To Catch a Fish

Southern nature writer Harry Middleton once wrote, “Fishing is not an escape from life, but often a deeper immersion into it.” No one understands this better than Greg Yarbrough, whose boyhood passion transformed into both a career and a lifelong calling.

Yarbrough was born and raised in Gibraltar, Michigan, where the Detroit River spills into western Lake Erie. He says he grew up fishing with his grandparents — and he fell in love.

When the fishing bug bit, it bit hard, and the young boy didn’t waste any time. At age 12, he bought a 13-foot utility boat for himself, and he earned his boating safety certificate the same year.

“I fished the Detroit River canals for perch, bluegill, walleye, bass and Northern pike,” he says. “I had a real passion for fishing, and I was boating through high school.”

That didn’t end when he went off to Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant. The university’s location gave him easy access to places like the Manistee River, where he fished for salmon and steelhead, and Saginaw Bay and the Saginaw River, where he went after walleye.

Yarbrough’s focus at school was commercial and outdoor recreation, but as it turns out, his destiny did not lie with an Outward Bound-type program. Instead, he worked in the outdoor retail industry as a manager and traveled as often as he could to fishing destinations.

“My long-term goal was to be a pro angler,” he says. “I never thought I’d actually get to do it.”

The dream came true in 1999, when he joined the In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail. It was the largest organization on the world walleye circuit.

“They only selected five rookies per year out of 120 new applicants,” Yarbrough says. “I was one of them.”

Over the next 13 years, he also fished with the RCL (Ranger Crestliner Lund) Tour, the AIM (Anglers Insight Marketing) Pro Walleye Series, and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit and National Walleye Tour. He won the 2005 Grand National Walleye Cup, beating anglers from more than 30 states, and he was the 2008 Cabela’s Masters World Walleye Champion.

He became a pro in the recreational boating business as well. In 2006, he started working for Indiana-based SmokerCraft, a boat builder of freshwater fishing boats with roots going back to 1921.

Then, in 2015, he decided to take a break from pro angling.

“I had taken on new states to rep our SmokerCraft brands, so I was extremely busy,” he explains. “I also wanted to be involved with my kids’ activities.”

He says he always knew he’d get back into it, at some point. He is currently director of Team SmokerCraft. These pro staff anglers compete in dozens of events across North America each year.

Yarbrough considers himself lucky to be a longtime Great Lakes angler. For starters, the inland sweetwater seas offer a tremendous diversity of species. It’s also a place of incomparable beauty. When asked about his favorite Great Lakes destinations, Yarbrough doesn’t hesitate. He lists the hotspots that, in his view, have the most to offer.

1. Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan: “The Soo has more freshwater species than anywhere in the world,” Yarbrough remarks. “Trout, walleye, small- and largemouth bass, pike, herring, smelt, perch, bluegill, salmon — you name it. Lake Superior is so cold and deep, and then you have the warmer coastal waters.”

2. Menominee to Gladstone, Michigan: Yarbrough is a big fan of Lake Michigan’s Little Bay de Noc, as well as its big brother, Big Bay de Noc, farther to the east. He also recommends a stretch of western Green Bay coastline from Menominee in the south to Escanaba in the north.

3. Door County, Wisconsin: “Oh my gosh, it’s just beautiful,” Yarbrough says. “And Green Bay is phenomenal for fishing, from Sturgeon Bay to Oconto. It’s full of walleye, musky and smallmouth bass.”

These target-rich waters are also known for perch, trout, salmon and whitefish.

4. Manistee to Ludington, Michigan: Along a roughly 30-mile stretch of coastline from Ludington north to Manistee, you’ll find Ludington State Park Beach. You’ll also be in the same beloved Lake Michigan waters where a young college-age Yarbrough chased his angling dreams years ago.

5. Rogers City to Alpena to Au Gres, Michigan: This section of Lake Huron’s western shore provides superb access to salmon, trout, walleye and smallmouth bass.

6. Port Clinton, Ohio: The Lake Erie Shores & Islands are Yarbrough’s backyard now. He makes his home on Catawba Island.

“This is the No. 1 walleye fishery in the world, and anglers come from all over the world,” he says. With a chuckle, he adds, “A 20-foot, 600-pound walleye named Wylie the Walleye drops on New Year’s Eve. You can’t see that anywhere else.”

7. Lewiston, New York: The Niagara River pours into Lake Ontario approximately 7 miles north of this river town. Offshore, you will find the Niagara Bar, a 5-mile sandbar that varies in depth from 15 to 80 feet. On the other side is a 150-foot drop-off.

“Here, too, you’ll find incredible diversity,” Yarbrough says. “You name it, you’ll find it — trout, salmon, walleye, anything you want.”

After an impressive career in pro angling and a lifetime as an enthusiast, Yarbrough says he enjoys bringing his expertise to his SmokerCraft job every day.

“I focus on fishing, since it’s my specialty,” he says. “Sixty-five or 70% of our customers are interested in fishing, whether they’re just considering it or they already think of themselves as anglers. The remainder are looking for a family style fishing and watersports combo. I want to help.”

What if you have a brand-new or new-to-you boat and no angling experience? Or what if you have some experience but you’re in unfamiliar waters?

“People have resources now that we didn’t have years ago,” Yarbrough observes. “Information is so accessible through YouTube, fishing websites and social media groups. When you do your research, you can ask questions and ask for recommendations.”

Yarbrough also advises seeking out local experts by phone or in person, because nothing beats a one-on-one conversation.

“Visit the local bait shop, and get the local scoop,” he says. “You also can check with a local marina.”

Booking a fishing charter is another way to get a feel for Great Lakes angling. Plus, you’ll gain hands-on experience with a seasoned charter captain.

“That’s important for your own comfort level, and it’s also a reminder that our Great Lakes are not the same as our inland lakes and rivers,” Yarbrough says. “This is big water.”

After a pause, he adds, “It’s like fishing in heaven.”

For fishing guidance and resources, visit TAKEMEFISHING.ORG. ★

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