Outdoor Traditions Spring 2014 by Brainerd Dispatch and Echo Journal

Welcome

Governor’s Opener

Inside Governor’s Fishing Opener Returns to Gull Lake ◆ The Epicenter of Fishing Innovation ◆ Nisswa Guides League ◆

For the Love of the

Loon ◆ M-Pow-R-ing Physically Challenged Anglers ◆ MN Fishing Challenge Spring 2014

Issue 9 • Edition 1

Contents Features

5 Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ron Schara Fishing Opener Checklist.

6 Governor’s Fishing Opener Returns to Gull Lake . . . . . Dave Csanda It’s been over 20 years since the Governor’s Fishing Opener rolled into town.

10 The Epicenter of Fishing Innovation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jim Kalkofen Brainerd lakes area is home to many of the geniuses of the fishing industry.

16 Nisswa Guides League . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jim Kalkofen A strong force in the fishing world!

18 For the Love of the Loon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bill Marchel Minnesota’s State Bird — Photo Essay.

20 M-POW-R-ing Physically Challenged Anglers . . . . . . . . Dave Csanda Electrically powered fishing system empowers physically challenged anglers to catch fish.

28 MN Fishing Challenge

Brainerd lakes area fundraiser set for May 31 on Gull Lake.

Departments 13 Outdoor Almanac

Scientific Natural Areas

15 Nature’s Cuisine Phil Seibel Walleye Cakes with Chipotle Aioli

23 Memory Lane Steve Miller Trips to Tutt’s

24 DNR Calendar

26 Feathers Afield Judd Brink Migration Hazards

29 Destinations Northland Arboretum Our own little “Central Park”

30 Kids’ Fishing Clinic

May-June outdoor events

Kate Perkins Lum Park event marks 35th year.

23 Your Best Shot Photographer Name Best of readers’ outdoor photos

Cover and contents photos by Tim Bogenschutz

A quarterly publication of the Brainerd Dispatch

. Tim Bogenschutz Copy Editor . . Matt Erickson Marketing . . . . Leo Miller Art Director . . . Jan Finger Designer . . . . . Andy Goble Advertising . . . Dave Wentzel

Publisher

— For Advertising opportunities Dave Wentzel 218 • 855 • 5821 or 1 • 800 • 432 • 3703

— Email your comments,

suggestions or story ideas to Leo Miller leora.miller@brainerddispatch.com or mail to Outdoor Traditions Brainerd Dispatch P.O. Box 976 Brainerd, MN 56401

— Find us ONLINE at

brainerdoutdoors.com brainerddispatch.com and visit us on Facebook Outdoor Traditions is a trademarked magazine published by the Brainerd Dispatch, P.O. Box 976, Brainerd, MN 56401. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

OUTDOOR TRADITIONS

By RON SCHARA

Fishing Opener

Checklist

Countdown to the fishing opener — lots of stuff to think about. Pull boat from winter storage. Remember where boat was stored. Try to charge batteries. Go buy batteries.

Check operation of bilge pump, livewell pump and the whatchamacallit. Turn key to see if out-

“

board will start. Go find key first. Turn on wonderful, new Lowrance HD 10 bought last year. Remember how to operate. Consult manual. Consult manual again. Ask teenage neighbor for help. Round up fishing stuff. Bait buckets, landing net, marker buoys, hook removers, flashlight, first aid kit, tie ropes, hook sharpener, fishing pliers, filet knife, life jackets and other stuff. Ask wife what she did with filet knife. Check boat registration. What year is this? Sort through walleye tackle box. Pick last season’s dried nightcrawlers out of trays. Inventory jig supply. What happened to ‘em all? Call brother-in-law; ask for jigs back. Inventory walleye rods and reels. What happened to favorite outfit? Call brother-in law again. Consider putting new line on reels. Test old line. Feels OK. Experts say new line should be spooled every season, maybe several times a year. Is

Sort through

walleye tackle box.

Pick last season’s dried nightcrawlers out of

”

trays. Inventory jig supply. . . .

that advice? Or sales pitch? Think about 30-incher you’ll likely hook on opener. Run to buy new line. Check reel drags. They seem to work. Wind reel handle. Seems to work. What about reel oil? Can’t find it on work bench. Does Al Lindner ever oil his reels? Never seen him do it on televison. If Al ain’t oiling; I ain’t either.

Check boat trailer lights. Pray. Left turn, right turn. Prayers answered. Examine ball hitch. Remember, ball is not supposed to wiggle. Check ball size. Who came up with those ball hitch sizes anyway. Two-inch or an eighth-inch less than 2-inch. What’s with that? Feels like a scam. Just like rising gas prices. And you can’t do a dang thing to change it. Tighten wiggle. Load boat. Load truck. Remember cooler, just in case. Six packs on opening day normally don’t get warm. Oh, oh! Find your Minnesota fishing license in wallet. Ok, got it … but … is this 2013? ◆ RON SCHARA is host of the “Minnesota Bound” television show.

www.brainerdoutdoors.com

Governor’s Fish RETURNS TO Gull L

It’s been 20 years — nearly 21, in fact — since the traveling road show known as the Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener rolled into town, complete with all the fishing frenzy, media hype, local hoopla and official pomp and circumstance that state government can pack into the second weekend in May while still leaving adequate time on Sunday to celebrate Mother’s Day.

ishing Opener l Lake

By DAVE CSANDA

In fact, it’s kind of like Christmas come early for anglers: You can’t wait for it to get here, cherish it while it lasts and then, once it’s over, you kind of hate to see it go. Much like catching a big fish, relishing the fight and then releasing it back into the depths. After which, you take Mom out for brunch because she shouldn’t have to cook on her annual day

off. Ya sure, you betcha. This year, it’ll be like a traditional opener on steroids, because it combines Minnesota’s nationally-known fishing capital — the Brainerd lakes area — with an annual tradition dating back to 1948. That’s when the state of Minnesota began designating one lucky community each year to celebrate the opening of the fishing season for walleye and pike. Fast forward to 2014, and it’ll all be run by folks who not only know how to catch fish but also put on one heck of a party at the same time. Because The Opener has grown to be more than just about the fish. It also showcases anything and everything that’s special about the host community. In our case, we’re blessed with a wealth of natural resources in the Brainerd area. From pristine lakes teeming with fish, to luxurious resorts rimming our local waters, to generous local residents who appreciate the northwoods lifestyle and don’t mind sharing it all with visitors. And this year, there’s even more to share.

