Mark Hume

Career Trajectory: From Arctic Reporting to Literary Acclaim

Hume’s journey began at The Vancouver Sun in the 1970s, where he developed his signature style of blending investigative rigor with narrative depth. His early coverage of Arctic ecosystems for The Edmonton Journal established him as a voice for remote landscapes. Key milestones include:

• 1990s Environmental Advocacy: As BC bureau chief for The National Post, he exposed industrial impacts on British Columbia’s rivers, culminating in his 1999 National Newspaper Award-winning series on Strait of Georgia pollution.
• Literary Contributions: Transitioning into long-form writing, Hume authored acclaimed books like River of the Angry Moon (1998), which the American Fisheries Society hailed as “a blueprint for sustainable fisheries management.”
• Modern Commentary: Recent freelance work for The Globe and Mail tackles contemporary issues like the ethics of catch-and-release fishing, demonstrating his ability to reframe historical practices through modern ecological lenses.

Defining Works: Three Pillars of Environmental Journalism

"Since 1828 sports anglers have been told to release fish they don’t need for food. Now they are being told they are wrong."

This 2021 Globe and Mail piece challenges angling orthodoxy through a combination of historical analysis and contemporary biological research. Hume traces the 200-year evolution of “sport fishing” ethics, juxtaposing early conservationists’ writings with modern studies showing post-release mortality rates up to 30% in stressed salmon populations. The article’s impact reverberated through fishing communities, prompting reevaluation of tournament practices and gear regulations.

"The Essential Mo"

Published in MidCurrent, this profile of fly-fishing pioneer Mo Bradley exemplifies Hume’s ability to document subcultural innovation. The piece details how Bradley’s 1960s Kamloops trout techniques revolutionized dry-fly fishing, using archival interviews and technical analysis of hatch-matching strategies. Industry response included renewed interest in heritage tackle designs and regional fishing tourism campaigns.

"Reading the Water – Fly Fishing, Fatherhood, And Finding Strength In Nature"

Hume’s 2022 memoir synthesizes personal narrative with ecological insight, using fly-fishing as a lens to examine intergenerational relationships with nature. The work’s integration of hydrological data with family stories created a new template for nature writing, earning praise from The Globe and Mail for its “scientific poetry.”

Pitching Insights: Aligning with Hume’s Editorial Vision

1. Focus on Watershed-Scale Conservation Initiatives

Hume prioritizes stories demonstrating interconnected ecosystem impacts, as seen in his Haig-Brown Award-winning coverage of the Adams River sockeye collapse. Successful pitches might involve:

• Cross-border water management policies
• Indigenous-led habitat restoration projects
• New hydrological modeling techniques

2. Highlight Technical Innovation in Outdoor Traditions

His Trout School (2019) analysis of gear evolution shows interest in technology’s role in sustainable practices. Pitch angles could include:

• Biodegradable fishing line development
• AI-driven hatch prediction tools
• Historical gear analysis (e.g., bamboo rod craftsmanship)

3. Leverage Archival Research for Contemporary Insights

The 2021 fishing ethics piece demonstrates Hume’s method of using historical documents to inform current debates. Compelling pitches might involve:

• 19th-century fishing journals with climate change insights
• Museum specimen analysis revealing ecosystem shifts
• Revival of traditional Indigenous fishing methods

Awards and Industry Recognition

• National Newspaper Award (1999): Awarded for investigative work exposing industrial pollution in the Strait of Georgia, this honor recognizes Hume’s ability to drive policy change through journalism.
• Roderick Haig-Brown Prize (1999): The American Fisheries Society honored River of the Angry Moon for its contributions to fishery science communication, cementing Hume’s dual status as literary and scientific authority.
• Michener Citation (1996): This public service journalism recognition underscores his career-long commitment to environmental accountability reporting.