New local outdoor show to premiere on Upstream TV

Two Bemidji natives are excited for the premiere of their new television show, "Bemidji Outdoors" which will soon air on Upstream TV, Bemidji's newest public access channel.

Show creators Aaron Eickhorst, 20, and Jake Flaa, 19, said the 30-minute show will feature local hunting excursions, cultural activities and tours of local businesses.

The show is set to air at 7 p.m. every other Thursday, but reruns will be shown frequently. Tentatively, the first show is set to premier on Thanksgiving Day.

Eickhorst said the purpose of the television show is to showcase northern Minnesota's natural resources, local shops and interesting people.

The name of the show comes from the name of a local hunting group, Morning Storm Outdoors, which both Eickhorst and Flaa are members. Instead of only filming hunts, however, the men decided to attract a wider television audience.

Some of their shows feature activities such as wild rice harvesting, jewelry making and the art of making gourmet chocolates. They visit business such as Bemidji Woolen Mills and Northland Tackle and learn how they make their products.

The show producers also plan to show a cooking segment and feature an artist of the week.

"Because it features more of a northern Minnesota aspect, that's why we film hunting trips," Eickhorst said. "But the show is so broad. It's really going to be interesting and will show what builds Bemidji as a community."

For more information or to submit ideas for the show, email bemidjioutdoors@hotmail.com.