Meet the Staff
Many people work hard to help make Walleye 101 a continuing success. Please take a few minutes to get to know the folks who make Walleye 101 possible and be sure to say hello if you see us on the water this season!
Lance Valentine: Lance started Walleye101 with a single seminar in 1998 and has watched dream after dream come true in the past years. His fishing career began as a stream trout fisherman on Michigan's famed Au Sable River but the lure of bigger fish sent Lance to the lake in search of bass and walleye. Lance cut his teeth on walleye in small inland lakes and the Saginaw River until starting to fish tournaments in 1998. Since then Lance has fished on the Professional Walleye Trail, Michigan Walleye Tour, FLW League, GNWC and the RCL (currently the FLW Tour). Season ending championship appearances were the norm and Lance still holds the all time big fish record on the Michigan Walleye Tour (12.73 lbs). Giving up tournament fishing after the 2004 season has allowed Lance to concentrate on his true passion-helping others catch fish. In the past few years Lance has become a Coast Guard licensed charter captain and his trips emphasize education with anglers actually "working" by setting lines, choosing lures, reading sonar, using GPS and all the other skills needed to be a better angler. Lance's "Trophy Hunts" allow anglers to learn new techniques and/or bodies of water from their own boat in a group teaching environment. The Walleye 101 seminar series that Lance teaches in the winter has expanded to 7-weeks at 4 different venues and 2008 will be even bigger. Considered by many to be an expert in marine electronics, Lance hosts several GPS "Button Pushing" classes each season. Currently Lance is working on ways to increase the number of anglers Walleye 101 reaches with new educational materials including companion books for his seminars, seminar DVD's and on the water instructional DVD's as well as custom designed products for the walleye angler.
Mark Van Kampen: Hailing from the Lansing area Mark began attending Walleye101 seminars in 2000 and since that time has become Lance's right hand man. A great fisherman on all bodies of water, Mark is especially good at paying attention to the little details and is one of the best spinner fishermen on the water. Mark has spent some time tournament fishing in both small local tournaments and in national events such as the GNWC and FLW League. Along with helping at the Trophy Hunts, Mark is also a fixture in the Walleye 101 booth at most fishing shows. A tireless worker behind the scenes, often doing the jobs nobody else will, all who have attended a Trophy Hunt owe Mark a quick word of thanks for his efforts!
Jim and Ken Broadwater: Affectionately know as the "Killer B's", these 2 brothers began attending Walleye101 seminars only a few years ago. Starting the classes as near novices to walleye fishing, their growth in the sport has been a joy to watch. Now an integral part of the Walleye 101 staff, Jim and Ken are responsible for all the pictures and video taken at the Trophy Hunts and for the pictures and DVD each Trophy Hunt attendee receives. Jim and Ken also film, edit, produce and distribute all of the Walleye 101 seminar and instructional DVDs.