Conservation Award for Frank Moore

FFF Conservation Awards are presented to individuals, groups or organizations that have made extraordinary contributions to our fishery resources. They can be based on a single effort or a continuous prominent effort promoting conservation that is consistent with the philosophies of the Federation.

In one of the nomination letters, longtime friend Dan Callaghan states, “On the North Umpqua we call him the “Living Legend”. If Arnold Palmer is the king of golf for what he has done for golf, then Frank Moore is the king of the North Umpqua for what he has done for it.”

In his over 45 years on the North Umpqua Frankhas worked tirelessly to protect not just the river’s steelhead but the river itself, from bad forest practices and poor fishery management plans. Frank and his wife Jeannie owned and operated the Steamboat Inn for almost 20 years on the North Umpqua. During that time Frank has taken hundreds of people fishing. Dan Callaghan says “But it isn’t just fishing when you are on the river with Frank. It’s conservation also”.

Nathaniel P. Reed, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Interior for Fish, Wildlife and National Parks said in his nomination letter; “From the organization of Wild Trout conferences, to his years on the Oregon Fish & Wildlife Commission, to his outstanding abilities as a defender of our natural world, Frank has stood tall. He has never faltered; he is indefatigable in the defense of our nation’s premier fishing rivers. He is an ethical man who has fought against weighted flies and fast sinking lines. His skills as an angler are universally accepted, placing him in the category of the “very few”. Frank Moore is a gentleman, unless the forest destroyers or the simple minded fish biologists propose programs that will destroy and not enhance a fishery. Then, Frank is a warrior!”

During Frank’s tenure on the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission he was able to get the Wild Trout Program started including implementing the first quality regulations on the Deschutes and Williamson Rivers. Frank continues to attend Commission meeting speaking out for the conservation of our fisheries including quality and fly only regulations.

Charles Brooks Memorial Life Award for Dan Callaghan

The Charles Brooks Memorial Life Award is given to individuals who have a deep affection for the outdoors, an innovative fly tying record, a background in publishing, years of service to the FFF…or like Charlie, a knack for being a character.

Dan Callaghan shares a special passion with a river. In Charlie’s case it was the streams of the “Yellowstone Country”, with Dan it is the North Umpqua. He has been active for many years with the Steamboaters and is a founding member of the North Umpqua Foundation, a non-profit organization devoted to preserving this fishery. Currently, one of Dan’s photos is being used as a fundraiser poster to fund the “Fishwatch” project.

Dan served as legal counsel during the formative years of the Federation of Fly Fishers. He continues today to provide legal service for the Steamboaters and the Foundation. Dan also served as a member of the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife Commission.

Like Charlie, Dan is a fly tyer. Not many of us will be credited with developing a fly pattern, but Dan’s “Green Butt Skunk” is a universally tied steelhead pattern and copied the world over.

Peter Tronquet, president of the Steamboaters, states in his nomination letter; “As for Dan’s writing, I’m sure that most of us remember his eulogy to his best fishing buddy, Jack Hemingway. That piece moved me and I’m sure many others because it told a story of a great friendship, born of fly fishing adventure and reminding us to reflect on our own friendships because the last cast is not so far away”.

Dan is probably best known as a photographer. His photos of the North Umpqua capture the spirit of the river and it’s steelhead like no others. His work can be seen in the “Art of Angling Journal” Volume 1 Issue 4 and in the next 3 issues capturing the seasons of the North Umpqua.

Reprinted with permission of the Federation of Fly Fishers.