Tom Macy - The Conservation Fund
Colorado, U.S.A.

For Tom Macy, saving fish and fish habitat is a lifelong obsession. From Silver Creek and the Salmon River to the McCloud and Deschutes, Tom’s had a hand in the preservation of some of the finest trout fisheries—and best places—in the West.

As a founding member of The Conservation Fund in Boulder, CO, Tom has spent more than two decades helping to identify key habitat properties and putting together deals to preserve them.  It’s an approach he calls “transactional” conservation, with an emphasis on teamwork and lasting relationships. The results are unquestionably successful.

How does he maintain his seemingly boundless energy and drive for conservation work?

As Tom puts it, he simply follows Edward Abbey’s advice to be a “part-time fanatic” and recharges by satisfying his love for fishing and wilderness. He returns from time on the water newly inspired and ready to face the next challenges. Which there seems to be no shortage of these days. 

The future of trout fishing, Tom says, lies in our ability to save wild places “before they’re dammed, logged, developed, industrialized or hatcheryized.” In our estimation, he’s already made a pretty good start of it.

So the next time you find yourself fishing one of the West’s truly spectacular places, tip your hat to Tom. It’s entirely possible he helped save it.