The freshly fried walleyes had barely hit the cake pan when they were scooped up by the masses gathered around our picnic table. A Baker fish fry was in full swing. In all, 25 friends and family lined our yard, plates in hand, ready to pounce each time I made an appearance with a basket of fish. Before the last batch was done frying, new fishing plans were in the works. My cousin, Ben Nynas of Mahtowa, along with his guest, John Kerr from Louisiana and I would head over to Mille Lacs later in the week.

The three of us rendezvoused in the early morning at TJ’s Country Corner in Mahtowa. B...