COMPANY HISTORY

      In summer, 1987, while wading the Delaware River, I latched on to my first river smallie. That 10-inch fish hooked ME for a lifetime!  Since then, I've been captivated by the majestic leaps, powerful runs, tail dances, and, at times, shear stubbornness of these awesome creatures.

      After graduating from high school, I began working full time in the medical field, where I spent 13 years, the final 3 years as an Ophthalmic assistant.  I wasn't happy.  In 1999, I cashed in my retirement account to follow my dream, and then started The Backwoods Angler in November, 2000.  I spent most of that winter learning how to be in business.  I purchased my first jet boat. I had done much of my prior fishing on Eastern PA trout streams, as well as the Upper Delaware River chasing trout.  I had experience fishing for smallmouth on the Middle Delaware and the Susquehanna.   As Spring took hold, I found myself on the Susquehanna River, studying.  I fished and learned.  I knew the opportunities the Susky offered.  As summer came, I began fishing on the Delaware River.  I had caught a lot of smallmouth from her waters, but never in the numbers and quality of that summer.  This river is a fabulous fishery and its beauty is unmatched .  I was limited before without the jet boat. 

     About that time, Tom Fegely, the outdoor journalist for The Morning Call Newspaper, fished with me.  The article that ensued started the trend more toward the Big D.  I received a great response from his article.  I continued booking clients through October and into November.  Repeat business began to show up and my business more than doubled.  As the weather turned cold and wintry, I learned that the Delaware offers 12 months of bass fishing. 

     I began 2001 fishing the Susquehanna with good success noted from clients.  My heart was on the Delaware River much of the time.  It was about then that I knew I would make my livelihood fishing for smallmouth bass on the Big D, with other waters supplementing my business.  I also began doing speaking engagements on Delaware River smallmouth bass fishing.  I did my first season of winter outdoor shows in 2002, and continued my "schooling" throughout the season.  Today, I spend close to 200 days on the water per year, with 98% of that time on the Delaware River.  My heart is content.  And, as you can see from the home page and photo gallery, the love of Delaware River smallies runs in the family!

     My first book, "The Delaware River Smallmouth Bass Fishing Handbook",  was published in December, 2003  I also began studying the Schuylkill River during the 2003 season.  

     June, 2004, I began running trips from an Odyssey Custom River Rave Jet Boat.  This 17-foot fully equipped boat navigates in as little as 4 inches of water and offers plenty of room for clients to fish comfortably.  During the fall of '04, I began writing for the Reading Eagle Newspaper and was offered the position of fishing editor for the new outdoor publication, THE OUTDOOR ADVENTURER.  February 2007, I began working with Dave Harbison, owner of Brush Hawg Bait and Tackle.  They offer some of the finest products around, including B & R Outlaw Rods, Ocean Waves Polarized sunglasses and their own line of excellent custom hard baits and jigs.

     Chris Gorsuch has joined BWA this season and will guide my overflow Main Stem/North Branch Susquehanna River trips.  We are also offering 4-hour Kayak floats on the Lehigh River during the warm weather months.  See his bio information on the Rivers/Rates page.  The Backwoods Angler now offers clients to quality smallmouth bass fishing on all of Eastern PA's finest rivers.  

     Guiding is my livelihood, and my daily goal is to serve and help my clients become better anglers.  I genuinely enjoy watching others do battle with these bronze beauties!  I will strive to put my clients in position to catch quality smallmouth.  And, I have made a bunch of friends along the way.  God Bless!

Blaine

Blaine Mengel holds a 22-inch trophy Delaware River bronzeback.  Beckah and Sarah (right) and Beckah's first largemouth.