The BCFFF Conservation Fund currently has a value of over $200,000. The Fund started as the Gilly Fund in the mid-1980s when Alf Davey, a high school teacher from Kelowna, persuaded a young BCFFF to assist with the funding of the publication of a book on British Columbia fly-fishing. Drawing on the expertise of 16 well known BC anglers Alf coerced them into putting that expertise into print.
Their knowledge of lake, river and saltwater fly-fishing along with artwork and photos coalesced in The Gilly which went to print in 1985. This modest book of 184 pages went through 11 printings, sold over 50,000 copies and was in several years recognized as a national bestseller.
All earnings from The Gilly went to our BCFFF Conservation Fund, giving it an enormously solid foundation. The book is now out of print, but has earned an honoured place in BC fly-fishing history.