Meet the Guides

Scott Donovan

Cell # 618-201-5820

Email- Shawneeexpeditions@gmail.com

Shawnee Expeditions Lead Guide, Scott Donovan, knows the area well and has been putting clients on trophy fish for years. He can also help create a truly unique experience that takes advantage of the recreational activities in southern Illinois. Scott has a Bachelor of Science with a focus on Recreation and Leisure Service Management from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Scott has also been certified by the Wilderness Educations Association as an Outdoor Educator after completing a rigorous training, including a 30 day course to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). He has also worked as lead guide for the FISHTECH Program at Camp Lincoln in Nisswa, MN. This was a fishing camp model run after the famous InFisherman's Camp Fish, which Scott was a camper at in the early 90's.

Scott is also the Director of a world renowned post secondary boarding school for students with complex learning disabilities. The past 20 years have been spent serving as an advocate, role model, educator and leader for students from all over the world. His passion to empower others and help them gain independence has been a great balance to the time spent on the water while guiding clients.

His addiction came early, as he caught his first muskie with his father, Muskie Mike, over 30 years ago from Long Lake on the Lac Du Flambeau chain in Northern Wisconsin. He is confident and eager to share what knowledge he knows about the elusive muskie! He also prides himself on Leave no Trace, ethical fishing tactics and acting as a steward of the Shawnee National Forest.

Chris Riebe

Cell # 630-327-9265

Email- Shawneeexpeditions@gmail.com

Chris has been fishing with Scott since they met in1996, while attending high school in St. Charles, IL. They started chasing muskie on Kinkaid Lake in 2000 and never stopped. Their passion and expertise on southern reservoirs is what makes a guided trip with Shawnee Expeditions like no other. Here is what Chris had to say about how it all began…

“30 plus years ago, I was a young boy still learning and influenced by everyday life experience, which had not yet met a Muskie. It was around this time that my father had taken the family on our annual camping trip on Lake of the Woods, as we fished all day looking for what at the time seemed to be a mythical creature my father caught his first Muskie! It was that day that left a long lasting impression on my life and got me hooked on Muskie fishing. Fishermen are a strange fraternity and it is my goal to pass along my experiences and knowledge of fishing to help others enjoy the outdoors and join in our sport.”

Matt Gunkel

Cell #708-710-6536

Email: Shawneeexpeditions@gmail.com

Matt is a highly accomplished angler in both in fresh and saltwater applications. His specialty is breaking down southern reservoirs for trophy bass, stiper and the elusive muskie while providing clients with a gold standard level of service. Matt has been recognized as one of the top muskie tournament anglers in the state and owns a world renowned tackle company called Llungen Lures. Join him for an exclusive guide trip on some of Southern Illinois top producing lakes.

TOURNAMENT SUCCESS

These three anglers have an impressive tournament history over the last couple years. Whether they are fishing together or with friend’s Scott, Matt, and Chris always seem to be on fish. They have been active tournament anglers with a history of success while fishing the Professional Muskie Tournament Trail and the Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail. Shawnee Expeditions can help you be successful fishing tournament trials from coast to coast. Book a trip with a focus on tournament tactics and learn what it takes to win year after year. We offer full and half-day trips before all tournaments held on Lake Kinkaid. Check out these accolades.

Chris Riebe’s Tournament Success - #1 PMTT Muskie Tournament Angler

1st. Place:PMTT 2018 Top Gun Award

2nd. Place: PMTT 2018 Cave Run

2nd. Place: PMTT 2018 Eagle River

5th. Place: PMTT 2018 Mega Event Vermilion

1st. Place: PMTT 2017 Top Gun Award

5th. Place: PMTT 2017 Championship Lake Minnetonka

5th. Place: PMTT 2017 Cass Lake

9th. Place: PMTT 2017 Cave Run Lake

1st. Place: PMTT 2016 championship Lake Miltona

1st Place : IMTT 2013 Spring Classic

9th. Place: PMTT 2010 Championship Lake Minnetonka

1st Place: PMTT 2010 Chippewa Flowage

1st Place: PMTT 2009 Top Gun Award

4th Place: PMTT 2009 Cave Run Lake

6th Place: PMTT 2009 St Croix River

2nd Place: MMTT 2008 Lake Vermillion

2nd Place: PMTT 2008 Lake Shelbyville

3rd Place: PMTT 2008 Top Gun Award

4th Place: PMTT 2008 Championship Lake Bemidji

Scott Donovan’s Tournament Success

1st Place: PMTT 2010 Chippewa Flowage

1st Place: PMTT 2009 Top Gun Award

1st Place : IMTT 2013 Spring Classic Kinkaid Lake

2nd Place: PMTT 2008 Lake Shelbyville

3rd Place: PMTT 2008 Top Gun Award

3rd Place: IMTT 2012 Spring Brawl Kinkaid Lake

3rd Place: IMTT 2014 Spring Classic Kinkaid Lake

4th Place: PMTT 2008 Championship Lake Bemidji

4th Place: IMTT 2016 Spring Classic Kinkaid Lake

4th Place: PMTT 2009 Cave Run Lake

6th Place: PMTT 2009 St Croix River

Matt Gunkle’s Tournament Success

2010 IMTT Spring Classic-Lake Kinkaid-1st Place

2010 Shawnee Spring Fling-Lake Kinkaid-3rd Place

2010 IMTT State Championship-Lake Kinkaid-1st Place

2011 IMTT Spring Classic-Lake Kinkaid-1st Place

2011 IMTT Fall Classic-Lake Shelbyville-2nd Place

2012 IMTT Spring Classic-Lake Kinkaid-4th Place

2013 Shawnee Fall Brawl-Lake Kinkaid-2nd Place

2013 IMTT State Championship-Lake Kinkaid-1st Place

2016 Shawnee Fall Classic-Prairie Lake-4th Place

2016 Shawnee Fall Brawl-Lake Kinkaid-3rd Place

2016 IMTT State Championship-Lake Kinkaid-3rd Place

2019 Shawnee Fall Brawl-Lake Kinkaid-1st Place

2019 IMTT State Championship-Lake Kinkaid-1st Place