What’s up front — and what goes on behind the scenes As per a time-tested formula for success, 110 volunteer fishing hosts will take designated guests — primarily media, state employees (DNR personnel, senators, representatives and such) and other invited dignitaries fishing on Saturday, May 10th. Gov. Mark Dayton prefers to jumpstart the process. The governor traditionally leaves the dock at midnight, getting first crack at walleyes that haven’t seen a baited hook since the walleye season closed at the end of February. Lt. Gov. Yvonne Prettner Solon is rumored to be keeping her opening day strategy under wraps. To both we say, good luck hiding from the TV cameras and crews, of which there will be many. By early afternoon, all participating anglers will return to the dock at Grand View Lodge — the host site for the main event — to enjoy a walleye shore lunch. Later that evening, they’ll all enjoy a commemorative dinner to celebrate another successful milestone

During the 2008 Governor’s Fishing Opener with Dan Eigen as his guide, Governor Tim Pawlenty gestures to the crowd indicatng the size of ﬁsh he was planning to catch before leaving the dock at Breezy Point Resort on Pelican Lake. ◆

Steve Kohls

www.brainerdoutdoors.com

in history, and reveal the well-guarded secret as to where The Opener will take place come next season. That’s the part you see and expect. But there’s much, much more that goes on behind the scenes to pull off what has grown into a spectacular event of epic proportions. This year, the local Governor’s Fishing Opener committee has include two days of fishing for kids from the Nisswa school and Garfield school in Brainerd, taking them out on donated pontoons provided by local businesses and staffed by volunteer anglers. During the days leading up to The Opener, guests will have the opportunity for boat rides on Gull Lake, a tour of restaurant dining around the lake plus golfing, shooting, archery, biking — even high-performance driving — at area attractions. On Friday, the streets of downtown Nisswa will be closed off to facilitate a 5,000-person picnic complete with free food, culminating in a free concert by the legendary Gear Daddies. Behind the scenes during this time frame, volunteer fishing hosts will be treated to dinner at a Thursday evening orientation session and be paired with their guests on Friday, to make sure everyone’s on board with the schedule and has their fishing license in order. And they’ll all receive a goodie bag and commemorative jacket to help them remember their angling experience in Brainerd. As if anyone could ever forget. Personally, I volunteered to help round up and ride herd on all the fishing hosts this year. It’s been fun — and I had a lot of help. Let me say that we’re locked and loaded with the lion’s share of all the top fishing guides from our area, plus a contingent of good local anglers who know that the pointy end of the boat is how you get there and the flat back end of the boat is for backtrolling once you arrive on the spot. A huge thanks to every-

◆

Steve Kohls

Governor Jesse Ventura talks to the media after spending time on the lake during one of his ﬁshing openers.

one involved. Fish … beware! What I’d really like to stress is that, along the way, throughout all of the planning and preparation, steering and strategizing, I’ve met a whole lot of talented and creative people who’ve unselfishly given their time and effort to help mold the grand plan of the opener into a reality. From the generous and outstanding staff at Grand View Lodge, to the committee chairs, to the state tourism and DNR employees who have helped coordinate the event from its infancy into execution. On behalf of all of us, I extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to the army of volunteers, whether they’ll be out front and visible in a boat, or behind the scenes cooking or serving meals, setting up tents, directing traffic, assisting at boat launches, or scrambling to cover the details that we somehow missed. Also, to those who have solicited sponsorships and donations to cover all of our grand ideas — well done. Without them, executing The Opener would be impossible. And lastly, to the array of donors who so generously supported The Opener, a huge bill of thanks. You

don’t just talk the talk. You walk the walk. And we encourage the public to support you at every opportunity. Which leads me to say, in the end, The Opener is about more than just the fish, which sounds like an odd thing to say coming from someone so involved in the fishing industry. It’s all about the community coming together to celebrate who we are and why we live here. I think it also demonstrates how and why the Brainerd lakes area ranks at the top in the state for volunteerism. When you’re willing to share your time and effort as well as your fish, that’s putting your money where your mouth is. The Opener would not and could not happen without the community standing so solidly behind it. And I think we can all be proud of what’s coming up this Mother’s Day weekend in May. After that, we go for brunch. If you’d like to be involved in the 2014 Minnesota Governor’s Opener, volunteer opportunities are still available. Go to explorebrainerdlakes.com for a schedule of activities and ways to participate in this great event. Raffle tickets supporting the Governor’s Opener are available at Chamber Offices in Brainerd, the Brainerd Lakes Area Welcome Center, Nisswa, Pequot Lakes and Crosslake, and at a variety of business throughout the Brainerd Lakes area. For only $5, you have a chance to win a fully-rigged Larson Boat valued at over $38,000, generously donated by the Larson Boat Company in Little Falls. How’s that for an opening day catch? ◆

DAVE CSANDA is an outdoor communicator/ TV co-host at Lindner’s Angling Edge in Baxter. He is also president of the Brainerd Lakes Area Chapter of Let’s Go Fishing (www. lgfwsbrainerdarea.com).

www.brainerdoutdoors.com

There’s a reason it’s called the “Brain-

erd lakes area” and not just Brainerd. Water abounds. It’s our heritage. It’s also the main ingredient in the recipe called, “Fishing Innova-

tion.” Brainerd will forever be rooted in history books as one of the major centers of ideas, tackle and tactics that propelled the fishing industry forward.

Brainerd L

Epicenter of

By JIM KALKOFEN

The late Nick Adams, long-time head of Lindy Little-Joe fishing tackle, talked about the early days a year before his death. “This area virtually became the epicenter of innovative fishing tactics,” he said. He suggested fishing innovation evolved from the love of fishing, and includes major tackle companies like Normark, Lindy, Northland, Gopher, plus many local manufacturers and the Nisswa Guides League (see related story). Products were being made in Brainerd, and tourists and anglers helped spread the word. “The new Lindy rig had the support of top guides. Our team members traveled and promoted widely,” Nick Adams said.

Al Lindner was in the Brainerd lakes area when it all started and continuously produces and stars in TV shows. He never stops learning and innovating.

Fishing I

OUTDOOR TRADITIONS

◆

Jim Kalkofen

d Lakes Area

people, the water, the desire to bring creative new products to market, the right conditions, a good promotional image, solid companies and a good reputation. Over the decades, we refined old-standards to produce fish. Each advancement served a purpose.”

g Innovation www.brainerdoutdoors.com

Bogenschutz

rowed the money; our business took off with a hand-shake, and our formula for success was simple: Ron was the creator. I was the businessman. Al was the promoter. It was sort of a big carnival act!” The epicenter in Brainerd grew naturally. Adams said, “We had the

◆ Tim

The Lindy company started from the simple Lindy rig, a packaged “lure” invented by Al and Ron Lindner. “Ron was a genius, way ahead of his time, but he came to me saying, ‘We’re broke.’ He wanted startup money, but I told him to get $250,000 of orders. He did. I bor-

