Hi, my name is Justin Chromy. I grew up in New Prague, MN. I was first introduced to the great sport of fishing when I was 6 years old on Fall Lake by Ely. I remember rolling out of bed at 5am, knowing something exciting was about to happen. My dad, brothers, and I caught our limit of walleyes in just over an hour and I was hooked! This was the start of a fiery passion that would drive my life. From that point on, I was no longer a normal kid. I would look forward to Fall Lake trips more than I looked forward to holidays. The opportunity to fish was not always there, but I took every chance that I could get on the water. Whether it was getting rides to Cedar Lake, annual trips to my uncle's cabin by Alexandria, MN or adventures to Rainy Lake in Voyageurs National Park, fishing was always my first choice. When I was in high school, my driver’s license meant one thing…unlimited ice fishing! While there certainly were limits, I was able to get out and grow as an ice fisherman. I purchased my first boat at 18 years old and that’s when the “reel” addiction truly began.
I went to college at a Tech School in Ely, Minnesota; I think I probably learned more about the area lakes than my college major, Land Surveying. My favorite lakes in that area were Vermilion and Basswood, although there were quick trips to lakes closer to campus. I finished my four-year-degree at St. Cloud State, started a career, and knew my heart wasn’t in it. I was racking up debt traveling to my old fishing haunts, when I began listening to personal growth podcasts. I knew I wanted to live intentionally in order to accomplish my long-term goals. In two years, I paid off over 60k in debt, bought myself a house, and bought my boat (Ranger 618t) and snowmobiles (Arctic Cat ZR580s). I quit traveling for my job and started guiding on the side, but I never lost my work ethic or my passion for fishing. My habit of working all the time generated quite a bit of momentum, and my guide service (All-American Fishing Guide) grew at a steady rate. When I was approached by Jason Freed about joining Leisure Outdoor Adventures on Lake Vermilion, I was absolutely thrilled for the opportunity!
I will be guiding full-time on Lake Vermilion during the summer months and running my ice guiding business (All-American Fishing Guide) during the winter. I run portable houses with snowmobiles in order to stay mobile, versatile, and on top of the best bites Northern Minnesota has to offer. My goal is to begin doing spring sturgeon trips on the Rainy River during the spring of 2024. I am very excited to be working alongside some of the best in the business, learning from each other, and being on one of the most scenic waters in Minnesota. I assure you that whatever I lack in experience, I will make up for in grit, work ethic, and the passion and desire to provide you with memories that will last a lifetime! For more area information visit the Lake Vermilion Tourism Bureau site.
FAVORITE FISHING MEMORY:
Made a solo trip to Lake of the Woods while I was contemplating my home buying decision in February, 2020. I caught a 30.5” 12 pound walleye that was pinned under the ice with his tail sticking up. In 40” of ice, I stuck my arm down the hole, grabbed the fish by the tail, and pulled it backwards. I was not letting that thing pop off! I am thankful for a neighboring fisherman who recorded the whole experience for me.
FAVORITE GUIDE STORY:
In high school, fishing in a 14 foot boat with a 15hp motor, I guided my brother to his personal best walleye at 28” on a small lake by Faribault, Minnesota. At the time, his catch was bigger than my best walleye. It took some humility to be happy for him!
