CONSERVATION
Rediscovering Our Rivers Fly fishing culture and conservation taking root near the Black Sea Lado Sakvarelidze
T
he country of Georgia, located on the frontier of Europe and Asia, is what geographers and political scientists call a transcontinental country. The country sits within the Greater and Lesser Caucasus Ranges and between the Black and Caspian Seas. Its people have strong aspirations for their country to integrate with and join the European Union and to have closer political and economic ties
with the U.S. and U.K. Sadly, for those with such aspirations, there are other countries that do not support this idea. These actors want to keep Georgia under their sphere of influence. The matter is often a subject of debate on the world stage of geopolitics. One thing nobody debates, however, is that Georgia has one of the most unique natural landscapes and cultures on our planet. Georgians are people of mountains and rivers.
Freedom of the hills Locals joke that they are not famous for fishing on the sea because historically, Georgia was excluded from the Black Sea. We were often subject to conquest and domination by regional powers. The Classical Greeks, Persians, Mongols, Ottoman Turks, Safavid Iranians and Russians all exerted their influence over Georgians. However, the mountains and rivers always belonged to us. In those environs is where Georgians felt free and independent. Fishing on rivers is a national tradition in Georgia. It is a popular outdoor activity, probably second only to running and hiking. Our rivers are not only rivers; we consider them masterful works of the Creator. They’re beautiful, stunning and offer no shortage of adventures— as do the natural landscapes that surround them. Many Georgians like to think that our national identity is blended into our rivers, mountains and landscapes.
Lado Sakvarelidze FFI Member and founder of FFI’s International Affiliate club, Blue Rivers Club. Entrepreneur, New Born (Self Taught) Fly Fisherman & Environmental Enthusiast.
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FlyFisher Spring/Summer 2022