Staying Connected in the Outdoor World
Why People Still Matter More Than Anything
As a professional angler and full time guide, something has weighed on my heart for years. Especially in the tournament world. It is the growing unwillingness to connect with everyday fishermen. I am not sure when that shift happened. Maybe it is ego. Maybe a few wins or a couple of sponsors start to convince some folks they are better than the next person.
I understand the drive. The long hours. The commitment it takes to compete. But somewhere along the line, a lot of people have forgotten who truly fuels this industry. It is the everyday angler. The weekend fisherman. The father and son sitting on a bank. The mom teaching her kid how to cast. They are the reason companies sponsor pros. The reason tournaments even exist. They are the heartbeat that keeps fishing growing.
When I was around ten or eleven, I met Al Lindner at a walleye tournament. The way he carried himself left a mark on me. Guys like him and so many pros from that era never hesitated to stop and talk. Back then, being a professional angler meant more than catching fish. It meant connecting. They shook hands. Answered questions. Did seminars. Made people feel like they mattered. That kind of connection built trust.
Today a lot of that face to face connection has been replaced by social media. And sure, people can follow someone online and feel like they know them. But sometimes the reality does not match the image. You see the highlight clips and the polished edits. Then you hear stories from someone who met that same person in real life and did not get treated with respect. That is what breaks my heart.
For me, that human connection still matters the most. One of the things I am most proud of is hearing from people who meet me for the first time and tell me how real and genuine our conversation felt. I have always wanted folks to feel like they are talking with a buddy. Not someone standing on a stage above them.
Truth is, I am grateful. Grateful that God blessed me with the chance to live a life centered around fishing. Grateful for every memory made on the water. Grateful for every person who trusts me with their time. I do not take it lightly. When someone shows me a picture of a fish or asks for advice, they deserve my time.
If I could give one piece of advice to new anglers or guides, it would be this. Remember we are all human. You might be on top of your game today. That will not last forever. What will last is how you treat people. How you make them feel. How you inspire them to get outdoors, create memories and pass that love on to someone else.
We are ambassadors of the outdoors. If we fail to protect that connection, if we stop bringing people in, it fades. That is why I will always take the time to talk. To help. To share.
To my family, my friends and every new person I meet along the way. Thank you for your support. And if you ever see me out there and want to talk fishing, do not hesitate. I will always make the time.
