John Beckwith
John Beckwith has been chasing waterfowl since he shot his first duck at age 10. That woodduck shot on his family’s farm has continued a love of waterfowl hunting for more than four decades. John’s work as a Agricultural Chemical Sales Representative took him to the waterfowl rich area of West Central Illinois for his first sales territory assignment. It was here that he honed his skills hunting the Mississippi and Illinois river bottoms. During his time in Illinois, John guided for a few clubs. Following this apprenticeship, John went out on his own and started his first waterfowl guiding operation. He named it after a nickname given to him by a hunting buddy and thus Honker Bonker Guide Service was born.
After seven years in Illinois, John had the chance to move back to Ohio and reside on the family farm. He saw the opportunity to continue guiding hunters in the Buckeye State. Honker Bonker Guide Service became one of the best known waterfowl guiding services in the state. The service was featured on several nationally distributed dvd’s by some of the biggest names in the waterfowl business. Numerous feature articles have also been written about the guide service’s success. After many successful seasons, there was a disagreement between the three partners and the partnership was dissolved.
A fresh start was needed. After dropping the Honker Bonker name, John and guiding partner Brian Laux formed Crooked River Guide Service and added a new partner in Jason Fischer. It became an immediate success. Crooked River Guide Service has consistently put their customers on the birds. The service has also been featured in two new dvd’s over the past two years.
John has worked as a Sales Representative for the past 23 years and resides on his family farm in Kent, Ohio with Jacqueline, his wife of 25 years and their five sons. John’s other passions include; turkey and deer hunting, travel and sports. John also captained the winning team in the Greater Bottineau Area Goose Shoot-out.
Brian Laux
Brian Laux was born and raised in North East Ohio. He currently resides in Columbia Station, Ohio with his wife and two children. Brian was introduced to the outdoors at an early age by his late father. He grew up chasing walleye on Lake Erie and latter in life focused his passion of the outdoors on chasing waterfowl. Brian can remember the first time he hunted geese and had them respond to his call. From that point forward he was hooked. He now spends 5-6 months a year chasing waterfowl and spends the rest of the year getting ready for the next season. In the waterfowl off season Brian enjoys chasing Walleye and Steelhead in Lake Erie and its tributaries.
Brian is the co-owner of Crooked River Guide Service located in Northern Ohio. He chases waterfowl from September all the way through late January. Both John and Brian have been blessed to be able to guide in the goose hunting hot bed of North East Ohio. Brian is also co-owner in Crooked River Productions in addition to his duties with the guide service.
Brian has spent several years competing in calling contests. He has won the Ohio State Goose calling contest 3 years running and has several other first place finishes as well as several runner ups. Brian looked for a way to extend his waterfowl season and found no better way than to step out of the blind and on to the calling stage. In the off season Brian can be seen in the waterfowl community giving calling lessons and hosting hunting seminars .
Jason Fischer
Jason's passion has been waterfowl hunting for a the past 7 years but prior to that his spare time was spent chasing a rutting big buck or trying to trick a lonesome gobbler. His love for the outdoors is only outweighed by his dedication to making the sport better. While not hunting among other things, Jason works on getting others involved with the sport.
" There is nothing better than watching you 65 yr. old grandfather "Pap" shoot his first goose.....let alone an orange neck collar."
Jason has guided with crooked river for the past 4 years taking on a third of the ownership in 2010. He also is co-owner of Crooked River Productions which has successfully produced its second DVD Flatline II for Real Geese Decoys. The natural progression for Jason to transfer watching game in real life to capturing the moment on film was easy since the outdoors, and the drive to get others involved is part of his everyday life. While not working as a Guide, Cameraman, Police Officer, or Construction worker, Jason loves to train his new dog Remi. Remi is 1 year old and has already learned what it takes to be a hunter, Remi has entered in two Dog Trials and took 1st and 2nd respectively. On that note Jason sharpens up his calling skills on the calling stage in the off season. Jason has captured several championships in years past and still continues to get better on the stage winning 3 championships in 2011.
