Climate change may not be making many headlines right now, but that’s only because presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are sucking all the oxygen from the room. Last year (2023) was the hottest year on record, while 2024 looks poised to take over that title in a little over three months. The summer of 2024, which just wrapped up, was the hottest summer ever recorded.
We’re seeing the huge fires and ferocious storms that have become the hallmark of a rapidly warming world, along with all the negative impacts — think problematic water temps, nasty smoke, and hellacious heat domes — that shut down fisheries and make life miserable for anyone hoping to wet a line.
Some of the nation’s most prominent fly anglers are paying attention to the threat. They’re also asking their fellow fly fishers to get engaged and stand up for our fisheries.
Conservation Hawks, a nonprofit organization made up of “hunters & anglers defending our future,” just released a short public service announcement featuring several of the biggest names in fly fishing. The 94 second video showcases Craig Mathews, Tom Rosenbauer, Hilary Hutcheson, Kirk Deeter and Todd Tanner sharing their views on human-caused climate change.
Craig is the author and angler who invented the Sparkle Dun and X-Caddis fly patterns, and founded Blue Ribbon Flies in West Yellowstone, Montana. Tom is the longtime face of Orvis fly fishing. (You could also make the case that he’s the most well-known and highly-respected fly fisher on the planet.) Hilary, a supremely talented guide and writer, was the longtime host of Trout TV and now owns and runs an iconic fly shop — Lary’s Fly & Supply — in Columbia Falls, Montana. Kirk is the author, conservationist and media savant who edits TROUT magazine and, along with partner Tim Romano, heads Angling Trade and the new online fly fishing platform FlyLab. Todd runs both the School of Trout and Conservation Hawks, and has been writing about fly fishing on a national level for more than 30 years.
All five anglers offer their thoughts on climate change and then suggest how to address this massive threat. Please take 94 seconds to watch the new climate video, then share it with your friends and family members. If we want to hold on to our fishing, then we have to address our warming planet while there’s still time.
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