Lakes Journal July 2021

Getting out to the lake Otter Tail Lakes Country Association recognized by governor’s office INSIDE Local siblings receive lifesaving award Health professionals address heat concerns Glendalough State Park to host scavenger hunt

A view of a sunset from Lake Charles in Fergus Falls.

HEATHER KANTRUD / LAKES JOURNAL. JULY 2021 | MONTHLY NEWS AND EVENTS FROM THE OTTER TAIL AND GRANT COUNTY LAKES AREA | FREE

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PAGE 2 | LAKES JOURNAL | JULY 2021

YOUNG HEROES

Beck and Lila Thorson awarded Life Saving Award On July 5, 2020, Lila,13, Beck, 11, and Evie, 4, Thorson were swimming at their house on East Leaf Lake. They saw an adult male on a canoe about 200-250 yards from their shore. The canoe flipped over and the male fell out. The man started to yell for help. The man did not have a life jacket on, but was hold-

ing onto the canoe, struggling to stay up.

Seeing this, Lila, with a life jacket on, began to swim toward the man.

The wind was blowing to the north, so Lila was swimming into the wind.

Beck stayed on the shore with his sister Evie until the neighbor, who heard the screams for help, SEE THORSONS PAGE 9

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LIFESAVERS: Minnesota Sheriffs’ Association 2020 President and Rice County Sheriff Troy Dunn (left to right) and Otter Tail County Sheriff Barry Fitzgibbons award the Life Saving Award to Beck Thorson and Lila Thorson.

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For Lakes Journal

LAKES JOURNAL | JULY 2021 | PAGE 3

DNR invites comment on proposed sunfish regulations For Lakes Journal

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources encourages to the public to weigh in on proposed special fishing regulations that would allow anglers to keep fewer sunfish from 50 lakes.

The proposed regulations are part of the ongoing Quality Sunfish Initiative.

“These new regulations would continue our response to angler concerns about the declining sizes of some of our state’s most prized and frequently caught fish,” said Dave Weitzel, Grand Rapids area fisheries supervisor.

“We’re aiming to protect and improve sunfish sizes on select lakes with the biological potential to produce large sunfish.”

The proposed lower bag limits on 50 lakes would go into effect in March 2022.

Under the proposal, sunfish daily bag limits would be reduced from the statewide limit of 20 sunfish to five sunfish on some lakes and 10 sunfish on others. Some lakes also have similar proposals for lower crappie daily bag limits.

Comments on the proposed regulation changes

may be submitted multiple ways, including through an online survey that is open through Sunday, Oct. 31, by contacting an area fisheries office, or by attending an in-person meeting this fall.

Details about the meetings will be posted and publicized later this summer.

More information about comment options, including a link to the survey, is available on the DNR website.

Through the Quality Sunfish Initiative, nearly 100 lakes received bag limit reductions in March of 2021.

In total, the DNR plans to increase the number of lakes with reduced bag limits to approximately 210 by 2023, up from 60 before the initiative began.

Although anglers have told the DNR they are satisfied with sunfish numbers, they have voiced increasing concerns about sunfish size quality. They also have voiced concern about the added pressure on fisheries as a result of electronic fish finders and other technological advancements, including rapid social media communication between anglers when fish are bit-

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CATCHING FEWER FISH The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is encouraging the public to weigh in on special fishing regulations that would allow anglers to keep fewer sunfish from 50 lakes. ing.

“Sunfish grow only about an inch per year, so a large sunfish can be more than a decade old. It’s critical to protect these large fish from excessive harvest because they aren’t easily replaced,” Weitzel said.

In addition to the 50 lakes where the DNR is propos-

ing new special sunfish and crappie regulations, the DNR also is proposing minor changes to 63 lakes that already have special reduced possession limits.

