In honor of those who inspired you.

Somedays I look back at where I came from and who I am now. We all have that someone who inspired us. They taught us an appreciation for fishing. It was back in the day where the fun on the lake might have often outweighed the fish in the basket. Picking “Dew Worms” and covering them with grass in a Folgers can was commonplace….AND FUN!! Fish electronics were considered some form of “Witchcraft” by my grandpa. EVERYTHING was a “GOOD EATER”. Slot restrictions would have been scoffed at. Fish fry…………It’s simply what was for dinner. Old Pontoons were good enough for our fishing at Northern Minnesota resorts. Pinnochle was played by the grown-ups while kick the can left kids screaming as they ran through the dark between cabins.

The fish cleaning house was smelly and the picnic tables needed some new stain. The times were simple, yet the memories forever remain etched in the soul of so many anglers like myself.

My grandpa inspired me to inspire so many fisherman. He was a painter that loved to soak bait. It didn’t matter if it was on the old banks of the muddy creek in Ohio or Lake Erie chasing Walleyes.

I urge other anglers to bring your inspiration to this thread. Who taught you and inspired you to fish.

Your doing a fine job yourself Mr.Granrud… your grandpa would be proud

Great read Chris…

Not many Walleye in the U.P. inland lakes when I was a kid…My Dad and GranPa fished brook trout in the cricks and loved to fly fish for big bass in the lake my GranPa lived on. They tied frogs and mice out of deer hair.

Back then we ate them both, along with perch/panfish… … yup, everyone ate bass fillets (I think the min size was 10″) dipped in egg/bisquick and fried in bacon grease. Served up with fried potatoes and onions.
I haven’t filleted a bass in 30 yrs…but one of these day I just might see if they still taste good…

My grandparents used to take me fishing all the time as a youngster to the brainerd area for sunfish. The limit used to be something like 33 sunfish per person?? He would always know where to find the fish and explain everything to me. My parents never liked fishing so im very thankfull my grandparents taught me how to fish. I love fishing now!

Love that pic. I wish we woulda taken pics we I was a kid. I would say no single person etched the fishing bug in me , but new and old friends have cemented it in me. The best memories of growing up definitely were going to Grandpa Elmer’s cabin on the range. 9 days a month in the summer we would spent their. Days were pretty routine starting with up at first light to cast jointed gold Rapalas along shore for bass and northern with my dad in a 12′ chrysler with a 5hp evinrude on the back. Zebco 202 was the rod and reel of choice for us . Breakfast was around 8am ,and then it was off to the woods to cuts logs to send to the mill. Supper at 6pm and back on the water till dark. No time for TV. I skipped alot of fishing in my late teen years and early twenties exploring other parts of life Dad died when I was 19 so maybe that was part of it also. Friends in my late twenties have guided me back into it ,and the smile I see on both my kids face when they hook a big one has me addicted to that reaction.

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Your doing a fine job yourself Mr.Granrud… your grandpa would be proud

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Thanks Jeff. My passion for the outdoors is something I hope I’ll always be remembered for. There are a lot of good sticks within the fishing industry. There are many theories when it comes to fishing. There are few inspirational men that tell stories like your childhood buddy. I want anglers to lose sleep at night before their fishing trip. I want a grown man to remember fishing is fun. I want guys to look forward to something simple in an otherwise complex world. I want these people to be my customers.

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Great read Chris…

Not many Walleye in the U.P. inland lakes when I was a kid…My Dad and GranPa fished brook trout in the cricks and loved to fly fish for big bass in the lake my GranPa lived on. They tied frogs and mice out of deer hair.

Back then we ate them both, along with perch/panfish… … yup, everyone ate bass fillets (I think the min size was 10″) dipped in egg/bisquick and fried in bacon grease. Served up with fried potatoes and onions.
I haven’t filleted a bass in 30 yrs…but one of these day I just might see if they still taste good…

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We cleaned Rock bass and liked them. We ate bullheads and raved how sweet they tasted. My grandma made grandpa Raisin pie and started my addiction to Pecan pie. My grandpa cursed me if I let a snapping turtle go. He ate MUSKRAT and Dandelion oysters. Rabbit and squirrel feeds were not STRANGE, but something an entire family would be excited about. It was “Yesteryear” and something at times I not only remember, but miss in many ways.

