It is with heavy hearts and sadness that we inform you of the passing of Pete Harsh “Mr. Tiller.” Pete was a key and valuable member of the Perch Patrol Guide Service Team and was an absolute iconic legend in the fishing industry. He was one of the top 5 all-time money winners in the history of professional walleye fishing. Pete was given the nickname Mr. Tiller for his love of operating tiller style boats. He enjoyed the boat control and considered this a key advantage he had over other competing anglers. Because of Pete’s success, he was able to influence boat manufacturers and motor companies to install these bigger tiller style motors on boats at a time when tiller motors were on their way out. Think of how many of us anglers fish out of tiller boats these days thanks to Pete Harsh!
We here at the Perch Patrol Guide Service will miss Pete Harsh in many ways. So many of us are better anglers because of Pete. He was such a unique soul with a great sense of humor and so much personality, attention to detail, determination, and caring for others. The stories that Pete told were perpetual and most often one would lead to the next. A trait that all of us will miss as well as his long list of customers that he enjoyed guiding year after year.