Under these changes, the reduced possession limit will change to a reduced daily limit, which will allow an angler to take a daily lim-

it from a lake multiple days in a row until reaching their statewide possession limit (20 sunfish, 10 crappie). The change will create consistency with the newly implemented Quality Sunfish Initiative regulations and is not projected to have additional biological impacts.

Minnesota fishing regu-

lations use sunfish as the generic name for bluegill, pumpkinseed, green sunfish, orange-spotted sunfish, longear, warmouth and their hybrids. More about sunfish biology, the Quality Sunfish Initiative, and lists of lakes proposed for special sunfish regulations can be found on the DNR website.

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PAGE 4 | LAKES JOURNAL | JULY 2021

Health professionals talk Impact of heat on well being

By Heather Kantrud Lakes Journal

As the summer months approach and as springtime temperatures have already reached high levels, it is important to draw attention to how heat affects health and well being.

Rebecca Boesl, family nurse practitioner (FNP) at Lake Region Healthcare (LRH) in Fergus Falls shared what heat-related illnesses can consist of, how to identify and prevent them, and what to do if one suspects they are suffering. “Heat related illnesses can occur when the body becomes too hot and can no longer cool down or regulate temperature appropriately,” she explained.

ZACH STICH | DAILY JOURNAL

BEAT THE HEAT: With temperatures rising in the high 90s earlier, heat-related affects are important to monitor throughout the summer.

Some common heat-related illnesses seen and treated in this area are sunburn, de-

hydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke, which can quickly damage the brain,

vital organs, and even result in death. Heat can also worsen chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and heart disease.

“Just like we prepare for the cold weather as Minnesotans, there are things we can do to decrease our risk of heat related illnesses in the summer,” stated Boesl. Limiting time outdoors during the hottest times of the day, avoiding vigorous activities during high temperatures, staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water, wearing appropriate clothing, applying broad spectrum sunscreen regularly, avoiding alcohol and caffeine, and never leaving children or pets

unattended in vehicles can all greatly reduce the risk of falling prey to heat-related illnesses.

If someone is experiencing warm, red skin, thirst, muscle cramps, heavy sweating, headache, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue, they may be experiencing symptoms of any number of heat-related illnesses. The individual should be moved to a cool location and given sips of water. Placing cool, wet cloths on the body or taking a cool bath is also helpful.

More severe symptoms include confusion, loss of consciousness, seizures, and high body temperatures of 103 or above. If these symptoms present, calling 911 for emergency medical care is

essential, as these are symptoms of heat stroke.

Those at greatest risk for experiencing heat-related illness are infants and young children, individuals over the age of 65, people with chronic medical conditions and mental illness, and those taking certain medications — diuretics, certain blood pressure medications, antihistamines, and antipsychotics.

Additional information on heat-related illness is available through the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website or by contacting a healthcare professional. If serious concerns regarding heat-related illness present, one shouldn’t hesitate to call for emergency assistance.

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Drought stress a concern in Otter Tail County

By James Allen Lakes Journal

Otter Tail County is experiencing extreme drought stress in some areas of the county at this time along with the rest of west-central Minnesota. Some areas of the state, like Polk and Nobles counties are also struggling.

USDA West Otter Tail County Farm Service Agency executive director, Leon Johnson, says that according to the drought monitor, part of the county is in moderate drought, with a higher percentage considered abnormally dry. While Otter Tail County is in better shape than some surrounding counties he says it is still drier than normal for this time of year.

“I don’t know what the gap is right now, and it would vary, but we could use significant rainfall right now to catch up,” Johnson said.

He says soil type plays

a major part in how dry a particular piece of land is, more so than what is on it.

“The ones that I notice so far are pastures, forage crops, the lighter soils, all crops that have the lighter soils are suffering, heavier soils seem to be hanging in there, but the lighter sandy soils are suffering, that’s pretty much all crops there,” Johnson said.

“If the crops are planted on lighter sandy soils that are capable of holding less moisture, those crops have been more impacted. It is based on soil type.”

