When can you tell that we had a good fishing opener? When the governor actually catches nine walleyes. We had good weather for the opener on Lake Vermilion - that with an abundance of smaller 12- to 16-inch fish made for a great day to kick off the open water season. It was my first trip to the lake and I will say it won't be my last. A beautiful lake with good fishing is all a guy can ask for. I do have to say although we were there to cover the fishing, there was a lot more to do.
The coolest thing for me was the Soudan Mine and underground laboratory tour. If you have never been there, I suggest you make the trip. The stories of the miners and the mine itself is unbelievable. Being 2,500 feet below the surface is something you won't soon forget. And imagining what these miners did with a candle, hammer and punch is just amazing. Known as the Cadillac of mines it stays a constant 51 degrees and is home to the richest ore there is. And the laboratory is like something you would see in a science fiction movie.
The stay at Fortune Bay Casino was great, being right on the lake was definitely a plus. Within minutes after breakfast we were in the boat catching fish. With the governor's long standing tradition of not catching fish and his record only being two, that should tell you how good it was. Congrats to the Lake Vermilion area on a great event.
Next year the Big Sandy area will be hosting the event, that lake also has a good reputation for some good fishing so we will have to see if the governor can beat his new record of nine fish.
