To Our Fly-fishing Friends and Industry Partners:

January 20, 2009

It is with great sadness that I must inform you of the passing this morning of our good friend and legislative advocate, Jim Range.

Jim was a partner and Senior Legislative Policy Advisor for Baker, Donelson, Bearman & Caldwell, a Washington, DC, law firm. Jim also served as AFFTA’s voice in the legislature for over 10 years. As one of the nation’s most prominent conservation and hunting and fishing attorneys, Jim helped shape the direction of countless conservation efforts. He is well known for advocating on behalf of the Sportfishing and conservation communities, especially in the fly-fishing arena which he was particularly interested in. Jim was a dedicated and lifelong fly fisherman with a summer home on Montana’s Missouri river.

Jim envisioned and was instrumental in the creation and development of AFFTA’s National Casting Call and he will be appropriately recognized by us at this event on April 27^th.

Today, during my calls to many members regarding his passing, I was often asked for more information regarding services in remembrance of Jim. Jim’s family is currently considering memorial service arrangements and as more information becomes available we will post it on our website.

Cordially,

Alan Gnann

Chairman

American Fly Fishing Trade Association