Sportsmen's Empire - Fishing

Welcome everybody to the 50th episode of the Mid Atlantic Outdoorsmen Podcast!! In today's episode I shared a really fun recording with two of my very good buddies. Mike Rebert out of Pennsylvania, and Caleb Seegers from Virginia. We recorded this episode in person, at my house and it was an absolute blast. In this episode the topics range from topwater bass fishing in tidal rivers, early season deer hunting and specific habitat types to key in on to find success to the recipe to make a fine whiskey sour. This episode is loaded with laughs and a little bit of knowledge. Enjoy!

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce is joined by Cole Cronkright, owner of Cronkright Creative, to learn all about filming and photography in the outdoors! Cole is a Michigan-native turned Driftless region resident who has spent the past several years working in some of the coolest places in North America with a camera in hand. The guys dive into the journey of a self-taught hunter/angler, and the hurdles they both had to clear to get to where they are as outdoorsmen today. Cole shares how he got into filming fishing adventures with a GoPro, ways to find unique jobs in the outdoor industry, how he wound up in Alaska working for a fishing lodge, advice for younger folks trying to get started in the creative space, and much more! Be sure to check out Cole's awesome work at www.cronkrightcreative.com and follow him on social media @cronkright_creative to follow along with his adventures and get in touch with him! Big thanks to our fantastic partners: Lone Wolf Custom Gear: www.lonewolfcustomgear.com onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.com Huntworth: www.huntworthgear.com Good Chance Fly Fishing: www.goodchanceflyfishing.com Wisconsin Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: www.backcountryhunters.org/wisconsin TAKE ACTION THROUGH BACKCOUNTRY HUNTERS & ANGLERS www.backcountryhunters.com/take_action

In this episode of the Mid Atlantic Outdoorsmen podcast, host Kevin Creeley celebrates approaching one year in production for the podcast. We talk about the blistering heat of summer, and what Kevin has been up to lately. We discuss deer season prep, and how to survive the anticipation window that is the months of summer leading up to the fall. Thanks for listening!

In this episode I have Kevin Gunn from the Gunnfish TV youtube channel on the show. It turns out, Kevin is as cool and laid back in an interview as he is in his youtube videos. Kevin is a tournament bass angler, extremely passionate bow hunter and turkey hunter. For the first half of the episode Kevin and I talk about various different deer and turkey hunting topics, ranging from the difference between "huntable and non-huntable bucks", spooking deer you never know you spooked, strange pieces of habitat that seem to hang up stubborn long beards.. and more. For the second half we switched gears and talked about bass fishing tactics on both tidal rivers and stagnant bodies of water and how they differ. Kevin also shared insight on how he got his start in content creation world. Overall an awesome episode with Kevin, thanks for listening!!

In this engaging conversation, Dan and Pierce discuss their passion for hunting, focusing on the importance of quality gear, effective scouting strategies, and the challenges of hunting on public land. They share personal anecdotes and insights about deer behavior, the impact of non-resident hunters, and the complexities of gaining permission to hunt on private land. The discussion highlights the excitement of the upcoming hunting season and the camaraderie among hunters.

In this episode I have my good buddy Garrison Vick on the show! Garrison and I have shared the deer woods and fishing waters together several times. I met him through my good friend and prior guest of the show, Caleb Seegers. Garrison is a deer killing machine in the pines of southeastern North Carolina, as well as a largemouth bass catching fool! Garrison hunts primarily heavily pressured private hunt club land. He also competes in several bass fishing tournaments a year.

This week on the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by friends Clayton Good and John Kolb of Suffering Outdoors YouTube channel to discuss a unique outdoor experience. Clayton and John are both avid fly fisherman and are trying their best to capitalize a narrow window of casting an uncommon dry fly: a cicada. As this week's episode is rolling, cicadas are buzzing throughout the keystone state creating a feeding frenzy and fishing experience like no other. The two discuss the past week of fishing experiences, what they have learned so far, and what they look forward to. Along the way they share advice, knowledge, and insight from both the fishing side as well as biology side. There is still time for you to enjoy this experience too, so get out fishing NOW!

