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End of Year
NEWSLETTER
December 2019
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2019 ANNUAL MEETING
Thanks to everyone who came out to IOGA's 65th Annual Conference and Meeting of the Membership in Lewiston earlier this Month. We've been receiving great, positive feedback from folks about the programming/ format and look forward to making the 2020 Annual Meeting (Save the Date: Week of December 7, 2020 at the Red Lion in Boise) even better. Thanks also to all of our Agency partners, state and federal representatives, and presenters for making it a worthwhile and valuable event, and to our sponsors for making it all possible (Lewiston Tribune, Clearwater River Casino, CBIZ Sattler Adventure Sports, Arctic Reservations, SCI, Aire, Jack's PLastic, Downriver, Maravia, Dragonfly Tarps, Cascade Outfitters, Sockeye Brewing).
Last but not least, thanks to our panelists, Keynote speakers, and moderator for participating in the IOGA Forum on Salmon, Steelhead and the Outfitting Industry--Governor Little, Ed Bowles, Jim Fredericks, Dave Johnson, Danielle Cloutier, Jerry Myers, Kristin Troy, Emerald LaFortune, Roy Akins, Jeff Jarret and Rocky Barker.
The Forum was well attended, and more importantly, meaningful in context, content and for the conversation(s) it engaged and those that grew out of it. For those of you not able to make it to the forum, you can read some of the coverage about it here: ID Outfitters and Guides Talk Salmon & Steelhead
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Tell It To Us Straight & Give us Direction!
I. Stibnite Survey
We've heard a lot from folks who attended the meeting about the Mining in Idaho Presentation, which featured representatives from Midas Gold (McKinsey Lyon - VP External Affairs) and the Conservation Community (John Robison - Idaho Conservation League). Most of that feedback has been concern about the potential environmental/ecological impacts of the proposed Stibnite Mine and consequent effects on outfitter businesses. But in order to more effectively gauge IOGA membership opinion on the issue, we are asking you help provide insight and direction by following the link below and completing the survey. It will only take a couple minutes (SurveyMonkey guesses 3-minutes on average) and is critical to informing how we engage and respond (or don't) on the issue.
Here is the link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/IOGA_StibniteSurvey
II. Annual Meeting Feedback
We know that everyone dug the casino. But it's genuinely really helpful to hear back from you all in terms of what was valuable or not, what you'd like to see more or less of or see at all at next year's meeting. Please let us know what you think about this year's annual meeting.
Here's the link (this one is even faster): https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Meeting2019IOGA
III. Salmon & Steelhead Forum
Finally, please take just a couple more minutes (last one; promise) to give us your feedback on the Salmon & Steelhead forum put on in conjunction with this year's meeting and your opinion on the specific approach you'd like to see the Association take in working toward restoring abundance.
Here is the link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/IOGASalmonandSteelhead
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The THAW | Gala & Auction | Feb. 19, 2020
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This year's THAW Fundraising Dinner is:
- New and Improved!
- 'Nuff said.
WHAT: THAW Gala & Auction
WHEN: February 19, 2020
WHERERiverside Hotel | Boise, ID
IOGA is revamping The Thaw, our premier fundraising event of the year, but with key, familiar elements sticking around. As in previous years, this year's dinner event will feature a silent auction (with all kinds of great gear and items for outfitter businesses and the outfitted public) and a live auction as well as the opportunity to mingle with your colleagues from across the state. The dinner will also feature keynote speaker (to be announced soon) and live music.
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Fish and Game Commission votes to reopen steelhead fishing on the Clearwater in 2020
This is great news for our outfitter and guide brethren up north, and for their communities.
It’s also important that our community, this industry, not lose sight of the forest through the trees. In other words, welcome as this development is, and thankful as we rightly are, we can’t lose sight of the broader condition of which this was symptom: that these fish have been in decline for decades, that it has hurt us as an industry, that it has hurt us in the rural communities we call home, and that we are called upon as sportsman, professionals, stewards, and Idahoans to do what is necessary to restore them to abundance.
Read More:
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Salmon & Steelhead Workgroup Meeting - Back in Boise
The sixth meeting of the Governor's workgroup on Salmon & Steelhead is scheduled for January 17, in Boise, ID (and January 18, in parts as yet unknown...)
We strongly encourage outfitters and guides, in particular those licensed for salmon/steelhead fishing, to attend the meeting and share your perspectives on this important issue. Our industry is, in no small part, built upon the health and success of these fish, and the state of Idaho is built upon the health and success of our industry. Members of the work group as well as the general public, need to understand how integral sport fishing is to not only the state's economy, but also our sense of community and connection. It is up to us to communicate this message and protect the fish that we all rely on.
If you would like to submit comment but cannot appear in person, here is the link to the Public Comment Form.
(If you are an outfitter or guide and are motivated to attend and speak at the upcoming workgroup meeting, please contact us for any help you might need finding transport or with any questions you might have regarding the meeting or the broader issue itself.)
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Salmon-Challis National Forest Revision Plan Update
In September, Forest Supervisor Chuck Mark announced the Salmon-Challis National Forest will change direction and evaluate the 1988 Salmon Forest Plan and the 1987 Challis Forest Plan separately. Since that time, the forest has been developing a process for how they mean to review and evaluate the current Salmon and Challis Forest Plans. The review process, as outlined by Forest Supervisor Chuck Mark is outlined in quote below:
"The overall purpose of the review will be to help inform whether we should amend, revise, or take no action on our current forest plans. Our first step is to assemble a list of current plan direction for each plan that is organized around key topics; such as, mining, grazing, timber, fire management, or recreation. Next, we plan to evaluate each plan’s direction to determine what direction worked or did not work and why. We will also be evaluating whether additional direction is needed to address current or anticipated issues.
We are currently assessing the best way to engage with stakeholders in reviewing each forest plan. We are looking at scheduling topic based workshops during the winter and spring (e.g. mining, grazing, recreation, fire management, etc.). In addition, our current forest plans are available for review both online at https://go.usa.gov/xpw6e and at the supervisor’s office and ranger stations. If you have any questions, please contact Tom Ford, Ecosystems Staff Officer at 208-756-5290 or by email at: [email protected]. "
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TOPIC: Salmon & Steelhead
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WATCH: Idaho Couple Films Viral Video of Mountain Lion, Deer Locked in Life-or-Death Battle
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- 6th Salmon & Steelhead Workgroup Meeting | Jan 17, 2020 | Boise, Idaho
- Safari Club International Show: Feb. 5-8, 2020 | Reno, NV
- The THAW Annual Gala & Auction: Feb. 19, 2020 | Riverside Hotel | Boise
- ITC Tourism Tour - Region III: March 24, 2020 | 700 W State St. | Boise
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IOGA is Looking for a Social Media Manager
To help administer--forthcoming--IOGA Idaho Brand sites (Raft, Fish, Hunt, Ride, Guest Ranch, Jetboat). If you or somebody you know has a knack for social promotion and engagement, has some spare time and would like to make a bit of extra money, please get in touch with our Marketing Committee Chair, Erik Weiseth: [email protected], or Aaron Lieberman: [email protected]
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Looking for Help?
Elm Outfitters & Guides Training School Program has students ready and eager to go to work. If you are in need of a well-trained individual(s) for Fall, Summer, or Spring seasons i.e. Packers/Guides/Wranglers. Please give us a call or email.
Thank you,
Michael & Julie Knott
Elm Outfitters & Guides Training Program Inc.
Ph. 406-961-3603
Email: [email protected]
www.elmguideschool.com
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