I met Kristine Fischer at the Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers conference in La Crosse, Wisconsin in Sept 2019. She is a small town outdoor enthusiast making waves in the competitive kayak angling world. He passion for the sport, wisdom, advice, and vision for the future is inspiring. Instagram - @midwestfishergal Facebook - Kristine Fischer - kfischer11

Hannah Stonehouse Hudson is a writer, photographer, speaker, and outdoor enthusiast from Wisconsin. In college, she studied the folklore of Wisconsin ice fishing, despite having never set foot on the ice to fish. She interviewed ice anglers about why they do what they do, and lit the fire for a lifelong passion that she pursues today.

Hannah Stonehouse Hudson is a writer, photographer, speaker, and outdoor enthusiast from Wisconsin. She talks about how a tragic event led her to finding an organization that fuels her passion today.

I had the pleasure of meeting Kenneth Kieser at the 2018 Association of Great Lakes Outdoors Writers conference in Bismarck, ND. A 40+ year career, along with many thousands of published articles and books have only fueled his passion for outdoor communication and education.

Bob Holzhei was destined to be a writer and educator. His passion for education, and unique approach to teaching, have provided him with many fond memories.

Craig Oyler is a multi-season/multi-species angler who travels across the midwest chasing the next big bite. Craig likes fishing for anything that swims, but Pactola lake trout are by far his favorite. Craig’s passion for educating anglers led him to start Hooked on Hardwater, which partners 60 underprivileged boys from the Rapid City Club for Boys with 60 professional ice fishermen from across the country for a day of mentoring, fellowship, ice fishing, and fun. This interview is from a live storytelling event on Main Street Square in Rapid City, SD. Despite the equipment issues and venue noise, we had a great conversation. Enjoy!

Craig Oyler is a multi-season/multi-species angler who travels across the midwest chasing the next big bite. His passion for educating anglers led him to start Hooked on Hardwater, which partners 60 underprivileged boys from the Rapid City Club for Boys with 60 professional ice fishermen from across the country for a day of mentoring, fellowship, ice fishing, and fun.

Craig Oyler is a multi-season/multi-species angler who travels across the midwest chasing the next big bite. His passion for ice fishing, and the Black Hills, is second to none. This is why.

Gregg Martin is an angler, grandfather, birder, and avid gardener from Boise, ID. In 1985, he had an accident that took his ability to walk. He has a passion for fly fishing, and learning as much as he can about the sport.

A few weeks back, the South Dakota Deaf Anglers were holding their annual tournament on the shores of Lake Oahe near Pierre. The Fishing Crew founder Curt Underhill helped me get in touch with his childhood friend and group member Paul Fosheim for a chat while they fished for northerns in Cow Creek. I learned a lot from this passionate group of anglers, and had a blast chatting with them for a few hours.

Jim Mollison has been fishing for nearly 80 years. He's learned a thing or two during that time, and has some great memories on the water. We sat down with Jim to share some of those memories and learn about what makes him so passionate about the sport we all love.

Daryl Bauer is a fisheries biologist and outdoor communicator from Nebraska. He is passionate about the outdoors, and fishing has been a big part of his life. Hear his passion come through this story, told in his own words!

Todd Heitkamp is a Meteorologist with the National Weather Service. He is also the proud owner of Dakota Angler in Sioux Falls, SD. He gave us a backstage pass to his fishing career in this conversation. We talked about his passion for fishing and where it comes from, some of the challenges that exist for the "mom and pop" tackle shops, and his proudest moment as an angler.

Daryl Bauer is a fisheries biologist, educator, and outdoor advocate in Lincoln, NE. We talked about how Daryl got into the fishing field of study, and what keeps him passionate about it after 30+ years.

Daryl is passionate about educating families about the benefits of the outdoors. This is why it's important to him.

Daryl is optimistic about the future of angler, and in the game for all the right reasons.