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce is joined by Craig Amacker, owner of Madison Fly Fishing Company to talk about what Craig's career has looked like guiding in the driftless for nearly three decades! Craig is a Madison-native and lifelong fisherman who after working out in Yellowstone National Park, returned home and started guiding for Driftless trout and managing the fly shop of Fontana Sports. The guys dive into what the Driftless fishing scene looked like when Craig first got into fly fishing, how the bugs, fish, streams, and culture of the Driftless have changed, what his experience was like running a fly shop on the west side of Madison, advice for folks fishing in the Driftless, and much more! If you want to book a day with Craig, visit www.madisonflyfishing.com to find more information and book your trip! Big thanks to our fantastic partners: onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.com Huntworth: www.huntworthgear.com Wisconsin Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: www.backcountryhunters.org/wisconsin Good Chance Fly Fishing: www.goodchanceflyfishing.com

In this episode, Nick shares his journey of purchasing a boat, emphasizing the importance of family bonding through outdoor activities like fishing. He recounts the story behind the boat's history, the excitement of first experiences on the water with his sons, and future plans for upgrades and adventures. The conversation highlights the joys and challenges of boat ownership, as well as the significance of creating lasting memories with family. Show Partners: Umai Dry Instagram: @umaidry Website: bit.ly/3WhfnnX Sign up for the newsletter for 10% off TieBoss Instagram: @tiebossllc Website: https://tieboss.com/pod?ref=pod

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce sits down with Nick Gellerstedt, head guide at Musky Fool Fly Fishing Company to learn all about how to target muskies! Nick is a midwest native and lifelong angler who's been fortunate enough to spend time working and guiding out west, before returning to the midwest to begin his musky guide career. The guys dive into what a year looks like from a mustky fisherman's perspective, how fish move around depending on the time of year, what types of structure and habitat they thrive in, best flies to target these fish, when the best time to target these fish is, and much more! If you'd like to book a day with Nick or any of the other guides over at Musky Fool, head on over to www.muskyfool.com to book your trip. And to follow along with Nick and his adventures, follow him on social media @hoss_gellerstedt Big thanks to our fantastic partners: onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.com Huntworth: www.huntworthgear.com Wisconsin Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: www.backcountryhunters.org/wisconsin Good Chance Fly Fishing: www.goodchanceflyfishing.com

In this episode, the host shares personal experiences related to archery education, hunting camps, culinary adventures in Puerto Rico, and a new venture into fishing. The conversation highlights the joy of teaching archery to young students, the camaraderie found in hunting camps, the importance of field-to-plate culinary experiences, and the challenges and excitement of learning to fish from the beach. In this episode, the host shares his exhilarating experiences of saltwater fishing in Puerto Rico, detailing the thrill of catching various fish species, including a juvenile tarpon and mutton snapper. He recounts the challenges faced while navigating the surf and riptides, the joy of culinary creations from his catch, and the excitement of acquiring a new fishing boat for future adventures. Teaching archery to kids fosters excitement and engagement while instilling values like effort and perseverance. Learning new outdoor skills can be both fulfilling and fun, especially when shared with others. The camaraderie found in hunting camps and the joy of sharing adventures with friends enrich the overall outdoor experience. Fishing, in particular, offers a mix of challenges and rewards—it demands patience, practice, adaptability, and thorough preparation. The thrill of catching a fish, such as a tarpon or a prized mutton snapper, is exhilarating and memorable. Saltwater fishing introduces unique obstacles like riptides and shifting ocean currents, requiring knowledge and calmness. A well-maintained fishing boat opens new opportunities for exploration, while properly cared-for gear ensures safety and success. Field-to-plate dining and creative culinary experiences deepen one’s appreciation for local resources and the food we gather ourselves. Whether on the beach or out at sea, fishing not only connects us to nature but also builds lasting bonds through shared stories and experiences. Show Partners: Umai Dry Instagram: @umaidry Website: bit.ly/3WhfnnX Sign up for the newsletter for 10% off TieBoss Instagram: @tiebossllc Website: https://tieboss.com/pod?ref=pod

