Featured Speakers
Featured Speakers
Dennis Douda
Dennis Douda, an anchor and reporter for WCCO-TV, joined the staff in 1998. He has won multiple Regional Emmys for his anchoring, writing and reporting. Among his many duties, Dennis is WCCO-TV's medical reporter, leading the Lifeline health news unit.
A passionate angler and hunter since childhood, Dennis is actively involved with many Minnesota conservation groups. He has worked with the State Department of Natural Resources and the Wild Turkey Federation to help expand the population and range of wild turkeys in Minnesota.
Like many other Minnesotans, bow hunting is his obsession. So much of a hunting enthusiast is he, that while he's not in the WCCO studios, he's sharing his turkey hunting techniques with others that share his passion.
Back to Top | Schedule
Dennis Anderson
Star Tribune Outdoors Columnist, Dennis Anderson and his wife, Jan, have imported British Labradors for about 20 years, and are recognized as experts in the field. In addition to breeding puppies from dogs they import, the Andersons sell fully trained British Labradors, and through their two web sites - www.BritishLabradors.com and www.BritishRetrieverTraining.com - offer clients around the world online lessons in training Labradors the British way.
Born in North Dakota, Dennis was taken duck hunting by his father nearly as soon as he could walk. Labradors were part of their family, and it was during autumn, as a kid, when mallards poured out of Canada and into North Dakota, that Dennis first became intrigued by the capabilities of a well-bred, well-trained dog.
Since then, Dennis has been a student of Labrador breedings and training types, and today believes methods he has uniquely modified from those of some of Great Britain's top retriever trainers represent the best way for American sportsmen and women to train their hunting companions.
Back to Top | Schedule
Pete Maina
Pete Maina, of Hayward, Wisconsin, is an angler at the top in his species, he is an entrepreneur, an accomplished author, a professional photographer, and TV fishing show host.
Pete’s specialty is Muskie fishing. He is nationally known for his prowess with toothy critters. Pete founded Musky Mania Tackle, which eventually became the largest muskie/pike lure company in the world, prior to its selling in 2004. Pete continues to work on development of large-predator tackle and associated products. He's a writer/photographer and member OWAA (Outdoor Writers Association of America). Pete's also one of the co-hosts for The Next Bite TV show on VERSUS network (formerly OLN). Pete currently has three books published on muskie fishing. He writes feature articles and produces the "Fisheries First" column for "The Next Bite/Esox Angler Magazine", the international publication for Muskie, Northern Pike and Walleye.
Pete also produces educational videos on Muskie fishing and has lectured at sport shows across the upper Midwest. He has appeared as an expert on numerous TV shows, appearing regularly on "John Gillespie’s Waters and Woods" aired throughout the upper Midwest.
Pete is a pro-staffer and product consultant for: Mercury Marine, Bass Pro Shops, Tracker Boats, Frabill, Motorguide Trolling Motors, Lowrance Electronics, The Inhibitor Rust Preventative, Berkley, Mustad Hooks, Down-East Rod Holders, Lakewood Tackle Boxes, Raptor Fishing Technologies, Smooth Moves Seat Mounts and Bert's Custom Tackle.
Back to Top | Schedule
Gary Parsons
Gary Parsons, of Glidden, WI, is a professional walleye fisherman, specializing in tournament fishing and walleye fishing promotions. Gary is a “Legendary Angler” inductee into the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame and one of the co-hosts of the popular The Next Bite TV show, airing on VERSUS network. Following are a few of his impressive tournament accomplishments:
- 2007 PWT Angler of the Year - Only Angler to have won this award 3 Times
- 2007 PWT Regional Series Angler of the Year
- 1st Place 2007 In-Fisherman PWT Winneconne, WI Pro-Am
- 1st Place 2003 In-Fisherman PWT Mobridge, SD Pro-Am
- 1st Place 1998 NAWA “Quest” Pro-Am, Green Bay, Wisconsin
- 1st Place 1998 In-Fisherman PWT Pierre, SD Pro-Am
- 1st Place 1994 In-Fisherman PWT Mobridge, SD Pro-Am
- The only person to have won “Angler of the Year” titles in all three professional walleye circuits, NAWA-1995, PWT-1994 & 1993 (unprecedented back-to-back titles) and 2007, and MWC-1988
- Masters Walleye Circuit (MWC) “World Champion” in 1988
- Sixteen time In-Fisherman PWT Championship Qualifier
- Three time NAWA Championship Qualifier
- Eight-time Masters Walleye Circuit (MWC) Championship Qualifier
Parsons has been featured in publications including In-Fisherman, North American Fisherman, Walleye Insider, Fishing Facts, Outdoor Life, Field and Stream, Sports Afield, The Next Bite/Esox Angler, and Bass & Walleye Boats to name a few. He is a book author and is featured on several walleye videos. Gary is a top ranked pro and product consultant for Tracker Boats, Mercury Outboards, MotorGuide Electric Motors, Berkley Fishing Lines, Berkley Frenzy Crankbaits, Berkley Gulp!, Bass Pro Shops, Lowrance Electronics, Berkley Power Baits, Off Shore Tackle, Mustad Hooks, Frabill, Smooth Move Seat Mounts, Fin-Tech Tackle and Coot's Lures.
