I’ve had personal dealings with John. While not everyone’s cup of tea, you have to respect the way he pumps his sponsors. He also does work extremely hard to put a new show on every week. While his “I don’t know what I’m doing” schtick can get old after 30 years. He’s a pretty solid guy who worked his a$$ off to last as long as he has.
As far as this particular show, I know in the past if it was taped earlier in the year or not that weeks fishing he usually discloses that.