The Gulf Coast Council has annually honored FFI members and clubs for their outstanding contributions to our mission. This year, we recognize 7 individuals and 2 clubs for their promotion and advancement of fly fishing, fly tying, conservation and community within the GCC region.
Rex White and other members of the GCC Awards Committee are proud to announce the following honorees. Emphasis was placed on both past and current contributions. Each will receive a personalized mug with their name and award. The mug features artwork of award-winning fly fishing artist James Lady.
Man of the Year – Roger Breedlove
An active member of the Kisatchie Fly Fishers club, Roger is a strong environmentalist and conservationist who loves fly fishing and promotes it with vigor to all willing to listen. Roger has given private casting lessons to dozens of adults and youth over the last three years, and never charged a fee. In April, he passed the FFI Casting Instructor certification exam. A master rod builder, he has built and donated dozens of fly rods to his club, to new members of his club, and to the Gulf Coast Council. In the last year, he instructed a rod building clinic at no cost, and open to members of any club.
Outside of fly fishing, Roger is a highly-respected birder, astronomer, and philantrophist. He is past president of the Louisiana Ornithological Society and co-authored the book, “A Birders Guide to Louisiana”. He also teaches astronomy for the Louisiana Master Naturalist program.
Woman of the Year – Jeanne Rogers
As a member of the Contraband Fly Casters, Jeanne helped organize the very successful Contraband Fly Fishing Expo last July. She also worked to secure accomodations for Casting Instructor (CI) and Master Casting Instructor (MCI) examiners and candidates. Over the year, she has greatly improved her casting and is working towards becoming an instructor herself. She has also been an asset to the GCC in an advisory capacity.
Junior Angler of the Year – David Karcher
A 12-year-old member of the New Orleans Fly Fishers, David is a very prolific angler, posting often on Facebook about his fly fishing experiences and adventures. He’s also a well-accomplished fly tier.
During the past year, David:
* won the fly fishing division of the New Orleans City Park Big Bass Rodeo
* placed first in his club’s “Big Year” competition
* tied for first place for most rios in the club’s annual Rio Grande Fly Fishing Rodeo
Fly Tying Achievement Award – Kirk Dietrich
Over the past 30 years, Kirk has been recognized as one of the most innovative warmwater and saltwater fly tiers in the country. Mentored by such pioneers as Walt Holman, Ted Cabali and Pete Cooper, he has been a leading advocate for balsa and cork-bodied flies. One of his many creations, the Kirk’s Spoon Fly has long been one of Orvis’ best selling saltwater flies. His flies and articles have been featured in numerous magazines and books. And earlier this year, he published his first authored book ever, “Tying Bugs: The Complete Book of Poppers, Sliders and Divers”.
A few of his other accomplishments:
* created dozens of popular flies such as the Squirrelly, Rattle Rouser and Rabid Dog
* taught popper classes and spoon fly classes to clubs in the GCC
* pioneered the use of the Faux Fox dubbing brush
* created several YouTube videos demonstrating popper techniques
This Spring, Kirk – a member of the New Orleans Fly Fishers club – helped organize his club’s first-ever expo, coordinating the fly tying demonstrations and fundraising raffles and auctions.
Education Award – Jeff Ferguson
Jeff is an FFI Master Certified Casting Instructor with qualifications to examine candidates for the CI and MCI certifications. Over the past year, Jeff assisted several regional FFI clubs with casting programs, as well as with casting at the Guadalupe River Trout Unlimited TroutFest. He mentored three individuals who successfully passed the CI exam on their first attempt! Jeff was one of the first to provide input to clubs on the FFI Casting Skills Challenge.
During the past year, Jeff was involved in three casting “boot camps” nationwide to help potential CI candidates meet the requirements of the exam. He coordinated an FFI Certification Examination Program in Lake Charles back in March. In February, Jeff was named Casting Co-Director of the Gulf Coast Council. In July, at the FFI National Fly Fishing Expo, Jeff was recognized on the international level with the “Council of Excellence” award.
