I need your suggestions related to supporting conservation of our fishery resources for fly fishing. I like to annually donate to this cause and have previously donated to Trout Unlimited. However, I was wondering if any of you have other suggestions?
Thanks in advance for your comments.
Dr Bob
Fishing related donations are hard. The most fulfilling donation I have ever made was to the local youth home. I called and asked if any of the kids had fishing equipment on their wish lists (there were 11 kids). I cannot confirm that any of the rod/ reel combos were used, but I know that a lot of the kids had them on their wish lists, and I was more than happy to oblige. I think few things are as good for children as learning how to fish, and I was glad to help those children that wanted to learn, but did not have the means to start.
T.U. supports the COMPLETE restoration of the Nataive Apache Trout in all waters in the White Mountains of AZ. This is a good sounding cause but is an illusion…an “idealistic” cause that is not all as good as it sounds. The White Mountains and small towns and business’s therein grew up on the sport fishing of all kinds of species, namely rainbow and others. How do the restore the Apache Trout…which is by far not an endangered species…they completely poison a lake and kill ALL fish and then stock the Apache. They stocked Apached trout in Silver Creek all summer long. The Apache Trout is not in danger and in my opinion doesn’t need all this restoration crap. If they were in danger where does the game and fish get all those 10" Apache’s they stocked all summer long? Too much money and resources are being spent on this project, which could be put to better use. They are actually ruining 90% of the good fly fishing we have had here…for the “idealistic” goal of restoring the Apache…which I remind you is not in danger. It is just the kind of goal 90% of the people buy into and support. The MAJORITY is not always the most intelligent! You may take a poll on something and say 90% support it and 10% do not. That does not mean the majority is the best way to go. Perhaps the more intellignt were in the minority and actually had better understanding. I would certainly not say the majority of the people are the highest IQ people in the world. Sorry for the rant. But it is icw donations and Trout Unlimited.
Gem
For our money, which we’ve already donated for this year, we gave it to a local fishing club. This group is NOT just fly fishing, but they are very active in preserving and obtaining public access to our fishing waters, and have obtained a rare lake access, salmon spawning stream access and they are working with the state Fish and Wildlife for a new boat launch on Hood Canal. Dr. Bob, if you have an ACTIVE local group, your money will be well received - and spent - locally!
[This message has been edited by LadyFisher (edited 20 December 2005).]
I would look at supporting a local land group. In many of the places I have worked, a bunch of landowners will get together to preserve local agricultural land (and environment). The groups I’ve read about and listened to seem to be honest and worthy of donations.
While not directly related to fisheries, I find agricultural lands and helping the landowners offer the best opportunities for fishery maintenance and enhancement.
TU is okay if you have a local chapter and know where your funds are going. In S. Ontario we have a group that split off from TU and have done really well creating a blue ribbon fishery [http://www.friendsofthegrandriver.com/[/url:17662] .
Friend of the Grand has gone a long way to provide access and enhance fishing on the Grand river.
Some I found online for Washington(I can’t endorse them): [url=http://www.tpl.org/tier2_rl.cfm?folder_id=262:17662]http://www.tpl.org/tier2_rl.cfm?folder_id=262[/url:17662] [url=http://www.farmland.org/what/index.htm:17662]http://www.farmland.org/what/index.htm[/url:17662] [url=http://www.possibility.com/LandTrust/:17662]http://www.possibility.com/LandTrust/[/url:17662] [url=http://www.columbialandtrust.org/facts/whatis.htm:17662]http://www.columbialandtrust.org/facts/whatis.htm[/url:17662] [url=http://www.salts-landtrust.org/:17662]http://www.salts-landtrust.org/[/url:17662] (Alberta Example)
Maybe this will give you some “out of the fly fishing box” ideas.
Chars,
Paul H.
“Whiskey is for drinking; Water is for Fighting over.”
[url=“http://www.flymph.com/”]http://www.flymph.com/](http://www.friendsofthegrandriver.com/:17662)
You can reach Anglers of the Au Sable here: [url=http://www.ausableanglers.org/:eb577]http://www.ausableanglers.org/[/url:eb577]
LadyFisher, Publisher of
FAOL
Thanks everyone. I decided to donate to a few organizations for 2006. JC, the checks in the mail.
Thanks.
Dr Bob
Dr. Bob - if you don’t receive a formal “Thank You” from anyone else, we DO thank you, check received - and appreciated 
And by the way, anyone who decided to support the Anglers of the Au Sable, they have about the nicest patch I’ve ever seen. Ask about it!
LadyFisher, Publisher of
FAOL
Your welcome. You do a great job and desire the support!!
Dr Bob