Less is better. That's the advice professional fishing guide Ross Hagemeister (pictured right) offers for the novice or occasional anglers
who plan to cast a line during Saturday's
Minnesota fishing opener.
"You don't need a lot," Hagemeister said. "It's not how much you have but how you use what you've got."
The 35-year-old Hagemeister has been a fishing guide
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for 13 years on lakes in Otter Tail County.
For seven days a week during eight months of the year, Hagemeister routinely takes two groups of anglers
out in the morning and afternoon.
"It's a challenge getting people who aren't used to fishing to actually catch fish," said Hagemeister, whose business has grown from 15 clients the first year to nearly 2,000 clients last summer and winter. "Originally, I didn't intend it to be a full-time job. It just happened that way. It's a very high-pressure job ... but a fun job, too."
Consistent with the theme of "less is better," here are some tips Hagemeister has for Saturday's opener:
- Story and information compiled by Kevin Schnepf
Forum photo illustration by Troy Becker
