Local businessman makes fishing work
Staff reporter
With the wind blowing against their faces and waves pounding against the boat, the two fishermen set their lines.
Watching the men, the adage "A bad day of fishing beats a good day at work" comes to mind. And if a person's job is fishing, it's a good day all the way around, regardless of the wind.
For the past six years, Warren Kreutziger's office has been his boat. His boss is the weather and the fish.
"There are some days the fishing is pretty good and other days it isn't," Kreutziger said. Weather plays a large part in the success of his fishing expeditions. But sometimes the fish just don't bite.
A typical day at the office for Kreutziger begins at 5:30 a.m. with customers boarding the boat at Marion Reservoir.
Fish bite better if it's not too hot, Kreutziger explained. By 11 or 11:30 a.m. the expedition is over and the fish cleaning begins.
Kreutziger provides everything a fisherman needs for the trip — rod, reel, tackle, and bait; everything but the fish. As a part of the service, caught fish will be cleaned and packaged for the trip home.
Most guide requests are July through October. This also is the feeding season when Kreutziger "feeds" the fish to make sure the fish return to the same spots daily.
Kreutziger and his wife Donna have owned Canada Bait and Tackle Shop near Marion Reservoir for the past 10 years.
Most of Kreutziger's clients heard about his service by word of mouth or as customers at the bait shop.
"A few of them have found out through the Internet," Kreutziger added. Customers have come from McPherson, Newton, Wichita, and out-of-state. Of course, local people have used his service.
Tim Bentz of Marion is a fishing companion of Kreutziger. He recalled a time when Kreutziger guided Bentz' family for a day.
"My fishing boat just isn't large enough to accommodate my dad, mom, and sister," explained Bentz. "We all had a great time."
During the months of May and June, Kreutziger and Bentz typically fish for wiper and walleye. The catfish season begins in July, said Kreutziger.
Mindful of the law and conservation, no fish is kept by the fishermen unless it is a minimum of 18 inches.
The fishermen also follow the daily limitations. A maximum of five walleyes, two wipers, five black bass, 10 any kind of catfish, and 50 crappie may be caught daily. There are no limitations on white bass and walleye, Kreutziger said.
"During a guided fishing trip, we'll catch our limit in catfish," Kreutziger said.
Windy weather does not encourage the fish to bite but the wind hasn't kept Kreutziger off the water.
"The only time I won't go out is when it's lightning," Kreutziger said. He has taken groups out in the rain, adding it was a warm rain.
The largest fish caught by one of Kreutziger's customers was a 20-pound channel catfish.
Despite the wind and only catching two fish, it still was a great day to be on the water and fishing.
For more information about the guide service, contact Kreutziger at 620-382-2931.
