Take Action: The President needs to come to Bristol Bay

Via Moldy Chum:

Photo by Chris Miller

An important message from Save Bristol Bay...check it out over at Moldy Chum.

Boom...Morgan

Daily Reel...'Anglers Alibi 2014'

Reason number 3,025,518 why the Pebble Mine is one of the dumbest proposals in our nations history. What beauty!

Anglers Alibi 2014 from Angler's Alibi on Vimeo.

Boom...Morgan

Vedavoo - "No Pebble" Packs

Way too good not to share...this is why we LOVE Vedavoo here at TLTFF.

Via TFM:

Scott Hunter of Vedavoo has to be one of the busiest fellows in the fly fishing industry but he still finds time to work out interesting collaborations that support those that are working on conservation and protection of our waters.

One of the most recent collaborations is with Trout Unlimited's Save Bristol Bay/No Pebble Mine Campaign and Vedavoo is offering a few select pieces of gear in red 1000D Cordura cloth with black trim to match the "No Pebble Mine" patch on the exterior.

From the Vedavoo website... 

"Vedavoo - in partnership with TU's Save Bristol Bay (No Pebble Mine) campaign - has put together a line of special, limited edition packs to carry the NO PEBBLE logo patch, in an effort to directly raise funds to support the future of Bristol Bay Alaska, and the Salmon that have thrived there for generations. We're looking forward to building yours!"

Check the photo series on the building of a special edition"No Pebble" Tightlines Sling Pack that was made to auction at a Sportsman's Alliance For Alaska event.

Visit the Vedavoo "No Pebble" page to support this project with a purchase.  There are five gear items offered from the "No Pebble" Pinch Pouch to Sling Pack available for order.


Boom...Morgan

Long Live the King

Via Alaska Fly Out:

Long Live the King is a story of hope and resurgence for Alaska's great King Salmon fishery. Returning numbers of the fish have been dropping steadily, and both 2012 and 2013 hit especially hard - with multiple rivers and regions across the state seeing some of the lowest returns ever, forcing Alaska Fish and Game officials to close or severely limit salmon fishing around the state, including on some of Alaska's most iconic rivers. In addition, what is starting to seem like an all out war on salmon – mining, dams, hatcheries and the state government are all marching forward in opposition of Alaska treasure salmon resource. For many, this is an attack on religion, not just a fish.

This film seeks to ignite an angler's passion - showing why salmon are worth fighting for from a fly fishing perspective. By showcasing some of Alaska's world class adventures - a team of Alaska's best guides and anglers explore the state's rivers, fly fishing for King Salmon, while practicing "catch and release" for the benefit of greater escapement and future salmon spawn. Through interviews and candid conversation, we will hear from long-time Alaska guides, lodge owners, Native elders, political figures, conservation leaders, and wilderness pioneers who have an abundance of untapped folk information on the state's great King Salmon lore. In these virtually untold stories, lies the spirit of Alaska - the dream of its wild lands and freedoms that can hardly be imagined in our current time.

King Salmon are an icon for Alaska, and a treasured sport fish for the entire world. Long Live the King celebrates the great homecoming of salmon to the Last Frontier, while promoting a re-energized culture of sustainability among salmon fishermen and women worldwide. Through inspiring imagery, explosive fishing, emotional testimony and a tone of sustainability, respect, and stewardship, the film breathes new life into the hearts of anglers. One goal of this film is to boost the grassroots efforts of our conservation partners to defend the land, waters, cultural heritage, and invaluable resources of Alaska, including the mighty King Salmon of the Last Frontier.

Music: "300 Violin Orchestra" by Jorge Quintero

Lodges and Outfitters

• Alaska Angling Addiction
• EZ Limit Guide Service
• Reel Fly Adventurez
• Mission Lodge
• Igiugig Lodge
• Rapids Camp Lodge
• Crystal Creek Lodge
• Alaska Sportsman's Bear Trail Lodge
• Talaheim Lodge

Boom...Morgan & Luis

"The American People Have Spoken..."

As a continuation of yesterday's re-blog from Moldy Chum about the recent big Pebble Mine news...

Via Moldy Chum:

The Pebble Partnership took a gigantic PR and stock hit yesterday with the news that Anglo American was pulling their investment in Pebble mine project.

Perfect timing to pour some salt on the wound.

ANCHORAGE, AK – Numbers released today show that nearly three in four Americans who commented on the EPA’s draft Bristol Bay Watershed Assessment supported protecting Bristol Bay, Alaska from harmful mining development in the form of the Pebble Mine. Approximately 654,000 of the over 895,000 total comments supported the EPA’s efforts to protect Bristol Bay, with numbers even higher among comments made by individuals (not mass mailed) and those coming from Alaska. The Bristol Bay region is a destination for sportsmen and anglers across the world and is known for its trophy rainbow trout, king salmon, and many other fish species.

