Mike Enzi does not deserve an award named after Jim Range

The American Fly Fishing Trade Association's recently wrapped up the Jim Range National Casting Call in Washington DC, an event that "brings the fly fishing industry to congressional and government agency decision makers.

According to the Casting Call web site:

The event spotlights AFFTA’s strategic and core partner, the National Fish Habitat Action Plan (NFHAP), a public/private collaboration working to protect, restore and enhance our waterways and fisheries across the country. The Jim Range National Casting Call provides the venue for NFHAP to honor exceptional individuals or partners who have demonstrated a commitment to fish habitat conservation, science, or education with the National Fish Habitat Annual Awards.

Part of the Casting Call festivities is a Capitol Hill reception where Wyoming Senator Mike Enzi, and California Congressman Mike Thompson, were honored with the new Jim Range Legislator of the Year Award. Congressman Thompson for his efforts to protect salmon and steelhead on the Klamath, Enzi for attending every prior Casting Call and for helping small businesses as a member of the Senate Committee on Finance.

Worthy winners of an award named after prominent conservationist Jim Range? Well, you be the judge.

Thompson scores 96% on the most recent League of Conservation Voters scorecard while Enzi scores a whopping 14%. In otherwords Mike Thompson votes for the environment 96% of the time while Mike Enzi does only 14% of the time. Even the Republicans for Environmental Protection only gave Enzi a score of 40% in 2009. Why would you give an award named after Jim Range to someone who has a proven record of voting against environmental protection? Was this some sort of attempt at bipartisanship on behalf of AFFTA?

Next year's awards should only be given to individuals who support the mission of the National Fish Habitat Action Plan, AFFTA's "strategic and core" partner. Based on his policy positions and voting record the Honorable Mr. Enzi does not qualify, not even close.

AFFTA announces matching fund for Utah Stream Access Coalition

 

The fight to restore Utah stream access is heading to court and AFFTA, the fly fishing industry trade association, will match any member donations dollar for dollar up to a total of $2500.00.

The Utah Stream Access Coalition has filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Utah’s Public Waters Access Act passed last year. The coalition filed the suit because the Act effectively prohibits public access to hundreds of miles of rivers and streams in Utah. The money raised will be used by the coalition for court costs, witnesses and other related litigation expenses.

To read the full press release head over to Angling Trade. LINK

So all you AFFTA members, pull out your check books and write a check to support public access.

IFTD to New Orleans

Beignets, Po Boys, jazz and redfish.....

AFFTA has just announced that next year's IFTD show will be held in New Orleans in mid August.

Update on Saturday, September 11, 2010 at 3:18PM by El Guapo

Reports from on the new venue from MidCurrent and Tackle Trade World.

Business leaders urge Utah Governor Gary Herbert to veto fishing-access bill

Utah business officials and the head of the Outdoor Industry Association met for over an hour with Governor Gary Herbert on Friday in an attempt to get him to veto House Bill 141, which they say will severely limit fishing access and hurt the state's economy.

Great to see Frank Huglemeyer, the head of OIA, brought the considerable voice of the outdoor industry and the economic power of its two trade shows to the conversation. I do find it disappointing that there is no mention of AFFTA anywhere in this story. A quick search of the news archive on the AFFTA website also turns up no mention of the Utah bill.... but you can get a free night at the Hyatt if you join at the second member level or above.

LINK (Via: The Salt Lake Tribune)

JayMorr shot some images from some Utah public water that will soon be private if H141 becomes law.

One Last Time

It was both bitter & sweet to fish a certain stretch of river for the last time with the ruling of HB141.  Utah fly fisher’s & recreationists will no longer be able to enjoy the water that our pioneers did when they settled in this great state. It is discouraging to see such an unconstitutional bill pass in the Utah Senate.  I feel horrible for our kids who will not be able to fish these same river stretches that I have enjoyed all my life. 

Some photographs from the set…

Take some action!

Contact Governor Herbert and urge him to veto the bill.