GW: The best trout fishing anywhere in the world can be found in Utah.

The Utah Cutthroat Slam saw a record number of completions in 2023 and is releasing the newest medallion for anglers who complete the fishing challenge.

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and Utah Trout Unlimited launched the slam in 2016 as a challenge for anglers to catch the four subspecies of cutthroat trout that are native to Utah in their native ranges, as well as a way to raise funds for cutthroat trout conservation. The original medallion was awarded to the first 1,000 anglers to complete the slam, a milestone that was reached in September 2022. Last year, the partners of the slam announced a new series of four medallions — one for each of the cutthroat trout subspecies — that anglers could earn when completing the slam. Read more

White Bear Lake, MN – Wildlife Forever and Rapala, a premier manufacturer of fishing lures and products, will be continuing their partnership for the 2023-2024 Fish Art Contest. Rapala product will be featured in prize packages for student winners and for the winner of the Richard M Hart Educator of the Year Award.

The Fish Art Contest is open now through February 28th for students in Kindergarten-12th grade anywhere in the world. The program is an easy way to connect students to nature and conservation while introducing them to the world of fishing.

“We are deeply grateful for Rapala’s support of this important program. Their products will help us establish more opportunities for educators to bring angling into the classroom,” said Addison Motta, Education and Communications Manager at Wildlife Forever.

“Teaching conservation to the next generation of anglers is essential for everyone’s enjoyment of our natural resources for many decades to come,” said Matt Jensen, Vice President of Marketing and Ecommerce at Rapala. “Rapala is proud to support youth education through the Fish Art Contest.”

To learn more about The Art of Conservation® programs and to participate in the Fish Art Contest, visit www.ArtofConservation.org Read more

Once on the verge of losing their traditional knowledge, the people of the Taumako in the Solomon Islands are devoted to preserving their ancient Polynesian seafaring practices by training a new generation in wayfinding and vaka (boat) construction.

Approximately 500 Taumakans, who exist today without electricity, telephones, or motorized vehicles, could be the only people in the Pacific still capable of building and sailing voyaging canoes using traditional methods. Just thirty years ago, only a few living sailors held this knowledge; at that time, it had been three decades since any Taumakan used a traditional vaka for transport. In 1993, Chief and master navigator Kruso Kaveia requested the help of Dr. Marianne “Mimi” George, an anthropologist who co-founded the Pacific Traditions Society and a remote, blue-water sailor, to preserve their important ancestral ways. This initiative began The Vaka Taumako Project. “My role has evolved from outside communicator, coordinator, fundraiser, occasional writer, filmmaking supporter and doer to connected advisor, collaborator, and community member,” says Dr. George.

Taumakan youth learn from their elders and use only sustainable local natural materials, ancient tools, and traditional methods to construct the vessels. On the island, they say, ‘if you want to build a voyaging canoe, the first thing you must do is plant a garden to feed the workers who will help you.’ Read more

The following news release was issued earlier this week by Michigan State University Extension.

Yamaha Marine gives customers more reasons to choose reliable Yamaha outboard power with the “Why Wait for Spring” sales event. Customers who purchase select eligible, new Yamaha four-stroke outboards between October 17, 2023, and December 15, 2023, have several options to add value depending on horsepower range.

Through the new promotion, customers who purchase eligible, new Yamaha outboards in the 30-to-300 horsepower range have an opportunity to add three years of Y.E.S. coverage to three years of Yamaha Limited Warranty coverage for a total of six years of warranty protection. Customers who purchase Yamaha 425-450 horsepower outboards can add two years of Y.E.S. coverage to five years of Yamaha Limited Warranty coverage for a total of seven years of warranty protection. As a bonus, customers who purchase outboards in the 115-to-450 horsepower range and also purchase, install and activate Siren 3 Pro can receive half off of a new Siren subscription plus $1,000 in dealer credit. Finally, the “Why Wait for Spring” sales event gives customers who purchase Yamaha outboards in the 2.5-to-25 horsepower range the ability to earn up to $300 in dealer credit based on MSRP. Read more