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The Northern Angler
426 W Front St
Traverse City, MI 49684
Uber
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About Us
Guide Service
Our shop
About Us
About Us
All About the Northern Angler in Traverse City, Michigan.
The Northern Angler Fly Shop and Outfitters is dedicated to serving the needs of all fly anglers, from the aspiring beginner to the most seasoned expert, we have the gear you need and want.
We are a full service fly shop staffed with knowledgeable fly fishing professionals and guides with many years of experience. Check out all that Northern Michigan has to offer the fly fishing fanatic and experience for yourself why the Boardman River inspired the creation of the Adams fly, or how magical the Manistee River can be on a summer evening, and let us help guide you in that journey. Our fly shop is located within just two blocks south of Grand Traverse Bay and just a stone's throw from the Boardman River, with ample parking, great fly fishing gear and rods and the best selection of fishing flies in Northern Michigan.
Come see for yourself why Traverse City is such a great fly fishing destination, with hundreds of lakes, creeks and rivers for you to explore in less than an hour drive.
Fly fish the flats of Grand Traverse Bay for carp and smallmouth, chase salmon or steelhead on the Manistee, Betsie, Platte or Boardman and fish for wild brown trout and native brook trout on the flies-only section of the Manistee, Ausable or other local streams.
Guide Service
Traverse City area's Fly Fishing Pro Shop!
At The Northern Angler our fly fishing guide service is based on the premise that a guided fly fishing trip is more than just going out and catching fish. It is our goal and belief that you will leave the fly fishing guide experience a better angler. Come see for yourself why clients come back time and time again to fish with our guides.
With many years of experience, our fly fishing guides ensure that you will not only have a great day on the water but improve your fly fishing skills as well.
Our guides are patient teachers and are willing to work with beginners and experts alike. Give us a call and we can answer any questions you may have regarding a guided fly fishing trip in Northern Michigan and the Traverse City area.
If you are in need of lodging, we have special rates available at Crystal Mountain Resort in Thompsonville and The Fairfield Inn in Traverse City, let us know how we can help.
Book a trip or trips and spend the day floating along one of our many local rivers in pursuit of the Mid-West's best fly fishing. We are happy to pick you up and drop you off at your area hotel.
Our guided fly fishing Trips include
transportation to and from the river, rods/reels/tackle, instruction and patience. Your guide will have a full-range of flies needed for the day, you are welcome to bring your own flies and equipment. Our guide staff is fully licensed, insured, CPR First Aid trained to ensure that you are receiving the best experience possible.
We have the ability to accommodate
larger fly fishing parties, different species, or special fly fishing guide service requests possible, contact us at 231-933-4730 and we can discuss options to make your dreams a reality.
Guide Service Rates
Full-Day (1 or 2 anglers)
$395.00
Typically 7-9 hours. Includes streamside prepared meal, beverages & snacks.
Half-Day - (1 or 2 anglers)
$275.00
Typically 4-5 hours. Includes snacks and beverages.
Carp on the flats (1 or 2 anglers)
$275.00
Typically 4-5 hours. Includes snacks and beverages.
Meet The Guides
Captain Ted Kraimer
Ted has been guiding for The Northern Angler since its first year of operation and continues to get our customers out on the water and into fish. Living in Traverse City keeps him on the go and far from bored with so many different species to pursue with a fly rod. Whether it's drifting a small river for trout or fishing the Big Manistee from his jet sled for steelhead - the diversity is why he chooses to guide in this region. His demeanor, personality, organization and approach is what keeps his repeat customers coming back each year and makes his new customer's become regulars. After working in a fly shop during college Ted became a FFF casting instructor and his linear approach to teaching will not only make you a better caster but a better angler as well. Tying flies for as long as he has been fishing is how he spends his time off the water and has led to becoming a Fly Designer for Rainy's Flies - a wholesale distributor. Ted is a member of Scientific Anglers Pro Staff, a USCG Licensed Captain and is licensed to guide in the State of Michigan.
Evan Visuri
Evan has been an avid fly angler and fly tyer since the age of 11. His father and grandfather instilled a great amount of both outdoor skills and ethics in this fine young guide. Evan has been a welcome addition to The Nothern Angler staff and has developed a great following with clients from around the country. Evan's inherent knowledge of both fishing and people skills make him a joy to spend the day with on the waters of Northern Michigan. Whether you want to chase trout on the Manistee or Ausable, or wish to chase migratory fish on the Betsie or Big Manistee below Tippy Dam, Evan is on target. If you would like to get your children or grandchildren into the sport, Evan great with kids and will teach them the fundamentals of casting and be happy to take them to one of many local lakes for bass and panfish in order to get them hooked on the sport. Evan loves to swing flies with a Spey rod and is a great Spey casting instructor as well. When not on the water, you will find Evan in the woods chasing upland birds, or in a duck blind with his yellow lab, Hopper. Evan and his finance', Samantha live in Traverse City. Evan is a fully licensed and insured guide in the state of Michigan.
