The special places we love to fish and play outside provide us more than we know. In return, we must assume an active role in ensuring they stick around. That is the heart of the relationship between anglers and the outdoors.
We challenge anglers to find a way to give back and help the places we most love to fish, whether it’s a stream near your home or the bucket list destination.
- If you spend four hours fishing every month, can you commit an hour of your time to conservation?
- For every $20 you spend on gear, can you give $2 to helping conserve the place you love?
- Can you buy conscious gifts this holiday season or donations in someone’s honor (for ideas, see below!)
Consider it an investment in a future fishing trip.
By working together, I think we can find solutions to the conservation challenges our fisheries face – but it won’t come without some time and energy.
This holiday season, we have a simple way to be an advocate and give back: consider purchasing products from partners who have committed to donating a percent of their proceeds to our work in Alaska and beyond.
Below are some gift ideas. (Click the company name in the headline to visit the page)
Thank you for considering. Wishing you a happy holiday season and a fishy (and conservation!) filled 2023!
Trout Unlimited Alaska Sweatshirts
Designed by artist and fish-advocate Shelly Marshall, these Trout Unlimited Alaska (TUAK) sweatshirts are a perfect cozy gift and support a great cause. 50% of profits are donated to TUAK to promote fish habitat conservation and educational efforts. Available in both hoodie and crewneck.
TU Gift Membership
Celebrate that special person in your life… give the gift of a Trout Unlimited membership. It is a thoughtful way to share something you both love – fishing. Plus, you can pick out a special gift to go with the membership. Best of all, your tax-deductible gift will help protect cold, clean fishable water for generations to come.
Art by Apay’uq Moore
Apay’uq Moore is a Yup’ik artist who celebrates her heritage and culture through her paintings. She is also a dedicated fisherman who harvests salmon commercially and for subsistence. She uses her artistic voice to raise awareness and mobilize others to protect the precious salmon and people of Bristol Bay.
An Alaska Flyfisher’s Odyssey
Dan Hoffman’s book “An Alaska Flyfisher’s Odyssey: Seeking a Life of Drag-Free Drift in the Land of the Midnight Sun” chronicles his life spent in the Far North in pursuit of arctic grayling, rainbow trout, and the ultimate truths in life. Dan is a lifelong Trout Unlimited member and is donating 50% of the book’s proceeds to the TU Alaska program.
Wild for Salmon and Pride of Bristol Bay
Give the gift of wild Alaska salmon this season! Wild for Salmon and Pride of Bristol Bay catch, package and ship wild Alaskan sockeye salmon and other seafood across the country, and are “wildly devoted,” meaning 1% of their proceeds are returned to helping save Bristol Bay. Use the code “TROUT10” to get a 10% discount off your order.
Orvis
Orvis is a huge supporter of the work to protect Bristol Bay. When you shop with Orvis, a portion of your purchase comes back to our work to ensure threats like the proposed Pebble mine are a problem of the past and future generations can experience Bristol Bay’s uniquely intact, amazing resources like we do today.
Alaska Fly Out Apparel
Alaska Fly Out supplies much of the photo and video assets that inspire people around the country to take action for Bristol Bay. And, they also happen to have rad swag. Check it out!
Shell Art
Artist Shelly Marshall lives in Juneau, AK, and her art has allowed her to engage and educate audiences that may have otherwise not been reached. She has been involved in varying degrees with many organizations including America’s Salmon Forest. For every purchase of the America’s Salmon Forest sticker, Shelly will donate 100% of the proceeds to conserving fish and wildlife habitat in the Tongass.
SouthLine Industries
A nod to one of the most competitive areas to fish in Bristol Bay, SouthLine Industries LLC was created by veterans, outdoorsmen, and fishermen. Creative designs let you rep your support of Bristol Bay and opposition to Pebble Mine loudly and proudly. A portion of proceeds from all Bristol Bay apparel is donated to the Save Bristol Bay effort.
The Trip of a Lifetime
Give the avid angler in your life their bucket list trip with a week at a world-class Bristol Bay lodge or trip to the Tongass. Check out the Trout Unlimited Business members in Alaska and book a stay for the 2023 fishing season. We recommend getting help with your travel with Alaska Fly Out to get started!
P.S. Bug spray might be a good stocking stuffer.
“The Salmon Way”
Give the gift of Bristol Bay inspiration this holiday season. Amy Gulick’s new book, “The Salmon Way” captures the natural beauty of Bristol Bay, the stories of people who have lives there for thousands of years, and the grit that makes the region so special.
Bristol Bay Native Corporation Holiday Gift Guide
For unique and meaningful gifts that also support the Bristol Bay region, check out the Bristol Bay Native Corporation Holiday Gift Guide. This is a one-of-a-kind collection featuring businesses owned by BBNC shareholders, who are rooted in the salmon-centric culture and heritage of Bristol Bay. By buying from these businesses, you are also helping to preserve the natural treasure of Bristol Bay and the way of life of its people.
Sockeye Sumatra Coffee
Salmo Java (based in Kalamazoo, Michigan) has created this special blend to honor their passion for fishing in wild places like Bristol Bay. Use the code ‘TU10’ to get 10% discount. 50% of proceeds from this coffee will be donated back to the Save Bristol Bay campaign.
As we enter a busy shopping and giving time, we encourage you to choose gifts that tell the story of Alaska, give others a taste of our incredible fisheries, or products that help spread the word about Pebble and other threats to our salmon and trout. If buying isn’t your thing this holiday season, a good ‘ole donation always helps the cause. You can donate here.
To our business partners and supporters: thank you from the bottom of our fish-filled hearts. In this season, we are incredibly grateful for your generosity, commitment and efforts to stand with us for a healthy, fishable future for Alaska. Happy holidays from the Trout Unlimited family to yours!