I suppose for my first blog I should introduce myself to the readers, it only feels proper. My name is Kyle Wood and I am the new Staff Writer at FLW. As does fellow blogger Brett Carlson, I spend my free time enjoying the Land of 10,000 Lakes. I’m pretty sure that number should be higher (closer to 12,000?), but that topic can be saved for a later date.
I try to keep busy doing some sort of outdoor activity throughout the seasons. In the spring, I spend every single moment living and breathing turkey hunting. If I can’t physically get in the woods there are endless hours spent watching old turkey hunting DVDs. This may sound boring to some, but others understand that it helps feed the drive until you can experience the real thing. I’d have to say that hearing a gobble break the morning silence rivals watching an angry smallmouth blow up on a topwater bait.
In the summer months I spend my time bass fishing every second I can. I started fishing local tournaments when I was 16 and have been hooked ever since, yes pun intended. There are several things that draw me to the tournament fishing world. One of my favorite parts is when your boat number gets called at takeoff, and you hammer the throttle down pushing you out of the hole and onto plane. For that split second your adrenaline gets pumping and you’re in the zone. Another thing I enjoy is that drive that most every tournament angler has to catch a fish. No matter what type of tournament it is people will do whatever they need to in order to catch a fish. Often times it becomes a mind game of sorts. And whether or not you prevail that day, it’s that drive brings you back for more next time.
Being that I do live in a state where walleye fishing is kind of a big deal, I chase those gravel lizards from time to time as well. From sturgeon on the Rainy River to big gills on small lakes, I’m pretty game to fish for whatever wants to bite. While I’m young in age, I like to think I’ve put my time in on the water.
Once the chill of fall sets in and the ducks begin to fly my focus switches to waterfowl hunting. I love to get out with my dog and some buddies to chase birds around. We usually don’t bag too many birds but we sure have a blast doing it. Once the diver ducks start showing up and the lakes start to freeze I know it’s time to get the ice rods ready.
About the only thing that helps get me through winter is spending every second I can ice fishing. Usually the majority of my time is spent chasing scraps or gills on metro lakes. But a guy can only catch so many fish less than 10 inches before the need to catch something big kicks in. When that happens I will venture north and focus my attention on walleye and pike fishing. When it comes down to it, I just love to get on the ice and see what’s willing to bite.
That’s a brief nutshell of who I am and what I’m about. I’m excited to experience all the things that this position will offer me. From the people I will meet, new lures I’ll see, and everything else that happens along the way I look forward to sharing them with you.