River Story: A Festival of Fish

In honor of Roland Sigurdson (above), written by Michelle Kelly

I had the privilege of working together with Roland Sigurdson for 14 years here in the Metro Region for the DNR's MinnAqua Program. The MinnAqua Program is the fishing and aquatic education program of the Fish and Wildlife Outreach Section.

Roland was an outstanding educator and an incredibly wonderful person. His passion and exuberance for teaching, kids, fishing and our water resources in Minnesota were always an inspiration to me and everyone with whom he worked. If anyone knew anything about fishing education here in the Twin Cities, they knew Roland.

Roland worked throughout the Twin Cities Metro Region with schools, youth program, park and rec departments, community organizations, sporting groups and more teaching fishing, aquatic ecology, and water stewardship. Many of his programs occurred at various locations along the Mississippi River.

It was at the Mississippi River in Fort Snelling State Park where Roland started the annual Festival of Fish event celebrating the diverse fishing traditions of the many cultures of Twin Cities residents. Through this event, hundreds of Twin Cities urban youth from the Minneapolis and St. Paul Parks and Recreation Departments were introduced to fishing and discovered a personal connection to Minnesota's fishing heritage.

Roland organized the Festival of Fish event at Ft. Snelling State Park and coordinated the participation of State Park naturalists and a number of other partner organizations for about five summers up until 2013. That was when Roland began taking over the statewide supervision of the MinnAqua Program.

For Roland, the MinnAqua Program's message was that our natural resources belong to all Minnesotans, and it's the responsibility of each of us to be good stewards of our resources and help ensure the health and sustainability of our waters and fishery.

He was deliberate in his efforts to connect participants to the local waters in the communities and neighborhoods where they lived through the life-long recreational activity of fishing. And here in the metro the significance of the Mississippi River and its diverse fishery featured prominently in many of his programs.

There are few urban areas in the world that have the water resources and fishing opportunities that we are fortunate to have right here in our backyards. Roland didn't want anyone to take for granted the opportunity we have to experience and enjoy those resources so close to home. He helped his program participants learn the value of our rich water and fishing heritage and internalize a sense of responsibility to care for those resources.

Roland loved teaching the joys of fishing to both those born here and newly established Minnesota residents, especially our urban youth and their families. Fishing for him truly was the way to ignite wonder and appreciation for the nature right where we live and sharing in the excitement and seeing the smiles on the faces of someone catching a fish for the first time, never got old.

Roland was the MinnAqua Program's be-knighted fish expert and go-to-guy for fishing tips. With his quirky sense of humor, Roland was always spreading positive energy and smiles, and no one ever forgot meeting him. I don't think I've ever known anyone as well thought of, and as well-loved.

He never failed to make fishing fun and fascinating, and always shared his passion for taking care of our fisheries and aquatic resources (including the Mississippi waters and its entire watershed) with the hope of ensuring that everyone and including future generations have the privilege to enjoy fishing and clean waters and the opportunity to learn to love and care for those resources, too.

It's not possible to list the many highlights of his years with the MinnAqua Program as they are so many. His unexpected and shocking passing in April of 2014 left an unfillable hole here in the MinnAqua Program and throughout the DNR and I miss him every single day.

Roland often said, “The most rewarding times are when our program is instrumental in helping an adult and a child connect to the new activity of fishing that they enjoy together. Time on the water together leads to an understanding of the resource they enjoy, participation in environmental stewardship, and the making if lots of fun memories.”

That sentiment, and so much more, is the legacy Roland left behind that will always shine brightly in the MinnAqua Program and in the hearts of all those he touched in his too short life.

Note: The photo is by Stacey Sigurdson. It photo wasn't taken in this spot, but this part of Ft. Snelling was one of Roland's favorite fishing spots.

The River Story Map

Created and coordinated by volunteer extraordinaire Michael Bischoff, the River Story Map kicks off FMR's silver anniversary year with 25+ stories of friendship with and connection to the metro Mississippi.  These honest and personal reflections portray the river as a source of intrigue and adventure, a beloved date night venue, and even an unlikely partner in tales of loss and healing. We hope you enjoy them and consider adding your personal story of friendship with the Mississippi River.