Giving Back

Thomas Aquinas Daly is, according to some, the most famous and respected artist of the sporting art genre of our time. You can’t paint this stuff if you don’t love and appreciate it yourself. Luckily for the Miramichi Salmon Association, Tom loves Atlantic salmon, and rivers like the Miramichi – perhaps the greatest salmon river in the world.

For these reasons, and through his friendship with me, Tom painted and 100% donated two Atlantic salmon fishing scenes for the MSA US events of 2023 and 2024. This year’s work is a fishing scene depicting an angler being schooled by his guide as he swings a fly over a large and classic Canadian salmon pool. A traditional double-ended canoe with pole is anchored in the foreground. One can just feel the surface of the water about to erupt from the energy that only a large salmon can bring to bear. To make the offering even more historically significant, I framed it along with 5 salmon flies tied by some of the most famous names in the history of salmon fly tying. Two are by Preston Jennings, two by Charles DeFeo and one by Ira Gruber. Those flies were donated for this purpose by three gentlemen who, like Tom, appreciate what it means to "give back" to a resource or institution they care about.   

I am not a man of means - by any stretch of the imagination (LOL, you can't work for non-profits for most of your career, and then turn to self-employed carpentry to finish out your working life with any thoughts of monetary wealth!) - but I can give back to those resources and institutions I care about in other ways. Here's what I'm doing so far this year to do what I can for wild Atlantic salmon conservation - I'll let the photos speak for themselves:

I even found a neat use for all the cherry cut-offs from making framing stock...a 30" Atlantic salmon serving board made from laminated cherry strips:

I haven't displayed these donations here other than to make a point - no matter your means, you can give back, in the form of funds or things that will bring funds important to caring for an institution you hold dear. I remember back to a Wild Turkey Federation board meeting I attended as their director of development many, many, (LOL)many years ago...the board was discussing finances and someone opined that all they did was talk about money. The board treasurer, a deep south gentlemen banker if ever there was one responded that it was pretty hard to do anything in this world without money, so they darn well better discuss it. The longer I operated in that non-profit world, the more I agreed with that gentleman. So having said all that,,and shown you photos of neat stuff that will be available at the event, you too can help wild Atlantic salmon and the rivers they swim in by attending, either virtually (or hopefully) in person this event: https://miramichisalmon.ca/us-event/

There are a couple of special things that I’d like to point out:

 • You can attend this event by zoom as well as in person. We have made every effort, including hiring outside professionals, to help make this experience as close to being there in person as possible. We have a special MSA engraved leather covered stainless flask as a gift to zoom attendees instead of the meal. Also, during the half hour meal time we will be providing a narrated slide show on fly fishing for early-run salmon in the Northern Highlands of Scotland

. • Well-known author and salmon expert Sir Michael Wigan of the Helmsdale River in Scotland will be in attendance and addressing the hall after dinner.

• Zoom or “virtual attendees” will also be able to bid on live auction items via text message. We have artwork by Thomas Aquinas Daly, Luther Hall and John Rice, fishing trips for Atlantic salmon fishing to the Black Brook Salmon Club and Campbell’s Pool including Doctor’s Island and the Brophy Pool, and golf outings at The Woodlands and The Portland Country Club, Red Sox Tickets and we will have a complete fly casting outfit from Orvis.

• Silent auction items will include items of fishing tackle, fly selections, clothing, gift certificates from LL Bean, fly fishing art, 2 excellent wine selections, local Maine guided fishing trips, much more…

• Sponsors have underwritten a substantial portion of the event cost so most of your contribution will go to helping the MSA continue its conservation programs and beefing up its endowment to provide long-run support for the Miramichi. The MSA is a 501C3 US corporation and you will receive a receipt for the deductible portion. • This is the MSA US’s only live annual event. This is your annual opportunity to join with other Atlantic salmon enthusiasts to show your support for the Miramchi, possibly the world’s greatest Atlantic salmon river.

• Those who are not currently MSA US members will get receive a complimentary one year membership.

Giving back can add some real satisfaction, and even add a little meaning, to life.  I am thankful for the incredible donations so many artists, craftspeople, lodge owners and others that have helped raise important funding for salmon conservation.

The framings displayed in this blog post, and the salmon serving tray, will be available at the Portland event.

Cheers,

Gary