Back to Top | Schedule
Capt. Lee Haasch
Capt. Lee Haasch started fishing Lake Michigan professionally in 1972 and has been a licensed captain since 1985. He is the owner of Haasch Guide Service since 1985 and the owned Pier 42 Marina in Algoma from 1998-2004. He has served on various committees and boards in the Algoma area is on the pro staff for Lowrance, Walker Downriggers, R&R Tackle, Shakespeare, Pflueger, Automatic Ice Fisherman, Artic Fisherman and Coasta Del Mar. He has been seen on Discover Wisconsin, Gillespie's Woods & Waters, and Friendly Algoma. Capt. Lee co-directed and co-wrote "Algoma-Kewaunee: Fishing the Source" for the Algoma-Kewaunee Area Great Lakes Sport Fishermen promotional video. He is a professional speaker and has been performing educational seminars on Lake Michigan sport fishing for more than 20 years.
Tasmin "Tas" Kaliska
Tas has been fishing and hunting in the Canadian wilderness for as long as she can remember. Growing up on Wawang Lake Resort, Tas now works as a fishing and hunting guide. Tas shares her knowledge with all visitors to her camp, admitting some are skeptical when they first meet her, but she has put visitors on trophy fish and contines to share her techniques, tips, knowledge of traveling to Canada with audiences all over the Midwest.
Gary Clancy
Gary Clancy has been hunting turkeys and writing about turkey hunting for 30 years. Some of that writing has appeared in various magazines, some in books and much of it in Clancy’s very popular weekly column in Outdoor News.
"During that time, it has been my good fortune to have hunted turkeys in seventeen different states. Some of those states, like Missouri, Wisconsin, Iowa and South Dakota, mainly because they are close to home, I have hunted multiple times. But I can honestly say, that of all of the places where I have hunted turkeys, there is no place I would rather hunt than right here at home," says Clancy, who lives with his wife Nancy and dogs, Casey and Duke in a log cabin along the Root River in southeast Minnesota. "Part of that I suppose, is just that this is home to me, but I don’t think I would feel that way if the turkey hunting wasn’t so darn good here in Minnesota. The turkey hunting here in our state is as good as any I have experienced anywhere and a whole lot better than many of the places I have been"
"Turkey hunting is more than just good calling," says Clancy. "I’ll certainly cover some of the calling techniques which have worked best for me on Minnesota gobblers, but we will also look at the other important aspects of successful turkey hunting, things like doing your homework, the actual set-up and hunting in various weather conditions. We will talk about why I think it is so important to hunt at all times of the day and not just that sometimes magical, but just as often disappointing fly-down time in early morning."
"And if there is a more exciting type of hunting for young hunters or the not-so-young who are just getting started, I have not heard about it. I’ll talk about how to make that first hunt a good experience and a lasting memory for both of you."
Back to Top | Schedule
Jason Przekurat
Jason Przekurat was recently awarded the 2007 FLW Walleye Tour Angler of the Year title, making him the first person to win the award twice on the FLW Walleye Tour. Przekurat also won the title of Angler of the Year in 2003. 2007 also marked a milestone for Jason with his dominating victory on the Mississippi River in Red Wing, MN. It was his first win on Tour which he won by over 20 lbs. He also won the MWC World Walleye Championship in 2000, with friend and fellow FLW Walleye Tour pro Eric Olson. With those awards, over $387,000 in career earnings, and 9 Top 10 FLW Tour finishes, it looks like Przekurat is well on his way to a successful career in fishing.
