Meet Castan
High school student Castan Conley has seen a lot of change in his life. He’s experienced the lush valleys of midwestern farm land and the seagrass meadows and mangrove forests of South Florida flats. He’s also seen the decimation we reap on some of our shallow salty flats and how everyone can help reverse those problems.
Mangroves and Miami
He spent the first eight years of his life on a Wisconsin farm before moving to Miami. The transition from one healthy environment to a sick one surprised him.“When we moved here in 2016, the flats of Biscayne Bay were muddy, brown and lifeless,” said Conley. “Over the years, I have seen it become and environment full of life, with bright green grass flats and huge bonefish. I’ve begun to appreciate this place on a much higher level and have been doing everything that I can to preserve it for the next generation.”
Conley took an interest in a relatively unknown turtle called the mangrove diamondback terrapin that lives on the mangrove lined beaches of South Florida. Over four years, he documented their presence and habits, and eventually created a following of International scientists and other local youths who he taught about the species and how to monitor them. Now, he’s got an army of locals wanting to protect and monitor the future of this rare mangrove turtle.
An avid fly fishermen in his free time, Conley was recently honored with a summer camp scholarship by Fish For Change, one of our conservation partners. Fish For Change takes students abroad each summer to Honduras, the Bahamas, Mexico and Costa Rica for one week fly fishing and environmental stewardship.
“We learn through a place rather than about it,” explained F4C Executive Director and Bajío Odyssey Crew Member Heather Harkavy. “We team up with local conservation groups and learn about how environments in different locations are struggling and how we can actively make a difference in their lives. Our goal is to create a generation of anglers that hold qualities of empathy, curiosity and leadership.”
Fish For Change
Fish For Change is one of Bajío's conservation partners, and each year, we create an exclusive pair of sunglasses under our “Temples of Change” program to raise money for airfare for the scholarship students. This year’s Temples of Change features a special edition of our Vega frames with a permit scene designed by resident tattoo artist Casey Anderson etched into the temples.
Named for Alejandro Vega Cruz, AKA “Sandflea,” the grandfather of fly fishing on the Yucatan’s Isla Holbox, this large-fitting, 8-base wrap frame with wide temples for blocking side light is perfect for sight fishing the flats. When you purchase a pair of Temples Of Change Special Edition Bajío sunglasses, $20 from your purchase will go to the Fish For Change Scholarship program.
Make a Difference
“By purchasing these shades, you’re helping the next generation of changemakers in the fly fishing community,” said Harkavy. “With your support, you’re creating a life changing experience for a student who will potentially affect thousands of others in their lifetime.”
The entire Fish For Change community and their mission to make the world a better place through experiential education fits into Bajíos belief that through fishing we can change the world. We’ll do it one angler at a time if we have to. So join our tribe of misfits, and hop on the protect the places we love train and get yourself a pair or Temples of Change Vegas. Let’s help open the eyes of young fishermen and set the trend for conserving all of our Bajíos. All Bajío products are made from scratch; designed and assembled in New Smyrna Beach, FL by people who believe in their work and take quality personally.
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