Mark your calendar for these Fall events

Posted on August 16, 2024 by Catch Cormier

We often think of late Winter and Spring as the time for fishing-related events. But here in the South, Fall can be just as active. Here are some popular activities taking place both within the Council and our neighboring councils over the next 3 months.

Sept. 14 – Natchitoches Fly Tying Festival, Natchitoches. This is a new event hosted by the ArkLaTexOma Fly Tiers. Many top fly tiers from across several states will be on hand to demonstrate their tying skills. It’s the same weekend as the world famous Meat Pie Festival so there’ll be plenty of activities for non-fishing person in your life (if they come along). For more info, go to the ArkLaTexOma Tiers Facebook page  CLICK HERE.

Sept. 27-28 – FFI Fly Tying Group Rendezvous, Springlake Event Center, Dallas, TX. The Fly Tying Group of Fly Fishers International will hold their 2nd annual Rendezvous close to our border for 2024. This event features some of the top fly tiers from across the country and beyond showing their skills Friday and Saturday. There will also be classes on a variety of tying subjects, a banquet and fundraising event on Friday evening, and more. For more info, CLICK HERE.

Sept. 28 – National Hunting and Fishing Day. NHFD is recognized by Congress as the last Saturday in September each year. For over three decades, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has held celebrations at four venues statewide. Admission is free. There are hands-on activities for all ages, plus exhibits, food, and more. The Woodworth and Baton Rouge venues have fly fishing and fly tying supported by local clubs. For details, go to www.wlf.louisiana.gov.

Sept. 28 – Rio Grande Rumble. Hosted by the New Orleans Fly Fishers, it’s the largest and oldest freshwater fly fishing tournament in the South – now entering it’s 15th time. The target species is the rio grande perch, the only cichlid native to the United States, but an invasive to Louisiana. Pre-registration is now open, and onsite registration is available. Onsite registration and weigh-in will be at No Wake Outfitters 1926 Airline Drive, Metairie, LA. For details and to pre-register, go to the Rio Grande Rumble website or visit the NOFFC website at www.neworleansflyfishers.com

Oct. 18-20 – Toledo Bend Rendezvous, North Toledo Bend State Park, Zwolle, LA. A tradition for over three decades, fly tiers and other fly fishing enthusiasts from across several states – along with their families – gather for a casual weekend of fly tying and fishing with only a minimal fee to cover lodging and meals. Some are members of clubs, some are not. Rendezvous is open to all!

There are no organized activities. Everyone is welcome to come fish, tie flies, watch some of the region’s top tiers, or tie themselves. You can come for the day or the entire weekend. If you come as a family, the rate for the entire weekend for the whole family or individual is just $40 which includes lodging. For one night lodging, the fee is $20 and for day only the fee is $10. For details, go to the Toledo Bend Rendezvous website at flycasting.bravesites.com.

Oct. 26 – Kingfisher Classic. Lee University, Cleveland, TN. 9:00am – 4:30pm. Hosted by the FFI Southeastern Council.  Now in its second year, the Classic is a celebration of fly tying featuring tiers from across the southeast states and beyond. Come and watch, or learn how to tie flies. There’s also casting demonstrations, and a silent auction of guide trips, fly gear, tying tools, art and more. For details, go to www.thekingfisherclassic.com.

Nov. 9-10 – The Round-Up (Sat) and The Gathering (Sun). Millican Reserve in College Station, TX. Hosted by Aggieland Fly Fishers and FFI Texas Council. There’s casting seminars, fly tying demos, a fishing tournament, Kids Zone, and evening dinner with entertainment. On Sunday is “The Gathering”, a day of casting continuing education for fly casting instructors and those interested in furthering their casting knowledge. Reservations are required for The Gathering, as the event is capped at 40 attendees. For details on both events, go to www.aggielandff.org.

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To keep up with all these events, please routinely check our Calendar Page, or follow us on Facebook.  If your club has an event open to the public, send us the details and we’ll add to the Calendar and promote here.

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GCC joins with Mobile Baykeeper to save the bay

Posted on August 1, 2024 by Catch Cormier

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has proposed a $366 million project to widen and deepen the Mobile Ship Channel. Under their plan, the dredged sediment would be pumped back into the bay. The volume of sediment would be enough to cover the entire bay with 2 inches of silt. This silt smothers oyster beds, seagrasses, and kills bottom organisms vital for Gulf Sturgeon, an endangered species which overwinters in the bay.

Mobile Baykeeper and other conservation and environmental groups are NOT trying to stop the project, which we agree will create jobs.  The groups are only demanding that the Corps consider alternative plans. They’re asking to consider sediment mitigation, such as was done on the Savannah River in Georgia. Sediment that can be used to rebuild coastal marsh – habitat that has been lost to decades of erosion.

The FFI Gulf Coast Council Conservation Committee has elected to become a conservation partner with Mobile Baykeeper in their efforts to modify the USACE plan. We’re asking all our members – especially those in Alabama – to contact the Corps, elected officials, and other agencies – and ask that the current plan be revisited.

To learn more about the damage that open dispersed dredging can incur, please check out THIS VIDEO .

To take action, check out the Mobile Baykeeper webpage on this topic at www.mobilebaykeeper.org

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New crappie regulations for Mississippi’s Big Four

Posted on July 9, 2024 by Catch Cormier

While much of our conservation focus over the past 18 months has been on saltwater species – redfish, spotted seatrout, flounder, and menhaden – the FFI Gulf Coast Council has also been busy monitoring and taking conservation actions for crappie.

