California’s $60 billion tourism and recreation industry is the state’s biggest business. Fishing contributes 20 percent of that, or $12 billion. A day of fishing contributes about $70 to our economy; fishing days have increased 54 percent since 199l.
One hundred seventy-three million Americans participate in outdoor recreation each month involving themselves in an average of four different pursuits. Eighty-three percent of this recreation is done for fun, 80 percent to relax, 79 percent for exercise, 74 percent for family togetherness, 73 percent to experience nature, etc.
Fishing is the fifth most popular activity, behind walking, swimming, driving and picnicking. Fishing comes out ahead of cycling, visiting campgrounds, visiting cultural sites, hiking, golfing, skiing, etc. It is in everyone’s interest to preserve and restore stable natural ecosystems for both economic and recreational reasons. California’s rivers are second only to its beaches as recreational sites. Fishing is the No. 1 activity on our rivers.
Last, we should consider the future of these magnificent fish, the steelhead. They are fast approaching an endangered status. Your Ann Salisbury needs to give us the full picture of steelheads’ plight, as well as a picture of fisheries managers’ view of how our Southern California steelhead may contribute to the preservation of all steelhead trout.
For an idea of who’s interested, the last meeting of the Steelhead Task Force included representatives from Brad Sherman’s office, Zev Yaroslavsky’s office, the National Park Service, California State Parks, UCLA, the Sierra Club, Corps of Engineers, Mountains Restoration Trust, Heal the Bay, Southern California Watershed Alliance, Wilderness Fly Fishers, Sespe Fly Fishers, Federation of Fly Fishers, Cal Trout, and more.
This fish is important, Arnold. We’d appreciate your support.
Bo Meyer, president
Wilderness Fly Fishers