A picturesque Saturday morning was the perfect setting for the walleye season-opener here.
But its arrival means visiting anglers, local fishing guides, tourist camps, and retail stores are experiencing just the beginning of their own version of “May Madness.”
“It’s picked up a bit with trout fishing but this is the time of the walleye,” noted Chuck Mosbeck, manager of True North Outposts on Clearwater Lake.
“Probably next to the paper mill, it’s our biggest [industry],” noted local guide Denis Barnard, who has had clients from as far away as Florida, Texas, and California.
Barnard said the end of this month is doubly busy because the Victoria Day and Memorial Day (U.S.) long weekends fall one after the other.
“This is pretty much the best time of the year,” agreed Mosbeck, whose camp provides all types of fishing services. During the peak summer weeks of past years, he’s had to turn away tourists.
Close to 5,400 visitors entered Canada here during last year’s walleye opener, Canada Customs Supt. Ray Martinson noted.
Of course, not everyone crossed over via the international bridge. Rusty Eichorn of Grand Rapids, Iowa parked his floatplane in front of Rainy Lake Sports and Tackle here to pick up supplies.
He and his friends go camping every weekend, but he said they occasionally try walleye fishing.
“Maybe we’ll just get someone else’s walleyes,” he joked. “It’s easier that way.”
Stopping and chatting about fishing at the bait shop has been a 30-year tradition for Minnesota native Bill DeRogier and his group of 20 friends and family.
They call Fort Frances a meeting ground from Duluth and Two Harbours every year on the way to the resort in Vermilion Bay.
“We’re too old for tents,” quipped DeRosier.
. The DeRogier group was just one of many staff at Rainy Lake Sports and Tackle entertained last weekend.
Owners Mark and Tina Fontana have seen a steady increase in customers looking for bait, tackle, licences, and general supplies since last Thursday evening.
“I couldn’t even tell you,” Tina shrugged with a smile when asked how many people had come through their doors. “No doubt it’ll continue well into next weekend.”
The locals did not take the weekend for granted.
“Walleye fishing has become a tradition,” noted Marain Kaczmar, who admittedly had a little trouble getting his boat unhitched from his car and into the water.
But when all the smoke was cleared, Kaczmar along with wife, Linda, and daughter, Michelle, were off to find the walleyes.
“It’s a great weekend to just get away,” he said.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
