Why Stay with us?
The Rustic Hook lodge was built on the belief that the best memories are made when comfort, nature, and good people come together. What started as a family project in the heart of Wellston, Michigan has grown into a warm, welcoming retreat for travelers seeking the perfect Up-North escape.
As a veteran-owned and family operated business, we take pride in doing things the right way -- with integrity, attention to detail, and genuine care for every guest who walks through our doors, for four years, we've poured our hearts into creating a place where guests feel at home the moment they arrive. That commitment has earned us AirBnB Superhost and VRBO Premier Host status every single year, with a consistent 5-star rating that reflects the experience we work hard to deliver.
We're not just offering a place to stay -- we're sharing a clean comfortable place our family loves, built with pride, and maintained with the same dedication we bring to everything we do.
Whether you're here to fish the Manistee, ride the trails, chase fall colors, or simply unwind, the Rustic Hook Lodge is your basecamp for every season.
Our duplex lodge offers you the flexibility to stay your way:
- Two Separate 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom suites (Coho Suite or Steelhead Suite)
- Full Kitchens in each suite
- You can rent the Coho Suite or the Steelhead suite individually
- Gather the whole crew and rent the Rustic Hook Lodge, which is the rental of both suites combined.
- Perfect for families, fishing trips, hunting groups, and ORV or snowmobile weekends.
We chose Wellston because it is a sweet spot for:
- ORV/ATV riders (1/2 a mile from 500 miles of ATV and snowmobile trails)
- Snowmobilers
- Hunters
- World class salmon and trout fishing (Tippy dam, Manistee River, coinvent place to stay for guided fishing)
- Close access for Kayak and Canoe trips down the Manistee or Pine rivers
- Lots of hiking, biking, and winter ski trails
- Close to Lake Michigan Beaches
- Fall Color tours
Kathy and Robert share a life rooted in family, service, and simple joys.
Kathy is retired and the proud matriarch of a wonderfully large family that includes 3 children, 8 grandchildren, 12 great‑grandchildren, and
1 great‑great‑granddaughter. She is happiest with a crochet hook in hand, creating blankets, hats, and keepsakes that have become treasured heirlooms throughout the family. Her creativity and warmth are woven—quite literally—into the lives of everyone she loves.
Robert is a retired United States Marine who continues to stay active as an IT Director. When he’s not working, he enjoys fishing and pouring his energy into restoring the couple’s 1900 farmhouse in Cadillac, Michigan. Robert is also the father of 3 daughters, and his growing family includes 6 grandchildren and 2 great‑grandchildren.
Together, Kathy and Robert are a team built on dedication, craftsmanship, and deep family roots. Their days are filled with projects, hobbies, and the joy of watching their blended family continue to grow.