combination of people in the Roland “Doc” Kehr, area THE CONFLUENCE OF 1970s, and they’re still here, dentist and long-time Lindy along with a new generation board member, said the multiFISHING INNOVATION keeping the trends alive.” ple species available in the lakes Al Lindner cited the reasons for the Al Lindner summarized and rivers made Brainerd a confluence of fishing innovation as he saw them those early days like this: unique area. He said, “Add Al after returning from the Vietnam jungles in 1968: “Rigging and jigging walleyes and Ron getting together with 1.The Nisswa Guides League was big, with was an adventure for guides; Nick, plus promoters like Gary Marv Koep constantly promoting. resorts were full of tourists Roach, the Lindy team, Babe 2.The Lindy staff with Gary Roach, Babe and vacationers flocked here. Winkelman and In-Fisherman Winkelman and dozens of others. Mille Lacs, Leech, Pelican, coming on the scene, and the 3.The abundance of waters in the area. Gull, Whitefish and hundreds guides who branched out and 4.The Lindy rig and resultant promotions. of smaller lakes were loaded chased all species made this the with fish – all species.” fishing innovation center that 5.Tactics like back-trolling, long rods, flashers, leeches, light mono, trolling motors, fishing Lindner said, “Per capita, remains today.” deeper fish, maps, spinnerbaits and worms came the Brainerd area has more Joe Fellegy, one of Minneonto the scene. highly skilled anglers than any sota’s foremost chroniclers of 6.The In-Fisherman magazine and television other area I know of compared things “fishy,” said, “Once Ron series, packed with how-to lessons. to the rest of the country.” Lindner understood people Speaking of the lakes area, would pay for fishing know7.A public desire to learn more about where and how to fish. he said, “Within 60 miles of how, the rest of the world Brainerd, we have the best mix couldn’t catch-up.” 8.Fishing experts moving into the area and the of multi-species fishing in the Al Lindner viewed it like promotional team bringing new methods and gear exploding onto the market. Bringing tactics country. Plus, there’s so much this, “Education was the heartfrom all over North America back to Brainerd. interest in so many species,” he beat. We lived in a hot-bed of Experts — and Ron and me — on the PR trail. said. “In my opinion, it’s better scientific fishing and shared today with bigger fish.” what we learned in magazines With the quality of fishing and television.” and the people living here, Lindner Fellegy saw the revolution com- + Presentation = Success. He said if he would have re- said, “The Brainerd area will remain ing while guiding on his Mille Lacs launch. He was one of the mained in the magazine business he a hot-bed of fishing innovation and would not have been able to spend creativity well into the future.” ◆ original writers and editors for the seven days a week guiding. Fellegy Lindners when they began In-Fisherman. He was fond of adding the returned to the water. “With a prof“P” to the famous In-Fisherman for- it to be made and the right products JIM KALKOFEN and thinkers here in the Brainerd mula. “They originally had F + L = has been director of the largest walleye tournament circuits for P. I changed it to F + L + P = Suc- area, the Hucksters of How-to went two decades and was inducted cess. This will remain forever,” he to market,” he said with an affectioninto the National Freshwater said. The formula: Fish + Location ate chuckle. “We had the perfect Fishing Hall of Fame.

OUTDOOR TRADITIONS

Outdoor Almanac I N

O U R

Perhaps little known to most, Minne-

sota offers more than 100 Scientific and Natural Areas (SNAs), including several located in the Brainerd area. People are invited to visit (SNAs) throughout the year and enjoy the undisturbed natural quality of these sites. Hiking, bird-watching, nature photography, snowshoeing or other activities that do not disturb natural conditions are allowed. Most SNA’s do not have trails or other facilities and none have restrooms, so come prepared. Some sites have interpretive kiosks to introduce you to key features. The DNR’s SNA program was started to preserve and perpetuate the ecological diversity of Minnesota’s natural heritage, including landforms, fossil remains, plant and animal communities, rare and endangered species, or other biotic features and geological formations, for scientific study and public edification as components of a

B A C K Y A R D

healthy environment. The SNA program’s goal is to ensure that no single rare feature is lost from any region of the state. This requires protection and management of each feature in sufficient quantity and distribution across the landscape. The activities utilized by the program to carry out its mission include:

SNAS

land protection, management, education, research and prairie initiatives as well as publications, working with others, and helping private landowners. The primary activity is the establishment of a system of nature preserves called Scientific and Natural Areas — found across Minnesota’s landscape. ◆

IN THE BRAINERD AREA:

• Ripley Esker — about seven miles north of Little Falls. This 216-acre site contains an excellent example of an esker — a glacial deposit that forms a meandering, steep-sided ridge of stream sand and gravel. • The Mille Lacs Moraine — about two miles southeast of Garrison, has steep hills punctuated by small lakes and wetlands. The topography of this site was laid down during the last glaciation, approximately 15,000 years ago. Rock and debris were dumped here at the end of a glacier as it melted leaving behind what is known as an end moraine. This is the ﬁrst SNA to be designated in Crow Wing County. • Lake Alexander Woods —1.5 miles north of Cushing, has unfragmented forests and diverse habitat occuping an outstanding knob and kettle topography, the legacy of the Rainy glacial lobe. • McGregor Marsh — two miles south of McGregor, is an extensive marsh in the bed of Glacial Lake Aitkin and contains the very speciﬁc habitat requirements for two rare birds, the yellow rail and sharp-tailed sparrow.

www.brainerdoutdoors.com

Nature’s Cuisine

By PHIL SEIBEL

There are a few things about the outdoors that trigger some of our happiest memories — campﬁre smoke, s’mores and the fresh air as you watch the summer sunset. Many of my favorite memories of the outdoors also revolved around food and the great recipes we can make thanks to our great area. Between the lakes and land we have a rich bounty that provides

Walleye Cakes with Chipotle Aioli Yield: 4 entree or 8 appetizer sized cakes, Prep time: 20 minutes, Cook time: 10 minutes

Ingredients: • 8-10 oz. walleye, raw, rough chopped • 1/4 c. mayonnaise • 2 tbsp. stone ground mustard • 1/3 c. diced red bell pepper • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1/3 c. red onion, minced • 1-2 tsp. Chipotle pepper powder • 1-2 tsp. capers • 1 egg, whole, beaten • 1/2-1 c. sourdough bread crumbs Combine all ingredients, except the bread crumbs, in a large mixing bowl. Add bread crumbs gradually to the mix making sure to add enough so the mixture can hold a shape. On the stovetop, in a large skillet, pour enough olive oil to cover the

bottom of the pan and bring the heat to medium high. Form the mixture into cakes and gently place them in the oil once it has come to temperature. Cook approximately 5 minutes then ﬂip and cook another ﬁve minutes or until each side is golden brown. Remove cakes from skillet and let rest a moment on paper towels to absorb excess oil. Serve with the Chipotle Aioli on the side.

Chipotle Aioli • 1 c. mayonnaise • 1-2 tsp. chipotle pepper powder • 1-2 tsp. lime or lemon juice • salt and pepper to taste Mix all ingredients together in a bowl, cover and refrigerate for at least one hour. Serve chilled.

us with all kinds of unique ﬂavors and menu options.

◆ Tim

Bogenschutz

PHIL SEIBEL works at the Brainerd Dispatch and loves to cook.

www.brainerdoutdoors.com

E C ! R d l r o W O g n i F h s i F e h in t

NISSWA GUIDES LEAGUE

g n o r t s A

K A L KO By J I M

Nearly half a cen-

tury ago, the Nisswa

Guides League kick-

started what became a revolution in the

fishing industry. The right people at the

right time with the

right ideas with the right philosophy in the right place

became a force that spread through-

out the world. The

people who lived it

and breathed it and

were instrumental in

those heydays shared their views on why

the Nisswa Guides League was such a

vital cog in the “ma-

chine” that would become modern fishing.

