We’re clearly at a point in time where public access, and clean water matter to fly fishing. Look at what happened this summer… more people found the rivers and lakes than ever before. Which is great (maybe), but it underscored just how precious cold, clean, fishable, publicly-accessible waters really are.
In what we can only describe as an artful and timely move, Land Tawney, CEO of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, and Chris Wood, CEO of Trout Unlimited made a mass e-mail appeal to their respective memberships, encouraging BHA members to also join TU, and vice-versa.
“2020 has been a challenging year – a time to reflect on what really matters.
“What matters to all of us? Family and friends. Fishing, hunting and outdoor adventures. Our public lands and waters.
“These places give us so much, and we need to fight to protect them. But we can’t do it alone. We need strong partnerships to amplify our voices.
“More and more, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers and Trout Unlimited are working together in common cause, and that’s why we CEOs are coming to you with a request that’s a bit out of the ordinary.
If you’re not already a member of Trout Unlimited/Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, we urge you to join today. Help make our combined voices as sportsmen and women even stronger.”
These two groups do a lot for fly fishing. I’m a proud life member of both.
Please… if you’re a member of TU, also join BHA. https://www.backcountryhunters.org/join If you’re a member of BHA, join TU https://www.tu.org/get-involved/become-a-member/ If you’re a member of both, good for you. Please encourage your customers to do the same.
The combination can be a mega-force for the sport of fly fishing… especially now. This movement could be massive for fly fishing.
-Kirk Deeter
