Captain
Daniel Nealy

Member since June 2021 Newaygo, United States
Background
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.
Techniques
My preferred style of fishing is with a fly rod in my hand, but I enjoy using spin gear or a bait caster just as much. I think the real joy for me is just being outside and being on the river.

Hey, I'm Captain Daniel Nealy

Newaygo, United States
Background
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.
Techniques
My preferred style of fishing is with a fly rod in my hand, but I enjoy using spin gear or a bait caster just as much. I think the real joy for me is just being outside and being on the river.
43
Reviews
6
Fishing Reports
Verified

My Charter Listing

Dan Nealy's Fishing Buddies

Excellent
4.9 / 5
(43 reviews)
Newaygo
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $230

Fishing Reports

End of Summer Smallies and Pike fishing
End of Summer Smallies and Pike fishing
Sep 5, 2024 Newaygo
I'm sad to summer go, but for me, we enter my favorite time of year! With most people going North to pack rivers to chase King Salmon, I'm loving how quickly the rivers I enjoy become quiet!!! I do river fishing Salmon, but I'm over the crowds and prefer to have miles and miles of river to myself. With the cooler nights, I'm starting to find Pike more spread out throughout the Pine River and on the hunt to prepare for their winter. Classic Mepps #5's have been working the best for me with the majority of fish still caught near structure but have found some out in the open cruising for a meal. As it continues to get cooler, I'm anticipating someone getting a true Michigan Giant this FALL! Smallies and Whopper Ploppers aren't as fire as it was a few weeks ago, but it's still producing. But Smallies remain aggressive as they're starting to prepare for colder days and want to take advantage of an easy meal. October is prime Salmon time for the Muskegon - book with me before I fill up and I anticipate I will soon! Captain Dan
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TOO HOT TO HANDLE - Topwater is fire!
TOO HOT TO HANDLE - Topwater is fire!
Aug 4, 2024 Newaygo
BLOOP...BLOOP...BLOOP...BLOOP...SMASH! If you love that sound or if you haven't ever experienced it, NOW IS THE TIME! The rivers are running really hot, and the Smallies are fired up and very willing to leave cover for a big top water meal. 30 plus fish days are very possible right now. My favorite about August is it seems the river becomes very quiet as kids start to gear up for school and fall sports and other fisherman are starting to think about Salmon fishing. It's very possible to only see a few if any fisherman on the river. I've had a few chances to get out on the Pine River to "SCOUT" for big angry Pike. The Pike bite has been good, but no GIANTS to report. I look forward to finding some as we begin getting into some cooler nights and mornings here in a few weeks. If you don't like the busy Salmon rivers, getting out for fall Pike fishing can be very relaxing and rewarding!
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Finding the Summer Pike and Smallies
Finding the Summer Pike and Smallies
Jul 22, 2024 Newaygo
I've had more interest in Pike fishing this summer than ever before. Pike can be finicky fish and totally shut down if it's "TOO NICE" out. However, if you can fish for them during the correct conditions, cool and cloudy, you'll have a really good chance for a special day! I hope I continue to get more interest in Pike fishing. I love pike fishing in the fall; cool weather, colors changing, quiet on the river and BIG Pike roaming around the entire river, looking to feast before winter. Smallmouth fishing on the Muskegon has rebounded after a week slow spell. During a recent trip I had a single client put over 15 Smallies in the boat while using the same Whopper Plopper. While mixing in some Ned'ing and tossing big spin blade's we were finding a mix of medium to large smallmouth. I anticipate the smallmouth fishing to continue to be strong through September. Don't wait to get out, get a hold of me today!
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Bring on Mid-Summer Smallies & Trout
Bring on Mid-Summer Smallies & Trout
Jul 3, 2024 Newaygo
There is nothing more relaxing than floating the Muskegon River in the middle of the summer while chasing Smallies and Trout! With longer days now, evening trips are my favorite this time of year. It seems everything is in play to catch a smallie; from Ned'ing the bottom, swim baits through the middle section of the water or top water blow ups. Trying different things and being flexible is a must until you find what's working that day. Most likely tomorrow it will be something different than the day before. We have had some very odd weather patterns over the last 10 days that have created some tougher fishing. The river went up nearly 2.5 feet and within 48 hours back down 2.5 feet. The river temp shot up to 73 and back down to 66 in the same time frame. Multiple cool nights and days and a few humid days mixed in. Fingers crossed we get back to a steady weather pattern. I have several days remaining in July, August and September to get out for Smallmouth, Trout and Pike (on the Pine) if you want a chance at fighting the hardest fighting fish pound for pound in Michigan, BOOK SOON!
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Early Summer Heatwave
Early Summer Heatwave
Jun 21, 2024 Newaygo
The last 4 weeks have seen some up and downs. There were some extremely cold nights that lead to some extremely slow mornings, while bundled up in our winter gear. However, the extreme heat and lack of rain warmed the rivers up to mid-summer temps fast. The trout fishing on the Muskegon has been absolutely incredible and trout biting almost anything we tie to our lines. A few clients were fortunate enough to land some special Muskegon River fish. One a beautiful 20-inch brown trout landed on a flashy wollybugger while fly casting for his first time ever! The 30-inch Summer Skam while bass fishing was as an epic battle that I've ever seen and that won't soon be forgotten. While top water hasn't consistency been as productive for me this season, the Ned rig in the river is hard to beat. For a few weeks we were finding some fish in slow water and then maybe some in deep and some right off the bank. They were hard to nail down day to but trudging spots and moving while changing Ned colors paid off most days. But with the river temps rising fast, big deep bends is the ticket. Finding the right weight, for the depth and current is important. But working a deep bend can really pay off with multiple fish. I'm looking forward to more early summer Smallie fishing, while all 3 rivers I'm running right now are producing awesome numbers of Smallmouth and a lot of large fish. This is my favorite time of year, SUMMER SMALLMOUTH!
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Smallmouth Fishing is here and it's FIRE
Smallmouth Fishing is here and it's FIRE
May 26, 2024 Newaygo
SMALLIE FISHING IS FIRE right now. The time is now. TOP WATER action is out of this world. If you know me, river Smallmouth fishing is my favorite Michigan has to offer and right now is my favorite time to fish them. Finding soft water with top water can reward fisherman with monster Smallies trying to blow up your offering. I'm still seeing a few fish on beds, and I think the next 3 weeks will be amazing fishing. Already this season, there have been 6 Smallies over 20 inches to the net and a few lost that I think were in that ballpark. I have fished the Muskegon, the Pine, the Chippewa and the Tittabawassee all in the past week and have great action on all four rivers. You just can't beat slowly floating down the river, enjoying a beautiful Michigan Summer day while casting for these hard fighting river fish. It beats flying up and down the river to sit in one spot for an hour before flying to the next spot. BOOK your trip ASAP before it's too late. Captain Dan
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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 43 reviews
See details
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (71)
Great knowledge of the river
Great knowledge of the river
Great knowledge of the river
+68
Angler rating
41
1
1
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
97%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Appropriate for children
87%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
85%
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5 of 43 reviews
Paul L.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Thanks for a great Muskegon River fishing experience!!!

