Founder of White Pine Guide Service

Dakota is a fishing guide to the core. He loves collecting information on fish, but not nearly as much as he enjoys helping others learn to catch them. Dakota started his career at 16, as a dishwasher at a lodge in Alaska. That season, getting to tag along on big group trips got him hooked. He has been working in the industry ever since. From Northern Michigan to Alaska to Patagonia, guiding is now his full time job. Dakota rows a Smithfly raft, and his preferred methods of fishing are both centerpin and fly fishing. Off the river, Dakota enjoys catching up with family and reading anything fishing related, especially enjoying John Gierach and Don Thomas. You can check him out on Instagram @capt.dakotamack or on his blog tagged below.

Founder of True North Trout

Brian Kozminski, known as “Koz” by friends, has been fly fishing Michigan waters for over 30 years. Originally from Grand Rapids where the Rogue River and Grand River were his home waters, his frequent trips to Grayling to fish the Holy Waters were not enough. Over a decade ago, he and his wife, Lesley, daughters, Simone and Camille, made ‘Up North’ a permanent way of life. A recent transplant to Boyne City now allows the Jordan and Boyne Rivers to become his backyard home waters. A lifetime member of Trout Unlimited and ex officio for the Miller VanWinkle Chapter, he shares his passion for the resources by teaching locals the art of fly tying.

An advocate for catch and release, Koz is also Great Lakes sales representative for Temple Fork Outfitters, Dreamcast Flies, Fishewear, Graplrz, Snowbee, and Wind River Gear – he is also northern Michigan’s ambassador for SUPontheFly and Adipose Boatworks, as well as an FFF member. He has been tying flies since his father taught him at the age of nine. Although Steelhead and large Brown Trout at night are exciting, the true treasure of northern Michigan lies in the vermiculation and blue halos of the native Brook Trout from its cold, clean and clear rivers.

Founder of Wild Rise Outfitters

Born and raised in Petoskey, MI, the great outdoors has always been a part of Sam's life. Fly fishing however was one of the outdoor activities that came late to him though. It wasn't until his sophomore year of college that this passion took a deep hold of him. What started out as a small interest quickly exploded into a full-fledged passion and the exploring has yet to show signs of slowing down. In addition to guiding/fly fishing his other interests include CrossFit, hunting, road cycling, designing, photography, and shooting. Sam currently sits on the board for the Miller Van Winkle Trout Unlimited Chapter and is a member of Michigan Fly Fishing Club, TU, & BHA. Having the privilege to live in such a special place, it is with great enthusiasm that he can now look to share the northern Michigan woods and rivers with others.

'Wild Rise Outfitters was formed in April, 2019 to fulfill half of my current mission. In conjunction with my full time job as an architectural designer in Petoskey, it is my goal to use both fly fishing and design as vehicles to bring people closer together and closer to nature. I look forward to the opportunity to show you the wonderful rivers here in northern Michigan.' - Sam De Jonge