Dubya Goes Fishing

On Sunday, January 13, President George W. Bush will be a guest on ESPN2’s Offshore Adventures. The president joined hosts Chris and Melissa Fischer for a day of fishing for striped bass on Chesapeake Bay. The show also followed the president’s signing of an executive order to build up stocks of striped bass and red drum in federal waters.

According to Offshore Adventures/Fischer Promotions:

The episode shows a side of the president rarely seen—unscripted and casual—and discussions focused on subjects dear to both Bush and the Fischers: conservation, sustainable fisheries, family and fishing.

The Fischers joined the president for two hours of fishing off St. Michael’s, Maryland. Although security was tight on the Bay and required several weeks planning logistics, rare candid access was allowed at the president’s request.
Sustainable fishing was a central subject.

A catalyst behind the meeting was Offshore Adventures’ recently unveiled plan to embark on the greatest global oceanic expedition in history—a seven-year trip around the earth aboard a 126-foot mothership.

The goals of the trip are to assess the state of the worlds’ oceans, educate people around the world on proper fisheries management, discover the most remote fisheries on earth, and record it for television history. Throughout the journey, marine scientist will be involved to study and assess ocean ecosystems and fisheries.

As it turns out, Melissa Fischer was the only one to raise a fish on the outing. See, even the Commander-in-Chief, can have a bad day on the hook.