Who Owns The Fish

SciFriday; Teach A Man To Fish ...

When I think about it, I am not sure what has me fascinated about Cody Deal, or why I have now written yet another piece about the actor.

I think it has to do with the fact that the kid really does have talent, beyond an action role (not meant in the nicest way) in a Syfy original movie, "Almighty Thor."

If you listen to Cody, or watch is online reality show (which I have only seen one episode of, to be honest), you would almost think that Cody was in the Chris Hemsworth blockbuster film "Thor," and not the version aired by Syfy meant to confuse the average movie-goer. He starred in one film, got a little publicity over it, and Cody seems to almost be waiting for Eddie Murphy to call and ask for help in hosting the Oscars.

But Cody is not at that level. Yet. But he may never attain that level if he doesn't adjust his attitude toward Hollywood, and fast.

And I don't mean this whole "real Hollywood" persona he's developed. That's fine. No one is blinking from that. But this whole idea that he should now be fighting for major roles, and that there are actually roles that are beneath him.

In the first episode of Cody's reality show, "The Real Hollywood Story," he talks about an upcoming audition where he would only have one line if he got the part (hear the clip as part of an interview I did with Cody on Alpha Waves Radio ). Although he says he will audition for the role, it's not because he wants to build his resume with the part.

In fact, he described the role as an "almost extra role" and was only auditioning to try and get some face time with a casting director for potentially bigger projects. Nothing wrong with getting to know people in an industry where it's all about who you know. But come on, really?

"My resume is a lot bigger than going in and getting an almost-extra role in a TV show," Cody said.

Last weekend, I did a movie marathon of films that inspired me when I was a teenager. One of the roles was the 1976 classic "Network," which is now available on Netflix.

Who owns the fish? How tribal rights could save the Great Lakes ...

In Leelanau County in Northern Michigan, a small American Indian tribe has struggled for generations to survive economic and social hardships. The tribe has always been deeply connected to the lakes economically and culturally. The latest threat to that connection is environmental degradation, particularly invasive species.  But the tribes are forming unexpected alliances with old enemies to fight the threat.

Peshawbestown is the reservation for the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, a group that has lived in this area longer than anyone. It doesn’t have any t-shirt shops or beach-front mansions. Instead, there are government offices, a casino, and a tribal marina. Ed John is a tribal fisherman who docks his boat here.

JOHN: I can weld, and other things. But I enjoy fishing cause I am my own boss. I am not rich, but I don’t want to be rich, it’s working for me.

Tribes have always been dependent on the lakes. We asked Ed how invasive species have been threatening the tribes livelihood.  

JOHN: I was just telling my buddy, we got these reporters down here, asking about Invasive species. We know a thing or two about invasive species. First we had the Vikings and all these other countries taking, actually invading our space.

Ed’s wife fishes, and so does her cousin, Bill.

FOWLER: My name is Bill Fowler, I am a tribal commercial fisherman.

 His nickname is bear

FOWLER: because I’m as big as a bear and I work like a bear

(Fade up engine)

Bill fishes with Jason Sams who helps haul in the nets. Also along for the ride is  Bill’s dauschund puppy, Beauford.

SAMS: He eats the face of the fishes. Faces ain’t worth any money anyway. He’s excited ‘Cause he knows there will be fish soon.

It takes about an hour to reach the first fishing net.

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