The Mentor

Tony G with a couple nice pan walleyes from Lake Waconia this past week. 

Very early in life I knew I was destined to fish and pursue a career in the fishing industry.  Much of that knowledge and passion came from my good friend Tony Groskreutz.  At the ripe age of 15 Tony took me fishing and realized I was not like every other kid at 15.  I was the baby of 9 kids, I was loud mouthed-far from shy,arrogant, and I fished every day; fishing was in my DNA.  Fishing ran strong in my veins.  I was driven to fish because it was challenging and different every time out.

When Tony decided to take me fishing that very first time, he also signed up for all of the following; my best friend, take me fishing anywhere/anytime I would like, offer me lots of fishing knowledge, teach me invalulable lessons about the business, put up with my stubborn loud mouth, and help mold me as a young man into who I am today.  We fished any where we could find water.  We even fished many tournaments will some success.  I can't give enough credit for what Tony has done for me.  Without Tony I wouldn't be able to pursue the passion and crush each and every day.  So now you all have the insight of who Tony is and what he means to me.

Tony moved to Chicago 5 years ago in pursuit of other aspirations.  Each winter during the holidays he would come back to fishwithmatt for a few days and we would catch up.  For the past 3 winters all he has talked about is getting back to MN with his family.  So this early winter when he called me to tell me he had taken a position in MN with a outdoor rep group; I was not the least bit surprised.  But I was very excited for him and his family.  He is more passionate about business than I am fishing.  Well maybe not more...but darn close.  This opportunity gets him back spending time with his family, fishing, and working....all the things he enjoys most.  Tony has the passion and thinks outside the box.   

He also notified me that he would still be coming up for the holiday ice fishing gig.  That is always good news.  So this past week we hit the ice of Lake Waconia since the snow fall had made travel very difficult on our usual haunt-Lake Minnetonka.  We shared many laughs, ideas, fish stories, and even a few walleye bites.  We were able to ice a few eaters and managed to break off a very nice one in the hole.  Nice; as in 9-11 lbs!  It's always the one that got away, right?!  :)  We have always shared good success together on the water.  I don't care if it is summer or winter, we seem to be able to crush.  This trip was no exception.  

With all of that said I have to let you know that I am going to be taking my passion into uncharted waters in the near future.  I have the type of passion that keeps me up at night tossing and turning.  It must be channelled and put to use in new ways.  I am going to start sharing more of that passion with each and every one of you.  I want to shed light on what it really means to "Crush"!  Every reader will have the chance to experience the "Crush!".  Stayed tuned here for more info and updates in the coming future.  Never wake up and just settle with what you are doing, challenge yourself in new ways.  In the mean time I will continue to share stories, thoughts, and info here at fishwithmatt.com.  Needless to say in the coming days I will be working on stretching the string each and every day.  Fish On!