Steelhead is here most of the year - from September 1st through may 1st.

There is a whole wealth of wildlife to seen here, too. You can see an array of birds that flock to the waters in the hope of finding lunch, secluded parts of the river that offer perfect backdrops to posing with your catch, and more.

Guide Aaron will take you fishing on his 16’ Wooldridge Jet boat with a capacity for up to three persons. The jet boat is powered by a 150 HP Mercury Outboard engine and equipped with a fishfinder to locate the best fishing spots, life jackets for safety, and an icebox.

Mainstream Guides provide everything you need for your fly fishing adventure. Orvis and Redington fly fishing gear, a variety of tackle and bait all avait on the boat. You will have snacks, drinks, and even lunch since you’ll be fishing the whole day. Trips are eight hours long from dock to dock, and include about seven hours of fishing, and one hour or spot changing and rest for 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.



Trip availability and prices

  • Private trip
    Evening Salmon Trip
    FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 3:00 PM
    Price for 2 persons
    US $350
    This trip would start at 3 p.m. and fish until 7 p.m. I have booked almost every daytime trip this season so I have opened up the evening for a second charter.
  • Private trip
    Full day Bass
    FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Price for up to 3 persons
    US $425
    Bass fishing the Manistee River for Large and smallmouth bass is a great time on the water.
    Targeted fish
    Bass (Largemouth)
    Largemouth Bass
    Bass (Smallmouth)
    Smallmouth Bass
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip - Salmon
    FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Aug 20 - Oct 31
    Price for 2 persons
    US $525
    This trip is a full day of chasing Salmon on one of Michigan's finest rivers. The use of fly rods, reels and all necessary tackle is included on all fly trips. Spinning gear, bait casters, and tackle can also be supplied. Full day trips include a stream-side lunch. (1 or 2 anglers). Third person can be added if we are fishing from the Jet Sled. (only)
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip - Steelhead
    FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Sep 1 - May 1
    Price for 2 persons
    US $525
    This trip is a full day of chasing Steelhead on one of Michigan's finest rivers.The use of fly rods, reels and all necessary tackle is included on all fly trips. Spinning gear, bait casters and tackle can also be supplied. Full day trips include a stream-side lunch. (1 or 2 anglers) 3rd person can be added if we are fishing from the Jet Sled.(only) Note when booking a steelhead trip: Steelhead show up on most of the Michigan rivers in late September running just behind the Salmon.
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip - Trout
    FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Seasonal trip May 1 - Jul 31
    Price for 2 persons
    US $525
    This trip is a full day of chasing Trout on one of Michigan's finest rivers. The use of fly rods, reels and all necessary tackle is included on all fly trips. Spinning gear and tackle can also be supplied. Full day trips include a stream-side lunch. (1 or 2 anglers) 3rd person can be added if we are fishing from the Jet Sled.(only)

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 33 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (39)
Great experience learning to salmon fish at tippy dam
Aaron is a great guide!
Aaron is a great guide!
+36
Angler rating
30
2
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
91%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
97%
Appropriate for children
95%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
93%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 33 reviews
Jordan S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Aaron is a great guide!

VERIFIED   Evening Salmon Trip on July 7, 2024
Aaron took my father-in-law and I out on the Manistee for an afternoon fly fishing trip 4th of July weekend. We had a great...
Jordan S. recommends Mainstream Guides - Wellston
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Jordan S. recommends Mainstream Guides - Wellston
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful

Robert (. E.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great experience learning to salmon fish at tippy dam

VERIFIED   Evening Salmon Trip on September 6, 2024
Had an excellent time with Aaron on the Manistee river. My wife caught a beautiful salmon using the chuck and duck method....
Robert (. E. recommends Mainstream Guides - Wellston
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Robert (. E. recommends Mainstream Guides - Wellston
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful

Joe K.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fall Salmon Trip

VERIFIED   Evening Salmon Trip on September 21, 2024
Aaron was a great guide. The river was busy, but he was able to put us on some fish. My two boys had not used fly rods before,...
Joe K. recommends Mainstream Guides - Wellston
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Joe K. recommends Mainstream Guides - Wellston
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful

Jeremy T.
Carrollton, TX
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half-Day Trip with Aaron Spence

VERIFIED   Evening Salmon Trip on July 20, 2022
My son and I were on a family vacation, and I wanted to take him out on a half-day trip since he’s only 8. Being from Texas,...
Jeremy T. recommends Mainstream Guides - Wellston
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Jeremy T. recommends Mainstream Guides - Wellston
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful

Krysti B.
United States
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half day trip with Aaron

VERIFIED   Evening Salmon Trip on September 29, 2022
Awesome trip! Aaron is very knowledgeable and a great guide. He knows where all the honey holes are located and the spots guaranteed...
Krysti B. recommends Mainstream Guides - Wellston
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Krysti B. recommends Mainstream Guides - Wellston
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful

FAQs about Mainstream Guides - Wellston

Mainstream Guides - Wellston offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $350 per group, additional US $100 per person after 2 guests - Evening Salmon Trip (4 hours)
  • US $425 per group - Full day Bass (8 hours)
  • US $525 per group, additional US $100 per person after 2 guests - Full Day Trip - Salmon (8 hours)
  • US $525 per group, additional US $100 per person after 2 guests - Full Day Trip - Steelhead (8 hours)
  • US $525 per group, additional US $100 per person after 2 guests - Full Day Trip - Trout (8 hours)

When you book a trip with Mainstream Guides - Wellston, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Fishfinder
  • Ice Box

Trips booked with Mainstream Guides - Wellston include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait
  • Lures
  • Snacks
  • Drinks
  • Lunch
  • Fly Fishing Equipment (Orvis and Redington )

Mainstream Guides - Wellston offers the following type of fishing:
  • River Fishing

Mainstream Guides - Wellston offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Fly Fishing
  • Drift Fishing

Top targeted fish species with Mainstream Guides - Wellston include:
  • Bass (Largemouth)
  • Bass (Smallmouth)
  • Brown Trout
  • Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
  • Salmon (Chinook)
  • Salmon (Coho)
  • Walleye

Your operator

Mainstream Guides
Brethren, Michigan, United States
9 Fishing Reports
56 Customer reviews
Response time 10 hours
Member since August 2017
Aaron Spence has been guiding for over 18 years on some of Michigan's finest rivers. The Jordan, Manistee, Pere Marquette, Muskegon, and the Grand River. I look forward to having you out on the water for a great day of fishing.

The fish you can target

Bass (Largemouth) Largemouth Bass
Bass (Smallmouth) Smallmouth Bass
Brown Trout Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead) Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)

What the boat is like

Boat Image
Boat category
Speed boats
Capacity
3 persons
Boat length
18 ft
Year built
2019
Boat manufacturer
Stealthcraft
Boat type
Jet boat

Engine model
Mercury Outboard
Powered by
1 x 150HP

Which types of fishing are offered

River Fishing

Which fishing techniques you can try

Light Tackle
Fly Fishing
Drift Fishing

Which amenities are available onboard

Fishfinder
Ice Box

What’s included in the trip price

Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
Lures
Snacks
Drinks
Lunch
Fly Fishing Equipment
Orvis and Redington

How cancellations work

Free cancellation up to 30 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 30 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 not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
6 years and over
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed
Preferred

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
Checks

What’s biting in Brethren right now

Loading Fish Calendar!
Please Wait...