Category Archives: Hobie

Bass, Fish, Hobie, Kayak, Lake, Michigan, Public Service, Water Type

Fishing with Veterans

2 Comments

Dan - Vietnam VeteranI would like to introduce you to Don. Don is a Vietnam Veteran. He became a Ranger at the age of 17. He did a 34 month tour of Vietnam, something that is an accomplishment by itself. He left and came back to Special Forces and served until 1986.

I met Don today at an event put on by KFGL and Camp Liberty. The KFGL leadership got a bunch of us kayak anglers to bring extra kayaks and gear with us to spend some time on the water with other veterans. Don is a good fisherman (landed several bluegill and a perch when a lot of the crew wasn’t catching much), but had never fished in a kayak. I got the opportunity to put him in one of my Hobies.

It is a small gesture of thanks on our part for the service these veterans have done for us, our liberties, and our country. Getting the opportunity to listen to Don talk about his time serving, his time working outside the Army, his wife and kids, and the plans for when his wife retires at the end of this year.

I don’t have much else to say except thank you to guys like Don, Mark, Brian, and Mitch for serving us, and to their families who give up so much in letting them go.

Thank you Camp Liberty for providing us an opportunity to spend a beautiful day on the water with these veterans!

Bass, Fish, Hobie, Kayak, Lake

Hobie Pro Angler Launched

Leave a comment

I have been itching to get on the water since March. I love winter here in Michigan, but come March 1, it is time for spring. Alas, this year was not the case.

2015 Hobie Pro Angler 12 Launch
2015 Hobie Pro Angler 12 Launch

Even after picking up my Pro Angler, I could do little but work on it in the garage – unless I could use it as an ice cutter.

Today, it was in the 60’s, I was home, and I cut out of work at 5pm. I hit one of my go-to lakes – Lake Sixteen in Orion Township. Quick launch, and I was on the water.

First Bass in the Hobie PA
First Bass in the Hobie PA

I headed out to the east side of the island, cast out a dark clouser along the drop off, and caught a 9″ large mouth. It would turn out to be the only catch of the evening,

but it was nice to be on the water.

Other discoveries:

  • neoprene socks with the wading boots are perfect for launching in cold water. Even water that gets inside the sock is quickly warmed up.
  • the addition of the skeg on the 2015 PA really does change the tracking.
  • rudder controls on both sides makes fly line control much easier.
  • added a Magnetic Gear Grabbar Mini  on the box holder on the mid-hatch – perfect for flies to dry and keep from losing them!

Trout season opens next weekend! Make sure you have your new fishing license and check out the new regulations (bass season is now catch and release all year in most places!)

Hobie, Kayak

Named to the Hobie Fishing Team

Leave a comment

I’m excited to announce that I have been named to the 2015 Hobie Fishing Team.


What does that really mean?

It means that I have partnered with a great store in the area (Avon Sailboats) to promote Hobie Kayaking and fishing.

Avon Sailboats plaque134

In reality, it means that I have to fish a lot, take people fishing, talk about fishing and kayaks, and did I mention fish a lot? For those of you who know me, this isn’t much of a stretch.

I look forward to my partnership with my sponsors.

Upcoming Events:

February 21, 2015 – Woodside Bible Church of Lake Orion Wild Game Dinner at King’s Court in Lake Orion (Canterbury Village)

March 14-15, 2015 – Midwest Fly Fishing Expo