Why a woman is fighting to be allowed to jump into the brook

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Memminger Fischertag (archive): Whoever catches the largest trout becomes king

The list of Memmingen fishermen kings is long, it goes back to the year 1891. At that time Ludwig Schäffler, known as "Ludwig I.", was victorious. He was followed by "Albert I.", "Karl III.", And finally, in 2019, Walter Gröner, "Walter IV., The diver". The tradition weighs heavily in the Bavarian city. For many Memmingers, an entry on the list means the fulfillment of a childhood dream. It has been continued without interruption to this day.

But one thing is not on the list: a woman's name. And that will cause controversy in 2020.

Because women are allowed to become members of the Memminger Fischertagverein - but not take part in the so-called Ausfischen der Stadtbach, the traditional highlight of the Memminger Fischertag. That is reserved for the male city dwellers.

Christine Renz has set herself the goal of changing that. "It has always annoyed me that women cannot become fishermen," says Renz. She herself comes from Memmingen and has been a member of the club for almost 30 years - but she is not allowed to fish.

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"For many it is very important to catch a fish"

Renz has filed a lawsuit with the Memmingen District Court. She said on the phone that she didn't want to take the dispute to court. But in the end she saw no other option.

Which weighs more - tradition or equality?

At first glance, the conflict over the Memminger Fischertag may seem like a farce. But the question behind it is bigger. And it doesn't just move Memmingen. Which weighs more - tradition or equality?

The advocates of the male tradition refer to centuries-old customs. Great importance is attached to the "attention to detail of the history", says Michael Ruppert, 53, first chairman of the fishing day club. Ruppert has held the office for almost 20 years. He can hardly imagine a change - he cannot say how and whether the fisherman's day will go on at all, should the lawsuit succeed.

He thinks it's a shame, he says instead, that his family-friendly club has been so badly presented since this thing was in the world. After all, women are allowed to become members and are there everywhere else - just not when fishing.

Could he understand that the women wanted to take part? "Well, yes. But not all wishes always come true. It's no different in my life," says Ruppert.

"A great feeling"

The residents of the Bavarian city consider the fisherman's day to be the highest festival day, apart from the church holidays. Anyone who wants to understand the value fishing in their city stream has for the Memmingen residents only has to take a look at the figures: the spectacle attracts around 40,000 spectators year after year, the city has roughly that number of inhabitants. The Fischertagverein, which organizes the festival, has 4,500 members, including the mayor and a significant proportion of the city council.

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Allegedly an argument against women in the brook: You have to protect them from the dirty water

If you believe the stories that Ruppert likes to pass on, the tradition of the Memmingen Fisherman's Day goes back to the Middle Ages. At that time, the Stadtbach was used, among other things, to dispose of faeces. Once a year the water was drained for cleaning purposes, beforehand the townspeople were allowed to fish the trout from the broth - it is said to have always been men. In order to make the action more attractive, the city leaders declared it a festival around the turn of the century - and chose a king. Whoever catches the biggest trout wins.

In the week before the summer holidays, the folk festival also dominates the headlines in local newspapers. The "Allgäuer Zeitung" dedicated a multi-page report to the fisherman king of 2015, Martin Ackel, "Martin II., The excavator". Ackel is quoted as saying that it is "a great feeling" to finally be the fisherman's king.

This year the festival fell victim to the corona pandemic. The spectacle can be seen on videos from previous years: men with nets jump into the water at a gunshot and try to catch a fish. Spectators cheer them on and accept the caught trout.

Not up to date anymore

"For many, it is very important to catch a fish," says Christine Renz. She perceives the fact that women and girls are not trusted to do that as derogatory. "What do you convey to the girls when you tell them: You are not allowed to participate because you're a little girl?" She asks. This view is simply no longer appropriate.

She has heard the most absurd arguments why women are not allowed to fish, including: You have to protect them from the dirty water of the stream.

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Tradition weighs heavily: fishermen jump into the water when a gunshot is fired

Renz twice submitted an application to change the association's statutes, and twice it was thrown out. Today hardly anyone from the association speaks to her that she is a persona non grata, says Renz. One member had submitted an application so that she would no longer receive honors for long-term membership, another was trying to exclude her completely from the association.

In Germany there are hundreds of clubs that make gender a requirement for participation. And there are always discussions about it. Last year, Finance Minister Olaf Scholz (SPD) dared to make a move: "Associations that generally do not accept women are not, in my view, non-profit. Those who exclude women should not have any tax advantages and should issue donation receipts," said Scholz.

The Treasury Department also considered withdrawing tax breaks for associations if they become politically active. After severe criticism, the plans were stopped. Not much has changed since then. In Memmingen, people continue to insist that only men jump into the city stream.

The verdict on the matter is expected to fall at the end of August. Christine Renz hopes to be able to go fishing next year. She is confident. And hopes to catch the biggest trout right away.