Fly Fishing Canada, formed in 1987 to promote fly fishing as a conservation ethic, announced today that it would postpone the 1st Pacific Rim Saltwater Fly Fishing Championship and Conservation Symposium. A joint decision from Jack Simpson, Executive Director of Fly Fishing Canada (FFC) and Tony Cording of Yamaha Motor Canada, the measure was in support of the recent Coho Recovery Plan announced June 19th by Fisheries Minister David Anderson. The event was scheduled to be held in the area waters off Tofino, British Columbia, September 15-19, 1998.

Their decision was both unselfish and ethically minded as Simpson explains, "Even though this championship was to be strictly catch and release, using single barbless hooks and held in Clayquot Sound where the coho stocks are not in trouble, a decision has been made to postpone this championship. This is to bring support for the Coho Recovery Plan announced by the Federal Fisheries Minister David Anderson on Friday June 19, 1998."

"The Minister's Coho Recovery Plan is a bold and necessary conservation based management initiative, and we hope that postponing this event will expand the positive support of the Canadian and International fly fishing communities for this plan."

"I greatly appreciate all the hard work local committee members did on organizing this tournament" Simpson added. "Since all of the proceeds of this championship were to help fund local conservation projects, Fly Fishing Canada will donate $5,000 to the Tofino Salmon Enhancement Society to continue their fine work on enhancing the local salmon stocks. I have visited their hatchery facilities and encourage others to donate to this volunteer organization."

Tony Cording of Yamaha Motor Canada endorses the position taken by Fly Fishing Canada. "Fly Fishing Canada has made a very responsible decision in this postponement, which is in step with important fish conservation measures in B.C. Yamaha Motor Canada will also support the Tofino Salmon Enhancement Society with a matching $5,000 contribution. We look forward to joining with Fly Fishing Canada again at a more appropriate time in the future as a major sponsor of this event."

Both Fly Fishing Canada and Yamaha Motor Canada are well known for their contributions to diverse conservation projects.

For further information call:

Jack Simpson - (905) 678-0422
Dick Close - (250) 725-3995

For Donations to the Tofino Salmon Enhancement Society, mail to:

Tofino Salmon Enhancement Society
Box 476 Tofino, B.C.
V0R 2Z0