Education

The Bristol Bay Heritage Land Trust established the Bristol Bay Fly Fishing & Guide Academy in 2008, engaging the youth of Bristol Bay in conservation and preparing them for employment opportunities tied to healthy fish habitat.

Bristol Bay Fly Fishing & Guide Academy

The Academy was the vision of Luki Akelkok, Tribal Chief of Ekwok, Owner of Marlug’s Lodge on the Nushagak River and then Vice President of the Land Trust; Tim Troll, the Executive Director of the Land Trust; and Nanci Morris Lyon the owner of Bear Trail Lodge on the Naknek River. The first Academy was held in the fall of 2008 at the Ekwok Lodge.

The Bristol Bay Fly Fishing & Guide Academy (formerly the River Academy) uses the practice and philosophy of fly fishing as a means to introduce the youth of Bristol Bay to the biology of salmon, the ecology of rivers and lakes, and the value of stewardship and conservation. Fly fishing is also a skill that can lead to employment opportunities tied to the healthy watersheds that support Bristol Bay’s vibrant recreational lodge and growing visitor industry. The mission of the Academy is to inspire the next generation of local leaders to be advocates for habitat conservation in their communities and become ambassadors for the visitors from around the world who come to enjoy the pristine environment of Bristol Bay.

First Bristol Bay Fly Fishing & Guide Academy 2008 at Ekwok Lodge on the Nushagak River L to R in front: founders Nanci Morris-Lyon, Luki Akelkok and Tim Troll

Trout Unlimited, Bristol Bay Native Corporation and Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation now help sponsor the Academy. The location rotates around the region annually in partnership with local lodges. Volunteer instructors, donations from avid fly fishers and support from such organizations as Orvis, Inc., the Alaska Fly Fishers, and The Southwest Alaska Salmon Habitat Partnership have been critical. Support from government agencies like NOAA, BLM and the USF&WS have also been instrumental to the continued success of the Academy.

Website: Bristol Bay Fly Fishing & Guide Academy https://bristolbayriveracademy.org/

Watch these films about the Academy and some of our past participants

Academy Gallery

Also follow the Academy Facebook page for more photographs and information about upcoming events and applications https://www.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=100063522295756