Sportsman’s Alliance for Alaska
February 24, 2009 Newsletter and Auction Update
Sport Show Schedule
Well, the end is nearly in sight for the winter show season. Pasadena, Calif., was great last weekend, with help from a very nice couple of volunteers. The coming weekend has two shows, so Mark from Juneau will be coming down to work the last of the four shows he covered this winter.
Here’s what’s left for the SAA road show 2009 edition:
- Feb. 27- Mar. 1 Pleasanton, CA
- The Fly Fishing Show
- Look for the special raffle for this print by Bay area steelheader Jeff Bright
- The Fly Fishing Show
- Feb. 27 - Mar. 1 Glendale, AZ
- Mar. 5-8 Fort Worth, TX
- Mar. 6-8 Bloomington, MN
- Great Waters Fly Fishing Expo (show being covered by Renewable Resources Coalition)
- Mar. 7-8 Warren, MI
- Mar. 12-15 Minneapolis, MN
- Northwest Sport Show (show being covered by Renewable Resources Coalition)
- Apr. 18-19 Waynesboro, VA
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! If you are interested in volunteering at any of the shows listed above, please contact scott@sportsmansalliance4ak.org. We could really use a few hands for the shows in Arizona, Texas, Minnesota and Michigan. Reports from volunteers at earlier shows this year are very positive, and many of these fine folks are looking forward to helping again in 2010.
Major Pebble Partner Cutting 19,000 Jobs Worldwide
Anglo American PLC, the London-based partner in the Pebble Partnership is cutting jobs at operations worldwide. This announcement came last Friday, but it’s not yet certain what the effect will be on the Pebble project.
Organizations and Businesses Signing Letter to Secretary Salazar for Bristol Bay Protections
Last Thursday, I sent a note to my contacts at angling and hunting groups, lodges and outfitters, fly shops and manufacturers of fishing and hunting products. The note included text of a letter to the new Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar, asking him to place priority on the fish and game habitats of Bristol Bay. The BLM announced a plan last November which would lift the restrictions on mineral exploration that have been in place for over 30 years in Bristol Bay. Secretary Salazar has an opportunity to pull the plug on that recommendation and improve the plan with protections for the world’s greatest wild salmon fishery and a sporting destination of global significance. So far, over 100 entities have signed the letter! The initial cutoff date for adding your club or business to this letter is March 5. E-mail scott@sportsmansalliance4ak.org for more info about adding your support.
Dinner and a (Bristol Bay) Movie
OK, so the dinner would be your responsibility. But here’s a special offer to fill in other parts of an evening at home with friends and family. For a donation of $60, receive a copy of the award-winning documentary film Red Gold, a 375 ml. bottle of 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon from Stonefly Vineyards and a limited edition James Prosek sockeye salmon t-shirt. That’s a savings of $10 over the items priced individually, and shipping costs are included. Additional t-shirts are available through this special promotion at $15 per shirt. This offer is limited to the first 12 responses, since I only have one case of the Stonefly wine on hand. Just make your secure online donation here and specify “movie/wine/t-shirt” in the comment box, along with the size(s) for the t-shirt(s).
Bristol Bay Movie Night Events
In last week’s newsletter, I described a showing in Portland where 80 people turned out for an evening of celebrating Bristol Bay. Red Gold and Equilibrium were shown to a standing ovation. Folks made donations to the campaign, signed petitions to decision-makers, and in general had a great time. We want to replicate this event across the country, and I’ve already had a number of people reply to me wanting to put on an event in their area. Thanks very much for the enthusiasm! We are putting the finishing touches on the nuts and bolts guide to hosting one of these events. With show season still going on for a few more weeks, we hope to have this ready for you by March 15. Until that time, please keep contacting me if you are interested in helping promote a Bristol Bay event in your area. You’ll receive details in mid- to late March.
Bristol Bay Online Fundraising Auction Update
The second annual fundraising auction for Bristol Bay is off to a great start, with gross proceeds already topping $14,000. Thank you to the blogs, web sites and magazines who are helping spread the word. The greater the number of people visiting the auction, the better the odds we can raise some serious money to help fight for Bristol Bay. Last year’s gross was over $50,000 which is helping raise awareness about Bristol Bay all across the country.
This auction is possible due to the very generous contributions of so many companies, lodges and artists. Please support them and support the campaign for Bristol Bay’s future by bidding on an item or two. There’s a great selection, and you should be able to find something you need or want. All starting bids are set below 65% of retail value (with one exception noted by an asterisk below), so you could get a good buy and help a great cause at the same time.
The inventory for the auction is basically set up on a rolling basis, with new items being added every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. All listings run for seven (7) days, so there are always items nearing the end of their run.
To see active listings, click here.
