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MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of Northern Kentucky Fly Fishers, Inc is to promote the sport of fly fishing through leadership of and participation in educational, conservation, and preservation activities.

EDUCATION COMMITMENT

NKFF is committed to teaching all aspects of the art, science and sport of fly-fishing. What fly-fishing is and is not, how to do it (locally and abroad) for most species of fish and why it is important to pass that knowledge on to future generations. Teaching what constitutes appropriate "fly tackle" and how to use it, explaining why fly-tying is a natural extension of the basic sport and continuing the education process even further into the world of rod-building and net-building are the primary goals Northern Kentucky Fly Fishers. 

CONSERVATION FRAMEWORK

Northern Kentucky Fly Fishers supports the rights of anglers to recreationally pursue fishing in the waters of the United States. Recognizing that all fish species require water conditions of high enough quality to allow them to grow, propagate and maintain population levels that allow for recreational angling.  NKFF, by vote of its Board of Directors, adopts this policy in support of fishable waters.

The U.S. Clean Water Act of 1972 establishes a policy of maintaining fishable waters. Northern Kentucky Fly Fishers, in support of the U.S. Clean Water Act, shall…

1. Support the Federal and State environmental agencies in their implementation and enforcement of water quality standards applicable to fish;
2. Coordinate our volunteer activities and financial resources with other conservation and environmental organizations seeking to protect water quality;
3. Participate in clean-up and restoration projects to build or improve fisheries;
4. Encourage our members to monitor our favorite fishing streams and lakes by utilizing the appropriate tests from reliable sources to measure temperature, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and other state and federal water quality measures to assure compliance with established standards;
5. Report pollution events (oil and chemical spills, suspected polluting outfalls, violations of water quality standards, etc.) to emergency and enforcement officials.

In appreciation of the quality resources gifted us by our forbearers; we shall leave these resources no less diminished to our children.

PRESERVATION EXPLANATION

Simply put, our preservation efforts include two main objectives:

1. Guarding our right to fish
2. Insuring access to public waters

Let’s take a closer look at each of these objectives.

Guarding our right to fish  -  You might be asking why in the world is this even necessary.  After all, some government agencies, like the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR), actively encourage us to fish and charge us for the privilege.  Well, I know you’ve heard of PETA.  What about the CAA, and Pices?  All of these animal rights groups have various strategies to eliminate our right to fish or to persuade people not to fish.  How serious are they?  Take a look at PETA’s website (http://www.fishinghurts.com/feat-newcomic.asp) and read the new comic for kids called “Taking Aim at Dads Who Fish”.  Clearly, it’s a campaign to persuade the kids not fish, and to put pressure on their dads to stop fishing.  Recognizing the attack on sports fishing, the National Angling Alliance has even developed a tips guide for fisherman that are confronted by anti-fishing organizations. 

So what action will NKFF take on this issue?  For now, it’s mainly to stay informed, insuring that we flyfishers are aware of these attacks that might impact fishing rights for our children and grandchildren.  At some point, we may need to become more active in countering the anti’s.

Insuring Access to Public Waters  -  Two prongs to this objective.  First is to maintain the public access that we already have.  Second is to increase access wherever possible. While the first might seem to be a given, don’t be too sure.  Remember the effort a few years ago by some of the animal rights groups to eliminate fishing in all rivers and streams in National Parks?  Didn’t get any foothold at that time, but I’ll bet we’ll see new attacks like this in the future. On the positive side, we are fortunate to have the KDFWR that has purchased access points to rivers and streams, and built lakes that we can fish.  Dr. John Gassett, the new KDFWR Commissioner, has shared his vision to increase public access to fishing and hunting throughout Kentucky. 

An example of how NKFF can get involved is our recent Board decision to endorse the Conservation Easement Tax Credit proposal recently forwarded to Gov. Fletcher.  This proposal is strongly favored by the KDFWR as a way to increase public lands and public access.  See more on this topic in the newsletter.  How’s more public access to local streams sound to you?