Regional Ambassador Team
The Bending Branches Regional Ambassador team consists of the biggest up-and-comers in all of kayak fishing. All members have three things in common: they catch big fish often, they know what they’re talking about, and they use the finest paddles in the world. Our regional team is one small step below our national team, but just as hungry and important.
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Bill Sikora
Hometown: Deerfield Beach, FL
Kayak Fishing
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Bill Sikora
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Brad Hicks
Hometown: Kettering, OH
Kayak Fishing
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Brad Hicks
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Cameron Smith
Hometown: TX, USA
Kayak Fishing
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Cameron Smith
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Casey Ryan
Hometown: Ottawa, Ontario
Kayak Fishing
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Casey Ryan
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Chris Arnold
Hometown: Kentville, Nova Scotia
Kayak Fishing
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Chris Arnold
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Christian Gervais
Hometown: QC, CAN
Kayak Fishing
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Christian Gervais
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Colton Hutchison
Hometown: Karns City, PA
Kayak Fishing
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Colton Hutchison
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Devin Sijan
Hometown: Savage, MN
Kayak Fishing
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After almost a decade break from fishing to attend college, get married & start a career in information technology, I found a new passion in fishing from a kayak. As a member of the Minnesota Kayak Fishing Association, I regularly participate in group fishing outings, clinics & tournaments in and around the Minneapolis metro area.
Accomplishments/Experience
Minnesota Kayak Fishing Association Member
2018 Big Toothy Team Tournament Champion Angler Pro Carbon Plus Local lakes and rivers Lake Erie https://www.instagram.com/mn_kayak_angler/
Devin Sijan
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Jeff Jones
Hometown: Mobile, AL
Kayak Fishing + SUP Fishing
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Jeff Jones
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Jim Ware
Hometown: Rome, GA
Kayak Fishing
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10 years ago something magical happened, I fished out of a kayak and I knew that it would be my passion. Since then I have chased fish in saltwater, lakes and rivers...The more remote the better and these fish were my ticket for adventure. The past three years I have stepped into tournament bass fishing and this has introduced me to an entirely different aspect that our sport offers. Before, I was doing most of my fishing solo or with a few select friends but the competition world has introduced me to some of the most passionate, skilled and genuine kayak anglers on the planet. This brotherhood has been a welcome experience.
Accomplishments/Experience
Three Rivers Kayak Bass Fishing Tournament- 1st place
N. GA Reservoir Dogs Rocky Mtn PFA tourney -1st Place
River Bassin Cartersville GA- 3rd place and Big Fish
Competed in KBF Opens @ Ky Lake, Paris TN and Toledo Bend TX
2 time KBF National Championship qualifier
Co-founder of Peach State Kayak Anglers
Sponsors:
Jackson Kayak Fishing Team
Bending Branches Ambassador
iRod Fishing
Picasso Lures
Ardent Outdoors
Strike King VIP program Jimbo Angler Pro Santa Fe River, FL Wherever there are fish https://www.instagram.com/rivergoatkayak/ https://www.facebook.com/jim.ware.169
Jim Ware
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Josiah Pleasant
Hometown: Juneau, Alaska
Kayak Fishing
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Josiah Pleasant
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JR Rowlands
Hometown: Winlock, WA
Kayak Fishing
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JR Rowlands
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Juan Gomez
Hometown: Chatfield, MN
Kayak Fishing
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Accomplishments/Experience
- Owner/Founder of Reel Midwest Fishing
- ProStaff Team Member for JB's Fish Sauce, Cold Snap Outdoors, PowerTeam Lures, and Omnia Fishing
- KBF and Yak Bassin member and tournament angler Angler Pro Mississippi Backwaters - Pool 4 South Central Minnesota https://www.instagram.com/jgomez103/
Juan Gomez
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Justin Floyd
Hometown: Greenville, SC
Kayak Fishing
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This truly sparked my interest because I had just recently purchased my first fishing kayak and was hooked on the sport. I accepted this position in January of 2016 and spent the next two years commuting from Georgia to Greenville to work at Confluence. One hundred and sixty miles round trip every day. I put nearly 50,000 miles on my jeep within a year. On my first day of work, I took a tour of the facility and was given a brief rundown of the entire manufacturing process. I was mesmerized by the insanely huge roto-molding ovens. I didn't know it at the time, but one of those ovens would eventually become my baby and I would be responsible for the production of nearly 100 kayaks per day.
After spending only 1 week wrapping boats, I was transferred to the molding department. I spent the next 3 months working as a molder before being promoted to senior molder. As a senior molder, I managed molding operations on the production floor, inspected molds to insure they were free from defects, prepared and replaced mold changes for production, maintained quality standards, and trained/organized molders for maximized production. After filling my position of senior molder, I transitioned into a title of Mold Trainer where I would be responsible for training all incoming employees on the proper molding techniques and skills.
