We live in a community where “fish stories” are common!  You know, stories about “the big one that got away” or how “it took me 45 minutes to land it” or that “it was so – o – o – big that…”!
Knowing our community’s love of fish stories, we would like to invite everyone to join in the fun of listening to the Tall Tales of Willie Walleye, who is 50 years old in 2009.  The public reading of the tall tales will take place at different times and in different locations so that everyone can join in the fun:
Friday, July 3 at 10 a.m. at Jeri’s On Main
Friday, July 3 at 2 p.m. at The Smiling Moon
Saturday, July 4 at 12:30 p.m. at the Lake of the Woods County Museum
Wednesday, July 8 at 5 p.m. at The Smiling Moon
Thursday, July 9 at 7 p.m. at Willie Walleye Park
Friday, July 10 at 3 p.m. at Jeri’s On Main
What kind of fish stories (tall tales) can you expect to hear?  You will hear stories about how Willie Walleye is a descendent of the fish that swallowed Jonah, how he was a part of a breed of giant walleyes that roamed in Glacial Lake Agassiz, and how he came to rest on the bank of Baudette Bay.  You will hear stories about Finntasia (his wife), about Caviar (his friend, the sturgeon), and his other friends.  You will hear stories about how he is responsible for the northern lights in the sky, how he escaped the lutefisk brine in Norway, and how the “fisheries dudes” used their nets to corral Willie in the bay.  And, you will hear fish stories about how Willie has been responsible for countless “mishaps” by both winter and summer fisherfolk!
Stories will be read by the authors or told by some of the best story tellers in our community.  Stories will be told by the young and the not so young.  Stories will also be printed in a booklet which we’ll have available for sale at these events.
Please join us in celebrating Willie Walleye’s 50th birthday as we lift up these tall tales and join in the fun of telling “fish stories” about this local legend!
For more information, contact the Lake of the Woods Historical Society (218-634-1200).