Dear Fellow Steelheaders,

I hope this message finds you well. Like many of you, I still remember the honor of being recognized by the Association of Northwest Steelheaders at the annual Hall of Fame banquet. It was a meaningful moment for my family and a reminder of the importance of the work we have all contributed to over the years.

Each year we attend the annual Hall of Fame banquet and I donate a fishing trip where the winner can choose to float any river in Oregon. Now, my wife Carolyn and I have committed to contributing an additional $1,000 annually for the next five years to the Association of Northwest Steelheaders (ANWS). Today, we are writing to ask you to join us in supporting the future of this work.

ANWS has a proud history of accomplishments—from advancing responsible fisheries management by eliminating gillnet fishing for steelhead, securing public access on the Deschutes river, or the thousands of classroom aquariums educating the next generation of conservationists. Many of us have supported the organization in appreciation of those successes. However, the challenges ahead demand that we now focus on building capacity for the future.

We are entering a period of significant uncertainty for salmon and steelhead, and for the fisheries that depend on them. Policy debates around hatchery programs, increasing pressure on water and habitat from population growth, and the accelerating impacts of climate change all pose serious risks. At the same time, shifting public attitudes toward fishing and wildlife management underscore the need for strong, credible advocacy.

These issues will not resolve themselves. They will require informed, coordinated, and persistent engagement. Organizations like ANWS—grounded in science, connected to communities, and experienced in policy—are essential to ensuring that the voices of anglers and conservationists are represented.

As I think about what kind of a future our grandkids will inherit, I wonder if it will include salmon and the ability to fish for them, as we have enjoyed in the past and had always assumed would be available in the future. If we want future generations to experience the same opportunities we have enjoyed, we must invest now in the organizations capable of defending and advancing that vision. Building capacity today will better position ANWS to meet the challenges ahead and remain an effective advocate for fish and fisheries.

We all understand that meaningful outcomes rarely happen by chance—they are the result of sustained commitment and collective action. I believe this is one of those moments where increased support can make a lasting difference.

Please consider joining our family in this effort. Together, we can help ensure that ANWS remains strong, effective, and ready to meet the challenges ahead.

Thank you for your continued commitment to conservation and to the future of our fisheries.

Sincerely,
Jim and Carolyn Martin
ANWS Hall of Fame Member
Retired Chief of Fisheries, ODFW

Jim Martin has dedicated his life to fisheries conservation, public service, and the future of recreational angling in the Pacific Northwest. Jim and his wife, Carolyn, have been members of the Association of Northwest Steelheaders for nearly 50 years, first joining the Albany Chapter in 1976. Jim was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995. Throughout his career, Jim spent 30 years with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, retiring as Chief of Fisheries, and later served as Salmon Policy Advisor to the Governor of Oregon. He also led the development of the landmark Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds, the state’s coordinated strategy for recovering Coho salmon populations. Jim and Carolyn reside in Mulino, Oregon, where they remain active advocates for salmon, steelhead, and the outdoor traditions of the Northwest.

Beyond public service, Jim served for 19 years as Conservation Director for Pure Fishing, the world’s largest fishing tackle company, and shared his expertise as an instructor in Natural Resources Problem Solving in Fisheries and Wildlife at Oregon State University. His leadership and contributions to fisheries conservation have earned numerous honors, including induction into the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame, as well as Lifetime Achievement Awards from both the American Sportfishing Association and the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.