In October of 2017, I heard about a new company in the Greenville area called "Bonafide Kayaks" that was set to start up in the near future. Immediately, I was interested in joining the team that was ultimately orchestrated by Luther Cifers (mastermind behind YakAttack) and knew that I had to get my foot in the door. With Bonafide being a startup company, I was one of the first employees hired and the company officially launched on November 20, 2017. From then, I helped to establish molding operations and production processes that would eventually lead to getting quality, American-made kayaks shipped out across the country. In November of 2019 Bonafide was acquired by BIG Adventures LLC located in Fletcher, NC. BIG also manufactures Native Watercraft and Liquidlogic Kayaks. Currently, I am working in Marketing and Product Development for all three brands.
Accomplishments/Experience
Kayak enthusiast with a demonstrated history of working in the kayak manufacturing industry. Angler Navigator Plus Key West Below the Hartwell Dam on the Savannah River https://www.instagram.com/kayak_plug/ https://www.facebook.com/justin.floyd.319
Justin Floyd
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Marty Hughes
Hometown: Auburn, Nebraska
Kayak Fishing
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A pioneer in the kayak fishing community, my kayak fishing enthusiasm has spilled over to hundreds of clients I've hosted with my Kayakjak's Outfitters service over the years. There is nothing like witnessing the excitement of someone catching a fish from the kayak for the first time! Angler Pro Rock Creek Lake, Nebraska https://www.instagram.com/kyakjak/ https://www.facebook.com/kayakjakoutfitters https://www.youtube.com/user/kyakjak https://kayakjak.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@kayakjak
Marty Hughes
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Matt Charette
Hometown: Acworth, GA
Kayak Fishing
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Matt Charette
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Mike Schmitz
Hometown: Nashville, TN
Kayak Fishing
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I fish several kayak bass tournament trails as well as the Paralyzed Veterans of America Bass Tour. In addition to fishing, I run a disabled kayaking enthusiasts group on Facebook where information regarding the sport for disabled paddlers is shared. I also hosts several clinics throughout the year where individuals with disabilities are introduced to the sport of kayaking, whether it be for the first time or after a traumatic injury.
Team Affiliations: NuCanoe National Team Advisor, Bending Branches Ambassador, Neverlost Gear and Yak Gadget Angler Pro Cumberland River Lakes and rivers of middle Tennessee https://www.instagram.com/jagermiker/ https://youtu.be/CA7seYYg0c4
Mike Schmitz
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Moo Lee
Hometown: Sacramento, CA
Kayak Fishing
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I mainly fished out of pedal drive kayaks in the first few years of kayak fishing but now I mostly fish out of paddle kayaks. I feel more connected to the water when I'm paddling. I enjoy the intimacy with the water and I love how I become one with the kayak with a paddle in my hands.
I became a well known kayak fishing angler and kayak fishing safety advocate in Northern California through YouTube and a long member of Northern California Angler forum. MooMoo Angler Navigator Pacific Ocean https://www.instagram.com/moomoo_outdoors/ https://www.facebook.com/moomoooutdoors/ http://youtube.com/moomoooutdoors
Moo Lee
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Peter Yeung
Hometown: Canada
Kayak Fishing
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Peter Yeung
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Reese Melven
Hometown: Chapin, SC
Kayak Fishing
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Reese Melven
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Robert Brown
Hometown: AL, USA
Kayak Fishing
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Robert Brown
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Rudy Yarworth
Hometown: MD, USA
Kayak Fishing
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Rudy Yarworth
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Stephen Hrynewycz
Hometown: Goshen, IN
Kayak Fishing
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I fish for just about anything that swims in the local waters. My personal bests include a 6.5lbs largemouth bass, a 7lbs. smallmouth bass, a 48 inch muskellunge, a 42 inch northern pike, a 17 inch crappie, a 25lbs. carp, a 10lbs. dogfish, and a 4lbs. brown trout. As you can see I fish for anything but, my favorite is smallmouth bass. I have fished local tournaments and over the years have won many. But my biggest thrill now is to teach youngsters to fish and to guide people to the biggest fish of their lives. My favorite Bending Branches paddle is the Angler Pro. Angler Pro Keweenaw Peninsula https://www.instagram.com/hrynewycz/ https://www.facebook.com/FluidFun/
Stephen Hrynewycz
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Tanner Speidel
Hometown: IA, USA
Kayak Fishing
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Tanner Speidel
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Tyler Thiede
Hometown: WI, USA
Kayak Fishing
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Tyler Thiede
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Terrell Hester
Hometown: CA, USA
Kayak Fishing
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