Most of our guides have 20 plus years of experience on the Lake of the Woods. Most of them don't consider it a job.

   “I kind of feel like I'm stealing money sometimes to fish for a livin'. There's that bumper sticker that says, 'A bad day of fishing is better than a good day of work.' Well, that bumper sticker really inspired me to wanna fish everyday and there's nothin' I love better than putting a group on a pile of fish!” said Captain Beckel.

Kit Beckel
 
   A popular long time fishing guide for Sportsman's Lodge, Kit hosted Lt. Governor Carol Molnau during the 2004 Governor's Fishing Opener on May 15.

   Kit has been guiding visitors and guests of Lake of the Woods since 1960. His family moved to the area in 1959, from Austin, Minnesota, and owned Trails End Resort (which is now a part of Wigwam Resort). His dad purchased Kit his first launch (charter boat) when he was 13. In 1971, the Beckel family established Sportsman's Lodge, located along the Rainy River. Operated with his brothers and their families, the "the Beckel Brothers" built one of the largest resorts in the area. In the mid 1990's, the resort was sold to its current owners, the Hennum family.

Email: kit@sportsmanslodges.com

Click Here to contact us about guides at Sportsman's Lodge or call us today at (866) 533-8998.

Darryl Vacura

   Darryl brings in a load of fish like you see here, day after day after day! As a matter of fact, he has been guiding with us for over 22 years! Darryl says, "It's easy! Guiding is not rocket science, especially on this lake, we have a great fishery here and in order to catch the fish, you have to be patient with the lake and listen to the folks who fish it." Darryl laughs as he explains how lucky he is to have this job.

   The best part about being a guide for Darryl is simply being on the lake. He says Lake of the Woods is a beautiful lake with so many characteristics. As a matter of fact, on his days off, you won't find Darryl fishing, but you might find he and his wife beachcombing the sandy shores of Graceton beach. As for his advice to anglers coming up to Lake of the Woods . . . Darryl says, "Be patient, believe what the locals tell you about the lake; and how to catch walleye and you can't go wrong drifting or trolling with a spinner and sinker."

Email Darryl - darryl@sportsmanslodges.com

Click Here to contact us about guides at Sportsman's Lodge or call us today at (866) 533-8998.

Dave McDougall
 
   Captain Dave McDougall was born to fish! As a matter of fact he was in a boat on Lake of the Woods the day he was born. You see, Dave's parents used to own a resort on Lake of the Woods near Morson Ontario . . . in order to get home after his birth, he travelled by boat. That's where his love for Lake of the Woods began!

   Dave has been guiding for Sportsman's since 1994, and he says Lake of the Woods offers everything an Angler is looking for: Great walleyes, a variety of ways to fish (from downrigging to jigging) and huge opportunities to catch fish!

   One of the reasons Dave enjoys guiding so much is because he never wakes up in the morning and says, "Oh no, I gotta go to work today!" Dave's perspective on his job is quite the opposite, especially in the summer, he loves to fish, likes the people and enjoys the people he's working with.

   Dave's best tip to those fishing Lake of the Woods is to be patient. He says, "Anglers need to try a variety of methods, from bait fishing to pulling shads, eventually something will work and the fish will be there."

   On his day off, Dave just keeps on fishing! He enjoys taking his family out for a day on the water.

Email Dave - dave@sportsmanslodges.com

Dan Carlson
 
   You'll love fishing with "The Swede"! Dan Carlson's love for fishing is absolutely contagious! Of course, it's easy to be passionate about the sport when you can bring in a fish or two like the one pictured here. This picture was taken in mid-July 2003. Dan and his son were out fishing with Windy (another Sportsman's Guide) and his son on that memorable day. In the course of a few hours they had caught their limit of walleyes, including two 10-pounders, an 11-pounder, a 9-pounder, and a few others over 28 inches! And that's no fish story!

   Dan has been guiding with Sportsman's Lodge since 1997, but has been fishing Lake of the Woods for as long as he can remember. When asked the best time to fish Lake of the Woods, Dan says, "I really like shoreline fishing in June and river fishing in October."

   Dan's tip to anyone coming up to fish Lake of the Woods is to be prepared for the weather. Even in the heat of the summer, it can get chilly on the lake. Guests should remember to bring warm clothes and even rain gear with them just in case.

   When he is not guiding with Sportsman's, Dan enjoys hunting and fishing and spending time with his family. He also is an avid hockey player and fan and spends time in the winter working at the Baudette Arena.

Email Dan - dan@sportsmanslodges.com

Click Here to contact us about guides at Sportsman's Lodge or call us today at (866) 533-8998.

Eric Lindquist
 
   Growing up in the Baudette area, Eric “Snag” Lindquist has passion for the outdoors and Lake of the Woods. Eric has been guiding for Sportsman's since 1997, and has been fishing the lake all his life. He is looking forward to the upcoming ice fishing season and offers a tip to those who are coming up in the next few months. Eric says, “If the fish are not biting . . . try harder! The fish are down there, you just need to catch them!”

   Eric's favorite time to fish is Mid-July. During that time he guides his anglers down-rigging on the reefs. He enjoys this method of fishing because it's more difficult and takes more skill; there is also a greater chance of catching a trophy walleye. Eric says “Fishing Lake of the Woods is great because you can fish different areas of the lake every day, using different presentations.”

   You may also recognize Eric as one half of the famous “Quack Addicts Guide Service.” Each fall he heads for the swamp for duck and goose hunts. He says, “This year's early goose hunt was good and duck hunting was very good.” To book a duck or goose hunting trip with the Quack Addicts call (218) 202-0561, or email eric@sportsmanslodges.com

   On his day off, Eric hits the woods and water for some hunting and fishing of his own!  

Alan "Flip" Phillippe
 
   Flip is originally from Baudette and has been fishing Lake of the Woods for over 40 years! He's a veteran to the area and enjoys being outside. Flip says the best part about guiding…is the relationship you build with your clientele. Year after year, Flip finds that looks forward to each group returning for another great fishing experience on Lake of the Woods. His favorite Walleye Presentation is a Little Joe Hamered Gold spinner with a minnow. When asked what his best Lake of the Woods Fishing tip is Flip said ”If you're not catching fish in one place, move and try it again!

Email Flip - fishinflip56@aol.com or flip@sportsmanslodges.com

Tim Mart
   Updated Bio Coming Soon...
 
Email Tim - tim@sportsmanslodges.com

Joe Pilkington

Email Joe - info@sportsmanslodges.com

Click Here to contact us about guides at Sportsman's Lodge or call us today at (866) 533-8998.