Minnesota’s Fishing Frenzy Week Begins

Of course, if I didn’t start this blog out by recognizing mothers and motherhood I would be terribly amiss with my priorities.   So, to all the mothers on this blessed Mother’s Day, may we all celebrate and honor all you do for us sportsmen.   Tolerating our peculiar behavior for the sake of chasing game and fish, putting up with the unique smells we bring back into your home, as well as to excuse our absence on far too many occasions.   Thanks for putting up with us and understanding that all we do outdoors in the name of fun is truly important to us.   Thanks for allowing our pastime to continue and to grow so unselfishly.

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Actually, speaking of Mother’s Day…there’s a little “bone of contention” that seems to exist between many mothers in Minnesota and the Minnesota DNR.   It pits mothers competing against walleyes for attention as sportsmen throughout this great state have to decide if they should celebrate mothers “in-person” or celebrate the traditional opener of the Minnesota fishing season away up at the lake.

You see, Minnesota and Wisconsin are two states that do not provide for year-round walleye fishing.   Instead, by closing the season for a couple of months it gives the fish a break to spawn and protect them while they might otherwise be vulnerable.

In Wisconsin, the traditional season fishing opener is on the first Saturday of May.   Minnesota chooses to wait a week and opens on the second Saturday of May.   Mother’s day, on the other hand, is always celebrated on the second Sunday of May.   Based on how the calendar lands, this means that more often than not Mother’s Day and Walleye Weekend conflict in Minnesota.
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Actually, during 2004 and 2005 it was Wisconsin’s turn at upsetting mothers as Mother’s day was celebrated on their fishing opener weekend.   Conversely, Minnesota has now gone two years without seeing this same sportsman’s conflict.   But now for the bad news, Minnesota mothers.   According to my calculations, and unless there is some major season setting change, Minnesota’s Fishing Opener will conflict again with Mother’s Day starting in 2006 and this seasonal dilemma will continue until the year 2011 when it will be celebrated on separate days once again.

So, this coming Saturday is the much awaited Minnesota Fishing Opener.   As far as outdoor participant sporting events go…the “Opener” as we will call it, has to be one of the biggest events of its kind in the U.S.   Indeed, it is one of the premier annual sporting events of its kind that has been celebrated over the decades by all ages of fishermen.   Minnesota will boast of over one million fishermen hitting the waters on this particular opening weekend alone.

This week I’m devoting each of my blog entries to celebrating and preparing for this annual fishing event.   Perhaps a big aspect of the fun each year is the anticipation leading up to the opener, which occurs at 12:01 a.m. this coming Saturday morning.   Meeting up with good friends and sharing in a good time is what the “Opener” should be all about.
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Join me as I prepare for my Fish Camp 2005 in Northern Minnesota.   You might also want to join Minnesota’s Governor, Tim Pawlenty, as he celebrates the opener in his own traditional way.

The Minnesota fishing opener is steeped with tradition…and when you hear someone comment derogatorily toward the “Opener” not being a good time to go fishing…then I’ll introduce you to a person who simply does not understand what celebrating the opener is all about.   Getting together to fish might be our primary purpose or excuse…but enjoying the fun and the camaraderie of friends on the water is truly what deserves to be celebrated and appreciated.

© 2005 Jim Braaten.  All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.