Jon "Lindy" Lindenau
Lindy has been guiding since 1993, starting at Breckenridge Outfitters in Colorado. Guiding primarily the Colorado, South Platte, Williams Fork, Arkansas for trout, he gave that up in 2000 to move back to Michigan. From 2000-2005 Jon guided for Waterfowl from Canada to Arkansas following the migration route from September to mid February. He has extensive experience with guiding fly anglers for trout, salmon and steelhead. Lindy works in the shop and can often be found fishing his two handed rod on the Boardman in the fall, winter and spring for steelhead. Since 2000, Jon has spent his summers working out of "Fishtown" in Leland running a big lake charter boat for salmon, lake trout and steelhead, but his home has always been the river. Jon lives with his wife, Lisa and their 4 dogs in Leelanau County. He is an avid Jazz Drummer and can be seen playing with the On Quartet, Bay Area Big Band and Miriam Pico at local clubs. Jon is an avid upland bird hunter and has two Griffons- Blue and Brownie, so when he is not on the river in the fall, he can be found in the Grouse Woods all over Northern Michigan.
Captain Hugh Witham
Hugh has been a fly fishing guide in Northern Michigan since 1996 when he started with Hawkins Outfitters and from there Hugh guided for The Troutsman in Traverse City until Kelly Galloup sold that business. From 2004 to 2012 Hugh was part of the guide staff at Schmidt Outfitters and now Hugh has found a home here at The Northern Angler. Hugh is a pro-staff member of Clacka-Craft Drift Boats and enjoys guiding on the Au Sable, Betsie, Manistee and Pere Marquette rivers as well as inland lakes for bass and bluegill. Hugh is also at home on Grand Traverse Bay chasing carp and smallmouth. His great sense of humor, guiding style and knowledge of local waterways will ensure that you have a fun and memorable day on the water. He is a fly fishing and casting instructor and a USCG Licensed Captain. Hugh lives in Interlochen with his awesome wife, Lisa and their two boys Patrick and Hunter. In the winter months Hugh can be found at Crystal Mountain Resort where he is the Lift Operations Manager.
Mike Flynn
Mike is a long-time fly angler and hugely passionate guide. As a guide, Mike is very strong on the Betsie, Boardman, Manistee, Pere Marquette and Au Sable Rivers. If you are looking for someone to chase carp and smallies on the fly, Mike has several out of the way places in his back pocket on both East and West Grand Traverse Bays. Mike enjoys winter steelhead guiding, early season king salmon and chasing browns after dark in the summer-and everything in between. His strong work ethic and conservation mindedness make for an enjoyable and relaxing time on the stream. Mike lives in Traverse City with his wife, Cheryl and can be found chasing fish in very out-of-the way places within a short drive of town when he is not guiding.
Guide & Shop Owner - Captain Brian Pitser
In 1996 Brian left the corporate world behind to pursue a career as a fly fishing guide in Michigan. Brian guided and instructed at Schmidt Outfitters in Wellston, MI until May of 2010 when he purchased the Northern Angler Fly Shop. Having guided in Michigan, fished the Pacific Northwest for steelhead, Belize, Bahamas, salt waters of South Carolina and Florida as well as Alaska he is experienced and equipped to guide you anywhere you desire. Brian was the Midwest sales representative for Umpqa Feather Merchants, Simms, Sage, Redington, Scientific Anglers, Tibor Reels, Fishpond, Waterworks Lamson, Smith Optics and others he gained great product knowledge and retail experience in the fly fishing industry. He is a member of the Clacka-Craft Drift Boats Pro Staff and a fly designer for Umpqua Feather Merchants. Brian is a patient instructor and a passionate guide and loves having new anglers catch their first fish on the fly. He enjoys guiding the Manistee, Ausable, Betsie and Grand Traverse Bay as well as local lakes in pursuit of trout, salmon, steelhead, bass, panfish, pike and carp. He is a licensed guide for the state of Michigan and a USCG Captain as well. In the fall and spring Brian likes to host "Cast and Blast" trips for migratory fish and upland birds with his wire-haired pointing Griffon, Casey. Brian lives in Interlochen with his two children, Logan and Lily. Brian enjoys all aspects of fly fishing and all the offerings of life in Northern Michigan.