FEN

Many stories and books have been written about the early days of small boats and 5-hp outboards, the antiquated tackle, the bait, the guide fees, the friendships, the stories and more. This article is about why it all happened here in the Brainerd lakes area. It began in MARV KOEP’S bait and tackle shop. He was booking some guide trips, something done in many tiny towns in the late 1960s. “But, I had a mentor, HARRY VAN DORN,, who is still respected as Number One,” Marv said. “I actually started by filling in for him when he had an overflow of fall customers.” The ball was rolling along, fish were being caught, and trips were being booked. “Then RON LINDNER showed up and determined that we needed a name. The official Nisswa Guides League was born.” Marv felt the immediate success occurred because the guides shared with each other. “They helped each other. If one looked bad, they all felt they would look bad, and since all guides returned for pictures and handshakes at the same time after morning and afternoon trips, they ‘stepped up’ on and off the water,” he said. He credited the wave of new Lowrance electronics that all guides put to use, a competi-

OUTDOOR TRADITIONS

Marv Koep (right) and Carl Lowrance, founder of the pioneering marine electronics company, pose with a stringer of walleye caught with the aid of Lowrance’s Little Green Box, the advent of portable sonar unit. tive drive, checking in at the same time daily, the advent of nightcrawlers and leeches as bait, cheap gas, Gull Lake being at its peak with 8-pound walleyes, tactics like back-trolling, light line, structure fishing, and the promotions that started when the Lindners arrived on the scene. “The Brainerd Dispatch was great at promoting. They published lots of

fish pictures, sometimes a full page of them,” Marv said. All pictures were taken in front of the shop, right on Highway 371. Many times people did quick U-turns when they saw the stringers of fish, and booked guide trips on the spot. “I was fussy about guides, and wanted my guides to be requested by name. That meant they were doing a good job,” he said. Guiding is much like gambling Marv figured. “Just because you do it one day doesn’t mean it will happen the same way the next.” Marv continues pointing with pride to the men who guided in the League. This was a stepping-stone; where they jump-started their careers. “Having guys like GARY ROACH, Ron and AL LINDNER out there made all the difference. I’m proud of every one of them, including the guys who are still on the water,” he said. Marv has been inducted into the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame and was named Nisswa Citizen of the Year, essentially for placing their city on the map. He still guides, usually with his favorite tactic: red-tail chubs and Lindy rigs. Ron Lindner looks back and credits the Nisswa Guides League and much of his stellar career, many inventions and innovations to one simple premise, “We helped people find and catch more fish.” Ron said Marv had the same philosophy. “He helped people who came into his shop and passed along information.” The entire Nisswa Guides League had, at its core, the sharing of information among the guides. “It was common to call another guide to a spot you were catching fish,” he said. Ron also noted they were the first fishermen to use and understand depth finders. They grasped the meaning of structure. They created their own maps. “There was no other well-organized guide group anywhere at that time,” he said. “We knew our purpose as guides was to get bites for our clients. We learned to read our customers really

This vintage photo features the familiar faces of Ron Lindner (left), Al Lindner (second from right) and Gary Roach (right). fast and get them into fish despite themselves — even thinking for them. But, we changed on a dime. If the walleyes weren’t going, we fished pike or bass. All we tried to do was catch fish,” he said. Comparing today’s guides with that philosophy, Ron has determined that clients are much more sophisticated. They want to learn the water and tactics, and most are not concerned about limits or bragging like in the old days. He said, “Back then, when required, we caught the fish for them, and even filleted them.” Today, guides are more specialized, and the catch and release mentality is pervasive on area lakes. The early guide experience was a positive for everything that occurred with the Lindner future including the Lindy tackle company, In-Fisherman magazine and TV empire, and so much more. He talked about ROD ROMINE, who moved into a successful sales career; Al doing promotions and hundreds of sport shows, JEFF ZERNOV creating multi-mil-

lion dollar companies; and a wave still being felt today. “My life story started with the Nisswa Guides League,” Gary Roach said. “Back then I guided in summer, played in a band and bartended in the winter, and one of my first guiding years I pocketed a total of $3,300. With guiding and travelling to sport show promotions and speaking engagements for Lindy with Al Lindner all over the country, I made a better living every year. Fishing has been my entire life.” “Everything kept evolving with live bait rigs, new bait like leeches, and of course, our locators were our ‘Walleye Magic.’ That made all the difference,” Roach said of the early years. “This was a stair-step to where most of us ended up. In my case I continued promotions, forming the Pro-Mo group in 1980, fishing tournaments (Author’s note: he did it very successfully on both the bass and walleye circuits), promoted heavily for tackle and marine manufactur-

Continued on page 32

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robably no other creature that inhabits Minnesota’s waterways represents the lakes area better than the loon. After all, it is our state bird. From its evocative call on a calm summer evening to its entertaining courtship antics, the loon stimulates our emotions both acoustically and visually. Sometimes, loons seem as inquisitive of us as we are of them. If you have spent time in a boat or lounging on a dock, you know what I mean. The big ﬁsh-eating birds seem to appear from nowhere, surface nearby, then dive, only to resurface as if to make sure we are watching. We are. The loons scrutinize us, too, with those impressive red eyes that contrast sharply against the velvety head which — when the light is just right — ﬂash iridescent green and purple. Is it any wonder why we have chosen the common loon as our state bird?

Under the watchful eyes of its parents, a one day-old loon chick tests out its tiny wings.

Loons nest in shallow weedy areas along undeveloped shorelines. Their nests are built of bulrushes, reeds, cattails and other vegetation.

During incubation a loon turns its eggs often using the lower mandible of its bill. Both parents share incubation duties.

BILL MARCHEL is published regularly in many regional and national publications — and in the Brainerd Dispatch. He can be reached at bill@billmarchel.com

OUTDOOR TRADITIONS

UNCOMMON FACTS ABOUT COMMON LOONS

By BILL MARCHEL

• During winter, common loons lack the glossy green head, striped neck and blackand-white checkerboard patterned back so familiar to us. Loons are grayish-brown above and dull white below in winter. • Most loons spend the winter months in salt water along the eastern seaboard states and Gulf Coast. Some winter in Florida. • Loons have small wings in proportion to their body size and thus have difficulty getting airborne. Once aloft, however, they exhibit swift, direct flight. Upon landing, loons bounce and skim across the water’s surface until their speed is arrested by the resistance of the water. • Although loons dominate their watery environment, they are clumsy on land. Their legs are placed so far back on their bodies they are barely able to walk. When they do walk they waddle a slow, measured one step at a time. They cannot become airborne from land. • Loons have the remarkable ability to adjust their specific gravity and slowly sink in the water — a self contained ballast if you will. When preparing to dive, they exhale air in their lungs, making it easier to submerge. Their blood is exceptionally rich in hemoglobin and holds more oxygen than other birds. • A female common loon almost always lays two eggs, which are incubated by both parents. They hatch in about 30 days. • Upon diving, loons literally fly through the water using their wings and big, powerful web feet.

