ON THE RAINY RIVER, Minn. _ For people who fish, there's something about getting in a boat again after a long winter that's difficult to put into words.
Excitement is part of it.
So is anticipation.
Anticipation for the sound of an outboard motor rumbling to life for the first time in months.
Anticipation for the sound of water lapping against the hull of the boat, a sound as soothing as it is hypnotic.
Anticipation for the sounds of spring: the raucous calls of Canada geese, the whistling wings of ducks zipping overhead, the joyful sound of chorus frogs already tuned up and in fine voice despite a lengthy winter layoff.
All of these sounds offer proof that spring has arrived.
Finally.
Two friends and I felt that anticipation last Friday afternoon, April 20, when we approached the Rainy River, boat in tow, for an evening of sturgeon fishing that would be followed by two more days of sturgeon fishing.
They're not looking for publicity, these friends, so I'll respect their wishes.
Scattered boats could be seen along the river from state Highway 11, but we didn't expect the sight we encountered upon turning off the highway and onto the road leading to the Vidas Access near Clementson, Minn.
Vehicle-trailer rigs were lined up all the way from the ramp to the highway, a distance of nearly a mile.
We obviously weren't the only ones feeling that anticipation.
