Sweetwater Fly Shop

1429 US-31 S, Interlochen, MI 49643

About

Sweetwater Fly Shop is located in Interlochen, Michigan, in the heart of the northern Lower Peninsula's trout country, surrounded by some of the finest cold-water streams in the Midwest. The Platte River, Betsie River, Boardman River, and the upper Manistee are all within a short drive, offering a diverse portfolio of fishing opportunities that includes resident brook trout in small, tea-stained creeks, brown trout in larger freestone rivers, and seasonal runs of steelhead and salmon from Lake Michigan. This variety makes Sweetwater one of the most versatile outfitters in the state.

The shop is compact but thoughtfully stocked, with a fly selection that reflects the specific needs of northern Michigan waters. Streamers for fall brown trout fishing occupy a prominent place alongside delicate dry flies and nymphs designed for the region's prolific insect hatches. The steelhead section carries egg patterns, nymphs, and swung flies in the colors and sizes that produce on the Platte and Betsie during the spring and fall runs. Rods and reels cover the range from three-weight brook trout setups to eight-weight steelhead rods, and the wading gear section includes cold-weather options for anglers who fish the late fall and early winter steelhead migrations. Guided trips are the backbone of the business, with a team of knowledgeable local professionals who specialize in adapting to the rapidly changing conditions of Great Lakes tributaries. The shop maintains an active social media presence with regular stream condition updates and fishing reports, keeping the regional angling community connected to the rivers they love.

Services

Guided trout and steelhead tripsFly fishing gear and apparelNorthern Michigan fly selectionDaily stream condition reportsSteelhead specialty outfittingRod and wader rentalsCasting and fly fishing instructionTrip planning for Great Lakes tributaries

Brands Carried

SageSimmsRedingtonRioScientific AnglersUmpquaFishpondKorkers

Location

4.9/5 on Google(82 reviews)

What Anglers Say

“Cannot recommend Sweetwater enough for anyone who wants to spend a day on the water. We had a group of 4, with 3 beginners. We had two boats with Shaun and Matt as our guides. Shaun was patient and encouraging and spent time pointing out cool rock structures and eagles along with leading that boat to land 15 fish! Matt, whose boat I was in, was also amazing to spend the day with. He was our fishing “coach” who knew every spot and had us casting and setting almost immediately. Our boat also landed 15 fish, including a big brown trout, which made our day! We also learned all about the river, area, and types of eagles! Both boats had a fantastic time on the water. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this shop and these guides for a day on the Yellowstone.”

Tracy p.

“I needed to be outfitted for fishing the Yellowstone River and found Sweetwater Fly Shop close by. My dog was with me as usual and was welcomed in the shop. Mollie was great at giving me all sorts of options AND booking me guides for fishing the Yellowstone. She really went above and beyond making sure I had the best experience by choosing ones that had patience and welcomed by pup on their boats. Matt Locke gave me a quick refresher before we put in at Pine Creek and I caught 12-15 fish that day. We even had a great lunch on an island; complete with tablecloth! Two days later I got to go with Mike Simonetti from Mayors to Pig Point. The Rainbows came out to play in force! It was another 12-15 fish day with a mixed bag of Rainbows and Whitefish. I will sing Sweetwater and Mollie’s praises whenever I’m asked about fishing the Yellowstone. My fishing trips through them were epic for me and I can hardly wait to do it again next year!”

Angela p.

“We had a wonderful time with our guides from Sweetwater Fly Shop, fly fishing on the Yellowstone River. Our family had not been fly fishing before and our guides did an excellent job of working with us and making us feel comfortable. They were also very personable and we enjoyed learning about the area. We will definitely recommend the Sweetwater guides!”

Marlene r.

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