Completed listings:
- St. Croix “Avid” Series 6-wt fly rod – Sold Jerry in TX for $194.90
- Koktuli River float trip for 2 – Sold to Mike in AZ for $4,000
- Fishpond “Dakota” rod & reel carry-on – Sold to Mike in AZ for $90
- “Tarpon-Red Streamer” print by Derek DeYoung – Sold to Travis in CA for $152.50
- Rainbow River Lodge trip for 2 – Sold to Paul in MI for $7,600
- Cloudveil 8x Pro Waders and Boots – Sold to Michael in NC for $380
- Nautilus FW5 fly reel + SA line – Sold to Steve in IN for $276.50
- Ari ‘t Hart “Trilogy” fly reel by Exclusive Reels – Sold to Bryan in TX for $1,724
- Smith Interlock Spoiler polarized sunglasses – Sold to Frank in CA for $86
- Ross Worldwide “Essence” 7/8 fly rod/reel outfit – Sold to Amy in OR for $112.50
- Leupold 8x42mm “Cascades” binocular – Sold to Keith in CT for $227.50
- Simms “Rivershed” boot w/ Vibram sole – Sold to Robert in Canada for $177.50
- Waterworks “Force” LT2 fly reel + SA line – Sold to Tatsuya in Japan for $295.40
- “Taku” polarized sunglasses by 7Eye – Sold to Demetrios in Canada for $76
Items up for bid right now:
- Women’s Flyfishing Alaska’s Denali Highway trip for 1 woman angler + dozen flies + Redington “Chena River” women’s waders (ends Wed., 2/25) – offered at $525
- Breathable 5-Layer stockingfoot waders by Filson (ends Wed., 2/25) – selling at $180
- “Guide” boots by Korkers (ends Wed., 2/25) – selling at $90
- 2 VersiTip Fly Lines + tips from Rio Products (ends Wed., 2/25) – offered at $160
- Trip for 2 to Royal Coachman Lodge (ends Sat., 2/28) – offered at $7,500
- Original rainbow trout painting by Tim Pearson (ends Sat., 2/28) – offered at $999
- “Hidden Water” 8-wt travel fly rod by March Brown (ends Sat., 2/28) – offered at $100
- Drift boat accessories package by Clackacraft (ends Mon., 3/2) – offered at $150
- Simms “Guide” boot w/ Vibram sole (ends Mon., 3/2) – offered at $110
- Trip for 4 to Alaska’s Legend Lodge (ends Mon., 3/2) – offered at $9,878
- $500 off Custom Rod from Fetha Styx (ends Mon., 3/2) – offered at $225
Items to be listed in next seven (7) days:
- Galvan T-8 fly reel – offered at $250
- Orvis ZG Helios 910-4 fly rod + Orvis Vortex VO2 V fly reel – offered at $655
- Lefty Kreh 12-wt fly line by Jim Teeny + Insect Shield Halo shirt by Ex Officio – offered at $75
- St. Croix Premier travel spinning rod – offered at $85
- Smith Optics Spoiler Interlock polarized sunglasses – offered at $50
- Origo Fishing Pro watch – offered at $100
- Trip for 2 with Reel Wilderness Adventures – offered at $4,500
- Trip for 2 to Great Alaska Fishing Lodge – offered at $5,995
- Platinum Series 6-wt spey rod from Beulah – offered at $365
- Set of 2 Bob White / John Gierach prints – offered at $250
The entire schedule of auction items with opening bid amounts is viewable online at the SAA Web site.
Due to the busy travel schedule over the next few weeks, auction listings might not follow the schedule precisely. Also, bear in mind that items will be shipped on those few days each week when I am at the office. Thanks for your understanding and patience!
IMPORTANT NOTES ON AUCTION TRIP LISTINGS: In a nod to the economic reality of the present time, the Sportsman’s Alliance for Alaska is offering what may possibly be the best deals you’ll ever find on a bunch of fine fishing trips. Here’s the deal: The starting price for all trips will be just $500 over the regular price for 1 angler. That’s right. Basically, book a trip for one angler at regular price, and the second person comes along for as little as $500 more! Find a buddy, split the cost, and start packing for your dream trip.
If the trips don’t sell on the auction, nobody wins. If the trips do sell, everybody wins. The top bidder will get a fantastic deal on a “trip of a lifetime.” The lodge will host two enthusiastic anglers. And the SAA gets a little more in the bank to help fight the battle to save Bristol Bay.
The SAA recognizes the fact that some of these trips, even at discounted prices, may be difficult to pay for in a single lump sum. SAA is willing to work with buyers on a payment schedule if necessary. However, all trips musts be paid for in full at least 60 days prior to the departure date. Please contact me if you have any questions on this policy.
Other Opportunities to Support the Cause
- A limited supply of “No Pebble Mine” James Prosek sockeye salmon t-shirts are available. Full details can be found here. The donations for these shirts just keep rolling in, so get yours before they’re gone! SORRY, SOLD OUT
- Have you seen the No Pebble Mine reels by Abel? Only 100 of these were made, and $200 for each reel sold goes to the fight for Bristol Bay.
- Find out how you could go on a once-in-a-lifetime Alaska moose hunt and get some incredible gear for the trip too. Chances to be drawn are capped at 1 in 500, and one donor will be very happy to have helped the cause through this special promotion. (For you non-hunters, we are offering a $5,000 cash option instead of the hunt.)
- For you wine lovers, how about an order of your favorite vintage from Stonefly Vineyards? Stonefly is the official winery of the Federation of Fly Fishers, and they’re offering a great way to support the Bristol Bay campaign.
That’ll do it for this edition of the SAA E-News and Auction Update. Throughout the course of the auction, weekly updates will continue to be issued on Tuesdays.
Thanks for all you do for Alaska conservation!
Scott Hed
Director – Sportsman’s Alliance for Alaska