Chip Leer is a professional outdoor communicator and educator from Walker, MN. His passion for fishing and the great outdoors is something that we can all strive to achieve. This episode will definitely help you become a more passionate and successful angler.   Music:  Jason Shaw - "Mountain Sun" Josh Woodward - "I Will Not Let You Down"

Andy Moore's dad was his hero, and is the reason he is passionate about angling.

Scott Mackenthun is a Fisheries Biologist and outdoor communicator from New Prague, MN. His work in fisheries has him feeling fulfilled and passionate, and conveys that very well through his words. Here is how he got into it.

Scott Mackenthun is a Fisheries Biologist and outdoor communicator from New Prague, MN. He is passionate about education, and talks about an experience with special people and a special program that altered his world view.

Tony is an angler & outdoor educator from the heart of Minnesota lakes country. His passion for fishing, he believes, is hardwired into his DNA.

Jim and Martha Schwartz own the Poor Fish Ranch in western Idaho. It is an oasis in the middle of and Idaho countryside. Hospitality, creativity, passion, and fish now fill a property that was once a wasteland of weeds and cheat grass. Music (In order of appearance): "Etude" by Ondrosik "Rotisserie Graveyard" by Doctor Turtle "J'ai toujours prefere le gris" by Monplaisir "Even When We Fall" by Phillip Weigl

Dan Frasier has a genesis story that is a bit different from most. His mother, Joyce, was the person primarily responsible for teaching him how to fish, and feeding his fishing curiosity as a youngster. This story is about Joyce and the impact she has had on the Frasier family fishing traditions. Joyce grew up fishing with her grandfather, and has always had fishing in her life. She fell in love with the sport at an early age and has been at it ever since. After Dan began fly fishing, he took Joyce under his wing and taught her the ropes. That has become her new passion. She loves fishing with her children and her grandchildren, and she loves fishing on her own. Most of all...she loves sharing her stories and her experiences with the ones she cares about. Music (in order of appearance): "Tonto" - Silent Partner "Chances" - Silent Partner "Sugar Pines" - Wes Hutchinson "Someone's in the Kitchen" - Ella Frasier "Bittersweet" - Silent partner

Doug Frasier met Joyce and it was love at first sight. Listen to Joyce Frasier talk about meeting her husband and getting him into the sport she was passionate about.

Dan Frasier is the author of Orvis' Beginners Guide to Carp Flies. He snuck into catching carp on the fly, and is building a foundation for his career in the industry. His passion for common carp, fly fishing, and adventure is contagious.  Guarantee you'll be searching for your next fishing adventure, or searching for carp before the episode is over.  And this is only the beginning... Check out the first issue of Carp Pro magazine, fly fishing edition.  Very, very good information. Music (in order of appearance):  "The Atmosphere - The Little Glass Men     "Seasonal" - Silent Partner Push Me by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/   "Trips" - Topher Mohr and Alex Elena   "Sawdust" - Silent Partner

Casey Weismantel is the Director of the Aberdeen CVB, and an avid outdoor enthusiast. He told one of his earliest fishing memories, one that has helped shape his outdoor perspective and passion. Music (In order of appearance): "Swamp Stomp" - Silent Partner "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ "We Were Once Kings" - Silent Partner

Dawson and Grant are lifelong friends who love to fish together. Their passion and enthusiasm for the sport, and their time together, shines through their storytelling!

Stephen Wisner is the owner and guide for Eau Claire Anglers in Wisconsin. He first cast a fly rod in 1973 and fell in love with the sport he grew up around. Since then, he has logged thousands of days fishing and guiding rivers in Montana and Wisconsin. His passion is for chasing smallmouth bass and musky on area rivers, but loves fishing for anything that will bite. He invited me into his home for an interview about his live and some of his favorite fishing stories.

Gary Nault is a semi-professional angler and fishing guide from Sturgeon Bay, WI.  He wears his passion for fishing, fishing education, and the Sturgeon Bay area on his sleeve.  I really enjoyed talking with him at the National Professional Anglers Association Conference, and enjoyed the conversation even more the second time around!  Check out what makes Gary so passionate about the sport, and find out the real person behind the success of his guide business.