Since the late 1950s, when my stepdad and I fished what later became the Boundary Waters, I have been an avid outdoorsman and fisher; thus, I feared I would take a significant step down in quality of these experiences when I moved to St. Louis in 1998. I was wrong. From home, I was 50 minutes from Boundary Waters-like experiences, wading a clear, spring-fed stream in the Ozarks, casting for smallmouths, which, though smaller than most in Minnesota, were as feisty; and although I didnt catch walleye or northerns, I did catch rainbow and brown trout bigger than most Minnesota specimens, and large crappies and sunnies. I recently moved back to Minnesota and, after reading in the Star Tribune about proposed fishing license fee increases, thought I would cost comparison, state vs. state, these experiences.

Last year in Missouri, being over 65, I paid nothing for a resident fishing license, just $7 for trout. In Minnesota, I would pay $22, though if 90 (past my life expectancy), I would also be able to fish free (thank you) plus $10 for trout. In Minnesota, I can fish with one line and two over ice. In Missouri, I once calculated that, between pole, jug and trot, I could fish with 23 lines (plus two hands for noodling). And its easier to fish in Missouri. One page in that states fishing regulations book lists all license fees; in Minnesotas, its three pages. Missouris regs book is 48 pages; Minnesotas, 92. Now, Missouri has few natural lakes but many reservoirs and fishable ponds, and though Minnesota, with 12,000-plus lakes, has more fishing opportunities, its probably worthwhile to put all this in perspective.

William Pilacinski, Blaine

TEACHER SHORTAGES

So theyre flaming out. The question, then, is: Why?

The March 5 article on teacher shortages in Minnesota with emphasis on the metro area was interesting, alarming to a point and woefully short of information. The information included the numbers of teaching vacancies posted last month for special education, science and math (more than 200). Statistics included 46 percent leaving the profession since 2008, 15 percent leaving after year one and a three-year retention rate of 55 percent for St. Paul schools. Not a strand of information about why teachers are leaving the profession other than use of the term flaming out. Good solutions require good problem definition. Until the Minnesota Department of Education and the Legislature take a good look at why teachers leave the profession, I would imagine their solutions will be ineffective. Thats a shame for a state that used to be a net exporter of well-qualified teachers.

Alan Briesemeister, Delano

As a former student in a special education teaching program, I believe there is more to the deficit in qualified teachers than stringent licensing requirements. I lost interest in a career as a public school educator once I actually spent time in a classroom. When 15 percent of new teachers leave after one year, we need to look at the education system as a whole.

Our public schools are designed like factories, rather than being a reflection of the communities they serve. Million-dollar, state-of-art facilities with the latest in technology are not what our teachers or children need to succeed. Strict schedules, one-size-fits-all curriculum and an emphasis on indoor work is not helping our national test scores surpass those of other countries, especially Finland. Finnish classrooms emphasize play, creativity, outdoor learning and the arts, according to Timothy D. Walker, an American teacher who moved to Finland and runs the Taught by Finland website.

Minnesota has options for private or charter schools offering a different learning focus, including Montessori programs and arts-focused schools like Da Vinci Academy. However, for new teachers who want a job, these smaller, private programs may not be geographically or financially feasible, or even be hiring. Why cant our public schools evolve? We should be empowering teachers to creatively form their own learning spaces, rather than focusing on fulfilling bureaucratic testing goals. Our kids need art class more than iPads, outdoor learning more than technology, and play time more than work sheets. Lets encourage our local public schools to be more open to hiring teachers who passionately implement different learning tools and unique ideas, rather than alienating those who cant (or wont) conform.

Danielle Wiener, Stacy, Minn.

URBAN/RURAL DIVIDE

At least us country mice know how to dress at the theater

The March 5 commentary Bridging our city mouse/country mouse divide contained some very interesting points. I would question who the hayseeds are, though.

My wife and I, residents of West Central Minnesota, attended The King and I on a recent Saturday night at the beautiful Orpheum Theatre in downtown Minneapolis. We felt overdressed. My wife wore a dress, and I wore a sport coat with a tie. I saw two other ties on men in a crowd of approximately 2,000.

After the play, we noticed some people on the sidewalk taking selfies with the marquee in the background. These hayseeds had dresses and sport coats on and were obviously excited to be at a high-caliber performance.

I wonder what the Lincoln Center touring company thought when they looked out over the audience and saw stocking caps, bluejeans, T-shirts and tennis shoes. And most of those outfits suggested that the wearer had just left a burning house.

Gordy Wagner, Glenwood, Minn.

UBER

Journalists should steer away from pitching its promotions

Shilling for Uber, as occurred in a short item the March 5 Minnesota section, is not appropriate. While noting the companys expansion is one thing, listing its promotion codes is an entirely different and unethical matter. Especially given an earlier article on Ubers lack of ethics (Uber used its app to identify, block law enforcement, March 4). Star Tribune, please revisit your policies and editing.

Christine Soderling, Eagan

TRUMP AND AYN RAND

She would have adored him, and Democrats are obstructionists

When Democrats made a movie about Republican Ayn Rands book, Atlas Shrugged, it was docile, as expected.

Now Ive read Jennifer Burns We just might miss the heartless Ayn Rand (March 5).

After the first three paragraphs, I was done. They were wrong, wrong and again wrong.

Then, for some inexplicable reason, I started back on it, as she was trying to tie Milo Yiannopoulus into the mix.

Well, Ms. Burns, I think Trump is the absolute capitalist outsider Rand would have loved.

My liberal friends are screaming at me every day that Trump is failing (OK Monday through Friday). Well, he doesnt even have his full Cabinet in place sheesh!

Tell Sen. Al Franken to give Trump some breathing room. How can we possibly evaluate his progress when Franken and Sen. Amy Klobuchar havent even voted in his Cabinet?

Rob Godfrey, St. Louis Park

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Readers Write (March 12): Fishing fees, teacher shortages, urban/rural divide and culture, Uber discounts and ... - Minneapolis Star Tribune