Information

If you are looking to get in on the best, most exciting fishing the state has to offer, look no farther. I specialize in chasing down smallmouth bass on the Upper Mississippi and will be doing river muskie trips this year as well. There are very few places where you have a better shot at a big WILD muskie! I can also put you on some great largemouth, pike and muskie on metro area lakes, on either fly or spinning/casting tackle. I have spent my entire life working in the sport fishing business, from working in tackle stores to working as a fishing guide in Alaska. I wrote the best selling book “Fly Fishing for Beginners” a couple of years ago, and I have also made several instructional DVDs. Whether you need a fishing guide, a speaker for your fishing club, or private fly casting classes, feel free to contact me anytime .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Smallmouth Bass

More people come to fish smallmouth bass with me than anything else. The upper Mississippi is one of the only "destination fisheries" in the state, and people come from all across the country to fish there. Smallmouth bass are willing biters, and respond well to a wide variety of presentations. Casting poppers and streamers on fly rods remains the most popular, but anglers using spinning tackle are welcome, and will be successful with topwater lures and crankbaits. Special regulations enacted by the Minnesota DNR ensure that the smallies will always be there.

Largemouth Bass

Minnesota is lucky to have thousands of lakes with largemouth bass, and there are hundreds to choose from less than an hour from Downtown Minneapolis. Casting poppers on fly rods, or using a variety of presentations on spinning and casting rods will provide plenty of action.

Muskies and Pike

Northern Pike are sometimes abundant enough to reach "nuisance" levels when pursuing other fish. Anglers wishing to target them are unlikely to be disappointed in the action. Muskies, even in lakes with a strong population, are never a sure thing. I've spent enough time chasing them to put the odds in your favor. Spinning and casting gear works best for both of these toothy fish, but a good fly caster armed with a ten weight fly rod can get in on the action too.

River Muskies

I have been fishing the upper Mississippi for muskies for 15 years, and I have not offered any guided trips until now. Muskies are muskies wherever they swim, and just because we’ll be on one of the best fisheries in the world for big muskies doesn’t guarantee we’ll put a fish in the boat. However, anyone who enjoys chasing muskies will enjoy the change that river fishing offers from lakes. No crowds, and the fishing is very visual—you’re almost always casting to the shore, a logjam, or weed bed. The average size fish caught here will rival that of anywhere, and even on the slowest days a couple of big fish will show themselves. I will only be doing a limited number of these trips, so reserve your spot early. The rate for this trip is $400 for a full day for up to 2 anglers, larger groups can be accommodated.

Stream Trout

I have over 30 years of experience on local trout streams, and whether you are a beginner looking to learn new techniques, or an experienced trout angler looking to target larger, more difficult fish, you can be sure that I will put you on fish.