 In case you haven't noticed, the increase both traffic and the booming sales at local bait shops tonight is a fishing opener. Clayne Castle tells us the economic impact of this day and how fishing is personal for many. If you drove through downtown Brainer today, you could tell that traffic increased quite a bit. That must mean only one thing. It's the fishing opener in Lake Country and all across Minnesota. So, the fishing opener is like the third biggest holiday in the state of Minnesota. There's Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the fishing opener. And it does mean a lot to people, to families reconnecting on the water. And the Brainer Lakes area is the premier destination for that. So fishing is a big deal up here. From an economic standpoint, the beginning of fishing season signals the beginning of the summer retail and lodging boom. So it is big business, not only for retailers, but also for lodging and restaurants and a whole other host of businesses that are around hospitality. Businesses like S&W Bait and Tacklin Brainer, which is a hot spot for fishing retail, especially on weekends like this. Well, it's a base store and our main thing is fishing and an opener, it just explodes. It's just, you know, we need the fishing and opener so they can go wildlife fishing or if it's bass, they just all head up here. But if you look beyond the economics of the fishing opener, you can see the love and passion that the sport of fishing brings to people of all ages. And I spent a lot of time in my young days watching bobbers. I used to love bobber fishing. I remember going out with my dad. My grandfather taught me how to tie a fishing hook and it's just a way that you can leave kind of the worries of your life and your work behind and you're just focused on catching a fish. And that's really what it's all about. Well, it's great. It's peaceful. It's quiet. I like to get on the boat, pitch a line, wet a line, catch a walleye or two if you're lucky. Otherwise, you know, it's just a great way to get away. Fishing season officially begins at midnight tonight, reporting in Brainer, Clayton Castle, Lakeland News. Fishing season lasts between now and the end of February. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.