M-POW-R-ing PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED ANGLERS TO CATCH FISH By DAVE CSANDA

’ve been friends with Roland “Doc” Kehr for over 30 years. Spent a lot of time with him. We even managed to fish together a few times, including a really memorable spring trip to the Missouri River in South Dakota, when we absolutely loaded the boat with big pike. Spend time in the boat with someone, and you learn a lot about them. I tend to be fairly quiet, while Doc is one of those enthusiastic personalities who tends to dominate the conversation. When he’s excited about something, he recalls, relates and retells every detail in, well, extreme detail. Second, Doc is also my dentist, so most of our conversations over the past three decades have featured him telling me about all the great fishing trips he’s been on recently, with me responding, “Uh-huh, uh,” while seated in the dental chair, as Doc probed my gums or picked bits of monofilament fishing line out from between my incisors. So when I say it’s often hard to get a word in edgewise with Doc, it’s really because he’s only doing his job… The origins of this particular story began back in the mid-‘80s, when I wrote several magazine articles featuring a portable electric fishing reel made by the Royal Bee Company of Oklahoma. Royal Bee was a small manufacturer on a mission to provide

Nathan Kehr, who has cerebral palsy, is the inspiration for the new M-POW-R reel developed by his dad, Roland Kehr. Even the model number — the NK-100 is named after Nathan Kehr.

physically challenged and elderly anglers the capability of retrieving lures and fighting fish one-handed. Royal Barton, who invented the Royal Bee, furnished me with a few models for testing and evaluation. In a nutshell, Royal Bees were standard spinning and casting reels modified by adding a small, lightweight electric motor, powered by a portable 12-volt battery and operated via an on-off push-button and an adjustable rheostat speed control. They not only worked; they worked remarkably well. So much so, that Royal Bee began to carve out a niche market, even gaining catalog space at Cabela’s. Yet even back then, a little guy trying to play hardball with the big

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boys in the fishing industry proved difficult at best. Royal Bee eventually succumbed to the pressure and went out of business, a victim of trying to introduce and sell a semi-expensive product into what was then perceived as a somewhat “limited” market. Afterward, the sample reels sat idle in my garage, until it eventually dawned on me that Doc’s son, Nathan, might be able to use them. Nathan loved to fish, but was hampered by cerebral palsy that allowed him to use only one hand for fishing. So I passed the reels on to Doc and Nathan, little realizing the effect they would have. Fast-forward a quarter century, and Nathan was still using them to catch fish, all across North America! They made such a difference in Nathan’s ability to enjoy the sport that Doc frequently stated that, once he “got out of the fishing business,” he seriously considered re-introducing a similar product to fill the need for the upcoming generation of anglers. Transforming good ideas into reality takes a combination of persistence, action, smarts, luck and timing. That’s where the intriguing coincidence comes in. Because all those years, Doc was also one of the behind-the-scenes principals at Lindy Tackle, formerly headquartered here in Brainerd. So he not only understood the fishing business, but knew other experienced individuals who could someday help him get his reel project up and running. Call it fate. Call it destiny. But when the time was finally right and the planets began to align, good things were poised to happen. A few years back, as his dental career began to wind down, Doc found

Pushing the button on the M-POW-R reel retrieves the line. Let it go and the reel stops. A succession of on and off pulses on the button and the reel slows. A pulse modulator automatically prevents overheating and maintains torque at low speed. ◆

Steve Kohls

more time to follow his dream, and began shifting some of his boundless energy into his electric reel concept. Working together with Jeff Zernov, who pioneered and marketed the Aqua-Vu Underwater Camera and numerous other angling accessories, the new product began to take shape. Jeff carried ideas and specs with him during frequent business trips to China, returning with a succession of prototype components for testing and evaluation. Eventually, the pieces literally came together, and the M-POWR model NK-100 electric spinning reel — with the NK designation in honor of Nathan Kehr — was ready for assembly at Zernov’s facility in the Burlington Northern complex here in Brainerd.

The M-POW-R NK-100— Up Close and Personal

While electric reels have been around awhile, they have typically been large, heavy, expensive winch-like models targeting the saltwater trolling

market. The challenge here was to keep things light and portable, allowing anglers to not only troll baits and lures and to fight hooked fish back to the boat, but to cast and retrieve lures as well. And to do it all at a price that didn’t break the bank. The NK-100 incorporates a trigger spinning reel with one-hand bail activation, adding a lightweight electric motor assembly to power the motor and spin the reel. It is powered by a 12-volt, 4-amp rechargeable battery (charger included) like you use with a portable depth finder for ice fishing. You strap the battery to your belt, connecting it to the reel with a lightweight cord. (Or, simply plug into and run the reel off your boat’s 12-volt electrical system, using a supplied cigarette lighter adaptor cord. Your choice.) How long the portable battery

lasts depends upon how you use it, casting versus trolling. If there’s any doubt, you can always bring along another battery as backup. In a pinch, the reel also comes with a spare reel handle for manual operation. The system is reverse-polarity protected, just in case you hook up the two wires incorrectly. Hint: In 12-volt parlance, red is always positive, and black, negative. If you’re color blind, either ask for a second opinion, or take your chances. The NK-100 incorporates a sensitive on-off button mounted on the rod, in perfect position for easy leftor-right thumb operation. Touch the button, and the motor turns the reel. Let go, and it shuts off. A succession of on-off touches feathers the current and slows reel operation.

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To fine tune constant retrieve speed, an adjustable pulse modulator dial sends just the right amount of juice to the motor, whether you’re slow-swimming a Rapala Minnow back to the boat, or buzzing a spinnerbait just below the surface. You dial in the right retrieve speed for the lure and conditions. The pulse modulator automatically prevents overheating while maintaining torque at low speed. When you hook a fish, things get interesting. With smaller fish like bluegills and crappies, chances are you can simply wind them right in. With larger fish like bass, walleyes and pike, however, you need to actually play the fish with the rod, just like you do with a typical rod-reel setup. Pump the rod upward to bring

the fish closer, then press the button as you lower the rod tip to wind line onto the reel spool. Pump again, press and lower to take up slack. If the fish is too big or stubborn to move…wait until it tires. If it runs, let the adjustable rear drag on the reel wear the fish down until you’re able to gain ground again. The beauty of the system is that it’s light yet powerful, adjustable, yet definitely not a cumbersome winch. You fish with it. You don’t simply wind with it. The first NK-100s to hit the market this spring will come teamed with a 6 ½-foot, two-piece, medium-action, medium-power spinning rod, which is a balanced outfit for catching any of the species previously mentioned. Total cost for the entire setup will be around $600,

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which is admittedly slightly on the spendy side. But think about it. A really good graphite spinning rod and reel combo could easily run you $300 to more like $400 or more. Adding the electronic componentry to the setup allows anglers who really need it to fish comfortably, effectively and enjoyably for a relatively modest investment. Which is really what it is — an investment in all the future hours and days, weeks, months and years spent in a lifetime of fishing. That’s peanuts over the long haul. In the future, M-POW-R series reels are targeted to be sold separately for use on any rod, as well as in rod and reel combos. And to provide

Continued on page 31

By STEVE MILLER

Memory Lane T R I P S

Growing up on a small lake with plen-

ty of good fishing, a trip to Tutt’s Bait and Tackle was like going to Disney World for some kids, I suppose. The aisles shined with thousands of different lures that all promised to be the difference between an empty stringer and needing to clear some wall space for a trophy display. Landing a job there made me feel as if I had just gotten my hands on a winning lottery ticket. What I didn’t realize, was that I would become the person I am today in large part because of the journey I was about to embark on. There are countless stories I could share about how awesome it was to be a part of such a special place in Mille Lacs Lake history. One of the coolest things about working on one of the best walleye lakes in America was that some of the best fisherman in the world would wander through the door from time to time. It was always a fun day if Al Linder would come in. He is one of the most genuinely nice professionals I had the privilege of meeting. On his way out to film a show one afternoon, he stopped in with a guest that needed a non-resident fishing license. The special guest for that show was a football coach that, at the time, still had residence in the Tampa Bay area. Like a little girl at a Bieber concert, I went bananas when Tony Dungy

