Chelsea Parker - Finance and Membership Director
Over the coming months, we will be shining a light on the hardworking staff at AFFTA to give members a better idea of all that goes into growing the fly fishing industry and advocating for our fisheries. This week, we’ll hear from our Finance and Membership Director, Chelsea Parker about what it means to be a member of AFFTA and how being a member contributes to the overall health of the fly fishing industry and community.
Scientific Anglers: Blane Chocklett
This week we sat down with Scientific Anglers’ Ambassador Blane Chocklett to discuss his passion for fly fishing, inspiration for guiding, and participation as an active member of the Scientific Anglers' Ambassador Team. As I sat down with Blane, I was overcome with several questions and emotions. What circumstances had influenced his love for fly fishing? How does one choose between musky fishing and bass? And what on earth is the reasoning for the size of musky flies? All of these would be answered in due time.
Shyanne Orvis
Tucked away in the snowy mountains surrounding Denver is a fly-fishing guide who needs no introduction. Her reputation as a driven, strong, and courageous guide in the industry has earned her a spot at the table: meet Shyanne Orvis. Shyanne and I had the chance to sit down recently to discuss her career as a fly-fishing guide and the series of events that got her to where she is today.
Yakoda Supply
Yakoda Supply is a creative, entrepreneurial, and unique brand working to fill a void within the fly fishing industry. Yakoda Supply was founded through their own “excursions to rivers and streams throughout Colorado and the Rocky Mountains. During our time on the water, we realized that some of our equipment was over-engineered for our purposes—that a piece of gear with technical specs for a weeks-long expedition to Kamchatka is overkill when you’re driving four hours to Wyoming on a Tuesday. Overkill for the wallet, and even a seasoned guide on most days.”.
Wood Valley Travel
Wood Valley Travel is a team of passionate, educated, and adventure-driven fly-fishing guides who specialize in advising and hosting top of the line sporting adventures. With a strong focus on hospitality, anticipation of client needs and approaching every trip as a unique experience. This week, we had the chance to sit down with their founder, Charles Warren to discuss their growth as a company within the fly-fishing industry.
Sawyer Oars
“Sawyer Oars” is a name within the fly fishing industry that has become synonymous with quality, craftsmanship, and well, oars. Sawyer Oars does however have a bit of a unique and purpose-driven story behind their origin. Having recently celebrated 55 years of handcrafting oars in the beautiful Rogue River Valley, USA, we thought it only fitting to sit down with some of their crew and see what they are up to now.
AFFTA Confluence : Artist Alley
We are excited to announce the opening of sign-ups for the upcoming 2023 AFFTA Confluence Artist Alley. If you’re an artist in the fly fishing industry and interested in presenting your work at this year’s event, please reach out to Kenneth Andres at kenneth.andres@affta.org and register TODAY! We look forward to once again having the entire industry together this upcoming Sept. 26-28 in Salt Lake City, UT!
Rep Your Water
Conservation is something we should all be doing whether we’re fly fisherman, guides, fly shop owners, manufacturers, or people within the industry. An implicit and important message in an age of conservation that rings clear within the brand name, RepYourWater. RepYourWater is a mission statement, or devotion, to giving back to the fisheries we enjoy. This week I had the opportunity to sit down with AFFTA Chair Corrine Doctor and her husband, renowned fly-fishing artist, Garrison Doctor.
Bistol Bay Pebble Mine : STOPPED
We here at the American Fly Fishing Trade Association (AFFTA) are elated and relieved that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a 404(c) Clean Water Act veto to end the threat of Pebble Mine– heeding the calls of Tribes, commercial fishermen, and people in the region who have spoken out and urged the EPA to protect Bristol Bay for decades to come.
2023 Member Meeting
Our 2023 Member Meeting was held just yesterday, and composed of current and former board members, and AFFTA Industry Members. In total, 38 people attended the meeting and heard talking points from:
AFFTA Chair- Corinne Doctor
AFFTA Fisheries Fund Executive Director - Whitney Tilt
AFFTA Treasurer- Tim Volk
AFFTA Executive Director- Lucas Bissett
Wesley Locke
This is not a story about a girl, this is not a story about a guide, and this definitely is not about you. This is a story about family, heritage, and the recognition that everything we do is interconnected. This is a story about Wesley Locke and her path to where she is today…
TrackFly : Partner Spotlight
We’ve brought you a series of Member Spotlights on guides, artists, etc. And while we are absolutely going to continue doing that, this week we’re shaking it up with a spotlight on one of our partners, TrackFly. According to Stephen Baird, TrackFly Owner,“TrackFly helps retailers make informed and confident inventory purchases by providing data, forecasting industry trends, and looking at statistical insights.”
AFFTA Confluence : Update
We are excited to share that in Salt Lake City, Utah from September 26-28, 2023 a new vision will take place that will bring together the fly fishing industry once again! From the networking conversations you love, to the new products you want to see, and more opportunities than ever for education.
Jesse Males
Jesse Males is a name that has become ubiquitous with fly tying for large Tarpon and other Florida species, fly fishing in some of the world’s most remote areas, and advocacy for the fly-fishing industry. Yes, advocacy. While Jesse has a long history within the fly-fishing industry as a fly fisherman, fly tyer, and hot of several guided trips, he has also made a name for himself by living out what he preaches. That’s why this week, we are spotlighting his initiatives and learning more about how he became so passionate for fly fishing.
Emerger Strategies
Emerger Strategies is a sustainability consulting firm working to help small & medium-sized companies achieve their largest environmental goals. Whether your business is looking for a way to decrease plastic pollution, expand its efforts to provide sustainably packaged goods, or just trying to find areas you can decrease your impact, Emerger Strategies is capable of finding a solution to meet your needs.
China Section 301 Tariff : Update
Last month we brought you cutting-edge information on Section 301 Chinese Tariff extension through September 2023. Now, we’re once again coming to you with more information surrounding the important financial implications this decision could have on you and your products this upcoming year. Read more!
2022 Year in Review
As we get ready to issue in the New Year, we have gathered some of our favorite moments from 2022. From the earlier International Fly Tackle Dealer (IFTD) Show filled with business to business conversations, to the exciting launch in October of our first-ever AFFTA Industry Summit, and the end of year announcement to rebrand our industry event as the AFFTA Confluence for 2023, it has been a year filled with expansion and new opportunity. So here is to 2023; From our family, to yours, wishing you all the best in the new year!
China Section 301 Tariff : Update
The decision to extended China Section 301 Tariffs another nine months comes as The Office of United States Trade Representative finishes a lengthy investigation into claims of unethical business trade practices by Chinese businesses spanning all the way back to August of 2017. The American Fly Fishing Trade Association’s own D.C. Correspondent Matt Mullins has been updating us since day one.
Membership Meeting 2023
Meeting in January of 2023 to discuss upcoming AFFTA events and networking opportunities, as well as a time for public comment. Be sure to register today!