fly fishing, conservation and politics.
This is video, Lost Generation, is a stunning example of messaging.
Creative, thought provoking and wonderfully surprising.
Take a moment to watch.
By the way according to the guy who made the video it was created for the AARP U@50 video contest and placed second.
The reelection of President Obama combined with Democrats gaining seats in the both houses of Congress and a clear repudiation of the extreme views of the GOP provide those of us who treasure our public lands an important opportunity.
The community of sportsmen, outdoor enthusiasts and public land advocates have a chance to press for those things that will secure a legacy for public lands and to defeat the agenda of the remaining right wing zealots who may see the election as a reason to double down on their assault on public lands.
The opportunity lies in showing Congress that public lands are essential to our quality of life, a critical economic contributor and that the American people value them.
To Carpe this particular Diem public land advocates must present a united front around a common agenda. With that agenda in hand they need to present a clear and compelling message that without our public lands a important part of the U.S. economy is placed in jeopardy and the American public will lose critical recreation, health and environmental infrastructure.
The good news is a lot of groundwork has been done. Coalitions, trade associations and non-governmental organizations have been tirelessly at work gathering and sharing economic and public opinion information, creating messages that give meaning to that data and identifying congressional champions to help transform that information into legislative action.
In addition, the Obama administration has shown its support for public lands. The America’s Great Outdoors initiative is a strategic conservation and recreation agenda and provides important information about public land success and the views of the American people.
Can these groups, with somewhat different agendas, find time to sit down and craft a common and more importantly an achievable agenda? Can they agree that the opportunity to achieve durable public policy is fleeting and that if we don’t speak with one voice then our chances of success is diminished? That remains to be seen.
Now is the time for the leaders of the coalitions, trade associations and NGOs to reach out to each other and commit to a common agenda, sharing resources and working together. If that happens then durable public lands policy can be achieved.
Stay tuned! In coming posts I will write about what the agenda might include and who the champions might be.
Regular readers know that the prevailing theme of the conservation posts on Dispatches is summed up in this simple equation: access to healthy habitat creates recreational opportunity and that creates economic activity and jobs.
By and large that healthy habitat is found on the lands owned by all Americans and managed by federal, state and local governmental agencies on our behalf. If you think about it for a minute without those national parks, wildlife refuges, national forests, wildlife management areas, local parks and greenways we would be hard pressed to find places to play outside.
All to often we take these public lands and the people who manage them for granted. We forget that those lands create jobs in many local communities far beyond the governmental jobs. Gas stations, diners, motels, hunting and fishing retail stores, all are small business in local communities that benefit from public lands.
Of course just because I think public lands are a good thing doesn’t mean everyone does. My years as a conservation lobbyist has taught me different. I know there are elected officials who are skeptical about the value of public lands (more on that in future posts).
So what does the general public think about our public lands?
Let’s look at a recent post, “Government does a good job of protecting our natural history” in the Hill’s Congress Blog:
“Fully 87 percent of American voters agree that their “state and national parks, forests, monuments, and wildlife areas are an essential part of my state’s quality of life.” A near-unanimous 96 percent of those we polled in six inner West states likewise agreed.
But voters don’t stop there. Seven-in-ten Americans and nine in ten Westerners agree that these public lands are “an essential part” of their state’s economy. Think about it: in six states with some of the highest proportions of land in public hands, voters were even more likely to view those lands as a valuable economic resource. The numbers quantify what voters tell us in Western focus groups: that public lands bring tourists, hunters, anglers, and other outdoor recreationalists to spend money in their communities; that their neighbors moved there for the clean air, trails, and trout fishing; that a growing company chose their town because they knew future workers would find the nearby natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities desirable too.”
Our public lands are something to be proud of. Maybe it is time we remind our elected officials and the politicians just how proud we are of them.
Give that some thought.
Meeting the rascals behind the great quarterly online journal Southern Culture on the Fly this summer at the International Fly Tackle Dealer in Reno, NV was one the highlights of the trip. Dave and Steve have an infectious spirit of mischief that was right up my alley. So having a chance to see them in action was a treat.
This latest issue marks the 0ne year anniversary for the enterprise and it is chock full of great stuff, including a look at the fun that was IFTD and a couple of tunes to download from a Dispatch favorite, the Wrinkle Neck Mules. Here at Dispatches we raise a glass of Knob in their honor to mark this great milestone.
With its terrific photos and great writing S.C.O.F. is like a mini vacation to a sweet fishing spot right there on you computer screen. In between issues you can keep up with the latest news on their blog, Those of us who fish and guide in the southeast are fortunate to have this excellent journal around to chronicle the special magic of fly-fishing in this neck of the woods.
Give S.C.O.F. a read and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss out in the future!
Big news in the fishing industry world today. The American Sportfishing Association and the American Fly Fishing Trade Association announced today that both trade shows will now in under one roof in Las Vegas in 2013.
As an AFFTA board member I strongly supported this decision and am very excited about the IFTD show next year. Having been directly involved in the discussions leading up to this decision I know all options were fully explored and discussed and that co-locating with ICAST was clearly the best option available to AFFTA. AFFTA’s President Ben Bulis deserves special recognition for keeping the process running smoothly.
