The contrast is a bit startling: Sticking a hook into a leech and the gentle fragrance of a fresh bouquet of flowers, but those represent the weekend doubleheader here in Minnesota.

It starts Saturday with the widely anticipated fishing opener, with the most hard-core anglers slipping their boat into the water at midnight to try their luck at hooking a walleye that they can keep.

The event has grown to near holiday status, with the "Governor's Fishing Opener" becoming a tourist draw for the lucky locale that draws the crowd to record whether the governor catches a keeper to unofficially open the fishing season.

This year, Gov. Jesse Ventura is again heading to the state's north -- and you can't get much farther north than Rainy Lake near International Falls -- for the event. Cold, wet weather -- with a chance of some snow flurries -- is expected to greet those heading out to the state's northern waters Friday. There is a chance for off and on rain in central Minnesota Saturday, with highs expected in the lower 50s.

For those looking for a few fishing tips, a quick online search turned up a site offering 14 tips including "If the wind is blowing hard-the walleye will be biting in the area of the larger waves" and, "Often, birds will be feeding on small bait and small gamefish. If you see a group of loons, cormorants or fish-eating ducks in an area off-shore, head that direction. Chances are there are larger gamefish in that area also."

Ventura's entourage will be joined by a seeming caravan of anglers heading north out of the Twin Cities on interstates 94 and 35 Friday afternoon, leaving behind a string of "opener widows" at home.

Which brings us to Sunday, the second act of the doubleheader holiday weekend: Mother's Day.

Yup, Saturday may draw sons and husbands -- and daughters and wives, too -- out of the town, but many are likely to return Sunday in time to celebrate Mother's Day.

The annual event produces a day of breakfast in bed, breakfast buffets, flowers, cards, gifts and appreciation of mothers everywhere.

If there is some cooking planned, check out some recipes for tasty treats,

It may also prove helpful to check out a bit of history about the holiday or come up with some nice quotes for mom.

Sunday is expected to bring clouds along with highs in the mid to upper 50s.

Compiled by Parker Hodges, Staff Writer