May 27, 2025
By In-Fisherman Staff
Host Thomas Allen has his son Tommy and good friend and veteran walleye pro Mark Courts sit down to talk about the current state of the industry, with a bunch of shenanigans along the way. The heart of the discussion is largely about the explosion of youth involvement in competitive fishing, and how it’s almost created a sense of entitlement at times. Courts offers advice to Tommy, and we all agree the future is bright but not without its risks. This is a fun conversation including a couple of generations and various levels of competitive fishing experience.
Truncated transcript:
00:00:05.440 --> 00:00:19.800: We're listening to In-Fisherman Storyline, North America's top voice in multi-species freshwater angling. Here is your host, Thomas Allen.
00:00:19.800 --> 00:01:01.040: Hey, folks, Thomas Allen here with In-Fisherman. And before we get started today, I wanted to pass along some exciting news as we welcome LL Bean as presenting sponsor of In-Fisherman Storyline podcast. LL Bean is an iconic brand known for its quality outdoor gear and a deeply rooted passion for everything outside. Not to mention they make a pretty mean plaid flannel shirt. Check this thing out. Awesome. This partnership will bring more great stories, expert tips, and outdoor inspiration to anglers everywhere. LL Bean, we are glad to have you a part of this. So welcome to the palatial LL Bean studios nestled atop the twin In-Fisherman towers overlooking beautiful downtown Brainerd, Minnesota. Stay right there, a new episode of In-Fisherman Storyline presented by LL Bean is coming right up.
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00:01:01.040 --> 00:01:31.920: Man, that's got a nice ring to it. So we're going to dig into another after hours conversation here. So thanks for being a part of In-Fisherman Storyline. I've got my good friend sitting across from me, Mr. Mark Courts, who is a seasoned, as we've just found out, a seasoned veteran walleye pro 27 years. Yeah, it's incredible, Thomas. I mean, as much as I say it's been a long time, and it started in this building, right? Yeah, PWT. PWT days.
00:01:31.920 --> 00:01:54.480: And In-Fisherman was a huge part of the Upper Midwest fishing. And it's truly kind of cool to come back into studio and be back in the building and doing this podcast tonight. Well, thanks for being here. We're going to dig into a little bit of your history, and especially what's made you 50 years old. Good Lord. I know. Can you believe that? No, I feel it every morning when I get up.
00:01:54.480 --> 00:02:08.120: Speaking of old guys, representing the younger generation, I brought in my protege, the spawn of my loins, my son, Tommy, Tommy Allen, the fifth young man.
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00:02:08.120 --> 00:02:16.440: That's me. That's you. You're going to contribute. I would say thank you for being here, but I'm pretty sure I made you be here. So thank you, Thomas.
00:02:16.440 --> 00:02:52.320: We're going to talk about all things in the media world, the fishing world, and where those two collide. So Mark, you and I, 27 years, I'm trying to think. It's been 15 that we've known each other. In fact, the first tournament I covered--I'll never forget this, and I don't want you to--don't let this go to your head. But I was out of place. I wasn't sure what I was doing. I thought I was going to make a living in the hunting world, was hanging drywall and putting on shingles to make the bills work and do all that.
00:02:52.320 --> 00:03:12.800: And I got an opportunity to go cover the FLW Walleye Tour back in the day. And it was the very first event I was at. I think you did an interview with me. And one of the few guys that I recall remembered my name. And you're good with people, but that was one of those moments where I thought, I kind of like this guy…
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