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

Local fishing charter operator and ex-pat Australian who married the Canadian girl of his dreams and lives in Kelowna with her and their two young daughters. An avid fly fisherman and passionate environmentalist, he created the Okanagan Fisheries Foundation out of despair for the state of the local fisheries. View Fish Kelowna

Danny Coyne

Danny is an avid hunter, 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

Scott Dale

Founder of the Green River Collective, a river stewardship program for Shambala Music Festival on the Salmo River. Scott and his crew of volunteers promote ecological awareness to festival goers and have set up a cigarette butt recycling program to raise money for charitable causes. A passionate Kettle River angler and Millwright at Big White Ski Resort, Scott is also an avid fly fisherman and is highly motivated to affect change, his enthusiasm and love for our fisheries is infectious. View Green River Collective

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.