Spencer Deutz, Making a Difference
Category: npaa
Apr 3rd, 2014 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Apr 3rd, 2014 at 12:00 AM
Gaining Pro Ranks is a Marathon, not a Sprint!
Author’s Note: The status of the walleye tournament world will be explored throughout this series. Industry leaders, observers, participants (past and present), sponsors, professional and amateur anglers, host communities, marine and tackle manufacturers, and tournament organizers will share their wisdom and insights.
Part 18 is about a young pro who revised his personal life goals regarding professional fishing and is working diligently to bring more young people into the fishing ranks. Spencer Deutz is committed, and said, “I am doing all in my power to get kids involved, trying to grow the sport and selling products.”
At age 26, he knows how his generation thinks, and said, “They want to start at the top. That won’t happen. I preach hard work and the basics.” Originally, when he fished his first few PWT tournaments as an amateur back in 2006, he wanted to become a full-time pro. “Yeah, I know it’s rare, but knew if I didn’t work at it, it would never happen,” he said. Quickly, he realized it wasn’t just about catching fish so he watched the big guys do promotions, in-stores, seminars, special fishing trips, appearances far and wide, working with sponsors, and on the go 12 months of the year.
Spencer listened when in the boats with the pros, and at the National Professional Anglers Association meetings. Pro Pete Harsh advised him to get a good job before anything else. “I did, and am an orthotist at the Fargo hospital. I make orthopedic devices for patients, and this gives me the ability to pursue my dream. Making it to a full-time pro is not completely out of the question,” he said.
He credited pro anglers Bob Propst Jr., and Pat Neu for their willingness to answer questions and offer advice whenever he asked. “I wouldn’t be doing it today if not for them,” he said. He keeps in touch with the pros he meets, and has found networking at the NPAA annual conferences to be the best place to rub elbows with the right people.
Admitting he has been making progress, perhaps a bit slower than he wanted, he adjusted his goals to bringing the fishing game to as many people as possible. He attended a few F-M Walleye Club meetings (he lives in Morehead, MN) and got to know the members and leaders, and currently sits on the club’s board and is the Youth Education Coordinator.
Titles are grand, but only if the title-holder takes action and Spencer has. The club conducts nearly a dozen youth events annually starting the season by explaining why fishing is fun to 500 kids at the Cullen’s Children Foundation fund-raiser. A YMCA ice event teaches kids in a virtual tournament setting. The club cooperates with the Fargo parks department to host an event on the river. “It’s important to give kids a chance to catch fish, especially if their parents don’t fish,” he emphasized. He also is the lead at the MWC tournaments he fishes for the NPAA Future Anglers Foundation. Teaching kids how to ID fish, tie knots, cast, know about invasive species and inspiring the next generation thrills Spencer and his assistants.
“My dad and I fish local events in the Fargo area, the AYA, some casino events and at Devils Lake. “At our first MWC tournament we notched a second place finish. The next season produced a third, a seventh and a 12th. That’s when I realized we could compete. What this trip to the eventual pro ranks is for me is an every-year grind where I gain more knowledge. This is a marathon, not a sprint,” he said.
Sadly, he recognized that not many people his age want this. “Who will Korey Sprengel (one of the young guns, also 26) and me compete against in 20 years if no young anglers are joining the pro ranks?” he questioned. He will continue trying to recruit anglers, but knows money and time are critical issues for potential young pros. Fortunately, he credits several local and national companies for allowing him to stay in the game. They are Ray’s Sport and Marine, local auto dealer Luther Family Buick GMC, barrelsup.com (a hunting and fishing website), Pure Fishing brands, Cullen Insulation, Ranger and Yamaha (which he met while at a NPAA conference), Off-Shore tackle, Northland and Optima batteries.
“I’m on the water 75 to 100 days a year, sometimes trying to learn more, often at tournaments, and with youngsters,” he said. His website is deutzfishing.com, and the email is [email protected].
Courtesy of OutdoorsFIRST Media