Paul Bunyan Country Outdoors

Seven years ago when we were still just a Bemidji radio show, we had a series that ran throughout 2014 called "Why Do You Fish?" Kev asked a number of the League Of Extraordinary Anglers that question. Simple question. Great answers. We thought that our new podcast listeners would like to hear some those great answers. And also, Kev ran out of time.

Will Pappenfus and Nick Cekalla battled for AIM Walleye State Championship honors at Lake of the Woods last weekend. They finished middle of the pack but were runners up for Minnesota Team of the Year and secured a spot in next spring's National AIM Championship. He talks about the tough fishing on Lake of the Woods, the overall walleye bite in Paul Bunyan Country and what else he's seeing and hearing on Paul Bunyan Country waters. Plus, Dr. Andy Hafs of Bemidji State University talks stunted panfish.

Until just a week or two ago, the walleyes were still biting in the area. But dog days have kicked in. Good anglers and good equipment will still get you some fish, but it's a tough bite that requires patience. Dick Beardsley discusses how to find walleyes and if you have a short attention span, the fish that are biting now. We also discuss the Drought Blues.

Dean Krebs joins the show to discuss the incredibly successful Alexandria Youth Outdoor Activity Day. The event is in its seventh year and brings well over 2,000 kids to the Alexandria Shooting Park for a completely free day of 40+ outdoor activities for youth to take part in. Even lunch is free! AND there's prizes. Looking for a great thing for your kids to do? Here's a great idea! Plus, it's lake of the week day and Marc Bacigalupi has the details on this week's awesome lake.

The lure of the the lunker. That's what it's all about for muskie anglers. Catching any muskie requires some patience, but a 50 plus? That's a lifetime memory. And 55+? Generally once in a lifetime. And Muskie Guide Extraordinaire Kevin Cochran tells the story of that once in a lifetime fish for one of his clients. Plus, all kinds of other muskie topics as well.

Former Paul Bunyan Country Conservation Officer "Mountain" Mike Hruza has long retired to the wonder of Alaska. He is now a guide and (according to him) the Director of Fun at Kenai Riverbend Resort on the Kenai River in Alaska. He makes his annual report on the salmon runs and all other wilderness adventures.

The bite is tough, but the tough are still casting and reeling in some fish. On the latest, Kev Jackson talks with Mandy Uhrich about the bite in Brainerd Lakes and Steve Scepaniak has the latest on Mille Lacs Lake muskies. Plus, we ask Dr. Andy Hafs of Bemidji State University if lure color matters.

An unusual show today as Kev had the opportunity to hear from a couple of awesome anglers at the same time...The Jasons. Jason Durham of Go Fish! Guide Service fishes the Park Rapids area and Jason Rylander of North Country Guides is all over the Bemidji area. The two are also great friends and it made for a great conversation. Oh, and before the great conversation...Jason pranked Jason (Durham pranked Rylander).

GameFair is in the first of its two weekends in Ramsey and we talk with one of the most popular presenters, Trick Shooter Travis Mears. He discusses how he got into trick shooting, as well as shooting competitions and his love of hunting. Plus, it's Lake of the Week Day and we get the details on a Park Rapids area lake.

Yesterday, we talked GameFair with Ron Hustevedt. Today, we are back to hear from one of the most prominent presenters, Hall of Fame shooter Nora Ross. She discusses her favorite guns, her many firsts as a female shooter and what she's bringing to GameFair. And we talk with Peter Janik of the Twin Cities Chapter of Muskies Inc about the 54th Annual Frank Schneider Jr Muskies Inc tournament, coming up about a month from now.

Rich Blomberg has been fishing Paul Bunyan Country for a long time and he joins Kev Jackson to discuss the best bites and the best lakes. They dive into Pokegama and the amazing Lake of the Woods. He also discusses a very special event he's been involved in the past two years. Plus, Ron Hustvedt is ready for GameFair, back in Ramsey this weekend and next after the 2020 Covid hiatus.

The Bemidji Area Shooters Association is getting ready for their 3rd Annual August Academy at the Northwest Regional Shooting Park this Friday through Sunday. Tara Hokuf stops by for all the details. She also talks about the 3rd Anniversary of the Well Armed Woman and the Aquatic Biologist weighs in on the effects of hooks on fish. We know the effects on fish that are caught, but what about hooks that get caught in the fish?

Big show for the weekend! Bruce Jean of Rainy Lake Guides talks about the Rainy bite, the beauty of the Voyageurs and the concerns of drought and fire. Meanwhile, Mandy Uhrich, the angling biologist, shares her insights on the low water levels and the effect on lakes and fish. Plus, a podcast bonus: Steve Scepaniak on Mille Lacs Muskies, and responsible use of social media.

Jeremy Anderson (Jonesy to his friends) of Jones's Guide Service talks Park Rapids area fishing and necessary adjustments to low water depths and warm water. Plus, Andy Thompson of the Bemidji Area Fisheries Office has all the details on this week's Lake of the Week, the famous "lake within a lake".

John Williams has had a long and excellent career with the Minnesota DNR, the last many years at the Northwest Regional Wildlife Manager. His retirement came a day after Henry Drewes, meaning there's quite a void at the NW office at the moment. On today's show, we look back at John's career, hear some great stories and discuss his concerns as he looks to the future.

The final 2021 Qualifier for the Professional Muskie Tournament Trail is in Bemidji late this month. Tim Widlacki, Tournament Director joins Visit Bemidji's Brady Laudon to talk about the event and its importance in the quest for a national title. Meanwhile, Kev checks in with Buck Lescarbeau of Best Bet Guide Service on Lake Vermilion. The bite has been strong, and according to Buck...still is.

Keith Tuma, fresh off his first stint at iCast checks in with an update of all the goodies coming out for you this year and talks summer bass bites and tournaments. Meanwhile, Bemidji State's Dr. Andy Hafs discusses signs that a lake may be in trouble.

One of the great things Kev Jackson loves about doing this show is all the great people he gets to talk to. One of those great people is Henry Drewes. But after this show, the next time they talk, Henry will not be the Northwest Regional Fisheries Manager...he'll just be fishin'. Today Henry reminisces and share's his thoughts on the past...and the future of Paul Bunyan Country Fishing.

The 2nd Annual Lueken's Village Foods United Way Fishing Tournament is a wrap and we have champions. We'll hear from the Walleye Champs and half the Bass Championship team. Gordon Fothergill and Jason Hermiston claimed the $3,000 Walleye title and earned the $500 Chester Berg Toyota Big Fish Award with a 31" beauty. Meanwhile Aaron Bommersbach and Josh Leeseberg won the Bass title. Unfortunately, work got in the way and Aaron couldn't be here, but we talked with partner Josh about what it took to win the $3,000 Bass title. But wait, there's more! It's Lake of the Week Day, and we'll hear from Doug Schultz of the Walker Area Fisheries Office on this week's gem.

Matt Breuer of North Country Guide Service spent some time talk all things outdoors with Kev. Matt, who is taking a guiding sabbatical for a couple months (til bear season), discussed how the fishing was while he was out there. He also discussed how the drought and lack of edibles will affect bear hunting, fish and all aspects of the outdoors. Matt covers it all.