View Full Version : University of Fishing?
A few years back there was a yearly "University of Fishing" weekend put on at Mankato State University each spring (Feb/Mar maybe -- can't remember precisely). Started Friday PM and lasted till Sunday afternoon, and featured continuous seminars by Winkleman, Linders, etc., etc., etc. Bass, walleye, muskie, panfish, whatever "track" you wanted to take.
No "factory sponsored" speakers selling the lure-de-jour or boat shows and anything resembling that -- just good fishing info and seminars. They even gave you CEU credits.
Took each of my five kids at about age 13-14 -- great fun, weren't bombarded with commercial BS, and we all learned a lot. Now have a herd of grandkids that are gonna pass throught that age and would like to do it with them also.
Is there anything like this still being done? (Please don't recommend the infomercials at the sportsmens/fishing shows -- not interested in guys with a bunch of sponsors patches on their cool Columbia shirts trying to sell stuff.)
Hans
A few years back there was a yearly "University of Fishing" weekend put on at Mankato State University each spring (Feb/Mar maybe -- can't remember precisely). Started Friday PM and lasted till Sunday afternoon, and featured continuous seminars by Winkleman, Linders, etc., etc., etc. Bass, walleye, muskie, panfish, whatever "track" you wanted to take.
No "factory sponsored" speakers selling the lure-de-jour or boat shows and anything resembling that -- just good fishing info and seminars. They even gave you CEU credits.
Took each of my five kids at about age 13-14 -- great fun, weren't bombarded with commercial BS, and we all learned a lot. Now have a herd of grandkids that are gonna pass throught that age and would like to do it with them also.
Is there anything like this still being done? (Please don't recommend the infomercials at the sportsmens/fishing shows -- not interested in guys with a bunch of sponsors patches on their cool Columbia shirts trying to sell stuff.)
Hans
cisco
01-25-2001, 04:43 AM
I remember the programs you mention. Attended one in St. Joe, Mich. Don't know what happened to them, but try the DNR in your state. Wisconsin has a fairly well developed anger-ed program in which you could even become an instructor after taking an all day instructors course. The curriculum materials are quite good. The only way specific brand names enter is if you put on a fishing workshop. Kenosha, Racine, Milwaukee and other urban areas offer these for kids every spring -- usually in cooperation with the DNR and local sports groups.
I believe Illinois has a similar program, but can't say for certain.
cisco
01-25-2001, 04:43 AM
I remember the programs you mention. Attended one in St. Joe, Mich. Don't know what happened to them, but try the DNR in your state. Wisconsin has a fairly well developed anger-ed program in which you could even become an instructor after taking an all day instructors course. The curriculum materials are quite good. The only way specific brand names enter is if you put on a fishing workshop. Kenosha, Racine, Milwaukee and other urban areas offer these for kids every spring -- usually in cooperation with the DNR and local sports groups.
I believe Illinois has a similar program, but can't say for certain.
cisco
01-25-2001, 04:44 AM
Excuse, that's angler-ed!
cisco
01-25-2001, 04:44 AM
Excuse, that's angler-ed!
Goldpig
01-25-2001, 05:25 AM
I know its not walleye fishing, but Bassmaster University is coming in March. The line-up includes Alton Jones, Davy Hite, Rich Tauber, Scott Peterson, and others. It is a two day event.
Goldpig
01-25-2001, 05:25 AM
I know its not walleye fishing, but Bassmaster University is coming in March. The line-up includes Alton Jones, Davy Hite, Rich Tauber, Scott Peterson, and others. It is a two day event.
Steve_IA
01-25-2001, 06:12 AM
Where is it held?
Steve_IA
01-25-2001, 06:12 AM
Where is it held?
