Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener 2015

A few weeks ago I received an email from the fine people at Explore Minnesota asking me if I would be interested in photographing the Governor’s Fishing Opener this year.  I immediately responded “heck yes” and was all a flutter with excitement. The interesting side note from this is, I had just quit my job in “Big Corporate America Job” as a Software Engineer.  Big Corporate America seems to be attempting to suck my soul out so I had to break away at least for a little while.  So this opportunity came at a perfect time.

The actual expectations of my role were not overly clear so I split the event into attempting to capture the official components of the event while also capturing the behind the scenes, “stories behind the story” activities surrounding the event.

The event was sponsored by the Lake Vermilion Resort Association (LVRA http://www.lakevermilionresorts.com/) and Fortune Bay Resort Casino (http://fortunebay.com/lodging/hotel/).  Their job was to put together all the great activities, build a list of all people coming, house all the guests and fund all the activities. There was a ton of hard work put into the event.

Fortune Bay ended up housing most of the Guests and I believe there were dozens of them. The resort is beautiful and perfectly situated on the southwest side of the lake close to Tower Minnesota.  The resort is certainly worth checking out if you’re headed up north and don’t have other places to stay. It is a grand location.

Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener

I was blown away by all the swag they handed out to the “guests”.  This really was a great event.

Friday Governor’s Fishing Opener

Friday the city of Tower had a wonderful kickoff event where there was almost a circus like atmosphere complete with clowns, unicycle riders, tents and booths and the whole nine yards.  I did not see a beer tent though??

Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener

Of course there were some speeches by state-wide and local dignitaries commemorating the great history of this event and basically kicking off the summer of 2015.

Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener

I did not realize that tourism in Minnesota is a 13 billion dollar industry so it really is a big deal and it’s a great thing to celebrate.  The event in Tower finished up with us citywide picnic meal served to all comers.

Faces of the Road Wayne Eddy

It was during the event in Tower Friday evening that I met Wayne Eddy.  You can see more of the meeting with Wayne Eddy In this article.

Of course if you follow my work at all you know I’m very interested in landscapes on both sunrises and sunsets on those types of beautiful things so I had to sneak out Friday evening and an attempt to capture a landscape sunset image.  The beautiful Lake vermilion known as “the Lake of the Sunset Glow” did not disappoint.  Even though the evening was relatively cloudy the sun managed to break out right before sunset and after the Sun and actually set the sky became like fire to capture this wonderful scene.

Lake Vermillion Lake of the sunset glow

Lake Vermillion Lake of the Sunset Glow

On Friday night there was a scheduled time to meet our fishing guides.  What I thought was going to be happening as I was going to be on a boat filled with photographers that would be following the governor and other fisher people around the lake. What actually turned out was that I got a fishing guide and a boat all to myself.  I was blown away!  It also turns out my guide was fantastic.  He was willing to do whatever I wanted to do and he ended up taking me to all the wonderful spots and all the great views on the lake in my quest to get good images.  My guide was Ken Wainionpaa and he made the time on the lake perfect.

Saturday Governor’s Fishing Opener

The day of opening fishing for me started on Saturday morning with a wonderful breakfast with all the fix in’s Then I headed down to the docks to meet Ken my guide again and discussed how we were going to arrange the day.

Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener Lake Vermillion Lake of the sunset glow

Some of the great fishing guides and helpers at the Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener

Finally it was time to go over to check out the official events for a little while.  Again I was looking to capture some interesting behind-the-scenes images.  I was not disappointed.

Honor Guard Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener Lake Vermillion Lake of the sunset glow

Honor Guard ~ Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener

Rep Rick Nolan telling fish stories Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener Lake Vermillion Lake of the sunset glow

Rep Rick Nolan telling fish stories Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener

After all the morning speeches and kickoff events were dying down then it was off to the lake to catch some fish.

Fido wants to catch fish Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener Lake Vermillion Lake of the sunset glow

Even Fido wants to Catch Fish ~ Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener

There was some concern that being the weather was relatively cool yet that the fish would not be that active. Turns out the fish were quite active and I believe the governor’s boat cat caught 13 to 17 fish or something like that.  Here are some of some examples of all the great fish that other people are catching.

Catching Fish Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener Lake Vermillion Lake of the sunset glow

That’s a nice Keeper Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener 2015

 

Catching Fish Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener Lake Vermillion Lake of the sunset glow

Dude, show us the fish! ~ Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener 2015

 

Catching Fish Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener Lake Vermillion Lake of the sunset glow Look at that smile! Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener 2015

 

After a successful morning of fishing we were treated to a wonderful fish fry I was perfectly appropriate for the opening day of fishing.

Fish Fry Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener 2015

The entire event was so much fun and such a great success I’m glad to be a part of it. The best part of the event for me was to see the activity behind the scenes, to see what it actually takes to put one of these on to watch all of the people that were supporting the event tirelessly and they worked hundreds of hours doing so. And a very special joy for me was to meet so many of the fishing guides and to hear their stories I love living up north, of the importance of marrying a widow with a cabin on the lake and so many other great life insights.

Great Fishing Guides from the  Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener 2015

Great Fishing Guides from the Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener 2015

I enjoyed this outing so much, I sure hope it is not a once in a lifetime opportunity.

 

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Until next time, get out and capture the adventure!!

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