About Us

What we are All About

Welcome to the Okanagan Fisheries Foundation

We are a Non-Profit Organization created to help promote, restore and preserve sustainable fisheries in the Okanagan Valley Watershed and provide a lobby group specifically for our local fisheries in Region 8. By funding and providing manpower for education projects and habitat restoration, we aim to have an on ground and in water effect, as well as helping to build public awareness about the importance of healthy fisheries and the cultural, recreational and economic value they provide to our local communities.

Mission Statement

To see the creation of a sustainable long term recreational and sport fishing industry that is rooted in tourism in the Okanagan Valley, and the restoration, preservation and promotion of abundant fisheries in Region 8.

Board of Directors

Mat Hanson

Ex-local fishing guide and ex-pat Australian who married the Canadian girl of his dreams and lives in Kelowna with her and his two young daughters. An avid fly fisherman and passionate environmentalist, he created the Okanagan Fisheries Foundation out of concern for the local fisheries and a desire to seem them restored to sustainable levels and be protected and maintained for generations to come.

Danny Coyne
Danny is an avid hunter, and angler, and full time Budget manager who has been heavily involved with Oceala Fish & Game Club, BCWF, the Okanagan Salmon Community Initiative and Region 8 fisheries management. As well running the hugely successful BCFishn website and Facebook page that helps aspiring anglers and experts alike to hone their skills and discover new tactics and techniques, while highlighting the amazing fisheries of British Columbia. View BC Fishn

Rod Hennig
Kelowna born and bred, he has fished the local lakes since he was a boy and runs the most reputable and successful local fishing charter business Rodney’s Reel Outdoors. Proficient at just about every form of fishing and extremely knowledgeable about our local fisheries, Rod is also passionate about conservation of the resource and the restoration of our fisheries, and has worked with the Ministry, local biologists and First Nations to help measure and assess fish stocks for over a decade. View Kelowna Fishing

Lorne Davies
A specialist in hydrology and owner operator of Geostream Environmental Consulting, Lorne has been working in and around Okanagan fisheries and the wetlands, creeks, rivers and lakes of this area for many years. His knowledge of the local Watersheds and the finite water resources of the Okanagan Valley is intimate and extensive. His expertise in analyzing, evaluating and assessing local water issues is well utilized by local governments, municipalities and organizations like us and is invaluable as a source of vital information that informs and guides us in this time of climate crisis, drought and water scarcity.

Jason Webster
Local fish biologist, angler and avid fly fisherman, Jason has a ton of experience with the assessment of local fish species, stock numbers, spawning habitat and restoration in the Okanagan. Having worked for BC Parks, the Ministry of Environment’s BC hatcheries and now as a consultant with his business Chara Consulting, he is a wealth of knowledge and his science-based outlook helps to educate and guide the Board of Directors. He is also the man behind the popular and informative Facebook page, Okanagan Anglers 101, which is a must for those looking to increase their knowledge of our local fisheries, fish species and entomology. View Okanagan Angler

Gregg Alfonso
A lawyer here in Kelowna who spends a lot of time pursuing his passion for fishing both here and in places like Mexico and Maui. Gregg provides his expertise to the Board in legal matters and helps keep a professional tone in the meetings while giving his valuable time to the restoration of our fisheries. View Gregg Alfonso

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Okanagan Fisheries Foundation needs your help in preserving and improving our local fisheries and restoring the fish habitat and ecosystems that support them. You can also be a part of enhancing and protecting our local lakes and streams in the Okanagan Valley Watershed, conserving them for generations to come, either by joining, donating and/or volunteering your time

“The only way we can improve and preserve our local fisheries as individuals, is to get directly involved. Our governments listen to groups in the community who are willing to put in the effort locally and act, be it through lobbying or direct action. You can create real change through your membership, a donation or the contribution of your time and in doing so, know you are helping to make the Okanagan fisheries great again.”

President and Founder- Mat Hanson

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Join Us and help preserve and restore our local Fisheries

The Okanagan Fisheries Foundation is a non profit organization made up of local businesspeople, non government organization members and individuals dedicated to enhancing and preserving the Okanagan Valley and Region 8 fisheries. Our fish stocks, spawning habitat and local ecosystems are a measure of the health of our waterways and can help mitigate flooding, provide economic and recreational value, and ultimately reflect our communities reverence for our local natural resources and their inherent beauty and value.