Obama tries Fly fishing

[bmbmd]

http://outside-blog.away.com/blog/2009/08/obama-wets-a-line-in-montana.html

On August 15, President Obama made good on a campaign promise: return to Montana and go fly-fishing. After a town hall meeting in Belgrade (near Bozeman) the President's motorcade arrived on the East Gallatin River where guide Dan Vermillion of Sweetwater Fly Shop was on standby. But, if Obama had an idyllic afternoon of dry-fly fishing in mind, gusty winds and rain threatened to spoil it.

"Fishermen fish in the rain, so let's do it," he told Vermillion.

Vermillion tied on a hopper-dropper fly combo, opting for a Morrish's Hopper-Cater grasshopper and a bead head pheasant tail nymph. It's the go-to setup if you're on the Gallatin with, say, the President and you have two hours to get him on a fish. Obama had several hits, but he didn't bring any of them to net. You could say that he pardoned all the fish, but honestly, Obama couldn't set the hook. But he caught the fly fishing bug and Vermillion expects that the President will return to Montana to fly fish again. We spoke with the Fishing Guide in Chief about the hatches, the gear, and the play-by-play of his afternoon with Obama.
-- Ryan T. Bell

Outside: How does the President go about booking a fishing guide?
I received a call a few weeks ago from the White House, and they asked me if I would be interested in guiding the President. My first response was, “Are you kidding?” My second response was, “I would be deeply honored.”

More at link.

[Enrique]

1. again with the pie

When I asked him how the food was at the White House, he told me that the Pastry Chef makes some great pies. Apparently, he has a hard time saying no to a good blueberry pie.

[alsame]

2. That was hilarious! The entire interview with the guide was

great.

[Phx_Dem]

3. While I love the part about tearing up, this is my favorite.

I can't hear enough about how well the SS likes him. Thank God!

We hear that he brought his own rod.
The Secret Service made a rod as a gift to the President. It reflects the warmth of their friendship. It might have been a bit heavy for the East Gallatin, but it would've been perfect on the Madison, which was our good-weather destination.

[Jennicut]

5. Like hearing that the SS and he get along well

[Cha]

7. Oh, that's so heart warming..I'll

have to go back and read the interview..I'm kinda hurried right now.

[hootinholler]

4. There is an outstanding catch and release fly fishing only area near Camp David.

There was a retreat used by another president (I forget which, Cleveland or Hoover maybe?) that sold recently.

The Big Hunting Creek is the catch and release area.

-Hoot

[Cha]

6. We have a guy in our town who every

August goes fishing in Montana and he hangs out around Bozeman..I'll have to ask him when he gets back if he saw the Pres!

[janx]

8. Quote from link:

Describe your wait and Obama's arrival.
I arrived at the fishing location about an hour before the President. I spent the time nervously eyeing the weather and putting all of the equipment together. President Obama arrived by motorcade. The Secret Service got out of the vehicles and moved into position, and as soon as they were in place, the President stepped out of the Suburban. I just about fell over, and then I had to repress tears. I am a lifelong Democrat, and I love this country and its potential to be a force of good in the world. I think Barack Obama will help us fulfill our potential. To see him step out of a Suburban, walk over to me and say "Hello," was an emotional and exciting experience. He was immediately at ease, and his demeanor made each of us feel relaxed. As soon as he put his waders on and grabbed the fly rod, he had one thing on his mind and that was fly fishing.



I LOVE THIS!

[MichaelHarris]

9. If your time is limited

the Clark Fork in Montana is your go-to river. Those blue ribbon streams sure look nice but for TPM (trout per mile) nothing beats the Clark Fork. Don't tell anyone though, it'll get too crowded.

[XOKCowboy]

10. Had to Kick this as a fly fisherman.

I really like the guide. Lifelong Dem and overwhelmed to guide our President. Great link. Thanks.