Trout Fry 2009: Low attendance, high morale

Despite opposition from some in the Luther community, the Pi Sigma Omicron fraternity held its annual party April 24 at Chimney Rock Campground.

“Trout Fry” reeled in a smaller-than-usual crowd, fishing out approximately 250 guests, but those who attended found themselves hooked.

“I didn’t go last year, and I’m really sad I didn’t because this year was a blast,” Kelly Jo Roth (‘11) said. “There were a lot of people around playing games like frisbee, football, lawn games and there was music. Everyone was happy.”

Anthony Rohr (‘11) agreed.

“I actually thought it was going to be a little more rambunctious,” Rohr said. “It was really just lot of different kinds of people together having a good time.”

Trout Fry organizer Colin Marnach (‘09) said the low turnout did not help the fraternity meet its monetary goals.

“Let’s just say we did it merely for the tradition this year,” Marnach said. “We still have a quite a few t-shirts left over.”

Marnach partly attributed the low turnout to this year’s bring-your-own-alcohol policy, but was pleased with how smoothly the event went.

“I had a lot of positive feedback,” Marnach said. “Yeah, the numbers were down because of the lack of kegs and the rumors about cops showing up, but we kept the tradition alive.”

Efforts by some Luther administrators and Decorah community members to end Trout Fry also accounted for low attendance, according to Marnach. In a previous issue of CHIPS, Wellness Director Greg Lonning discussed the college’s disapproval of Trout Fry and stressed that Luther is in no way affiliated with the event or the Pi Sigs.

“Lonning always says that Luther isn’t affiliated with Trout Fry, and the Pi Sigs aren’t associated with Luther, so why were they trying to stop it?” Marnach said. “As long as we appease the police and the county attorney, it doesn’t matter.”

Before entering the campground, guests signed a waiver acknowledging the event’s separation from Luther College.

Lonning declined comment.

Area law enforcement appreciated the safety of this year’s Trout Fry.

“I appreciate the ideas of trying to be safe. That’s what we try to incorporate, too,” Winneshiek County Sheriff Leon Bohr said. “County-wide we didn’t have a problem. A deputy stopped out at the campsite just to touch base and it was not a problem at all. We had officers and state troopers in the region just for a safety but it wasn’t a problem.”

Marnach

Officials caution, however, that future Pi Sig’s will face some difficult decisions if they want Trout Fry to remain a safe event.

“It’s going to rest with the Pi Sigs as to how well they want to continue to provide safety measures,” Chief of Police Tom Courtney said. “And whether they really want to get a handle on the underage drinking.”

The fraternity is already fishing for ways to improve Trout Fry.

“Next year we’re hopeful about some changes. The guys want to keep working closely with law enforcement,” Marnach said. “We’re going to start working toward a liquor license and the proper insurance so we can bring back the kegs. Another possibility could be a lock in. The 30th anniversary of Trout Fry will happen next year.”