The USDA says another factor contributing to drought stress this year are temperatures. Some areas including Otter Tail County have seen 15-20 degree increases that are above average norms in the last couple of weeks.

In a breakdown of raw numbers on drought.gov, this year has seen the 23rd driest year to date in 127 years, and the county is 2.08 inches from normal for precipitation.

ANDREW KRUEGER / MPR NEWS

DRY: Corn plants show signs of stress in a field near Hampton, Minn., on June 17. Drought conditions are spreading and deepening across much of Minnesota.

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PAGE 6 | LAKES JOURNAL | JULY 2021

Otter Tail/Grant County farmers treading new ground with tire donation to sheriff’s department

For the Journal

SUBMITTED

TIRE DONATION: The Otter Tail/Grant County Corn and Soybean Growers donated a set of Goodyear soy-based Eagle Enforcer All Weather tires to the Otter Tail County Sheriff. From left: Sheriff Barry Fitzgibbons, Darin Roehl, Rick Swenson, Levi Stenerson, Tim Rasmussen, Deputy Jim Iverson and Otter Tail Tire Manager Ron Johnson.

Otter Tail and Grant County farmers and their soybean checkoff dollars are giving back to local first responders this summer – and promoting the diverse uses of soybeans at the same time.

The Otter Tail/Grant County Corn and Soybean Growers joined the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC) and its 44 organized counties by utilizing Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company’s line of soy-oil tires to spotlight value-added products while also supporting law enforcement agencies in their community.

They donated a set of Eagle Enforcer All Weather tires to the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office, which

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were recently mounted on the Sheriff’s patrol vehicle

by Otter Tail Tire. Otter Tail Tire in Fergus Falls donated the labor for installation of the tires.

Goodyear’s soy-based Eagle Enforcer All Weather tires are designed specifically for first responder vehicles traversing rugged climates like Minnesota’s.

“When the Otter Tail/ Grant Corn and Soybean Growers first reached out about donating tires, I didn’t see the connection between soybeans and tires. Through our conversations, I learned more about the soy-based tires,” said Otter Tail County Sheriff Barry Fitzgibbons.

“This is neat program and another way for us to support our local businesses and local farmers. We are very appreciative of the donation and support for law enforcement.”

With COVID-19 gathering restrictions relaxing, the timing is ideal for the council to drive its grassroots county program forward after a year marked by cancelled and postponed events. Promoting soybean oil via checkoff investments in renewable

technology is the perfect vehicle to showcase the council’s ongoing mission to improve farmer profitability by promoting value-added products.

“This donation was a great way to bring attention to different uses of soybeans and soybean oil, grown right here in our own counties,” said Rick Swenson, a member of the Otter Tail/Grant County Corn and Soybean Growers board. “We are proud to support our local law enforcement and our community and thank them for their service.”

Since 2017, Goodyear, supported by United Soybean Board checkoff investments, has released four lines of tires with soybean oil compounds: Assurance WeatherReady, Eagle Enforcer All Weather, Eagle Exhilarate and Assurance Comfort Drive. The Akron, Ohio-based company has increased its use of soybeans by 73% since 2018 and pledged to fully replace all of its petroleum-driven oils with soybean oil by 2040. The Enforcer tires will appeal to more than just law enforcement but also state fleets and

municipalities, increasing demand for soybean grown in Minnesota.

In additional to the county promotion, the council will give away two sets of Goodyear’s popular Assurance WeatherReady tires – also made with 100% soybean oil – at this year’s Farmfest (Aug. 3-5) and Big Iron (Sept 13-15). A third set of the WeatherReady tires, which are tailor-made for everyday vehicles, will be available through an online promotion that will allow farmers to nominate their favorite nonprofits.

The Otter Tail/Grant County Corn and Soybean Growers is affiliated with the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion council, which oversees the investment of soybean checkoff dollars on behalf of the nearly 28,000 soybean farmers in Minnesota. The Council is governed by the rules of a federally mandated checkoff program that requires all soybean producers pay a fee on the soybeans they sell.

