At the FFI Virtual Expo, Gulf Coast Council board member David Buckner of Ocean Springs, MS, was announced as the newest member to the Fly Fishers International (FFI) Fly Tying Group (FTG) Board of Directors. In addition, he will serve on the FTG Executive Committee as Secretary. David joins Fred Hannie of Lake Charles – our GCC Vice President and Tying Chairman – as members to the FTG Board.
The mission of the FTG is to share opportunities for the fly tying community to learn new or enhance their current skills. This is accomplished through tying demonstrations at events, maintaining a comprehensive video library, teaching fly tying online, having a database of tiers for clubs and events, providing a skills awards program, and sharing experiences through a periodic newsletter.
David is both of a member of the Historic Ocean Springs Saltwater Fly Fishing Club (HOSSFly) and Eastern Shore Fly Fishers (ESFF). He retired from executive management at Mississippi Power and Southern Company in 2018, and has served on numerous civic and charitable boards, including Boy Scouts, United Way, Walter Anderson Museum of Art, and many more. David is an accomplished tier, with a wide repertoire of patterns from salmon flies to trout flies, and to his specialty, saltwater patterns. Earlier this year, he was honored with the GCC Excellence in Education Award. He was elected to the GCC board in 2021 and currently serves as Planning Director for the inaugural Gulf Coast Classic scheduled for May 5-6, at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores.
Please join us in congratulating David on his selection, and best wishes as he helps guide the Group towards future endeavors.
Speaking of future endeavors… the FTG announced at the Expo several initatives for the coming year. Those included:
- a certification program for fly tying instruction, the purpose of which would be to provide tying instructors with a framework for successful teaching techniques
- participation at major fly fishing shows across the country
- a youth fly tying program
- an annual Fly Tying Group Rendezvous. The first one will be held September 15-16, 2023, in Branson, Missouri. Details to be announced in coming months.
