I was born in Barnesville, MN into a family that put a rod in one hand and a shotgun in the other. The best-spent days of my youth were out on the water or up in the deer stand. I count myself lucky to have had the upbringing I was afforded: fresh air, the thrill of hooking a big one, and a respect for the outdoors. I’ve done my best to extend these traditions to my own sons.

Regrettably, much of my early career was spent living out of a suitcase, bouncing around the country to close deals for a Minneapolis-based software company. My mind would always wander back to dreams of a cool breeze and hot sun, the gentle bobbing of the boat. I quickly grew tired of the jet-setting lifestyle and endeavored to get out of the city. I’ve been moving further west ever since and spending as much of my free time on the water as I can muster.

Now, with my kids all grown up, and settling down with my wife in Devil’s Lake, I find no need to seek fishing opportunities elsewhere — it’s a world-class lake for sportsmen.