FISHING CLINICS

ROLAND MARTIN - FISHING CAMP ASK THE PROS

For the past three decades, legendary angler Roland Martin has given viewers the scoop on how to outsmart a variety of gamefish. But after so many years of sharing his boat with millions of armchair anglers, you’d think his bag of tricks is about empty. No Way!! Martin continues to pull in the big ones with FISHING WITH ROLAND MARTIN, a half hour series on OLN: The Outdoor Life Network.

Martin’s incomparable level of enthusiasm is a big part of his personality. He has the vitality of a child when it comes to fishing that is refreshing to viewers. Known mostly for his bass fishing prowess, he’s adept at catching all species of gamefish—an attribute that adds variety to his show.

Bass fishing is the common thread that has woven through Martin’s fishing career. And his lofty status as a legendary angler was gained through his dominance of the sport of bass tournament competition. In the infant stages of the 30-year-old sport, Martin commandeered the winner’s circle the way the New York Yankees reigned over the American League, and the Green Bay Packers once owned the National Football League.

Martin’s enthusiasm is legendary as are his 19 wins on the BASSMASTER Tournament Trail and nine B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year titles – both records. He still competes in competition tournaments (The Citgo Bassmaster Tour, Elite 50) and he was on the winning team of B.A.S.S. founder and president Ray Scott’s “Eagles of Angling Tournament” for two consecutive years. His teammates were Orlando Wilson and former President George Bush.

HIGH WATER MARKS:

As a Tournament Angler:

• 9 time B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year title (B.A.S.S. record)
• 19 first-place finishes (B.A.S.S. record)
• 19 second-place finishes (B.A.S.S. record)
• 92 top ten finishes (B.A.S.S. record)
• 25 appearances in the BASS Master Classic
• 1.5 million in career winnings
• Member of the Elite Million Dollar Anglers (only 11 members currently)

Career Highlights:

• Martin placed second in his first B.A.S.S. tournament at the 1970 Toledo Bend Invitational on Toledo Bend Reservoir, TX/LA. He won the next tournament at Lake Seminole, GA/FL. And then placed second on his next tournament at Eufala, AL. He had his 19th Classic appearance in 1991, and returned to full time tournament competition the following season.
• In 1976 he was inducted into the FRESH WATER FISHING HALL OF FAME in Hayward, WI.
• In 2001 he was inducted into the PROFESSIONAL BASS FISHING HALL OF FAME in Hot Springs, AR.
• In 2003 he was inducted into the INTERNATIONAL GAME FISH ASSOCIATION in Ft Lauderdale, FL.

See Seminar Schedule

JIMMY HOUSTON - FISHING CAMP ASK THE PROS

Jimmy Houston, Americas Favorite Fisherman, is in his 32nd year on national television with Jimmy Houston Outdoors on VERSUS(OLN), America One; Faith TV; America Media Group; Lone Star Network and National Religious Broadcasters. and Jimmy Houston's Adventures on America One; Faith TV; AMG Network; Lone Star Network and National Religious Broadcasters. His show (JHO) consistently ranked as the #1 outdoors show on ESPN for 20 years and now on VERSUS(OLN) and the other networks.

A huge crowd favorite at bass tournaments and over 120 personal appearances a year, Jimmy represents most of American's top outdoors related companies. Included are Chevy Trucks, AC Delco, Ranger Boats, Shimano, Booyah,  PRADCO, Trilene, Progressive Insurance, Mercury, Humminbird, Blakemore, Minnkota, Bass Pro Shop, Tracker, Lure Saver, South Fresh Feeds, Mothwing Camo, Morrell Targets, Daiichi Hooks, Southeast Pond Management , Foster Grant Sunglasses, Line Keeper, Lucky Buck Minerals, Color-c-Lector, Outdoor Feeders, All Day Energy, Power Pole, Barna Log Homes, All Day Energy, Bio-Rite Nutritionals, Oklahoma Tourism,  and Inland Land Management.

Jimmy is well known as the hardest working pro in the country. A deacon at First Southern Baptist Church of Keys, Jimmy speaks at many large churches around the country.

