For more information, contact
Kathi Nagorski Leary, Communications Director
Brainerd Lakes Chamber
(218) 822-7128
knagorski@explorebrainerdlakes.com
Brainerd made fishing famous
World-renowned legends call Brainerd Lakes Area home
BRAINERD LAKES — Some things are too big to be kept secrets. While the fishing
enthusiasts of the Brainerd Lakes Area may not always tell you exactly where they
caught their last trophy fish, there are some aspects of their favorite pastime they’re
more than willing to boast about – chiefly all the famous area anglers who came before
and how the area has shaped the overall sport and culture.
One such fisherman is Dan Eigen of the Nisswa-based Walleyedan’s Guide Service.
“The Brainerd Lakes Area is loaded with lakes that are full of many different species of
fish and the area is also loaded with many talented fishermen/women,” Eigen said.
“Because of the lakes and landscape, the BLA attracts people with a passion for the
outdoors.”
Before he was an area resident, Eigen would come up on family vacations each
summer. He said his favorite hangout spot was Marv Koep’s bait shop in Nisswa.
“I believe Marv Koep and his family were very instrumental for putting this area on the
map and for spawning so many awesome fishermen/women,” Eigen said. “From Al and
Ron Lindner, Gary Roach and the many, many fishing guides to Nick Adams and LindyLittle Joe Tackle Company, Babe Winkleman, Lindner Media, In-Fisherman and loads of
other people and companies that contribute to the fishing mecca that we are blessed to
live right in the middle of.”
Eigen first rubbed shoulders with some of those aforementioned fishing luminaries back
at Koep’s bait shop, where the esteemed Nisswa Guide League operated. When he
was 10, Eigen’s father hired him a guide for the first time, former Minnewawa Lodge
operator Frederick Potthoff, or “Fritz.”
“Fritz was my guide,” Eigen recalled, “and from this point on Brainerd was etched in my
mind.”
While the late Potthoff has yet to be honored by any of the fishing hall of fames – chief
among them the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum in Hayward,
Wis., and Minnesota’s Fishing Hall of Fame (displays located in the Baxter Gander
Mountain) – many of his peers and/or entities they’ve established have been:
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The late Nick Adams, patriarch of Lindy-Little Joe, was inducted into the Fishing
Hall of Fame of Minnesota in 2001 as a manufacturer. The Hall recognizes him
as being “instrumental in the development of the tackle item that put Brainerd on
the North American fishing map: the Lindy Rig.” After he passed away on
Christmas Day 2012, the Brainerd Dispatch gathered memories from his friends
and associates. In that piece, Lindy cofounder Ron Lindner was quoted as
saying, “If he told you something, you knew that was that. What he did those
many years ago meant everything to [my brother] Al and me. He was the
workhorse and gave us the freedom to do what we did best: promote and sell.”
Fishing educator Dave Csanda was inducted into the Fishing Hall of Fame of
Minnesota in 2012. He spent nearly three decades as editor of In-Fisherman
publications and co-host of its broadcasting division. Csanda, who has received
the Walleyes Unlimited USA Man of the Year award for his contributions to sport
fishing, now produces educational scripts for Lindner Media Productions. [Note to
media: Csanda can be reached for comment via Lindner Media, (218) 829-9500.]
Leading media and publishing entity In-Fisherman was inducted into the Fishing
Hall of Fame of Minnesota in 2000. In-Fisherman magazine was founded by
brothers Ron and Al Lindner. [Note to media: The Lindners can be reached for
comment via Lindner Media, (218) 829-9500.]
Reluctant fishing legend Marv Koep was inducted into the Fishing Hall of Fame
of Minnesota in 2000. “I finally acknowledged that I was old enough to be a
legend,” the esteemed guide and former proprietor of Link’s Bait Shop (later
renamed Koep’s Nisswa Bait and Tackle) was quoted as saying. From his bait
shop, Koep gave many now-legendary anglers their starts, including Gary Roach
and In-Fisherman founders Al and Ron Lindner. [Note to media: Koep can be
reached for comment at (218) 838-4861.]