VERIFIED   5 Hour Trip โ€“ 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...
Paul L. recommends Dan Nealy's Fishing Buddies
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Paul L. recommends Dan Nealy's Fishing Buddies
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Declan L.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Highly recommend!

VERIFIED   5 Hour Trip โ€“ 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...
Declan L. recommends Dan Nealy's Fishing Buddies
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Matthew L.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great knowledge of the river

VERIFIED   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....
Matthew L. recommends Dan Nealy's Fishing Buddies
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Matthew L. recommends Dan Nealy's Fishing Buddies
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James M.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great trip

VERIFIED   5 Hour Trip โ€“ Salmon or Steelhead on April 10, 2025
Really got into the Steelhead . Also caught brown and rainbow trout. Good captain. Had a fun time.
James M. recommends Dan Nealy's Fishing Buddies
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James M. recommends Dan Nealy's Fishing Buddies
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Dusty Y.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Day on the Muskegon

VERIFIED   5 Hour Trip โ€“ Salmon or Steelhead on April 13, 2024
I recently took my nephew on a fishing trip with Dan to catch some Steelhead.ย  Even though the Steelhead season has been...
Dusty Y. recommends Dan Nealy's Fishing Buddies
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Dusty Y. recommends Dan Nealy's Fishing Buddies
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