ST. PAUL, Minn., 2015-4-30 — /Travel PR News/ — A pair of accomplished anglers from the Lake Vermilion area will host Gov. Mark Dayton and Lt. Gov. Tina Smith for the 2015 Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener on Saturday, May 9. Tim “Buck” Lescarbeau will fish with Gov. Dayton, and Casey Sunsdahl will fish with Lt. Gov. Smith.
A Lake Vermilion area resident for almost 30 years, Tim “Buck” Lescarbeau owns and operates Best Bet Guide Service and is the chairman of the Lake Vermilion Guides League. Thanks to the flexible schedule of his day job with Hibbing Taconite on the Iron Range, he’s able to be out on the water more than 150 days a year.
“Once I had experienced fishing Vermilion’s deep blue water amongst the pines and granite outcroppings, I fell in love with Lake Vermilion and was ‘hooked’ for life!” he says. “With 44,000 acres of water and 1,200 miles of beautiful shoreline to explore, visitors will feel this same allure and want to come back again and again.”
Buck is honored and thrilled to be serving as Gov. Dayton’s fishing host for this year’s opener. In addition to his passion for fishing, he enjoys hunting and performing land stewardship projects. He also donates more than 100 hours a year to local kids and veterans fishing events. He is a proud husband and father to his two children, ages 20 and 17, and a graduate of Bemidji State University.
Casey Sunsdahl has been fishing on Lake Vermilion for as long as he can remember, and first served as a guide at the 2005 Governor’s Fishing Opener. Born and raised and still residing in Soudan, Casey is passionate about local stewardship and providing a safe and enjoyable experience out on the water.
“It is an honor and privilege to have been selected to fish with Lt. Gov. Smith for the 2015 Minnesota Fishing Opener,” says Casey. “I am looking forward to showing her the great fishing that Lake Vermilion offers, and hopefully helping her catch a big walleye.”
Casey was also part of the core group who formed the Lake Vermilion Guides League in 2009. He loves to learn about and teach his clients about new techniques and fishing trends, and especially enjoys taking couples and families fishing. He is married with two boys and two dogs.
The Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener has been a treasured tradition in Minnesota since 1948, while fishing is a key part of one of the largest sectors of our economy—tourism. The opener is also a kick-off celebration for the statewide summer tourism season. Travel and tourism generate $13 billion in leisure and hospitality gross sales in Minnesota annually. The annual Governor’s Fishing Opener is an opportunity to spotlight Minnesota fishing and the Lake Vermilion area.
The Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener is coordinated by Explore Minnesota, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Lake Vermilion Resort Association (LVRA) and Fortune Bay Resort Casino.
For more information, high-res images and fishing host contact information, please visit www.mngovernorsopener.com. You can also follow along via social media, using #MNGFO2015 and #OnlyinMN.
###
State of Minnesota
www.mngovernorsopener.com
Media contact: Alyssa Ebel, Explore Minnesota, 651-757-1857