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PAGE 8 | LAKES JOURNAL | JULY 2021

Blue Blazes: More from the Superior Hiking Trail

L

ast week we had the opportunity to make another quick trip to the North Shore to hike on the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT). Since one of my goals is to finish all North Country Trail (NCT) miles in Minnesota and the SHT is part of the NCT, we jumped at the chance and headed out Tuesday morning. A visit with family near Brainerd is what got us headed in that direction and after spending several hours catching up with them we made our way to Silver Bay and the Mariner Motel, a little mom and pop place.

Our planned hike for Wednesday was from Silver Bay to Tettegouche State Park, a distance of about 10 miles. According to the Guide to the Superior Hiking Trail, “this is one of the more challenging sections of the SHT, with lots of up and down.” Hmm … We parked at the trailhead in Tettegouche and were shuttled back to the Silver Bay trailhead by Cadillac Cab, a local company. And, indeed, our ride was in an old Cadillac! We had packed our lunched, a few snacks, and 2 liters of water each in our daypacks.

Although it wasn’t really hot at that time, we quickly worked up a sweat during the first of many ascents on the trail. Once we got to the top of the ridge, we were pleasantly surprised with ripe juneberries for a sweet treat. In May, these shrubs were blooming all over the ridges and now we got to enjoy the fruits! We also enjoyed a whole new set of wildflowers that weren’t

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ON THE TRAIL: Michelle Lackey Olsen has a goal to hike all of the North Country Trail. She hiked from Silver Bay to Tettegouche State Park, a portion of Superior Hiking Trail, as part of her hiking goal. out yet last month. Among them were wood anemone, heal-all, and fringed loosestrife.

One of the highlights of this section is the Bear and Bean Overlook which can also be accessed by a loop trail starting from the historical society parking lot in Silver Bay. The loop is 7.6 miles long and is very popular. Our planned hike would take us right along both Bean and Bear lakes, past the campsite on the shore of Bear Lake and then up to the awesome overlook.

The view from the huge rocky ridge is amazing and includes Bear Lake right below, Bean Lake in the distance to the south and the surrounding forest. It’s truly a “wow” moment! We met about 15 other hikers on the

way to the vista including a family with three young kids who were on their third day of backpacking and had spent the night at the Bear Lake campsite. It’s such a positive thing to see families taking their kids out on the trails at a young age and I always hope that these memories will trigger a lifetime of hiking experiences.

Continuing on we passed Round Mountain and then descended to Palisade Creek. The East Palisade Creek campsite was our choice for a lunch break. All of the campsites have a latrine at the end of a spur trail winding through the forest.

They also have a fire pit and multiple tent pads. Quite often there are benches fashioned from logs around the fire pit and these make a

comfortable spot for eating and resting. I generally try to avoid sitting on the ground since an incident last year at a campground along the NCT in Itasca State Park. I had decided to sit right on the ground for lunch at the top of stairs leading to the lake so that I could enjoy the view. When I got back to the parking lot at the end of the hike, I discovered way more ticks around my waist than I was comfortable with and blamed it on the ground since the ticks could bypass my permethrin-treated pants and crawl directly onto my skin!

We experienced a second amazing view when we reached the overlook at Mount Trudee. This rock dome had large red pine trees clinging precarious-

ly in the deep cracks of the rock. We looked down upon two more lakes and more of the inland forest. The presence of the persistent old red pines made this my favorite vista of the day. Once we descended from the top, we walked through more large maple and yellow birch trees and even a few white pines.

There were some lower areas with northern white cedars, one of my favorite tree species in Minnesota.

The final main feature of this trail before we ended back at the parking lot at Tettegouche was the Drainpipe. The name gives an indication of what it was like!

