Bob Jensen
09-07-2001, 11:27 AM
Tom Kollings, long-time outdoor writer for the Des Moines Register in Des Moines, Iowa, announced this week that he will no longer be writing for the Register. Kollings articles had been appearing in the paper one or two times a month for the past couple of years. Prior to that, Kollings articles appeared at least once a week in the Register.
On a personal note: I've shared a boat and an ice-shelter with Tom on a number of occasions throughout the years. Even when the fish aren't as active as we would have liked, Tom has always been a real pleasure to be around. He sincerely enjoys his fishing and hunting. Writing about his fishing and hunting trips is not a job for Tom, it's a passion.
In today's world, there are more than a few "outdoor writers" who really don't like being outside very much. In fact, many of them would rather do their interviews with outdoor personalities over the phone. Not Kollings. His interviews take place in the field or on the water.
Kollings integrity was/is beyond reproach. If he said a product was a good one, you could bet it was a good one. If he said a certain body of water was hot, you would know that you had better get there soon.
Tom has shared a boat with many of the big names in the fishing world. Most outdoor writers can talk their way into a fishing trip with a well-known outdoor writer once, but many of them don't get to go again. Tom has always been invited back for another trip. He's a great angler and, more importantly, a great guy.
I'm looking forward to sharing the boat with Kollings again soon. Next time it won't be business, but it never really was anyway. It was always just a chance to spend some time with a good guy.
All of us at Fishing the Midwest wish Tom the best. We also wish Good Luck to all the fish and wildlife in the Des Moines area. With Kollings hunting and fishing full-time now, they're going to need it.
Happy Trails Tom.
Best Fishes,
Bob Jensen
On a personal note: I've shared a boat and an ice-shelter with Tom on a number of occasions throughout the years. Even when the fish aren't as active as we would have liked, Tom has always been a real pleasure to be around. He sincerely enjoys his fishing and hunting. Writing about his fishing and hunting trips is not a job for Tom, it's a passion.
In today's world, there are more than a few "outdoor writers" who really don't like being outside very much. In fact, many of them would rather do their interviews with outdoor personalities over the phone. Not Kollings. His interviews take place in the field or on the water.
Kollings integrity was/is beyond reproach. If he said a product was a good one, you could bet it was a good one. If he said a certain body of water was hot, you would know that you had better get there soon.
Tom has shared a boat with many of the big names in the fishing world. Most outdoor writers can talk their way into a fishing trip with a well-known outdoor writer once, but many of them don't get to go again. Tom has always been invited back for another trip. He's a great angler and, more importantly, a great guy.
I'm looking forward to sharing the boat with Kollings again soon. Next time it won't be business, but it never really was anyway. It was always just a chance to spend some time with a good guy.
All of us at Fishing the Midwest wish Tom the best. We also wish Good Luck to all the fish and wildlife in the Des Moines area. With Kollings hunting and fishing full-time now, they're going to need it.
Happy Trails Tom.
Best Fishes,
Bob Jensen