Growing up in the Keszler household exposed me to tournament angling at a very young age. I never fully understood what was involved in competing, but I was curious and anxious to give it a try. When my Dad asked me if I wanted to enter the 2002 Angler Young Angler Tournament in Pine Falls, I absolutely said yes. It was a very windy day and I remember having to fish within the river. On previous fishing trips I would put my feet up on the side and take breaks or naps, but not today. I wanted to try really…
Author: Amanda Keszler
Amanda Keszler
Amanda Keszler is an avid angler who enjoys spending every minute she can in the outdoors, fishing and hunting with her family. She has been contributing to Hooked Magazine for almost three years now. Recently Amanda was featured on an episode of the Lund Ultimate Fishing Experience television show where she fished alongside her mentor, her father Alex. She regularly competes in Bass and Walleye tournaments across Manitoba and Ontario with her boyfriend Logan. The final year that she was eligible to fish as a youth in the Angler Young Angler fishing tournament in Pine Falls with Alex, they won first place. Since that day she has been hooked on tournament fishing and the challenges that it brings. Throughout the year Amanda targets many different species such as Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Northern Pike, Lake Trout, and Whitefish. For the past three years she has been giving seminars at the Mid-Canada Boat Show in Winnipeg, Manitoba. “Hunting and fishing with my friends and family creates a bond and lifetime memories that I will always carry with me. There is truly nothing that I would rather be doing than spending time experiencing and writing about the great outdoors."
This past year a dream I never thought possible came true. It was an adventure, a learning experience and a memory that I will have forever. Before I knew it I was on my first-ever float plane ride on a fly-in moose hunting trip with Jackson’s Lodges & Outposts! As soon as the plane took off and I seen the smiles of everyone with us, I knew it was going to be an amazing week of family and the outdoors. The views from the plane are breathtaking, showing what Manitoba has to offer. There were eight of us that stayed…
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Winter is coming! Some of us dread it and some of us live to get out on the ice and do some hardwater angling. We are very fortunate to live in a part of the world that holds so many different lakes and rivers, when it comes to fishing the opportunities are endless. For me, ice fishing is a welcome change to open-water because I enjoy targeting different species that I normally do not have time for during tournament season and hunting season. My boyfriend Logan and I venture out almost every weekend on snowmobile, from Lake Winnipeg to Lake…
By Amanda Keszler I’ve heard a few people say; “You should never forget where you came from.” When I hear this I can’t help but think about my Dad. He still tells us stories from “back in the day” when he started fishing and all the hard work and trying times that have come with his success today. Our family would not be so passionate and dedicated to fishing, hunting and the outdoors if it wasn’t for him and the one man who really started it all… my Grandpa. It is with great sadness that we had to say good-bye to…
Whether you want to try fishing for the first time or need to purchase more tackle for your collection, one thing is certain, walking into a tackle store can be overwhelming. Nowadays there are so many different rods, reels, line and lures it can be hard to make a decision on what you need to buy. I had this same problem a few years back. Usually I would fish with my Dad and he supplied me with everything I needed but about five years ago when I began tournament fishing I needed to start providing my own tackle and equipment.…
It wasn’t until I was 20 years old that fishing really became one of my passions in life. Don’t get me wrong, I always looked forward to spending time with my family out on the water and dropping a line whenever possible, but at that time fishing was more of a hobby. When my Dad asked me to be his partner in the Shoal Lake Last Chance Bass Tournament about eight years ago, that was the turning point for me. Never having fished a bass tournament before I was excited, nervous, anxious and wasn’t sure what exactly to expect. More…
Throughout the year, the main species of fish I target are usually Bass and Walleye, but lately I’ve sparked a new interest in even bigger, toothier critters, especially during the hardwater season. On our local bodies of water here in Manitoba and Northwest Ontario they are abundant and can grow to great lengths. Northern pike and lake trout, when in season, can be arguably one of the most exciting species to catch through the ice. I really started ice fishing about eight years ago. It was my first time out since I was a child and it still feels…
Each year I look forward to hunting season. Early mornings followed by early evenings at deer camp leave us with time to relax, share stories and talk about what else…fishing! The topic tonight is early season ice fishing for Walleyes. Smaller lakes tend to freeze up much faster than larger, deeper basins and lakes, so if you are headed out soon you may want to try your luck on smaller bodies of water first. It can be easier to locate schools of Walleye and you can find them in shallower depths versus early season on a large body of water…
If you asked me what my favorite thing to do is, besides fishing, I would have to say spending time in the outdoors learning how to hunt with my family. Being in the woods during the fall and winter seasons can be breathtaking and it is my escape, my peaceful place. I am very passionate about it and I wanted to share some of my stories with you. What Started It All: For years I would listen to my Dad’s hunting stories every Sunday night when he got home from deer camp and since I was old enough to use…