Opener

I know this subject is getting beat to death, But whats the big deal about moving opener up a week? I was just on the “other site” and there are people complaining about it. Big deal..”We have plans for the opener and won’t be able to change it.” Big deal! Is it really about fishing? For me that’s a “OH HELL NO!” How many of you guys actually go for the fishing? I go to be with my family that I don’t get to fish with much. My dad is up there in years and he could be gone tomorrow! So I invite both brothers up and a couple nephews so Dad can have some quality time with his boys! Screw the fishing! If your going to the openner just because “I’ve done it for years and it’s a tradition.” Start a new tradition…Spend time with your kids and family! Screw the fish!

For me it’s about being among the first ones out on the water. I made opening day reservations at the Big Bog State Park on Red Lake a year ago for that reason. I am not a particularly good fisherman so fishing for walleyes not educated by other anglers seems to be an advantage for me. Twice I have had good fishing in the Tamarac river opening day and then a big let down on opening Sunday.Because of work schedule restrictions we cannot go a week earlier, if even there are any campsites open. But luckily it is not the end of the world as we know it. Somehow we will get by.

I’m with Mr. Schara on this. I don’t like suits deciding things without anyones input simply to hang their hat on a feel good idea.

http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentaries/146482765.html

DOn,

I assure you those fish will be by that river the second weekend. The fishing will be plenty good. Even for “novices”.

Schara’s article was a joke and totally self serving in every way. The opener should certainly be a moving target. The DNR should announce it every year based on the spawning progress of the fish season in question. It may have to be later some years, so be it. This should be totally based on science and nothing else.

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I’m with Mr. Schara on this. I don’t like suits deciding things without anyones input simply to hang their hat on a feel good idea.

http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentaries/146482765.html

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And my blog was banned, taking on the same DNR/politicians with the same form of logic and facts……go figure.

Ask the editor?

I agree with Schara 100%!!

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This should be totally based on science and nothing else.

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I can see the “self-service” of his article…I’ll give ya that. I can see your point of the “moving opener” as well, although I doubt we ever see that. I’d go for lower limits & open year round & / or a “C & R” portion of the year.

This proposal has no scientific basis at it’s inception, although I think the DNR is “studying” it’s impact before the final vote in the Senate.

I realize the proposal wasn’t based on a scientific reason. The idea of the opener being left alone based on, let’s call it “tradition” is just plain stupid. Tradition is just another word for continuing to do something foolish only because that is what has always been done.
I see the resort owners and those with plans don’t like it, why because you’ll have to work harder. Cry me a river. They are willing to hand you another week of business and you are complaining, DUMB.

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They are willing to…

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That’s the part I don’t like about it…the “they”. I rather not have government making willy-nilly decisions, for our good or bad, for us (sportsmen). If they’re so concerned about our welfare (“offering us an extra week”), I think they ought to focus on the Mr. Fellegy’s concern.

I guess when I heard the opener might be moved up a week I had only one question. Will this have a negative impact on the fish? This year based on the early spring the answer is certainly NO it will not. If you are a true sportsman and outdoor enthusiast that is really all that should matter.

Anyone having a problem with the opener being moved up this year is being selfish, plain and simple.

**If it happens** Do I think it’ll harm the fishery? No. Will I be out there early? Yes. It’s more who’s behind it and how it came about. If the resort owners or fisherman suggested it as constituents to their reps….great….haven’t heard any word of that. Who’s gonna make the calls down the road if the “moving target” opener were to happen?? “Suits” like this year??

Am I selfish?….to the core….I’m workin’ on it.

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They are willing to…

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That’s the part I don’t like about it…the “they”. I rather not have government making willy-nilly decisions, for our good or bad, for us (sportsmen). If they’re so concerned about our welfare (“offering us an extra week”), I think they ought to focus on the Mr. Fellegy’s concern.

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Here, Here!!!

Mark

If they would have changed it a month ago it probably would have been OK but it is to late now IMO and they still havent even decided yet. Typical of the government. If you want to catch some walleyes head to pool 4 or LOW. Or panfish is open year round drop your boat in any lake you just have to release the walleyes. I dont even know why they close the season,just put restrictions on in the spring.Either ruduced limits or C&R based on the body of water. Fish are shallow and cold water = near 0 hooking mortality. If some people can net during the spawn I should be able to hook a few.

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I know this subject is getting beat to death, But whats the big deal about moving opener up a week? I was just on the “other site” and there are people complaining about it. Big deal..”We have plans for the opener and won’t be able to change it.” Big deal! Is it really about fishing? For me that’s a “OH HELL NO!” How many of you guys actually go for the fishing? I go to be with my family that I don’t get to fish with much. My dad is up there in years and he could be gone tomorrow! So I invite both brothers up and a couple nephews so Dad can have some quality time with his boys! Screw the fishing! If your going to the openner just because “I’ve done it for years and it’s a tradition.” Start a new tradition…Spend time with your kids and family! Screw the fish!

