I like my fishing reality-based, and so don't go out of my way to watch fishing shows very often. Someone once related to me that on average, it took about three separate days of filming the fishing in order to get sufficient content to fill a half hour segment, minus commercials, minus plugging the sponsors, lodging provider, etc. At one time the cumulative actual new content in such a show was 22 minutes, and may be less today, dunn'o. Its not always going to be tough sledding for the production team, but sometimes you can discern how long it is taking to put it all in the can by the changes in the light, the weather, clothing items required or overlooked, etc.
There's that one bass pro Mike Iconelli or something like that, who does/did a program called "City Limits Fishing" or somesuch. The format is of course that he's got one day to try and produce the legal limit of keeper fish, and must do so while restricting himself to fishing only that water located within city limits. Making a major move when the usual haunts aren't giving much up is not an option. Now its pretty plain that ol' Mike could use a sedative perhaps, but more than most shows I think this one reveals the difficulties involved. He's pretty justifiably over- excited when at the very last he comes through, and for good reason. Some days we all have to beat the fish off our stuff with a stick, but most don't go that way. You don't suppose Mike allows for the flexibility to fish two or more different consecutive days, do 'ya? I'd think he'd be stupid not to, really!
Some shows might come right out and indicate "well, here we are on the afternoon of day#2 still trying to put it all together..." and I respect that kind of honesty. Only trouble is too much of that, and the underlying purpose of the program (promotion and sales) may not be perceived as having been satisfied if ratings begin to lag. Heck, For my part I'd much prefer the fishing be tough on the host, forcing him and whatever help he has to pull out all the stops, and in the process end up conveying some actual useful information.
That having been said (and I don't know George from Adam), put yourself in his place for a second... probably a fixed budget per show, new venue, semi-unique local knowledge required for eye-popping catches, etc, etc... no matter what the guy's personality, he's on a mission and has to use every available advantage to consistently accomplish it. There's some pressure there, and I'd almost bet that if the average viewer were put in the same situation, they might not enjoy the routine half as much as they'd think, being on the road, having a schedule to keep for future shows, pushing the products that pay the bills and your salary, blah, blah, blah... There can be a huge diff between doing anything out of purely want-to and even 10% have-to. Suddenly, its a job, and "~ by the sweat of his brow will a man eat" still applies in full force.
I have loved doing what I do (offering lodging for whomever, and lessons for those interested in fly fishing), but let me tell 'ya that I fished like a maniac when " just " freelancing as a hobby. Even though in this economy I could almost fish that much today, there is not the same desire to do so. What would be the point of trotting out whatever tricks I may have over the same fish I am secretly hoping later on will prove as cooperative as possible with a guest or client? In many cases (not all) this other person needs every advantage possible, if only due to limitedmtime, just like George. So its debatable but in a way I feel like I'm cheating future folks who might visit here, if I go and sore-lip many (any) of the fish located within easy striking distance. So, for the most part I monitor the very local fish, and only torment the ones more difficult to reach, or in other venues.
Basically, be careful what you wish for... in more cases than not, its not all its at first cracked up to be, from the outside looking in. That having been said, I am glad to have been able to pursue my 'heart' instead of my wallet only. That comes with its own costs, however. So we choose our poison and make the best of it.