Media and Guests Experience Lake of the Woods Treasures at AGLOW Conference

It was a long time in the planning.  This past week the Annual Conference of the Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers (AGLOW) took place at Lake of the Woods.  In total, about 160 outdoor media, outdoor company and association representatives, tourism professionals and hunting and fishing experts converged on The Walleye Capital of the World.

The conference was based out of Sportsman’s Lodge.  Gregg and Diana Hennum and their team did a wonderful job hosting numerous meals, seminars, larger events and outdoor activities. Sportsman’s Lodge is one of the largest resorts on Lake of the Woods and has worked with groups in excess of 300.  The experience showed.

In addition to Sportman’s Lodge, guests stayed at a variety of resorts and hotels throughout the area.  The conference provided the opportunity to take advantage of learn it seminars, fishing and hunting activities, shooting day, wonderful meals and networking opportunities.

Seminars touched on everything from social media and digital media and video strategies to MN wolves, the rise of the lake sturgeon, on the water duck hunting techniques and habitat management and overall duck data as a whole and self publishing your own book.

One day, appropriately called “Shooting Day” was at the Warroad Lost River Sportsman’s Complex.  Attendees had the opportunity to try out a variety of guns including handguns, shotguns and AR’s.  A variety of gun and ammunition companies were represented and tested.  The latest in bows and crossbows were also available.

AGLOW attendees hunted ducks, geese and grouse throughout the week with good success.  Chris Jennings with Ducks Unlimited actually did a video from the field while goose hunting that really takes you into the hunt!  Goose hunters were also guided by area guides donating their time to show off the wonderful natural resources in the area. 

Duck hunters were guided, and some did self hunts.  Ducks were found both in backwaters of the Rainy River, Four Mile Bay and other strategic spots along the south shore of the lake.  A variety of species were harvested along with geese which seem to be everywhere.

Members of the Lake of the Woods Ruffed Grouse Society showed hunters a variety of habitat and trails throughout the area, primarily in Beltrami Island State Forest.  A good number of birds were seen and depending upon how good of a shot, some harvested.  Lake of the Wood is home to hundreds of thousands of public hunting land.  Much of the land has a variety of dirt roads, walking trails and ATV/UTV trails.  The local Ruffed Grouse Society works very hard creating, clearing, and marking trails for grouse hunters and others to enjoy this natural resource.

And of course, there was fishing.  The two species targeted during the week were walleyes and sturgeon.  The fishing was excellent.  Anglers from out of the area marveled at how many walleyes were caught in half day trips.  Currently, walleyes are staged in front of the gap at the mouth of the Rainy River and are also in the river as the annual run of emerald shiners has begun. 

There were good numbers of guests who wanted to try their luck at sturgeon fishing as it was something most bodies of water do not offer.  It seemed the sturgeon were on fire and boats caught good numbers of the prehistoric fish, some measuring over 60″.  One sturgeon being caught was caught on video and let’s just say, the process of netting this good sized sturgeon with a walleye net was exciting, not to mention, the net didn’t make it!

An important part of a conference like this in the networking.  Meals and hosted hospitality nights provided many opportunities for outdoor professionals to build or rekindle friendships.   AGLOW is a welcoming group and this conference is looked highly upon each year by professionals in the outdoors.

One of the meals was called the Ram Trucks Evening Away.  It took place under a big tent on the shores of Baudette Bay in Willie Walleye Park in the City of Baudette.  Although the rain was coming down this particular evening, everyone was cozy inside enjoying delicious appetizers and meals catered by Border View Lodge and enjoying their favorite beverage catered by the City of Baudette’s own Muni on Main.  Many participated to make this evening a great success including volunteers from the local chapter of Whitetails Unlimited.

AGLOW is a very professionally run organization who brings together people who work in and do media dealing with the outdoors.  The Executive Director of AGLOW is Mark Smith.  Mark (with assistance from his wife Lori) do a wonderful job of leading the outdoor organization which was founded in 1956. Their leadership and organizational skills combined with their deep understanding of the industry helped to create a wonderful conference.

AGLOW has grown to over 400 members that comprise a dynamic organization of writers, editors, publishers, broadcasters, authors, lecturers, photographers, artists, electronic media specialists, bloggers, outdoors industry representatives, and tourism professionals, working together to promote the conservation and responsible use of our outdoor resources. It encourages it’s members who are outdoor communicators to educate and inform the masses through the written and spoken word, while continuing the traditions and ideals established by it’s founders.

It was a wonderful week with a wide variety of talented outdoor folks converging on The Walleye Capital of the World.  A big “Thank You” to all who participated in any way, shape or form of the 2017 AGLOW Annual Conference, it was definitely one to remember!

 

To learn more about Lake of the Woods, check out the Lake of the Woods Tourism website.

To find a guide, charter boat or lodging, check out our lodging page.