BTW this does not mean I’m cleaning smallies. LOL!!

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My grandparents used to take me fishing all the time as a youngster to the brainerd area for sunfish. The limit used to be something like 33 sunfish per person?? He would always know where to find the fish and explain everything to me. My parents never liked fishing so im very thankfull my grandparents taught me how to fish. I love fishing now!

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We all have those memories and it is my opinion both memories and anticipation are the key ingrediants to a great sport that can be enjoyed by all.

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Love that pic. I wish we woulda taken pics we I was a kid. I would say no single person etched the fishing bug in me , but new and old friends have cemented it in me. The best memories of growing up definitely were going to Grandpa Elmer’s cabin on the range. 9 days a month in the summer we would spent their. Days were pretty routine starting with up at first light to cast jointed gold Rapalas along shore for bass and northern with my dad in a 12′ chrysler with a 5hp evinrude on the back. Zebco 202 was the rod and reel of choice for us . Breakfast was around 8am ,and then it was off to the woods to cuts logs to send to the mill. Supper at 6pm and back on the water till dark. No time for TV. I skipped alot of fishing in my late teen years and early twenties exploring other parts of life Dad died when I was 19 so maybe that was part of it also. Friends in my late twenties have guided me back into it ,and the smile I see on both my kids face when they hook a big one has me addicted to that reaction.

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Loved that Bud!! When you take your kids fishing you have did your kids fishing everyone wins!!

I pulled this up from a post I have here back in ’09 when Walter passed away.
My Hero in life!

The pain of losing someone is often the hardest thing to endure. To lose your hero in life leaves an empty void that is so hard to describe. Please bear with me for a few minutes to understand when I’m having a tough time with this.

Walter Rosenlof, after living nearly a century, will be laid to rest tomorrow and spend eternity with God. Though we feel like we are at a loss, I find myself feeling more gratitude, then sorrow. Walter lived his entire life in the very rural area of Prentice, WI. with a small farm. Like so many of that generation, fishing, hunting, and trapping is a way of life for survival. Trapping provided income, and nothing went to waste when it came to fishing and hunting.

In modern days, so many people find heroes in sports figures, movie stars, and the fabricated glitz made up by the media. To me, Walter Rosenlof is a true hero, and an inspiration for the way I want to lead my life. My Father gave me every opportunity in life to fish, hunt, trap, fast cars, education; ….But Walter was my Father’s Uncle and the Father figure to my Dad. Many of the attributes in my Father’s life originated from Walter and are carried on by myself. Directly, Walter taught me how to learn. When other would criticize us kids for shooting BB guns, he would come out and teach us how to shoot better. When we went fishing and caught fish, he didn’t ask how we did, but explained why the fish were where they were at. When I started trapping, he spent hours and hours trying to teach me everything he knows. Endlessly, he would call me up and explain things he forgot to tell me prior. He explained how to look at the landscape of a field and see where deer would cross or why a coyote would follow certain contour lines.

He also led a life of ethics that stands as a testament of how I want to be remembered myself. He never said anything he wouldn’t want repeated, never lied, never cheated, and always made the extra effort to put others before himself. So, as I said, I feel the gratitude of having him in my life to inspire me. I have learned so much from him. Not just about trapping, fishing, or hunting, but also more about how I want to lead my life. To me, that is a real hero and I appreciate every minute I have ever spent around that man.

May God accept him to that place in Heaven where he belongs. He has done so much for so many people, my family, and myself. Rest in Peace my friend!

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I want anglers to lose sleep at night before their fishing trip.

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Yep, if I am even fishing with my brother here in places known the anticipation is so great that I might as well stay up all night!!!

Leaving town and going to ML or Leech and hopefully to Rainy soon, I DO stay up all night and fish and don’t really care if I don’t catch fish!!!

Mark

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We cleaned Rock bass and liked them. We ate bullheads and raved how sweet they tasted. My grandma made grandpa Raisin pie and started my addiction to Pecan pie. My grandpa cursed me if I let a snapping turtle go. He ate MUSKRAT and Dandelion oysters. Rabbit and squirrel feeds were not STRANGE, but something an entire family would be excited about. It was “Yesteryear” and something at times I not only remember, but miss in many ways.

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Yep, all those things were good and now people turn their noses up at ’em…

Mark

LOL!! I guess we we’d all be considered a bit off in today’s world. I’ve never really “Blended” well.

