Recreational Fishing Community and Congressional Leaders Gather to Support Jim Range National Casting Call

April 15, 2011 (Washington, DC) - Members of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) and representatives of the recreational fishing community gathered last night on Capitol Hill to kick off the Jim Range National Casting Call which begins today and concludes Saturday with the Family & Youth Casting Call.

The Jim Range National Casting Call, hosted by the American Fly Fishing Trade Association, is an annual fishing event at Fletcher's Cove at the C&O Canal National Historical Park in Washington, DC.  The event is intended to provide government decision makers with the opportunity to fish for shad in the Potomac River and learn about the importance of collaborative fisheries conservation.

"The sport of fly fishing and the fly fishing industry have many friends on Capitol Hill and in Washington DC and we heard a number of great fishing stories last night. We are here to thank them and to remind them that issues such as clean water, habitat and access are essential to America's 38 million active anglers and the fishing industry,” said Jim Klug, Chairman of the Board for the American Fly Fishing Trade Association.

More than 10 members of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus attended the kick-off reception on Thursday along with leaders of the recreational fishing community from across the country, including representatives of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), American Sportfishing Association, Trout Unlimited and the National Fish Habitat Board, to discuss clean water and critical habitat, recreational fishing access and trade, tax, and business development.

CSF President Jeff Crane and CSC Member and founding Co-Chair, Congressman Don Young of Alaska, spoke about Wallop-Breaux reauthorization in the upcoming highway bill. “Sportsmen are a force in Congress and our Caucus is very effective, but we face a serious challenge ahead on reauthorization of Wallop-Breaux in crafting a highway bill in this budget environment,” said Rep. Young.

“Those of us who love fishing are all very grateful for the leadership of the sportsmen’s caucus members who have been working on our behalf to ensure healthy aquatic habitats and public access to recreational fishing spots,” said Crane.

Former CSC Co-Chairmen, Rep. Mike Thompson of California and Sen. Mike Enzi of Wyoming were awarded “Legislators of the Year” for their work on behalf of recreational angling and other sportsmen’s issues.

“Fishing is my passion and it was so wonderful to look around the room tonight and see people in the fishing industry and those who purchase products from the industry coming together to work with Congress on behalf of sportsmen,” said Enzi.