Here is the Joint Press Release with the details:
Alexandria, VA and Westminster, CO – September 14, 2012 – Today, the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) and the American Fly Fishing Trade Association (AFFTA) announced a partnership in which they would co-locate their trade shows in one venue in 2013. Both the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, better known as ICAST, and the International Fly Tackle Dealer Show, known as IFTD, will be held July 10-12, 2013, at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev.
Both ASA’s and AFFTA’s Boards of Directors voted unanimously to support the new partnership and co-locating ICAST and IFTD in the Las Vegas Convention Center next July.
“By joining forces with ICAST and ASA to bring IFTD to Las Vegas in 2013, we are collectively creating what will truly be the largest recreational fishing show in the world,” said AFFTA President Ben Bulis. “This is a tremendous opportunity for the fly fishing industry and AFFTA’s Board of Directors encourages all AFFTA members to take advantage of this opportunity to explore a new and innovative option to grow and improve our collective business interests.”
“ASA’s Board of Directors is pleased that AFFTA has decided to partner with ASA to create an expanded trade show venue that will have a positive impact on our entire industry,” said ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman. “By combining both shows in one venue, we can expand the business opportunities for both trade shows in terms of increasing international attendance as well as buyers and media located in the U.S. which will benefit both organizations. If an individual is on the fence about attending one show or the other or both; we’ve now eliminated that barrier.”
Both ASA and AFFTA will each manage its own trade show but will combine some functions, such as the show directory and having the same show hours, where it makes good business sense and benefits show attendees.
Bulis further said, “We feel that this is an exciting opportunity for our industry at the same time realizing that we will have issues such as future locations, dates or potential partnerships or integrations with other existing shows. All of that said, there is really no perfect answer; no solution that is going to please everyone. We do agree that we need to try something that is significantly different and we need to continue to explore new and innovative options to grow and improve our annual show event. Joining forces with ASA and ICAST while continuing to manage our own show, is a great option for fly fishing and for AFFTA.”
Jeff Marble, CEO, Frabill, Inc., and ASA’s Board of Directors chairman said, “From a business perspective, an alliance between our organizations – both of whom are dedicated to growing and expanding the sport of fishing – is something that is totally natural and something that makes great sense for both memberships.”
“What’s exciting is that IFTD is going to remain an independent, progressive trade show that is controlled and run by the fly fishing industry,” said Jim Klug, chairman, AFFTA Board of Directors and Director of Operations, Yellow Dog FlyFishing Adventures. “We will be able to continue to feature all of the elements that make IFTD great including retailer-specific forums and seminars, a large casting pond and a cohesive footprint that will keep fly fishing together in the same area. This is an opportunity to grow the show and provide a better overall experience and value to our members and show attendees.”
ICAST and IFTD 2013 Show Dates and Hours
Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas
| ICAST Show Hours | IFTD Show Hours | |
| Wednesday, July 10 | 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. | 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. |
| Thursday, July 11 | 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. | 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. |
| Friday, July 12 | 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. | 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. |
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The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is the sportfishing industry’s trade association, committed to looking out for the interests of the entire sportfishing community. We give the industry a unified voice speaking out when emerging laws and policies could significantly affect sportfishing business or sportfishing itself. We invest in long-term ventures to ensure the industry will remain strong and prosperous as well as safeguard and promote the enduring economic and conservation values of sportfishing in America. ASA also gives America’s 60 million anglers a voice in policy decisions that affect their ability to sustainably fish on our nation’s waterways through KeepAmericaFishing™ , our angler advocacy campaign. America’s anglers generate over $45 billion in retail sales with a $125 billion impact on the nation’s economy creating employment for over one million people.
The American Fly Fishing Trade Association (AFFTA) is the sole trade association for the fly fishing industry. AFFTA’s mission is to promote the sustained growth of the fly fishing industry. We work to grow consumer demand for fly fishing goods and services, enhance the growth and professionalism of fly fishing businesses, and provide a clear, loud voice to elected officials and government agencies for the protection, enhancement and restoration of fish and fish habitat.
Are you interested in tenkara fishing on spring creeks? Then join us for the Mossy Creek Fly Fishing Streamside Tenkara Seminars. The first one is this Friday, July 27th, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM. We will have another one on Wednesday, August 22nd, from 6:00-8:00PM. Colby, Brian and I will be giving presentations and demonstrations on using a tenkara outfit for fishing on spring creeks.
As a guide for Mossy Creek Fly Fishing I know that experience and knowledge is as important to our customers as the products we sell. It is as much a reason for our success as the high quality gear and accessories we offer. We are always looking for fun and innovative ways to share that knowledge with our customers both new and old. This year, tenkara has exploded in our region. Tenkara outfits are the hottest selling items in the store. Not a day goes by when we don’t get asked about it.
During the summer our local spring creeks are a spectacular fishing option. On the water we manage, big bugs and big fish are the rule. Using a tenkara outfit has proven to be an exciting and highly effective way to catch big browns and ‘bows.
This “hands-on” seminar will give you a chance to:
* Cast the full range of Tenkara USA rods and learn which rod is best for different fishing conditions.
* Learn about the different types and lengths of line and which one is best to use for various fishing conditions.
* Learn about setting up your tenkara outfit for spring creeks.
* Learn the “go-to” flies for the various summer spring creek hatches.
* Learn tips, tactics and techniques for successfully fishing spring creeks.
To sign up, call the store at 540-434-2444. The cost is $35 person at time of sign up with Visa or Mastercard, first come – first served.
Space is limited to 15 participants so register early!