Jason hails from Stevens Point, WI and is currently sponsored by BP, Ranger Boats, Evinrude, Cannon, Humminbird, MinnKota, Rapala, Lindy, Gander Mountain, Stren and Fig Rig Rods.
Larry Dahlberg
By age six Larry was fishing almost every day. He caught his first muskie at age nine and was hired by a private fly fishing club at the tender age of 11, as a smallmouth bass guide! Hi background includes retail buying, distributors rep and independent manufacturers rep as well as magazine, radio and television experience dating back to the mid 1980’s.
Larry has been on the board of Directors o the Fish America Foundation and is co-author of the Pathways to Fishing Program administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In 1990 he was awarded the Dr. James A. Henshall Award for his contributions toward the advancement of warm water fly fishing. In 1996 he was inducted in the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame. In 1999 he was awarded the prestigious International Game Fish Association Conservation Award.
Back to Top | Schedule
Dr. Lynn Rogers
As WRI's principal biologist, Lynn Rogers, Ph.D., has spent over 39 years learning about wildlife and sharing his information with the public. Using airplanes, vehicles, and snowshoes, he has radio-tracked over 100 bears in the vast forests of northeastern Minnesota, studying some for as long as 22 years. Rogers began studying bears in his home state of Michigan in 1967, moving black bears away from campgrounds and residential areas for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. In fall 1969, he moved to northeastern Minnesota and began a broad, ecological study of black bears as a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Minnesota. The project was conceived and funded by Wallace and Mary Lee Dayton and the Minneapolis Big Game Club. Scores of volunteers and students helped make the project a success. By 1975, Rogers' bear study was ranked one of the four top studies of large mammals in the world, along with studies by Jane Goodall, Brian Bertram, and Ian Hamilton. Professor E. O. Wilson of Harvard University wrote, "A new level of resolution has been attained, in which free-ranging individuals are tracked from birth through socialization, parturition, and death, and their idiosyncrasies, personal alliances, and ecological relationships recorded in clinical detail."
The study became even more detailed in the next two decades. Rogers formed trusting relationships with wild black bears, including mothers with cubs, and spent 24-hour periods walking and resting with these intelligent animals, detailing their activities, diet, ecology, social organization, vocalizations, and more, providing much of the scientific information on black bear behavior available today. Discoveries continue as Rogers and his research assistants applied their detailed research techniques to new situations, focusing on how we can better coexist with black bears in their increasingly urbanized environment. Rogers has written over a hundred scientific articles on black bear behavior and ecology, created several museum exhibits, serves as a consultant, and has edited many scientific articles, books, and TV scripts.
Rogers works tirelessly to educate the public and decision-makers about bears. In Minnesota, Rogers worked with the legislature and the Department of Natural Resources to improve bear management and has worked tirelessly for nearly four decades to improve public knowledge about bears. During that time, bear numbers in Minnesota more than quadrupled. Rogers and his associates are currently working through the Wildlife Research Institute and the North American Bear Center (www.bear.org) to create a major public education facility near Ely, Minnesota.
Worldwide, the media carries his information to tens of millions of people each year. The most recent documentary about his work "The Man Who Walks With Bears" has aired over 70 times on Animal Planet TV channel since 2001. As people learn more about black bears, they become more tolerate. Today, people are allowing black bears to repopulate parts of America where bears have not lived for over a century.
