Minnesota Rules To Live By

1. There's only one God, ya know, and He has better things to do than untangle your line.

2. Don't make that fish trophy up on your mantle an idol (see rule number one).

3. Cussin' about the one that got away or me gettin' a bigger fish ain't Minnesota nice.

4. Go to church even when you're up north, and no, "fishin' shack services" don't count.

5. Honor your folks. When they say it's time to go fishin', don't make them wait.

6. Don't kill. Catch and release. But do take a Polaroid 'cause we may not believe you.

7. There's only one Lena for every Ole. No cheatin'. And Lena says you'd best come in

from the ice house every so often because there may be another Ole lurking around.

8. If it ain't your lutefisk, don't take it. Don't take no fish out of my bucket neither.

9. Don't be braggin bout how big a fish you caught. Especially if you don't have proof.

10. Keep your mind off your neighbor's fish, fishin' spot and hot dish. It's okay to admire

my brand new eighteen foot shiny fishin' boat with the shiny red stripe, sleek carry trailer

and the 160 outboard motor that I just washed and waxed just a little bit though.

11. If you catch a bigger fish than me, I really don't need to hear about it every time we

go to the bait shop. One brag per catch. If I repeat my stories, it's just my bad memory.

 

The Ten Coomandments Plus One, Minnesota Style, by Professor Wallace Michelangelo Mackerally