The Mille Lacs Smallmouth Alliance is proud to announce that industry giant Simms Fishing Products has renewed its conservation partnership with the local non-profit. This ongoing partnership is essential for the conservation efforts of the world-class trophy smallmouth bass on Mille Lacs. Proudly the choice of gear for professional guides and anglers worldwide, Simms has a storied history of encouraging conservation programs for fisheries and the work of this non-profit will benefit from their financial and in-kind contributions.
“We’re thrilled to have this ongoing relationship with Simms. They’ve really stepped up in such a big way to help us with our message of catch and release and sound conservation management on Mille Lacs,” said Jason Schade, president of the MLSA. “Simms is a great organization, not only for their high-quality clothing and product line, but for their corporate commitment to conservation efforts.”
“We are extremely pleased with our partnership and look forward to continuing our support of the Mille Lacs Smallmouth Alliance and this special fishery in any capacity we can” said Patterson Leeth, Lakes Community Leader at Simms. “The MLSA advocating on behalf of a world class body of water right in our own back yard is something I believe all anglers from Minnesota and beyond should be supporting.”
Free the fighter is more than a slogan for the MLSA, it is the future of sustaining this world-class fishery. Together, with Simms as the leading producer of high quality products to keep anglers dry, comfortable and protected from the elements, the synergy grows. All Simms products are manufactured in the U.S.A. in a state-of-the-art 60,000 square foot facility in Bozeman, Mont. This partnership fits the corporate direction of fisheries conservation and inspired product development of the world’s premier technical fishing apparel, footwear, and equipment. Visit https://www.simmsfishing.com.
The in-kind product will be used at the MLSA’s fundraisers and the cash contributions all help share the message of catch and release and how important it is to manage the fishery for the health of the older (and larger) smallmouth bass population. Simms applauds the MLSA’s vocal efforts to speak up to sustain a fishery so that it can continue to be phenomenal for generations to come.
Donations for the MLSA’s Bronzeback Blowout fundraiser are welcome from other industry partners in support of this mission. The event will be held on Saturday, May 4th at the local resort Izatys on Mille Lacs. Interested organizations should email Jason Schade at info@millelacssmallmouthalliance.com.
The MLSA website is www.millelacssmallmouthalliance.com for more information.
