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Fishin' for friends: Minnesota angler nets greatest catch yet

The budding new relationship started in the most unlikely of places for 41-year-old Erik Koffski.

MADISON LAKE, Minn. — The story of 41-year-old angler Erik Koffski and his new 16-week-old sidekick began on an early September morning, right before sunrise, as Koffski started fishing in a tournament on Madison Lake in southern Minnesota.

Koffski said for the next half hour, he could hear an unmistakeable meow before he finally saw a kitten swimming toward him.

Erik said he scooped up the wet little — in Jana's words — "schmoopy," who then sat and watched Koffski fish for hours.

Credit: Erik Koffski

Once the tournament finished, Erik says he tried the old, "Nice knowing ya, scram," trick, but the kitten wouldn't have it. Erik said his new buddy followed him to his Jeep, hopped in and ultimately sealed their fate.

In the days since, the two have bonded on fishing trip after fishing trip, going home together each time because Erik's wife and son fell for the tiny feline, too.

All that was left to do was name the kitty.

... and the only name that seemed to make sense? Fisher.

Credit: Erik Koffski

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