Alphonse Island

Alphonse Island

by Sascha Clark Danylchuk

There are certain places on this planet that make my heart happy. They tend to be places with less people, more nature, long views, and warm weather (or at least visited during the summer). Some are places that have helped shaped who am I, and some are new places that I have only just discovered. These places stick to my heart and in my brain, and are revisited frequently in thought, if not in the physical sense.

My seven year old reeling in her first unassisted bonefish. Andy Danylchuk photo

Eye spy… Nick Jones photo

I just returned from a trip to a newly discovered such place. Filled with prehistoric looking land animals and more abundance and diversity in the water than I have seen anywhere else, the Alphonse Group of islands in the Seychelles is wondrous, not to mention home to a plethora of my favorite fish, bonefish. Although many anglers visiting Alphonse set their sights on giant trevally (GT), Indo-Pacific permit, triggerfish, milkfish, and offshore species such as wahoo and sailfish to be caught on the fly, bonefish likely play a critical role in the ecology of the flats ecosystems in the Alphonse group, including being important prey items for GTs and other apex predators.

The animals on land are just as amazing as those in the sea at Alphonse! Sascha Clark Danylchuk photo

With this in mind, a consortium of organizations has embarked on research to better understand the recreational fisheries of Alphonse. This project is unique in that it was initiated at the behest of Blue Safari and the related Alphonse Fishing Company; an example of their dedication to conservation and sustainable recreational fisheries.

The first step in this process currently being carried out is an examination of the movements of GTs. It is not known how territorial GTs are, how far they move away from the atolls where they are commonly found, if they become “hook shy” and, if so, how long it takes for them to revert back to “normal” behavior. Having such information will help facilitate the sustainable management of GTs, and create better angling experiences for guests.

It takes a lot of help to tag a GT in a livewell. Sascha Clark Danylchuk photo

The first phase will take several years to complete, however there are already discussions about expanding these efforts to include other species, including my favorite quarry. In the meantime, Alphonse Fishing Company is embracing and teaching the Keepemwet Fishing principles. Not only can you find our information in their island fly shop and on their boats, but they also discuss best practices for handling and releasing fish in their angler briefings and presentations. As one guest commented to me, “I’ve never seen guides who care as much about the fish as the guides here”.

For updates about the research project, visit www.alphonsefishingco.com

Keepemwet Fishing info in the Alphonse Fishing Co. fly shop. Andy Danylchuk photo

KWF Builds Momentum at ICAST/IFTD

The Keepemwet Fishing Leadership team from left: Bryan Huskey, Sascha Clark Danylchuk, Dr. Andy Danylchuk kick off the ICAST/IFTD trade show in Orlando, Fl.

Andy Danylchuk, Sascha Clark Danylchuk and Jen Lavine of Waterworks Lamson ham it up in Orlando.

Keepemwet Fishing Ambassador Jako Lucas talks shop with KWF Operations Manager Sascha Clark Danylchuk.

Keepemwet Fishing Brand Partner Smith Optics helped distribute our info materials to the conventional tackle portion of the ICAST/IFTD event.

The Keepemwet fish bowls!

Inside the Keepemwet fish bowls info cards and pins shared our catch-and-release best practices and tips.

Kristen Mustad of Nautilus reels gets it.

Artist Ed Anderson brought KWF love to life on canvas at the Realtree Outdoors Fishing booth site.

Sascha Clark Danylchuk and Nick Roberts of Bonefish & Tarpon Trust talk science and fish.

From left: KWF Ambassadors Captain Tony Digulian and photographer Adrian Gray grin along side Neil Horton and Eric Combast of IGFA. Keepemwet founder Bryan Huskey on the end.

Keepemwet Fishing Supporting Partner Castaway Films took home some hardware in the Drake Film Awards. “Atlanticus” features KWF Science Advisor Dr. ANdy Danylchuk.

Old friends. Chris Keig and Ryan Thompson of The Fly Fishing Film Tour pose for grip and grin with Bryan Huskey and a Keepemwet fish bowl.

Catwalk. Dr. Andy Danylchuk and Sascha Clark Danlylchuk cruse to the ICAST/IFTD convention floor in Orlando, Fl.

Christin Kruger of Kast King interviews Sascha Clark Danylchuk and Bryan Huskey for the Million Dollar Ralley supporting a variety of cause-oriented efforts in the fishing community.

Big time. Jim Klug and Paula Shearer of Yellowdog Adventures hang with KWF Ambassador and legendary fish-bum Brian O’Keefe.

