"Walleyedan" Eigen will be the fishing host for Gov. Tim Pawlenty at the Governor's Fishing Opener in Breezy Point.
"It gave me the chills and I am completely honored," Eigen said when notified that he had been selected as the fishing host for the governor.
Eigen has a few ideas that he believes will put fish on the hooks of the governor and first lady on opening day, but doesn't want to give away his secrets. He predicts the governor and the first lady will catch fish on opening day.
Eigen started fishing with his dad when he was about 5, and because of his fascination with the sport, he spent much of his free time fishing. He has always been interested in the outdoors and also trapped and hunted his entire life.
Eigen is now a full-time, professional fishing guide and the owner/operator of Walleyedan's Guide Service of Nisswa.
He became a professional fishing guide because of an experience he had when he was about 10, when his father hired a guide at a resort in the Brainerd lakes area. Eigen was impressed with the amount of fishing knowledge the man had.
Eigen later began working at the Quarterdeck Resort on Gull Lake and would quiz the resort guides about fishing techniques and locations and then head out on the lake to try out his new found knowledge.
From there, Walleyedan began his fishing guide career.
