Elite Series pros in Angler Toons

Steve Donis of Chicago is a finance guy by day. But at night, he takes pencil to paper and recreates the Bassmaster Elite Series pros.

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Steve Donis, 44, works in finance in Chicago during the day. But when he goes home at night, he turns moments from the lives of Bassmaster Elite Series pros into pieces of art.
Steve Donis, 44, works in finance in Chicago during the day. But when he goes home at night, he turns moments from the lives of Bassmaster Elite Series pros into pieces of art.
“I’ve got a degree in finance,” said Donis, “but drawing is something I’ve always done. Fishing is something I’ve always done since I was a kid, too.”
“These drawings are my way of adding to the sport,” said Donis. “Since I don’t have the talents to be a big bass fisherman, I can use the little talent I do have to add something to bass fishing.”
Mike Iaconelli is one of Donis' favorite subjects. Iaconelli is fun to draw, and he likes poking fun at himself.
Mike Iaconelli is one of Donis’ favorite subjects. Iaconelli is fun to draw, and he likes poking fun at himself.
Donis feels like he's gotten to know Iaconelli through the angler's live-streaming web show, Ike Live!.
Donis feels like he’s gotten to know Iaconelli through the angler’s live-streaming web show, Ike Live!.
This illustration pokes fun at a moment on Ike's show when Iaconelli commented on cohost Pete Gluszek's weight loss.
This illustration pokes fun at a moment on Ike’s show when Iaconelli commented on cohost Pete Gluszek’s weight loss.
Donis gives Iaconelli props for his ability to breakdance and to fish -- but in real life, these two things don't happen at one time.
Donis gives Iaconelli props for his ability to breakdance and to fish — but in real life, these two things don’t happen at one time.
Donis also does storytelling with his illustrations, like storyboards in movies. This is one of several in a series, followed by ...
Donis also does storytelling with his illustrations, like storyboards in movies. This is one of several in a series, followed by …
... what caused the snag and ...
… what caused the snag and …
... the end of the story. He calls this series
… the end of the story. He calls this series “Connected by a Line.”
The 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro provided lots of inspiration for Donis. In his blog, Donis describes this illustration:
The 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro provided lots of inspiration for Donis. In his blog, Donis describes this illustration: “It’s a child in front of a TV, sitting in amazement as his or her hero catches a lunker and gets a step closer to holding that trophy up above his head. Then pretending they did it the same way, on a bass boat in the middle of the same lake. Each one of these bass anglers touches the lives of a child all over the country and in vast parts of the world, letting them dream of victory! And to me, that’s what it’s all about.”
The frigid temperatures at the Classic made for some good
The frigid temperatures at the Classic made for some good “frozen angler” fodder.
But Iaconelli isn't Donis' only inspiration. During the Classic, he illustrated Gerald Swindle ...
But Iaconelli isn’t Donis’ only inspiration. During the Classic, he illustrated Gerald Swindle …
... Ish Monroe ...
… Ish Monroe …
... Day 2 leader Takahiro Omori ...
… Day 2 leader Takahiro Omori …
... and champion Casey Ashley.
… and champion Casey Ashley.
Randall Tharp has also gotten some love from Donis, as have ...
Randall Tharp has also gotten some love from Donis, as have …
... Aaron Martens and ...
… Aaron Martens and …
... John Crews. Check out those arms!
… John Crews. Check out those arms!
The new Bassmaster Live segment on Bassmaster.com gives Donis lots of good content. When Donis tweeted this, Dave Mercer protested that his belly is not nearly that hairy and that he would never wear those sandals.
The new Bassmaster Live segment on Bassmaster.com gives Donis lots of good content. When Donis tweeted this, Dave Mercer protested that his belly is not nearly that hairy and that he would never wear those sandals.
Donis points out that nature calls, even when Bassmaster.com is streaming live.
Donis points out that nature calls, even when Bassmaster.com is streaming live.
Donis also enjoys the new employee problem rampant among bosses of avid bass anglers, now that Bassmaster Live and Fantasy Fishing can be viewed from work... while they should be working.
Donis also enjoys the new employee problem rampant among bosses of avid bass anglers, now that Bassmaster Live and Fantasy Fishing can be viewed from work… while they should be working.
But it's not just the pros Donis focuses on. He has three daughters -- ages 3, 10 and 15 -- and thinks getting kids involved in the sport is paramount.
But it’s not just the pros Donis focuses on. He has three daughters — ages 3, 10 and 15 — and thinks getting kids involved in the sport is paramount.
“I liked fishing as a kid, and I know what goes through kids’ minds when they fish,” said Donis.
“I like this sport because it’s sane. It’s clean. It’s good to be involved in. I like that I can find tasteful humor in it.”
<p>And he's already looking ahead to Guntersville, where Donis is looking for his muse Iaconelli to sack 120 pounds. Want more Angler Toons? Follow Donis on <a href=
And he’s already looking ahead to Guntersville, where Donis is looking for his muse Iaconelli to sack 120 pounds. Want more Angler Toons? Follow Donis on Twitter, Instagram and his blog.