Regarded by many as the Jane Goodall of black bears, Rogers has a Ph.D. in Ecology and Behavioral Biology from the University of Minnesota. Rewards include the Quality Research Award from the U. S. Forest Service and the Anna M. Jackson Award from the American Society of Mammalogists. Lynn Rogers donates his time, along with all fees from lectures, consulting, and other research-related activities, to the Wildlife Research Institute and the North American Bear Center. Back to Top | Schedule
Terry Tuma
Recognized as one of the top educational multi-species anglers in the U.S. and Canada, Terry Tuma, is affectionately known in some parts of the country as “Tackle Terry” and in others, as “The Fishing Professor”. No matter what they call him, he inspires anglers through a dynamic blend of education, folklore and entertainment. Tuma’s writings appeared in articles in Outdoor News, Minnesota Sportsman, Wisconsin Outdoor News, Michigan Outdoor News, North American Fishermen and other notable publications and websites. Tuma travels across the country every year and reaches hundreds of millions in person, on radio an TV. With the advent of IPOD worldwide coverage through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Website, he reaches a multitude of radio stations throughout the U.S. including KFAN Outdoors, KARP and KDHL Radio, and numerous TV channels including Channel 12 and Channel 5 to name a few. He is also a resident angling advisor for “Outdoor News” publications. With decades of fishing and tournament experience, Tuma’s appeal attracts all age groups. He keeps the joy of fishing alive in our hearts and serves the industry with his expertise. As a staff member for Lindner’s Angling Edge, he spends at least 150 days on open water and ice in multi-species professional fishing experiences.
Back to Top | Schedule
Steve Nelson
Steve Nelson has been a canoeing enthusiast since his first trip into the BWCA/Quetico parks. A onetime high school teacher and pharmaceutical market manager, Nelson co-owns Spirit of the Wilderness Canoe Outfitters in Ely, MN with his wife, Kathy. A longtime traveler in the boundary waters, he can offer expert wilderness fishing, camping, and canoeing tips for novices and veterans alike.
- For more information visit www.elycanoetrips.com
Mark Nemeth
Mark Nemeth is the Escapees technical advisor and Boot Camp program director and has been answering RVers’ technical questions via his RV resource site and RV industry publications for more than 10 years. At the Northwest Sportshow, Mark will take attendees through an abridged version of the popular Escapees RV Boot Camp program that will address how to choose an RV, RV Systems Part 1 & 2 and Hitch-ups.
Ron Schara
Ron Schara As a journalist, Ron Schara has been sharing the great outdoor experience with his readers for nearly three decades. Seeing through the eyes and lives of others, his material has captured the attention of tens of thousands of fresh air enthusiasts by putting them as close to the subject's setting as a reader or viewer can be. Over the years, as his newspaper and television popularity has grown, Ron's personality has become more a part of the fabric of the Midwest's outdoor community.
Ron's soft spoken but direct delivery and appealing on-camera image, have made him a popular resource as an all-purpose, outdoor/naturalist commentator for many Minnesota radio and television stations. This includes his own program, Minnesota Bound which is seen on Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. & and Sunday nights at 10:30 PM on KARE 11 TV/NBC. Ron's national program, "Backroads with Ron & Raven", airs on The Outdoor Life Network and has consistently been one of the highest rated shows on the outdoor block. He also host¹s The Outdoor Beat on ESPN2. Minnesota Bound is also seen on KTTC-TV/NBC in Rochester, MN & on KVLY-TV/NBC in Fargo, N.D. and on KBJR-TV/NBC in Duluth. His Minnesota Outdoors radio program can be heard on WCCO-AM radio on Saturday mornings. Ron¹s television programs have won a total of six Emmys to date.
His ever rising popularity hasn't been achieved by having his personality dominate the story. Rather, Ron prides himself in letting the story happen through those who live it and simply allow himself to be the guide to discovery. He's there to share a story or to inform on a cause or controversy. Deep in the wilderness on the shore of an ancient glacial trout lake or wading the waters of an environmentally threatened inner city wildlife pond, Ron's knowledge and understanding of our natural surroundings is more than just a journalist's assignment. He grew up loving the outdoors in northeast Iowa's rugged bluff country. He graduated with degrees in journalism and fish/wildlife biology and he has never veered from his ambition. Whether writing a newspaper story, talking with his radio and television audience, or appearing before a live audience, Ron Schara likes to use colorful storytelling to create a story for his audience.
www.mnbound.com or www.backroadswithron.com
e-mail - ron@mnbound.com
Sharon Stiteler
Sharon Stiteler is a freelance writer who runs the most popular birding blog on the Internet: Birdchick.com. She appears locally and nationally on television and radio answering questions on wild birds and writes for several publications including Outdoor News, WildBird Magazine, Organic Gardener, Birding Business, Metro Magazine, and The Minneapolis StarTribune. She ran a bird store for eight years and now travels the country leading bird trips, banding birds, giving workshops, and photographing birds and animals. When not chasing birds, she tends to her beehives. In 2006, Harper Collins published her first book titled Disapproving Rabbits.