Since winning The Oklahoma State Championship as a college senior in 1966, Jimmy Houston has gone on to win over a million dollars in bass tournaments. He has fished 15 BASSMaster Classics and won the B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year title in both 1976 and 1986.

A legendary angler, Jimmy was inducted in to the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame in 1990 and the Professional Bass Fishing Hall of Fame in 2002. Jimmy was named King of Sports for Fishing in 1989. 

In June of 2004, the Jim Thorpe Association recognized Jimmy as the Jim Thorpe Man of the Year. Jimmy has written five books including "Caught Me a Big'un" which is the #1 selling fishing book of all time. "Hooked for Life" and "The Reel Line" are spiritual and inspirational collections taken from fishing situations. His latest book, "Catch of the Day", is a 365 day daily devotional built around fishing tips, tales, and events. See Seminar Schedule

BABE WINKELMAN - TV HOST

Today, Babe Winkelman is many things. Husband, father, sportsman, television personality and businessman. He is an achiever, and has been recognized for his successes. In 1992, he was inducted into the prestigious Sports Legends Hall of Fame (alongside the world's best athletes in baseball, football, boxing, etc.) by the Touchdown Club of Columbus, Ohio. Babe is the only outdoors figure to be so honored before or since. He was inducted into the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame in 1988; and the Minnesota Fishing Hall of Fame in 2001. In 2007 he earned the "Excellence In Craft" award from the Outdoor Writers Association of America. Babe has spoken before American Presidents and has rubbed elbows with Hollywood stars.

Babe Winkelman hosts two of the most-watched outdoor television shows in history: "Good Fishing" and "Outdoor Secrets". He takes great pride in teaching America to hunt and fish, and has done so since the 1980s. In addition to entertaining and educating his loyal fans every week on numerous cable/satellite and broadcast stations (including Versus and FSN), Babe has appeared on national talk shows and within the pages of People magazine, The Saturday Evening Post and other leading publications. He continues to write nationally-syndicated fishing, hunting and conservation columns read by millions.

According to hunter, angler and family man Babe Winkelman, "I've been blessed to make the outdoors my life for nearly 30 years. God willing, I'll continue for many more." See Seminar Schedule

GARY ROACH - WALLEYE TACTICS

Gary Roach was born and raised on the shores of Mission Lake, MN. He started fishing off the dock when he was three or four years old. Gary started guiding at the age of ten and has made a career of fishing for over 50 years. Gary is now known as Mr. Walleye®. He has dedicated his lifetime to guiding, promoting and teaching anglers all over North America. 

He was one of the original “Nisswa Guides” in northern Minnesota. Gary’s methods and angling skills have been used in numerous publications such as Fishing Facts, In-Fisherman, Outdoor Life, Field & Stream, Walleye Magazine and many others. He currently writes articles for Outdoor News, Mid-West Outdoors Magazine and North American Fisherman. He has done countless newspaper articles and radio interviews across the country as well as hundreds of TV shows with such notables as In-Fisherman television specials, Mid-West Outdoor television and Adventures North, Ron Schara’s “Legends Of Rod & Reel” show on the Outdoor Channel.

He has designed fishing tackle for Pradco, Northland Fishing Tackle, Pure Fishing and others. Gary has been instrumental in cutting edge boat design and enhancements for Lund Boats. One of Lund’s boats carries the name “Mr. Walleyeâ Edition”. Gary has a yearly publication called Breaklines. He has designed a new series of fishing rods, called Mr Walleye® Series Rods and they are now available at retail outlets. Also, Gary’s new Super Pro Rods are now in stores. Watch for many new rods from “Mr Walleye” in 2010.

