The People Who Inspire our Adventures
Through fishing we have met some unforgettable characters, and we want you to know them, too.
LeAnn and Gerald Swindle - How’d You Meet Your Angler?
On the boat stands a man larger than life with a passion for fishing that knows no bounds. In the boat, on the shore or at home there stands a sweet-as-molasses, soft-spoken, warm and gentle saint. Together GMan and Lulu are a dynamic duo.
Talking Spinnerbaits, Livewell Design and Crawfish with Oklahoma Legend OT Fears
OT Fears and I have fished together in the four corners of the United States – from the Potomac River to Mille Lacs to Rayburn to the California Delta. Hanna and I were thrilled to run into OT and his high-school-sweetheart-turned-bride Maryline Marie at the Bassmaster Classic in Tulsa.
How’d You Meet Your Angler? – Kayla Jocumsen
Carl and Kayla Jocumsen hail from opposite ends of the globe — Idaho and Australia — and yet their bass tour love story (and the resulting family) seems like pure destiny.
How’d You Meet Your Angler? – Shelby Gustafson
Shelby Gustafson met 2023 Bassmaster Classic winner through the Classic love potion of fast food. Here’s there story, it’s a good one.
Random Questions for Elite Series Rookie Kyle Patrick
Bassmaster Elite Series rookie Kyle Patrick won an Open, qualified for the Bassmaster Classic, and early a Century Belt. Learn about the “Real Kyle” with his open answers to random questions.
The Backdrop Tells Half Past First Cast’s Story
The backdrop that I built may seem like a haphazard group of epic fish and scenery pictures, but I used a great deal of purpose when I put it together. I wanted to tell HPFC’s story and show all of the people who have become our family over the course of our travels.
Riley Kolich Is All-In on the Big Bait Nomadic Lifestyle
The Big Bass Dreams media empire is truly a team effort and Riley Kolich is an essential element in its success. She brings not only enthusiasm and knowledge to the process, but also a relentless drive to excel at everything she does on and off the water.
Kimberly Lester: How’d You Meet Your Angler?
Eight-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier Brandon Lester depends heavily on his wife Kimberly to keep their household running like a well-oiled machine. Thank goodness the teacher didn’t confiscate the note sent between these two crazy kids or their amazing family unit might not exist.
You Should Be Reading Dan Smith’s “How to Catch Any Fish”
Dan Smith’s “How to Catch Any Fish” should be required reading for any serious traveling angler — or anyone who dreams of traversing the globe to catch exotic (and non-exotic) species. Here are reasons why.
A Fish Out of Water – Marjorie Bernstein
My friend Marjorie Bernstein is not an angler, or even an aspiring angler, but she came to visit us at the Chicagoland Fishing Show and offered valuable feedback about what interested her and what could have been done to make the experience even better.
Jersey Strong: Paul Fisler’s Fishing Fashion Addiction
Paul Fisler has scrapped to accumulate 84 professional bass anglers’ jerseys and he’s not done yet. Check out his collection from the best of the best.
Dayton Feider: How’d You Meet Your Angler?
Here’s my new series exploring how pro anglers met their wives — from the wives’ point of view. Starting with Dayton Feider, Mrs. Llama.
All My Rowdy Friends
Hanna and I worked consecutive trade shows – first the Chicagoland Fishing Show and then the Safari Club International. Re ran into numerous friends, some of whom have traveled with us, some of whom we’ve only corresponded with, and every permutation in between.
Reeling in 2024
Get ready to dive into my 2024 goals and planned accomplishments. I continue to cast my curiosity into the fishing industry and hope to reel in more and more curious-but-perhaps-anxious travelers to join us on our spectacular fishing journeys.
I Love This Game: Basketball Stars Who Fish
Plenty of NBA superstars love fishing, too — either as an escape from the grind of the road life or as fuel for their competitive nature. Check out some of their stories.
Short People Make Happier Fishing Travelers
I always thought that being unusually tall would be helpful, and in some cases it is, but short fishing travelers have several distinct advantages when it comes to comfort, effectiveness and memories.
24 Fishing, Writing and Travel Goals for ‘24
Every year provides new opportunities to increase the breadth and depth of my fishing, writing and travel experiences. If all goes according to plan, 2024 will be the best year yet.
The Biggest HPFC Success Story of 2023
We’ve had a lot of success stories throughout 2023, including great fish catches of our own and helping others enjoy amazing on-the-water experiences, but our greatest achievement may have occurred while we were nearly 1,000 miles away.
My 2023 Fishing and Writing Mistakes
Running our own website and business has been a learning experience and we’ve stumbled along the way. In the interest of transparency, here are some mistakes that I made in 2023. I’m sure there will be more mistakes every year hereafter – ideally they won’t be the same ones.
Greg Evers “Flew Solo” at Casa Vieja Lodge
Minnesota outdoorsman escaped the cold and went to Casa Vieja Lodge for single anglers week. He scratched the sailfish itch, enjoyed the hospitality and made a bunch of new friends. You can do the same.