Okefenokee Twin Pines Mine Conservation Letter
Okefenokee Twin Pines Mine Conservation Letter
RISEE Letter of Support 2024 - Conservation and Outdoor Recreation
RISEE Letter of Support 2024 - Conservation and Outdoor Recreation
Oakpool
Oakpool is a marketing agency born about 7 years ago in the outdoor industry. We build and manage outsourced marketing solutions for companies & organizations ranging from GORE-TEX to Caesar’s Entertainment, and venture-backed FinTech startups to boutique fishing lodges in Latin America and The Bahamas.
In this Member Spotlight, Alex Ford of oakpool shares his thoughts on the fly fishing industry’s relationship with technology, what sets oakpool apart from other similar companies in the outdoor industry, and more!
Zen Tenkara
Zen Tenkara/Zen Fly Fishing Gear is 100% women owned company that designs, manufactures, and sells a broad range of tenkara fly fishing rods, propriety lines and accessories. Since its start in 2012, Zen is known for being innovative, cutting edge and pushing boundaries with their high-performance fixed line fly rods. The company, based in Colorado, has a reputation for revolutionizing this method and creating a “fusion” of traditional fly fishing with tenkara to target not only small species, but also large, powerful fish not typically associated with the Japanese method. As a leader in the industry, Zen Tenkara is responsible for many “firsts” in the industry and has set the standard for high quality paired with exemplar customer service. Zen Tenkara is the oldest independently owned tenkara company in the United States and is the only 100% women-owned rod company in the world.
Brian O’Keefe
Brian O’Keefe has travelled all over the world as a fly fishing photographer and angler. In recent years he co-founded Catch Magazine along with Todd Moen and is now working with Eleven Angling. Brian currently lives in between the Henry’s Fork River and the South Fork of the Snake River in Idaho. In his words, “I’m 69 years old and have a serious fishing problem.”
Linehan Outfitting
Since 1992 Linehan Outfitting has been offering lodge based fly fishing, wing shooting and big game hunting adventures in far northwest Montana. Linehan Outfitting is owned and operated by Tim and Joanne Linehan who still run day to day operations. Tim guides full time while Joanne runs the office, reservations and is the lodge chef.
The Guide Network
In today’s Member Spotlight, we’ll hear from Ethan Whitson of the Guide Network to learn more about how they’re working to resolve the issue of finding it difficult to locate a guide or fly shop in a particular area.
Karmik Outdoors
In today’s Partner Spotlight we’ll hear from Robert Gillingham of Karmik Outdoors about their AFFTA-endorsed rental program, Karmik.Pro.
AFFTA Confluence 2023
The AFFTA Confluence event, held from September 26 to 28, 2023, was a resounding success, marked by industry recognition, outstanding product awards, and a clear vision for the future. The American Fly Fishing Trade Association (AFFTA) proudly announces the winners of the New Product Showcase, the Far Bank Casting Games competition winners, the Iron Fly winner, as well as the recipients of the Lefty Kreh Industry Award and the Jim Range Conservation Award.
Electronic Monitoring and Reporting (EMR) Grant Program offered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF)
In this Member Spotlight we’ll hear from Willy Goldsmith, PhD, of Pelagic Strategies, about the Electronic Monitoring and Reporting (EMR) Grant Program offered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF).
SwimWell™ Advanced Fish Recovery Spray
In this Exhibitor Spotlight we’ll hear from Seth Zaharako, founder of SwimWell™ Advanced Fish Recovery Spray, about their innovative new product aimed to help fish recovery when practicing catch and release, what inspired them to create such a product, and what he’s most excited about Confluence 2023.
ArcticSilver Innovation AS
In this Exhibitor Spotlight we’ll hear from Katharina Fugger, CEO of ArcticSilver Innovation AS in Norway, about the history of ArcticSilver, how they developed a rod that makes casting possible with radically less force, and what she’s most excited about Confluence 2023.
Save Wild Trout Hires Science Lead to Investigate Jefferson Basin Fisheries Collapse
Trout populations in SW Montana's Jefferson Basin, including the Big Hole, Beaverhead, Ruby, and Jefferson rivers, have reached historic lows with a significant decline in the recruitment of young trout. The lack of action from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) and the Gianforte Administration has endangered these renowned cold-water fisheries. Urgent measures are needed to ensure the future sustainability of these fisheries, which support numerous jobs in the region. Today, we’ll hear from Wade Fellin of the Big Hole Lodge about the extent of this issue and what can be done to help save these rivers.
Scott Fly Rods
In this Exhibitor Spotlight we’ll hear from Jim Bartschi, president and rod designer of Scott Fly Rods, about the history of Scott Fly Rods and what he’s most excited about Confluence 2023.
A New Earth Project
In 2022, Atlantic Packaging announced the launch of A New Earth Project, its global initiative to create, scale, and advocate for sustainable packaging solutions to help eliminate plastic pollution from the world’s oceans, lakes, and rivers. This coalition of outdoor enthusiasts, industry-leading brands, and innovative packaging suppliers has grown into a robust movement to raise awareness of and find critical solutions to address the increasing levels of plastic pollution in global waterways. For Plastic-Free July, this week we’ll hear from Brook Hopper of A New Earth Project to learn more about ANEP’s goals and initiatives.
Historically Low Trout Numbers in SW Montana's Jefferson Basin
Trout populations in SW Montana's Jefferson Basin, including the Big Hole, Beaverhead, Ruby, and Jefferson rivers, have reached historic lows with a significant decline in the recruitment of young trout. The lack of action from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) and the Gianforte Administration has endangered these renowned cold-water fisheries. Urgent measures are needed to ensure the future sustainability of these fisheries, which support numerous jobs in the region. Today, we’ll hear from Wade Fellin of the Big Hole Lodge about the extent of this issue and what can be done to help save these rivers.
Dr. Slick Co
In this Manufacturer Spotlight we’ll hear from Stephen Fournier, owner of Dr. Slick Co, about the history and progression of Dr. Slick and how Stephen has seen the fly fishing industry change over the the past 30+ years. We’ll also hear from Stephen about what he’s most excited for with Confluence 2023.
Kenneth Andres - Event 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 Event Director, Kenneth Andres, about what makes Confluence 2023 such a unique and important event for the fly fishing industry.
TRXSTLE
Oftentimes, the greatest success stories come from individuals who saw a void in an industry and sought to fill it. That’s exactly what co-founders John Smigaj and Morgan Misek did when they decided to build TRXSTLE and began designing the products they wished they had. This week, we hear from John to learn about TRXSTLE and what makes their products so thoughtfully crafted. Enjoy a few moments from our inspiring conversation!