LAKE VERMILION—A chilly breeze and clouds couldn’t stem the enthusiasm of 73 area service veterans who enjoyed a morning of fishing and a great shore lunch, organized by the Lake Vermilion Guides League.

It’s become an annual event, based out of Fortune Bay’s marina, and for the guides and other organizers, the truly appreciative smiles on the faces of the veterans is the big payoff for all the work that’s involved.

“It’s a lot of work putting it together,” said Phil Bakken, of the guides league. “But everyone had a great time, and that’s what counts.”

As with last year’s event, almost everyone had a fish story or two as the boats poured back into the marina around one o’clock for lunch.

Lloyd Lofback, of Virginia, who was guided by Dennis Highby, landed one of the biggest lunkers of the day, a 40-inch muskie, which Lofback released moments later. “It’ll be a 58-incher by coffee tomorrow,” joked Lofback, who served in the Navy during WWII. In fact, the fish had already reached 50 inches by the time the story spread in the big dining tent set up for the event near the marina.

But Lofback wasn’t the only one with stories to tell. Former soldier John Jacobsen and former sailor Richard Klinzing, who were guided by Doug Ellis, were thrilled as they hit the dock full-up with walleye, most of which just came in under the slot.

Cliff Wagenbach’s threesome, including Lauri Laakso, of Virginia, Jim Charles, of Lake Vermilion, and Bob Hommez, who summers on the Cook end of the lake, hit shore with ten walleye and four jumbo perch.

Charles, a Navy man who served in WWII, was a bit unsteady on his feet, at 92, but that didn’t slow him down. Charles is best known in the area as a longtime game warden, beginning way back in the 1950s, and he still likes to fish as often as he can, usually with Wagenbach.

While the chance to fish with an experienced guide or local fishing enthusiast was reason enough for most of the vets to get up early, for some the best part was having the chance to catch up with old friends. “It was tough getting up at 5, but I’m glad I did,” said John Hess, who served in the Army in Vietnam. Hess, who now lives in Greaney, got caught up with his old fishing buddy Tom Ray, a fellow Vietnam vet, who runs a Christmas tree farm south of Eveleth. The two used to fish together regularly, but hadn’t done so in years. “John is one of my heroes,” said Ray. “He came up here and built his own log cabin,” something Ray had long aspired to do.

Like a lot of Vietnam vets, Ray struggled to readjust to civilian life upon his return and his health has clearly deteriorated in recent years. But a day on the lake, and time to reconnect, had buoyed his spirits.

The veterans who took part ranged in age from their 30s to their early 90s, and came from all branches of the service. “We had nine vets from WWII,” said Bakken. “There aren’t many of those guys left.”

For many of the guides, it’s a day they otherwise might have paying clients or a day away from other jobs. But they say there’s real satisfaction in helping to say thanks to a lot of folks who served their country during some difficult times. “I felt really good walking away at the end of the event,” said Ellis, who guided one of the groups.

Dave Schaeffer, whose two vets also brought home limits of walleye, agreed, noting that the veterans are, to a person, incredibly grateful. “It’s a damn good feeling at the end of the day. It’s something we can do to give back to the veterans, and these guys totally enjoy it.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever had one guy who didn’t totally appreciate getting out for the day,” said guide Cliff Wagenbach, who hosted three vets on his boat. “And they’re always great guys. They deserve it for what they’ve done for the country and for us,” he added.