President's Message

Greetings to all members throughout our province. It’s an honour for me to introduce myself, Michael Barr, as the new president of the BC Federation of Fly Fishers. 

Firstly, I want to acknowledge past president Myles Armstead, and the many legends before him who have provided leadership for our small but mighty organization. Under Myle’s leadership, there has been a steady building of momentum to reenergize the organization over the last several years. This was an intentional and thoughtful effort on his part which, combined with some luck, has culminated in an enthusiastic and capable Board of Directors (BOD, whom I also acknowledge). That led to many new BOD developments, mostly visibly an updated website, return of an in-person AGM, and the return of our signature Fly Lines magazine. 

It is natural for organizations to ebb and flow though time with BOD member changes, or surprises like COVID. Organizations can be victims of this pattern, or they can seize on it as an opportunity. Seeing opportunity, the reenergized BOD opted to launch a strategic review: it’s partly a look back to honour who we’ve been and at the same time ask who we want to be in the future? It’s a lofty ambition for a small volunteer-driven organization, but it has excited those of us directly involved, and judging from those at the AGM, members too! This development, combined with recent significant fisheries policy advances (see the conservation article), new international partnerships, and continuing demonstration projects, is only adding to an upward swing for the BCFFF. I hope this plan guides us well over the next few years; that our network strengthens, capability widens, and policy influence grows. I also hope that many of you who often ask ‘what can I do to help?’ will see a place for yourself both as a member AND a contributor to our collective work for our fishery’s future. More on this soon.

In the meantime, go fishing! 

Michael Barr

President of the BC Federation of Fly Fishers