Getting prepped to 'host' the governor

So many things, so little time.

As of this writing, we are eight days from opening day.

The most asked question this week has been, "When will the ice be out?" It's very important to know, but how am I supposed to know when it's going to be gone?

Two months ago, I guessed it would be out on May 1, but obviously I was wrong. Or maybe I was right. I was thinking of Gull Lake. But the lake I am more concerned with is Pelican - where I will be Saturday, along with many, many other folks, celebrating the Governor's Fishing Opener.

I will be guiding the Gov. Tim Pawlenty and the first lady, which has added many things to my already full plate. I am pumped and excited to join in on the festivities surrounding this longtime tradition.

Toby Kvalevog, one of our regular guides, will be quite involved in the event, too, and Tim Hanske and Bruce Meinz and a couple of other guides will be guiding for the annual Lost Lake Lodge outing. We also have a couple of guides going out on Mille Lacs, another on Pelican and a couple of others on Gull. This is by far our busiest opening day and hopefully we will have enough open water in the area to handle all of the boats.

Things will work out just fine, but just think of all the folks who are planning not only the Governor's Opener, but family outings and everything in between. If the ice is out on your "opener lake," things are good. But it will be colder than normal, which will make the fishing even more challenging.

Will the walleyes have spawned? Hard to say. Are they going to be shallow? Probably.

For me, opening on Pelican is a first and guiding (hosting) the governor is a first. Guiding (hosting) out of someone else's boat is not a first, but it's not something I do a whole lot of. I am not making excuses because I'm planning on putting some fish in the boat no matter what the situation. But just because I'm planning on it doesn't mean that I will, but I certainly realize that eyes will be on us.

And it's always the biggest question of the big day. Did the Governor catch any?

I have never fished with Mr. Pawlenty, so I don't know what his skill level is as a fisherman. I know he is a smart fella, but that doesn't necessarily make him a good stick.

We will be using minnows (artificial and live) and jigs or Lindy Rigs and either tossing a jig up shallow and working it back to the boat or working a Lindy Rig or a jig along some piece of structure somewhere on Pelican. I have one other thing up my sleeve involving a Rapala that can't just be picked up anywhere.

The nice thing about guiding the governor is that there will be some security and we'll have our own spot, at least for a while. Of course, this event is very media-laden and I won't be able to pick up and run and gun wherever and whenever I want. At least that is the impression I get.

My first lady was wondering if she could come along, but I haven't asked yet. I'm thinking no.

Also, my new boat is coming, but in the meantime, I will be using a loner from Nisswa Marine. It sounds like it is going to have a fairly creative wrap. I'm sure you'll notice it.

WALLEYEDAN Eigen may be reached at (218) 839-5598, walleyedan@brainerd.com or www.walleyedan.com