It’s hard to believe that I’ve been fishing professionally for over 25 years now. It seems like the 1990 All American on Lake Erie in Buffalo was only yesterday. Today, I’m married to my beautiful wife Diane. I have three wonderful children, Ryan, Reanna and Gracelyn. And my career has taken me to more places, allowed me to do more things and meet more people than I ever imagined possible. I’m blessed, grateful and appreciative of the incredible journey that fishing has afforded me.

For the past 6 years, I’ve had the great fortune to host a television series on Outdoor Channel called “Angler on Tour”. My goal was to give viewers an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at life on the tournament trail. The good, the bad, the ugly…it was all there. And while it was sometimes difficult to look in the camera after a bad finish and try to explain it away, it was just as invigorating when the plan, the practice and the performance all came together and resulted in a strong finish.

“Angler on Tour” did more than just put my mug on TV. It also opened up more opportunities to follow my passion. And that trail lead straight to “Ultimate Match Fishing”, a new kind of competitive head-to-head tournament featuring some of the greatest anglers of our time. As show host, I’ve had the pleasure of watching Kevin Van Dam battle Rick Clunn, Luke Clausen go against Timmy Horton, Boyd Duckett throw down with Kelly Jordon…and more importantly, bring it straight into your living room.

Today, I have a new opportunity. Stihl’s Reel in the Outdoors is a new kind of show that focuses on fishing without being strictly about fishing. Sounds funny I know, but it’s true. Where “Angler on Tour” showed me at work, Stihl’s Reel in the Outdoors shows me doing what I really love, fishing for fun. And while you’ll notice some familiar faces and recognize the names of some of the lakes we’ll be fishing on, I’ll also introduce you to people who love to fish just because. From farm ponds and streams, to resorts and reservoirs around the country, Stihl’s Reel in the Outdoors will be in search of what makes fishing so much fun. And I’ll be your tour guide.

So if you see me on the road or at the next FLW Tour or Eastern Division Series stop (I’ll be driving the Outdoor Channel rig in case you were wondering), say hello and tell me what you find so interesting about our great American pastime. Who knows, you might just end up on Stihl’s Reel in the Outdoors.

So remember, I’ll see you this summer on Stihl’s Reel in the Outdoors every Sunday morning at 7:30am and Friday nights at 12:30am only on Outdoor Channel.