Glee-fully helping TU #SaveTheTrout

 

I was running some errands with my 17-year-old daughter Delaney in January when Hollywood talent agent Anthony Hillsberg called with a proposition. 

 

Yes, I know. We don't all hear from Hollywood talent agents every day. I get that. But this wasn't an unexpected call. Anthony and I had been playing phone tag for a day or two—he wanted to take TU's temperature about a well-known actor working with TU on a small fund-raising and awareness campaign, and he and I were going to chat about the possibilities.

 

"So," Anthony tells me as I pulled into the bank drive-through to make a deposit, "the actor's name is Chord Overstreet, and he'd really like to help Trout Unlimited. He's a rabid fisherman."

 

Delaney, a rabid angler in her own right, just about exploded out of the passenger seat. She was respectfully quiet as Anthony and I talked about the represent.com campaign that he and Chord were proposing, but she was mouthing the words "Trouty Mouth" over and over again, barely able to contain herself. Overstreet starred on the well-known TV hit "Glee," and his character's nickname was "Trouty Mouth."

 

Anthony and I finished up our call, and Delaney literally gushed with excitement.

 

 "Oh, my God, Dad!" she said. "Do you know how many 14-year-old girls are going to be members of Trout Unlimited when this comes out?"

 

I had to plead guilty. I mean, I knew generally who Overstreet was because I have a teenage daughter. But I had no idea just how popular the actor is. 

 

"Dad," she said matter-of-factly. "This is huge."

 

 

Today, Chord launched his "Save the Trout" campaign, and I'm floored with the response. Thousands of his fans are gushing about the cool new t-shirt and sweatshirt he designed for the campaign (notice, in the artwork, Chord is sporting a TU hat). And, of course, proceeds from every shirt sold go to TU and its mission to protect, restore, reconnect and sustain our nation's trout and salmon waters. 

 

 

Thank you, Chord for using your powers for good for the next couple of weeks. We're beyond grateful. Let me know if you ever want to go fishing—I know a 17-year-old girl who'd love to take you.