Since 2007, the Gulf Coast Council has annually recognized individuals 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 Summer issue of our newsletter, The Gulf Streamer.
Fly Fisher of the Year – Roger Apperley
Awarded to an individual whose dedication to the sport has been exemplary, and whose contributions have benefitted one or more aspects of the fly fishing community.
Roger is a past officer of Mississippi Coast Fly Fishers and current tournament director of Gulf Coast Fly Fishers. Roger and his wife Nina has been highly supportive of fly fishing tournaments, with an eye for conservation. He’s also received the FISHES certification. He has tagged numerous redfish, speckled trout, and tripletail over the past years, with several recaptures. As well an advocate for science-based fisheries. Roger is a strong believer in promoting and sharing fly fishing, assisting new members, and routinely offers neophytes an opportunity to fish with him.
Excellence in Conservation – William Strickland
Recognizes an individual, club or group that has made outstanding contributions to the conservation of our fisheries resources and/or their habitats.
An avid flyfisher, William played football under Nick Saban at Alabama, which prepared him for the tough battles that often come with being an advocate of conservation. As Executive Director of Mobile Baykeeper, this past year he led the fight against a Corps of Engineers project to spill dredge the Mobile Bay ship channel – a project with potential devastating impact to all fisheries and the overall health of the bay. But more than just oppose, Baykeeper proposed an alternative that would use the spoil material to rebuild wetlands lost to storm erosion. Though the war is not yet won, the USACE knows they have a large public outcry to deal with, thanks to his efforts!
Excellence in Education – David Rogers
Honor bestowed upon an individual 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).
David took over the role of Fly Tying Chair for Red Stick Fly Fishers in January 2024, and has greatly revitalized tying interest and attendance. He also took on a leadership role for a monthly independent, casual tying night at a local brewery (Flies & Flights). David is always willing to assist beginners, sharing tips for getting started and tying basics. He also promotes tying on the club’s social media pages.
Club Community Award – New Orleans Fly Fishers
In recognition of a club that has been very active outside its own membership, contributing to the community, or benefitting charitable organizations.
In the past year, the club (1) held their biennial New Orleans Fly Fishing Expo, (2) conducted a fundraiser which raised $1,000 for Casting For Recovery Southeast Cbapter, (3) participated in SackUp for Clean Water with Red Stick club members, collecting trash around urban lakes, (4) initiated a monthly open community tying session open to all tiers or prospective tiers regardless of club affiliation, (5) held several open public casting / fly fishing clinics, (6) participated in an email campaign to pass new, conservation-minded regulations for redfish and menhaden.
Presidents Award – Ben Roussel
Selected by the President, recognizing an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the organization, and/or to council members and clubs.
Ben is most deserving of this award, for his outstanding work on developing and instituting the very popular Suncatch Challenge, a program unique to the Gulf Coast Council. Ben has given programs to various clubs on identifying sunfish species, as well as different bass species, and where to target them. He was also one of the original organizers of the Gulf Coast Classic’s Mixed Bag fishing tournament.
Friend of the Council – Jeff Rowley, Joe Jackson, Allen Rupp, Mack Bryson.
In recognition of an individual, group, or business, outside of the GCC, whose actions and involvement has contributed to the success of the Council.
This “Group of Four” are some of the most recognized fly tiers in the country, appearing at numerous shows each year. Yet each travels hundreds, even thousands, of miles on their own dime to support our Gulf Coast Classic, sharing their incredible fly tying skills with our anglers. On top of that, they’ve helped spread the word on promoting the Classic on social media, advocating for us at trade shows, and introducing us to brands and sponsors that have really helped the event grow.
Jeff Rowley. Native of Texas Panhandle, Jeff is a member of J. Stockard and Semperfli pro staffs. Considered one of the five best deer hair tiers in USA, his repertoire also includes various trout and redfish patterns.
Joe Jackson. An Army vet from Martinville, IN,, Joe is nationally renown for his artistic masterpieces with deer hair, including his Baby Yoda, Hummingbird, Cardinal, and T-Rex. He and Jeff Rowley do a one-of-a-kind deer hair class.
Mack Bryson. Mack hails from Leesburg, GA, and is owner of Southeastern Flyworks. He creates great looking flies for bass, tarpon, redfish and other predatory species. Mack loves to instruct others, sharing his conceptions and those of his mentor, Blaine Chocklett.
Allen Rupp. New Yorker Allen is owner of “On The Fly”, tying retail flies for nearly every species that swims. His ties show an with an exceptional eye to detail, proportion and use of materials. Allen is also a protege of Dave Whitlock, instructing at various events on the many patterns he learned from the master himself.
Friend of the Council – Justin Lang / No Wake Outfitters
Justin Lang (No Wake Outfitters) has been an avid supporter of the Gulf Coast Council since opening in 2022. Justin has always been willing to donate and support all of the GCC events and activities. In 2024, No Wake was the title sponsor for our Gulf Coast Classic, and has been one of the Classic’s exhibitors since its inception. Most recently, in the Council’s efforts to raise money for Casting for Recovery, Justin donated a Bauer fly reel to the New Orleans club for the raffle. Justin is one of the most giving and generous people, and we are blessed to have him!
Fly Tying Achievement Award – Phillip ‘Flip’ Siragusa
Recognizes lifetime contributions to the art of fly tying, through any combination of accomplishment, innovation, teaching, publication, involvement, or promotion of the art.
Flip Siragusa passed away on June 9th after a courageous bout with leukemia and several associated complications. Flip was president of Acadiana Fly Rodders of Lafayette, LA, and a prolific fly tier who had demonstrated at various regional events, as well as taught tying workshops through Pack & Paddle and at FFI events. He also served as Fly Tying Director for the FFI Gulf Coast Council up to last year when he was diagnosed with cancer.
Flip began flyfishing and tying flies as a youngster. He would make rudimentary popping bugs with cork bottle tops, chicken. feathers, and paint. During his 30 year career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, he renewed his interest in fly fishing, expanding his tying skills and even began making his own rods. His repertoire of over a hundred fly patterns ranged from dry flies to deer hair bugs to offshore flies, but his favorites were foam bugs and his variation of the Waldner Spoon Fly. He created the Zatarian Shrimp, the Pont Breaux Crawfish, and several other flies. He will be greatly missed!
Fly Tying Achievement Award – A.J. Rosenbohm
AJ has become a recognized leader in the fly tying community. He coordinates fly tying classes for the New Orleans Fly Fishers, and offers instruction for beginners as well as advanced tiers. He is a demonstration tier at various events, and is willing to travel to share instruction with other clubs and groups. He makes sure others increase their skills and have the same satisfaction he experiences.
Recently A.J. has become an active commercial tier, tying original as well as classic patterns for No Wake Outfitters, Community Fly Supply, and Forgotten Coast Fly Company. The mark of a top notch tier is when other respected tiers are impressed with the quality of their work, with an emphasis on small details. A.J.’s patterns fit that qualification.
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.
