Article from : http://outside-blog.away.com/blog/2009/08/obama-wets-a-line-in-montana.html
photo from: http://moldychum.squarespace.com/
Obama Wets A Line In Montana
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.”
There are dozens of rivers in southwestern Montana. How'd you choose where to go?
We needed a good weather option and a bad weather option. One was O’Dell Spring Creek on the Madison River (good weather), and the second spot was the East Gallatin River, just north of the Bozeman Airport. It was really fortunate that we had the bad weather option, because the weather was really challenging. He fished two-and-half hours in weather that would have sent most of us to the bar. The President enjoyed fishing and appreciated the opportunity to leave the modern world behind for a couple of hours.
We're picturing the Gallatin River on security lock-down. Was it swarming with Secret Service?
The Secret Service and local law enforcement authorities were certainly present, but they worked hard to make sure their presence didn't affect the quality of the President’s angling experience. They were very professional and were really fun to hang out with. I have never met a Secret Service Agent before, and they were remarkably impressive, personable people. The relationship between the President and the security detail seemed really strong, and it was apparent that there was a strong mutual respect between them.
The Gallatin River can get crowded. Did you take the President to a privately-owned stretch?
No, we fished on public water. As a result of our great stream access law and understanding landowners, Montana is blessed to have a multitude of quality angling opportunities on public waters. It is one of Montana’s greatest natural resources.
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.
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.
You own a fly shop, so what gear did you choose for the President?
Simms Waders and boots, Action Optics fishing glasses, flies from our fly shop, a Ross Reel with Rio fly line and Dai Riki Leaders. I was most thrilled to see him wear a Sweetwater Fly Shop hat.
How'd Obama do in the outdoors?
President Obama has a reverence for the outdoors and the sport of fly fishing. He constantly asked questions about how to cast, how to work the fly, and what he should look for when fishing on his own. He was a quick learner which is, in my opinion, the sign of a person who is a good listener.
Obama's known to talk trash on the basketball court, how was he on the river?
I am sure that the President is competitive. Most successful people are. However, I would not say that he approached fly-fishing in a competitive way. He did not try to attract attention when he hooked a fish. Obama treated fly fishing, its tradition, and its quarry with respect. I do remember that he wanted to catch more fish than Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, who is a great guy.
Few people can look over the President's shoulder and tell him what to "mend" or "set the hook".
Fly fishing is the only thing that I wouldn't have been nervous about teaching the President. I have been doing it since I was six. Obama listened carefully and was eager to learn. He wants to teach his wife and his daughters to fish. It was the most thrilling and humbling experience of my life. I still have 20 years before I retire, but I know it was the highlight of my guiding career.
How was his sense of humor? Being on the river, you'd expect at least one "bailout" joke.
We laughed a lot. He learned that I have twins, so he made jokes about the fact that I must be a fast diaper changer. He also joked about his fly fishing technique, and that he specialized in long-distance releases on trout. 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. However, Obama has a deep respect for his responsibilities as President of the United States. When we spoke about the challenges facing our economy, he was very serious and sincere. There were no jokes about the challenges facing our country.
So, you've got 2 hours to get the President onto fish. What was your strategy?
We used grasshoppers and bead head pheasant tails. Kenny Morrish is a very good friend of mine, so I made sure we used his hopper pattern.
Honestly, how'd Obama do?
He did great. He was a really quick learner, due to the fact that he is obviously smart and very interested in fly fishing. President Obama will catch a lot of fish in his time as a fly fisherman. If I were a small mouth bass on the Potomac, I would be nervous.
How did Obama feel when he left the river?
The President fished a half hour longer than he was scheduled to fish. When we reached the top of our river section, I suggested we leave the river and walk back through the field. He said he wanted to take his time and fish his way back to the house, which is exactly what we did. He really loves Montana and I am sure he will come back.
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