New Life For Clean Water Act

The Fishable Waters Act is the product of several years of effort by a coalition of fisheries and agricultural organizations known as the Fishable Waters Coalition (FWC). It creates a voluntary, incentive-based plan that would enable states to convene watershed councils that would in turn develop

plans for watershed protection. Projects in the plan would be focused on improvements to water quality and fish habitat. Direct financial support would be available for projects in approved plans or to compliment other federal conservation programs benefiting fish.

This locally led, incentives-based approach for cleaning our waters and restoring our fisheries offers a new and exciting tool that will supplement, not supplant, existing regulatory protections for the nation's water quality," said Paul Hansen, the League's executive director. "We are pleased to be a part of the FWC that helped to craft this bill".

Separate provisions of the bill address urban fisheries, fish habitat issues in major waterways and acquisition of water rights from willing sellers for fish conservation.

The latter provision is often the most critical element required for fish," said Jim Mosher, IWLA conservation director. "Not only are minimum in-stream flows necessary to support a healthy fishery, but restoration of normal flow

regimens especially below dams can be equally important".

The League is committed to work with bill sponsors, the FWC and others to successfully move a good water quality and fish conservation bill through this Congress. Vote your support today.

(posted March 2001)
 

Youth Fishing Program Celebrates 15th Anniversary

The year 2001 program will feature: A Nationwide Frito-Lay/Pepsi "Kids Casting" Contest – Each youngster is

allowed two casts at a target, with local winners receiving the reel and rod combo as their prize. All youngsters participating in the event will have their name entered in a nationwide drawing , with a special prize being awarded to the grand prize winner. Zebco will provide the official reel and rod combos for each contest.

The Fujifilm "Big Fish" Contest – The youngster catching the largest fish at each derby receives an award certificate. State-level winners receive a Fujifilm QuickSnap 2-Pack Camera and an award certificate and are automatically entered into the national competition, with grand prize winners being determined for the largest freshwater fish and saltwater fish. Each national level winner will receive a special Fujifilm "Gift

Basket" and a $500 savings bond.

All participants at each derby are encouraged to "Fish, Photograph and Release", as part of the new Fujifilm "FPR" Program. This new conservation initiative has been developed to encourage kids, age 16 and under, to catch a fish, have their picture taken with the catch, then release the fish back into the water. It’s an innovative way to get kids to try their hand at fishing and drives home the message about environmental preservation. Details of a special Fujifilm "FPR" Photo Contest will be made available to each youngster attending one of the Kids All-American Fishing Derbies.

The Southwest Airlines "I Caught a Fish" Contest: Every youngster catching a fish at a Kids All-American Fishing Derby event – any specie, any size – is eligible for this drawing. The youngster simply fills out an entry form which is returned to HOFI. The national grand prize winner, whose name will be drawn at the conclusion of all the derbies, will receive four round trip tickets to any Southwest Airlines published destination.

With events scheduled across the nation, Wal-Mart stores in select locations will partner to host these fishing derbies and will serve as a pre-registration site prior to the events.

In this our fifteenth year, we are pleased to have such an outstanding group of sponsors for our program," said Gordon Holland, HOFI spokesman. "The corporate sponsors are helping to provide a fishing experience we’re sure the youngsters will remember for a life time."

The philosophy of the Kids All-American Fishing Derby is to introduce youngsters and their families to an appreciation and respect for the environment, through conservation methods encouraged by means of hands-on participation in the outdoors and the sport of fishing. Groups or agencies interested in receiving information about hosting a kids fishing derby in their community in 2002 should contact: Hooked On Fishing International, P O Box 660, Ketchum, OK 74349, fax: (918) 782-4324, or e-mail info@kids-fishing.com.

(posted March 2001)