Fishing Hall of Famers Host an Open Seminar

...And Talk to Attendees about Faith and Fishing

By Casey Dainsberg (STORY #4)

Last weekend a group of about eighty men and some of their wives gathered together at the Walker Area Community Center. Fishing poles leaned up against the walls, and various lures were laid strewn across tables at the front of the room. The low murmur of men’s voices wafted out the open door to greet the unseasonably warm October night. Inside however, things were about to get started.

It was the Faith and Fishing weekend hosted by fishing Hall of Famers Al Lindner and hisbrother, Ron. The Lindner brothers are both well known in the fishing industry; together they created and sold businesses such as In-Fisherman, a nationally distributed magazine, and Lindy Tackle. Al Lindner said their key to success was built on one simple promise, “helping people find and catch fish."

Currently, both Lindner’s work with Lindner Media Productions, where, as their Web site states, they produce, edit, and post-produce outdoor television series programming. In addition to Lindner’s Angling Edge and Fishing Edge, they currently produce the highly acclaimed “FLW [Forrest L. Wood] Outdoors Bass Series” and “Walleye Series Tour.”



However, it was not only fishing that brought the Lindner brothers to Walker. Al and Ron Lindner are not only known for their fishing, but also for their faith. Before Al Lindner kicked off the first night he told attendees “you’ll not only be a better fisherman [after the seminar], but the hand of God is going to touch you in some way, shape, or form.” For two nights, guest speakers shared their personal faith journeys; and Pastors Russ Kalenberg and Mark Boone, both from the Brainerd area, closed each night with a short message.

Al Lindner acted as host and emcee of both evenings. He first introduced Dick Sternberg, referring to Sternberg's “passion for quality walleye fishing.” Sternberg worked for many years as a biologist with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). He is well-known for his research and for creating state programs to stock fish in lakes where little to no natural reproduction takes place.



Sternberg presented graphs and statistics describing the problems Leech Lake has suffered during the last several years. The walleye population decreased dramatically and it took a lot of effort from community members and the DNR to begin bringing back the lake. As Sternberg recounted, the problems began with cormorants and crayfish, describing is as “a perfect biological storm.” In 2005, the DNR began stocking walleye fry into Leech Lake, and since then they have continued to stock the lake annually, with as many as 7.2-22 million fry a year. In addition the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe began targeting (selective shooting) double crested cormorants in 2005.  Their hope was to reduce cormorant numbers from an annual population of about 10,000 birds to 500 breeding pairs about 3,000 juveniles.  Since the control efforts began in 2005, nearly 15,000 birds have been culled and now the fishery is in recovery.

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James Lindner shared tips on where and how to
catch big muskies.
(Photo from Lindner's Angling Edge Web site) 



 Al Lindner introduced his nephew, James “Jim” Lindner, describing him as someone who “loves musky fishing” and is “quite good at it.” “Fishing today is better than it ever has been,” Jim Lindner explained, adding that our area is the epicenter of the finest musky fishing in the nation. He mentioned Lake Bemidji, Lake Plantagenet, Leech Lake, and Battle Lake as being known for big fish. He said this facet of the sport is “very specialized,” describing different presentations and techniques to the audience.

Also joining the Lindners were local guides and professional fishermen from the area. Al Maas, Reggie Theil, and Dan Craven addressed the crowd with different tips on baits, presentations, and techniques regarding various species of fish. Each had a unique specialization and passion to share. Maas, a professional guide and fisherman, talked about catching large-mouth bass on Leech Lake and gave the crowd tips on where the big bass can be found, such as in small bays off the big lake.

Reggie Theil, another well-known guide, also spoke but not about fishing. He shared his testimony, describing how one year ago he was lying in a hospital at the University of Minnesota recovering from a heart transplant. He attributed his recovery to his faith in God, and said that it was a result of many prayers that he is doing so well today.

Dan Craven described his experience with Camp Fish. Purchased by Al and Ron Lindner and In-Fisherman in 1983, the instructional youth fishing camp encouraged young men and women to get out and fish, equipping them with the tools and skills needed to do so. Many of the men at the retreat, including Craven, had all been staff at Camp Fish until it closed in 1991. Craven said it “set a foundation for a lot of people.”




Hall of Famers Ron and Al Lindner (LF to RT) hoist a walleye.
The Lindner brothers  hosted the Faith and Fishing weekend last week.
(Photo from Lindner's Angling Edge Web site)

 

Ron Lindner, an experienced fisherman and Hall of Famer, didn’t talk about fishing so much as the changes that have taken place over the years in technology and bait. He described the past, and how the professional fisherman had access to new technologies and products well before the average fisherman. However, that has now changed and professional guides don't have any more access to products than the average person. Because of these changes, it has “leveled the playing field,” allowing novice fisherman just as much access to fish as professionals.  Ron Lindner wrapped up, saying if there were ever a golden year, time for fishing for musky and walleye, it’s now.

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