Club Community Award – Kisatchie Fly Fishers
This award is based on community participation and philantrophy, and interactivity with other clubs. The Kisatchie Fly Fishers have been very active in that regard. They meet twice monthly, one a fly tying session, the other a program meeting. All their meetings are open to the public.
Over the last 18 months, they:
* held a very successful fly fishing expo with proceeds donated to The Food Bank of Central Louisiana
* participated in special quarterly events held by the Alexandria Farmers Market
* participated in the Cenla National Hunting and Fishing Day event
* teamed with the Lafayette Kayak Fishing Club to rebuild the Crab Lady Kayak Launch on Calcasieu Lake
* held their annual “Fly Fishing 101” day-long clinic, open to the public and free of charge
* was a financial sponsor of the North Louisiana Fly Fishers “Masters Series”
* donated over $300 worth of books and videos to the Rapides Library system
* held a “Mixed Bag Contest” CPR online tournament with focus on diversity of fish caught on fly.
* added 18 new members, and 5 new FFI members.
Club Fellowship Award – New Orleans Fly Fishers
NOFF is one of the Gulf Coast Council’s oldest and finest clubs. Each month, they hold a regular meeting and two fly tying sessions. Their members also very active on Facebook, posting frequent fishing reports.
This past year the club:
* exhibited at the New Orleans City Park Big Bass Rodeo & Fishtival
* sponsored and hosted their 10th annual Rio Grande Fly Fishing Rodeo with proceeds going to Casting For Recovery
* hosted the inaugural New Orleans Fly Fishing Expo with proceeds going to Casting For Recovery and the FFI Gulf Coast Council
* hosted a “Big Year” and “Short Year” CPR online tournament with focus on diversity of species
* held a club freshwater stream trip and a saltwater marsh trip
* participated in the Louisiana Sportsman Show in the Superdome
Friend of the Gulf Coast Council Award – Donald Dehm
Donald, of Madison, Alabama, is a very active member of the Tennessee Valley Fly Fishers out of Huntsville. He also runs the Floating Feathers Kayak Fly Fishing School, with promotes fly casting and fly fishing from kayaks. He is also an accomplished tier.
In April of this year, Donald came to Pointe-aux-Chenes, LA, on his own dime to support the “Fly Fishin For the Mission” tournament that supports Mission Six, a charity for veterans with physical and mental challenges. The tournament not only raises money for the charity, but also puts veterans out on the water fly fishing. Many of the veterans came in advance of the tournament, and Donald was there to help teach them fly casting and fishing techniques. One of the vets, Jessie Hamilton, ended up winning the tournament – having NEVER fished a fly rod before that weekend!
Here’s what Jessie had to say, “Donald was instrumental in teaching me how to fly fish with only a couple hours of instruction. He genuinely cares about your success as much as you do and makes it easy to learn.”. Helping the GCC is more than helping the organization. It’s about helping meet the goals we share – especially teaching our wounded heroes how to fly fish.
President’s Award – Glen “Catch” Cormier
This award is selected by the President of the Gulf Coast Council. Catch is president of the Kisatchie Fly Fishers, a past-president of the Red Stick Fly Fishers and the FFI Gulf Coast Council, and former board member of the FFI Southeastern Council. In February, Catch was named GCC Conservation Director and webmaster.
For over two decades:
* his “Fly Lines” column has appeared in Louisiana Sportsman magazine and website
* his website “Louisiana Fly Fishing” has kept regional fly anglers informed
* he’s written about kayak fishing, and done radio segments on kayak fishing
In selecting Catch, GCC President A.J. Rosenbohm also noted, “He’s always willing to help any of the clubs that need help with their websites. He does this on his own time, not expecting any recognition or compensation. He is very generous with his time, a staunch conservationist and a talented fly tyer. He always has a smile on his face and makes everyone that meets him feel comfortable.”.
Congratulations to all!
If you know of an FFI member or club that is advancing, or has advanced, the goals of the Gulf Coast Council – specifically, promotion of fly fishing, fly casting, fly tying, conservation and community – then keep them in mind for the 2020 awards. Deadline is April 30th.