The Branding of Catch and Release discussion panel featured a mix of angling industry and science professionals. You can find the discussion recorded and linked in the paragraph below.

Tom Rosenbauer of Orvis chats Keepemwet science and angling culture with Sascha Clark Danylchuk and Dr. Andy Danylchuk.

The Keepemwet Fishing team spent last week at the world’s largest sportfishing trade show, ICAST/IFTD, in Orlando, FL.  The highlight of the show for us was hosting a panel discussion on the branding of catch-and-release.  We were joined by Brian O’Keefe, Jako Lucas, Jennifer Lavigne, Mark Harbaugh, Dr. Aaron Adams, Capt. Tony DiGiulian, and Dr. Jake Brownscombe to talk about fishing, fish science, and the roll of anglers, guides, and the industry in creating sustainable fisheries.  You can watch a recording of the discussion here.

The show was also an opportunity to for us to meet with current partners and establish new connections with likeminded individuals and companies.  While Keepemwet Fishing did not have a booth of our own, some of our partners were kind enough to give us space at their booths.  A huge thanks to Patagonia, Nautilus Reels, Thomas & Thomas, Alphonse Fishing Co, KastKing, Smith, Sight Line Provisions, and Ed Anderson for lending us some real estate.  We also debuted our new principles cards, which we will make available to a wider audience soon.  

AFFTA Fisheries Fund Awards Grant to Keepemwet Fishing

Keepemwet Fishing is about releasing fish in the best condition possible.  We believe that recreational anglers are a key component of fish conservation, and that science-based approaches can help create healthier fisheries.  Our education campaign provides anglers with easy to use principles and tips that help create the best outcomes for fish that are caught-and-released.  

“The grants we have received from the AFFTA Fisheries Fund have allowed us to reach a greater audience through our education campaign on the best handling practices for catch-and-release.  We couldn’t have done it without the help of AFFTA.” Sascha Clark Danylchuk, Operations at Keepemwet Fishing.

We thank AFFTA and the Fisheries Fund for another year of support for our work!

Interviews from Bonefish & Tarpon Trust International Science Symposium 4-6

From the BTT sixth International Science Symposium: Dr. Andy Danylchuk and Dr. Steve Cooke talk about the state of catch & release research for bonefish, tarpon, and permit with Sascha Clark Danylchuk of Keepemwet Fishing. Watch the video here.

From the BTT 6th International Science Symposium—up next: Dr. Ross Boucek, BTT Florida Keys Initative Manager, discusses BTT Florida Keys research and conservation with Sascha Clark Danylchuk of Keepemwet Fishing #Keepemwet #BTT #FisheriesSymposium #FloridaKeys #Florida#FIshing #Habitat #BonefishTarponTrust Watch the video here.

From the BTT sixth International Science Symposium: Dr. Jonathan Shenker and Dr. Paul Wills discuss the BTT Bonefish Restoration Research Project with Sascha Clark Danylchuk of Keepemwet Fishing Watch the video here.

Interviews from Bonefish & Tarpon Trust International Science Symposium 1-3

Keepemwet Fishing Science Liaison Sascha Clark Danylchuk talks tarpon tagging with Luke Griffin at the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust 6th International Science Symposium. Watch the video here.

Dr. Jake Brownscombe discusses BTT’s Permit Tagging Program with Sascha Clark Danylchuk. Watch the video here.

BTT Director of Science & Conservation discuss the Fix Our Water Initiative with Sascha Clark Danylchuk with Keepemwet Fishing Watch the video here.

Keepemwet and the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust Science Symposium

Big news with our friends in the saltwater community as we begin an exciting new partnership with @bonefishtarpontrust and their 6th International Science Symposium. Follow along this weekend with live reporting, interviews and presentation articles by our own Sascha Clark Danylchuk. Big thanks to Ed Anderson for providing the rich and stunning artwork to accompany this exclusive reporting.

At the core of both Bonefish & Tarpon Trust and Keepemwet Fishing is the belief that recreational anglers are a key component of fish conservation and that science-based approaches to education and outreach can help create healthier fisheries

BTT and Keepemwet Fishing are teaming up to make the science presented at the BTT Symposium accessible to a wider audience. A selection of the science presentations from the symposium will be summarized and “translated” into non-technical language that is easily understood by non-scientists. These summaries will be available on multiple platforms, highlight pertinent findings, and contain actionable items that anglers can use to help in conservation efforts.