Joe Testa
I LOVE TO FISH. THE ONLY THING I LIKE BETTER THAN FISHING is taking other people fishing. Over the past 30 years I’ve been honing my angling skills and teaching other people how to catch more fish and have a lot of fun doing it.
I am a licensed guide in the State of Michigan/New York. It’s my goal that you not only have a safe and memorable trip, but that you learn a lot in the process. The techniques and methods that we’ll use on the water can be applied to other bodies of water that you fish.
When we started the business back in 2010, I picked the name No Fish Left Behind to evoke thoughts of the “no child left behind” education reform (mostly so people might remember it). With the name No Fish Left Behind, it’s not my intention to over harvest a fishery. I am a conservation-minded angler and want to leave our fisheries in excellent shape for the future. Most of our fishing on Lake George is catch and release. However, I do practice selective harvest and I want to send you home with fish to eat! We do practice selective harvest in Michigan and on Lake George.
We rebranded this year (2019) to Freshwater Therapy for a number of reasons. First, we really believe that water is therapeutic. Many of you live crazy lives and our hope with your time with us is that you will experience a soul refreshment. We also changed from No Fish Left Behind because it was never our intention to over-harvest. We are moving away from anything other than selective harvest. We love the idea of you having a meal, but the intention isn’t to stock the freezer for the next two years. Last, we really want to pursue the educational side of fishing. Not only do we want to teach on the water, but we hope to expand our off the water teaching with both video and written content as well.
I am licensed and insured in both Michigan and New York (Freshwater Therapy is an LLC). I have adult and pediatric CPR, AED, and First Aid certification through the Red Cross. I just completed my USCG Six Pack license (Spring 2023). I am a part of Gamma's Pro Staff team, St. Croix’s Pro Staff, Charlie Brewer's Pro Staff, Garmin's Pro Staff, Rapala, Lunker City, Tonic Sunglasses, and Skeeter Boats!, and I am aggressively pursuing partnership with other companies who's products I'm sold out on and think will augment your experience while on the water with us.
We are hoping to have other guides that are a part of our network over the next couple of years. I want to introduce you to my first mate - probably one of the best fishermen you’ll ever meet - Micah Testa.
Micah Testa
I have been helping my dad guide since I was 11. I love serving people and enjoy making your trip enjoyable. My dad says I have a gift for taking out the worst of tangles. I enjoy helping our guests have an awesome experience on the water. I typically help with adults and children on the boat, with my ultimate goal being a successful time for you on the water.
Dad's comments on first mate: "Micah is a tremendous fishermen. Most clients comment more on his help than mine. He is a huge blessing on the water. You will be glad he's with us!"
My Story
Probably one of the greatest blessings about growing up in the outdoors is that, from an early age, I saw the beauty of the world around me. My time spent catching brook trout and rainbows in the Rockies created a sense of wonder. That wonder developed over time into a sense of awe as I looked at the world around me. I would look at the intricacies of what I saw and think that there was way to much complexity and order for all of this to come from a random, haphazard accident happening billions of years ago.
Nature and even more specifically, fish, pointed me even as young person to wonder about the existence of an intelligent designer. I didn't have more than a sense that there was something or someone bigger than me who created beauty and intricacy and complexity for a purpose.
Even though I was intrigued about the existence of this Designer, church didn't do anything for me. I found it pointless and irrelevant to life.
But when I went to college, I ran into thoughtful and intelligent people whose lives were very attractive. As a college student at a major university, I had a chance to wrestle with truth and a variety of worldviews. Around that same time, a friend sat down with me and sketched out a picture of what the Bible talked about when it describes someone being reconnected with the God of the universe. He explained Jesus and the story of God - how Jesus came to earth to die on a cross. And through his death, burial, and resurrection, he made it possible for people who are sinful to be reconciled with a perfect God. For the first time in my life, I understood the point of the Christian faith. Jesus died in my place, and by putting my faith in Him, I could be forgiven and made into a new creation. I placed my faith (trust) in Christ that fall semester and feel indebted to Jesus for His sacrifice on my behalf.
The part of the Bible that stood out to me then was this sentence: God made him (Jesus) who had no sin to become sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). I learned as a college student that it's through trusting in Jesus alone that someone is reconciled with God.
That reality has only made my experience as an outdoors person that much richer. Fishing isn't just something we do to pass time. It's a passion that we pursue that points us regularly not only toward the goodness of God, but also to the awesome beauty that our Creative God gave us to point us toward Him. This creation (and fishing) is a gift that God has given to us to enjoy.
