The Conservation Angler

On the Sandy River in Alaska, guides are supporting research efforts that ultimately inform scientists about best practices for conservation and protecting steelhead.

Learn more:
theconservationangler.org

Photo: Guideline

There’s nothing like finding good steelhead water ...

Photo: Dave McCoy Photography

After more than two decades of wild fish advocacy, The Conservation Angler is launching a new chapter — building The Northern Crown — a Pacific Rim network of sentinel rivers turning anglers, guides, and lodges into partners in wild steelhead science. Such work is the focus of Alaska Steelhead Project — a film now available on YouTube. Be sure to check it out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gS3aRSXwfKo&t=17s

Photos: Guideline

Vibrant color on a gorgeous B.C. steelhead.

Photo: Dave McCoy Photography

Meet Dave McCoy, our first Conservation Angler Ambassador.

Dave is the owner of Emerald Water Anglers in Seattle and a lifelong steelhead angler whose roots run deep in the Pacific Northwest. Raised near Eugene, Oregon, Dave grew up fishing some of the region’s most iconic waters, including Crane Prairie, Hosmer Lake, the Deschutes, McKenzie, and North Umpqua rivers.

Those early days on the water shaped more than his love of fishing. They helped build a lifelong connection to rivers, wild fish, and the responsibility anglers have to protect the places and fish that shape us.

In 1999, Dave founded Emerald Water Anglers, which has become much more than a fly shop and guide service. It is a place where new anglers are welcomed, experienced anglers continue to grow, and the fly fishing community is challenged to become more inclusive, thoughtful, and conservation-minded.

Dave has used his voice, business, and platform to advocate for wild fish, responsible angling, and a stronger conservation ethic across the steelhead community.

That is exactly why we are honored to welcome him as our first Ambassador.

The Conservation Angler’s Ambassador Program is built around stewardship, not brand promotion. Ambassadors are anglers, guides, shop owners, storytellers, and community leaders who know wild steelhead rivers and want to give something back.

Wild steelhead conservation depends on science, but it also depends on trusted voices in the angling community who can help turn concern into action.

Dave represents that spirit fully.

Welcome, Dave. Please support his shop to help conserve wild steelhead.

https://theconservationangler.org/blog/ambassador-program-launch

The lush forests of Southeast Alaska hide some of the best creek and small river fishing for steelhead you might find anywhere in the world. But these remote waters aren’t easy to get to and often require a good boat ride before some demanding hiking on fairly untraveled trails.

Photos: Dave McCoy Photography

The Conservation Angler is committed to protecting wild steelhead by turning anglers into scientists and fishing lodges into research stations across the Pacific Rim, from California to Kamchatka.

Learn more about our work and approach at the link below.

theconservationangler.org

Photo: Dave McCoy Photography

Alaska steel!

Photo: Guideline

Always happy to spot a couple of these beauties when walking a river.

Photos: Dave McCoy Photography

In case you missed it:

We are thrilled to welcome renowned fly-fishing filmmaker, photographer, and storyteller Todd Moen to our Board of Directors.

A co-founder of Catch Magazine, Todd has spent decades helping anglers see wild fish, wild rivers, and the places they depend on with deeper wonder, respect, and responsibility.

His joining comes at an exciting moment for TCA as we expand our focus on angler science, wild steelhead, and long-term conservation across the Pacific Rim. Through The Northern Crown, our emerging network of sentinel rivers from California to Kamchatka, we are working to turn anglers, guides, and fishing lodges into partners in the collection of critical biological data for wild steelhead conservation. Todd understands steelhead. He understands anglers. And he understands the power of storytelling to move people from appreciation to action.

https://theconservationangler.org/blog/todd-moen-board-of-directors