Luki Akelkok, of Ekwok, owner of the Beaver Creek and Maaluqs lodges, and a veteran sport fishing and hunting guide, an expert on the cultural history of Bristol Bay, is a faculty member for the third annual Bristol Bay Fly Fishing and Guide Academy. - Courtesy Photo, Trout Unlimited courtesy photo
13 Bristol Bay residents train as fly fishing guides
May 27th 7:12 pm | Bristol Bay Times Staff
Thirteen young area residents considering careers as sport fish guiding will embark on an eight-day adventure on Sunday as participants in the third annual Bristol Bay Fly Fishing and Guide Academy at an upscale fishing lodge near King Salmon.
Participants, aged 15-24, are coming to learn how to fly fish and master the art of guiding from long-time Bristol bay resident and lodge owner Nanci Morris Lyon and Ekwok elder Luki Akelkok, a veteran sport fishing and hunting guide and owner of two lodges, who is an expert on the cultural history of the region.
This year's students include residents of Dillingham, Naknek, Manokotak and Iguigig.
The academy staff also includes two graduates of the academy, returning assistant instructor Gayle Bartman of Manokotak,.and Ruben Hastings, of New Stuyahok.
Support for the 2011 academy comes from trout Unlimited, the Nushagak-Mulchatna/Wood Tikchik Land Trust, Bristol Bay Native corp., The Nature Conservancy, The Alaska Conservation Foundation, the Bureau of Land Management, and the University of Alaska Bristol Bay Campus.
Gear manufacturers Redington, Rio & Sage provided rods, reels, lines and other gear for the academy this year.
Recreational fishing in the Bristol Bay region is a lucrative industry that pumps an estimated $80 million into the Alaska economy annually. Anglers from around the world travel to Bristol Bay every summer to be part of the world-class opportunity to catch salmon, trophy rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, Arctic char and Arctic grayling.
Although sport fishing supports hundreds of seasonal jobs, local residents, particularly Alaska Natives, have traditionally played a very small part in the industry. Most of the jobs go to seasonal workers from the Lower 48.
Through the guide academy, Trout Unlimited's Alaska program is working to change that. Recognizing that Bristol Bay is a region of high unemployment with staggering costs, Trout Unlimited decided to encourage residents to get involved in the sport fishing and outdoor recreation industry by providing opportunities for local young people to learn important skills.
"As more local young people are equipped and excited to pursue careers in the sport fishing world, local lodges are taking notice and becoming increasingly interested in hiring their guides locally," said Nelli Williams, one of the academy organizers and a staff member of the Trout Unlimited Alaska program. "And that's what the academy is all about-giving local young people the skills and tools they need to explore a sustainable, salmon-based career on their home rivers. Bottom line- healthy salmon runs mean more local jobs."
More information about the academy is at www.bbflyfishingacademy.org
Bristol Bay Times Staff can be reached at bristolbaytimes@alaskanewspapers.com, or by phone at 907-348-2449