Russ Warye

P.O. Box 128
Presque Isle WI, 54557

Email: russwarye@centurytel.net
Web: www.russwarye.com
Phone: 715-686-2813

Pro-Staff Member Since: 1990
Fishing Since: 1950's
Guiding Since: 1979
Professional Guide?
Fishing Type: Freshwater
Primary Species Fished: Musky, Smallmouth Bass
Favorite Fishing Technique: Finesse, Plastics
Favorite St. Croix Rod(s): Legend Elite Spinning ES63MXF

Professional/Personal Highlights: Russ is an author of fishing books, seminar speaker, guide, fishing educator/teacher, recognized freshwater fisheries researcher and activist on clean water issues. As the former senior research editor and fishing spokesman for Fishing Hot Spots, Inc. (Rhinelander, WI), he authored or co-authored numerous FHS books and freshwater fishing maps that specialized in the "where-to" mission of the company. Currently, between fishing, angler education and research, he spends the spring to autumn months actively engaged with research projects which includes many days on the water. His winter months are spent writing, delivering seminars and speaking engagements at outdoor and fishing shows as well as researching new fishing books. When not fishing, he is writing books. Russ authored the first ever book on Michigan's famous Sylvania Tract, located near Land O'Lakes, WI. this famous wilderness area is renowned for its clear water challenge for smallmouth bass. The book - FISH SYLVANIA - is in its third printing. Additionally, he has taken the lead with the innovative fishing education program at a popular fishing resort in Canada; Witch Bay Camp, Kenora, Ontario, which serves approximately 550 anglers annually. He also serves as the Promotions Director for Witch Bay at sport shows in the U.S. Russ knows how to fish and how to translate that fishing into the spoken and written word. In addition to speaking at seminars, he has authored or co-authored a bazillion articles and books, relating his experiences in fishing all over North America, from Mexico to Alaska. In addition to personally guiding clients, Russ helps folks he has never met through his books, such as: Smallmouth! America's Top Bass Waters; Walleye! The Top Lakes and Rivers of North America; and Muskie! The Premier Waters of North America. We suggest you check out Russ' web site and get in touch with him for more information. What you have seen so far isn't even the tip of the iceberg. In 2004 Russ created his own publishing company - FISHING THE NORTH COUNTRY - and since then has released eight books with Ken Jackson of St. Germain, WI, on fishing the famed waters of northern Wisconsin. These books feature new research and presentations for today's busy angler visiting or vacationing in Wisconsin's famous Lakeland Region. Books released in this regional series includes: Boulder Junction; Mercer & Turtle-Flambeau Flowage; Presque Isle & Winchester; and St. Germain, Sayner, Star Lake Region. Later three books were added to the series: Minocqua Region; Cisco Chain & Land O'Lakes Area; and Eagle River-Three Lakes Region. Additionally, Russ and Ken published a first ever book on the Chippewa Flowage, Hayward & Sawyer County Region. Recently the Boulder Junction book was expanded to include Manitowish Waters. Planned titles include a first ever book on Fishing Lake of the Woods, besides work on Wisconsin and Minnesota. Currently, eleven books are in print. Russ has fished all over North America, including most major destinations: Alaska, Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories, Manitoba, Ontario and Mexico. Until recently he was an active bass and muskie tournament participant. His background includes teaching (University of Maryland), wholesale sporting goods, ourdoor/environmental editor (News-Sun, Waukegan, IL), weekly newspaper editor, radio host on fishing/hunting, television guest appearances and numerous periodical and newspaper credits, including: BASSMASTER, OUTDOOR LIFE, FIELD & STREAM, ESOX ANGLER, MIDWEST OUTDOORS, WISCONSIN OUTDOOR JOURNAL, WISCONSIN SPORTSMEN and many others. Russ has also served as research editor of ESOX ANGLER magazine. He was honored to be selected to the speaker's bureau of the National Wildlife Federation and has been nominated to the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame in Hayward, WI, for his writing/fishing education. As a muskie researcher, he was honored with a speaking engagement at the second Muskie Symposium in October, 2005, in Indianapolis, IN. This was only the second gathering of the major North American muskie biologists/researchers ever held, the first being in 1984, which Russ also attended. In 2005 only four speakers were invited to represent the muskie fishing industry; Russ was one of them. His fishing career includes breaking the 1,000 muskie mark (30" and larger) in 2006. In 2008 he spent 132 days on the water, largely guiding for his favorite species: muskies and smallmouth bass. Currently two books are being written - one titled Fishing Lake of the Woods and a complete revision of the Sylvania title. And now you've seen much more of the iceberg.