We’ve written several pieces here that have either been about or have something to do with Al Lindner and the Lindner angling legacy. Personally, I don’t think you can ever write too much about someone who’s contributed so much to the sport.
What brought this piece about was an article I found recently in a 1971 issue of The Lunker Hole magazine – the magazine put out by the Bass Caster’s Association (BCA). As I turned the pages, I came across some pictures of a familiar face – that of Al Lindner’s. The title of the article, Bass Beard – The Viking, kind of made me chuckle a bit.
The accompanying photographs of Lindner show him in typical form – holding big bass and wearing polarized sunglasses – something the Lindners were first to recommend.
The article, penned by Art Reid, introduces Lindner as one of the best walleye guides in the north. Then builds on that statement by quoting another person who said, “If Al Lindner isn’t the best all-around angler in the nation he soon will be.”
That last comment was probably true then and definitely holds true today. It’s hard to comprehend a better all-around angler than Al Lindner.
At this time, Lindner was a full-time guide in MN as well as Sam Rayburn Reservoir in Texas – not to mention helping his brother Ron with running Lindy/Little Joe Tackle Company. Everywhere Al went, he caught fish and lots of them. At this time both the Lindners were also writing for Bill Binkelman’s Fishing News newsletter.
Reid’s article talks about Al’s methods of locating and catching fish consistently. The use of topographical maps to locate ledges, ridges and underwater humps, the use of depthfinders and back trolling to keep his baits in the strike zone longer.
The article also talks about a trip that Reid and The Lunker Hole staff took to Brainerd to fish with the Lindners on a number of different lakes. The results were nothing short of stellar with fish being caught at each venue with great consistency.
The Lindner family has become synonymous with angling excellence and they continue to teach us all through their Lindners Angling Edge today. It’s hard to think of an entire family so entrenched the the scientific study of fish behavior and the education of anglers.
Overall, the article is a great look back into the early times of one fishing’s biggest legends.
Legend indeed! One of my first real angling heroes. As you point out in your post, Terry, it would be hard to find a better all around fisherman over the last 50 years than Al Lindner. Still going strong too! Glad to see BFA acknowledge and honor such a great angler, educator and industry icon……
When I was growing up Al Lindner was The Man. More than Roland Martin or Bill Dance, Al Lindner seemed to be omnipresent, with the magazine, TV show and constant appearances. I’m from the Midwest and Lindner seemed like a Midwest guy through and through, especially with his thick Chicago dialect. While he was an all-around angler who could catch just about anything with fins, what really set Lindner apart was his expertise and preference for walleye fishing. His name was synonymous with walleye fishing and I’d say he was a huge factor in turning walleyes into something of a “glamour fish” similar to largemouth bass, at least in the north.