It’s our pleasure to present the second part of our interview with Jose Weigand of Flymage magazine; read the first part here if you missed it.
What’s the hot topic in the fly fishing world in Spain these days?
Undoubtedly the new law on exotic species and the impact it will have if anglers have to kill rainbow trout, largemouth bass, pike, and so; fish that were legally introduced by the government decades ago and the base of Spain´s fisheries. Everybody wants wild brown trout and some other endemic species back in our waters but many of us think that this is not the way to do it.
We and many others appreciate the nifty article you ran in the last issue covering Bristol Bay; what prompted your interest there?
When I started having (reading) news about the mining project in Bristol Bay, I realized it was not a local problem, it is global. What could we do? Assist in the best of our ability, so we did from Flymage. I met Kate Taylor a few years ago, we’ve always talked about Alaska and I follow her Rogue Angels site, so I knew she was involved in a full-on fight and offered to publish an article with us. We (she) are receiving congratulations from many people for an article so well written and exposed. Just take a look at the pictures and read the text to figure out what will be the consequence if the project is finally done. If we have helped to sensitize people and to take sides, I am happy.
Are you and your team full-time professionals in the fly fishing industry or do you have other ‘pay-the-bills’ jobs /businesses to run?
My partner and me are full-time pros, working very hard to pay the bills … (sigh)
What’s your favorite time on the water – whether a season or hatch or whatever?
I like everything from trout or bass to bluefish, tarpon or bonefish, but if I have just a single day to fish and can choose? Atlantic salmon in any river in the world.
If you could encourage fly fishers to do just one thing in terms of stewardship this next year, what would that be?
Being a team. To be united and fight for what we want, conserve ecosystems and report violations for so many businesses and ordinary people. Patagonia without Dams, Pebble Mine, the new fishing law for Atlantic salmon in Spain, helping the NASF and ASF, etc. There are many open fronts.
Thank you very much guys!
Jose, thanks for taking the time to visit with us and we wish you the best with Flymage. Keep up the great work. You’re welcome at our campfire any time.
