Steve Welch

Steve Welch is an accomplished writer, with articles published in several magazines, such as Heartland Outdoors, Adventure Sports Outdoors, North American Crappie. He has many articles written about his in various publications and newspapers like Illinois Game and Fish, Decatur Herald Review, Peoria Journal Star and the Bloomington Pantagraph.

Steve has done guest spots on several fishing shows and countless radio interviews. He had been a multi-species guide on both Clinton Lake and Lake Shelbyville for the last eleven years. He has won numerous crappie tournaments with over 100 different teams. He is a seven-time
Crappie U.S.A Classic Qualifier and has been a member of the Ranger Boats pro-staff since 1991. Visit Steve at www.lakeshelbyvilleguide.com.

Jerry Martoglio

• 2008 Illinois Bass Federation Angler of the Year   

• 2008 Ever-Bloom Tournament Trail - Classic Winner

• 2007-2009 President, IBF/TBF

• 1999 - Illinois Wrangler Angler - advanced to National Event on Red River in Louisiana

• 2008 - Present - DreamCatcher Guide Service - Multi Species fishing

• 1981 - IBF Classic Winner - Lake Vermilion

• 1971 to Present - Member, Board Member, Tournament Director, Past President of Bloomington/NormalBass Club

• 1973 to 2003 - Member, Board Member, Tournament Director of Illinois BASS Federation

Duane Serck

Duane has been fishing his whole life. He has spent many years fishing bass tournaments in the Midwest but really began to concentrate on muskies in the early 90’s. The state of Illinois has so much to offer the muskie fishing enthusiast and that was why he started www.illinoismuskies.com. Duane wanted to give something back to the sport and help promote the great muskie fishing opportunities we have here in Illinois. The main goal of the site is to provide information on each lake that has muskies as well as provide reports on the overall health of the muskie fishing in Illinois. The information is free and the work on the site has been a labor of love for Duane.

Duane has been the president of Muskies, Inc. Chapter 27 and has fished numerous muskie tournaments including the IMTT, PMTT, HODAG and MRG Invitational. He attends and works at numerous outdoor/fishing shows each year including the Chicago Muskie Show, Milwaukee Muskie Show, Minnesota Muskie Show plus other regional shows. His guiding partner Paul Center and he have been a supporter of the Illinois Fish and Feather Expo since it began.

Paul Center
Angling Adventures and Custom Rods

Many folks ask me how I got involved with building custom fishing rods and guiding. It all started when I wanted better rods but didn't want to spend an arm and a leg to get them. I found kits in magazines that allowed me to buy higher end technology for less money. The only trick was that they were not assembled! I bought a few books and talked to people that crafted rods. Soon I had made fly rods for my wife and me.

That slowly grew to friends and family. Before I knew what happened, I went to my first sports show. That first show really opened my eyes to the market for custom rods. Soon after that first show, I was spending many hours in my shop making custom rods of all sorts. In time, my fishing began to suffer. I should say, I didn't have time to fish. What started as a way to get better fishing rods turned into a business that kept me from fishing.

That's when I decided to start fishing as a part of the business, sell hand made rods-take people fishing, take people fishing-sell hand made rods. A peanut butter and jelly arrangement. This also got me out on the water as a part of the process instead of just at the work bench.

Many years and several hundred rods later, fishing and rod building are equally important. This ideal arrangement allows for proper field testing and inspiration for new ideas and rod configurations. Thanks to all my current and long time customers for the support over the years, welcome aboard to the new folks and those considering a Custom Rod or Angling Adventure!

Jim Crowley

Jim Crowley was born on January 16, 1967. His father started him fishing when he was just 3 years old. Jim has fished in the Caribbean, the Atlantic, the Pacific, throughout the Midwest, and Canada. As an outdoor writer, photographer and traveler, he has fished extensively in Canada including Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba where some of his pictures are featured in the 2010 and 2011 Manitoba Travel and Adventure guide and where he holds 11 Manitoba Master Angler awards for Northern Pike and another for channel catfish! He is a passionate waterfowl, bear and turkey hunter, and is an IDNR certified Wing Shooting Instructor as well as a member of the Hayes Calls Team and the Bass Pro Shops RedHead hunting Team!