Before this year, it was a precarious scramble up or down the 150-foot rock crevice. We were very lucky to be able to take advantage of 47

newly installed stairs. Yay! I looked at the ground under the stairs and realized that descending that steep rocky bank would have been an adventure. Getting down to the first step still required hanging on for dear life to a wooden railing as we made the sharp turn to the stairs.

Seeing features like this remind me that it takes great effort, mostly volunteer, to build and maintain this fabulous trail. At the bottom of the Drainpipe, the trail turned into a pleasant 1.5mile walk back to the spur trail leading to the trailhead.

We crossed several of the state park ski trails and enjoyed the gentle hike out.

We had underestimated how much water we would need since it got a little warmer than expected and we ran out shortly after the Drainpipe so our first stop after reaching our car was the campground to refill our water bottles. Lesson learned.

Yes, this section lived up to its reputation of being challenging but the incredible rewards made it more than worthwhile. This is one of the things that I love about the Superior Hiking Trail. Every section offers its own visual treats and there is great variety in the physical effort required to complete each section. We can’t wait to return and are already planning our next adventure on this trail. Happy hiking everyone!

Michelle Lackey Olsen is a member of the Minnesota Waters and Prairie Chapter of the NCT here in Fergus Falls.

LAKES JOURNAL | JULY 2021 | PAGE 9

Continued from page 2

came outside. The neighbor stayed with Evie.

Beck, with a life jacket on, got into his kayak and paddled out to help.

Once Lila got to the canoe with the man struggling in the water, she was able to grab the man’s life jacket that was partially under the canoe and give it to him. The man was unable to fully put on the life jacket but was able to put it around his neck. Lila was on one end of the canoe and the man was on the other end of the canoe holding on. Lila held onto the canoe and grabbed onto the kayak. Beck paddled and Lila kicked to get them to shore.

Lila and Beck worked as a great team and had it not been for their quick and decisive action, the man would have drowned. Lila and Beck were directly responsible for saving the life of the man and disregarded their own safety with their actions. They remained calm and took the actions that were needed. For two people at their young age to respond so appropriately and quickly is quite impressive and they should be proud of what they did that day.

For their actions that day, they were awarded the 2020 Minnesota Sheriff’s Association Life Saving Award. The awards were presented at the 2021 Sheriff’s Summer Conference.

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Once on shore, the man, exhausted, began to vomit water that he had consumed during the incident.

It should be noted that even in the emergency, Beck had the presence to grab the man’s wallet which was floating it the water and place in into the kayak, so it would not be lost.

In speaking to Lila, Beck and the neighbor, had the children not immediately responded, the man most likely would not have been able to hold on to the canoe and would have drowned.

There was no time to call 911 and even if they had, the time it would have taken for responders to arrive, would have been too late.

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PAGE 10 | LAKES JOURNAL | JULY 2021

MATHEW HOLDING EAGLE / DAILY JOURNAL

TEE OFF: Curt Jones (left) and coach Kevin Swenson (right) prepare for a practice drive Wednesday at Pebble Lake Golf Club. The United State Blind Golf Association will be hosting their first Midwest regional tournament at Pebble Lake Golf Course in Fergus Falls on July 18-20.

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U.S. Blind Golf Association to hold first regional Midwest tournament in Fergus Falls

By James Allen Lakes Journal

The United States Blind Golf Association (USBGA) is hosting their first Midwest regional tournament in the organization’s history in Fergus Falls at Pebble Lake Golf Course from July 18-20. The organization is also celebrating another

milestone of 75 years in existence.

Local tournament director, and USBGA golfer, Curt Jones says there will be about 16 golfers coming into the area from Georgia, Arizona, Florida, Alabama, Connecticut, New Jersey and Kentucky. It is the first time the event will be held in Minnesota.

Jones says that although the actu-

al tournament will be on June 19 and 20, June 18 is considered a practice day when golfers will arrive in town, with the opening ceremony starting at 8:45 a.m. on June 19, and the tournament commencing shortly after at 9 a.m.