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast, Pierce is joined by Kyle Zempel, owner of Black Earth Angling, to learn about fly fishing for smallmouth bass on the Lower Wisconsin River! Kyle is a Wisconsin-native, and fly fishing guide in Southwest Wisconsin, who has been guiding for trout and smallmouth in Wisconsin's driftless region since 2013. Kyle shares what his early days of guiding looked like, and how he learned to fish a section of the Wisconsin River that is constantly changing. The guys discuss what the primary food sources of LWR smallmouth key in on, what patterns to use when targeting these fish, the importance of keying in on types of structure rather than spots on the river, how the smallmouth move through the system throughout a year, fishing the river when it's running high or low, what the best type of boat is for fishing the lower Wisconsin River, and much more in this week's episode! To book a trip with Kyle and and learn more about all the different camps and events hosted by Black Earth Angling, visit blackearthangling.com ,and follow along with Kyle and his crew of guides @blackearthanglingco Big thanks to our fantastic partners: onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.com Huntworth: www.huntworthgear.com Wisconsin Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: www.backcountryhunters.org/wisconsin Good Chance Fly Fishing: www.goodchanceflyfishing.com

Ever pulled a monster walleye through 32 inches of ice without even expecting it? In this unique episode of the Western Rookie Podcast, Brian Krebs shifts gears from hunting to take you on an unforgettable ice-fishing adventure at Devil's Lake, North Dakota. Brian shares an epic firsthand account of catching his personal best walleye while chasing jumbo perch, highlighting how spontaneity and curiosity on the ice can lead to lifelong memories. You'll hear about the incredible accommodations at Ackerman's Resort, insider fishing strategies, and why late-season ice fishing might be one of the West's most underrated outdoor experiences. You'll also discover how Brian leveraged ChatGPT for last-minute fishing advice, why Okuma reels became game-changers during the trip, and practical tips on gear, bait selection, and setting yourself up for success—whether you're a seasoned angler or new to Western ice fishing. Tune in for some laughs, a little luck, and a lot of fish tales as Brian recounts how the group's spontaneous weekend turned into a 200-walleye bonanza. Whether hunting or fishing, this episode captures the true spirit of outdoor adventures out West. Check out the recommended Okuma reels mentioned in this episode in the links below, and be sure to subscribe for more Western Rookie stories! For more resources and upcoming episodes, visit westernrookie.com Okuma Fishing – Rods and Reels for Serious Anglers! https://alnk.to/31sVDzF FREE Western Rookie Application Calendar www.westernrookie.com/freeproducts Connect with Brian Krebs https://linktr.ee/thewesternrookie Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@westernrookie.com! Sponsors and Discounts: GOHUNT Insider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code WESTERN https://alnk.to/g3aa8L4 GOHUNT Gear Shop – 10% off most items with code WESTERN https://alnk.to/e75Pm4u RTIC Coolers – Keep Your Meat Cold! https://bit.ly/RTICCoolers Okuma Fishing – Rods and Reels for Serious Anglers! https://alnk.to/31sVDzF First Month FREE at MTNTOUGH Fitness with code ROOKIE https://bit.ly/MTNTOUGH_ROOKIE Save $150 on Steelhead Outdoors Gun Safes with code WESTERNROOKIE https://tr.ee/fbNvbFXX6Q Save10% on Maverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code WESTERNROOKIE https://tr.ee/vWHcxHKo4u Save 10% on Ollin Digiscoping Adapters with code TWOBUCKS https://tr.ee/ZE1XcQ-fbb Save 20% on your first order at Bull Elk Beard Oil with code TWOBUCKS https://tr.ee/X4mp2wWCRK MyMedic Kits https://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tool_type=cl&merchant_id=3b3250a4-1c69-4622-aba2-bfa731775635&website_id=7f6281aa-3b5b-4477-94d5-7d43b2199765&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmymedic.com%2F&ctc=Western

