Todd began his guiding career in 1984.  At the time there were few, if any, fishing guides in Southern Illinois.  He recognized the vast natural resources and the need for a professional guide to show and share those resources with visitors to the area.  In those early years he was, and to this day remains, a very strong voice throughout the Midwest promoting the wonderful outdoor opportunities available in Southern Illinois, and now, also, Vilas County, Wisconsin.  His numerous appearances on outdoor television and in almost every major outdoor magazine and news paper promoting southern Illinois fishing and hunting have combined to make him the go to guy with questions about the outdoors in southern Illinois.     His reputation as a guide speaks for itself with now being into the second generation of very loyal customers.  If you haven’t heard his bark of “catch the fish” or “don’t climb the rod” or his newest from the northwoods, “it’s not a race”, you’re missing a very special experience.
Not only is Todd one of the most well known and best thought of guides in the Midwest.  His, very carefully chosen, guide staff are rapidly making names for themselves as well!  It’s these fine gentlemen and guides who have allowed Todd to make the annual move (May thru August) to the northwoods of Wisconsin in the Boulder Junction area.  He is well on his way to establishing himself as one of that area’s best.
If you ask him about some of the high lights of his career in the outdoor world, he will proudly tell of, the most recent, his induction into the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame as a “Legendary Guide”!  “WOW”, he said “what a very special honor”!
For a very special day on the water in southern Illinois or Boulder Junction, Wisconsin spend it with Todd or one of his outstanding guides!

Todd Gessner and Kevin Van Dam
2011 Hall of Fame Ceremony