Gary was inducted into the National Fishing Hall of Fame in 1988 and the Minnesota Fishing Hall of Fame in 2000. In 1991, he won the coveted Professional Walleye Trail (PWT) “Angler of the Year” award as well as the PWT Top Gun Award. Gary is a two time Cabela’s/In-Fisherman PWT winner, making him a leading money winner in professional fishing. He was a winner of the Manufacturers Walleye Council (MWC) Tournament and also named Angler of the Year in that circuit. In 1993, Pure Fishing (Berkley) presented him with the “All Pro Award” in Las Vegas for outstanding work in angling education and promotional efforts.Gary is a father of three, Grandfather of seven and Great Grandfather of  six. “Mr. Walleye® Specialties, Inc.” celebrates 18 years of angling excellence in 2009. This company has grown into the largest promotional fishing team in the USA, with a dozen fishing professionals who teach and promote fishing across the United States and Canada.

2008/2009 Mr. Walleye® sponsors include: Lund Boats, Mercury Outboards, Motor Guide, Lowrance Electronics, Northland Tackle, Strike Master, Plano,  Trailmaster Boat Trailers, Wave Wackers,  Mr. Walleye Series Rods, Mr. Walleye’s Batter MIx. See Seminar Schedule

FOX STATLER - FLY FISHING DEMONSTRATIONS

Fox Statler currently lives in Salem, Arkansas. When he was young his parents moved to Indiana and he started fly fishing for bass and sunfish. After a tour in the Navy he returned to Arkansas and started teaching after graduating from Arkansas State University. He started flyfishing the White and North Fork Rivers in the early 70’s. He took a teaching position in Mountain Home in the late 70’s and started guiding fly fishermen in October, 1979. He developed the Arkansas Dead-Drift technique, the standard nymphing technique for flyfishing in the White, Cumberland, Caney Fork, Hiwassee river systems and several others. He has always been very innovative when it comes to the sport of flyfishing. He has the gift of observation. He sees things in the fishing environment that go unnoticed by others and then he incorporates these observations into his fly/lure designs and fishing methods. This provides the uniqueness of his presentations on flyfishing and fishing in general. Regardless of the fishing methods that any angler employs he/she will learn something from any presentation given by Fox Statler!

It's All Fly Fishing - Hair, Fur, Plastic, Metal, or Synthetics - Smallmouth, Trout, Sunfish, or What Ever:

This demonstration is about using flies and techniques that are in the "Out-of-the-box" category for fly fishers that produce lots of fish and are lots of fun.  Since fly fishing was the first fishing method that used artificials (and may have been the first fishing method entirely), "It's All Fly Fishing".   Some of the techniques are so simple that even a novice can successfully employ them but it takes a master to adapt them to various fishing situations.  A short history of different fishing materials and their uses is an eye-opener to various methods and "flies?" that can be used with a fly rod. This demonstration will teach some unique methods for using a fly rod with soft plastics and synthetics lures (conventional fisherman are not the only people that use soft plastics).  Whether the fly fisher prefers floating or sinking line presentations, he/she will find their niche in "It's All Fly Fishing". This is a fun presentation for all skill levels of fly fishers and the methods demonstrated will/have been working very well in our Indiana waters.

Light, Color, and Perception of Fish:

This demonstration shows how the suspended particles in water filter light and how this effects the color of materials used in flies, lures, spinners and other fishing equipment. This demonstration addresses primary and secondary colors, bright and pastel colors, different metals ability to reflect light, fluorescent colors, phosphorescence materials, the myths of the fish and the angler, and the perception of different species of fish. Anglers need to know what the fish see when the fly, lure, spinner, or other bait is presented to the fish underwater!  Anglers will chose their lure more wisely after seeing this demonstration. See Seminar Schedule

CHAD MILLER - HOW FLY LINES INFLUENCE OUR FISHING

Chad is founder of Wildcat Creek Outfitters in Zionsville IN and has been in the fly fishing business as a guide and shop owner since 1996. He has traveled the world fishing from the Seychelles to Chile; fishing for the greatest game fish in the world. He has spent endless hours developing technique and flies used to catch Smallmouth in Rivers, Creeks and Lakes around the Midwest. Chad spends the season guiding, writing, and filming at different locations around the world but his real love is Smallmouth and most of his new development in fly fishing are directed towards this wonderful fish. Chad has developed several staple patterns used for Smallmouth Bass including the Sugar Creek Crawdad, Chad’s Hellgrammite and the Wildcat Streamer.

