Evergreen Outfitting

Owner/Operator - Multi Species Guide

Royalton, MN

After my years of service in the Marine Corps I really needing to find something I enjoyed spending my free time on. I bought a boat and started to enjoy fishing on a deeper level, mainly for bass, muskie and trout. I was never a fan of anything winter until I discovered sight fishing for trout through the ice.  Its a must try! Now fishing is my favorite pastime, if you ask my family or friends they would say I cannot travel anywhere without a fishing rod, whereas I do not see a problem with that at all! I have gotten to fish for, and catch many different species around the world with little more than a collapsible back pack rod and whatever I can scrounge as bait. This has given me some great memories catching Bonefish, Spiney Dogfish Shark, Cownose Stingray, Rooster Fish, Yellowfin and Albacore Tuna, Yellow Jack, Muskie, Catfish and many types of Trout.   

Our main goal of starting this adventure was to share our love and passion of the outdoors; and hopefully some knowledge. I (Ben) grew up in Waite Park, MN between the Sauk River and Quarry Park Nature Preserve. I fished them heavily for trout and bass during my teen years. The Platte River has always been another favorite of mine since high school for smallmouth bass. Now that my family lives on the Platte River I hope to share that "Tom Sawyer" feeling while you enjoy a peaceful river experience.

Overall Evergreen Outfitting is a way I can share some of my knowledge while getting to do something I love. Being able to see the excitement in a young kids face when they catch their first fish, or any fish is an unexplainable feeling. Even as adults we still harbor that same excitement whether its catching a new personal best or learning a new trick of the trade. Teaching a person to fish is a gift that last a lifetime and I am fortunate to be able to share in that excitement.

While Guiding

When you fish with me, you are guaranteed to get one of the most professional, courteous and knowledgeable sight fishing guides in the industry. I absolutely love my job and I enjoy meeting new people and sharing everything I have learned through years of being on the water and woods.  I have heard horror stories of people booking with a guide and getting yelled at or belittled for not doing something right. That is the last thing you can expect when you book with me. This is supposed to be a fun, relaxing and educational experience. I have the patience and will take the time to work with you to make you a more well-rounded angler. One thing I can guarantee is that I will work hard for you from the time you step on the ice or my boat until the very last cast. I look forward to fishing with you!

Fisheries Biologist and Instructional Guide

Rice, MN - Originally from Connecticut.

As my mother used to tell stories to folks, I pretended to fish with a stick I found, at the

young age of 1 ½ at the edge of a pond at Mystic Seaport. Both of my parents emigrated

from Germany in the early 1960’s and nobody in their families had ever fished or hunted.

Apparently, it is truly in my blood. I explored creeks and learned to fish in the ocean and

inland waters of CT as a young boy and developed an interest in studying fish more in

depth. I found out about Fisheries Biology in 7th grade. With my desire for fishing driving

my work ethic, I had my own lawn cutting business and paper route by age 12, which

paid for my life membership to Bass Anglers Sportman’s Society (B.A.S.S.) and my first

boat! While only a 12 foot jon boat, it did get me out bass fishing and developed my

interest in learning more about fishing in general. I made a life decision due to love of

fishing, to become a fisheries biologist.

I attended Colorado State University 1986-1990 Achieved BS Fisheries Management.

During that time I had acquired my second boat, a center console Ski-Barge that I

retrofitted as a bass boat. I managed to sell this and acquired my first real bass boat a 16’

Monarch McFast with a 115 Hp Mercury. I had various jobs to help pay for school,

expenses and of course, fishing! I did work for the Colorado Division of Wildlife 1989-

1992 and then for Texas Parks and Wildlife 1993-1998. My time in TX was a learning

lesson in a different style of bass fishing in drought stricken, boom and bust reservoirs. I

received a Master’s in Biology through Texas A&M at that time and have worked and

lived in MN since 1998.

I have a son (Braden) who also loves to fish and at age 27 is trying to get into the

fisheries field as well. I am fortunate to have a beautiful wife (Becky) and three

stepchildren (Kelsey, Kaitly and Cameron).

I truly love Fishing, Bowhunting, banging on the strings of a dobro and playing hockey. I

have fished the Mississippi River and other rivers across the Midwest since moving here

26 years ago. There is nothing like the peace and solitude of river fishing in MN!