When it is fishing opener on Mille Lacs and it is 40 degrees with a Ne wind at 20 plus and you are on the west shore, you don't fish. You stay in the cabin and burn wood in the stove or fireplace and do picture puzzles and play scrabble. If you're up with the family.

Otherwise it's you and the boys at your favorite local bar for beer, bloody marys and breakfast. Oh - it's raining, too. The favorite kind of opener if you own a bar and restaurant on Mille Lacs. Nice on friday, sh***y on Saturday, nice on Sunday. Maximum money.

Slow opener this yr? Yes, probably, for people and fish. Late spring, high gas prices - would you come up and spend a hundred five on gas for the truck and the boat if you'd heard the forcast?

Some of us can't resist. It's with guys you've done it with for years. It's not a fair weather deal. You've known these guys for a lifetime. It's not a gamble even though it's poker, which you also will be doing tonight. You won't lose much, but you can win a lot.

There might be a guy in your group that can cook. Lucky you.