The ten days I spent in Mexico last summer weren’t really about the fishing (but of course there was some of that!); I was focused on the relationships we endeavor to build and foster, the friendships, and the shared goals we collectively strive to achieve through all of this work. When you think about your last fishing trip, I’m betting that the lasting memories may not be tied to an individual fish, but rather the experience of being in a beautiful place, meeting new friends, and the shared camaraderie that are hallmarks of a great trip. That doesn’t happen by accident – it is the result of an enormous amount of time and investment by the people that live and work in the places we love to travel to and fish. And ensuring these places stay amazing is why we do what we do at YDCCF.

Seeing the kids’ faces in xcalak literally light up while learning how to sign, or play the piano for the first time, or begin to understand how the environment around their village is connected deeply to their way of life is among the most rewarding things i’ve experienced in leading ydccf. it’s literally why the foundation was created and we’re excited to continue to grow our impact in fishing communities around the world.

BROOKS SCOTT, YDCCF Executive Director

Brazil

Kendjam Water Quality MOnitoring

Started in 2019 as a project between Woodwell Climate Research Center and Fishpond, Science on the Fly engages the fly fishing community around the world to serve as community scientists for monthly river data collection and observations. The data collected allows researchers to increase the number of rivers that are subject to long-term studies of water-quality and watershed health, improve our understanding of how watersheds and river systems change over time due to climate change, as well as to help make an impact when creating or enforcing policies on our watersheds. In August of 2024, Science on the Fly partnered with Kendjam Lodge on the Iriri River in the Amazon to start the data collection process, funded in part by YDCCF.

Colombia

Buo Apjo Film Project

Back in 2020, YDCCF funded a project in Colombia focused on providing fly fishing and conservation education to five Piaroa indigenous communities along the Mataven River. The goal of the project has been to create a destination peacock bass fishery that can help sustain the native way of life and protect the river and its resources. Our partner Tom Enderlin has been working to help tell this story and in 2024 completed (with YDCCF’s support) Buo Apjo, a film about the community and fishery. The film is a selection in the 2025 Fly Fishing Film Tour, as well as being featured in other film festivals. The goal of the film is to increase awareness of this special place and its indigenous stewards.

WATCH THE FULL FILM HERE

Mongolia

Mapping Taimen Strongholds

For over 30 years, the Wild Salmon Center has focused on protecting and preserving the stronghold habitats for salmon all over the world. In early 2023, the Taimen Fund transitioned its funding and resources for the protection of Mongolian taimen to WSC and their International Taimen Initiative. WSC is now undertaking the process of mapping the remaining strongholds for these prized salmonids. Taimen are apex predators in the systems they occupy, and they are threatened on a number of fronts including desertification due to overgrazing and compounded by climate change, encroaching development, and a wide-ranging hydropower expansion underway by the Mongolian government. The goal of the mapping project is to be able to present a clear picture of the watersheds that must be protected for taimen to thrive.

READ THE LATEST →

Argentina

upper parana river golden dorado tracking

Dr. Andy Danylchuk of UMass Amherst, in conjunction with the Argentina National University of the Northeast and Carleton University (Canada) and outfitters in the region have formed the Golden Dorado Conservation Coalition and are undertaking the first study of Golden Dorado in the Upper Parana River in Corrientes Province in northern Argentina. Little is know about the movement and migration patterns of this highly sought after species, and Dr. Danylchuk and his partners will be tagging fish throughout the upper river during the 2025 season. Data collected will begin to inform future efforts with the hope of shining a light on the dorado’s habits and locations at different times of the year.

Belize

Turneffe Flats Fishery Working group

This spring, the Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association released a first of its kind Management Plan for the flats fishery at Turneffe. Developed over the last 18 months with a broad cross section of stakeholders including Premier Partners Turneffe Flats and Turneffe Island Resort, along with Yellow Dog Flyfishing and YDCCF, the plan seeks to set carrying capacities for the fishery along with flats etiquette and strives to provide a model for the management of flats habitat across Belize and the Caribbean.