Jones indicated that to play on a national level within the organization, there are different qualifications, but with this type of regional tournament, the only qualification is that they be a USBGA member.

Curt Jones started playing golf in 2018 and soon after became a member of the USBGA. According to his biography on

USBGA website, he always believed that if you are going to be in an organization you should get involved, so Jones ran and was elected to the USBGA Board of Directors in 2019. When Curt is not playing golf he enjoys reading, woodworking and hunting in the fall. Curt and his wife Tisa live in Battle Lake and have been married for 40 years. They have two children and three grandchildren.

Curt’s coach, Perry Nouis, of Plymouth, who would normally assist him during tournaments, will not be able to do so during this tournament due to Jones having knee issues. Nouis will be

LAKES JOURNAL | JULY 2021 | PAGE 11

with another golfer in the event. Nouis has known Jones since high school and started working with him about four years ago.

“Normally as a coach, I’m basically their eyes and lining them up and then they would take the shot, that is the course part of it. The other part is I come to the driving range, and take a look at their swing and essentially help them around the course and take care of a lot of the logistics,” Curt said.

Also assisting and providing support during the tournament are Matt McGovern, Fergus Falls Otters High School golf coach, and Kevin Swenson, director at Pebble Lake Golf Club.

Swenson said he is really looking forward to the tournament and also

stressed, “There is a little more to it than a regular tournament, being that there are more people involved. Coaches and scorekeepers, and so forth. Each one has a coach that helps them set up and position, watching the ball. Putting is a crucial part, involves their coach, and it’s really pretty fascinating. We are very honored to have a tournament of this caliber coming to Fergus Falls.”

USBGA is a worldwide organization that holds tournaments at many different locations internationally. According to the organization, based on sight acuity, golfers compete in three divisions.

The governing body of the organization, the International Blind Golf Association states that golfers in

the B3 category must have vision of less than 20/200, while the B2 division is set at 20/600 or worse, with the totally blind competing at the B1 level. Whether sight loss is from birth or through accident or illness competitors are comprised of both female and male golfers.

In addition, every golfer has a sighted person to assist them, referred to as coaches. The coach provides the golfer a course description, correct yardages, and helps with club selection and proper alignment for each of the participants.

The organization also sponsors blind and visually impared children’s clinics, called the FollowThru program, providing PGA golf lessons with parent participation.

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MATHEW HOLDING EAGLE / DAILY JOURNAL

SHORT GAME: Curt Jones (right) sinks a putt Wednesday in preparation for the United States Blind Golf Association event which will take place at Pebble Lake Golf Course in Fergus Falls.

PAGE 12 | LAKES JOURNAL | JULY 2021

Glendalough to host educational scavenger hunt

For Lakes Journal

Visitors to Glendalough State Park may add some extra fun to their experience this summer with an educational scavenger hunt launched by Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota.

This scavenger hunt is part of a statewide challenge happening at 69 Minnesota state park locations and five local parks. Each scavenger hunt is tailored to a specific park and highlights 19 different types of birds, mammals, wildflowers, trees and recreational activities that can be found in that location.

The hunts combine online technology with in-person experiences. Participants access the hunts online in the form of a interactive checklist that features a photo of each item along with a brief description or fun fact about that plant or animal. Some items are very common and will be seen by most people who visit the park, such as a black-capped chickadee, while others are more elusive, such as a white indigo flower or a moose.

“Even if a participant isn’t able to check off a specific

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SEARCHING THROUGH THE PARK: Glendalough State Park near Battl eLake will be hosting an educational scavenger hunt launched by the Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota.

item, we hope the experience of looking for that plant or animal opens their imagination to the diversity of plant and animal life that

exist in the parks,” said Lisa Filter, Parks & Trails Council’s external relations director.

Participants can submit

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their hunt into a weekly drawing for a $20 gift card to Minnesota state parks.

