The media was kept away from Barack Obama’s first foray into presidential trout fishing last week during his trip to Montana. But thanks to hollow cottonwoods and tall streamside grass, Outdoor Life managed to catch a few snippets of Obama’s conversation with fishing guide Dan Vermillion during the rainy session on the East Gallatin River.

“Wow, these hooks are sharp as a Sarah Palin glare.”

“Yeah, I know. You just hooked me in the ear with your last backcast.”

“Sorry, Dan. I guess I’m a little preoccupied with health care. Speaking of which, you need a Band-Aid? You’re bleeding pretty bad.”

“I’m okay. Whoa, you just missed a rise. You have to keep your eye on your fly.”

“Hey! That sort of talk back in D.C. will get you a restraining order. And a call from Larry Craig.”

“So, the word out here in the West is that you’re going to take away all our guns once the economy turns around.”

“Oh, Dan, that’s a bunch of crazy talk. Between you and me, the gun industry is so economically viable that I’m actually thinking of, you know, maybe consolidating some of it in my Homeland Security department.”