Obama Fly Fishing Lessons: The President Makes Good On His Promise to Learn How To Fly Fish

President Barack Obama didn’t let thunderstorms and unseasonably cool weather stop him from learning how to fish for Montana’s famous trout during his weekend trip to the rustic West and its national parks. “He insisted that fishermen fish in the rain, so he said, `Let’s do it,’” fishing guide Dan Vermillion said. “The weather was really horrendous. We were all real cold at the end of the day.” Here is a funny photo of Obama fly fishing. It was obviously photoshopped but still funny. The president took 2 1/2 hours after his health care town hall near Bozeman on Friday to make good on a campaign promise to take fly fishing lessons when he revisits the state. His guide said the Obama  has become a serious fanatic for fly fising. “I found him to be a real good listener. He really wanted to learn about the whole experience of fly fishing,” said Vermillion, who runs the Sweetwater Fly Shop in Livingston. In learning how to fly fish, Obama reported practicing the difficult-to-master techniques of fly casting on retreats at Camp David, Vermillion said. It paid off. The president did well for a first-timer by hooking half a dozen fish in an area mixed with brown and rainbow trout, but he didn’t land any during the afternoon getaway on the East Gallatin River, his guide said. No reporters or TV cameras were allowed on the trip. The president simply wanted to enjoy the fly fishing lessons rather than turn it into a media event, Vermillion said. Obama used fishing gear he received as a birthday president from some avid fishermen on his staff. Deputy Chief of Staff Jim Messina, who used to work for Montana  Senator. Max Baucus, assited seting up the trip and fished during the Friday outing. Press secretary Robert Gibbs also went with them.