Explore Minnesota Tourism
State of Minnesota
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2012
FISHING OPENER HOSTS SELECTED FOR GOVERNOR AND LT. GOVERNOR
A pair of accomplished anglers from Waconia will host Governor Mark Dayton and Lt. Governor Yvonne Prettner Solon on Lake Waconia for the 2012 Governor’s Fishing Opener on May 12. Travis Frank will fish with Governor Dayton, and Matt Peters will fish with Lt. Governor Prettner Solon.
Travis Frank is a professional angler, founder of Trophy Encounters Professional Guide Service, and a producer for Ron Schara Productions. He grew up in Waconia and began fishing as a young boy, learning from his father and grandfather. He guided his first client at age 16, and he has taken people from all over the country fishing for the past twelve years. Frank’s greatest reward is watching others land the largest trophy of their life. His obsession and specialty is the muskellunge, but he has fished nearly every species in the upper Midwest, with his adventures taking him all across Minnesota and neighboring states.
In addition to his role as a producer for Ron Schara, Frank is a co-host on WCCO’s weekly radio program, Live Outdoors, and a contributor to KFAN and several publications. Frank’s other pursuits include spending time with friends and family, blogging about fishing on his website, and hunting, camping, traveling, and taking photographs.
Matt Peters grew up on Lake Waconia. Like Travis Frank, Peters has fished since he was old enough to hold a rod and reel, and he too started his first guide service at the age of 16. He continues to provide fishing guide services year-round, and he shares his passion for fishing on his website, which reaches over 3,000 monthly readers. Peters has over ten years of experience on the professional fishing circuit, including participation in over 50 bass tournaments. In 2010, he fished the FLW Tour as well as many other national events.
When he’s not chasing fish on Lake Waconia, Peters spends time bow hunting, giving seminars, participating in youth and charity events, and spending time with his family.
The Governor’s Fishing Opener has been a tradition in Minnesota since 1948. The Opener is an opportunity to highlight local fishing and other recreational activities, attractions and points of interest. The Opener is also a kick-off celebration for the statewide summer tourism season. Travel and tourism generate $11.3 billion in leisure and hospitality gross sales in Minnesota annually.