T O

T U T T

walked in. Luckily, the guys were nice enough to pose for a picture and I was composed enough to fill out a license for the coach. Everyone has a small handful of people in their life that change them. These are people that make them better without any intention or effort. Shirley Lasher (Joan Tutt’s mother) was a permanent fixture at Tutt’s. She lived next door and worked for at least a couple hours almost every day. Her words were few, her tone was sharp and her message was whole-hearted. Shirley despised attention then and probably still does today. After several years, store manager Matt Scott and I finally found out when her birthday was. She always told us there would be no party or celebration and we would be having a normal day’s work as it was a normal day. The night before, after we were sure she was in bed, we snuck out into the parking lot and made a huge spray-painted birthday sign. After running out of

’

space on the piece of cardboard, we had to shorten her last name, which makes the memory even funnier and more ridiculous. Even Shirley’s granddaughter Sarah (who now co-owns the store with her husband Kurt) was in on the plan and made a fantastic cake with candy nightcrawlers sticking out of the top. Expecting Shirley to be ornry with us, we were completely surprised by her reaction. She was so touched that we thought so much of her and were willing to go through all of that effort just to get her to celebrate. I never saw her smile at us as much as she did that day. It was a proud moment in life. There are countless other stories in my life from working at Tutt’s. I am confident that the young people working there now are enjoying the same fantastic experiences that I did. ◆ STEVE MILLER spent most of his childhood in Deerwood. He is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys ﬁshing, hunting and golf. He currently lives in Zimmerman, Minnesota.

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DNR Calendar MAY

ATV safety training class at 9 a.m. at Granny’s Restaurant in Emily.

2 — Bear hunt lottery deadline.

25 — “Hunters of the Sky” program from 8-9 p.m. at Mille Lacs Kathio State Park.

3 — ATV safety training class at 8 p.m. at Driftskippers Clubhouse in Isle. 3 — ATV safety training at 10 a.m. at Quadna Mountain Park in Hill City. 3 — Youth ﬁrearm safety-on-line ﬁeld day at 9 a.m. at Northstar Sportsman’s Club in Walker.

29 — Volunter trail ambassador training at 9 a.m. at Camp Ripley. Pre-registration required.

JUNE

5 — Firearm safety training class at 12:30 p.m. at Cuyuna Range Elementary School in Crosby.

2-6 — Minnesota master naturalist “Big Woods, Big Rivers” course, with focus on youth environmental education, at Camp Olson in Longville.

10 — Walleye, sauger, northern pike seasons open.

6-8 — Take-a-Kid ﬁshing weekend.

10 — Stream trout in lakes summer season opens.

6 — “I Can Fish” program from 3-5 p.m. at Mille Lacs Kathio State Park.

10 — Smallmouth and largemouth bass early season opens north and east of U.S. Hwy 53 from Duluth to International Falls and Pelican and Ash lakes in St. Louis County. 10 — ATV safety training class at 9 a.m. at Roosevelt Town Hall in Crow Wing County. 17 — ATV safety training class at 9:30 a.m. at Myrin James American Legion in Ironton. 17 — Youth ﬁrearm safety-on-line ﬁeld day at noon in Palisade. 24 — Smallmouth and largemouth bass opens south and west of U.S. Hwy 53 from Duluth to International Falls and Pelican and Ash lakes in St. Louis County. 24 — Outdoor photography workshop from 11 a.m.12:30 p.m. at Mille Lacs Kathio State Park.

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7 — Muckellunge season opens. 13 — “I Can Fish” program from 3-5 p.m. at Mille Lacs Kathio State Park. 13 — Elk hunt lottery deadline. 14 — Kids Day from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Mille Lacs Kathio State Park. 14 — Archery in the Park from 2-4 p.m. at Mille Lacs Kathio State Park. 20 — “I Can Fish” program from 3-5 p.m. at Mille Lacs Kathio State Park. 21 — Youth ﬁrearm safety-on-line ﬁeld day at 9 a.m. at Wealthwood Rod & Gun Club in Aitkin. 27 — “I Can Fish” program from 3-5 p.m. at Mille Lacs Kathio State Park.

By JUDD BRINK

Feathers Afield

Migration Hazards

The migration of birds is the seasonal movement between wintering grounds and breeding locations across North America. Many of the colorful birds that we enjoy during the spring/summer season are long distance migrants, spending their winters in Central and South America. What triggers this massive migration of birds each year? Many birds respond to the photoperiod (length of daylight), temperatures or changes in food supplies. Each year millions of birds take flight, covering great distances in a single night. Their journey is long, tiring and even deadly as they encounter many hazards and obstacles. The mystery of migration used to be seen as a “magical” thing that just happens. But now, with better science and technology, we can see and study the migration and its effects. Birds do navigate by the stars and moon, as we once thought, but they also sense changes in the earth’s magnetic fields and use mental maps of geographic landmarks. There are several flyways/migration routes that birds follow each year. The four major North American routes have been named the Atlantic, the Mississippi, the Central and the Pacific Flyways. Most of the flyways are geographically marked by certain landmarks or features as suggested by their names. For many of our breeding birds, the Mississippi River provides an important physical landmark that highlights their route from the south to the north.

◆ Tim

Bogenschutz (both photos)

House Finch (above), Rose-Breasted Grosbeak (top of page) A bird must make many preparations before departing into the night air; food is their source of fuel. They go into a feeding frenzy for days and weeks leading up to their journeys northward, consuming high calorie foods depending on the species of bird. During this time, they can gain in mass up to half of their body weight, providing critical resources of energy. When they expend all of this energy during migration, they are forced to refuel at stop-over sites found in many National Wildlife Refuges across the country. The entire refuge system was created to protect these

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stop-over sites that contain critical habitat for waterfowl and is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Many of these sites protect and preserve the prairie pothole region found mostly in the Dakotas. The number of birds that perish each year just in the United States alone is to be estimated at between 500,000 and a billion depending on the structure type. A bird’s night flight is full of risks and hazards that they cannot escape. These include natural (weather and predators) and man-made (buildings and towers). Many of us don’t see or hear of the types of collisions that occur in large cities or along a wind farms but we all know that sound when a bird flies into our windows at home. Each year millions of birds collide with our windows at home. Most of the time we only see the impact left on the window or the evidence of a few feathers. Most likely these birds don’t survive or are easily captured by a cat or other predator patrolling the area. Most of the window collisions take place during the spring and fall bird migrations but can occur at any time throughout the year. Even the birds that you do see fly away from a collision usually die from the results of their injuries. Birds are designed for flight and have hollow bones so they are quite fragile so any impact can be damaging. Almost all glass offers a mirror image or reflection of sky or habitat that

