TE Facelift...

Onward and Upward - a wise man once told me.  Well, he wasn't that wise, but he was a man, and I liked the words.  Like so many times, I have decided to give this site a new facelift.  Change some colors, change a few pictures, add a couple of graphics, etc.  It helps for future projects, plus, I never sit down and attempt these things without learning something new.  Just like a day on the water.  Anyways, I will be working on making a few switches in the coming days.  Bear with me on this.  You will notice that I have added a TE Newsletter.  This newsletter was created to keep you all informed on what is about to happen, instead of reading it on this website - after the fact!  You will know of the hot bites in advance, and can decide if that might peak your interest, or wait for another trip.  If you are not looking to book a trip, you can always subscribe, and be prepared for action on to come.  Along with the newsletter comes the Corporate Fishing Event.  I have partnered with Ranger Boats on this matter for this massive event that you can check out in a couple of days.  Stay tuned, and please feel free to criticize something if you don't like it, or if you do - that is even better.  Thanks for reading!

Minnesota Bound Inside Edition...

So here's the story and the show for anybody that wants to watch it.  It all started last year when I took the job working for Ron.  The same week that I started my dream job, just happened to be the same week the huge walleyes were smacking on the Mississippi River.  My first and second day on the job, I came in to work each morning telling Ron of my fishing success the evenings prior.  Walleyes over 10 pounds, and several of them seemed to get his attention.  Knowing this was a short window to get these big fish on camera, we had to get out there ASAP.  The weather called for a snow storm that day, but it was the only day we could do it, plus it made for interesting scenery.  So, on day three of my new employment, I found myself on a mission to impress the new boss in conditions not too favorable for anything other than sitting on the couch.  A major problem was the cold, snow, and the slippery ramp.  What happened behind the camera was a struggle to get the boat in the water, and the truck back up the hill.  It was tough as heck, but we managed. 

Once we approached the area that we wanted to fish, there were a few boats in the area that said the bite had turned off completely.  Instead of turning back, we decided to fish, but I felt the pressure, big time!  Things weren't looking good at all until I worked my way to a small little spot that produced the previous couple of days.  Instantly it was on.  Ron missed a smallie, and followed it up with a nice Sauger.  A few minutes later he landed a chunky 3 to 4 pounder then another a little bigger.  I followed his nice fish with a couple of my own.  My first walleye came in at about 6 pounds.  Even in the cold, Ron was all smiles.  For a bite that had shut down completely, we were catching some very nice fish.  At that point, we had everything we needed for our show. 

Ron and I looked at each other with smiles, and a very cold camera man.  Yep, you guessed it, we both agreed we should make just one more pass through the honey hole.  After all, we had only been there for half an hour.  Needless to say, it was a good move.  Mother Giant latched on to my jig and made a tv appearance.  What a fish indeed!  "Ok, now we'll call it a day," we both laughed.  God must have really been shining down on me that day, because I believe we boated the only walleyes in sight.  Other than one carp from a distant boat, the action was only in that one teeny tiny spot.  I was blessed to have found that spot I guess, and Ron was all smiles on the way back to the access.  For the third day on the job, it doesn't get much better than that!  I don't think I will ever forget that day.  Thanks for watching.  Until next time, keep on livin' the dream...

Minnesota Bound...

Last spring, the bite on the Mississippi River caught attention from more than just a few lucky anglers.  My boss, Mr. Schara heard about the success we were having, and wanted in on the action.  Aaron Achtenberg, a photojournalist at our company hopped in the boat with us.  Our goal was to shoot a quality fishing story with a twist.  It was one heck of a snowy day, bitterly cold, and absolutely perfect!  I won't spoil the surprise of what we were able to accomplish that day, but I do hope that you tune in to find out.  This Sunday at 10:35 on Kare 11, you can catch all the action on Minnesota Bound.  Let's just say that on this day, the big one didn't get away...Until next time, I'm gonna keep livin' the dream!

Let the Water Flow and the Big Fish Bite...

And it begins!  The 2009 open water season was upon us.  The sound of flowing water slapping against the side of the boat set me at ease.  This sound and the experience that goes with it is my addiction in life.  Every time I hear it and feel it, everything else in life just goes away.  I guess you could say that open water fishing is my drug of choice.  Any problems or issues of this economic world were left at the landing, and for a few hours this past weekend, I was able to sit in a chair and take in the rays of sunshine.  Life is good, which must be why I quote it as living the dream.