What Do I Need To Bring On A Guide Trip?
Polarized Sunglasses
Hat with a brim
Personal Items
Waders (optional)
Rain Gear
Sunscreen
Positive Attitude
Fishing License
Booking A Guide Trip
Contact the shop for availability
call us or e-mail us! 231.933.4730 or 1-877-626-4080 flyshop@thenorthernangler.com Let our staff work with you to find a date(s) and a guide to meet your needs and expectations.
We require a $150 deposit to hold a fly fishing guide service reservation.
If cancellation of your fly fishing guide service reservation is made less than 30 days from the date of the fly fishing trip and not rescheduled, your deposit is forfeited. If you fail to show up or cancel less than 48 hours from the date of your fly fishing guided trip, full payment will be required.
Our shop
Address
The Northern Angler Fly Shop and Outfitters, 426 W. Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49684.
Summer Shop Hours
Monday through Saturday 9am-6pm, Sunday 11am-4pm.
Phone no.
231-933-4730, 877-627-4080.
flyshop@thenorthernangler.com
Shop Info
The Northern Angler is located in downtown Traverse City, Michigan
which was named by Field and Stream in 2008 as the 3rd best fishing town in America and in 2005 was on Fly Rod and Reel Magazine's list of the top 12 retirement towns for fly fisherman in the country. Just over an hour's drive from the shop could find you on one of nearly a dozen blue ribbon trout streams including the AuSable, Manistee, Boardman, and Jordan rivers. Add to that we are minutes from some world class smallmouth bass and carp fishing on the flats of Grand Traverse Bay as well as countless inland lakes for bass, pike, and panfish and you can see why Traverse City is a flyfisher's paradise.
Founded in 2003, The Northern Angler with the idea that fly fishing is not just for the rich or the very experienced and that fly fishing is not just for trout.
In 2010, Brian Pitser, a former Fly Fishing Industry Sales Representative and Fly Fishing Guide of over 16 years, purchased the store and moved it two blocks east. Wishing to build on the tradition already established with the fly shop, he has added inventory and expanded the lines, guiding opportunities and fly fishing travel opportunities.
The Northern Angler is a full-line Simms, Sage, Scott, Temple Fork Outfitters and Redington fly rod dealer.
We carry fly reels from Nautilus, Ross, Tibor, Billy Pate, Waterworks Lamson and Redington. If you are in need of fly lines, we stock Scientific Anglers, Rio, and Airflo Fly Lines. The shop is loaded with the latest gear from Fishpond, Umpqua Feather Merchants, Montana Fly Company and many others. The shop and staff is committed to bringing you only the best in fly fishing gear that our staff has personally tested and are willing to put our stamp of approval on. Our fly shop is staffed with experienced fly fishing guides and fly anglers that are on the waters hundreds of days each year, so we are here to help point you in the right direction with gear, flies, leaders, tippets, you name it-we are here to serve you. We are fly fishing fanatics and love to chase anything with fins and scales.
If you are not satisfied with something you have purchased from The Northern Angler, we will make it right, no matter what-that is our commitment to you.
Check out the Midwest Fly Fishing Film Tour Trailer.
To see what the Midwest has to offer the fly angler. Guide Ted Kraimer and I were able to participate with some great carp fishing footage on Grand Traverse Bay-we had a blast that day with the crew. Thanks to Simms Fishing Products and RA Beattie for the great footage.
Also, local guide and photographer, Jon Ray and I had a great article published in "This is Fly" on Fly Fishing the 45th Parallel.
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General Info
Payment Types
Visa
MasterCard
Hours
Monday:
9:00am - 6:00pm
Tuesday:
9:00am - 6:00pm
Wednesday:
9:00am - 6:00pm
Thursday:
9:00am - 6:00pm
Friday:
9:00am - 6:00pm
Saturday:
9:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday:
11:00am - 4:00pm
About Us
The Northern Angler is a full service fly shop that stocks flies and equipment for all species. Guide Service available!! Beginners are welcome. Thanks-Brian Pitser
Fly Fishing shop located in downtown Traverse City. We carry Sage, Scott, Simms Fishing Products, Redington fly rods and waders, Fishpond, Fly Tying Supplies, Vises. Fly Reels from Waterworks Lamson, Ross, Sage, Nautilus and Redington. Full Selection of Trout Flies, Warmwater bass and panfish flies, salmon and steelhead flies. If it swims, we have the fly for it!