Points are awarded for each item that is found as well as for completing the hunt with children. Those points translate into entries in the weekly drawing.

An additional prize drawing has been sponsored by the Glendalough Park Partners that will be awarded at the end of the season from all Glendalough entries.

Sarah Govig, member of the Glendalough Citizens Advisory board says, “we are always excited to participate in the activities of the Parks

& Trails Council. They have been such a strong advocate for Glendalough and all the state parks in Minnesota.

They have a great staff, are fabulous park advocates, and offer fun projects like the scavenger hunt.”

Parks & Trails Council piloted the scavenger hunt idea last summer, as virtually all park programs were canceled due to COVID-19.

The hunts were a self-guided, socially distanced option to fill that gap. Now, even as the pandemic restrictions have lifted, these hunts have evolved into a fun activity that people enjoy doing.

The hunts are designed for all ages, but with a special attention to parents of young children. “Kids love a challenge and the colorful photos that we included make it even more engaging for them,” says Filter.

Visit Parks & Trails Council’s website at parksandtrails.org to access the hunt or look for a flyer in the park for more details the next time you visit.

Additional Information • Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota - Scavenger Hunts parksandtrails.org/ events/2021hunt.

LAKES JOURNAL | JULY 2021 | PAGE 13

Otter Tail Lakes Country Association recognized by governor’s office The Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener has been a tradition since 1948, designed to improve Minnesota’s economy through the promotion of the state’s recreational opportunities, especially fishing. After applying and being selected to host the event in 2019, Otter Tail County successfully held the event May 15.

After the many challenges presented by the global pandemic, Gov. Tim Walz recognized their efforts with two awards.

Erik Osberg, Otter Tail County Rural Rebound Initiative coordinator, accepted an award from Walz on behalf of Otter Tail Lakes Country Association for

“Outstanding Leadership” in hosting the 2021 Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener held in Otter=Tail County. Osberg was the executive chair and fishing committee chair for the 2021 Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener.

“We are so grateful for the staff, volunteers, boat hosts, attendees, sponsors and other supporters who made the 2021 Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener one to remember,” said Osberg.

“Our goal all along was to highlight Otter Tail County’s numerous lakes, our diverse outdoor recreation opportunities, and our welcoming communities. I believe we accomplished that. Our guests left with a smile on their face, memories made and stories to tell.”

SUBMITTED

RECOGNITION: Erik Osberg, Rural Rebound Initiative coordinator and Marie Noplos, marketing director for Otter Tail Lakes Country Association, showcase their awards.

Marie Noplos, marketing director for Otter Tail Lakes Country Associa-

tion received an award for her outstanding service in hosting the 2021 Minne-

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sota Governor’s Fishing Opener. Noplos sat on the local planning committee and chaired the outreach, volunteer, lodging and closing ceremony committees.

“There are countless hours, thousands of emails, phone calls, and hundreds of meetings that go into hosting an event like this. I am so proud of every committee member, volunteer, sponsor, partner and community member who stepped up and made this event possible.,” said Noplos. “Without their support we would not have been able to pull off the 2021 Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener: The year of firsts.”

According to Noplos, in 73 years, Otter Tail County was the first organization to host the event countywide; ROUND LAKE 150’x267’, 3 bedroom, 2 bath year round home, walk-in sand beach. 36’x48’ Hexum Building, .94 acre, very private.

first to have to restart planning after it was canceled; first to introduce an online statewide fishing derby; and first to host during a pandemic.

“When they say it takes a village, in our case it took a whole county to come together,” remarked Noplos.

“In my opinion this was a huge success, and it is exactly what we needed to do for our local communities.

After a year and a half of the pandemic this was a great way to stimulate our local economy and jumpstart our tourism season in Otter Tail County. I am very humbled and honored to receive this recognition.”

The host community for the 2022 Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener is yet to be announced.