My hope for you is that your experience with us and on your own in the outdoors will draw you closer to the truth and reality that Jesus wants to make himself known to you.
The Boat: 2022 Skeeter SX 2250
Fish out of a fully rigged 2022 Skeeter SX2250 with a Yamaha 250 SHO. Set up with the best equipment on the market: state of the art Garmin electronics (GPSMap 8610s), panoptix livescope on the front and back of the boat!!! and Garmin’s LakeVu Ultra lake mapping software, dual 10' Minn Kota Raptors, casting platforms in both front and rear of boat, this boat is decked out to provide a comfortable time on the water. I also provide top of the line Daiwa rods and reels - and all the tackle you'll need for a successful day on the water.
Best fishing platform out there!
To book a trip, you can either call me/text me at 517-488-3224 or email me at freshwatertherapy@gmail.com!
Skeeter Boats
I am super pumped to join the Skeeter team again! New 2022 soon to be built and shipped!
This year you will have the opportunity to fish out of a brand new Skeeter SX 2250. This is one of the nicest boats ever designed and it will be an excellent fishing machine.
I have been investigating Skeeter for a couple years now and I am impressed! I believe they are the best boat on the market, powered by the best outboard manufactered: Yamaha.
This boat will have a 250 Yamaha SHO outboard, Minn Kota 10’ Raptors, Garmin electronics - including Panoptix LiveScope, Garmin Force with an anchor feature, and all the quality rods/reels/tackle you will need to have a great adventure on the water.
Love working with Jeff and the crew at Lake Drive Marine! Lake Drive has been a great company to work with - both for buying a boat and for having maintenance and service done on my boat.
Can’t wait til the boat arrives - there will be photos and videos to come!
Update: Fished the Skeeter for a couple of months now and it is everything I hoped it would be. Incredible fishing platform. The Yamaha has been phenomenal as well. Rides like a dream, tons of casting room, massive amounts of storage. More to come!
Just joined Garmin's Pro Staff. This company not only has the kind of character and values that you'll want backing a product, but they also have the best technology out there! Check out their panoptix technology at www.garmin.com/panoptix and more about the GPSMap series at www.garmin.com. I have been researching electronics for probably the better part of a year now and I'm convinced that Garmin is tops! Then I had a chance to use the product in an MWT tournament where I fished on a friend's boat - and seeing was believing! We finished 2nd in the tournament and a lot of it came down to electronics. These products will help make the underwater world come alive, helping you to see how important structure is to finding and catching fish. More to come!
Updated 4/2020: Just switched from the Minn Kota Ultrex to the Garmin Force trolling motor and I’m pumped! Everything Garmin designs is premium. Can’t wait to get the boat on the water with the finest in trolling motors now!
When I find something that works, I want others to know about it. I don't pursue random sponsors. But rather, after I find something of exceptional quality, I pursue that company because I'd be excited to represent them and their products within my work. The Slider Grub is one of those products.
Charlie Brewer Slider Grub www.sliderfishing.com New sponsor! You will be amazed at how effective these plastics are for walleyes (bass, crappie, big bluegills, pike - everything eats these baits)! Here are the specific details: 3" Slider Grub...Colors: Pumpkin Black Flake, Green Pumpkin, Watermelon, Watermelon Red, Gold, Black Flake. This is an excellent product that we have caught tons of walleyes on. Book a trip and see it for yourself.
Interesting name, amazing lures!
It's not easy to find quality jigs. There's a lot of stuff out there that is just kind of thrown together - mass produced, low quality. A friend of mine introduced me to Carl who is the owner of Old Fart Lures and he is a true craftsman. We designed a jighead together that incorporates everything I was looking for: A super high quality, big, wide gap hook - Mustad 4/0. Every jighead is hand poured using quality lead. Then it is powder coated making the paint virtually indestructible. He then cleans every eye (which is huge when you're hands are bone chilled and you're retying a jig on) and you are left with the perfect jig for throwing plastics to walleyes, bass, crappies, etc. He pours them in 1/8 and 1/4 all the way up to 1 oz. for fishing the Detroit River.
He's not only designed quality jigheads for walleyes, he's also got an entire line of skirted jigs for bass - again - out of this world quality.
I'm proud to represent Old Fart as part of their pro staff. Go to www.oldfartlures.com and purchase these products for yourself!
