Tom was born into a fishing family and basically started fishing when he was about three years old. He went with his Dad every weekend to the Chain of Lakes located in Northern Illinois, and also would pedal his bike a short distance to Lake Michigan, in Chicago, and fish nearly daily in the summer. He really began to hone his skills as an angler.at his cabin in Northern Wisconsin.

I have been haunted by water all my life and started guiding in 1976 at Lake Geneva in Wisconsin. Upon moving to Minnesota in 1979, I began guiding there in 1980 and have ever since. I love to write and was asked to write a few articles for Fishing Facts Magazine and then for In-Fisherman and North American Fishing publications. This gave an additional opportunity to work with sponsors and develop a foundation for the future.

To this date, except for Fishing Facts Magazine I still contribute to both of these publications and many others. I have been recognized as one of the top walleye guides in the country by In-Fisherman Magazine, Midwest Outdoors, Field and Stream, and Outdoor Life. I have hosted a radio show called “Guides Corner” for the past 25 years and it was nominated for the prestigious Minnesota Broadcaster’s Association Excellence of Craft on two occasions.

I most recently have partnered up with Legendary and Hall of Fame Anglers Mark Fisher and Larry Hanson to host another radio show called “Reel Talk Outdoors” heard on Sunday evenings from 7-8 pm on Bob-100 FM in Ramsey, Minnesota.

I was inducted into the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame in 2009 as a Legendary Guide which is a very humbling experience when you consider that only two guides are inducted each year throughout the entire country. I was also inducted into the Minnesota Fishing Hall of Fame in 2015 and again was humbled by my selection and so thankful to all who accepted me into a fraternity of some of the best anglers nationally and in my home state of Minnesota.

I represent several of the leading companies in the fishing industry including Costa Del Mar, Northland Tackle, Mercury Marine, Lund Boat Co., Johnson Outdoors (MinnKota, Humminbird, Talon, Cannon, LakeMaster), Gemini Sport Products, Daiwa Reels, St. Croix Rods, Aqua-Vu Underwater Technologies, L & M Supply and, Thousand Lakes Sports. These are all leaders in the fishing industry I am proud to have my name associated with each and every company.

During the late fall, winter and early spring I’m on the road doing seminars and attending product meetings with several companies and rep groups. I am a Board Member with MN-Fish Sportfishing Coalition representing Minnesota anglers concerns and projects that will maintain Minnesota as “The State of Fishing” . My customers, clients, sponsors and industry partners are all special and committing to them 100% is what I am about.

Minnesota Fishing Connections

Twin Cities Walleyes Unlimited is a 501(C)(3) organization whose mission is inspiring conservation, sportsmanship and providing education to walleye anglers.