The Fishing Hall of Fame of Minnesota calls Al Lindner, inducted in 2000, one of
the “most renowned leaders in the fishing industry.” In part because of his status
as a co-founder of In-Fisherman magazine and Lindy Tackle and host of the TV
shows “Lindner’s Angling Edge” and “Fishing Edge,” Lindner has received
numerous accolades throughout his career, including inductions into the Normark
Hall of Fame, the Professional Bass Fishing Hall of Fame and the National Fresh
Water Fishing Hall of Fame. He also has been recognized for his contributions to
the fishing industry in the fields of journalism, conservation and philanthropic
leadership. [Note to media: Lindner can be reached for comment via Lindner
Media, (218) 829-9500.]
James Lindner was inducted into the Fishing Hall of Fame of Minnesota in
2012. He is the son and nephew, respectively, of In-Fisherman and Lindy Tackle
founders Ron and Al Lindner. He has followed his family members’ passions
closely, including working with them on a number of projects; this includes
serving as executive director of Lindner Media Productions. [Note to media:
Lindner can be reached for comment via Lindner Media, (218) 829-9500.]
The fishing career (and subsequent accolades) of Ron Lindner closely follows
that of his brother Al. Both were inducted into the Fishing Hall of Fame of
Minnesota in 2000; both were inducted into the Normark Hall of Fame in 2007;
both were inducted into the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame; and so
on. Why? They cofounded industry staples In-Fisherman magazine and Lindy
Tackle together, and these days they collaborate on the award-winning Lindner
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Media team. [Note to media: Lindner can be reached for comment via Lindner
Media, (218) 829-9500.]
Lindy Tackle, a company made possible in the late ’60s by Nick Adams and
brothers Al and Ron Lindner, was inducted into the Fishing Hall of Fame of
Minnesota in 2007. On the strength of its early product the Lindy Rig, the
company was sold in 1973 to Ray-O-Vac, which also acquired the company that
owned the Little Joe fishing tackle brand (thus creating Lindy-Little Joe, which
was incorporated in the late ’70s).
Babe Winkelman, host of “Good Fishing” and “Outdoor Secrets,” was inducted
into the Fishing Hall of Fame of Minnesota in 2001, the National Fresh Water
Fishing Hall of Fame in 1988 and, in 1992, the Sports Legends Hall of Fame,
which recognizes the world’s best athletes in numerous sports. He also
cofounded the Minnesota Bass Federation and the Masters Walleye Circuit. .
[Note to media: Winkelman can be reached for comment at (218) 822-4424.]
Gary “Mr. Walleye” Roach, one of the original Nisswa Guides, was inducted
into the Fishing Hall of Fame of Minnesota in 2000 and the National Fresh Water
Fishing Hall of Fame in 1988. [Note to media: Roach can be reached for
comment at (218) 851-6226.]
Ted Takasaki was inducted into the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame
in 2010. In 2002 on Lake Erie, he broke an In-Fisherman Professional Walleye
Trail record by reaching his one-day limit of five fish – they weighed in at 53.2
pounds. [Note to media: Takasaki can be reached for comment at (612) 7997481.]
Jeff Zernov was inducted into the Fishing Hall of Fame of Minnesota in 2004.
Not only has he been involved with In-Fisherman media, but he also invented the
Aqua-Vu underwater viewing system and founded Nature Vision (now Swordfish
Financial).
About 2014 Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener
The 2014 Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener will be hosted by Gov. Mark Dayton
and Brainerd Lakes Chamber, with Grand View Lodge as headquarters for the
event. The event is being coordinated by Explore Minnesota Tourism, in partnership
with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The 67th annual Minnesota
Governor’s Fishing Opener will spotlight fishing and the many recreational and travel
opportunities in the Brainerd Lakes Area. More information can be found at
www.mngovernorsopener.com, or via social media, using #GFO2014.