Public Lands/Waters: If you don’t care enough to advocate in favor of keeping them public, do everyone a favor and stop fishing on them.

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There are many reasons to appreciate being a fly angler in the United States of America. We have abundant, diverse river systems and plenty of lakes and ponds. We have native fish, wild fish—even stocked fish, which so long as they don’t impede native and wild fish can be an asset in that they get some people hooked on fishing in the first place. The more you care about fish and fishing at all, the more you might come to realize just how precious those native and wild fish are.

But what sets the American angler apart from almost any other on the planet is that we have millions of acres and thousands of miles of fishable streams (and lakes) that are available to us as a birthright. I’ve fished all around the world and have enjoyed every minute of doing so. But what makes my soul filled with joy is the realization that, as an American, I share ownership, and have access to more places than any one person might endeavor to fish in a lifetime.

So it breaks my heart when certain pavement-bound members of our government think it’s a good idea to divest of public lands. And it’s especially troubling when some people who are serious anglers seem willing to fall in line and think that’s a good idea. It isn’t a political issue—at least it shouldn’t be. It’s a cultural issue, and I have plenty of friends from both sides of the political aisle who stand fast in support of keeping America’s public lands, with good reason.

Here are some facts:

– 70 percent of habitat for native trout in the Rockies is on public land.

– Public lands provide access to 70 million hunters and anglers.

– Over half the “blue ribbon” trout streams in America flow through public lands.

There are 640 million acres of public land in the US… which loosely means each citizen “owns” and shares a couple of acres, whether they know it or not. You might not have a deed, and might not know exactly where they are, but you’re a public land owner if you’re an American.

Frankly, my two acres aren’t for sale. And I’m happy to have you fish or hunt on them, hike on them, camp, ride bikes, whatever, wherever they may be.

But if you want to sell my piece of public land, I say GTFO.

If you’re a fly angler who supports the sale of public lands (which will likely never be reclaimed), stop fishing on them, stop hunting, stop hiking and camping, right now. Stay out of the national forests, don’t fish in National Parks, keep off the BLM land, and stick to your private water if you own it, or pay to go there.

You’re trespassing. Maybe not on the land itself (yet), rather you’re trespassing on a uniquely American ideal. And the rest of us don’t need you, and we don’t want you stomping around and fishing on our land.

If, on the other hand, you truly care about public lands, access, and your right to fish and hunt there… be heard. It’s never been more important, and the threat has never been greater. The rest of us public land advocates not only need you, we appreciate you, and will support you more than ever before. Please, voice up and take a stand.

-K. Deeter

To stand up for public lands, click this link here.