Big Fat Walleye
Copyright © 1990 Bret Hesla
Early in the morning I load up my canoe.
Only one thing is gonna break these blues
Ch: I want a Big Fat Walleye (2x)
I’ve got a sinker on a spoon
And I’m trolling from the morning
To the late afternoon.
Got my boat, got my gear.
Got my buddy Larry only one thing isn’t here (Ch)
All day gray, all day drizzle
Don’t mind getting wet if I get to hear the sizzle (Ch.)
Can’t get my mind off this gnawing hunger
I gotta get a fish, and it better be a lunker
Don’t want beef, no chicken, no pork.
Don’t give me no tofu on my fork. (Ch)
I don’t want a sunny, a bluegill or a trout
It’s the Minnesota state fish I’m talking about
Words and music by Bret Hesla.
© 1990 Bret Hesla. All rights reserved. Use with permission, please.
Licensed via OneLicense.net. Contact: Bret.hesla@gmail.com.
May 8th 2002 Press [Catch-and-]Release:
I’ve used this song in countless settings across all ages for many, many years. EVERYONE loves this song. It’s fun, easy to learn, and can involve kids as young as 3 to the oldest adults. I used to sing it with 1,400 middle school students in school assemblies. They would go wild for it.
Middle School Educator Paul Andress, Edina MN
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Dateline: May 8th 2002 Press (Catch-and)Release: ———-
Local Songwriter Pens The Unofficial Song for Fishing Opener
A simple fishing song, written in the solitude of the Minnesota wilderness more than a decade ago, is returning home this weekend to fanfare and celebration (and hopefully bringing good luck with it.) The Minnesota governor’s office has invited the popular Twin Cities-area singer and music teacher Larry Dittberner to International Falls to sing “The Big Fat Walleye” for the governor’s fishing opener party this weekend.
The song was born in the north woods of Minnesota, written by Dittberner’s singing partner, Minnesota songwriter Bret Hesla, during a 29-day wilderness canoe trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. In an effort to lighten the food packs and make portages easier, Bret and his camping buddy intentionally brought less food than they needed, hoping to make up the difference with fish. Bad idea. By day nine, these novice fishermen had caught no fish. Worse, they had lost most of their lures to submerged logs and were desperately putting duck tape on treble hooks hoping to land anything that might possibly complement yet another supper of “fish and rice sans fish.” Hard times in the woods can strain friendships, but they are also fertile ground for songs. On day ten these hungry paddlers finally landed…a blues classic.
Recorded in 1992 by Dittberner and Hesla on their own label, “The Big Fat Walleye” has since become something of an anthem for all desperate anglers. The song is also a huge favorite in many Minnesota schools, including Lake Country School of Minneapolis and Ridgeway Community School of Winona, where Larry and Bret respectively teach. For information, lyric sheets, or recordings, contact: