At Dawn Guide Service LLC
At Dawn Guide Service
Captain Riley Smith
​Michigan is the sportsman's paradise and that is where I was born, raised, and live. I am a proud member of the Michigan National Guard and work as a Registered Nurse. I'm deeply passionate about the outdoors and enjoy guiding both new and experienced outdoorsmen and women on the water. I’ve spent years fishing, diving, hunting and exploring across Michigan and the Great Lakes, learning that no single port is better than the rest, rather each offers something unique.
At Dawn Guide Service was built around a simple belief:
The Great Lakes aren’t meant to be observed from a screen; they’re meant to be experienced firsthand. Every trip is planned with purpose, based on conditions, location, and the experience you're looking for.
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Safety is always the top priority. Trips will not run in unsafe weather or sea conditions, and any trip canceled due to weather will receive a full refund if canceled prior to departure. If a trip must be cut short for safety reasons, refunds will be issued proportionally based on the time remaining.
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Trips are run aboard a 2023 Smoker Craft 188 Adventurer, powered by a 150 HP Yamaha with a 9.9 HP Suzuki kicker. The boat features a full windshield and Bimini top to provide protection and comfort throughout the day.
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Adventure Starts At Dawn
Jonathan Durtka
A Michigan native and the driving forces behind the regulations that made Great Lakes gamefish spearfishing possible. He is widely respected within the spearfishing community. With a background as a Red Cross certified water safety instructor, lifeguard, competitive swimmer, and lifelong hunter, his comfort in the water is second to none.
A 100 foot plus freediver, he is the primary in water expert on every spearfishing charter. From advanced equalization techniques and breath hold optimization to speargun mastery, species identification, and regulatory compliance, he ensures each diver is safe, informed, and effective underwater.
His passion is helping divers push their limits the right way, with control, confidence, and respect for the resource.
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Follow his dives and adventures on Instagram
@purelymispearfishing
