EDITORIAL: The three Rs: Rodeo, recession and regulation

Nothing can gut the Rodeo.

With a backdrop of the worst recession since the Great Depression, Destin kicks off its annual fishing tournament on Thursday.

While the verdict’s still out as to whether the turbulent economy will crimp participation, the signs aren’t all that encouraging. Boat captains report that bookings for October are way off compared to years past.

But we remain optimistic.

In a year of recession, fishing offers some of the most simple, back-to-basics fun you can ask for. And pardon the old expression, but this ain’t our first Rodeo. This is an event that has weathered many a downturn in its 61 years of existence.

And aside, even if you can’t afford to charter a vessel at a time which deals abound, you can still get on the leaderboard. You can fish from the side of the shore, from a pier or even a kayak.

Even if you don’t win, you can always cook your catch. And that’s a money saver to be sure.

But as if a recession isn’t bad enough, captains are also contending with game-changing overregulation that at times seems to rival the net ban.

For the first time in Rodeo history snapper is off the menu thanks to a flawed counting system and the iron fist of overzealous bureaucrats. And while shark may be a good substitute on Saturdays, nothing can replace the spot for our signature fish.

As if the snapper lockdown wasn’t enough, this will be the first year that anglers fishing from land must have a fishing license. In a bid to get better fish counts, the feds have ordered a fishing registry that requires all anglers to pay up.

Ultimately though, no matter what storms gather on the horizon, the show will go on.

Because when it comes to the Rodeo, there is always a fourth R in play: Resilience.