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The Story

In north central Minnesota - on the south end of Bruce Township, there is a little hobby farm at the bottom of a hill, formerly known as the Rocky Slope Game Farm. Our story begins there. Mark Jewell grew up as the son of
leech man. Some kids had dad's that were cattlemen, dairymen, businessmen, and the like - but, Mark's dad, Jim, was a leech man. A real, genuine, salt of the earth, trapper, and wholesaler of leeches. Bait store owners would call wanting to speak to the "Head Leech," an icon in the live bait industry.

Mark's Mom, Nancy is the glue of the operation. Being the wife of a leech tycoon is no easy task. Nancy provides stability, and a voice of reason - after all leech men are not your normal stock. She keeps the books, trouble shoots the issues, and provides the organization - that the organization needs to stay afloat. The legendary partnership she shares with the Head Leech, earns her the title of Lady Leech.

Since the age of 10 or so, Mark has been learning the art of trapping leeches. When most kids were working at restaurants or on farms - Mark learned the ever important task of trapping. Over time, it became more than just a summer job - but a challenge, and passion. During his high school years as an FFA member he gained recognition of this unique project, and earned a nick name from friends and colleagues. It was something he would never shake, and is now known by many as the Leech Wrangler.

While the Head Leech, and Lady Leech continue their wholesale enterprise, Mark Jewell (the Leech Wrangler) now brings to life a new operation that will become the number one online resource for live freshwater fishing bait.  We bring you Jewell Outdoors. Your online home for live bait, fishing resources, information links, fishing forums, fish tales, and Leech Wrangler updates.

In February of 2010 Mark, his wife and two kids moved to Spirit Lake, Iowa.  You know, the home of Berkley?  He is offering a new service there for local customers called "The Bait Guy."  Following the same successful direct delivery model, Mark is shedding the comfort of selling from behind the computer screen, and delivering live bait right out to people's houses.  The Bait Guy is quickly catching on, and Mark is making lots of friends!

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