the birds see and tries to fly to it as this is what knows. Usually larger windows have the greatest impact as they reflect more of what is outside such as trees. How can I make my windows bird safe? Here are few solutions to try to help bird’s see your windows. If you feed the birds at or near a large window try a feeder that attaches directly to the window to break up the reflection or see through effect this also greatly reduces any high speed impact. When placing your feeders give birds plenty of space between any windows so the escape route doesn’t lead them into harm’s way. Try closing blinds and curtains during the day while not at home; this helps with see-through glass plus your home will stay cooler, too. Exterior screens on your windows can make a difference on a new home or when replacing windows, they can also be easily removed for better viewing. Surface treatments on existing windows are also available online or from a local bird store and can be successful. Bird tape or bird decals that attach to the outside surface of the window make it easier for the birds to identify the barrier. The best long-term solution that reduces impact is external screens or special glass. MN Backyard Birds partnered with Audubon Minnesota and produced a brochure titled “BirdSafe Homes” offering a few more suggestions online at http:// mn.audubon.org/birdsafe-homes. This spring thousands and thousands of birds will be arriving from a long migration and will need to refuel and rest. This is great time to clean your bird feeders and refill with fresh seed and to check how to make your windows more bird safe. Happy Birding! ◆ JUDD BRINK Judd Brink is a local birding expert. He also leads birdguided walks and tours. Contact Judd at jb@mnbackyardbirds.com.

MN Fishing CHALLENGE SET FOR GULL LAKE ON MAY 31

MN Fishing Challenge Host Al Lindner knows how important it is to catch fish during a tournament. He also knows that those who enter and participate in the sixth annual MN Fishing Challenge want to land trophies but are participating because they are saving lives.

“This is a fun event because contestants are having fun, catching fish on Gull Lake at the best time of the season and raising funds for people who are facing the biggest struggles of their lives with alcohol and drug addic-

tions,” Lindner said. “That’s why I strongly believe that fishermen will make a difference by raising a few dollars for MN Adult and Teen Challenge, which positively impacts boys, girls, women, men and their families.”

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The date for the challenge is Saturday, May 31. All ages and all skill levels fish together. The MN Fishing Challenge is presented by Mills Fleet Farm and offers many opportunities for anglers to succeed. Two-person teams may enter one or as many divisions as they wish, all with the $100 team entry fee. The divisions are Lindner Media bass, Navillus walleyes, Nor-Son pike, Nor-Son panfish and Sportech mixed-bag. Bag limits are low (three each bass, walleye and panfish; and 1 pike) so all teams are in contention. The top 10 teams in each division win great merchandise prizes including U.S. and Canada resort stays, rods, reels, tackle, trolling motors, ice shelters, guided fishing trips and much more. Flatline Outdoors will award five Mathews bows by drawing to students in middle or high school. Details are posted at mntc.org/ fishingchallenge, along with rules, photos and videos. Enter online or download an entry blank from the website. The public may support teams on the website, also. For more information, call 218-8338777. ◆

Northland Arboretum OUR OWN

“CENTRAL

Over 40 years ago, Rudy Hillig had a dream, one that included an old landfill and a strip of wild land that straddled the Brainerd/Baxter boundaries behind what is now the Westgate Mall. When the Brainerd landfill closed in 1972, Rudy’s vision was to develop this area into a natural arboretum. He put the wheels into motion working with local and state government agencies and in 1974 made his dream a reality.

Because of Rudy, we now have a beautiful natural arboretum known as The Northland Arboretum — keeping this 500 plus acres of woods and marsh available for year-round enjoyment. The “Arb,” as it is commonly referred to, is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and is supported by memberships, grants and donations from people near and far. We have 12 miles of hiking trails throughout our many acres to enjoy spring, summer and fall. For winter enjoyment almost all our hiking trails are groomed by the Brainerd Nordic Ski Club after the first snow-

fall through April 1 for cross country skiers. The Arb also has designated trails for snowshoeing and winter hiking separate from skier’s trails. We also have classes and workshops throughout the year, rent out space for private gatherings from meetings to weddings, hold annual events open to the public and more. Visit our website at www.northlandarb. org to see what we are all about and what is going on throughout the year. The Northland Arboretum will be holding a membership drive on Wednesday, May 21, in the Arbore-

PARK”

UPCOMING EVENTS THIS SUMMER: • June 8 — Dragonﬂy Workshop with Kurt Mead • June 9 through June 13 — Kids Outdoor Education Camp • June 14 — 13th Annual Sour Grapes Half Marathon • June 25 — Invasive Blitz Training • July 16 — 6th Annual MN Country Sampler Picnic • July 27 — Bumble Bee Workshop • Sept. 4 — Spider Workshop • Sept. 7 — Fall Mushroom Workshop

tum’s Visitor Center all day with special presentations from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. We will also have a membership drive table in front of Super One Foods on Saturday, May 17 from 10 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. If you are not a current member of Northland Arboretum, please consider becoming one. Your support is greatly appreciated!

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Kids’ Fishing Clinic marks

35th year May 31 By KATE PERKINS

On May 31 Brainerd area children will once again have the opportunity to learn to fish at the Brainerd Parks and Recreation Kids’ Fishing Clinic at Lum Park, an event that’s in its 35th year. The clinic is free and gives kids a chance to learn the ins and outs of fishing — from knot tying and casting technique to fish habitat, identifying fish and more. Children visit stations that include educational components and information for successful fishing. The event also includes a shore lunch and fishing from shore and off the pier. The event runs from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Prizes are awarded to the child who catches the first fish and the largest fish. Each child will go home with tackle. Pam and Jerry Loeffelbein have been volunteering at the event for 30 years. They brought their own children year after year, and now bring their grandchildren to the event. “We brought our boys when they were small and continued on ever since. Now the joy is watching it through our grandchildren’s eyes,” Jerry Loeffelbein stated in an email. Now retired, Bonnie Muzik started the event the first year she was hired by Brainerd Parks and Recreation, 35 years ago. “I’m a real avid fisherman, and I just believe that there are so many

◆

Submitted photo

Children have learned to ﬁsh at the Kids Fishing Clinic for more than 30 years.

things available to kids that they can do for free, and fishing is one of them,” Muzik said. In Minnesota, children don’t need a fishing license until they’re 16. “I mean we’ve got 10,000 lakes here. They can go down to the lake and throw their hook and bobber in and catch some fish,” Muzik said. Muzik said that about 10 years after the event started, the DNR installed a fishing pier on the lake outside the parks and recreation office. The DNR also participates in the event to educate children about fish and fishing. Though the children aren’t taken out onto the lake to fish, the Army Corps of Engineers has often taken part in the event to teach kids life vest safety. The Loeffelbeins say the Kids Fishing Clinic is unique in that it gives kids a chance to fish who might not otherwise have the opportunity.

