This section is dedicated to all the folks who I owe gratitude and sincerest thanks to for all their support and love along the way on this awesome journey.

While I’m sure many kids have daydreamed about being a fisherman when they grew up, I am one of those whose dream came true. It wasn’t without it’s trials and tribulations along the way though.
Here’ s a little history behind the journey, which has become Sterling Guide Service.

My first and deepest gratitude goes out to the two people that planted and nurtured the “fishing seed” when I was just old enough to hold a fishing rod, Randy and Connie my parents. I spent many afternoons fishing the ponds, lakes, and rivers of Sheboygan County as a kid happy to catch anything that was swimming in the water. As the years passed by I began to spend a week every summer in Sheboygan with my grandparents Sterling and Charlotte who lived right across the street form the Sheboygan River. While my grandfather worked during the day I would spend the entire day across the street fishing the river. Grandpa would come over to “fetch” me at the end of each day when one afternoon walking back to the house he asked me, “what do you want to be when you grow up Dennis?” and without hesitation I replied, “A Fisherman!” to this day I can still hear his laughter and feel his big hand ruffle my hair as he said, “Then that’s what you’ll be!” That is how I came to name the guide business, after my loving grandfather Sterling August Radloff.

My love to fish would follow me around the world as I served in the US Air Force on the island of Okinawa Japan and back to the west coast through out California where a brief interruption would occur due to my personal struggle with addiction. After several years of difficulty and finally some professional help I would meet one of the best friends I have even know, John Payne. John would become that friend who believed in the things I had forgotten along the way, and helped me learn how to dream again. While the early days of my journey back to wellness were difficult, John was always there to give me that gentle little kick in the butt whenever I started feeling sorry for myself. Along with an endless host of others who supported me through my times of trouble, the love of all my family, and God, things began to get better and I went to work as a drug and alcohol counselor.

This is where the secret to my success entered my life in 1994 when I met Susan, my wife. Since May 14 th 1994 Susan has stood beside, behind, and sometimes in front of me, always believing anything was possible. In 1996 I began to guide the waters of Waukesha County on a part time basis after work, on days off, and the weekends. It was shortly after this endeavor that I would meet Dave and Leni Kahler. My guide work was picking up and the boat I was using at the time was under-equipped and in need of help. I finally mustered up the courage to approach Dave one day to see if he would be interested in sponsoring my little business at any level to help get some of the upgrades I was looking for. Without hesitation Dave said “you betcha”, and I have been part of the “family” at Dave’s ever since. Another influence along the way would be the friendship and support of Gregg Laffin, the man who would start the “musky addiction” and share with me a large amount of what I know today about musky fishing. Finally in 2001 I pulled the pin on my counseling job and went for it.

Sterling Guide Service has grown beyond anything I ever dreamed possible and everyone mentioned along with all the other great sponsors are the reason for its success.

In closing I know I run the risk of forgetting to list someone and there’s so many others it would take pages to name them all. The most important thing I want people to know is the credit belongs to God and everyone else…I have been blessed to be the recipient of some great opportunities.

On a parting note, I need to say thank you to two more people, my stepfather, Mark Schwochert…thanks for all the love along the way and for never giving up on me, and my step-mother Nancy Radloff who always believed and shared a faith that would change my life.

And last, but surely not least, I owe endless gratitude to all of the great Sterling Guide Service customers who have called, showed-up, came back, and told their friends good things. You have made my dream come true and I thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart.

Best to all of you and please take a moment today to check out the web site and see what you have created.

With love and gratitude,

Dennis