Testimonials

Ever taken a muskie on a topwater lure? Are you addicted to smallmouth bass fishing?? Then you need to fish with Jeff Joseph at Hemlock River Guide Service. You simply will not find a friendlier, more knowledgeable guide than Jeff. Let him introduce you to the little-known, underfished rivers of the Upper Peninsula. They are teeming with chunky smallmouth bass and aggressive muskies. Most Great Lakes area anglers have spent many days fishing lakes - but NEVER tried the rivers. Several years ago I started exploring UP rivers, and was amazed to find little if any angling pressure. And even more amazing was the size and numbers of smallmouth bass and muskies I found. Remember the talk among muskie anglers about "ten thousand casts per fish"?? That old addage is mostly true with lake fishing, but doesn't apply in the rivers Jeff fishes. In our most recent outings, we raised several muskies a day, and hooked about one-third of those we saw. Jeff knows the rivers of the UP, and when and where to fish them. Jeff specializes in my favorite technique of topwater angling, with spinning rods, baitcasters or flyrods. And he uses a couple different styles of boats, depending on river conditions. Whether you're a veteran angler or beginner - or have caught a ton of these 2 favorite species, or have just laid awake at night dreaming about them - go spend a day or two on the water with Jeff. And just like me, you'll be hooked on chasing smallmouth and muskies in the wild and beautiful rivers of the UP.

Merritt Benson

Casper, Wyoming

My wife and I recently hired Jeff to guide us for muskies and smallmouth bass in the U.P. (one of the most wonderful places on earth.) I've been fishing the U.P. for 30 years, but Jeff took us to some amazingly beautiful places that I hadn't found. The fishing was fantastic! In one half day, we raised 16 muskies! I've fished with guides and charters in Wisconsin, Michigan, Washington, and Costa Rica. Some of them were great. Jeff was the best I've fished with though. He's intelligent, personable and hard-working and he knows the rivers. Five stars!

Tom Wiensch

Rhinelander, Wisconsin

Jeff - Thanks for the twice in a lifetime fishing trips last Saturday and Tuesday. My son Jim went from a never-fished-for-muskies to an expert in one day. His buddy cannot believe 4 muskies landed, another one lost as well as the strikes he had. Forget Hayward. The Tuesday trip was even better as far as I was concerned. How often do we have a muskie and a 19 inch smallmouth on at the same time, land them both, take pictures and release them all in the first ten minutes of fishing. Jerry and I think we caught 40-50 smallies on wacky worms, surface lures, stick baits and everything else we tried. All this was accomplished while you tutored us on logging, wildlife and reading the rivers. Thanks again for the continuous highlight reel of what wilderness fishing in the U.P. is like.

Jim Haran the tenderfoot from Chicago

I have booked a fair number of guides in Wisconsin, Florida, Mexico, and the Bahamas; and found out for myself how the quality of the guide service and the personality of the guide makes all the difference in the world when it comes to having an enjoyable day of fishing. Here's a quick comparison between Hemlock River Guide Service and some of my other experiences: Some guides can sometimes bully the client into fishing the way they want. I tried switching lures once, and a Florida guide said, "No, stick with this one - it's idiot-proof". Jeff understands that it is YOUR TRIP, and will let you fish however you want. He'll put you on the fish. He'll make suggestions, but it's all up to you. That's how I like it. Some guides care more about babying their boat/gear than the client's fishing success. I actually once had a guide who made me take my shoes off to get on his precious boat! Jeff will take you where the fish are, and if that means his boat bangs into some rocks getting through some skinny water, then his boat will bang into some rocks. Some guides provide inferior rods, reels, or lures. Old line that comes off the reel in twists/coils and lures with half the paint missing are surprisingly common. The tackle Jeff provides is top notch, and you know muskies aren't very easy on lures. Anyway, the important thing is we caught a good number of muskies and smallmouth fishing with Jeff. It was so much fun to see my nephew catch his first musky ever, then his second musky ever, then his third.... And Jeff was such an enjoyable guy to fish with, very knowledgeable and happy to share info. Whether you want to fish hard all day, or spend a leisurely day on an absolutely beautiful stretch of river with some fishing mixed in, you will have a great time with Jeff. I encourage you to book a trip with him today.

Cory Marinan

Stow, OH

I've known Jeff for over 30 years, and have had the pleasure of fishing with him on dozens of trips for almost all species of freshwater fish. Nobody goes to greater lengths to find and put fish in the boat than Jeff. He has the knowledge, experience and patience to make a trip on the water both fun and productive. If a quality float fishing trip for Musky or Smallmouth Bass is what you are looking for, then The Hemlock River Guide Service should be your next booking. You will be certain to have a quality fishing experience, have a great time and be comfortable doing it.

Tom Kelley

Pelkie, Michigan

If you want to experience some great fishing on relatively unknown as well as known waters you will find no one better than Jeff Joseph to guide you and fish with. Jeff strives to see you enjoy yourself and put fish in the boat! You experienced anglers will also learn from Jeff, improving your skills in an environment that is sure to please. Later when the trip is a memory you will look back upon it as a great experience with one of the best fisherman you've had the pleasure to spend time with on the water! Jeff is that kind of man, fisherman and guide ---book the trip and enjoy!

Craig Leitner

Holland, Ohio

As a father, taking my sons on a guided fishing trip is about more than just catching fish; it is an opportunity to spend memorable time together, to have fun, and hopefully, to leave the day better fishermen than when we started. We accomplished all that and more on our day-long adventure with Jeff Joseph of Hemlock River Guide Service. Over the years, we have had guided fishing experiences in some incredible locations around the world. Our time with Jeff surpassed them all. It was easily the best guided fishing experience any of us have had. We spent a day on some of the most picturesque Upper Peninsula water we’ve ever seen. Jeff floated us through miles of rivers literally untouched by man. We did not encounter another fishing boat the entire day. Jeff was exceedingly patient with us (all first-time fly fishermen and first-time muskie fishermen) and freely shared his extensive knowledge of the water, the fish, and strategies on how to catch the big ones. Everything was top quality from the boats to the fly gear to the casting rods and tackle. That each of the boys caught massive muskies (not to mention smallmouth bass, pike and a walleye of all things!) was icing on the cake. If you are looking for a fishing experience unlike any other, with a top-notch guide, through some of the most beautiful land on earth, on water full of fish, book a trip with Jeff Joseph.

Dean G.

Bloomfield Hills, Michigan