After the tip, Grossenbacher took some time out for a Q&A with About.com on what it was like to fly fish with Oprah.
About.com: How did this whole fishing trip with Oprah come about? Her people contacted you? What was that phone call like? When was the trip?
Grossenbacher: We were contacted by a producer from Harpo Productions who basically asked us how we would handle guiding two celebrities for the Oprah Show. At first they made it clear that it was not going to be Oprah. Security was a big concern and since we were going to be outdoors in a very public place anonymity was key. We were contacted about 2-3 weeks prior to the filming of the episode and were told that they were interviewing other guides/instructors. We found out that we were selected to guide Oprah a week to 10 days prior to flying to Yosemite in early October.
What was it like meeting Oprah for the first time?
Really it was like meeting any other client for the first time, aside from the gaggle of camera men, security and curious fans milling about. She is very down to earth and very engaging.
Have you fished the Merced before? I know first hand that it's a tricky water, particularly within the Park. How much of a challenge was it, on top of the TV production crew and having a couple of first timers in the water?
Jenny and I have never been to Yosemite and were very up front with the production crew that we had never fished the Merced. Prior to our arrival, the production crew had already chosen a spot for us to fish based upon camera angles, access and convenience. Unfortunately, the water was very low, very clear and the fish...very spooky. They do not stock any fish in this section of the Merced and the wild fish that are there are extremely challenging. I managed to catch a handful of fish the day before the shoot with a size 18 PMD Cripple Emerger with a 14' 6 x leader with fluorocarbon tippet. (Not exactly beginner tactics).
Did you have any luck?
We knew going in that catching fish was a long shot (we had limited time, limited water to fish and two brand new anglers). When we got into the water to begin casting, two of the camera men inadvertently waded right into the only riffle we had to fish...effectively killing our chances of catching fish. From that point on we simply concentrated on teaching Oprah and Gayle the basics of casting and hoped for a miracle. That is the long way around saying that we blanked Oprah.
What does having someone who is as influential as Oprah fly fishing mean to the sport?
I think it is a great thing. I started guiding in 1992 right as A River Runs Through It came out. Today, my client list and many long time friends entered the sport of fly fishing after seeing that movie. I am not saying that Oprah will have the same effect on the sport, but introducing new people to the sport is beneficial on many levels.
Do you think she'll try her hand at fly fishing again?
Oprah mentioned several times on air and off that she will come out to Montana to fish with us again. Hopefully she will continue with the sport as she showed great promise as a caster. Gayle on the other hand, made it clear that while she enjoyed herself, fly fishing was not her thing.
Brian Grossenbacher is a fly fishing guide based in Bozeman, Mont. For more, visit his fishing guide site at GrossenbacherGuides.com.
