Submitted by nelli_williams on Mon, 2014-11-17 13:44 Save Bristol Bay Vote Up Down +2 + IMG_1490 2.JPG Bristol Bay River Academy Students prepare for a day on the water. Iliamna, Alaska. By Jenny Lynes Bristol Bay, Alaska is home to the world’s richest commercial and sport salmon fisheries, the state’s only designated “Trophy Rainbow Trout” area, and is also home to communities of Alaska Natives who have subsisted off the land and water of the region for generations. While the culture of each of the 13 Bristol Bay communities is centered on healthy waters, there are a number of barriers between the commercial, subsistence and sport fishing communities of this portion of rural Alaska. The Bristol Bay River & Guide Academy is a program sponsored by Trout Unlimited and other community and industry partners that teaches youth from Bristol Bay, Alaska to become fly fishing guides near their home rivers and promote dialogue among the youth of differing cultures. In many instances, Academy students with a background in subsistence or commercial fishing are given the opportunity to cast a fly rod, catch, and release, for the very first time. During the week-long Academy, students learn to fly fish, tie flies, learn about customer service and discuss conservation issues within the region. The week culminates with students each guiding a member of the community through a safe, informed and fun day on the water. 4L1A5268.JPG River Academy student, Larina, holds a Rainbow caught by her Client on the Newhalen River. Iliamna, Alaska. Meanwhile, the lodges in Bristol Bay routinely hire and fly-up sport fishing guides from the Lower 48, who then need to be trained on everything from the geography, weather, how to handle wildlife run-ins, to information on local culture. The Alasa radio program, Spirit of Youth, took notice at the good work being done at the Guide Academy and the great idea of training local youth to fill jobs in the thriving and bustling local lodges. Spirit of Youth includes a radio program, which features inspirational Alaskan youth around the state. This summer, they spoke with the lead Academy instructor, Nanci Morris Lyon (owner of Bear Trail Lodge in King Salmon, AK), and two students of the 2014 Academy. Click here to listen to the story. And then learn more about the Guide Academy by liking their facebook page and/or reading their website. Jenny Lynes is a communications consultant for Trout Unlimited's Alaska Program and is based in Anchorage, AK.