Blaine Mengel, Jr. owns and operates The Backwoods Angler, a full-time smallmouth bass guide service on the Delaware River, since 1999. Blaine spends more than 200 days annually fishing and boating the pristine waters of the middle Delaware.
Blaine cut his teeth pursuing trout from the freestone and limestone streams of Northampton and Monroe Counties in Eastern PA, as well as catching panfish and chain pickerel from the small ponds in the Pocono Mountains with his grandfather. In 1999, he decided, with the help of some dear friends, to pursue his dream and fish for a living. He “retired” from the medical field and went fishing. Prior to 1999, Blaine held a position in the medical professional for thirteen years. His passion for fishing has taken him across the US and into Canada. Although he’s tangled with Peacock Bass in Hawaii, Northwestern Ontario Northern Pike, and Maine smallmouth bass, The Delaware River and its feisty smallmouth bass are his specialty. Blaine has also guided clients successfully on the Susquehanna, Schuylkill and West Branch Delaware Rivers.
Along with guiding full-time, Blaine is a freelance writer for The Reading Eagle Newspaper and New Jersey Angler Magazine. He has authored two books;
The Delaware River Smallmouth Bass Fishing Handbook, Volumes 1 and 2.
He was fishing editor for The Outdoor Adventurer for more than 3 years, and has been featured in Bassin’ and In-Fishermen magazines. Sponsors include Mizmo Bait Co., Gamma Fishing Line, Case Plastics, Pradco, B&R Outlaw Rods, Winco’s Custom Lures and Don’s Handcrafted Jigs.
Blaine resides in Eastern PA and is the father of three lovely daughters.