JOE THOMAS - PRO BASS ANGLER & TV HOST

Enthusiasm and hard work have paid off in a steady climb up the tournament ladder for Joe Thomas.  The 46-year old Cincinnati native received his first visibility as a tournament angler at the young age of 18 by winning the Ohio State B.A.S.S. Federation Championship in 1980.  The years that followed led this young man from the pursuit of a Fisheries Biology degree to prominent status on both the B.A.S.S. and the Operation Bass  Tournament Trail. Joe has qualified for the prestigious Bass Masters Classic Four times.

Joe ultimately became a true champion as the winner of the 1990 Red-Man All-American Championship Tournament in Buffalo, NY with a cash prize of $100,000. His total career tournament winnings have recently surpassed the $800,000 mark.

Joe's accomplishments as a professional angler do not end on the tournament trail.  He can be seen nationally on "The Outdoor Channel" as host of “Ultimate Match Fishing”. Starting in July of 2008 Joe will host the exciting freshwater fishing show, “Stihl's Reel in the Outdoors”. Additionally Joe's NASCAR like "Outdoor Channel" Boat and Truck are fixtures at many Trade Shows and Promotional events nationally. His one of a kind rig is recognizable wherever it goes.

As an author, Joe's book, "Diary of a Bass Pro", reveals a year on the inside of fishing's fast track, which provides a rare view of the lucrative and highly competitive world of tournament bass fishing. His consistency on the national tournament circuit and ability to communicate have made  Thomas a much sought after representative of companies both in and outside fishing industry.

Joe currently competes in the prestigious FLW Tour and FLW Eastern Series.  He also speaks at more than 40 Sport Shows and Fishing Schools each year.

Joe Thomas has combined fishing talent, speaking ability, and All-American charisma that make him one of the nations leading and most marketable tournament anglers, representing these corporate sponsors: The Outdoor Channel, Ranger Boats, Evinrude Outboards, Toyota Trucks, Berkley, Stihl Power Tools, Lucky Craft Lures, Blackhawk Custom Outfitters, AES Optics, Snag Proof Lures and Arkie Lures. See Seminar Schedule

PHIL RAMBO - CRAPPIE

Phil Rambo received the honor of the Bass Pro Shops/Crappie Masters Sportsman of the Year Award in 2008.  He has filmed TV shows for Crappie University and Raghorn News Outdoors and has been co-host of local radio show “Outdoors Today” for 6 years. 

With his wife Eva, he has fished competitively for 12 years and has qualified for 9 Crappie USA Classics, 2 C.A.S.T. Classics and 5 consecutive Crappie Master Classics.  He finished 3rd in National Points in Bass Pro Shops/ Crappie Masters Tournament Trail ’08 and ’09.

Phil has been featured in Crappie Masters Magazine in ’06, ’07, ’08 and ’09 and has received recognition in articles in the Crappie Journal, Wagoner Tribune, Game and Fish Magazine and Raghorn News. See Seminar Schedule

DAN ARMITAGE - KIDS & NEW GADGETS

Outdoor writer and radio show host Dan Armitage will conduct his entertaining seminars on the Hawg Trough at this year's sport show. Dan's articles appear in "Outdoor Life", "Sports Afield", "In-Fisherman", "Trailer BOATS", "Bass & Walleye BOATS", "Camping Life" and several regional outdoor magazines, and he works with the national "Hooked On Fishing, Not On Drugs" program to conduct educational fishing seminars for youths across North America. His weekly outdoor radio program is broadcast on more than a dozen Midwest stations each Saturday.

