Darrin got his start in the fishing industry working at a local tackle store at the age of 15. Over the past 19 years, he has been fortunate to establish a career related to his passion. As a sales representative for companies in the Fishing and Outdoor Sporting Industry, Darrin has found the perfect balance. Along with being an avid tournament angler, Darrin also enjoys opportunities to support organizations and events promoting the sustainability of our great resource. “Everyone has a responsibility for future generations.”

Robert has been guitarist, drummer, bassist, keyboard player, composer, arranger, producer, and teacher for 30 years. He has played 1,000’s of professional engagements and he has performed on TV, radio and many recordings. He has taught 1,000’s of lessons to 100’s of students in the past 25 years many who are on tour and/or making a living playing music. He has been fly fishing, tying and guiding for about a quarter century in many Canadian provinces and American states. He can be found at flyfishingmanitoba.com or riverheightsmusic.com

Jeff was born and raised in Kenora on the shores of Lake of the Woods. He fished the KBI for the first time in 1993 when he was ten years old with his dad and his love for competitive fishing blossomed from there. Jeff now makes a living within the fishing industry through guiding, writing, promoting and tournament fishing and enjoys every minute of it… “I’m living the dream!”, he says. The highlight of his fishing career was winning the KBI in 2000 with his partner Chris Savage. “I was 17 years old at the time and winning in front of the hometown crowd was sweet.”

Darren, or Deej as he’s known on the fishing websites, is a resident of the village of Garson and lives there with his fiancée Paula and their ever present pup Carlito. They spend alot of their free time working on their rural property and enjoying the great fishing of Manitoba’s North around Flin Flon where Paula’s folks reside. Deej is quick to point out that while he writes a regular camp cooking article for our magazine, he is not a professional chef; he is a professional eater! Have you tried this guy’s famous hot wings? Wow!

Matt owns and operates Matt Johnson Outdoors (www.mattjohnsonoutdoors.com) where he provides guided fishing trips all year round, fishing tips, fishing videos, fishing articles, seminars and web design. You can also find Matt at Thorne Brothers in Fridley, MN (www.thornebros.com), where he works helping others learn about the great sport of fishing. Matt is also on Team True Blue (www.trueblueicefishing.com) where he helps advance the sport of ice fishing. Whether Matt’s giving a seminar, writing a fishing article, spending time at Thorne Brothers, or out on the lake, he enjoys what he does!

Don has been a full time professional angler for 28 years.
Don hosted and produced the award winning “The Complete Angler” television series for fifteen years. Since retiring from television four years ago Don has been involved with a number of projects, including the formation of the Fisheries Enhancement Fund. He is currently working for Fish Futures as the Provincial Youth Angling Coordinator. He is also very generous, as he always lets Steven (publisher of this fine magazine) catch more and bigger fish than him.

For three decades author Tom Neustrom has shared his fishing insights with readers, guide clients, and seminar attendees. A recent inductee into the National Freshwater Hall of Fame, Neustrom promotes and develops product for Northland Fishing Tackle. Recognized by In-Fisherman magazine as one of the top walleye fishing guides in the country, Tom spends the majority of his time during open water season on the lake doing guided trips. Off the water, much of his time is spent doing seminars in an effort to pass his knowledge and expertise on to others.

J.J. is the owner and operator of Double J’s Guide and Tackle. He is the creator of the Gobbler brand of hand-tied inline bucktail spinners which have been profiled in Outdoor Canada and most recently on Shaw Television weekly feature The Open Road. He is a published author who has been a contributing writer for Musky Hunter, Esox Angler, Outdoor Canada and Lake of the Woods Area News. As a fishing guide he has 15 years experience on the Winnipeg River System and it’s numerous lakes.

Mike, or BIGFISH as he is affectionately known as, has the uncanny knack of not only locating but catching big fish..and he does it consistantly 12 months out of the year..His focus is primarily on slab crappie and trophy walleye countrywide. His walleye tournament record speaks for itself-with more than ten top 3 finishes, and a win on Lake of the Prairies.He has been promoting the sport for over twenty years, through seminars, writing, and tournaments. Mike is sponsored by Ranger Boats and Mercury Outboards.

Scott has a professional career spanning more than 15 years, currently as the Vice President of Marketing with United Way of Winnipeg. While his career keeps Scott very busy during the week, vacations and weekends he can be found pursuing his love of fishing and the outdoors; both with friends and with his wife Nancy and their son Emerson. This is the spark behind Scott’s column, the “Weekend Warrior”, in which he shares his ongoing adventures and learnings to help weekend warriors everywhere make the most of their time on the water.

Aside from his love for the sport of fishing, Chris is a licensed commercial pilot and hopes to fly for a major airline one day. Chris received his pilot’s licence when he was just 17 years old and has been flying ever since. When asked why he decided to be a pilot, Chris answered “Because its one of the few careers that will let me fish more than work!” Chris is becoming more involved in the tournament scene in Manitoba and Ontario and is bound to be a heavy hitter one day.

Currently residing in Ottawa, Ontario, Justin Hoffman spends his time working the thick cover for largemouth during the warm months and jigging up pannies when it all freezes over. A graduate of The North American School of Outdoor Writing, a freelancer since 1999, and currently a Field Editor for Ontario Out of Doors magazine, outdoor pursuits as well as photography keep him returning to the field week after week.  Believe it or not, he is still searching for the coveted and elusive ‘honey hole.’ Justin has Pro Staff positions with Fin-tech Tackle (www.jigfish.com) and Kistler Rods (www.kistlerrods.com).

Stu Thompson has been fly fishing since the age of 10 and is a freelance writer who has provided arcticles for American Angler, Canadian Fly Fisher, Hooked Magazine, and other regional and international magazines. Stu has also appeared on television, has done radio shows and has been involved in the movie industry as a casting instructor. During this time Stu has caught over 35 species of fish on the fly including Channels Cats, Carp, Pike, Walleye, Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, all species of trout and a host of other species. You can usually find him casting his flies down at Lockport for monster Cats.