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For Lakes Journal

PAGE 14 | LAKES JOURNAL | JULY 2021

Remembering fishing fundamentals after discussion your fishing instincts.

Time on the water gives you experience locating fish, hours to practice and master skills, and it also allows an angler the time to develop that “sixth sense” if you will, the instincts that veteran anglers develop from hours and hours spent on the water.

For example, recently I was heading to a fishing spot A and, while passing spot B, I suddenly was “drawn” to spot B. Time on the water has taught me that trusting my gut is important. So, I abandoned my plan and, instead, turned the boat toward spot B. As we pulled off plane, I told my guide clients, “I’m not sure why, but something tells me there’s some biters here.”

Six casts and five bass later, my instincts were proven correct. Certainly, trusting my instincts doesn’t always work, but the more time I spend outdoors, the better my instincts become, and the more successful SUBMITTED I become as well.

You want to catch more fish this sumON THE PLATE: Mike Frisch followed his fishing instincts to help catch this largemouth bass mer? Master the fundamentals by becoming your own “fish finder,” honing your their neighbor caught walleyes and they and sense are developed and honed over fishing skills, and trusting your instincts. time. The reason some folks catch more But above all, spend time on the water! didn’t.

As always, enjoy your time in the woods Fishing a jig and minnow successfully fish than others when pitching a jig has is one technique that requires skill devel- more to do with skill developed from time and on the water and remember to include a opment that happens over time. Time on on the water and attention to detail than youngster in your next outdoors adventure! the water spent pitching and retrieving a it does with jig color or particular fishing Mike Frisch hosts the popular Fishjig that is. Knowing the right jigging ca- line being used.

Developing the ability to find fish and ing the Midwest TV series. Frisch also is dence the fish want on a particular day, developing the ability to make the jig fish the skills needed to catch them are import- a co-founder of School of Fish, one of the at that cadence, and then having a sense ant fishing fundamentals. The last topic country’s premiere fishing education proof feel for when a fish bites are just some to discuss here (and one intertwined with grams. Visit www.fishingthemidwest.com of the fundamentals important to success- the previous two) involves the importance to learn more about Fishing the Midwest ful jig fishing. And, that knowledge, skill, of spending time on the water and honing and School of Fish.

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ecently, I met an intelligent, insightful lady who, while discussing a non-fishing topic, reminded me that the basics (the fundamentals if you will) of any activity are key to success. With that in mind, this blog will be a review of some fishing fundamentals that are, and always will be, important to an- FISHING gling success!

WITH FRISCH The first fundamental is Mike the importance of locating Frisch fish. At every School of Fish class I teach, the statement, “you have to put your bait in front of fish in order to catch one” is made. That sounds simple.

Yet, sometimes I think that we, as anglers, get so caught up in new lures, new lure colors, and other “gadgetry” that we forget that the prettiest lure or most expensive rod/reel combination won’t catch fish if there are none around.

For that reason, School of Fish classes focus on teaching students to find “fishy” areas and the importance of moving to new spots when fish aren’t “biting.” I say “biting” a bit tongue in cheek because I believe there are always some fish willing to bite, we just don’t always find those biters!

Finding fish is key, but so is mastering the basic fishing skills used to catch them.

Fishing skill development is something that gets much less attention than some trendy lure or a new technique. For example, I often hear people say, “we pitched jigs and minnows too but we didn’t catch any” when

LAKES JOURNAL | JULY 2021 | PAGE 15

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PAGE 16 | LAKES JOURNAL | JULY 2021

Free Standing Canopy and AirMax Fabric The perfect solution for those who don’t want a boat lift but still want to protect their boat from the elements. Includes FLOE’s Easy Leveling™ System so you can effortlessly level the canopy without getting in the water.

AirMax Canopy Fabric allow air to flow through the ends of the canopy. Available in all of FLOE’s AirMax™ canopy colors including Navy Blue, Green, Grey and Black.

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