"It opens your eyes to the spectacular nature of pristine waters, and even more so to the damage done to them." Tom Skerritt, Actor and Board Member of American Rivers

In 1992 Robert Redford directed the movie version of a small autobiographical novella by Norman Maclean, A River Runs Through It, that brought the sport of fly fishing back into the limelight where it experienced significant growth. But an indirect effect of greater importance was the sudden focus given to coldwater conservation. As increasing numbers of people entered the sport, they quickly became aware of the fragility of cold-water habitats, and just as the sport enjoyed a resurgence, so did the conservation efforts.

As Orvis CEO Perk Perkins stated in a discussion about the potential overcrowding of anglers, “The more people that love the rivers, the better off the rivers will be.”

Tom Skerritt who played the Reverend Maclean, was as affected as anyone about the need to protect our rivers.

“How could we not be affected,” said Skerritt, “spending so much time in those environs during filming and dealing with such a seminal work on a man’s relationship with a river? It opens your eyes to the spectacular nature of pristine waters, and even more so to the damage done to them.”

Skerritt became actively involved with American Rivers, a leading conservation organization founded in 1973 to restore and protect America’s rivers, and he is currently an American Rivers Board Member. Now Orvis and American Rivers are partnering to help restore two treasured rivers.

“The two rivers are the Sacramento River, arguably the most important watershed in California, and the Yellow Breeches in Pennsylvania, one of the most storied fly-fishing rivers in the country, and a tributary of the Susquehanna,” said Skerritt. “To bring these rivers back would be a significant contribution to conservation and a great benefit to both regions.”

The Yellow Breeches

The Resource
The 444-mile long Susquehanna River and its tributaries, including the Yellow Breeches, provide half of all freshwater to the Chesapeake Bay. Historically, it has supported large spawning runs of American shad, river herring, striped bass, and trout.

The Problem
The construction of hundreds of dams on the river and its tributaries, along with poor water quality, have greatly harmed these fisheries.

The Solution
The Yellow Breeches is one of the most storied and famous trout streams in America. This project is working to remove three dams, thus connecting and reuniting even more spawning habitat and clear runs for spawning fish. Allowing this river to flow freely once again is important, not only for its own health, but the health of the Susquehanna watershed as a whole.

Sacramento River

The Resource
The Sacramento River provides drinking water to over 20 million Americans and is home to 75 species of fish, including trout, salmon and steelhead.

The Problem
Outdated flood and water management systems pose such severe threats to people and wildlife that American Rivers has listed it on its Most Endangered List as the number one most threatened river. It has lost important meadow wetlands that purify and store water and is affected by dams and diversions, and over 1,000 miles of levees, resulting in loss of wetland and water quality.

The Solution
Through the use of targeted projects in the Deer Creek floodplain to restore trout spawning habitat in the middle stretches, American Rivers, with your help, will continue to bring this remarkable riverine ecosystem back to its natural state.

What can you do to help?

Help us restore these two great rivers. Your contribution will be matched by Orvis, doubling your donation of $100 to $200. Our goal is to raise $120,000 with your help. You can donate online, or send your tax-deductible contribution, made payable to:

American Rivers Project
Department SF
The Orvis Company
178 Conservation Way
Sunderland, VT 05250

Experience the magic of "A River Runs Through It" on Blu-Ray DVD!

Oscar-winning director Robert Redford adapts Norman Maclean's memoir for the screen in this epic tale of fishing, family, and freedom. Filmed on location in Montana, the 1992 film is a must-see for any angler.

Now available on Blu-Ray DVD!