Initiative aims to preserve and protect America’s most iconic waterways
Simms Fishing Products will soon kick off Save Our Streams (SOS), a campaign designed to raise money and awareness toward the protection and preservation of America’s most iconic waterways.
Across the United States, a multitude of watersheds, beloved by anglers, and relied upon by fishing focused businesses face great threats in the form of mines, pollution, closure and more. Anglers have a special appreciation of, and personal relationship with these bodies of water but the reality is, their health has a direct effect on more than just the fishing community.
“The health of our rivers and streams doesn’t only have an effect on our business here at Simms, it has an effect on any and all businesses that rely on clean water. It’s my hope that the fishing industry as a whole, and the greater fishing community can come together, take action, and make a difference so that future generations can enjoy the same privilege that we have,” said Simms Owner/CEO, K.C. Walsh.
Each month, Simms will launch a limited edition T-shirt (available in Men’s and Women’s Sizes) inspired by a threatened river or stream and designed by renowned artists from across the country. A portion of every t-shirt sale (available through retail partners and www.simmsfishing.com/sos<https://www.simmsfishing.com/sos>) will go back to a non-profit partner fighting on the front lines towards the conservancy of that particular body of water.
Save Our Streams kicks off this April and will first focus on a river very near and dear to Bozeman based Simms Fishing Products, the Yellowstone. Presently, two foreign-backed gold mining companies (Lucky Minerals and Crevice Mining Group) are planning to explore along the banks of the upper tributaries of the Yellowstone River. Both exploration and large-scale mines would put hundreds, if not thousands of jobs that rely on this river at risk, and potentially wreak environmental havoc on the entire ecosystem.
To bolster efforts against the proposed mines on the Yellowstone, Simms has partnered with the Greater Yellowstone Coalition<http://www.greateryellowstone.org> (GYC). Founded in 1983, GYC is the only locally based group that advocates full time for the 20-million-acre, Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
“We’re honored to be working with Simms to protect the Yellowstone River,” says GYC Executive Director Caroline Byrd. “Anglers are passionate about protecting their home waters and they understand that gold mines and the Yellowstone River don’t mix.” Following the Save Our Streams launch, Simms will shift their focus to Minnesota’s Boundary Waters followed by Montana’s Smith River (May and June respectfully).
