ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER, PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, Wis. -- An eagle flies over the Big Muddy Thursday afternoon, which according to many an angler, is a majestic symbol of good fortune forthcoming.
"I always think it's a good omen if you see an eagle," Wells Kaiser says.
Apparently. Eight minutes in to this practice ride, Kaiser reels in his first hook. Kaiser knows he has a money fish before it leaves the water. It has the feel of a winner.
Four seconds later, Kaiser unhooks a three-pound bass perfectly sized for competition.
"(The bass) proves us right (about the eagle) so far," he says.
The 17-year-old aspiring pro doesn't have much need for luck. Kaiser is just a senior at Cuba City High School who can't even vote yet. But Kaiser has been holding his own against award-winning veteran anglers for years. He spends up to eight hours a day six days a week on the water in his family's boat, a 2003 Stratos 200 XL nicknamed the Red Bullet. Here on the Mississippi on the border waters of Iowa and Wisconsin, Kaiser investigates backwater
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The work is demanding. In essence, it's a full-time summer job. But Kaiser knows its necessary prep work for his long-term dream: Earning a spot on the Bassmasters pro tour.
Entering this weekend, Kaiser is 43rd in the Midwest Region's District 17 (Wisconsin/Minnesota) on the American Bass Anglers Bassmaster Weekend Series standings. He's dueling some of the Midwest's best amateur anglers, including Galena, Ill.'s Mike Feldermann, who is running second only to La Crosse's Jimmy Johnson. Prairie du Chien's Jeff Ritter is fishing 25th on the tour.
The prize for the overall ABABWS champion: A spot in the 2010 Bassmasters Classic. So far, the kid's staying afloat. Companies have seen the potential of the five-time youth state champion. Kaiser has sponsorship deals with seven companies including Xtreme Bass Tackle and Falcon Rods.
"It's tough sometimes going against guys who have been in the water for 40 years," Kaiser said.
Here comes another hook, this one has a lousy feel. Kaiser knows instantly this one's a throwback: a northern pike.
"We don't want these fish," Kaiser says. "They're slimy. They stink. They're definitely ugly."
Kaiser's instincts tell him this location will be a prime hunting ground this weekend when the tour heads to his home waters in Prairie du Chien. Friday night's cold front will impact fish migration and travel patterns and could turn a hot zone today cold come Saturday.
Kaiser will follow the first rule of fishing and trust his gut. His instincts are right: Wells finishes 24th out of 106 anglers Saturday. The finish helps his division standing.
"You have to think like a fish. A lot of it is confidence," he said. About 50 percent of fishing is confidence."
Having found a couple bass to mark the spot, Wells guns the boat in another direction at 60 mph.
There's another area to search and more fish a calling.
