HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN FISHING?
Since I was just a kid. I still remember the first fish photo dad snapped. I’m in an old yellow life jacket wearing a wrinkled 1970s Twins baseball cap, proudly holding up one of the smallest sunfish you’ve ever seen. The sensation of hooking and catching fish has been just as exciting since that day! Now it’s my job to take that excitement and emotion and share it with television audiences.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A LUND PRO-STAFF?
Our first family fishing boat was a 1977 Lund S-16. I fell in love with that boat and have been hooked on Lund red ever since. Each time I idle out onto the water, it feels like my first trip.
CAN YOU TELL US THE LARGEST FISH YOU HAVE EVER CAUGHT?
I have a soft spot for big walleyes. It’s certainly not my biggest fish, but I am probably proudest of last year’s 14 lb walleye caught and released on Tobin Lake. I landed that fish on 6 lb mono using a barbless jig. Quite a memory!
WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
I was born in Mississauga, Ontario and now live in Minneapolis, Minnesota. When I’m not traveling, my wife and I spend vacation time on Gull Lake in Brainerd, Minnesota with our two young sons. Of course, they’re already hooked on Lund Boats too.
WHERE DO YOU MOSTLY FISH?
As part of my job I get the opportunity to visit lakes and rivers all over the United States and Canada. I’ve been lucky enough to chase a lot of different species of fish. That said, my favorite spot is still in my Lund on a quiet Minnesota lake. Each summer I emcee and compete as part of many regional fishing tournaments.
WHAT IS THE BEST FISHING TIP THAT YOU EVER RECEIVED?
Do your research… I’ve learned to study lake maps, keep an eye on weather and stop by the local bait shop to dig up key advice before tackling new bodies of water. I do the same on familiar water. A bit of work up front almost always pays off in the boat.
IN WHAT WAYS ARE YOU INVOLVED IN THE ANGLING COMMUNITY?
I host and report as part of five outdoor television shows on the Outdoor Channel, Fox Sports North/Wisconsin and NBC. . Those projects keep me pretty busy all year long. I also host a weekly outdoor radio program based in Minneapolis. When I’m not working on the media gigs, I spend a fair amount of time in the boat fishing and guiding as part of various tournaments and fundraisers.
PICK 5 WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOURSELF
Funny, Tenacious, Persuasive, Stubborn, and Successful.
WHAT WAS THE BEST YEAR OF YOUR LIFE?
I don’t have a best year, but I certainly have three best days. Without sounding too sentimental, the day I married my wife Katie and the two mornings our two sons, Brady and Bennett, were born. Hands down! Now I see Brady and Bennett with that same excitement I had when they throw on their life jackets and step into the boat.
WHAT TRAIT DO YOU ADMIRE IN PEOPLE?
I like honest, hard-working people with a positive attitude!
WHAT’S YOUR WORST HABIT?
I let my workshop get awfully dirty. It seems like I come home from a fishing trip, dump all my dirty/wet/broken fishing gear in the garage and am back out the door before I can clean up. By the time I’ve made three or four trips, the shop is a wreck. Just ask my wife…
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MODEL OF LUND TO FISH OUT OF AND WHY?
I am a big fan of Lund Impact boats. Impacts have tons of space, rock-solid IPS hulls, all the key fishing accessories I need and are easy to trailer. On a roller trailer, my Impact goes into ANY lake around.
ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY TO OUR ENTIRE STAFF AT LUND BOATS?
It’s an honor to be part of the team. Lund isn’t just a boat company, it’s something bigger. Peoples’ happiest and most-profound memories are created on the water. Lund boats make those memories happen. Have fun and be safe on the water!