There’s a reason it’s called the “Brainerd Lakes Area”, not just Brainerd. It’s our heritage. Brainerd will forever be rooted in history books as a major center of ideas, tackle and tactics that propelled the fishing industry forward.
Nick Adams, long-time head of Lindy Little Joe fishing tackle said, “This area virtually became the epicenter of innovative fishing tactics.” Dr. Roland Kehr, former board member of Lindy said, “We’re a super-mecca for tackle and fishing creativity, and have been for decades.”
Joe Fellegy, one of Minnesota’s foremost chroniclers of things “fishy” said, “We live in the hot-bed of how-to. Once Ron Lindner understood people would pay for fishing know-how, the rest of the world couldn’t catch-up.” Al Lindner viewed it like this, “Education was the heartbeat. We lived in a hot-bed of scientific fishing and shared what we learned in magazines and television.”
Adams, ever the philosopher, noted that our forefathers from the Scandinavian countries and the Native Americans fished here for generations. “It’s in our genes; it’s what we do,” he said. Fishing innovation evolved from the love of fishing, and includes companies like Normark, Lindy, Northland, Gopher, and many other local manufacturers.
Products were being made in Brainerd, and tourists and anglers helped spread the word. “Lindy was an innovator in promotions, and the Lindy Rig had the support of top guides”, Adams said. Lindy started from the simple Lindy Rig, which is credited to Al and Ron Lindner. The epicenter in Brainerd grew naturally. “We had the people, the water, the desire to improve old techniques and bring creative new products to market, the right conditions, a good promotional image, solid companies and a good reputation,” he said.
Dr. Kehr said the multiple species available made Brainerd a unique area. “With about 425 lakes in a 25-mile radius, the likelihood of success was much greater,” he said. Joe Fellegy saw the revolution coming while guiding walleye fisherman from his Mille Lacs launch. He was one of the original writers and editors for In-Fisherman Magazine. Light line, small hooks, flashers and leeches popped onto the scene, and backed with promotions for the Lindy Rig, “A huge transition occurred and the growth curve raced upward,” Fellegy said. “With a profit to be made and the right products and thinkers here in the Brainerd area, the ‘Hucksters of How-to’ went to market,” he said with an affectionate chuckle. “We had the perfect combination of people in the 1970’s, and they’re still here, along with a new generation keeping the trends alive.”
Al Lindner said, “Rigging and jigging walleyes was an adventure for guides; resorts were full of tourists and vacationers. Mille Lacs, Leech, Pelican, Gull, Whitefish and hundreds of smaller lakes were loaded with fish - all species.” He listed the reasons for the confluence of fishing innovation as he saw them after returning from the Vietnam jungles in 1968:
- The Nisswa Guides League was big, with Marv Koep constantly promoting.
- The early Lindy staff with Gary Roach, Babe Winkelman, dozens of other experts, and Ron and I, on the PR trail.
- The waters of the area.
- The Lindy Rig.
- Tactics, like back-trolling, long rods, flashers, leeches, light monofilament fishing line, trolling motors, deeper fishing, and maps. Spinnerbaits and worms also came onto the scene.
- The In-Fisherman magazine and TV series, packed with how-to lessons.
- A public desire to learn more about how and where to fish.
- Fishing experts bringing tactics back to Brainerd from across North America.
