Whatever happened to ethics?

Tomorrow is stream trout opener in Minnesota, something rarely honored by a Minnesota governor fishing a stream. In fact, the “governor’s opener” is only for walleye, sauger and northerns. Panfish are open year round. Bass open later and at different dates in different parts of the state. THERE IS NO MINNESOTA FISHING OPENER.

The Governor’s Fishing Opener has been a tradition in Minnesota since 1948. The event was designed to promote the development of Minnesota’s $2.4 billion fishing industry, and in recent years, it has served as an iconic kick-off celebration for the summer tourism season. Prior to the pandemic, travel and tourism generated $16.6 billion in leisure and hospitality gross sales in Minnesota annually.

Personally, promoting tourism isn’t what fishing is all about as far as I’m concerned. In fact, today’s Star Tribune reports on fishing-related problems derived from the winter tourism fishing season in northern Minnesota.

Ice fishing trash problems persist on popular Minnesota waters

As the activity soars in popularity, discarding human waste adds to complexity of garbage problem on Red Lake and Lake of the Woods. 

trout stream, northern Minnesota

Photo by J. Harrington

Let’s return to tomorrow’s stream trout opener for a moment. Much of trout fishing is done as fly fishing. Some fly fishing organizations have published a code of ethics.  Fly Fishers International is one such organization. For those readers averse to following links, here’s a

Shortened version suitable to be carried by the angler: 

• Fly anglers understand and obey laws and regulations associated with the fishery.
• Fly anglers believe fly fishing is a privilege and a responsibility.
• Fly anglers conserve fisheries by limiting their catch.
• Fly anglers do not judge fellow anglers and treat them as they would expect to be treated.
• Fly anglers respect the waters occupied by other anglers so that fish are not disturbed
• When fishing from a watercraft, fly anglers do not crowd other anglers or craft or unnecessarily disturb the water.
• Fly anglers respect other angling methods and promote this Code of Angling Ethics to all anglers.

Although not limited to fly fishing, Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources promotes fishing ethics and stewardship, but not as much as tourism promotes the walleye opener. Then again, DNR doesn’t specifically mention not littering or leaving other trash behind as an element of ethics or stewardship. Wouldn’t it be great if the governor’s opener promoted ethics as much as it promotes tourism and commercialism? Isn’t that considered to be leadership?

The River.

By Raymond Carver

I waded, deepening, into the dark water.
Evening, and the push
and swirl of the river as it closed
around my legs and held on.
Young grilse broke water.
Parr darted one way, smolt another.
Gravel turned under my boots as I edged out.
Watched by the furious eyes of king salmon.
Their immense heads turned slowly,
eyes burning with fury, as they hung
in the deep current.
They were there. I fel them there,
and my skin prickled. But
there was something else.
I braced with the wind on my neck.
Felt the hair rise
as something touched my boot.
Grew afraid at what I couldn't see.
Then of everything that filled my eyes—
that other shore heavy with branches,
the dark lip of the mountain range behind.
And this river that had suddenly
grown black and swift.
I drew breath and cast anyway.
Prayed nothing would strike.

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