Statement from AFFTA
Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 12:05AM 
I am happy to post this latest response from AFFTA regarding their award given to Senator Enzi. I'll be the first to give them credit for admitting to a lack of due diligence in selecting the good senator from Wyoming.
AFFTA’s choice of Sen. Mike Enzi for one of the Jim Range Legislators of the Year award and our reasons for doing so has continued to draw attention from some within the fly fishing community.
We have always said that the AFFTA board welcomes comments and feedback from within the industry, and in this case, we are not turning a deaf ear to the criticism that we have received. We have learned some valuable lessons, and as we said in our response “we are committed to making AFFTA a stronger organization,” for both our members and for the fly fishing industry as a whole. We fully understand that this is an industry that is passionate about the environment.
It's evident we have invoked an ardent response by the choice of this award. It was not our intent to create or incite controversy. Going forward, as the chairman of AFFTA’s Government Affairs and Affiliates Committee, I will personally ensure more rigor and outreach around these types of decisions,” said Mike Gawtry.
AFFTA is committed to conservation and the environment and we understand how important these issues are to our members and to our businesses. We think our track record is pretty good, but we'll fully admit that we can always do better.
We heard you, we will look at how these awards are chosen in the future. As a board and an organization, we will do better next time. We encourage all who commented on this issue to continue to stay involved. Feedback and participation on this level is how together we can move this industry forward.
Jim Klug, Chairman
Randi Swisher, President
Yes,we are an industry that's passionate about the environment but being passionate is not enough, it takes action. I would challenge our industry to use its resources to be even stonger advocates for the environment. If we lend the weight of our industry to the environmental causes that are crucial to the health of our planet it will also be good for the bottom line. As Yvon Chouinard once said, “Every time I've done the right thing for the environment, I've made a profit."
AFFTA, fly fishing business in Announcements
Reader Comments (6)
Why did they not do this before handing out the endorsement? Back peddling at it's finest. I guess if this is the style of management that AFFTA is running I will not renew my membership..
As an avid fly angler who also works for a fish conservation organization, I couldn't agree with you more - the industry has to become more INVOLVED in conservation, if for no other reason than self preservation. There are some in the industry that are big supporters, others that sit on their hands. Supporting conservation is a good business model.
...reminds me of the over-zealous angler, running pell-mell down the bank and into the pool..
Result, muddy water and NO fish.
Environmental Consciousness and the results achieved have nothing to do with endorsements and everything to do with action.
AFFTA should lose the politicians and focus on the constituency... but I have said it before, the Fly Fishing Industry as a whole, is lost
That quote from Yvon is funny. Is that why the conservation trout T-shirts are $30? And only $5 goes to conservation? Yeah, I would say there is some profit there.
All of the comments are well said and this whole thing has turned out to be a who' who project for Jim Klug and AFFTA. Because of this issue I have decided not to send my clients to book with Yellow Dog Fly Fishing and BOYCOTT YELLOW DOG all together and not attend to AFFTA show in New Orleans. My reps will visit me regardless and I will fight the local issues that effect me and my community. I suggest that everyone boycott Jim Klug and Yellow Hog Fly Fishing because of the lack of understanding and their greediness.
Boycott the AFFTA! As long as you support and pay membership dues to a group that has repeatedly tried to back their piss poor decision in backing such an anti conservation politician.
Let this be a wake up call...