The Premier Fly Fishing and Wingshooting Guide Service in Northern Michigan

Hawkins Outfitters, Orvis Endorsed Guide Service of the Year winner specializes in fly fishing Northern Michigan. Steelhead, trout, salmon, smallmouth, pike, muskie and carp are the focus. We practice strictly catch and release fishing. Fly Fishing opportunities are available year around in Northern Michigan. There are many fishing venues with opportunities for all ages. Want to learn how to fly fish, increase your skills or maybe teach your child? Hawkins Outfitters can help you do it. Give us a call 231-228-7135 to book your Guide Trip today.

Hawkins Outfitters guides are fully permitted by both United States Forest Service (see below*) and the State of Michigan. My guides are legal and insured to guide on the Manistee River, Pere Marquette, Pine, Boardman, and Au Sable rivers in Northern Michigan. We also fish the Grand Traverse Bay and many inshore lakes. Due to these factors if you are vacationing or doing business in Northern Michigan we have opportunities near you.

In addition to guiding fly anglers in Northern Michigan we book and guide trips in the fall for salmon and steelhead on the Garden River in Sault St Marie, Canada. Also in the winter months we book and host trips to Patagonia and Belize. I have traveled and fished extensively in both countries consequently we can help anglers have the best opportunities possible in these remote locations.

Fly Fishing Northern Michigan

Steelhead

Fly fishing for Manistee River Steelhead is possible from September through April.  March, April and September through December being prime time. All of our guides fish for steelhead more than 100 days a year. Therefore whether swinging a fly or dead drifting an egg pattern, we know where steelhead are.

Premier Wingshooting for Grouse, Woodcock and  Pheasant

Grouse and Woodcock

As the weather starts to change and the nights become cooler with warm days and the first smells of Fall arrive, we take to the woods chasing grouse and woodcock.   Pointing and flushing dogs, blaze orange, whistles and bells are alive in the woods as we chase the “king of gamebirds”.

Michigan is ranked in the top three states to chase grouse and woodcock every year.  Forest management by the DNR, combined with our climate mate perfectly for grouse and woodcock (both resident and migratory) to thrive here.

You owe it to yourself to experience at least one day afield chasing this cunning and beautiful gamebird.

Grouse season opens on September 15th of each year and runs through November 14th.  Late season opens December 1st and runs to January 1st.  Hunting in the late season is dependent on the weather and snow pack.  Prime time is the month of October during dispersal and

re-establishment of the females and males for the upcoming winter.

The Wildest Pheasants East of the Mississippi

As a member of Thundering Aspens Sportsman’s Club, we guide clients on wild pheasants, quail and chukars.  This is NOT put and take hunting.  TA releases supplemental birds at the beginning of each Spring to supplement many generations of wild birds that began in 1987.

Join us with our dogs or yours to hunt switchgrass, corn and traditional “western cover”.  Close your eyes and you will think you are in South Dakota chasing this fast and furiously flying quarry.  Hunts are half or full day and require at least two hunters.

Unique Waterfowl Hunting on Lakes, Bays and Rivers

While Michigan is not in the middle of one of the traditional flyways, there are plenty of ducks and geese that make it through the state each year.  Duck season typically starts the first Saturday in October and runs through November.  Goose season opens with the early teal season the first of September and runs through the end of the year.  In addition to traditional boat and blind hunting, we offer unique hunting that is probably different from anything else you have ever experienced.

Boat and Shore Blind Hunting

Hunting local lakes, bays and rivers from a boat and/or shore blind can be very powerful hunting.  Hunt for mallards and the occasional redhead or canvasback over decoys with our top-notch English Lab or Large Munsterlander.

Kayak and Layout Hunting

If you really want to get up close and personal in waterfowl hunting on water, its either in a kayak or layout boat and we offer both types of hunting.

Enjoyed more by hunters young and more senior, kayak hunting has taken off in recent years as pressure on larger bodies of water make competition for birds tougher.  We offer hunts on sit on top kayaks from Diablo Paddlesports that are so stable you can stand up in them and fish!  You won’t feel unstable when you shoot from these boats!

Get into places others cannot and up close and personal with ducks as you put the sneak on them or catch them ripping up or down the river.

Another unique and very stable opportunity is layout hunting on the Grand Traverse Bays.

Prime Location

Being located in Northern Michigan near Traverse City,  puts us near the center of much of the best fly fishing in the Midwest. It also provides a high quality environment when not on the water or for the non-anglers in your group. Traverse City boasts many fine restaurants, quality shopping, The National Cherry Festival, Traverse City Film Festival and Horse Show by the Bay. These are all nationally recognized events. Fly Anglers based in or near Traverse City have diverse lodging options, hotels, motels and cabins are all available.

High quality fly fishing opportunities with world class dining and entertainment. Add great guides and the ability to fish any of the area rivers Due to these factors our customers have the opportunity to enjoy a trip well worth remembering.

For further information, and to reserve your trip, please contact us or call 231-228-7135

Come join us on Any River…Anytime?

*This institution is an equal opportunity provider and is operated under special use permit with the Huron Manistee National Forests.