Fish'n Fool
01-25-2001, 07:04 AM
Hans if you can't find one in Minn then I would look at Ted Takasaki's Walleye University. It will be held 6In Illlinois in March 3 and I believe that the info is on the front of this board. I have gone 2 yrs now and I am telling you that you will learn an awful lot of stuff in a short period. check it out I will go again this year I learn every time and really appreciate the commoradery (spelling sucks lol) have met real fisherman and cna put names to faces from this board. Jim
Fish'n Fool
01-25-2001, 07:04 AM
Hans if you can't find one in Minn then I would look at Ted Takasaki's Walleye University. It will be held 6In Illlinois in March 3 and I believe that the info is on the front of this board. I have gone 2 yrs now and I am telling you that you will learn an awful lot of stuff in a short period. check it out I will go again this year I learn every time and really appreciate the commoradery (spelling sucks lol) have met real fisherman and cna put names to faces from this board. Jim
Goldpig
01-25-2001, 07:19 AM
It will be held at the Minneapolis Community College on March 16 and 17th
Goldpig
01-25-2001, 07:19 AM
It will be held at the Minneapolis Community College on March 16 and 17th
I'm sure Ted does a nice job on the narrow subject of walleyes, but this was a whole different deal, not only aimed at experienced fishermen, but also at "dumb newbies" to fishing in general (and I don't want to haul 13 grandkids 1-or-2-at-a-time to Chicago anyhow!).
My kids (at 13-14 years old) enjoyed the poolside sessions on how to use a jig, casting techniques, best knots for different applications, etc., and also the "technical" sessions describing different lake types (ages) and likely sorts of fish you'd find in a mature lake vs. a "shield" lake.
Wasn't about "Bassmasters" or "Walleyemasters" or similar specialized crap.
Hans
I'm sure Ted does a nice job on the narrow subject of walleyes, but this was a whole different deal, not only aimed at experienced fishermen, but also at "dumb newbies" to fishing in general (and I don't want to haul 13 grandkids 1-or-2-at-a-time to Chicago anyhow!).
My kids (at 13-14 years old) enjoyed the poolside sessions on how to use a jig, casting techniques, best knots for different applications, etc., and also the "technical" sessions describing different lake types (ages) and likely sorts of fish you'd find in a mature lake vs. a "shield" lake.
Wasn't about "Bassmasters" or "Walleyemasters" or similar specialized crap.
Hans
I attended that one they had a Mankato State about 15 yrs ago, even picked up a PE credit for it. Multi-species location, presentation, on-the-water demos, In-Fish F+L+P type stuff. It was a really great program but I think they only did it for a year or two. Not sure why they quit doing it as the turnout and response to it was good. Maybe it was hard to get the big names in fishing to commit to it without any benefits to their sponsers. Fishing education wasn't so dependant on sponsers back then - you could actually learn something without hearing a sales pitch. I wish something like that would be done again.
I attended that one they had a Mankato State about 15 yrs ago, even picked up a PE credit for it. Multi-species location, presentation, on-the-water demos, In-Fish F+L+P type stuff. It was a really great program but I think they only did it for a year or two. Not sure why they quit doing it as the turnout and response to it was good. Maybe it was hard to get the big names in fishing to commit to it without any benefits to their sponsers. Fishing education wasn't so dependant on sponsers back then - you could actually learn something without hearing a sales pitch. I wish something like that would be done again.
Goldpig
01-25-2001, 09:02 AM
The Bassmasters does specialize on bass, but they do tend to focus on the basics. They spend a lot of time on casting, flippin, pitchin, skippin. They also spend a lot of time on structure types, pH, water clarity, ect. This is not a course intended for those who have spent a considerable amount of time fishing, just those who intend to fish for bass.
Goldpig
01-25-2001, 09:02 AM
The Bassmasters does specialize on bass, but they do tend to focus on the basics. They spend a lot of time on casting, flippin, pitchin, skippin. They also spend a lot of time on structure types, pH, water clarity, ect. This is not a course intended for those who have spent a considerable amount of time fishing, just those who intend to fish for bass.
