FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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Few Of Us Really Stand Up

For years I have been saying that guides and folks in the fishing industry do not do nearly enough for the outdoors.  (Trust me I was just as guilty as the next guy when I was guiding.)  Theirs (our) living is made from the waters and the land, and from the creatures that reside in it, but few actually return ANY real resources to the very earth that gives them a living.  But now a great man, one of the best to ever live who I have always respected has done something that others have not, he put his money where his mouth is.

Sept 14 (Reuters) – Yvon Chouinard, the billionaire founder of the outdoor apparel brand Patagonia, said on Wednesday he is giving away the company to a trust that will use its profit to fight the climate crisis.

Instead of selling the company or taking it public, Chouinard, who became famous for alpine climbs in Yosemite National Park and has a net worth of $1.2 billion, is transferring his family’s ownership of the company to a trust and a non-profit organization.

“Each year, the money we make after reinvesting in the business will be distributed as a dividend to help fight the crisis,” he wrote in an open letter on the company’s website on Wednesday. (https://www.patagonia.com/ownership/)

“Instead of extracting value from nature and transforming it into wealth for investors, we’ll use the wealth Patagonia creates to protect the source of all wealth.”

I stand in complete awe!  He is putting his money where his mouth is.  As more and more companies are gobbled up by holding companies (Example: Pure Fishing.) it is all about profit.  But here is the bottom line, money is and will be made, but when things start to fall apart, (Example: Colorado River, California firers to mention just a couple.) those who made the money will be sitting back enjoying their short-term gains at the expense of those to come.  I am not a scientist, and unless you are, your and my opinion on climate change is worth what we paid for it.  But Yvon is willing to step up and put many of us to shame.

This gesture is epic.  I have always respected him for so many reasons and now it has gone beyond that.  For any man to lay it on the line for our sport speaks volumes about his character and his dedication.  I am not saying the rest of the industry has to give it away, but when they are spending those bucks earned off the back of the environment it might serve them, us, and the planet to remember who gave us all this – The fish and the places they live.  God Bless Yvon Chouinard.

Here is the complete story.

Patagonia founder gives away company to help fight climate crisis (yahoo.com)

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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The Carolina Skiff has gone to a new home.  It was a wistful moment as it headed out the driveway.  Other than the Boss and my daughter it is one of the longest consistencies in my life.  It was always there ready to go.  But the gentleman who bought it is the kind of guy who will, and can, fix the small stuff I ignored.  It served my purposes and hopefully the new owner will get years of enjoyment out of it like I did.  I keep telling myself it will be fine as long as the Mako holds together!

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I hate to rag on Texas A&M but after the fiasco Saturday the online sports writers have been giving them hell.  First the yell leaders trashing their opponent for being uneducated hillbillies saying they were unable to even read their own jersey.  At least they executed the game plan, who is the uneducated now.  Nothing like using a bad stereotypes that folks from the mountains do not appreciate, maybe a case of the pot calling the kettle black according to A&M’s reputation outside of Texas.  But the real biggie, remember when they rode Kevin Sumlin out of town on a rail for his record?  Well guess what?  $90 million dollars and their record under Jimbo is exactly the same as Sumlin.  Karma is a biotch and a little reflection is warranted.

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Not sure what is next, but I was compelled to put this out there today.  There are so many folks in this country who have money way beyond their needs, but they never do anything worth a hoot with it.  Easy to talk, hard to do.  It will be back to the fishing, if we have the rain/clouds coming like they say we do those bass are getting a whipping.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines