Michael Frer

Angler’s Name
Michael Frer
What town do you live in?
Trevor
How many seasons have you competed in the World Walleye Association?
2
How old were you when you started fishing? On what Lake did you get started fishing?
5
Who was your first hero or mentor in the fishing world?
Grandpa
How did you get started tournament fishing? And what made you jump in?
Watching the members fish it got me interested and I’m competitive. I enjoy a challenge.
What is your bread and butter, go-to tactic on the water?
Was trolling, now rigging is my preference.
Outside of competitive fishing, what do you do for your 9-5 job?
Public Works Supervisor
What accomplishments are you most proud of in the tournament world?
Learning to leave a comfort zone and building friendships.
Other than the Fox Chain, what is your favorite body of water to fish and why?
Green bay, Trophy’s to be had there!
Outside of fishing, what are your hobbies? What do you do for fun?
Make jigs and lures (more fishing)
What is your favorite tournament moment?
The feel I got during first tourney at take off.
How big was your best Walleye and what lake did you get it on?
28.5″ Pistakee lake
Is there anyone you would like to thank that supports your fishing?
My Family and my sponsors

Kyle Dunn

Angler’s Name
 Kyle dunn
What town do you live in?
 Twin lakes
How many seasons have you competed in the World Walleye Association?
 8
How old were you when you started fishing? On what Lake did you get started fishing?
 6 or 7 on Lake Michigan with my dad
Who was your first hero or mentor in the fishing world?
 My dad
How did you get started tournament fishing? And what made you jump in?
 My dad was fishing them and my best friend Billy adcock wanted to fish them also so we started fishing them when I was 12
What is your bread and butter, go-to tactic on the water?
 Jig and a crawler!
Outside of competitive fishing, what do you do for your 9-5 job?
 I work for a railroad company.
What accomplishments are you most proud of in the tournament world?
 Finishing in the top 25 all American last year at the NTC
Other than the Fox Chain, what is your favorite body of water to fish and why?
 I like Lake Michigan fishing for salmon during the off months A lot. The fish are a great fight out there.
Outside of fishing, what are your hobbies? What do you do for fun?
 I love hunting during the off season for fishing also.
What is your favorite tournament moment?
 I have so many I can’t pick one.
How big was your best Walleye and what lake did you get it on?
 I got a ten pounder on Lake Erie. It was 30” long.
Is there anyone you would like to thank that supports your fishing?
 My fiancé Carolyn of course, and all of my other supporters like my family and friends.

Nick Kretch

Angler’s Name
 Nick Kretsch
What town do you live in?
 Round Lake Park IL
How many seasons have you competed in the World Walleye Association?
 3
How old were you when you started fishing? On what Lake did you get started fishing?
 8yrs Old Lake Michigan
Who was your first hero or mentor in the fishing world?
 My Dad. We didn’t have the biggest boat but we sure caught some fish.
How did you get started tournament fishing? And what made you jump in?
 I figured if you fish with the big boys your bound to learn something…
What is your bread and butter, go-to tactic on the water?
 Trolling but i’m starting to enjoy finesse fishing and pitching jigs
Outside of competitive fishing, what do you do for your 9-5 job?
 Auto Sales
What accomplishments are you most proud of in the tournament world?
 Im proud to have met some great people and been able to compete with some of the best anglers from across the United States
Other than the Fox Chain, what is your favorite body of water to fish and why?
 Green Bay. I love the Big Water aspect of walleye fishing
Outside of fishing, what are your hobbies? What do you do for fun?
 I shoot 3-gun and Action Pistol when fishing doesn’t interrupt
What is your favorite tournament moment?
 Thinking we missed the cut for the 2020 Championship day 2 and finding out we made it by 1/10th of an ounce as I was packing up the boat
How big was your best Walleye and what lake did you get it on?
 28″ 7.05 Lbs on Lake Geneva
Is there anyone you would like to thank that supports your fishing?
 My Wife. I just hope she doesn’t sell my fishing gear for what I told her it costs.

Chris Jensen

Angler’s Name
Chris Jensen
What town do you live in?
Round Lake, IL
How many seasons have you competed in the World Walleye Association?
2
How old were you when you started fishing? On what Lake did you get started fishing?
Honestly couldn’t say… my dad got me into fishing at an early enough age that I can’t remember what lake was first.
Who was your first hero or mentor in the fishing world?
Definitely my dad. He’s the one who got me into fishing, then addicted to it. He’a also to blame for the amount of tackle, crankbaits in particular that I own.
How did you get started tournament fishing? And what made you jump in?
Have always been uber-competitive…. fishing has always been a passion of mine. Joe Baron was the one who convinced me to try it out (WWA 2 seasons ago), and I was absolutely addicted to it after.
What is your bread and butter, go-to tactic on the water?
Trolling usually presents a solid opportunity that you’ll be able to get a fish to eat. My favorite way to fish however would be jig and plastics for sure.
Outside of competitive fishing, what do you do for your 9-5 job?
Plumber
What accomplishments are you most proud of in the tournament world?
Have only been tournament fishing for 2 years (seasons) now, in that short amount of time I’d say my dad and I finishing 3rd in overall TOY this last season.
Other than the Fox Chain, what is your favorite body of water to fish and why?
Tough to say, have had a lot of good times on Winnebago, Green Bay as well. Also have always enjoyed fishing Lake Geneva at night.
Outside of fishing, what are your hobbies? What do you do for fun?
Fishing is by far my favorite hobby, whether open water or one the ice. Outside of that, I’m a huge sports fan. Also enjoy cooking new recipes and learning random useless facts.
What is your favorite tournament moment?
Favorite tournament moment in the short history of doing them, for me would be one from this past season. During the nasty thunderstorm tournament, with about 10mins left to fish, we hooked into what felt to be a very solid fish. Turned out to be an over walleye, our first and only one of the day. After dealing with the storm and conditions, it made for a very gratifying moment for us.
How big was your best Walleye and what lake did you get it on?
About 30.5” and just over 10lbs, caught on the Fox Chain, IL
Is there anyone you would like to thank that supports your fishing?
Definitely my wife, for being so super supportive and patient throughout the tournament season. Whether it be tournaments or time spent on prefish.

Mike Baron

Mike Baron – WWA Board Member, 2018-2020
Fox Lake, IL

1. How old were you when you started fishing? On what Lake did you get started fishing?
I started fishing as soon as I was big enough to hold a rod. I believe I began on Blue Spring Lake in Palmyra, WI or Lake George in Rhinelander, WI.
2. Who was your first hero or mentor in the fishing world?
Both my Dad and Grandfather
3. How did you get started tournament fishing? And what made you jump in?
My Dad and I fished a few Charlie Chain tournaments back when that was around and wound up taking First place in one. On the car ride home I was holding a couple hundred bucks cash… for spending a day fishing with my Dad!
4. What is your bread and butter, go-to tactic on the water?
Trolling – it’s what I’ve spent the most time on. I also enjoy pitching jigs, but there’s room for improvement in that department.
5. Outside of competitive fishing, what do you do for your 9-5 job?
I’m a Sales Manager for a technology company based out of Orange County, CA. We provide a real-time GPS Vehicle & Equipment Tracking Software to companies with fleet vehicles such as Ryder and the US Dept. Homeland Security.
6. What accomplishments are you most proud of in the tournament world?
One of my first tournaments, winning a Charlie Chain qualifier to pocket a few hundred bucks cash.
7. Other than the Fox Chain, what is your favorite body of water to fish and why?
I have had a few awesome experiences fishing Little Bay de Noc in November. Back in the day we used to get out night fishing on Lake Geneva – ask Joe Baron about his netting skills…
8. Outside of fishing, what are your hobbies? What do you do for fun?
Snowmobiling and Boating. I’m simple.
9. What is your favorite tournament moment?
Other than winning, seeing the WWA grow to where it is today is awesome.
10. How big was your best Walleye and what lake did you get it on?
Largest Walleye is just over 28” around 9 pounds on Little Bay de Noc in November 2013.
11. Do you have any sponsors or special people you would like to thank that support your fishing?
My Dad, Joe, and my Grandfather, Papa Don! It’s always an adventure when you’re in the boat with those two.

Casey Felling

Casey Felling- WWA Board Member, 2018-2020
Libertyville, IL


1.How old were you when you started fishing? On what Lake did you get started fishing?
I was 8 or 9 years old, my grandfather would take me up to Mille Lacs and Leach Lake during the summers I would spend in the Twin Cities with them.
2. Who was your first hero or mentor in the fishing world?
My grandfather, he taught me all the foundational techniques, how to appreciate the outdoors and my role as conservationist.
3. How did you get started tournament fishing? And what made you jump in?
I first started tournament fishing in College in Missoula, MT. There were club fly fishing tournaments often such as a One-Fly modeled after the famed Jackson Hole Tournament, though on a much smaller scale. I also got into kayak fishing tournaments here in Chicagoland which I would highly recommend if you don’t have a boat yet. These tournaments are very well run and are a fantastic stepping off point if you are interested in tournament fishing. Tournament fishing made me look at the body of water I was fishing differently and pushed me to improve in every facet. I recommend it to anyone with a competitive spirit and lust for the sport.
4. What is your bread and butter, go-to tactic on the water?
For walleye fishing, my favorite tactic is pitching jigs with light tackle.
5. Outside of competitive fishing, what do you do for your 9-5 job?
I am a partner in a specialty food importing business. We source and import rare, prized ingredients predominantly from Japan and sell to a network of distributors throughout North America who then get those ingredients in the hands of the top chefs. It is very satisfying career that never gets boring.
6. What accomplishments are you most proud of in the tournament world?
Honestly, re-connecting with my tournament partner. He and I went to pre-school together and were friends growing up and we lost touch after college. His passion for fishing and appreciation for the outdoors rivals my own and no tournament trophy can supplant that.
7. Other than the Fox Chain, what is your favorite body of water to fish and why?
Probably Lake Michigan. That body of water has improved so much over the years and remains a destination fishery.
8. Outside of fishing, what are your hobbies? What do you do for fun?
Waterfowl and Upland hunting in the fall, dog training/testing throughout the summer when not on the boat. Golf when I can fit that in and the never-ending projects around the house.
9. What is your favorite tournament moment?
A couple of years ago, we found a late bite during a very tough spring bite and managed to boat 5 keepers in the last 30 mins of legal time. My partner had packed everything up, started the motor and was turning the boat around to head in while I fired off one more cast and hooked up with a legal fish and boat flipped it while he put the hammer down. It was a great moment, we were high-fiving and laughing all the way to the launch.
10. How big was your best Walleye and what lake did you get it on?
28.5” on Pistakee Lake

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