A few days before Christmas I received an email from a gentleman. Rather than put the email in my words I'll just copy part of it and post it in his words.
For the past three years, I've been working as a land steward at the Franklin Land Trust (FLT) in Western MA. In this time, I've discovered that much of the conservation work the land trust has done in its 25 year history has protected little wild trout streams of the kind that I grew up fishing. So far, this benefit has been quite by accident, but I'm hoping to help my organization make watershed conservation a priority moving forward. We're presently nearing the finish line on our first coldwater conservation project in partnership with Trout Unlimited, and our members and non-fishing staff are beginning to realize that we can intentionally pursue watershed conservation as a new way to advance our land conservation mission.
I'm writing you today with a question and an offer. This spring, I'm going to make a concentrated effort to identify and fish the most significant small streams that FLT has protected to date. I'd love to be able to put together a nice photo essay to really showcase how important land conservation can be to the health of our wild, native trout, and to quietly make the case that this is an area where FLT could do a lot of good moving forward. Would you be willing to lend your experience as a small stream fisherman and photographer to the effort? I'm not a bad hand with a 2 weight, but I would dearly love to experience the coldwater resources that FLT has protected through the eyes of a real master of the art of small stream fishing. If you'd be willing to join me in the field and advise on strategy and photography, I'd be very excited to show you around the headwaters of the Deerfield River Watershed.
I accepted Josh's invitation and tomorrow is the day. I am honored and thrilled to be a part of this new phase of land management. I hope I can do my part to showcase this wonderful piece of natural land. I'll do a post on this outing upon completion.
What a lovely idea, can't wait to see your write up Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteRay
Sounds awesome!
ReplyDeleteAre you looking for any help? I'm planning to fish that area a lot this summer and I'd be happy to contribute pictures/reports.
Looking forward to your updates!
That's excellent news and I know you'll do a fantastic job showcasing the project. Another fine example of anglers raising awareness on conservation. Can't wait to hear how it goes.
ReplyDeleteA most noble effort Alan and I know you will lend a great deal of expertise to the project. I look forward to hearing and seeing the results.
ReplyDeleteGreat news for you Al!! I know you will certainly be able to lend a hand with your years of experience!! Will be wating for the post!!! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to start the week, and, to offer your quality expertise at the same time. I applaud your effort in assisting in this significant work.
ReplyDeleteShould be excellent! My family has owned a large portion of land in Hawley, MA for a long time. We are on the headwaters of a very small tributary to the Deerfield. The stream is very tiny, too tiny to fish even by our standards, but it had some small fish. I know you'll find many beautiful brookies!
ReplyDeleteI always suspected that the Mohawk forest along route 2 would have some amazing small stream fishing, but I never really looked into it. If you head over that way, please do drop me a note about what you find, I'd love to know if its worth the trip.
Enjoy it! Sounds amazing...and such a valuable project overall.
ReplyDeleteAlan
ReplyDeleteI can't think of a better fly fisherman to be Josh's guide on a small stream adventure. He will also be getting some expert advice in the art photography. Enjoy the outing!! Thanks for sharing
That's awesome! What a good cause that is. Have a good and very productive trip.
ReplyDelete