“The American people have spoken: they simply do not want the Pebble Mine built on top of one of the world’s great sport and commercial fisheries,” said Tim Bristol, Director of Trout Unlimited’s Alaska Program. “The EPA should quickly finalize its Bristol Bay Watershed Assessment and use its Clean Water Act authority to ensure the long term protection of Bristol Bay and its fishery. The science supports it, Alaskans support it, and hunters and anglers across the lower 48 support the EPA as well.”

The comments coming specifically from Alaska were even more impressive, with nearly 5,000 people – or 84% of total comments – supportive of the EPA’s efforts to protect Bristol Bay. Those numbers were even higher in Bristol Bay, where 98% of over 1,200 comments are in favor of lasting protections for Bristol Bay. Among national individual comments, over 90% supported the EPA.

The EPA began its Watershed Assessment after 9-federally recognized tribes, commercial and sport fishermen, and others in Bristol Bay requested Clean Water Act protections from the proposed Pebble Mine. After two drafts, two rounds of public comments, and outside peer review, the EPA is preparing to finalize the Watershed Assessment later this year. In the draft assessment, the EPA determined that even without incident, a mine on the scale of Pebble could destroy up to 90 miles of salmon streams and 4,800 acres of wetland salmon spawning habitat.

Click here for more information and a breakdown on the comments.

Boom...Morgan

Anglo American Pulls Out!

Via Moldy Chum:

Huge news!

"Despite our belief that Pebble is a deposit of rare magnitude and quality, we have taken the decision to withdraw, following a thorough assessment of Anglo American's extensive pipeline of long-dated project options," the company's chief executive, Mark Cutifani, said in a statement.

"Our focus has been to prioritise capital to projects with the highest value and lowest risks within our portfolio and reduce the capital required to sustain such projects during the pre-approval phases of development," he went on.

LINK (via: The Guardian)

How you think those shares of Northern Dynasty are fairing today?

Update on Monday, September 16, 2013 at 10:01AM by El Guapo

Northern Dynasty shares are currently down 34%.

Boom...Morgan

Carp Tournaments

For those of you who have been following the carp fly fishing game for a little while may have heard about some of the carp fly fishing tournaments that are, for the most part, in their sophomore year. The three we're aware of and have on our own bucket lists to do (as long as they continue to happen annually) were a HUGE hit last year and have made their way back by popular demand. Some of the carp anglers we've talked to this week so far have been in these tournaments, especially Orvis' Carp-ocalypse out in Washington.

For those of you who don't know much about them, here's a little more info so you can either prepare yourself for this year's event or next years...

Stalling...

Via Moldy Chum:

Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski calls out the Pebble management team for not yet releasing their proposed mine plan.

Read more here: http://www.adn.com/2013/07/09/2968791/sen-lisa-murkowski-criticizes.html#storylink=cpy

LINK

Pebble management comes back with, sorry Senator but the mine plan is too important to rush.

Boom...Morgan

EPAs Comment Period for Bristol Bay Extended!

As the last day to comment on Bristol Bay to the EPA has now past us...in a blaze of glory, the EPA has not extended their deadline to comment until June 30th. Here's what the EPA has said...

"After considering the many requests to extend or maintain the length of the comment period, EPA has extended the deadline to submit public comments on the revised draft Bristol Bay assessment by 30 days, until June 30, 2013

An additional 30 days allows the public an opportunity to provide feedback on changes made to the assessment as a result of extensive input received in 2012. This extension is reasonable given the complexity and length of the revised draft assessment."

Please take the time to comment and save Bristol Bay, Mother Nature will thank you!

Boom...Morgan

Robert Redford: Save Bristol Bay

Via Moldy Chum:

Bobby Redford makes the case for Bristol Bay in this LA Times op-ed.

LINK

Boom...Morgan

Daily Reel...'Sea-swallowe'd'

sea-swallow'd from ryan peterson on Vimeo.

Boom...Morgan

Comment Now to the EPA to Protect Bristol Bay

Via Moldy Chum:

Then tell a friend.

Because this issue is so important to sport fishing jobs in Bristol Bay, Crystal Creek Lodge is offering a chance to win an incredible 4-day trip for two to fish Bristol Bay, Alaska. Win the fishing trip of a lifetime by using the Tell a Friend feature after you take action. When you urge a friend to comment, you'll be automatically entered for this amazing trip to an award-winning lodge on the Naknek River.

Comment Now!

Boom...Morgan

Revised Draft Bristol Bay Assessment Available For Review

Via Moldy Chum:

From the EPA....

Greetings!