Back to Top | Schedule
Adam Johnson
Adam Johnson is a widely published outdoor writer with articles distributed to over 100 outdoor publications monthly. His stories routinely appear in such noted journals as Midwest Outdoors, Dakota Outdoors, Outdoor News, and many more across the U.S. and Canada. He is a featured writer for many outdoor websites and has appeared on ESPN, FOX SPORTS NET NORTH, KSAX, KSTC, KSTP television and more. Adam hosts his own outdoor television program and co-hosts the widely syndicated “Outdoor Talk” radio program.
Back to Top | Schedule
Tim Lesmeister
Tim Lesmeister has been a full-time freelance outdoor writer, photographer, radio, and television host and producer since 1987. He is currently a columnist for Outdoor News and a feature writer for InterMedia Outdoors. Lesmeister distributes a syndicated column which appears in over 60 publications and web sites. He is currently co-host of Outdoor Talk Radio a syndicate of the Minnesota News Network. He also hosts a live show on Sundays on KTLK 100.3 FM in Minneapolis and is the co-host of Adam Johnson Outdoors television. Lesmeister is a past-president of the Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers (AGLOW), is the Past President’s Liaison to the current AGLOW Board of Directors, and has been a member of OWAA since 1989.
Back to Top | Schedule
Discover Fly Fishing Seminar Speakers
-
Bob Nasby
With more than 35 years of fly fishing experience in both fresh and salt water fly fishing, Bob Nasby offers courses for students of all ages and experience levels. A fly fishing pioneer of the Great Lakes Salmon and Steelhead, a professional rod builder and fly casting instructor for more than 20 years, Bob remains in demand as host speaker of numerous seminars presented at fishing clubs, sports conventions, conservation clubs and many other professional organizations nation-wide. He has been featured in numerous publications, TV and radio programs including, ESPN's "Fly Fishing America". Bob has been noted as "one of the best teachers of fly casting in the Midwest" - Jim Kenyon, Scientific Anglers / 3M. Bob's objective in teaching is to " give a serious student of fly casting the skill and precision needed to fly fish any water in the nation; from a small brook in Montana to the saltwater flats of the Florida Keys." Bob is a loyal friend and supporter of the Northwest Sportshow and he is committed to creating an exciting fish fishing experience in the "Discover Fly Fishing" room.
Back to Top | Schedule
-
Vic Mason
Vic Mason is on the Pro Staff at St. Croix Rod Company and fly casting instructor for all levels of experience. A fly fishing guide for both fresh and salt water expeditions, Vic has fished all around the country and in Canada. While hes not teaching new fly fishing enthusiasts how to cast, build their own rod and tie flies, Vic is traveling the upper Midwest working sport shows on behalf of St. Croix and Scientific Angler.
Back to Top | Schedule
-
Lee Oschwald
Lee Oschwald began fly fishing eight years ago and has since combined her love for the sport and her teaching skills to help others learn to fly cast. Her enthusiasm for the sport prompted her to become a member of the Board of Directors for Fly Fishing Women of Minnesota and to work with the Becoming an Outdoors Woman organization. Lee brings a fresh "womans perspective" to the "Discover Fly Fishing" room.
Back to Top | Schedule
-
Trevor Anderson
The son of Minneapolis Star Tribune Outdoors Columnist Dennis Anderson, Trevor Anderson - just 11 years old - has been fishing with a fly rod for as long as he can remember. Inspired by renown fly-casting instructor Bob Nasby, to cast a fly beginning at age 5, Dennis started Trevor fly-casting at the same age simply by giving him a rod and telling him to "give it a try.'' The more fish Trevor and his younger brother, Cole, caught, the more excited they became about fly fishing, and the more willing they were to polish their technique. The "early days'' of Trevor's fly fishing career now seem long past. Today he has to his credit a 24-pound northern pike caught on a fly while fishing Reindeer Lake, Saskatchewan, with his dad, bonefish while fishing the Bahamas and a 35-pound king salmon, also taken on a fly, while casting on Kodiak Island, Alaska.
Back to Top | Schedule
Copyright © 2007 All rights reserved.