2008 Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener!
May 9,10 & 11, 2008
"Walleye Dan" Selected as Governor Pawlenty's Fishing Host for 2008 Governor's Fishing Opener
ST. PAUL (April 24, 2008) - “Walleye Dan” Eigen has been selected as Governor Tim Pawlenty’s fishing host for the 2008 Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener in Breezy Point, Minnesota.
“It gave me the chills and I am completely honored,” Eigen said when notified that he had been selected as the fishing host for the Governor.
Dan has a few ideas that he believes will put fish on the hooks of the Governor and First Lady on Opening day, but doesn’t want to give away his secrets. Dan predicts the Governor and the First Lady will catch fish on opening day.
Dan started fishing with his Dad when he was about five-years old and because of his fascination with the sport, he spent much of his free time fishing. He has always been interested in the outdoors and also trapped and hunted his entire life.
Dan is now a full time, professional fishing guide and the owner/operator of Walleyedan’s Guide Service of Nisswa, Minnesota.. He became a professional fishing guide because of an experience he had when he was about ten-years old when his father hired a guide at a resort in the Brainerd Lakes area. Dan was impressed with the amount of fishing knowledge the man had. Dan later began working at the Quarterdeck Resort on Gull Lake and would quiz the resort guides about fishing techniques and locations and then head out on the lake to try out his new found knowledge. From there, Dan began his fishing guide career.
Tom Whitehead Tapped as Minnesota Lieutenant Governor’s Fishing Host
 ST. PAUL (April 24, 2008) — Brainerd resident and tournament fisherman Tom Whitehead has been selected as the fishing host of Lieutenant Governor Carol Molnau at this year’s Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener at Breezy Point, Minnesota.
Tom said he was really excited when he got the call to be her host for fishing on Pelican Lake. Tom has guided for many people over the years and is confident he will put the Lieutenant Governor “on fish” on Opening morning.Tom has been part of a Governor’s Opener in the past, but he says hosting the Lieutenant Governor is something very special to him. “I know the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor have a great fishing competition going,” Tom added. “I intend to use all the tricks and knowledge of fishing I have to help Lieutenant Governor Molnau out fish him.”
Tom was born in southern Minnesota and started fishing when he was three-years old. Tom’s two grandfathers and several uncles let him tag along when they went fishing. By the time Tom was 11, he was tying his own lures and could be found somewhere on the two lakes in the Delevan area whenever he had some free time.Tom said his appreciation for the outdoors and nature has been part of his “being” for as long as he can remember. Tom is a self-employed manufacturers’ representative in the outdoor industry and operates TK Marketing.
About the Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener
The Governor’s Fishing Opener has been a tradition in Minnesota since 1948. The event was designed to promote the development of Minnesota’s recreation industry. In recent years, the Opener has served as a celebration kickoff for the summer tourism season. It provides the community with an opportunity to highlight local fishing and other recreational activities, attractions and other points of interest.
Contact: Curt Johnson
651-297-3488
curt.johnson
2008 Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener!
May 9,10 & 11, 2008
Pequot Lakes and Breezy Point Announced as Site of 60th Annual Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener
Governor Tim Pawlenty announced that Pequot Lakes and Breezy Point will be the site of the 60th anniversary of the Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener, May 9, 10 and 11, 2008. Governor Pawlenty made the announcement at the end of the 2007 event at Leech Lake.
The 2008 Governor’s Fishing Opener will be held in the neighboring communities of Pequot Lake and Breezy Point. The two communities have a great history of working together to promote their area.
Breezy Point Resort will serve as the headquarters for the 2008 event. The resort has a grand tradition of hosting past Governor’s Fishing Openers including Governor Harold LeVander in 1970, Governor Rudy Perpich in 1989 and Governor Jesse Ventura in 2001.
“It’s a great time to have the Opener in the Pequot Lakes - Breezy Point area. This event is about fishing, but, it is also a celebration of our hosting communities and the kick-off to the summer tourism season,” said John Edman, director of Explore Minnesota Tourism, the state agency that coordinates the event. “What better place to host this 60th anniversary, than in the great Brainerd Lakes area so well-known for its hospitality and variety of fun activities for any visitor to the area.”
Co-chairs Dr. Ryan and Patty Buell will lead the hundreds of volunteers that will organize and work on the event. Dr. Ryan and Ms. Buell report that, “The communities of Pequot Lakes and Breezy Point are very excited to host Governor Tim Pawlenty and all the guests for the 60th anniversary Governors Fishing Opener in 2008. The Brainerd Lakes Chamber and the Brainerd Lakes Area are truly honored to have been chosen to plan this celebration."
The Governor's Fishing Opener has been a tradition in Minnesota since 1948. The event was designed to promote the development of Minnesota's recreation industry. In recent years, the Opener has served as a celebration kickoff for the summer tourism season. It provides the community with an opportunity to highlight local fishing and other recreational activities, attractions and other points of interest.
Click here for information on the Brainerd Lakes area including Pequot Lakes and Breezy Point!
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For more information on the Governor's Fishing Opener Event, contact:
Carol Altepeter, Event Coordinator
218) 828-2334 888-629-6466
Email: carol.altepeter@state.mn.us
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