Wild trout

Call to Action, The Time to Act is NOW!

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There are bedrock values we all share as Americans. We believe in fair play, we believe in looking out for our neighbors, we believe in liberty tempered by responsibility and we believe it is our duty as businesses owners and members of local communities to take care of the natural world and the one we’ve made, to operate in a sustainable and community building way.

 

Most of us believe that science should lead discussions and decisions we make about our natural world. Science warns us climate change is THE single greatest threat to native and wild fish on the planet. If we care about our fisheries, if we value our rivers, lakes and streams, and other natural resources it should be our hope, no not hope, but our obligation to pass these valuable and unimpaired resources on to our kids and grandkids.

 

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These unimpaired natural resources are the primary economic driver of solid positive economic prosperity we as business owners see in Southwestern Montana and Yellowstone country, and around the world. Here in my home state they are the backbone of our local economies. In our sparsely populated state with just a million residents, tourists come to fish and experience native and wild trout, spending over $3 billion a year that supports nearly 40,000 jobs. Nationally, according to the US Department of Commerce outdoor recreation contributes over $650 billion a year to the US economy, over 2% of our national gross domestic product.

 

Over the past 30 years Yellowstone and Southwest Montana, which is known around the world as “The Trout Heart of America”, has felt the predicted impacts of global climate change: increased fire occurrence, decreased winter snowpack, higher summer air and water temperatures, lower fish numbers and retreating alpine glaciers. The journal of “Science” reports that our warming climate is the primary source of the decline in snowpack, which is our natural water storage system and the primary source of water in many regions. A healthy winter snow pack, that melts away slowly through the warm summer season, feeds our rivers, lakes and streams, allowing them to maintain cool flows throughout the warm summer months. For cold water fish species like trout, this is the safety valve that gets them through the warmest times of the year.

 

The stark reality is that if nothing is done to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the primary culprit behind climate change and warming weather and water, native and wild trout habitat in the western United States could be reduced by 50 percent-and even more in some locations. I know everyone is concerned when science tells us that every natural system that supports life on earth is in a state of decline. Some folks respond to these warnings from 99% of scientist by denying their validity, or they make excuses that we do not have the expertise or time to worry about this, or the hope that someone might figure it out or technology will save us in the nick of time.

 

According to the world’s leading scientists like EO Wilson, the 21st century must become the “Century of the Environment”. If our government, science and the private sector do not begin to cooperate immediately to address the issues like climate change, the earth will lose its ability to regenerate life as we know it. In other words, we are toast.

 

While this depresses many anglers and business owners, I find action is the cure for depression and the basis for our environmental business philosophies. One reason for being in business is to make sure our government stops ignoring our environmental crisis. Action is necessary if we are going to be doing business in the generations to come, evil wins if we sit on our couches and do nothing. We must exert our power as individuals and businesses to defeat climate change. In other words, it is up to us to save the planet.

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That is why our Fly Fishing Climate Alliance has pledged to become carbon neutral in the next 10 years, by 2030. Our FFCA is an alliance of fly-fishing shops, guides and outfitters, lodges and brands who believe it is our responsibility to solve the climate crisis so we can save our planet, our businesses and native and wild fisheries. And, we will lead the way, by our example and shine the light of science to solve the climate problems. We will work to inspire others to rise to this challenge and defeat the single greatest challenge to our fisheries and ourselves, “Climate Change”. Please join us for our kids, grandkids and all future generations to come.

 
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ACTION IS THE CURE

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No doubt, these are challenging times. But, while many who love wild places, wild and native fish and wildlife, and public land sit on their couches, mope and complain and let their conservation compass spin out of control, I find action is the cure.

Some question whether advocacy is dead, others complain they are losing their wealth during the pandemic and can no longer help fund the conservation programs they used to. Others point to figures like John Muir and Aldo Leopold and say these men were “dinosaurs”, and, “their conservation ethic is no longer found in society today”.

I ask these folks, “who created the grassroots advocacy and activism we’ve seen in the past”. The advocacy that created our nation’s wilderness areas and protects wild places, wildlife and public lands. That advocacy that keeps these places and their wildlife in the public trust in face of mounting pressure to open public lands to harmful development and activity.

So, who was it, you ask? It’s NOT Leopold or Muir. It is the tiny grassroot advocacy and activist organizations that organize bake sales, and raise money and awareness, and fight for the public trust, wildlife, wild and native trout and wild places. Organizations like Montana Trout Unlimited, Madison River Foundation, Mountain Journal, Western River Conservancy, Montana Sportsman’s Alliance, and Trust for Public Land. These well-run, effective and efficient groups are not the bloated national organizations that owe favors to dark money funding groups. They get the conservation job done for all of us who love wild and native trout, wildlife and wilderness. Please consider supporting these organizations, today in these troubling times they need our help more than ever.

 

This week Jackie and I met with Cottonwood Environmental Law Center to discuss their continued work keeping the Gallatin River’s water free from the potential negative impacts of Big Sky’s wastewater pollution. We also discussed bighorn sheep restoration in the Gravelly Mountain Range, a program we’ve worked hard to support and raise awareness of. Stay tuned.

 

Jackie has come out of retirement to join Mountain Journal’s Board of Directors. If you love Yellowstone country and its wilderness, wildlife and wild-native trout go to their website and sign up to receive their award winning and free email newsletters. Stay informed. Remember, MoJo believes science should lead the discussions and decision of the conservation and environmental issues facing Yellowstone country today and into the future. Support MoJo with an important donation too! It will keep awesome Yellowstone wildlife stories, science and informed decision making coming to your door

 

In mid-September I look forward to being a part of a 30-minute video podcast aired on Earth X Television called “Round the Fire”. Myself and Trevor Neilson, Co-Founder and CEO of 1X Investments will discuss climate change and other important conservation and environmental issues from a fishing and hunting perspective. I’ll keep you posted once the exact date and time is announced.

 

This week we explored a few small streams in Yellowstone country. You’ll see photos of our fishing junkets here. I enjoy these small streams and some large trout that can inhabit them.

In my little guidebook, The Yellowstone Fly-Fishing Guide, I discuss dozens of smaller waters in Yellowstone detailing what kinds of trout inhabit them, hatches and best flies and times to fish them and much more. The book discusses all Yellowstone waters. I am proud to donate proceeds from the sale of this book to the “Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout Program in the Park”. For more information on this program go to “Yellowstone Forever” and click on the link. The book is available by going to Blue Ribbon Flies website as well as on Amazon. Order from Blue Ribbon Flies and I’ll autograph it!

Thanks from Yellowstone’s native Yellowstone Cutthroat trout for your support.

 

Thank you for reading my report and blog, stay tuned here for more to follow soon.

And, have a great time enjoying and exploring Yellowstone country rivers, lakes and streams. They offer incredible wilderness fly fishing experiences that last a lifetime.