It's the opening of fishing in northeastern Minnesota. Do you know where your congressman is?
Unfortunately, if you live in the 8th congressional district, the answer is likely to be New Hampshire. Unlike former Congressman Rick Nolan (the Democratic-Farmer-Labor endorsed candidate for congress) who will be joining thousands of fellow residents on one of the many beautiful lakes in northern Minnesota, incumbent Tea Party Rep Chip Cravaack is likely to be wandering sleepily around the Granite State blissfully unaware that the Land of 10,000 Lakes lies 1500 miles to the west.
In Minnesota, the opening of the fishing season is eagerly anticipated and even the state's chief executive takes an active role. The Governor's Fishing Opener began in 1948, and has evolved into a three day celebration designed to kick off the summer tourism season. It is an important tradition that is viewed as sacred by many; state lawmakers this year proposed moving the opener to another week end to avoid a conflict with Mothers Day, and soon discovered it would be easier to move Mother's Day than change the date of the fishing opener.
The opening of fishing is more like a religious observance than a sport in northern Minnesota. It is an important part of the natural resources based economy of the region, something that former Congressman Rick Nolan, an avid outdoorsman, knows all too well.
In that spirit, Nolan, a native of the Cuyuna Range in northern Minnesota, extended this invitation to Tea Party Representative Chip Cravaack on the eve of the much anticipated Minnesota fishing opener:
It occurred to me that since Chip is not from Minnesota originally, and has since moved his family to New Hampshire, he might not be aware that tomorrow is the fishing opener. He also might not be aware how important fishing is to us up here. So if there is any chance he is actually in the district this weekend, I would be delighted to take him out fishing with my family and let him get a true Minnesota-experience on the lake.”
Nolan continued, “The fishing opener is a time-honored tradition in the Minnesota. It is important to get together with friends, family, and neighbors to cast a line and share stories of fishing trips past. I’m excited to get out on the lake tomorrow with my wife, kids and grandkids to share and create new memories.
Added Nolan, “If for any reason, Chip is out of town this weekend, I’d like to extend an open-invitation to join me for a future fishing venture at any time.”
The importance of fishing to the economy of 8th district cannot be overstated. Many small businesses in northeastern Minnesota live or die with tourism, and income generated from fishing is a huge part of that industry. Fishing bridges the generations, bringing together families who are often scattered, and strangers become friends in local coffee shops sharing tall tales about 'the one that got away'. It's part of our culture, it's who we are. It is important that our representative in Congress understands this, understands us.
So when someone asks New Hampshire Chip "how's the fishing?", he'd better know. Former Congressman Rick Nolan certainly does. Just don't expect him to tell you the exact spot where he's catching all those big fish......