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“This is sometimes a once-in-alifetime experience,” Loeffelbein said. While that may be the case, Muzik hopes that children who attend the event learn the basics of fishing and go home with some tackle so they can go fishing again. Muzik said that in past years, in about an hour and-a-half of fishing, children have caught around 300 fish. “Not (always) big, but they were biting and the kids could get that thrill of a catch,” Muzik said. The Loeffelbeins have many memories from their years at the event. “One of our best memories is from our own child. (He) caught the most fish and received a fishing rod. The look on his face was priceless,” Jerry Loeffelbein said. “The experience is a lifetime of memories. We have enjoyed every event through the rain, snow and wind. It has been amazing.” Muzik said the event introduces kids to an activity that gets them outside and away from the television. “That’s the easiest thing there is-for a kid to have fun and enjoy nature, to be outside. To throw a line in and see what they can get,” Muzik said. Numerous area businesses and groups sponsor the clinic. More information is available at www.ci.brainerd. mn.us/parks/events_fishingclinic. htm or by calling 218-828-2320. ◆ KATE PERKINS, a former Echo Publishing staff writer, is a freelance writer from northern Minnesota.

Continued from page 22 baitcasting reels for use with heavier lines, to handle tougher conditions and larger fish like pike or muskie. If they come up with one that can buzz a large muskie bucktail at high speed all day, I might be in the market for one myself. In the meantime, the NK-100 can bridge the gap between wanting to fish but not being able to, and fishing. If you think the target market for these reels is small, consider who might benefit from their use. Obviously, folks with physical challenges rank high on the list. So do seniors whose ability to use traditional rod & reel combos has diminished. Then add in returning service members who’ve been injured overseas-particularly those who love the outdoors but must face new challenges in pursuing that passion. All told, the M-POW-R NK100 is being built for people who have the desire, and simply need a hand—or more correctly, onehanded operation. And there are a lot more of them out there than you might originally think. Several NK-100s will be in use around the Brainerd area this year, including on the local Let’s Go Fishing pontoon for use by folks from local senior facilities. The reels will be put through the paces, and the results will help shape the evolution of future models. If you get a chance to use one, let the M-POW-R crew know what you think. And if you see someone who looks like they’re wired for fishing, chances are that indeed they are. The first NK-100s should be popDAVE CSANDA is a veteran outdoor communicator/TV co-host who works at Lindner’s Angling Edge Television in Baxter.

ping up locally somewhere in May, around the time of the upcoming 2014 Governor’s Opener on nearby Gull Lake. I think that’s more than a happy coincidence, particularly since they’re being built downtown in our hometown. Brainerd has long been known as a hub of fishing innovation, education and communication. It’s nice to see that tradition continue. And finally, to Doc, I’m glad that all those “uh-huh” words of encouragement I gave you over the years helped spur you on to fulfill your dream. Good to know you were paying attention. I certainly was. Initially, M-POW-R batteryassisted reel and rod combos will be available through e-commerce and at select retailers. For more information, contact: dockehr@mpowrfishing.com; 218-820-8113; www. mpowrfishing.com. ◆

Fishing 30 to 40 years ago meant limits for area guides. Royal Karels (center) poses with clients from the early 1970s.

Continued from page 17 ers, and kept thinking about what could help me catch more fish,” he said. Gary was the first angler to install an aerated livewell and the first to install a pedestal seat in the bow of his boat. Jeff Zernov might be considered the young League guy. He got to know the Lindners before they moved to the Brainerd lakes area. He ate, breathed, slept and woke each day with a desire to learn more about fishing. He attended every fishing club meeting, read every magazine story and attended every fishing seminar. In 1972, he was hired by Ron and Al and moved from southern Wisconsin to Brainerd to work and promote at the Lindy company. A few years later he was instrumental in the start-up of In-Fisherman magazine. “I was sort of accepted as a Nisswa Guide because I was hanging around with Al and Ron,” Jeff said. “Fishing as we know it started here. It was based on the wisdom and teachings of Buck Perry and Bill Binkelman. They revolutionized the sport.” The guides employed the latest technology and had a passion for fishing, but what set them apart, he said, was “these were really good anglers in an area with great lakes and big fish. It was like fishing reached critical mass in this area.” Each Nisswa Guide could talk for days about their experiences. Jeff said, “It was an honor to be invited to sit at the guide’s table and have lunch at Mini-Wawa Resort on Clark Lake. Everybody shared what happened, where they were going, what was working. After lunch one day, Harry Van Dorn was with a very senior angler who couldn’t climb into the boat. Harry had

him sit in a chair and used a block and tackle to hoist the chair and client into his boat. He then drove to the launch ramp and went fishing. Nothing kept him or any of us off the water.” Jeff viewed this entire episode of his life as having a role in assembling the puzzle pieces for a puzzle that wasn’t yet created. “People came into the picture including guys like BABE WINKELMAN, NICK ADAMS and the people who oversaw the growth of Lindy Little Joe, ad agencies for the outdoor industry like Chuck Nelson’s operation, and more,” Jeff said. Later, he ventured into the electronics manufacturing business with more than 360 people employed at one time for ZerCom Corp. He brought sonar products to the marketplace and will always be known for inventing the Aqua-Vu underwater viewing systems. Babe Winkelman is an example of the long-reaching arm of the Nisswa Guide’s League and what followed. He joined up with Al and Ron to promote and get the Lindy tackle company rolling. “Al and I roomed and traveled together. Gary Roach and I hit the road. Promotions were the name of the game. We were all learning from so many people and each other. We studied; we fished. My life in those early 1970’s was full-time guiding, promotions, shows, tournaments, writing and learning as much as possible,” he said. Babe was half-owner of the Lindy tackle com-

OUTDOOR TRADITIONS

pany from 1985 to 1995. Babe ventured far and wide, starting his long TV career in 1980. His break came when he became the Deep Woods Off spokesman and was featured extensively in advertising. He kicked off the first hunting TV show in 1988, and still promotes heavily with outdoor partners, has an aggressive web presence, writes extensively, has a line of food products and his video and commercial production and editing suites are located in the Brainerd lakes area. Like others featured in this article, he has been inducted into every fishing hall of fame, but is the only angler to be inducted into the National Sports Legends Hall of Fame. Back to what occurred here 40 to 50 years ago, Babe said, “This was an explosion of knowledge. Al and Ron brought the teachings of Buck Perry and Bill Winkelman north and when their break-through strategies were combined with good local anglers like Gary Roach and the Nisswa Guides League anglers, Lowrance electronics and the promotional Lindy team, it was like adding two plus two and coming up with a much larger total.” The Nisswa Guides League made all of us better anglers. They were the nucleus of the modern age of fishing. The ideas and tactics learned decades ago were the forerunners of so many boat, outboard, trolling motor, rod, reel, lure, electronics and “how-to” advances. Much of what we take for granted on a normal fishing day originated in the Brainerd lakes area. Those lessons and early forays into the media world proved to be the teaching tools that educated North America. Fishermen and the fishing industry owe a debt of gratitude to the men who started it all. Thank you Marv and the Nisswa Guides. ◆

Your Best Shot ◆ Photo submitted by tony wenzel Tony Wenzel of Randall says this owl was photographed in the woods near Camp Ripley. He adds, “My brother, Jerry, who is a Science teacher and knows his birds, says this about the Barred Owl: This owl is known for its baritone hoots, which sounds like it is saying: “Who Cooks for You, Who Cooks for You…All?” Would you like to see your photo published in a future edition of Outdoor Traditions? Please send digital photo ﬁles with subject “YBS” to outdoors@brainerddispatch.com. Minimum ﬁle size required is 2MB. Also give the name of the photographer and a brief description of the shot.

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OUTDOOR TRADITIONS