Dan's popular "Kids Fishing Fun" seminar is an entertaining, educational show involving the children in the audience, who receive bobbers, Eagle Claw "Good Luck Hooks" and official "Hooked on Fishing" pledge cards. Bring your kids to see Dan's fun and educational seminars at the Tackle Town USA Hawg Trough in the Blue Ribbon Pavilion. See Seminar Schedule

BILL MCDONALD - FLW PRO

Bill McDonald, has been fishing since childhood. He says his father put a rod in his hands as soon as he could walk. As a teenager, he spent summers fishing for bluegills and bass at a strip pit leased by his parents. The practice has paid off. He is now a Pro Angler who has finished 73 bass tournament events since 1995. He has won 3 tournaments and has 10 Top 10 finishes to his name. Learn more from him at the Tackle Town USA Hawg Trough in the Blue Ribbon Pavilion. See Seminar Schedule

CHRIS WALKER - SMALLMOUTH BASS & MULTI-SPECIES ANGLING IN INDIANA'S RIVERS

Considered to be one of the most respected Muskie and Bass anglers in our state, Chris Walker has proven he knows how to catch fish in any situation. Chris has been a Bass Tournament angler in Indiana since 1991 and has also spent 7 years competing as a professional angler on the Wal-Mart FLW Tour and Stren Series National Bass Tournament Trails. Chris’ national Tournament experience has taken him to the nation’s top Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass fisheries from Florida to New York, Texas to Michigan and everywhere in between.

Chris also spends 7 to 8 weeks a year at his private fishing camp in Ontario, Canada where he pursues “World Class” Muskies and Smallmouth Bass on the vast waters of Lake Huron. Every year he consistently produces several 50+ inch Muskies and Smallmouth Bass up to 6 pounds from these waters. This summer will mark Chris’ 40th consecutive year for fishing/vacationing on Lake Huron.

In 2002 Chris started Indiana Fishing Adventures Guide Service which specializes in guided fishing trips for "Trophy" Muskie and Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass on Indiana's lakes and rivers. Chris’ passion for fishing rivers and the sheer excitement of catching Smallmouth Bass has helped him grow his guide business into being a year round full time job. He spends on average 200 days a year on the water and that is proof when it comes to the fishing success. Each season Chris and his clients catch an average of 300 Muskies and well over 1500 “River” Smallmouth Bass. Come see Chris at the Tackle Town USA Hawg Trough in the Blue Ribbon Pavilion where he will share his secrets on targeting Smallmouth Bass in current and the variety of other species that inhabit Indiana’s rivers and streams. See Seminar Schedule

CAPT. MIKE ORR - FISHING THE GREAT LAKES

With the past years of experience as charter captain on the great lakes, Captain Mike will show you the tips and tricks of catching the fish. He will also treat you as not only a customer but a friend aboard his boat.

Come watch him at the Tackle Town USA Hawg Trough in the Blue Ribbon Pavilion, then go enjoy a day of sport fishing with Captain Mike on the lake! See Seminar Schedule

ERIC JOHNSON - BASS

Columbus, Indiana native Eric Johnson has been a competitive fisherman for 10 years. 

Eric has experienced much success locally, regionally and nationally.  He has fished the BASS Southern and Central Opens, Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League, Fishers of Men Trail, Indiana Bass Federation, Hoosier Open and Got-to-love-it Trail and was winner of the 2006 Bassmasters Regional Championship in Gadsden, Alabama.

Eric has conducted seminars to fishermen of all ages working with youth, college students and senior citizens.  As a published journalist, his fishing articles have appeared in publications such as The Republic, Hoosier Angler, Gad-A-Bout, Bloomington Herald Times, Gadsden Times, BASS Magazine and BASS Times.

Eric’s seminar topics will include cold water tactics, post spawn, high water techniques, and finesse jig fishing. See Seminar Schedule

2010 FISHING SEMINAR SCHEDULE
Seminars at the Hawg Trough in the Blue Ribbon Pavilion

Click for a printable PDF of the Fishing Seminar Schedule

Friday, February 19

Saturday, February 20

Sunday, February 21

Monday, February 22

Tuesday, February 23

Wednesday, February 24

Thursday, February 25

Friday, February 26

Saturday, February 27

Sunday, February 28

*First weekend only featuring: Roland Martin, Jimmy Houston, Joe Thomas and Dan Armitage

** Second weekend only featuring: Babe Winkelman, Dan Armitage, Gary Roach, Bill McDonald and Chris Walker.

Seminar Schedule is subject to change