Remember when your GPS and Fish Locator were combined in one package called Grandpa?

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Remember when your GPS and Fish Locator were combined in one package called Grandpa?

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LOL!! Classic. I remember my grandpa used to bring one of those larger than life sized Hershey’s chocolate bar. Even though I loved them I would rarely take a single bite as I would never stop staring down the tip of my rod. My mom would wonder why I didn’t eat my sandwich or drink my pop. I frankly haven’t changed much.

Ask some of my good buddies; They’ll tell you Granrud should NOT be in charge of packing the lunch. Brings up a fun story, but my fingers are getting raw from slamming the keys.

My Dad inspired me to hunt and fish.Lot
of memories with him.I still have the bamboo pole he caught two 12 pound walleyes on in the same day,course we ate them it was back in the 60’s and fed six kids.If he saw people fishing anywhere-but the shorelines he thought they were nuts.5hp merc and 14ft Lund.I still get a little teary eyed on opener -never missed one with him.Pops I’ll be with you again-someday.He was the best.

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My Dad inspired me to hunt and fish.Lot
of memories with him.I still have the bamboo pole he caught two 12 pound walleyes on in the same day,course we ate them it was back in the 60’s and fed six kids.If he saw people fishing anywhere-but the shorelines he thought they were nuts.5hp merc and 14ft Lund.I still get a little teary eyed on opener -never missed one with him.Pops I’ll be with you again-someday.He was the best.

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Thanks for sharing. I’m sure he watches over you on every cast and every blast!!

Chris I have never met u but I sure enjoy your posts Thanks. Maybe someday you’ll see my red Skeeter on Rainy. Careful out there.

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Chris I have never met u but I sure enjoy your posts Thanks. Maybe someday you’ll see my red Skeeter on Rainy. Careful out there.

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It’s the fun part of the modern day social media. Fisherman are able to connect with other fisherman. Those who use the internet in a postive manner truly benefit in many many ways. I honestly enjoy writing and story telling as much as some enjoy reading my short articles. I feel very fortunate to have carved out a career within the fishing industry. I can tell you I am still just a simple fishing addict who happens to guide. I happen to run around 110 open water trips, and that gives me some insight that is tough to learn in books.

BTW if your driving a RED SKEETER you can’t be all bad!! I thought I told the Skeet Team I want the ONLY Red Boat!!LOL!! Love to fish with you someday!! It’s been a Skeeter invasion up here over the last couple years.

I just wanted to jump in and let you know Chris, you really inspired my son on the one day we went fishing. Though he didn’t really get the hang of it when we were together, he jumped on the fish when we went out the next 8 days. Jonathan landed a beautiful 22 inch walleye (we were fishing Blackduck Lake by then) and then two 28+ Northern Pike. The next day he caught a 24 inch walleye and several catch and release Northern. He told me afterwords, the lessons you gave were the reason for his success. So hats off to you…oh, and my inspiration from the stories we shared were my grandpa, big brother, and recently departed friend, Dan. And now you!

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I just wanted to jump in and let you know Chris, you really inspired my son on the one day we went fishing. Though he didn’t really get the hang of it when we were together, he jumped on the fish when we went out the next 8 days. Jonathan landed a beautiful 22 inch walleye (we were fishing Blackduck Lake by then) and then two 28+ Northern Pike. The next day he caught a 24 inch walleye and several catch and release Northern. He told me afterwords, the lessons you gave were the reason for his success. So hats off to you…oh, and my inspiration from the stories we shared were my grandpa, big brother, and recently departed friend, Dan. And now you!

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Nothing makes a guide feel better than hearing just that. Fishing provides so many people a lifetime of happiness. CATCHING fish though maybe not the most important ingrediant in the fun factor…..Certainly doesn’t hurt! Again sharing the boat with you two was a lot of fun for me. I still recall all of your stories and always enjoy those father/son outings!!

Technique is something I’ve had man customers comment on while we fish. So many anglers wrongly think it is just about SPOTS during a guided trip. Frankly you can be fishing the right spots incorrectly. When a guy masters a technique it can be utilized on many fisheries as you’ve clearly pointed out. I believe fisherman that fish with us for a single day….Become better anglers for a lifetime.

Til next time bud!!