EPA invites your comments on the revised draft Bristol Bay Assessment until Friday, May 31, 2013.  The May 2012 draft assessment was revised based on valuable feedback from peer reviewers, tribes and the public. 

• View or download the Revised Draft Assessment from the EPA Bristol Bay website.
• Read the Fact Sheet, which summarizes changes and provides information on how to comment.
• Read the Executive Summary, for an overview of the revised document. 

EPA is arranging for the original peer reviewers to evaluate the revisions the agency made to the assessment. This follow-up with peer reviewers on will take place at about the same time as the public comment period. 

EPA will finalize the assessment by the end of 2013.  A summary of our responses to all public and peer review comments will be available when the final assessment is released.

Thank you for your interest in EPA's work in Bristol Bay.

You have until the end of May to submit your comments.

Northern Dynasty's reaction to the EPA's assesment of their mythical main proposal?

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. responded today to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) release of a revised draft of the Bristol Bay Watershed Assessment (BBWA) report originally released last spring, reaffirming that the new report fails to correct the central flaw that critics roundly agree invalidates the original and revised study.

"You simply cannot assess the effects of a mining project that has not been proposed, and for which key engineering solutions, environmental safeguards and site-specific mitigation factors have not been provided," said Ron Thiessen , President & CEO of Northern Dynasty, a 50% owner of the Pebble Limited Partnership

LINK (via:Yahoo Finance)

Here is a map from the EPA Executive Summary outlining varying footprint scenarios of the "yet to be proposed mining project."

The good guys spell out what the new EPA assessment spells out.

The science is clear: developing Pebble Mine will harm salmon and destroy streams even if nothing ever goes wrong at the mine,” said Tim Bristol, director of Trout Unlimited’s Alaska Program. “Pebble is far bigger and more threatening to renewable resource jobs than any other mine proposal in Alaska and it’s planned for the worst location possible: the headwaters of Bristol Bay. Clearly, the time for action to protect Bristol Bay under the Clean Water Act is now.”

LINK (via:Save Bristol Bay)

Boom...Morgan

Kickstarter...Pebble Mine Campaign

Via The Drake:

If you're looking for a way to help save Alaska's Bristol Bay, you likely aren't googling "bear attack fatalities," but if you're the guy planning to float more than 100 river miles through the Bristol Bay region it's probably worth a look.

Patrick Clayton is that guy, but he won't be going to Bristol Bay without your help. Clayton recently launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for an AK mission this summer, capturing photographs to raise awareness about the wild places and species threatened by the proposed Pebble Mine. If he goes, you'll be seeing a lot more of his images, which he'll make available for free to any nonprofits that help support his journey and oppose the mine.

Read more by clicking here...

For more information on the campaign, go to: kickstarter.com. See more of Clayton's work at: fisheyeguyphotography.com.

Boom...Morgan

Loon Outdoors - Pebble Mine

Loon Outdoors sent out an email last night that totally made my week. They have released two new products to their gear line that not only is super radical, but it supports one of the biggest causes of the 21st century! Loons new Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Pint Cup and Pebble Mine Iron on Patch come to you at $12.00 and $9.00 respectively. The best part...100% of the proceeds goto stopping the pebble mine!

But wait, there's more! If you order before December 31st, all donations from sales with me matched by Sportsmen's Conservation Fund! I cant even tell you how stoked I a about this. Loon, before this big move, was in my top 5 favorite companies, after this, #1. Head on over to Loon and show your support, you owe it to yourself and this awesome planet!

Boom...Morgan

You Can't Lose with This Militia...

Join it...

Boom...Morgan

EPA - No Extension on Bristol Bay Watershed Comment Period

Via Moldy Chum:

The Environmental Protection Agency has announced it won’t extend the 60-day public comment period on the agency’s draft assessment of the Bristol Bay watershed, a study of the environmental impact the controversial Pebble Mine or other projects could have on the important fishing area.

LINK (via:Fairbanks Daily News Miner)

Boom...Morgan

Pebble Mine Ish

Via Moldy Chum:

Our favorite mining consultant Jack Caldwell weighs in on the names of those who will peer review the EPA report that says mine development poses a real risk to Bristol Bay.

LINK (via: I Think Mining)

Boom...Morgan

The EPA is Annexing Alaska

Via Moldy Chum:

The pro Pebble Mine constituency is not at all pleased with the EPA.

Boom...Morgan

'Red Gold' Screening

Via Moldy Chum:

To get ready for this year's Mountainfilm in Telluride, Outside will be playing a Mountainfilm documentary every Thursday in May. Join them on this page Thursday, May 17 at any time between 6 and 9 p.m. MST to watch Red Gold, Felt Soul Media’s groundbreaking, award-winning documentary about the fight to save Bristol Bay from the Pebble Mine.

LINK (via: Outside)

Boom...Morgan