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce sits down with Tim Landwehr, owner of Tight Lines Fly Fishing Company to talk all about targeting giant smallmouth on the fly! Tim is a Green Bay area native, and lifelong angler who got his introduction to fly fishing by targeting trout before opening a fly shop and guide business specializing in targeting Menominee River smallmouth. Tim shares stories of what his early days as a guide looked like, how his trout background influenced the way he and his guides initially targeted smallmouth, and how their tactics have evolved over the years to bring smallmouth fly fishing not only into the modern era, but into the spotlight! Tim shares stories of how various fly patterns and tactics emerged from his shop, the influence fishing with some of the most famous fly anglers in history has had on his approach to fishing and life, the life of a smallmouth throughout a year on the Menominee, and how you can better understand your local fishery to catch more smallmouth this season! If you'd like to experience Menominee River fly fishing for yourself this season and learn more about Tight Lines Fly Fishing Company, visit tightlinesflyshop.com and follow Tim and his crew on social media @tighlinesflyfishingcowi Big thanks to our fantastic partners: onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.com Huntworth: www.huntworthgear.com Wisconsin Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: www.backcountryhunters.org/wisconsin Good Chance Fly Fishing: www.goodchanceflyfishing.com

On the last episode of Vortex Week on the Nine Finger Chronicles podcast, Dan sits down with Maggie from the Vortex Optics social media team for a discussion about growing up in the outdoors and her love of fishing. From a family of all daughters, Maggie explains how her dad picked her as the tomboy and took her everywhere he went. With goals and aspirations of becoming a tournament bass fisherman, Maggie talks about how she is currently focused on getting her own boat and getting better at rippin' lips. Another fun episode We're sure you'll enjoy! Huge shoutout to Vortex Optics for the partnership and always welcoming me in to their facility like family.

On this episode of Michigan Wild, Nate is joined by Josh Zuiderveen for a good BS session. Fatherhood, steelhead fishing and a local archery club (WMAC) are the main talking points throughout the episode. Raising 2 boys throughout a hectic sports schedule and still getting them involved in the outdoors can be a challenge, but Josh and Nate navigate through the chaos and talk about a mindset fathers should have with their children. Nate did pick Josh's brain about some of the intricacies of steelhead fishing and learned one of Josh's goals for the spring was to get his son his first steelhead. Josh was also involved in getting WMAC up and running over a decade ago and is still involved with the club. WMAC is a club that Nate has enjoyed over the years and encourages all archers new or old to check it out. Check out West Michigan Archery Center to learn more or become a member! Thank you for listening to the episode! If you would like to support Michigan Wild farther leave a review/ranking anywhere you listen to the podcast! Interested in being a guest on Michigan Wild? Send an email to Michiganwildpod@gmail.comor send a message on Instagram @michiganwildpod. In need of a tracking dog? Reach out to Find It Fred, Tony and his dog are top notch and Tony is passionate about helping fellow hunters. Looking to add a food plot or change up your food plot strategy check out vitalizeseed.com and the Habitat Podcast. Check out Wildlife Legends Taxidermy for any of your taxidermy needs. Want to dive into the mock scrape game, or find a proven product? Check out DH3 a full synthetic scrape system.