I joined my fishing partner and fellow guide Mike Ernst for what would be his first trip in his brand new boat.  He was as excited as a 5th grader on the last day of school.  Matt and Sean also joined us for this epic launching of the new rig.  The location was the Mississippi river.  One of the few options in Minnesota for open water this time of the year, and one of the only places that a guy can legally target walleyes.  The chance to get a jump start on the season sends us there each spring, and the rewards can be tremendous.  Walleyes over 10 pounds are a reality, and the multi-specie aspect of the river just adds to the excitement.

We were eager to break the ice with the first fish in his new boat, but nobody expected what was about to happen.  After a few hours of frutless searching, I set the hook into what felt like the bottom of the river.  Two pumps on the rod was all the I needed to reassure me that I wasn't snagged.  I spent the next 15 to 20 minutes following this beast up and down stream.  Our thoughts were comfirmed when the giant broke the surface.  I had accidentally snagged a wintering Flathead Catfish.  Measuring in at 41 inches, my jig somehow managed to slide under his fin while jigging across the bottom.  An accident that I will admit was 100% by mistake, but made for one heck of a first fish in the new boat!

Fresh off of the big catch, I proceeded to land a walleye, a sauger and one more channel catfish before we all engaged in the action.  From a position of the back seat, I couldn't have enjoyed the experience any more.  Mike was the guide, and I was the guided.  I joked about it all as I put my feat up in relaxation mode.  Aside from the gusting winds, it was a blessing to be out there.  We found a mixture of walleyes and sauger with a few more rough fish mixed in.  The enormous walleyes that we were after weren't ready to bite just yet.  A water temp reading explained that we were a couple of days early for the big push.  A push that will top the charts as one of the best walleye fishing opportunities of the year.  The weather reports show that the next few days will trigger that bite, which I look forward to all year.  The 2009 open water season is here, are you ready for the action?  Until next time, keep on livin' the dream!

The Future of Fishing...

Sometimes a picture says it all.  I want to introduce you to a future star in the world of fishing.  His name is Hunter, he's two and a half, and he's kind of a big deal!

Friday afternoon I was joined on the ice by Hunter and his ever excited father Tom Dobbins.  Earlier that morning I had a phone conversation with Tom, and he said Hunter was getting really excited because he told him they were going fishing.  At less than three years of age, this is a big deal when you get to go fishing with dad.  When you are named Hunter, it is even bigger, because you know what it means to fish.  That's right, one of their favorite activities is to watch fishing shows together.  Tom said its his favorite thing to do.  I jumped at the chance when I heard Tom talk about his son.  Experiencing that joy with a father and son just doesn't get any better.

After a fresh nap on his ride down to the lake, Hunter was ready to go.  After poking a few holes on a favorite panfish spot, it was obvious that Hunter was chomping at the bit to wet a line.  We scurried to find some active fish for him before we put his line in the water. The first fish up the hole, he proudly shouted, "Crappie!"  The little fella even knew the difference in the fish we were catching.  Pretty darn impressive! 

Now it was Hunters turn.  After putting the first line down, we quickly realized that all he wanted to do was reel up the fish.  Even when they weren't on the end of his line.  This happened a few times until we made a switch to the jiggle stick.  Problem solved right?  Well, maybe.  See, he still wanted to set the hook and pull the line up as fast as he would set it down.  Each time screaming, "Got One!"  This made for a slight challenge, at least until an overly aggressive sunny grabbed hold.  Then he really did have one!  The tug on the end of his line was nothing short of spectacular.  The smile on his face was even better!

His proud pappa looked on with great pride, as any father would do.  Watching this whole process unfold, was my father about 10 yards away.  I could see the enjoyment that he had in re-living past memories that we had once shared.  At that moment, I knew exactly how he must have felt when I first screamed "Got One!"

Hunter was a multi-specie king, and managed a crappie to go along with his sunny.  At two and a half, you aren't too eager to hold the fish, and they are all keepers.  This means that you have to take his fish off, and he will tell you what he wants you to do with it.  Part of the learning process I guess, but made for many laughs among us.

Our time on the water was short-lived but exciting.  The fresh air got the best of Hunter and he was soon ready for another nap.  Short and sweet, but fun was had, and the memories will surely be with us forever.  Hunter was a riot, and there was never a dull moment for any of us.  The excitement he brought at such a young age was as genuine as it gets.  It can't be explained, you just have to witness it.  As Tom and Hunter drove away, I smiled as my dad turned to me and said, "looks like Tom's got a new fishing partner!"  Until next time, keep on livin' the dream!