“Connection, education, conservation, and exploration.”
That is the quick explanation given by Fish For Change’s Operations Director, Heather Harkavy, when asked what the program is all about. But there is a lot more to this fly fishing initiative created for high school and college students. “Basically, we’re all about introducing young anglers to others around the world; helping them experience other environments and cultures. And, in my opinion, it is awesome.”
Harkavy has a pretty good perspective from which to form that opinion. She grew up in and around fly fishing. While she was in college she met Steve Brown, the founder of Fish For Change. After hearing about the program, she immediately fell in love with the vision. “Growing up fly fishing, going to camp, and travelling around the world for service, it just fit. I was hired to take it on and turn it into an international nonprofit.”
What she, Brown, and their team have built is a truly unique opportunity for young people with adventurous and inquisitive spirits.
For just over a week, participants engage in an exciting and challenging schedule in locations such as Honduras, the Bahamas, Mexico, and Costa Rica. Days start with fishing. Participants essentially have guide-level instruction as they chase permit, bonefish, and all of the other species that make flats fishing so spectacular. Fish For Change is not all about the fish, however. As much as a challenge as casting to a tailing bonefish might be, the truly stretching parts of the day kick in after lunch.
The group heads out into the local community. There, students get a chance to immerse themselves in the culture. Often they spend times in the homes and towns of the guides they’ve fished alongside. The goal is to communicate that such regions have a lot, lot more to offer than simply recreation. On the heels of the afternoon, everyone puts on their work gloves for the week’s conservation project. Everything from restoring mangroves to reefs, students give back to the community and the resource.
At the very end of the day, participants reflect on what they’ve done, seen, and learned. As individuals and as a group, this might be the most challenging aspect of Fish For Change. This is also where education, conservation, and exploration meet connection. For some participants, it transcends a week in a tropical locale.
“There are so many stories I could share,” Harkavy said. “But one that stands out involves two quiet boys that came four years ago. They did Fish For Change as freshmen in high school. I don’t think that they had ever left the country. All of the sudden, they were in Honduras. They had a great week. Now, this summer, they’re coming back to Honduras. But not with the program. They’ve really developed a love for the area and the community, and as seniors in high school they organized a trip on their own. They’ll be fishing and staying with friends they made and kept in touch with in Honduras. There’s a lot more to it, but their drive to get back demonstrates the connections they made.”
The program is remarkable. And such things aren’t inexpensive. Thankfully, Fish For Change has had generous donors, lodges, and industry partners (such as Orvis, Scientific Anglers, and Captains for Clean Water) who help keep costs down. They also allow for a third of the students to attend via scholarships. These are often local children or the children of guides.
Already providing a succinct summary of her program, Heather Harkavy paused when asked what it means to her. “Wow. A lot. But at the core of it all, it is about showing up on a Saturday and leaving the next Saturday a different person. Growth and change.”
The kind of change that Fish For Change is challenging young people with is exactly what people need.
Learn more about Fish For Change at their site. There are some fantastic videos and resources. You can also support the program while enjoying writing and photography from last season’s events by purchasing The Fish For Change Journal.