Born at Glenquaich in Perthshire, Scotland, Fisher moved to Canada West (now Ontario) in his youth.

In July 1875, Fisher contested a federal by-election in Perth North for the Liberals, losing to Conservative Andrew Monteith by 20 votes.

Fisher subsequently moved to Winnipeg, where he practised law and was a member of the University of Manitoba Council.

In 1886, he ran for the provincial riding of Russell as a Liberal, losing to Conservative Edward Leacock by eight votes.

Fisher soon lost confidence in the government of Thomas Greenway, and crossed the floor to the opposition.