Jim is sought after throughout the Midwest for seminar appearances. His animated presentations keep audiences informed and entertained. Among his many topics are, Tournament Tips and Tactics for Bass Fishing, Canada and BIG PIKE!! Hunting and Fishing in Canada, WING SHOOTING 101 and water fowl seminars including the popular GOOSE U a seminar designed exclusively for Bass Pro Shops. He is known for getting his audiences involved in his shows and this result in fun for all. Numerous sport show promoters including Bass Pro Shops General Managers Jeff Hall (Bolingbrook, Illinois) and Scott Grant (Gurnee, Illinois) have stated, "Without a doubt, Jim Crowley is one of the best. He is a crowd favorite!"

Jim has appeared on numerous television shows, and is a frequent host on the Midwest Outdoors television show (nationwide on the Sportsman’s Channel) where he host and co-host numerous episodes and “Tip of the Week” segments per year and he is also the product review specialist for www.bassfan.com Numerous radio interviews including the OUTDOOR MINUTE with JIM CROWLEY every Friday Morning on 101.7 THEBULL Burlington, IOWA and monthly columns in Midwest Outdoors, and The Sportsman’s Devotional keep him visible to the public and the media. In addition to all of this, Jim's internet show HOOK AND HUNT TV.COM (www.hookandhunttv.com) is an exciting internet showcase for segments, new products, destinations and on-line shopping in the Cast and Blast General Store.. Hook and Hunt Tv.com also provides video support for companies including Hayes calls, Gerbings Heated clothing, and K100 Fuel treatment. Filming and editing in HD, Hook and Hunt Tv.com has quickly gained a large following for their exciting and educating tips, segments and creative ideas.

Crowley has been featured in numerous articles, including the Bloomington Pantagraph, the Peoria Journal Star, the Chicago Sun Times, the Chicago Tribune, and The Winnipeg Sun (Manitoba, Canada) and in the 2008 In-Fisherman Bass Guide!! Jim was also featured on the covers of the 2003 December, 2005 March, 2006 May issues of Midwest Outdoors and the 2007 Jan/Feb cover of Fishing Facts magazine!

Jim Crowley is an outdoorsman! He is an angler, hunter, writer, traveler, educator, photographer and industry promoter. He is an articulate speaker who loves to share his knowledge and experiences with the public. His adventures continue.

Keith Allen

I have been fishing with my father since I was very young. My father taught me more than technique, he taught me passion and ethics. I have always fished local tournaments. It was not until my father passed away that I made the decision to fish on a higher level. After his passing, I went out to fish in his honor and to prove to him that he had taught me right. The first year, I won the overall division championship for the Midwest Sportsman Series, claimed Angler of the Year and finished 14th in the National Classic. The National Classic was held on Kentucky Lake and I had never fished this water. Since then I have fished several National events winning a check in all events.

I believe in God, family, honesty and giving to others. I want to honor my father in not only being the best angler on the water, but by sharing what I have learned to others. I have given my life to God, family and fishing and I am thankful that I can take all three to the water with me.

• MidWest Sportsman Series Illinois Division 1 Champion
  
• MidWest Sportsman Series Angler of the Year Title
  
• 14th Midwest Sportsman Series Nationals
  
• MidWest Sportsman Series Illinois Division 1 Runner-up
  
• 5th Mill Creek Series over-all
  40th Jet-A-Marine Classic (328 entries)
  
• 32 top ten finishes
  
• 28 top five finishes
  
• 7th - Average finish for the 2010 tournament season
  
• 4th – 2010 National Bass Anglers Association (NBAA) Divisional Standing
  
• 2010- Qualified for two National Championships