10/21/2026
That’s a wrap on another open-water guide season here on Lake Vermilion, and this was probably my best season yet! I spent more time on the water this year than ever before, and that extra time paid off in a big way when it came to client success!
First and foremost, I want to thank everyone who spent a day on the water with me this season. The number of awesome people I get to meet and spend time with through this job is pretty incredible, and I never get tired of showing people just how special Lake Vermilion really is. From first-time clients and Lake Vermilion newcomers to longtime clients who have become great friends, we had a little bit of everything in the Lund Impact this year!
Trolling, jigging, Lindy rigging, bobbers, pitching jigs, LiveScope — you name it, we probably did it! We used more techniques throughout our trips this season, which was a fun change for 2026. Staying versatile and adapting to the conditions each day allows us to target fish in a variety of areas and find ways to get them to bite. We also caught more smallmouth bass this year than ever before, which made for some seriously fun days on the water!
I also want to give a big shoutout to Aronson Boat Works for keeping the Impact in great shape and ready to handle everything I throw at it throughout a full guide season. And an even BIGGER shoutout to my fiancée, Emily, for putting up with my crazy schedule and keeping everything running smoothly at the resort and at home while I’m out guiding. I couldn’t do it without her!
We have some exciting things in the works over the next couple of years, including some major boat upgrades that will make our guide trips even better for clients. There’s a lot to look forward to in 2027 and beyond, and I can’t wait to share more as things come together!
For now, I’m looking forward to enjoying some fishing without a schedule or responsibilities for a little while, followed by nearly six straight weeks of hunting and traveling before we shift gears into ice season!
Thanks again to everyone who made the 2026 open-water season such a great one. I appreciate all of you more than you know, and I’m already looking forward to doing it all again next year!
As always, Tight Lines
Captain Z
