After traveling throughout Alaska for the past four months, I’ve finally had some time to sit back and reflect on those journeys, the people I’ve met, the fisheries visited. And whether it was the owner of a high-end lodge catering to the wealthy traveling angler, or an average fisherman out to bring home a salmon for the table, anglers across the state voiced their concerns to me.

Permeating every discussion, it seemed, was talk of the need for greater protection and allocation of our fishery resources. From the Ayakulik to the Togiak, Kenai to Seward, Iliamna to the Arolik, I had similar conversations with far different people. And while the concept isn’t new, it certainly seems that there is a new enthusiasm in solving old problems, a healthy energy perhaps born out of the recessed state of our economy. It’s my narrow opinion that those involved in the sport-fishing business have more time and perspective to lend to the issues that affect the long-term sustainability of their business, if for no other reason than to deflect the storm of financial uncertainty.

King salmon returns in 2009 appear to be widely down. We witnessed diminished runs on the Ayakulik, with small enough returns to eventually close that blue-ribbon stream to king salmon fishing. Similarly, Mat-Su Valley rivers suffered, as did the contingent of roadside Chinook warriors, as we saw those streams also subjected to closure. Yukon River kings appeared to be all but absent and from the people I spoke with, I’d gather that the mighty Nushagak had a down year. We had the pleasure of fishing the Togiak, and while the fishing was still fantastic, we worked harder than normal to find fish.

Let’s first make it crystal-clear: the king salmon fishing in Alaska is still among the best on the planet. Let’s also declare that there’s some cyclical dynamic to salmon runs that seems difficult to predict. Yet I draw the conclusion that something larger is at work. Is this an in-river issue, mortality related to environmental conditions on the high-seas, or is the bi-catch in the commercial fleet helping decimate king salmon returns? Could it be some combination of the three?

Regardless, one thing is certain: As sport fishermen we must step up and get involved in the protection of the fish stocks in order for them to remain healthy in perpetuity. The majority of the salmon and halibut resources in Alaska are designated to commercial interests, and I feel that we need to fight to get more of the fish that are out there, and to better protect the ones that we’ve already got. This means getting active.

There are a number of battles that are being waged on our behalf, so pick the fish or the fight that means the most to you and find a way to help. From decreased halibut limits, to the threat of large-scale heavy metal mining in the Bristol Bay watershed, to diminishing Mat-Su Valley stocks and many more statewide concerns, there are myriad issues that need our support.

Additionally, there are a variety of ways to get involved. Some are as simple as spending more time getting educated or donating money to some of the organizations that serve to protect the resource. Several that come to mind and are active in Alaska include Renewable Resources Coalition, Coastal Conservation Association, Alaska Charter Association and Trout Unlimited. How about coming out for a local meeting, joining any of the many Alaskan sport-fishing entities or getting involved politically at any level? Also, for the few true visionaries out there, we could sure use a statewide agency that unifies all sport-fishing interests in Alaska and brings a unified, single voice to bear in state and federal decisions. I’m ready to join that group.

In the end, we spend most of our time in this magazine basking in the grandeur of Alaska’s fisheries. If we—and you—want that opportunity to remain for the generations to come, give something back. Get educated

Marcus Weiner
Publisher