Trout Unlimited To Hold News Conference Wednesday Calling for Permanent Protection of Federal Lands Near Bristol Bay

Hundreds of Hunters and Anglers Ask Interior Department to Reopen Bristol Bay Regional Management Plan and Keep Mining Prohibitions in Place

A broad coalition of hunters, anglers, guides and outfitters, representing millions of Americans and many of them members of Trout Unlimited, want Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to protect some 1.1 million acres of federal land in the Bristol Bay watershed by reversing a Bush Administration plan that recommended opening the area to mineral development. Nearly 300 signatories to a letter addressed to Salazar ask the secretary to direct his new Bureau of Land Management chief, Bob Abbey, to protect Bristol Bay’s rich fisheries and wildlife habitat by redoing the 2008 regional management plan for federal lands in the watershed and closing the area to mining. The BLM lands covered by the plan lie adjacent to state land where developers hope to build one of the world’s largest open-pit gold and copper mines, a project known as Pebble.

WHAT: A news conference to discuss what’s at stake with the BLM lands and what groups want Salazar to do.

WHEN: 9 a.m. Alaska /1 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009. Call 800-944-8766 to join the teleconference.

WHO: The speakers will be Chris Wood, Chief Operating Officer, Trout Unlimited; Gary Berlin, President, American Fly Fishing Trade Association; and Brian Kraft, Owner, Alaska Sportsman’s Lodge.

For more information, contact Paula Dobbyn, Trout Unlimited, Director of Communications, Alaska Program, at pdobbyn@tu.org or 907-230-1513.

El Pescador Seeks Fishing Manager

Let's see if we can clog the El Pescador email server...

Despite a bleak economy inside and outside the angling industry, a fresh fly-fishing job—located in a tropical paradise no less—is there for the taking.

Call it the best job in the angling world if you’d like because the Fishing Manager and Guest Relations position at El Pescador Lodge on Ambergris Key, Belize offers ample opportunity to take in Central America’s most appealing qualities, clandestine or otherwise.

If you prefer sand and year-round sunny skies to the rat race and winter dregs—and you’re privy to the ways of tarpon, permit and bonefish—you have a leg up on the competition for this key senior management position. But don’t think it’s all about the fish; the ideal candidate is a self-motivator, understands people and, above all else, caters to guest satisfaction.

During copious time off you can wander San Pedro and dine on fresh conch fritters at Caliente’s or cut some rug with locals at Jaguar’s Temple Club. When you’ve had your fill of town chase the big three, which often fin within a double-haul of the lodge.

In addition to a great lifestyle, the Fishing Manager receives free meals and a private flat to live in. The position offers unique professional challenges, a competitive salary, paid vacation, and the potential to take unpaid summer leave so you can tap into the northern fly-fishing scene.

For more information, including a full job description and application details, visit www.elpescador.com

Fishy Kid

Fishy Kid was inspired by two fathers who enjoy the sport of fly fishing and want to do our part in passing along the virtues of the outdoors to our children as well as to families within the online angling community.

Fishy Kids is brought to you through a collaboration of sporting artists, writers, educators, and a growing list of fly fishing manufactures. Many of the artists featured here on the Chum have donated their talents to the  fly themed coloring book that you can download for young anglers. A coloring contest for kids age 1 - 17 is also a part of the Fishy Kid initiative

See more fishy kid here

Reel Pure now shipping international

Reel Pure products now available to all corners of the globe.

Headwaters Dog Days of Summer Blast

Every angler should own at least one bamboo rod but most of us do not have the budget to afford the high price of custom cane.

The Headwaters Bamboo Rod Company is offering their entry level Favorite Series rods at 40% off through the month of August. This is a great way to get into a quality bamboo rod for under $200 and Headwaters will guarantee the workmanship of the rod for the life of the original owner. Headwaters offers a great value and fun to fish classic bamboo rod that is available no where else like this.

LINK

We have one of Headwater's Metolius River models in the Chum quiver of rods, a classic 7' 6"medium fast taper that we bust out when we're not chasing steelhead.

There is nothing quite like the look and feel of a cane rod especially when there is a tug on the line.

Rathbun raising some cane somewhere in SW Washington.

Vote now for July Slab of the Month

July was a an unprecedented month for slabbage.  10 of 16 entrants made it to the voting round.  Truly great fish didn't make the cut for one reason or another. 

Again, use our poll on the left side bar to cast your vote.  For background and higher quality pics visit the Moldy Chum photo section here.  May the best slab win.