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About 10,000 fishermen and
fisherwomen went to Gull Lake just north of Brainerd, Minnesota.
They all took that first brave step onto the ice. There were
between 10 and 69 feet of depth below the 20 inches or so of ice.
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the photo for a larger image.
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Like an army, they marched
onto the ice between rows of American flags.
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Some were in groups with a
common name like the "Happy Hookers."
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This group used "big bait" to catch "big
fish."
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Everyone seemed to have
their own way of staying warm in the 10 degree temperature with a -20
degree wind chill factor.
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No one could get lost on the
ice roads with signs like this.
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Many dressed to be seen at
the event.
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Some wore
fur to stay warm.
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The contest wasn't just for
men, many women showed up as well.
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the photo for a larger image.
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Friends Dave
Cox and Kim Hauglie were there. Kim runs her own blog at
http://kimkay.blogspot.com
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There was plenty of good
eating and drinking going on too.
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the photo for a larger image.
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Soon, fish
were brought to the weigh-in tent by happy fishermen.
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larger image.
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A good sized northern was
one of them.
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the photo for a larger image.
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The winning
fish was caught by Luke Botzek of Foley, Minnesota. His catch was
a 6.37 pound walleye. Luke drove home in a new pickup truck.
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For those out on the ice for
four hours, there was nothing like the comfort of home.
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the photo for a larger image.
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Your well-dressed photographer/story teller, Mark Persons,
showed off his winter wear. It was "layers upon layers" of clothing.
Starting out with the usual clothing, he
added full body winter underwear. Then put a close-knit sweatshirt on,
topped with snowmobile outerwear, a stocking cap, and three pairs of stockings
in insulated boots. He used an insulated tube to put his hands and camera
in. Inside were two chemical hand warmers.
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larger image.
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