Please join us Monday night, April 9th, at 7pm Central Time to talk with this winning angler. As always it’s free to enter the chatroom and no registration or password is necessary.

It’s been a couple of years since we last interviewed Jason for a Fireside Chat. If you missed the first “Twenty Questions” interview with him you can read it by clicking, here, so you can learn even more about what drives him to compete.

Juls: What have you been up to since we last spoke to you two years ago, Jason?

Jason: Not much has changed here in the last 2 years. I did go back to work for Gander Mountain part time this past winter.

Juls: Will you be working or participating in any children's events this year?

Jason: As always, I will be participating in the NPAA Youth Clinics in conjunction with the FLW Tournaments this year.

Jason: Chevy, Ranger, Evinrude, Humminbird, Minn Kota, Cannon, Lakemaster, Berkley, Pflueger, Fenwick, Off Shore Tackle, Bone Collector, Rapala.

Juls: Do you see Walleye tournaments getting better this year than the past few, or is it staying the same?

Jason: I see tournament participation staying about the same this year. By no means are we out of recession and with the price of gas this summer, many people may be holding back a little. On the other hand, the enthusiasm is still high in the tournament world, which it always has been.

Juls: What is your opinion of where Walleye tournaments are headed for the future?

Jason: Honestly, I still think we are years away from getting back to where things used to be. Not to be meant in a negative way, but it is much more difficult these days for both tournament organizations and anglers to support and operate walleye tournaments. Time will tell, but I think eventually we'll see a growth again.

Juls: I know your boys like to fish with you. Do you see an increase in interest ason:from young people towards fishing? Or, do you see a decline due to the increase in technology that keeps kids on the computer? What's your take on it?

Jason: There's no doubt a decline in youth interest towards fishing. Plain and simple there's too many other things available for kids to do these days. All we can do as adults is take the opportunity to introduce youths and adults to fishing any chance we get.

Juls: Are you helping any of your sponsors to create new products? If so, are there any you can talk about for the 2012 season?

Jason: Been working on some Berkley plastics with Mark Courts the last few months. We should see them available on shelves this summer. No further on that for now!

Juls: Can you let the cat out of the bag yet? Will you be running the FLW Chevy Boat Wrap again for this season?

Juls: I remember you were retiring from the retail world to work as a full time professional in the fishing industry, has that been hard for you, or everything you thought it would be?

Jason: It's been every bit as hard as I expected, but at the same time I've enjoyed every minute of it. As for going back to work at Gander part time, it has worked out good for both me and my sponsors. It allows me to stay on top of the industry in the retail world as well as having enough time to promote products outside the store.

Juls: What sport and boat shows do you have left to work for the winter/spring time where people can come and listen to a seminar, or talk to you personally?

Jason: No shows left for this spring, the last one was at the NW Sportshow in Minneapolis the last week of March.

Juls: What do you think of the FLW dates/locations for the season? Will you be fishing any of them?

Jason: Yes, I'll be at all the FLW events this season. I like the schedule although the Championship in Moline will be a challenge. Anytime we deal with a slot tournament we all know how frustrating that can be. Otherwise, I’m really looking forward to Red Wing this year. That should be different due to the weather we've had.

Jason: I like the schedule, just wish I had the time and finances to do them all.

Juls: Since we last spoke to you, what was the most exciting thing that happened to you in that time?

Jason: I would have to say signing a sponsorship with Bone Collector. Being affiliated with Michael Waddell and the rest of the guys along with promoting their brand is pretty cool.

Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to join us Monday night, Jason. We look forward to chatting with you!