READ THE FULL PLAN →

Mexico

Xcalak community engagement project

Started in 2022 by YDCCF, the Xcalak Community Engagement Project seeks to help the residents of this small village on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico by providing arts, education and English language instruction at the new Esperanza de Vida. Each summer, a weeklong curriculum is presented to the residents, both adults and children, and this has now evolved into a year-round program with teachers visiting the community monthly. This grant is partially funded by Premier Partner The XFlats.

READ THE LATEST →

Alaska

Bristol bay guide academy

Started in 2008, the Bristol Bay Guide Academy annually trains 15-18 new guides, predominantly from local indigenous tribes in the region. YDCCF has been supporting this program for several years. The Guide Academy was featured in the 2023 Orvis film “School of Fish”. This grant is partially supported by Premier Partner Bear Trail Lodge and owner Nanci Morris Lyon, who helped create the guide academy in 2008 and remains involved to this day.

Costa Rica

Cano Negro Youth Education Program

The Rural Communities and Nature Coexistence Youth Education Program seeks to build on an existing environmental education program by taking the top 10 students from the villages of Cano Negro, San Antonio and Aguas Negras, Costa Rica and deepen their education. This program is supported in part by Premier Partner Fly Fishing Costa Rica.

READ THE LATEST →

Bahamas

McClean’s town rebuilding

Hurricane Dorian completely wiped out the east end of Grand Bahama in 2019. Since then, YDCCF and Premier Partner East End Lodge have been focused on helping the residents of McClean’s Town return home. In 2024, the first annual McClean’s Town Invitational tournament was held and raised over $80,000 to support the ongoing rebuilding efforts.

READ THE LATEST →

Mexico

punta allen community center

Punta Allen, situated on Ascension Bay on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, is where YDCCF got its start. Our work here continues and we’re excited to be helping to fund the next phase on the redevelopment of the town’s Community Center. This work is partially supported by Premier Partners Grand Slam Lodge and Ascension Bay Lodge.

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Bahamas

Mangrove Cay Recreational Park

The community of Little Harbour on Mangrove Cay on Andros in the Bahamas has been working since 2020 on building a recreational park for residents. A basketball court has been completed that sees daily use and bleachers have been added as well as a clubhouse with restrooms and most recently a new children’s playground. Phase 2 of the project is a state-of-the-art running track and field facility. This work is supported by Premier Partner Swain’s Cay Lodge.

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MONTANA

SAVE WILD TROUT

SAVE WILD TROUT was launched to address the dismal Spring 2023 fish count numbers in Montana’s Jefferson Basin – an area that includes the world-famous Big Hole, Ruby, Beaverhead and Jefferson Rivers – legendary cold-water fisheries that have historically supported an abundance of wild trout. This coalition of anglers, river advocates, concerned citizens, businesses, guides, and outfitters have come together with the focused mission of protecting wild trout for the benefit of all.

The organization released a first of its kind report on the current stressors on the fisheries in the basin in July 2025 based on their research and monitoring efforts in 2023-24.

READ MORE →

MONTANA

Montana Trout Unlimited

Montana Trout Unlimited’s goal is to conserve, protect and restore Montana’s cold water fisheries and their watersheds. Each year, they host a youth conservation camp where children have the opportunity to learn about fly fishing, conservation and advocacy.

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MONTANA

guiding for the future (g4f)

Administered by the Fishing Outfitters Association of Montana, G4F provides advanced levels of knowledge and skill development for professional fishing guides and outfitters. The program’s goal is to inspire dedicated stewardship of aquatic ecosystems while increasing knowledge, professionalism, and ethics of fishing guides, outfitters, and the fly-fishing industry throughout Montana.

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BAHAMAS + BEYOND

Fish For Change

F4C’s mission is to use fly-fishing as a platform to make the world a better place by uniting a diverse group of students in wild fisheries where they engage in a variety of initiatives that promote Connection, Education, Conservation, and Exploration. Weeklong programs happen each summer in Honduras, Mexico, the Bahamas, Costa Rica and Colorado. Part of the curriculum includes partnering with local organizations in each location to participate and learn more about ongoing conservation initiatives. YDCCF’s grant supports scholarships annually for 2 Bahamian students to attend the program at Soul Fly Lodge.