As I write this I’m not exactly sure where it is going, but please bear with me. Actually, that’s kind of what this is about. A bear is usually a big animal with sharp teeth and long claws. But not in this instance.

I’m setting the stage here for what is to follow. You see, bear can be both a noun and a verb, depending on use. How about this one? Is a competitive fishing event a tournament or a derby? Can it be both?

One of the oldest references to a “tournament” goes all the way back to knights jousting on horseback. People usually gathered for a few days to cheer and drink mugs of whatever was popular at the time, and watch that charging back and forth stuff by knights armed with lances and body armor and the like. The winner was the tournament champion.

So what’s all this derby business? Fishing groups refer to their competitive competitions as both tournaments and derbies. The terms are seemingly interchangeable. But are they? It must be remembered that these events are named by those whose favorite endeavor is heavily cloaked in a reputation for fashioning their own version of truth.

The Kentucky Derby is held once a year. Although the Kentucky Derby is preceded by hours of preparation and fanfare, it is a single event lasting only a few minutes. No one calls it the Kentucky Horse Tournament. Well, maybe some fishermen do.

There is extensive precedent. Many fishing competitions are billed as tournaments despite being staged in a single day, which is the definition of a derby. Unless, of course, you are thinking about those old dome-shaped hats that were a men’s fashion rage more than a hundred years ago.

The North Dakota Governor’s Walleye Cup Tournament is a two-day event, except for this year’s cancellation due to coronavirus. The Governor’s Cup has a tournament committee, tournament boundaries, tournament officials and tournament fishing hours. They have more tournament stuff too, but no mention of a derby.

Several single-day fishing competitions in the state are labeled tournaments even though they fall within the definition of a derby. Some organizations hold several one-day derbies under a tournament schedule.

The North Dakota Century Code, chapter 30-03-05, contains a list of rules for “fishing contests.” The Game and Fish Department reviews all applications for a “fishing contest (tournament) permit,” but publishes a list of fishing tournaments which can be one day or two day contests.

I know. I’m splitting hairs here and we all know what a fishing tournament or derby or contest is and it doesn’t really matter how we refer to them. Strictly speaking though, a derby is defined as a single race or contest and a tournament as a series of contests. Actually speaking though, who cares? Just go fishing.

One more thing. The state has had seven different governors since the first Governor’s Cup was held in 1976. At least three governors have attended Governor’s Cup, George Sinner, Art Link and Allen Olson. Maybe that will change next summer.