A St. Paul man shares his fishing tradition

Chu Xiong
Chu Xiong of St. Paul is a member of an organization called Midwest Hmong Outdoors.
Nikki Tundel for MPR News

Fishing is a big tradition for all kinds of Minnesotans, including many members of the Hmong community.

Back in their families' native homelands of Thailand, Vietnam and Laos, many Hmong lived off the land and were avid anglers and hunters.

Chu Xiong of St. Paul is a member of an organization called Midwest Hmong Outdoors. It's best known for its annual — and ever-growing — bass fishing tournament.

When the group members aren't competing, they take kids out onto the water to teach them all about fishing and the importance of connecting with the natural world.

Xiong told MPR News about his own love of fishing, and how Hmong fishing traditions are changing, as part of Water Month at MPR.

Hear Xiong's story by using the audio player above.

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