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| Pequot Lakes and Breezy Point to host 60th Annual Minnesota Governor’s Fishing OpenerThe neighboring communities of Pequot Lakes and Breezy Point will be the focal point of Minnesota’s 2008 Walleye Opener as they celebrate this long-standing tradition with Governor Pawlenty, First Lady Mary Pawlenty, other dignitaries and guests from around the world during the 60th Annual Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener. Breezy Point Resort will be event’s headquarters, and has hosted three other Openers, including 2001 with Governor Jesse Ventura. Pelican Lake will be the primary lake for the Opener. The three-day event involves a number of activities for invited guests, but there also will be activities for the public, such as a Community Picnic May 9, and a raffle for a new Crestliner pontoon. The Community Picnic begins at 3 pm. As part of the events, there will be a remembrance of Dru Sjodin at Dru’s Garden at 3:40. At 4 pm will be the Veteran’s Memorial Ceremony followed by a community recognition, where the Governor will be presented with commemorative plaques holding the keys to the cities of Breezy Point and Pequot Lakes. The picnic dinner will begin at 5 pm. Event Co-Chairs Dr. Ryan and Patty Buell said, “The communities of Pequot Lakes and Breezy Point are very excited to host Governor Tim Pawlenty, the First Lady, the Lt. Governor and the many guests for the 60th anniversary of the Governor’s Fishing Opener. The Brainerd Lakes Chamber and the Brainerd Lakes Area are truly honored to have been chosen to plan this celebration.” Local guide "Walleyedan" Eigen has been selected as the Governor’s fishing host on Saturday. "It gave me the chills and I am completely honored," Eigen said when notified that he had been selected as the fishing host for the Governor. Walleyedan has a few ideas that he believes will put fish on the hooks of the Governor and First Lady on Opening Day, but doesn't want to give away his secrets. Dan predicts the Governor and the First Lady will catch fish on opening day. Walleyedan became a professional fishing guide because of an experience he had when he was about ten-years old when his father hired a guide at a resort in the Brainerd Lakes area. Dan was impressed with the amount of fishing knowledge the man had. Dan later began working at the Quarterdeck Resort on Gull Lake and would quiz the resort guides about fishing techniques and locations and then head out on the lake to try out his newfound knowledge. From there, Dan began his fishing guide career. Brainerd resident and tournament fisherman Tom Whitehead has been selected as the fishing host of Lieutenant Governor Carol Molnau at this year's event. Tom said he was really excited when he got the call to be her host for fishing on Pelican Lake. Tom has guided for many people over the years and is confident he will put the Lieutenant Governor "on fish" on Opening morning. Tom has been part of a Governor's Opener in the past, but he says hosting the Lieutenant Governor is something very special to him. "I know the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor have a great fishing competition going," Tom added. "I intend to use all the tricks and knowledge of fishing I have to help Lieutenant Governor Molnau outfish him." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Northland Press | P.O. Box 145 | Outing, MN 56662 | (218) 692-5842 Email: news@northlandpress.com | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
