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Underground Goes Hollywood: Set to Appear in 2/13 Broadcast of On The Rise Fly Fishing Show

By Tom Chandler 2/4/2009

Those of you who actually read the Underground (instead of visiting for the bikini photos) know I participated in the filming of an episode of On The Rise - a fly fishing TV show with a conservation angle.

On The Rise host Frank Smethurst risking it all on the McCloud

On the day in question, I nailed exactly one 10" trout, a pitiful performance, so I assumed my presence in the final cut would be minimal - and then this chilling notice arrived:

"I am the editor at Barrett for this show and I am here to inform Tom, and hopefully bring the chilling fear of stagefright back, that Trout Underground is going to fill the fourth segment of On the Rise. Hopefully I and the writer give a clear and exciting look into your waters.

One thing for sure is, high or low, you have some of the most beautiful water I have ever cut into a show. Almost makes me want to visit my father who lives not far from Underground's homewaters. Keep your eyes open and DVR's set, this one is set for air on Feb. 13th, "˜09. Moved us up a quarter. Enjoy!"

Damn. I mean, great.

I'll be right up front with the Undergrounders; I know from grim personal experience exactly how I look and sound on video tape, and frankly, there's a damn good reason the Trout Underground's all about the written word and not the recorded variety.

I remain shocked and stunned that Trout Unlimited (the other, less-famous TU) and Barrett Productions would risk the viability of their show in this manner, and it's now clear that America's drug problem is far more pervasive than we thought.

Kids, Hook Up the DVR
Those with short memories will want to revisit my original post about the fishing trip, which drew heavily upon Greek dramatic techniques to make the following point: I was in trouble.

Complicating matters was the presence of a two videographers and a sound man; people whose express purpose in life was to tape every embarrassing move, bad cast, odd utterance and trout I farmed.

Well, OK. Maybe that wasn't what they said they were doing, but it's clearly what they were trying to accomplish. They also foolishly believed I'd be able to talk intelligently about Nestle issues while I fished, when instead I mostly was focused on not soiling myself on camera.

Expectations, it seems, are rarely our friends.

Clearly - with Smethurst capable of busting out a couple good trout even under awful conditions - they were looking to the Underground for something else, like"¦ comic relief.

Alert the Media
February 13 is the broadcast date (apparently the season's being broadcast now instead of the summer - a clear indication of how much esteem The Outdoor Channel has for me).

Fire up the DVR, burn a little popcorn, pop the top on that cheap swill you call beer, and be prepared to weep as did Marc Antony when he first beheld Cleopatra. (More to come on this one.)

See you on TV, Tom Chandler.

AuthorPicture

Tom Chandler

As the author of the decade leading fly fishing blog Trout Underground, Tom believes that fishing is not about measuring the experience but instead of about having fun. As a staunch environmentalist, he brings to the Yobi Community thought leadership on environmental and access issues facing us today.

10 comments
Dear Tom.. I never said such a thing.. Never...I never did.... You can say HI to me the next time we meet......OK? I hope all those who read this know we throw things around a lot...no harm...
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And Mom said you'd never amount to anything! Now, will I need a digital converter box to see this or will my rabbit ears antenna still work?
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@Frog: Simpson only had dress up and writhe a little bit. I had to look great, fish and sound intelligent. Too bad I'm only 2 for 3. @Eric: Make sure you look away at the right times. @Sam: Feds & attorneys in a single dose? Better dial 1-800-PLZKILLME! immediately. @Sully: I have that episode on DVR, and will rescan for the dramatic moment described. Any movie offers yet? @Wayne: They say the camera ... more adds ten pounds, and looking at the pictures you took last weekend, I have to wonder how many cameras you had pointed at me... @Murdock who? @Loon: Hell, the Olson twins don't fly fish. Still, a faux rumor linking me with Pamela Anderson (more my reader's speed) would no doubt do wonders for the Underground's traffic figures. Get right on that, will you?
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Tom, I think you photo caption is mislabeled. Isn't that the Madison river in Montana? I hope they fix that in the movie. Next thing, someone will be reporting you've been seen with one of the Olsen twins.
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Try not to forget us little people.
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Gee Tom I hear T.V.makes your butt look big...Oh thats to match hat size when you become a celebrity.
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T.C., You're not the only Undergrounder getting intense media coverage. The On the Rise featuring the Miltown Dam removal that aired a couple weeks ago showed a ½- second shot of people on the overlook cheering wildly as the water started to run. You undoubtedly spied me up there right behind the orange safety fence. It was a thrilling moment for the locals. Must have inspired Smethurst, too, since ... more it occurred exactly 9-months before lovely Mallory Dolores was born.
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Tom..your humor is second to...gee let me think...ah' anyway thanks for the heads up, humor, weather written or on video is an all important part of my life right now ....dealing with the Feds and Attorneys puts one in a hole. and those cameramen you are right, they teach a class at school (videographers) on how to make common folks look down right stupid. Steve
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I was wondering when this was going to air, since I saw that the new season was on. Thanks for the heads up. I DVR them all anyway to watch while I tie flies... but I'll make sure to pay attention to this episode.
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Now maybe you have some empathy for Jessica Simpson. At least you don't have to worry about your camera makeup running...er..do you?
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