Hosted by the Western Mass. Fly Fishermen
Monday, March 16th
6:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Guest Speaker at 7:30 PM
The Ludlow Elks Lodge
69 Chapin Street Ludlow, MA
ADMISSION: $8.00, free for children under 12 years old
Exhibitors: Fly rod builders, fly fishing/material vendors. Mass State and Wildlife experts, other related exhibitors.
Giant Raffle: Many fishing items, bucket raffles for custom tied flies.
Door prize: a fly rod + reel combo
Guest Speaker: Dr. Andy J. Danylchuk Topic: From Striped Bass to Trout: Science-Based Best Practices for Catch-And-Release
Refreshments/Food will be available for sale
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Additional Information about the Guest Speaker and Discussion:
Dr. Andy J. Danylchuk
From Striped Bass to Trout: Science-Based Best Practices for Catch-And-Release
Do you release fish? If so, the fate of each fish you release can have an impact on the population and future of the recreational fishery. For my presentation, I will use recent research on striped bass as an example of how science is used to test how fish respond to catch-and-release, as well as how we can use the science to create best practices so that more fish swim away in the best condition possible. I then demonstrate simple techniques that all anglers can use to gauge how their fish – from striped bass to trout – are responding to being captured and handled. In the end, each fish matters and it is up to each angler to put conservation into practice.
Dr. Andy J. Danylchuk Biography
Andy J. Danylchuk, Ph.D
Professor of Fish Conservation
Department of Environmental Conservation
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Email danylchuk@eco.umass.edu
Throughout his life, Andy has been on a personal crusade to ensure that fish are around for future generations to enjoy, whether on the end of a fishing line, on a dinner plate, or simply to watch in wonder. His work spans both marine and freshwater systems, and broadly examines how fish responded to natural and anthropogenic disturbances. Broadly, Andy is a spokesperson for fish conservation, advocating for positively affecting change when it comes to fish and the complex social-ecological systems they are nested in.
Much of Andy’s current research focuses on movement ecology, recreational fisheries, and understanding the impacts of natural and anthropogenic disturbances on teleosts and elasmobranchs. He has authored or co-authored 225 publications in a wide range of high-ranking scientific journals. Andy is an award-winning educator, receiving a Distinguished Teaching Award at UMass Amherst (2014), and an Award of Excellence in Fisheries Education from the American Fisheries Society (2021). Andy also puts a great deal of energy towards stakeholder engagement and knowledge co-production in which has been acknowledge by receiving an award for Excellence in Public Outreach from the American Fisheries Society (2017) and the Flats Stewardship Award from Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (2020). Most recently, Andy was inducted as a Fellow of the American Fisheries Society (2024).
To help broader efforts related to fish conservation, Andy is a fly fishing ambassador for Patagonia, the Science Advisor for Keep Fish Wet, a Scientific Affiliate for International Game Fish Association, Bonefish & Tarpon Trust Research Fellow, Board Member for Indifly (Foundation), and Fellow for The Explorers Club.
Website: http://www.fishforward.org
Instagram: @Fishmission https://www.instagram.com/fishmission/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andy.danylchuk
