I was reflecting the other day on how lucky I am to have such a supportive wife and family. Tomorrow’s Valentine’s Day, and I’d like to send out a special Valentine’s Day message to my best friend and wife: Thanks for being you, allowing me to be me.

Without her daily support, it would be nearly impossible for me to operate one, let alone two busy fishing guide businesses, Traverse City Bass and Manistee River Salmon. Getting up before the crack of dawn on a daily basis, often staying up late into the night pouring custom plastics, tying spawn sacks, curing salmon spawn or pouring jigheads and drop shot weights normally would come as a heavy price to pay in terms of a marriage.

Thankfully, my wife is understanding. Not only of my fishing obsession, but my break-neck guide schedule. And the fact that I constantly smell fishy! So here’s to my fantastic wife and best friend: Thank you for putting up with me and for everything that you do. Happy Valentine’s Day!