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Originally published March 2008
 Editor's Creel
More Precious Than Gold |
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In wading through some pretty terrifying piles of equipment-related material that have gathered over the course of the angling year-field notes scribbled over the knot-tying instructions that came with a new fly line, press releases from every corner of the world, some not even loosely tied to water, let alone fishing - I was understandably quick to drop all pretensions towards a big-picture view. However, worrying about such minutiae as titanium-coated spool lips and the meniscus-force balance of fly lines is no way to go through life, and so it was nice to be snapped from this Orwellian raid on absurdity by finding a press release that actually made sense.
Beginning early this year, fly-fishing manufacturers Sage, Redington and Rio teamed up to offer pre-orders on a new ready-to-fish outfit that will be shipped to customers as early as next month. Now, I know what you're thinking, for as these things go, "ready-to-fish" usually means "but not for very long". However, this time the package includes a 9-foot, 8-weight Sage Z-Axis (a product that earned a Fish Alaska editors' choice award later in this issue), a moss-colored Redington CD reel and the new RIO Gold fly line-not exactly the kind of stuff found in the bargain bin. The special package comes with a black case, embroidered with a unique slogan: "More Precious Than Gold-Save Bristol Bay."
The detail of the slogan is not a minor one, as from each outfit sold, Sage, Redington and Rio will donate $200 to Trout Unlimited Alaska, who are currently embroiled in an effort to oppose the massive Pebble open-pit mine proposal and the creation of a Bristol Bay Mining District.
Every year, millions of Pacific salmon spawn in the rich watersheds of the Bristol Bay region. Commercial, sport and subsistence fishing all depend on the wild salmon supported by these waters. For example, the Bristol Bay commercial salmon earnings account for nearly 33% of Alaska's total harvest earnings. Also, in 2005 nearly 65,000 visitors came to this region for recreational opportunities to fish, hunt, and view wildlife. And for nearly 9,000 years Alaska Natives have lived off Bristol Bay's land and waters. Mining development puts all this and much more at risk.
The Pebble Partnership, comprised of the world's second-largest multinational mining corporation, Anglo American, in partnership with mining junior Northern Dynasty, wants to create one of North America's largest open-pit gold and copper mines within a much larger potential mining district in the headwaters of Bristol Bay. The Pebble Mine complex, covering some 15 square miles, would include the largest dam in the world, larger than Three Gorges Dam in China, made of earth not concrete, to hold back the toxic waste created in the mining process.
While many within the angling industry have expressed their concern over the proposal, these three manufacturers have stepped up their support with the release of this special-edition outfit (only 300 will be offered). The outfit is being offered at just $600, about a 30% mark-down from retail, and combined with a third of the purchase price being earmarked for the preservation of the Bristol Bay watershed, it appears to be a very good deal. In all, the total anticipated donation to TU Alaska will be between $60,000 and $120,000, with the proceeds already earmarked for campaign activities dealing with the proposed mining district, as well as production, marketing and distribution of the new documentary Red Gold.
Pre-orders will be taken in two ways: By calling Sage Customer Service at (800) 533-3004, or by simply ordering online at www.redington.com. At the time of purchase, customers can extend their support even further by choosing to donate additional funds to Trout Unlimited Alaska. Sage & Redington are set up to accept additional donations in $50 increments up to a matching donation of $200.
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