I have to admit it. I’m hooked on reality TV. No, not Jersey Shore or Big Brother or crap like that, but rather the shows that are on Discovery, TLC, A&E, History, Animal Planet, etc… (half those channels are pretty much the same thing anyway).
Yeah, if you haven’t noticed, I love me some fine “unscripted” programming like American Pickers, Pawn Stars, Storage Wars, Hoarders, Swamp People, Finding Bigfoot, Deadliest Catch, and so on and so on. Truthfully, I never watch these shows in real time, rather in weekend marathon installments. They’re much more palatable and addictive that way.
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| Never doubt science. Or Bobo. |
Anyway, it sorta got me thinking….where is OUR show? And by “our” I mean the world of fishing…or whatever you’d call it. I mean all these networks really do is put the word “American” in front of anything, and BAM!, you’ve evidently got a show. (American Pickers, American Guns, American Restoration, American Chopper, etc, etc…) Where’s American Guides…or American Fly?
Now, yes, I realize there are plenty of fishing shows on TV. But I’m not talking the likes of Bill Dance, Larry Czonka, Jeremy Wade, or even The Spanish Fly (may he rest in peace). That noodling show doesn’t count either…although it’s close. I’m talking something a little more offbeat. From what I read from pockets of the fly-fishing blogging universe, there’s seemingly enough characters out there to make at minimum half a season of shows. I mean if there’s a show called Full Metal Jousting…well…ummm…c’mon.
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| These goofs go medieval on your ass? |
The Fat Guy Fly Fishing guys…maybe Third Coast Fly…Gink & Gasoline…Lo Fi Fly…hell, Marc Crapo’s beard alone could become a mainstream sensation not seen since the likes of Brad Pitt waving a fly rod.
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| The beard does all the talking |
Just don’t include Moldy Chum, as that would clearly be best served in a “The Soup/Tosh.0” format.
Who knows, maybe this already exists on some Outdoors channel I refuse to pay Comca…I mean Xfinity…another dime to subscribe to. But if it does, what does it matter; it ain’t on the TV schedule alongside Toddlers & Tiaras, so you know nobody else is watching either. Go big or go home.
Then again, maybe us fisherfolk just aren’t all that entertaining and exist in a niche so small we can only effectively amuse our pathetic selves…The Real Housewives of the Front Range would never work, right? Yeah, that’s probably the case…
Got an idea for a fishing TV show?…think you have the perfect star?…the comments await below!
River Monsters on Animal Planet is the closest thing we have. You could tape my outings, but it'd just be 30 minutes of a dude tangled in a bush trying to retrieve his fly and leader. If bounty hunters on motorcycles rescuing abandoned animals can get on TV then surely America would watch a guy scream obscenities at brush for half an hour.
That sounds like an idea for the most borest show ever. The typical day of fishing has about 3 minutes of action.
I'm with Clif. If I want to hear a bunch of wealthy guys with too much idle time talk about nothing while getting nearly nothing accomplished and not working very hard to accomplish it, I can watch the live coverage of Congress on C-SPAN.;)Seriously though, it's hard to imagine a watchable show (and one that would draw in the required ad revenue to justify its airing to TV execs) focusing on the catch and release of 8 inch brookies and 15 inch browns….that's why you're far more likely to see (and I'm far more likely to watch) a fly fishing show focused on big game, from tarpon to redfish.
You're missing the drift boat buddy. Have you ever watched any of these reality shows? They're all about 3 minutes of action commingled with 27 minutes of filler. I mean look at Pawn Stars…half the show is Chumlee getting into trouble. The show wouldn't be about fishing…fishing would just be the backdrop.
I hear ya…check my response to Clif. And I didn't say it had to be about trout. It could very well be big game. Those Deneki folks could do one, multi-location. I see it having very little to do about fishing…more so staged scenarios (all reality is scripted) with unusual clients, feuding guide services on the same water, dive bars, and PBR.In the end, I will come clean. You both are actually missing the reason for this post. It has nothing to do with a reality fishing show at all. Based on my traffic stats from keywords, there's a reason why my #1 post of all time is #1, and it has nothing to do with my New Year's resolutions.
America will watch anything…especially if the show has a British judge in it. Perhaps that's what the concept needs.
“Reality” Shows.. Are anything but reality.. bunch of premeditated scenarios and scripted mumbo jumbo… Fishing is still very real and pure.. lets try and keep it that way…
C'mon Hot Dish…I'm not burning American flags here. Just putting Snooki in waders. Oh…maybe that is the same thing…
Because you are starting up USA for Africa II ?;)Look forward to hearing about your…..travels?
not sure they make waders that short, for thighs that large.
Not if you do it right. hello? 🙂
I talked with someone last month about doing a show where we go around to all the tackle makers and tour their factories. Add in some fishing, etc. – but they never got back with me. Just like Larry the Cable guy. #rejectedagain I'm thinking maybe there's a way we could make a pilot for this thing someday Mike. Like say, in May. 😉 too soon? #cat #bag
Guide house on ESPN was good but didn't last long. Right now I'm hooked on “Duck Dynasty”. Back when I was addicted to waterfowling this family was the absolute hardcore duck hunters, They are who they are and not afraid to show outdoor and family values and they are a riot to watch.
@T-Rage: you're such a traffic whore. But you own it, and it works for you.
I love those shows too. There is one other one you probably want to check out called Top Shot. It's a bunch of Marksman that do various challenges to find out who is the best shot of all. The competitions are pretty cool and they have to use a wide variety of weapons. One episode was all about doing trick shots that had to be my favorite. One of the challenges was to drive 3 nails into a piece of wood by shooting them. There was other crazy stuff too like how many clay pigeons could they throw up in the air with one hand then shoot.
How about Two-Bit Hookers of Fly Fishing?
you're right…the real housewives of the front range would never make it. Although…Crapo's beard would have a shot.
We already have enough Invasive Species up here.. Don't need to add a Snooki to that list >.<
There was a show I watched last summer on the fishing network channel about a lodge in I believe Alaska. It was about the operations of the lodge and also about the guides and their trips out with guests. I found it quite interesting.
“The beard does all the talking” lol Swamp people is pretty good too.