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. This is a story about some of his fishing buddies who have a very interesting tip about catching big pike on the ice.

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. This is one of his favorite stories about fishing with a friend and equipment not up to the task of hauling in a Black Hills laker.

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. He created some buzz in the fishing communities when he began referencing a "secret spot" as waypoint 107. Love everything about this story and the message behind it. 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. Craig likes to catch fish, and will keep them on occasion, but has something to say about a fishing trend that is getting way out of hand.

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. Here he talks about what makes Lake Trout fishing so fantastic for him.

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.

Craig Oyler is a multi-season/multi-species angler who travels across the midwest chasing the next big bite. He started guiding his dad's friends when he was 11-years-old, and new right away that he wanted to fish all the time.

Craig Oyler is a multi-season/multi-species angler who travels across the midwest chasing the next big bite. He's had many mentors along the way, and talks about some of them in this short story.

Craig Oyler is a multi-season/multi-species angler who travels across the midwest chasing the next big bite. He remembers the first time his dad took him ice fishing, and remembers is fondly.

Shaun Lezotte is a fly fishing guide with Dakota Angler and Outfitter in Rapid City, So. Dak. He has been fly fishing since he was a teenager, but loves traditional fishing methods just as well. We sat down in the comfort of the new fly shop on a busy Jackson Blvd to talk fishing, hunting, significant others, and what the future holds.

Shaun shares fond memories about fishing with Don Polovich and Paul Stabile.

When I asked who Shaun's favorite person to fish with was, I knew what answer I was hoping for. The stories did not disappoint.

Shaun remembers one of his most memorable guide trips from when he first started as a professional fishing education consultant.

Jim Bussel is an angler and paramedic for the Rapid City Fire Department. He sent a story in about a positive experience in the midst of a very negative situation. Hope it brightens your day.

Hank Patterson is a larger-than-life character who doesn't give a heck about anyone but himself.  Hank's a beer-drinking, fish catching, lady swooning machine...and he knows it.  That's the character that Travis Swartz gets to play in his videos.  In real life, he's a low-key guy with a past filled with comedy and fishing adventure.  We had a great conversation at the Alex Johnson in Rapid City.  I challenge you not to laugh during the discussion...pretty sure you'll lose.  Good luck!

Dave Hanna, from Rapid City, So. Dak. talks about fishing in Alaska and finding zen on the water.

An inside joke amongst friends still makes a pretty funny fish story. It's not about the fish that makes it worthwhile for most anglers. It's the places you go and the people you meet that make it memorable.

David talks about an organization that he is very involved in and why it is important to the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Dave Hanna has been fishing for a long time. He's learned a thing or two about what fishing can bring to a person, and how you can get the most out of your trip to the water. Thanks Dave!

Dave talks about how he'd like to be remembered, and what fish stories could mean for the fishing community. The power of Fish Stories!

Dave Hanna tells a story about fishing in Alaska when he learned about one of their methods of subsistence fishing...shotgun style.

David talks about the importance of water quality in the Black Hills and what it could mean to the amazing fisheries we know and love and the clean drinking water Rapid City residents enjoy.

David Hanna talks about getting into fly fishing and the man who helped teach him the ropes.

Dave Hanna never thought he would catch carp on a fly rod. Now that he has, he's hooked!

David Hanna talks about his grandfather and his earliest fishing memory with him.

David Hanna tells me one of his favorite fishing stories after telling us some of his nicknames.

Mitch remembers one of his earliest ice fishing memories that may have fueled a bit of disdain for the sport today. Dean Nachtigal and Jack Tisdale working smarter, not harder, to have a fun day on the ice.

"Caster" Don Polovich is a fly angler from Rapid City, S.D. He told me about his childhood in Michigan while fishing below the Oahe dam on a unseasonably warm December morning.

"Caster" Don Polovich is a fly angler from Rapid City, S.D. He talks about one of his favorite fishing buddy's, Paul Stabile, and why he appreciated him. Paul passed away in 2016.

This is a compilation of stories from pros who fish the annual Club for Boys Hooked on Hardwater event in Rapid City, So. Dak.

Andy helps out with Hooked on Hardwater, an affiliated program of the Club for Boys in Rapid City, SD. 60 pros come from all around the country (and Canada) to forge valuable relationships with club members, and spend some much needed time on the ice in South Dakota's Black Hills.

Chad helps out with Hooked on Hardwater, an affiliated program of the Club for Boys in Rapid City, SD. 60 pros come from all around the country (and Canada) to forge valuable relationships with club members, and spend some much needed time on the ice in South Dakota's Black Hills.

Hooked on Hardwater is a program created by Craig Oyler dedicated to enhancing the lives and outdoor experiences of members at the Club for Boys in Rapid City, So. Dak. 60+ professional anglers from all around the country and Canada forge bonds with children that will never be broken.

Chad helps out with Hooked on Hardwater, an affiliated program of the Club for Boys in Rapid City, SD. 60 pros come from all around the country (and Canada) to forge valuable relationships with club members, and spend some much needed time on the ice in South Dakota's Black Hills.

Robbi volunteers with Hooked on Hardwater, an affiliated program of the Club for Boys in Rapid City, SD. 60 pros come from all around the country (and Canada) to forge valuable relationships with club members, and spend some much needed time on the ice in South Dakota's Black Hills.

Jarrod and Shantel are an angling couple from Lennox, and pro staffers for Clam Outdoors. They help out with Hooked on Hardwater, an affiliated program of the Club for Boys in Rapid City, SD. 60 pros come from all around the country (and Canada) to forge valuable relationships with club members, and spend some much needed time on the ice in South Dakota's Black Hills.

Don and Tristan Cox are Nebraska ranchers and pro anglers who help out with Hooked on Hardwater, an affiliated program of the Club for Boys in Rapid City, SD. 60 pros come from all around the country (and Canada) to forge valuable relationships with club members, and spend some much needed time on the ice in South Dakota's Black Hills.