Minnesota Columnist Endorses Trout Whisperer For President

Team JustNorth posted on August 06, 2008 09:07 :: 2952 Views

In resent presidential news, Barack Obama and John McCain face ever increasing challenges in Minnesota as local Fishing Party candidate, Trout Whisperer, receives new endorsement.

Below is a reprint form the Lake County News Chronicle:

Third candidate steps forward, along with my vote
Monica Isley
Lake County News Chronicle - 07/24/2008
I am so relieved. With the upcoming diatribe expected from the two Presidential candidates, I was expecting a more-of-the same election year with me avoiding as much of the rhetoric as possible.

Now, I've discovered there is a new candidate: the Trout Whisperer. Finally, someone who will be campaigning with some common sense. I discovered he'd thrown his fishing rod into the ring when I read the announcement over at justnorth.com.

You should remember the Trout Whisperer. I interviewed him back in January when his CD of outdoor adventures was released. He lives around here. He graduated from high school in Two Harbors. He's a fishing guide. He writes columns for papers and online sites--among them Just North.

I'd gone over there expecting to see his latest fishing story or philosophical ramble inspired by some woodsy experience. Instead, I find the announcement that he's declared himself the candidate for the Fishing Party.

If you want to hear about some sensible thinking, here's a direct quote from the Trout Whisperer when asked about his intentions:

"We're running on the fishing dock platform.....it's an open reel candidacy....we're changing the name of the White House...to the fish house....it's an all anglers fishing party.....a minnow in every bucket....we're not giving away slogan buttons....were giving slogan bobbers."

Finally, a candidate with ideas I can get my hook into. Someone who will both fish AND cut bait. A reel candidate that we common people wouldn't mind inviting to a camp fire, or setting out with along the kayak trail.

I've also heard he's issued a fishing challenge to McCain and Obama. Get those two here on TW's home turf, and we'll see some comparisons worth taking note of. Everybody here in the Northland knows it's a fish-off that separates real men from those who wish they were, that determines who catches fish and who only tells fish stories.

Now, you might wonder why I would be so enthusiastic about a Fishing Party candidate. You might think a Fishing Dock Platform wouldn't be something I could identify with. But you see, I've learned a thing or two on my early morning photography forays along the shore.

First of all, they're a hard-working bunch. It might sound easy to sit in a boat all day, day dreaming and floating. But I've watched them pull and tug and yank and push those boats around just getting them in the water--and then getting them out again. They know how to roll up their sleeves.

They also don't go around pretending they can walk on water. No sir. They slosh right into it if need be as they maneuver and jockey those craft into position. They're not afraid to get their feet wet.

They're also courageous. Just this morning, as I was watching the sun doing its best to pierce a fog so impenetrable I couldn't even see the lake, I heard the whine of a fishing motor as a party made their way into the soup and off to a location shrouded in mist.

We need a man in the fish house who isn't afraid to motor into the unknown. We need someone who'll push against the tide, if need be, to get where we need to go.

Fishermen are tough, too. Really tough. Second only to dedicated photographers. Last winter, I braved a snow storm down at the waterfront to get what I knew would be some amazing photos. I also knew I'd be the only one out there, with the temps way below zero and the wind howling. I was not only surprised, I was disappointed to see a circle of cars there before me, with not a driver in sight.

When the wind slowed a bit so that I could see more than a few feet in front of me, I saw the drivers of those cars. They were out on the ice, huddled around the holes they drilled. Little canvas shelters had been erected nearby, but they weren't tucked inside those. They were out there braving the elements, all for the sake of providing for their families.

That kind of fortitude and determination trains men well for leadership. I know, because he's said it himself, that the Trout Whisperer hopes for a year when he's managed to fish every single day. What grit. What commitment. What a candidate.

Don't take my word for it, though. Check out the videos. Read about the campaign. Go to justnorth.com and see for yourself. I don't see how we can go wrong with a candidate whose motto is, "The country that fishes together stays together."