On this episode of Michigan Wild, Nate has a stellar conversation with Kyle Kunst from Reel Obsession. Kyle loves getting after fish through the ice and Nate actually came across his youtube channel watching an ice fishing video and reached out to record an episode. Not only does Kyle ice fish, he has also fished at a competitive level on open water for many years dating back to highschool. Kyle's journey began as a highschooler with a desire to compete, and it became an Obsession through determination and effort. Nate being a complete novice to ice fishing and fishing in general really appreciated Kyle's transparency in the competitive fishing space. There were some interesting parallels between finding big fish and big whitetails across the landscape. Even with the ups and downs it's an opportunity for people to chase a passion and attempt to make a name for themselves. Hearing how Kyle started and seeing the point of entry is inspiring and proves that hard work can pay off. Thank you for listening to the episode! If you would like to support Michigan Wild farther leave a review/ranking anywhere you listen to the podcast! Interested in being a guest on Michigan Wild? Send an email to Michiganwildpod@gmail.comor send a message on Instagram @michiganwildpod. In need of a tracking dog? Reach out to Find It Fred, Tony and his dog are top notch and Tony is passionate about helping fellow hunters. Looking to add a food plot or change up your food plot strategy check out vitalizeseed.com and the Habitat Podcast. Check out Wildlife Legends Taxidermy for any of your taxidermy needs. Want to dive into the mock scrape game, or find a proven product? Check out DH3 a full synthetic scrape system.

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce is joined by DNR Fisheries Biologist, Nathan Lederman, to talk all about what makes the fishing up north so exceptional! Nathan is a Wisconsin-native and current DNR Fisheries Biologist for Oneida County. In this conversation, the guys dive into what makes the fishing up north so good from a biological perspective. Nathan shares how the DNR uses a three-legged approach to ecosystem management in order to serve the needs of all stakeholders of the waterways, what a year of fish sampling looks like for a fisheries biologist, the various types of data collected to monitor the growth rates and health of various fish species, what species go underappreciated in some of the most popular areas, the impacts of panfish bag limits, and all of the resources that the DNR puts out to share their findings with the public. All that and more in this week's episode! If you're planning your fishing trips for 2025, be sure to check out the resources mentioned in the episode below: Trout reports https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Fishing/trout/TroutSurveys https://dnrmaps.wi.gov/H5/?viewer=TROUT Full survey reports https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Fishing/reports Snapshot survey reports https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Fishing/north/springsurveys Creel surveys https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Fishing/north/trtycrlsrvys Ceded territory fisheries reports https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Fishing/ceded/reports Lake Superior Management Reports https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/lakesuperior/managementreports Lake Michigan management reports https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Fishing/lakemichigan/ManagementReports Lake habitat and aquatic invasive species https://dnrmaps.wi.gov/H5/?viewer=Lakes_AIS_Viewer Aquatic plants https://dnr-wisconsin.shinyapps.io/AquaticPlantExplorer/ Big thanks to our fantastic partners: onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.com XOP Gear: www.xopoutdoors.com Huntworth: www.huntworthgear.com Wisconsin Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: www.backcountryhunters.org/wisconsin Good Chance Fly Fishing: www.goodchanceflyfishing.com

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce sits down with Andrew Wolfe to learn all about ice fishing for a variety of great fish. Andrew does a deep dive on how to target crappies, perch, walleye, and Great Lakes Whitefish through the ice, and covers everything from where each species likes to live, the various types of structure these fish are drawn to, what lures and bait to use for each species, and even what types of rods and methods work best for each species. The guys even tackle the Livescope debate, and the increasing use of electronics in the outdoor space for both fishing and hunting, and whether or not the use of these tools is good or bad for outdoor pursuits. All that and more in this week's episode! Be sure to go check out Andrew on Instagram @heywolfe11 to see some giant smallmouth, tons of ducks, and follow along with his outdoor adventures! Big thanks to our fantastic partners: onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.com XOP Gear: www.xopoutdoors.com Huntworth: www.huntworthgear.com Wisconsin Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: www.backcountryhunters.org/wisconsin Good Chance Fly Fishing: www.goodchanceflyfishing.com

In this episode, Nick Otto shares his experiences ice fishing in Michigan with his family. He discusses the challenges and joys of ice fishing, including the techniques he learned for catching fish, the process of filleting them, and the excitement of cooking the catch. The conversation highlights the importance of family bonding through outdoor activities and the satisfaction of preparing and enjoying a meal together. Takeaways: Show Partners Umai Dry Instagram: @umaidry Website: bit.ly/3WhfnnX Sign up for the newsletter for 10% off TieBoss Instagram: @tiebossllc Website: https://tieboss.com/pod?ref=pod