Every Minnesotan’s favorite Minnesotan on reelin’ in lunkers on the lake, the resurgence of Videograss and why rail jams might be making a comeback.

T. Bird: Tommy G., it’s T-Bird.

Tommy G.: How we doing?

I’m doing great, my man. How are you?

Not too bad, man. Just chilling.

Dude, what is Minneapolis like in the summer?

Oh, it’s the best. I think that’s why everyone lives here. You survive the winter and then you get the benefit of the summer.

Hell yeah. So let’s start things off with what you got into this winter. What do people have to look forward to coming from you this fall?

So, I’m pretty excited about the resurgence of Videograss. I was lucky enough to be in some of those [films] in the past. So yeah, just hyped to be a part of that again. I went on one longer trip for the video, but it went super well. We had a fun crew. I was with [Dan] Danimals [Liedahl] and Justin Phipps, for the most part.

Just from a snowboard-fan standpoint, I’m so glad we’re at a spot in snowboarding now where VG can make a resurgence. Because those videos are some of the most influential snowboard films ever made, in my opinion.

Oh, I agree. That’s definitely what I was most influenced by growing up, or most excited [about] every fall—to get my hands on the new VG movie.

As I remember it, your big introduction into the professional-snowboarding scene was through Keep the Change, which was kinda like the VG feeder system. 

Yeah, exactly. So we filmed that, and then, the following year, [Justin] Meyer hit some of us up to be a part of Videogracias. So yeah, I was hyped to talk to Meyer this past fall, and he was saying how he was trying to put together a crew to bring back VG, and I was honored to get that call and be a part of it.

That’s incredible, man. I want to switch gears because this is just something I’ve been wanting to talk to a snowboarder about for a while. But with regard to rail jams, you look at Heavy Metal and those bigger mainstream rail jams, and a certain type of street snowboarder—say, a more competitive street snowboarder—is very drawn to those. Why do you think that the big video-part dogs aren’t very interested in competing in that?

It’s kind of hard to say. I guess the first thought that comes into my head would maybe be [that] sometimes the setups are pretty wild, and maybe the purse isn’t what it was years ago. In the past, maybe there was a little bit more incentive to want to participate in those rail jams. But with that being said, I think they’re going in the right direction. I think they’re becoming more popular—just events in general. Especially with things like the Bomb Hole Cup—a little bit more of a jam format. I did the Vans Hi-Standard a couple years ago at Brighton, and that was such a blast because it almost felt like you’re just snowboarding with the homies and they’re giving out cash for tricks. Everyone’s having a good time, and it didn’t feel like as much pressure or even a contest setting. It was more like a jam.

Yeah. It’s funny, and the reason this came back up is all these talks of these new snowboard leagues coming out. And I’m sitting there thinking to myself, Why wouldn’t a VC firm want to come in and put a lot of prize money into the true street snowboard scene? It’s more accessible than going to a resort. 

These things seem to have a snowball effect. Even when the Vans Hi-Standard was announced, winners [were] getting $10,000 cash for tricks. Once a couple people agree to it or are super down to go, I think more and more people are like, “All right, well, if they’re doing it, then I’m down.” That kind of mentality. So I feel like it just depends on the setting, I guess. Also, it helps to have them in the springtime, nicer weather, and I think the setup is a big thing.

OK, let’s talk fishing protocol right now. Are you going winter or summer? 

Definitely summer.

And what are we talking for bevy of choice?

It’s tough. So if I’m going sunrise, then it’s nice to have a big thermos of coffee. It’s pretty chilly in the mornings here. But then it also depends. Maybe I’m out there for six hours, [and] the fishing’s pretty slow. Maybe you’re getting a little frustrated, it’s windy, maybe there’s some boat traffic—then it’s nice to have a brewski out there. Maybe a nice Hamm’s.

Tallboy or 12-ounce?

Probably a 12-ounce just to keep things in check out there.

What are you normally fishing for out there in the lakes of Minnesota?

It depends on the time of year with fishing regulations and different seasons. But basically, once my boat goes in—let’s say end of April, early May—we’ll start with the panfish—all the small fish, like crappies and sunnies [sunfish]. And then eventually you can start fishing for walleye and bass. Walleye is the state fish in Minnesota. Super good to eat. That’s early June. And then now [in TK MONTH], going fishing for muskies [muskellunges], which is the apex predator in the lake, but super hard to catch. They call them “the fish of 10,000 casts.” First of all, you gotta find them, and then you gotta try to get them to eat, which is not as easy as it may sound. But that’ll go…right up until the ice freezes. The best time to do it is in the fall, because that’s when they’re the most aggressive and eating a lot, because they know that winter’s coming and they’ve got to bulk up.

What’s the biggest fish you’ve ever reeled in?

Last year I got a 49 1/2-inch muskie. I could send you a photo, actually.

Holy shit.

That’s my biggest to date.

Have you ever competed in a fishing tournament? There’s big money in it.

No, but I would honestly love to.

I’ve always said I could move to Minneapolis in a heartbeat. What are some of the other things you’re doing to wind down from a crazy winter of filming?

I love it here. There’s so much to do, and there’s just so much water. There’s lakes everywhere. You can go swimming. Even downtown Minneapolis, there’s four lakes with beaches—you can go swimming and whatnot. I have a family cabin that’s three hours north of the city. I was just up there last weekend, but I spend a lot of time up there, which is nice. I go on weekend trips—kind of clock out, go on the pontoon boat. A lot of stuff revolves around the lakes and swimming and boating. Also some skating. A lot of just hanging with friends. I actually recently went golfing with Brady [Lem] and Joe [Sexton] a little bit. I’m very new to the golf, but those guys are super into it, so it’s kind of fun to go with them.

Thanks, Tommy. Enjoy your summer, man. 

No prob, Bird.