Simms
Simms makes not only some of the highest quality outdoors clothing, but there stuff is super cool!
We are super excited to announce…
That we were accepted as part of the Simms Fishing Pro Team! Simms not only makes some of the coolest clothing out there, but their products also are some of the best and well made.
When you spend 100+ days on the water, and you don’t always have the privilege of picking your preferred weather, you need outer wear that stands up to the worst of conditions. And Simms products do just that. So we’re thrilled to be a part of their team. More to come on this great company and the products they sell as our first order comes in here shortly!
Update: First order just came in and I am super excited! This product is fantastic - stylish and well made…but even better than that - the product comes with an amazing lifetime warranty! More to come in a blog…
When I find something that works, I want others to know about it. I don't pursue random sponsors. But rather, after I find something of exceptional quality, I pursue that company because I'd be excited to represent them and their products within my work. Gamma is one of those companies/products!
Nothing compares to it!
Flourocarbon: Gamma Edge gammafishing.com This is exceptional fishing line. It has incredible feel and strength. I pursued Gamma to become part of their pro staff because I'm convinced of the product!
Mono: I tested Gamma's copolymer line and caught numbers of big fish without breaking a single fish off. Fished lots of docks with the same awesome results. The 10lb test was my favorite. Great for wacky rigging and skipping docks.
Braid: Gamma Torque gammafishing.com Another tremendous product. Works great when fishing in thick cabbage to slice through weeds. Unbelievable feel.
Engel Coolers
We are super excited to be a part of the Engel family. We just joined their pro staff team. So far, we know they make the best cooler on the market and they make the best live bait system out there as well! Look forward to talking more about these awesome products soon.
Lunker City
Lunker City
The Fin S minnow is one of the standards in the walleye jigging world. We are super excited to partner with this company not only because of the Fin S minnow, but also because they produce many incredible plastics and terminal tackle components. In our experience, we have seen lots of success with vertical jigging the fin s minnow, but if we have a chance to cast it and rip it, that's our preference!
Last year, my son and a couple of excellent tourney partners ended up in 10th out of 66 teams casting and rip jigging this plastic.
The other products that we love to use in our guide business are the drop shot weights that Lunker City sells. Great product at an incredible price! It's in your best interest to go to www.lunkercity.com yourself and check out what they have to offer. Their new website is incredibly easy to navigate and buy product from!
Guide's Choice Resorts
These resorts receive my thumbs up: they provide clean, quality housing combined with resort owners who are extremely hospitable. If you are interested in booking a trip and need housing as well, let me help you book it.
The Crest Resort at Houghton Lake, MI
The Crest Resort on the North Shore of Houghton Lake
Houghton Lake: thecrestresort.com Had a chance this spring to visit this resort and I was thoroughly impressed. Great accommodations, indoor fish cleaning facilities, quiet north shore resort (only 2 min. poke to north launch). Cabins and entire resort has been managed well. In 2015 they added a new 2 bed room and renovated another cabin. Everything is super clean and well cared for. It has been awesome to work with Cary and Becky! I am most impressed by their hospitality! Stay there one night and you'll be hooked.
Contact information:
101 Oneida Dr, Houghton Lake, MI 48629
(989) 366-7758
Amber Sands Resort at Lake Leelanau
www.ambersandsresort.com Beautiful location! Great place for a guy's fishing weekend. The resort owner has reasonable prices and it's right on the water with a place to moor your boat!
Amber Sands Resort is an excellent choice for a family resort on Lake Leelanau.
Lake Leelanau RV Park: www.lakeleelanaurvpark.com Top notch campground! Super clean bathrooms, excellent family centered activities, great little beach.
Silver Bay YMCA Resort at Silver Bay, NY
Lake George (Silver Bay): www.silverbay.org The YMCA resort is a great, family friendly resort right on Lake George. I can easily pick you up off the guest dock at Silver Bay and your family can enjoy all kinds of fun activities while you fish.
You're looking at Slim Point, part of the YMCA of the Adirondacks in Silver Bay, NY.
The Trout House
9117 Lake Shore Dr, Hague, NY 12836
(518) 543-6088
Beautiful accommodations in Hague, NY. Not only are their houses beautiful, but they sit on the shore of Lake George and have many family activities right on property. In addition to great accommodations, the hosts of the Trout House are awesome people as well! Alice and Scott are super hospitable and great people to work with.