Anybody delay fishing opener a few weeks?

[JDM]

I have to miss opener this year because we were assigned that day for my oldest daughter's first communion. It is always a day trip for me anyways because of Mother's day. I will be on Mille Lacs on the Monday after the opener though!

[ChuckN]

Rain, wind, snow, cold, warm, hot, sun, clouds, pregnant wife...whatever it may be it's a tradition and my wife and I are always on the water for opener.

If you expect the worst every year you don't get disappointed. The weather is outright nasty every year it seems.

Come on, we're Minnesotans!

[Hammer Handle]

If you go late, it is NOT an opener.

Some people celebrate Christmas in January...that doesn't mean that is Christmas.

There is only one opening day. If you chose to a different day, it is NOT the opener!

My opinion anyway. I don't want to be the only one locked in traffic....

[Sutty]

For about 5 years my wife and I had a cabin in SD and the opener started to lose some of its luster. I am usually fishing a few weeks before the MN opener. I try to schedule early trips mid week to big lakes.

[ocf1]

for opener i'm crappie fishing the bite is usuallyat its est at that time. bass opener................thats a whole 'nother story!

[croixeyes]

As stated above,Ive already fished eyes one to two weeks by the time the mn opener hits.My nose is usually in the woods rooting out morels on opener.For all you guys with newborns due on that day you have some control over that ,or do you

[JigginIsLife]

My dads rule for going on opener was that you had to be graduated from high school. i waited 19 years to be able to go on opener, and i wouldnt want to change a thing. granted if the weather cooperated it would be nice, but when i get cold, i just remember all those openers that i had to stay home and tie my own slip bobber stops just to keep myself from being mad at my dad, i suck it up and go out fishing. granted last year we were the only boat on the lake, so we dont have to fight the crowds like a bunch of other guys but its tradition and i dont think i would want to break that.

[Hossienda]

I fish the opener every year, but we do things a little differently. Our family has 3 cabins next to each other in Perham and the only time a boat goes in the water is if the "old guys" want to take a ride around the lake. It doesn't hurt that we catch walleyes and northerns off our dock all weekend either. Lots of cards, talk, fishing and a chance to catch up with cousins that I don't see any other time of the year.

-Hossienda

[Jim Almquist]

The only opener I have missed since I was 12 is the 4 years I spent in the Army. I just will not because of weather,people or sickness. It might help that my birthday is always around opener so it might be a little more special for me then others. This year on opener I turn 50

[Random guy]

Bring it on, I start running the boat for many species at ice out opener just means I need bigger rods and the Sturgeon rods turn into pike trolling rods.

Years back opener was froze over on Upper Red except a small opening of water around the mouth of the Tamarac, lots of guys lined up around that little opening in the ice.

[papabear]

Northland Sportsman I feel for you. One daughter on May 9 one daughter on nov 11. The daughter that fishes is a Jan Bday. But my cubs know dad fishes and hunts as long as I show up for the cake Im good. I did get in trouble for dragging Daughter #1 to Red wing while I fished a tournament there two years ago. Still Paying for it.

[slick814]

Don't miss opener if I can avoid it. Yeah the crowds can be a hassle, traffic can be a pain, the weather might suck, but some of my best memories as a kid were the openers when we were wearing snowmobile suits, winter hats, gloves, boots, wishing that we could just keep warm, and then that tug on the line would make everything better!

My Grandpa & Dad took my brother and I out as soon as we were able to hold a rod and crank the reel, and my kids have had the same experiences. (Well, not the 2 yr. old yet, but she'll have her day)

I think that passing on certain traditions is an important thing. If you feel that it's novices or beginners, or amateur hour, go ahead, be a crumudgeon, stay home and do something else. Not stopping me & mine from enjoying the time on the water with each other.