Fundraiser | Flies for Fins!

Let's all take a minute to consider the steelhead we chase and the fisheries in which they run...

Mmm...

Steelhead...


Chances are, most of us enjoyed a short, sweet rush of images. A cartwheeling steelhead. A taught Spey line. A crystal clear adipose fin. The fishy smell on your hands after successfully releasing a bright hen, fresh from the salt.

Despite these magical images, I'll bet at least a few of us entertained at least a few less positive thoughts as well. Were you confident in the current health and long term management of your favorite stretch of water? Were you at all nervous about the dwindling numbers of wild steelhead returning to your home river?

If you were at all concerned, you're not alone, and as in all things, there is hope. British Columbia-based steelhead guide and concerned steelhead lover, April Vokey (pictured below), has decided to team with Reaction Fly and Tackle, Pacific Angler, Michael and Young Fly Shop, Sea-Run Fly and Tackle, and Whistler Fly Fishing to test out an innovative way to raise some extra cash for the Steelhead Society, a non-profit group dedicated to providing advocacy on behalf of wild steelhead in British Columbia.


So what does this have to do with fly tying? Good question.

At April's brilliant suggestion, local fly shops in her area have decided to sell FLIES TIED BY YOU in their stores with all proceeds going to the Steelhead Society. According to April, "This money will be put towards habitat restoration and several other similar projects, which ultimately will help to save all anadromous species."

We think this is a fantastic idea, and will be donating a selection of Beyond the Bug's flies to the Steelhead Society.

If you've got some extra bugs in your boxes or if you'd like to tie up some special creations for the Flies for Fins fundraiser, you can put them in an envelope and mail them to:

Flies for Fins
8505 Norman Cres.
Chilliwack, B.C. Canada V2P 5C6

You can send one fly or 50, fancy or plain. Just remember to include your name in the package. You can also follow the developments on Facebook.


Evan LeBon is a regular contributor to beyondthebug.com