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Opener is a big deal to a lot of people including me. Maybe all you guys that dont care can hold off until the second weekend for deer opener as well.

I don’t see what is “willy nilly” about this proposal. A rep from Cook, MN sponsored it, most likely at the suggestion of a constituent, the house has passed it, now it awaits the Senate and ultimately the governor. The governor office has indicated he will sign “after checking with DNR officials”.

It seems to me the government is following the proper steps and checking all resources available to them.

Nothing wrong with a one time change to benefit some resorts.

ET

Opener is a big deal to a lot of people including me. Maybe all you guys that dont care can hold off until the second weekend for deer opener as well.

Yeah but Mike….Are you out there to fill your freezer or comroderie and “Trsadition?” I like going too…but maybe for different reasons?

Most opener plans are made months if not a full year in advance. Do to this on a few weeks notice is backwards. What’s the benefit to it? If you want to move it up a week move it up perminately and start it next year. Beside, aren’t there actually even items on their plate that are important to take care of?

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Most opener plans are made months if not a full year in advance. Do to this on a few weeks notice is backwards. What’s the benefit to it? If you want to move it up a week move it up perminately and start it next year. Beside, aren’t there actually even items on their plate that are important to take care of?

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I totally agree.

I hear next they want to move Christmas up a week. What is your problem with that? It won’t hurt anyone and having it on the 25th is just a silly tradition. If you have plans for the 25th, what do you care, you can still celebrate it on the 25th.

As someone who has been trying for years to get the Bass opener moved up, I’m likely bias. The questions being asked illustrate many of the issues. What part of the opener is based on resorts? Is the opener part of the “resort” industry or is it based on fisheries science? Where do spawning cycles come in?

Do we even need seasons? Or as some evidence suggests, we open the walleye season when folks have the best opportunity to hammer the fish? Is this really protecting the resource or is it catering to the resort and tourism industry?

With Bass season, we have a late opener near Memorial Day. Most years the Bass are either still actively spawning or still in pre-spawn. Yet the late opener is understood to be protecting the bass from nest predation or excessive harvest; when nothing could be farther then the truth. Is biology the basis of the late opener, or is it a season influenced by the resort industry to have a second “opener” in which to attract another group of anglers.

This may be one of the first years out of the last 20-30 that Bass will have actually completed spawning, prior to the opener. If the Walleye and Pike opener is moved up, will this mean all the other seasons shift forward Bass, Muskie?

All the States surrounding Minnesota have openers that are earlier then ours. What is it that the science and biology of fish is different in these States? The big Northern States like Michigan, New York, Wisconsin have made science based decisions to open the Bass Seasons sooner then they used to. Is the MN DNR thinking all these States are using flawed science or doing a bad job at managing their fish populations or is MN just stuck on dogma and repetition?

fisherman complaining about an unexpected extra week of fishing just blows my mind. I can’t wait for opener, the earlier the better. I don’t give a rats a** about ron schara and his fishing tournament, or the governers opening weekend on waconia. Does this make me selfish? I don’t care, I want to fish

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I hear next they want to move Christmas up a week. What is your problem with that? It won’t hurt anyone and having it on the 25th is just a silly tradition. If you have plans for the 25th, what do you care, you can still celebrate it on the 25th.

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Mplspug, It is time for you to go sit in the corner and have a little time out! Your mind is wondering again.

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**If it happens** Do I think it’ll harm the fishery? No. Will I be out there early? Yes. It’s more who’s behind it and how it came about. If the resort owners or fisherman suggested it as constituents to their reps….great….haven’t heard any word of that. Who’s gonna make the calls down the road if the “moving target” opener were to happen?? “Suits” like this year??

Am I selfish?….to the core….I’m workin’ on it.

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MikeG, you took the words right out of my mouth!

Even the selfish part

Des this happen to include the stream trout- lakes opener as well?

I don’t think the issue is when it is, the issue with this particular year is, it is a little over a month away…people have PLANS !!! I don’t think it is a big deal if they announce it by mid march every year, the issue is the playing with it in the capital… some people work weekends, but take off the opener, what happens now, if they cahnge it a month before ? To take it a step further, we have a guy in our opener group, who flys in from Colorado every year… guess when his plane tickets are for ??? It has been beat to death, because of the way the suits are toying with it… that and because people (see mirror) keep posting about it Just because it’s not a big deal to you, doesn’t mean it is not for someone else. Some people actually fish on the fishing opener, but I do agree, if I sat around drinking on the opener, that can be moved to any weekend and nothing would change much.

I’m totally lost/confused on this opener thing……who uses them anymore, why not just buy cans, or get twist off bottle tops?

Hey look at the bright side…Traffic should be lighter on the second weekend!