Did anyone hear about Oprah and her friend going fly fishing in Yosemite? Start welcoming the book club to your local waters! I wonder what her river of the Month will be? Could this spell disaster? It really seemed like it impacted the Crooked River today! A bit more than the usual Sunday traffic! Just a thought though:(
The idea of the “River of the Month” is a little scary but I think most of us would be pretty safe. Since the show would be paying for the trip, her first couple of years would be taken up with high priced waters that most of us can’t fish anyway. She would be covering the same rivers that most of the fishing writers cover: too exclusive, too far away and too expensive. I’m sure that she and Ted Turner will become fast friends. 8T 
I’m sure Donny Beaver is planning on some new stretches to fence off!
However, there is the potential for unleashing her minions of myrmidons who aspire to be Oprah like on to the streams across the country. I hope the Lord will forgive me of thinking how beneficial a hook in the thumb (barbless hook of course) could be.
How much fun would it be to see Oprah take on Peta.
Luckie…you are spot-on there!
Gees, you’ve heard about Donny Beaver in Oregon? Don’t tell me he’s buying up stream property, there, too.
You obviously arent a fly fishing manufacturer or a owner of a fly shop. Notice all the fly shops going out of business? Do you think it is because of too many people taking up fly fishing?
I hear ya salt. Your 100% right on. I’m kind of surprised by the negative attitude of this particular thread. I for one was quite thrilled to see Oprah out there fly fishing and airing it on TV. If anything, fly fishing can use any kind of boost it can get, to get more people interested in it. In particular…getting more women involved. We SHOULD be writing her letters and emails thanking her for that piece. The ones wanting to keep this stuff to themselves are just Donny Beavers without the cash to back it up.
Hear ! Hear !
MontanaMoose
I’d love to see Oprah on the local news fly fishing a lake around here.
Did the news (or where ever you heard this) say if she had fun? Whether or not she has any influence on new folks starting fly fishing might depend on whether or not she had a good time.
Heard this from my girlfriend and there is also a thread on moldychum.com. It is a bit negative but sorry I’ll post the thread hope this is OK if not pull it.
Oh, and yes we have heard of Good Ol’ Donny.
We as fly fishermen always speak in lofty tones of introducing others to the sport, but in reality we expect that these newcomers start out as experienced anglers with enough impeccable stream manners to stay away from anywhere we are.
The same is happening in hunting. Whine an moan about dwindling numbers of hunters, followed by whining and moaning about all the people in the woods.
If you don’t have time or grace enough to allow others to participate, you are probably in the wrong pastime.
Just please tell me this doesn’t lead to Dr. Phil streamside with me, challenging me about all my “issues” while I’m trying to fish!
Hi Salt & Mato,
Now that you point it out, I’m surprised at my own initial negative reaction. Whenever I meet anyone new on my home water, Oprah or otherwise, I always go out of my way to make him or her feel welcome. That help often includes some suggestions on places to fish and some free flies for newbies. Yes, it would also be very nice to see another surge in fly fishing from any source. 8T
“Hi there John. I see you’re fly fishing there. How’s that working for you? That fly fishing thing is harder than trying to tie your shoes with a pair of sunburned rattlesnakes. I believe that fishing isn’t really the issue, it’s really more about your own insecurity and anxiety.” 8T
Isn’t this fun how so many points of view can come about? Let’s not over analyze this too much but things like this always make for a great debate!
Obviously, I am not employed by a fishing equipment manufacturer and do not own a fly shop. I wish each of them well To answer the other question, no I haven’t seen any fly shops going out of business because I have to travel 35 miles into the city of Atlanta to find a fly shop and they are doing a great business.
Frankly, my response is largely fueled by photos of Michigan and the west coast with fishermen shoulder to shoulder on opening day etc. Yes I do enjoy my space on public water, but I also encourage almost everyone I come in contact with personally who exhibit an interest to come fishing with me and offer to teach them to the best of my abilities. I guess I am just particular about who I fish with and do not wish to have the masses stampede upon stream and lakes in my or your area. I have seen enough of their attitude in rental kayaks, canoes and float tubes. The idea of the 2 million plus ladies heading for the banks of the Hooch brings me no joy.
I do believe the photos of Oprah in waders and the hat will discourage many ladies from following suit in dressing similarly. I guess she just did not have time to get who ever made her waders tailor them for her.
Who is Donny Beavers?
I was thinking the exact…same…thing. But with less kind words mixed in.