Leave it to Totem Resorts located on Lake of the Woods to add a touch of class, elegance and sophistication to an age-old favorite - the shore lunch. This traditionally simple fare - a banquet of freshly caught fish, battered and fried over an open flame, served with brown beans and potatoes - becomes urbane in the hands of Eric Brown and his staff. It is simply the most refined and distinctive variation of this classic meal anywhere in the world.

This shore lunch is nothing short of amazing. "Every day," explains Eric Brown, "I went out on the lake and personally delivered fresh fruit, cheese and crackers, a shrimp tray, champagne, beer, wine (or whatever else the guest may want) to each boat we have on the lake. We might have 60 boats of guests out at one time, and I visited every one, every day. I absolutely loved that part of my day." All this, and freshly cooked walleye in the guides' secret recipes. As Eric Jr. and Stephanie Brown step into their father's shoes, the daily shore lunch ritual is one they will continue with relish. "One of the things I enjoy most is the shore lunch run with my dad," effuses Stephanie. "I love spending time with my dad and with the guests."

Joining the Browns on the shore lunches are the same waitresses who serve guests their breakfast and dinner. Says Crescent Electric's Dick Schmid: "You have pretty girls serving you champagne and shrimp cocktail at shore lunch. It doesn't get any better than that. Champagne and shrimp cocktail."

An added twist for Wiley Point Lodge guests is the group shore lunch held on the lodge's beach every day. Long-time Totem Resorts employee Billy Vandal prepares and supervises the massive undertaking every day, but he doesn't look at it as a job. "I enjoy meeting the people, seeing different faces every day. I see all the fish people catch, hear their stories and how much they enjoy being here. You get to make some good friends over the years," explains Billy.

Totem Resorts' famous shore lunch has attracted more than a few famous people over the years. Notes Billy Vandal, "I served Jane Seymore once. She was visiting one of the camps on the lake and they heard about the shore lunch. Crystal Gayle came to the lodge once, too."

For Many guests, the Totem-style shore lunch is a highlight they look forward to all year. "The shore lunches are incredible. That lunch you cannot buy in any restaurant in the wold. You just can't catch, clean and eat fish fresher than you can on Lake of the Woods," states long-time guest Mike Seimers of Wayne Transports Inc. "You cannot find a better fish meal than the ones at Totem Resorts on Lake of the Woods."