I got the impression that these guys were paid directly from the proceeds (if I remember right, "tuition" for the weekend was around $35.00). This kept the "sponsors" out of it, and they had some excellent instructors who didn't have any commercial axe to grind. The Linders didn't try to sell subscriptions, Winkleman didn't try to sell bait buckets, and the DNR biologist didn't sell fishing licenses.
I assume the University broke even on the whole thing, or wrote off the shortfall as the part of their educational charter.
Pleasant contrast to the "sponsored" seminars we see these days which more and more are in-person infomercials.
Hans
I got the impression that these guys were paid directly from the proceeds (if I remember right, "tuition" for the weekend was around $35.00). This kept the "sponsors" out of it, and they had some excellent instructors who didn't have any commercial axe to grind. The Linders didn't try to sell subscriptions, Winkleman didn't try to sell bait buckets, and the DNR biologist didn't sell fishing licenses.
I assume the University broke even on the whole thing, or wrote off the shortfall as the part of their educational charter.
Pleasant contrast to the "sponsored" seminars we see these days which more and more are in-person infomercials.
Hans
You're exactly right. MSU did pay the instructers with the proceeds. (I think you are correct on the $35 too.) I'm just guessing as to why they quit doing these. It can't be for lack of interest. It may be that proceeds aren't enough to pay that many high-profile fishermen today without sponsers involved. If for the same money, Mr. Pro has to opportunity to do a strictly educational seminar (sponser-free) or a seminar where he can push products, which is he going to do?
As far as the Lindners go, I think they were still making a name for themselves back then and aren't into the seminar scene much anymore. That's unfortunate because I think they were some of the few who's main goal was to educate fisherman and were passionate about promoting fishing above products.
You're exactly right. MSU did pay the instructers with the proceeds. (I think you are correct on the $35 too.) I'm just guessing as to why they quit doing these. It can't be for lack of interest. It may be that proceeds aren't enough to pay that many high-profile fishermen today without sponsers involved. If for the same money, Mr. Pro has to opportunity to do a strictly educational seminar (sponser-free) or a seminar where he can push products, which is he going to do?
As far as the Lindners go, I think they were still making a name for themselves back then and aren't into the seminar scene much anymore. That's unfortunate because I think they were some of the few who's main goal was to educate fisherman and were passionate about promoting fishing above products.
bob oh
01-25-2001, 11:19 AM
Hans,
Have you contacted the University. Maybe they would try it again if they knew there was interested or maybe know some place else that does do it.
Bob
bob oh
01-25-2001, 11:19 AM
Hans,
Have you contacted the University. Maybe they would try it again if they knew there was interested or maybe know some place else that does do it.
Bob
I haven't been able to tap into the right "memory".
Couple of people at MSU remember the project, but all the people involved are gone.
Hans
I haven't been able to tap into the right "memory".
Couple of people at MSU remember the project, but all the people involved are gone.
Hans
Larry
01-25-2001, 07:25 PM
Hans, I found some literature from a class I took many years ago. It was...American Fishing Institute put on by Indiana University. It was a two day event held at College of DuPage in northern Illinois. I'm sure it's similar to some of the other posts. You couldn't find a better class for the grand kids. If I recall, they even had an introductory segment on fly fishing.
Larry
01-25-2001, 07:25 PM
Hans, I found some literature from a class I took many years ago. It was...American Fishing Institute put on by Indiana University. It was a two day event held at College of DuPage in northern Illinois. I'm sure it's similar to some of the other posts. You couldn't find a better class for the grand kids. If I recall, they even had an introductory segment on fly fishing.
MedicineMan
01-26-2001, 06:51 PM
Sounds like a real good thing to me. Something to take the kids to that isn't above their heads (or mine) and will hold their interest. I think this would be real popular.
MedicineMan
01-26-2001, 06:51 PM
Sounds like a real good thing to me. Something to take the kids to that isn't above their heads (or mine) and will hold their interest. I think this would be real popular.