From Range Day to the River, My Week of Outdoor Adventure in Eau Claire

The 2025 Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers conference has officially come to an end, and as I sit here reflecting on the past 2 weeks, I cannot help but feel incredibly grateful. Every year, this gathering reminds me why I love what I do. It is not only about outdoor media, but also about the friendships, the laughter, and the moments that breathe new life into my work and my spirit.

All year long, as the months tick by, I can feel my energy slowly draining. It is as if I am running on a battery that loses a little charge with each deadline, each long drive, each early morning in the field. But when conference week rolls around, and I finally get to see my AGLOW family again, that battery gets plugged back in and filled to the brim. By the time I left Eau Claire, I felt like I had enough energy and inspiration to carry me through the next year.

This year I had the honor of leading a Learn It/Do It session titled Equipment Needs vs Wants – The Hunt Fish Travel Podcast. The conversation was lively, and it was wonderful to see so many people engaged with the idea of making smart gear decisions. The next day, I presented my seminar Podcast Seminar – Utilizing Video to Drive Traffic to Your Audio Podcast. Both sessions were well attended, and I loved every second of sharing my knowledge and then listening as others shared their own tips and experiences.

These teaching moments are more than just professional obligations for me. They are chances to give back to an organization that has poured so much into me over the years. When I look out into a room full of peers, friends, and even newcomers, I feel proud to be part of this community.

Of course, no AGLOW conference would be complete without getting outdoors, and Eau Claire did not disappoint. I had the chance to go musky fishing with a member of the local club, and it was an absolute blast. We recorded an interview right on the water, and I was excited to share that on my YouTube channel.

WE also had the opportunity to go trap shooting and I got to go pheasant hunting, which was another highlight of the trip. The dogs worked beautifully, and it was a joy to spend time in the field with friends who share that same passion.

It’s tough to be in front of the camera and behind it – so I grabbed a few screengrabs from my GoPro from trap shooting at the Eau Claire Rod & Gun Club – I actually think they’re super cool photos!

Range day was yet another adventure that I will be writing more about soon. When you combine good friends, outdoor activities, and new gear to test, you know you are in for a memorable time.

What makes AGLOW truly special is not only the activities or the seminars. It is the people. The sense of camaraderie at these conferences is unlike anything else. As soon as I walk into the first event, I feel like I am home. I see friends I might not have laid eyes on since last year, yet we pick up conversations as if no time has passed at all. That is the beauty of this organization. We understand each other because we share the same love for the outdoors, the same commitment to storytelling, and the same drive to inspire others.

Serving on the board of directors for AGLOW has been one of the greatest honors of my career. It means being part of the leadership that keeps this community strong and forward moving. It means giving back to an organization that has given me so much.

One of the coolest things about this year’s conference was having Aaron and his son join me Thursday night for the Awards in Craft dinner. It was a night to remember. Aaron placed third in the photography category, I couldn’t be more proud of him!

And I was deeply honored to take first place in the Podcast Fishing category. Sharing that moment together made it even more meaningful.

Friday, we switched gears from professional to playful. We explored the Metropolis Chaos Indoor Park and water park. There is something about letting loose and laughing with your family after a week of hard work that makes it all worthwhile. We climbed, we splashed, and we had an absolute blast.

This was full circle for us, about two years ago Jaxson had requested we go to the Metropolis for his birthday. He’d seen a reel on TikTok and was excited about the prospect, they were all booked up that year. Fast-forward to the Eau Claire conference pitch with The Metropolis as the host facility and I let him know, “Patience is a Virtue”. And “good things come to those who wait”. And Friday after a full day of having fun he said to me “it was worth the wait”!

And then there was breakfast. I am not exaggerating when I say French toast, breakfast tacos, and bloody Marys for the win. It was the perfect combination of comfort food and celebration. Those simple meals where you can relax and laugh with people you love often end up being the sweetest memories.

This conference might be over, but the content and the stories it sparked are only beginning. You can tune into my YouTube channel to watch my interview with the musky club member who graciously took me out fishing, over the next few weeks you’ll see videos and shorts around trap shooting, pheasant hunting, camping at the State Park (which is FABULOUS) and fishing with a volunteer from Tuesday who was kind enough to Take Aaron, Jaxson and I out Saturday morning. We all caught fish and took some home for dinner.

I’ll have blogs posts aplenty as well if video isn’t your thing.

So if you have not already, be sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel, tune into the Hunt Fish Travel Podcast, and keep following this blog. The AGLOW conference in Eau Claire filled my battery to the max, reminded me of the power of community, and left me excited for everything to come.

Until next time, I will be carrying this energy with me into every podcast episode, every blog post, and every outdoor adventure.