Post Election Hoopla - Where To?

What a great day - people on the street with smiles, co-workers enjoying the post election high, and a sense that in America amazing things can still happen (and positive amazing things at that!). I know there is hard work ahead in this country but for today - it just feels good. Lots of folks seem to be wondering: Whats next? While there are lots of problems to solve and national matters to attend to, it seems that in the little corner of the blogosphere that I follow folks are looking through their own lens to ponder some post election questions. For instance:

Tom Chandler at Trout Underground is holding a post-election contest to find the best answers to the following questions: What would you like to see changed about fly fishing in the next four years? What problems would you like solved? What issues do you see looming? A DVD goes to the winner.

My friend Sara Roahen (author of the wonderful Gumbo Tales Finding My Place at the New Orleans Table) is pondering what foods might find their way to the President-Elect Obama's plate. Her thoughts of reviving the Victory Garden might gain some steam. How about a tax break for all "locavore" purchases?

Me? I'm wondering if the President-Elect will make good on his desire to take up fly fishing (see Zentrout.com Sept. 18, 2008). I'm hoping Mr. Obama takes fewer vacations then the 43rd occupant of the office. Anyway. While I am excited about this political change, as a Wisconsinite I still hold to my previous comments on his fly fishing wishes. I'm not sure we need another guy from Illinois with a rod in his hand. However, in the spirit of the day I welcome all my Illinois brothers and sisters - just pay your fees and pick up your trash on the stream.
Trout Buddha

Baseball, Faith, Hope, and Fly Fishing

Well the Trout Buddha spent part of a sunny afternoon (left work early) in the house watching my Milwaukee Brewers blow a four run, two out, bottom of the ninth lead as part of a 12 inning loss to the arch rival Cubbies. There was only one thing to do - go fish. My emotional investment in this Brewers season is beginning to take a toll. Oh well, nine games to go, 1.5 back in the wild card race, 4-14 in the month of September, a fired manager, injured starting pitcher, and no real reason to be optimistic; yet my hope is fully alive.

Who knows more about hope than fishermen? When a character in a John Galligan fly fishing mystery was asked if he prayed his response was "No, I fish." That sums it up for me. Every trip to the stream is an exercise in optimism. Hope for a rising trout. Hope for a hard fighting smallie. Hope for a chance to stand in a river, throw some line, and keep my optimism alive.

Rooting for a baseball team requires faith and patience. Fly angling restores my faith, builds my patience, provides hope, and is an exercise in optimism. Pray? No, I fish - and root for the Brewers. I see the crew doing good things over the weekend and the Mets hitting the gag reflex down the stretch (their bullpen is even worse than Milwaukee's). Here is to hoping that come next week at the start of a six game home stand there is something to play for.

Doesn't matter, there is always fly fishing - and next year.

Trout Buddha

PS - I took two nice rainbows and a small colorful brown today - what the heck I can't wait for tomorrows game.

Helping His Profile?

I read today on the Ben Smith Blog (by way of MidCurrent) that Barack Obama wants to learn to fly fish - win or lose in November. Well the Senator from Illinois already had my vote - but this might seal the deal (then again Cheney is a fly angler so...). Seems Senator Obama was so impressed with the landscape of Montana that he wants to take up fly fishing in order to spend more time in the the Big Sky state. As a guy who fishes in Wisconsin I'm not sure we need another guy from Illinois with a rod in his hand ... what the heck pay for your out of state license and be sure to pick up your trash - we will welcome you.