FFI Gulf Coast Council

Since 2007, the Gulf Coast Council has annually recognized members and clubs for their efforts to promote and advance fly fishing, fly tying, conservation and community within the GCC.

Each award recipient will receive a personalized mug with their name and award. The mug features an abstract of a redfish tail. It makes for a great ornament on bookshelves or coffee tables, or for use in enjoying hot beverages.

The list of nominees and their achievements will also be published in the Fall issue of our newsletter, The Gulf Streamer. Below is a summary of that info.

Fly Fisher of the Year – Brian Roberts

Awarded to individual(s) whose dedication to the sport has been exemplary, and whose contributions have benefitted one or more aspects of fly fishing or the fly fishing community.

Brian is President of the Red Stick Fly Fishers in Baton Rouge, LA. Under Brian’s leadership the club has flourished and attracted a number of new members. His organizational skills have allowed the club to take on new projects and goals, setting a high bar. As an angler, Brian was the first to achieve the Master Level of the GCC’s Suncatch Challenge (16 species). He also served as the official photographer for the 2024 GCC Classic. Whenever a volunteer is needed for a mission, Brian has been at the front. Truly a well-deserved honor!

Youth Angler of the Year – Noah Hoyt

Given to an individual under 18 years of age who has exhibited exceptional fly fishing skills, and/or contributed to his club or community.

As a high schooler, Noah has been a very active member of the Kisatchie Fly Fishers, demonstrating superb casting and fly tying skills, and participating in the club’s Mixed Bag Challenge. Regarding the MBC, in 2023 he finished in fourth place, ahead of many veteran fly anglers in the club. His dedication to the sport has earned him the respect and admiration of his fellow club members.

Excellence in Conservation – Robinson Almeida

Recognizes an individual or club that has made outstanding contributions to the conservation of our fisheries resources and/or their habitats, through projects or activism.

During a trip to Alabama last September, Robinson expressed concerns about the amount of trash he was encountering along local waterways. He was cleaning up what he could, but wanted to find a way to actively involve the fly fishing community in cleaning up our waters.

Robinson came up with an initiative called #SackUpforCleanWater. With support of his club (Red Stick Fly Fishers), he accepted the role of Conservation Chair and instituted the program. The club conducts monthly #SackUp events, often joined with casting clinics, at some lake or pond. He has also initiated collaborative efforts with Coaltion to Restore Coastal Louisiana (CRCL) and Clean Pelican organizations.

Excellence in Education – Jeff Ferguson

Honor bestowed upon an individual or club that has excelled in teaching one or more elements of our sport to others (e.g., fly casting, fly tying, rod building, fly fishing techniques).

Jeff is an FFI Master Certified Casting Instructor (MCI) and a Level-2 Examinar, as well as a member of the FFI North American Events Committee. He helped organize the largest casting certification event in U.S. history, and conducts casting clinics at all levels from beginning to advanced. In 2023, he received the FFI’s Mel Krieger Casting Award and in 2019, he was honored with the FFI Council Award of Excellence.

Over the past 18 months, Jeff has conducted casting clinics or given presentations on casting to various clubs and at events across the Gulf Coast Council and the South. He has continued to organize one of the very few FFI Casting Certification Testing programs in the country right here in the GCC. Jeff was also instrumental in organizing the very successful and highly popular casting workshops at the 2024 Gulf Coast Classic in Gulf Shores.

Fly Tying Achievement Award – Glen ‘Catch’ Cormier

Recognizes lifetime contributions to the art of fly tying, through any combination of accomplishment, innovation, teaching, publication, or promotion of the art.

For over three decades, Catch has innovated nearly two dozen patterns, some original and some variations of both modern and traditional flies. His flies have been published in several magazines and books. Many of his flies can be found on his website at www.laflyfish.com and several on his Youtube Channel and on the Kisatchie Fly Fishers Channel, where he continues to add content.

He’s conducted tying clinics on introductory tying, “Basic Saltwater Marsh Flies” and “The Magnificient Seven Panfish Flies”. For a period of 6 years, he and fellow Red Stick club member Jody Titone conducted a fly tying course through the Leisure Program at Louisiana State University.

Catch has tied at over three dozen events, including the ISE Expo, FFI National Conclave, Fly Tyers Weekend, Sowbug Roundup, Fly Tying Group Rendezvous, as well as council and club events across the Mid South, Southeast and Rocky Mountains. To learn more about his tying background and the story behind a few of his more well-known  flies, check out this article in On The Fly South magazine.

Club Community Award – Panhandle Fly Fishers

Awarded to a club that has been very active outside its membership, contributing to the community, or benefitting charitable organizations.

Panhandle Fly Fishers of Destin has been a supporting club to Project Healing Waters since 2015. One of three clubs in the Gulf Coast Council to do so. Founded in 2005, Project Healing Waters was created to serve individuals who were seeking care after having returned from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since the establishment of that original program, the organization has spread nationwide and now serves more than 9,700 veterans in 225 programs in 48 states.

Over the past 18 months, the Panhandle club has been involved at a high level in the PHW program, assisting with tying and casting sessions, but also taking these veterans on fishing excursions. This past year, they even conducted a rod building clinic for PHW veterans. At this year’s Gulf Coast Classic, they were one of the most visited exhibitors, proving that interest in the program is more popular than ever.

Friend of the Council – Sam Sumlin

Recognizes an individual or group, outside of the GCC, whose actions and involvement has contributed to the success of the Council.

Sam has been an avid supporter of the Gulf Coast Council and active in the logistical organization of the Gulf Coast Classic. He has been the designer of the promotional poster for the first two Gulf Coast Classics. He gives unselfishly of his time and talent with his design expertise and is always attentive to any requests the council has asked of him.

In addition, Sam has been a point of contact and information for conservation issues around Mobile Bay and along the Alabama coast. He is also an excellent angler and willing to share his fishing expertise with others, as he did at the 2024 Gulf Coast Classic.

President’s Award – Donald Dehm

Selected by the Council president, recognizing an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the organization, and/or to our members and clubs.

Even before he moved to coastal Alabama, Donald was doing great things inside our Council. He’s since done a great job as both GCC Education Director and Treasurer, as well as the architect and engineer of our successful Gulf Coast Classic. He’s also been an advisor to the Conservation Chair on issues in Alabama and the Florida Panhandle.

Donald has produced countless Youtube instructional videos on both fly fishing and kayak fishing. He’s active in social media in both realms, and often the top expert on a particular forum. He also enjoys photography, with emphasis on birds and scenery.

For more on each of these and other awards, as well as listing of previous honorees, check out the “Awards” page under the “Resources” menu.