Chilly, windy day greets fishermen on opening day

By GUY PRIEL

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- The chilly, windy day on Saturday failed to keep fishermen away from area lakes on opening day of the 2000 fishing season.

Among the busy lakes in the area Saturday was lake Hanska, which had seen a steady flow of people throughout the morning.

"This is the best kind of weather for opening day, actually," Kenneth Groeble of Madelia said. "The cooler weather attracts more fish closer to the surface of the water."

Groeble, who usually heads to northern Minnesota for opening day, opted to try his luck on a local lake this year, hoping the traffic would be lighter.

"There's been a steady flow of people through here most of the morning," he said. "I've been here since nine and have counted at least 20 boats since then."

He normally catches what he considers his own personal quota, 20, before calling it a day. By 1 p.m., he had caught 18 fish.

"It would be better if there was a little less wind, because it sure is noticeable along the lake, but otherwise, it turned out well," he said.

John Pettris of Hanska and his 9-year-old son Zachary, were spending their first opening day together, hoping to catch a few fish as well.

"I have never really gone fishing all that much," John said. "My buddies usually go up to Mille lacs, where one of them has a cabin, but I have only been up there once, and that was several years ago."

He had received an invitation to go this year from some friends, who left Friday after work, but Zachary asked him if they could go fishing together this year for opening day.

"I never really thought Zachary was all that interested in fishing, because he never really seemed interested before," he said. "But it seemed like a good bonding activity for us, so I agreed to take him."

Zachary, who insisted on putting his own bait on the hook, admitted that fishing was not his favorite activity, but it was one his friends enjoyed.

"If they can do it, so can I," he said. "It's been fun."

Thomas Lane of Minneapolis was trying his luck on the Cottonwood River in Flandrau State Park, where he was visiting with family from Courtland.

"I know the fish in the river is not that good," he said. "I've been releasing whatever I catch. I mainly do it just to see how many I can actually catch."

Others spent the afternoon out of the golf course at Fort Ridgely, despite the fairly cool weather and the threatening rain clouds.

"I'll admit it isn't as nice golf weather as it was last week," John Anderson of Gibbon said. "But, since it's opening day for fishing, I expected a lighter crowd at the golf course. Boy, was I ever surprised."

He estimated that at least 40 people of different ages had been through the course just since he had arrived at noon.

"I guess there are a lot of people who would rather not go fishing on opening day because of the crowds," he said. "The weather certainly doesn't keep people away from the golf course either."

Echoing his sentiments was Nathan Potter of Fairfax, who was completing his third round of golf.

"My neighbor came from fishing early this morning and complained about the wind, but it seemed like a perfect day for golf," he said.

"I wish it had been a little warmer, but my score has actually improved today."