Recently, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP) announced new daily creel limits for this popular species at four flood control reservoirs in the northern part of the state. Lakes Grenada, Enid, Sardis, and Arkabutla are nationally-recognized for producing very large crappie. The previous regulations were 15 per day, minimum size 12 inches, with a boat limit of 40. The new limits will be 10 per day, minimum size 12 inches, with a boat limit of 25. The new rules go into effect July 24th.

All four lakes have seen substantial fishing pressure in the past few years. Of greater concern for biologists is a particular advancement in fishing technology – live imaging sensors. Also known as forward-facing sonar, Livescope, and other brand names, LIS allows anglers to spot fish in real time and watch an individual fish’s reaction to a lure in real time. In some studies, there can be up to 70 percent higher catch rate with LIS than without. In addition, the technology can be used to readily identify larger specimens, i.e., the prime breeding stock.

Crappie management has long been predicated on the narrative that the species is extremely fecund, only seasonally active and difficult to catch at other times of the year. Studies in last decade have proven that not to be the case. While a female crappie may lay a large number of eggs (about 30 percent more than a largemouth bass of equal age), the fingerlings are quite susceptible to predation. With the advent of 3D Sonar – and now LIS – anglers have greatly improved success at all times of the year. Add to that a large increase in fishing pressure – boosted by widescale tournaments – and suddenly crappie are no longer the “endless resource” they were once perceived.

While the regulations imposed on the four control reservoirs were specifically aimed at retaining a quality fishery, other lakes across Mississippi have seen a reduction in creel limits in recent times (now 15 to 30 depending on waterbody) due to changes in fishing pressure. Currently, the FFI-GCC is working to get new regulations for Louisiana which has by far the most liberal limits of any state (daily creel 50).

As for Grenada et al, the FFI Gulf Coast Council supported a reduction in the boat limit, from 40 to 30. In reading the study, it was apparent that many boats were harvesting the boat limit and this was the greater concern. However, as is our policy, we will always applaud a more conservative, but reasonable, ruling.

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GCC to again participate in Tripletail Classic

Posted on June 14, 2024 by Catch Cormier

In 2020, the Eastern Shore Fly Fishers of Alabama hosted a first of its kind fly fishing only tournament in the Mobile Bay area and surrounding waters. The tournament format was Catch-Tag-Photo-Release (CTPR) targeting the Atlantic Tripletail only. Participants used dart tagging kits and the Fishing Chaos app to log and submit their catches.

The tournament was a joint project with the University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Research Lab. The purpose was to tag and release a significant quantity of fish for research. The funds raised also went to ESFF and GCRL conservation and educational outreach programs.

The popularity and success of the event has exploded since that first year. In fact, there is a limit for registration of teams participating and that limit is usually reached many months before the tournament is held. In 2022, the Eastern Shore club was awarded the Gulf Coast Council’s “Conservation Excellence Award” for their efforts in promoting tripletail research.

The 5th annual Tripletail Classic will take place on Saturday, July 29, 2024. Location will once again be the Weeks Bay Reserve Tonsmeire Resource Center in Fairhope, AL. And while registration for the tournament itself is already full, there is much more to this event than the fishing. Sponsors and conservation organizations will also be on hand during the day leading up to the awards banquet that evening.

The FFI Gulf Coast Council will again be participating in the “Conservation Causeway” at the Tripletail Classic. The Causeway was created as an outreach opportunity for organizations from south Alabama and the Gulf region with an environmental stewardship mission to connect with the recreational fishing and boating community in the area. With over 150 folks in attendance, this is a great opportunity to share our involvement in conservation issues.

For more on the Tripletail Classic, go to www.easternshoreflyfishers.com/tripletail-classic.

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Free Fishing Days this weekend

Posted on June 4, 2024 by Catch Cormier

Each year, wildlife agencies in each state designate “Free Fishing Days” for the public to fish recreationally in public waters without a fishing license. These events are part of National Fishing and Boating Week, a celebration of the importance of recreational boating and fishing in America.

Free fishing days are a perfect opportunity to try out fishing for the first time. Or, if you’re willing to travel, to partake of fishing in another state without having to purchase a license. Some states may have certain restrictions. For example, you might be able to fish freshwater for free, but still have to buy a saltwater permit or trout permit. So please check before making plans.

Here are the free fishing days in Gulf Coast Council states:
– Alabama – Sat., June 8th (fresh, salt)
– Florida – Sat-Sun, June 8-9 (fresh), Sept 7, Nov. 30 (salt)
– Louisiana – Sat-Sun, June 8-9 (fresh, salt)
– Mississippi – Sat-Sun, June 1-2 (fresh)

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June 30th deadline for GCC Awards

Posted on June 1, 2024 by Catch Cormier

Since 2007, the Gulf Coast Council has annually recognized individuals and clubs for their accomplishments in education, conservation, service and other areas that promote the goals and ideals of our organization. FFI members and member clubs are encouraged to submit nominations. Deadline is June 30th.

Nominations can be submitted either online or by nomination letter. Qualifications for the nominee should be stated using instances of promoting the sport or conservation.  Being specific helps insure the nominee gets strong consideration. For example:

“I think Joe is the best fly caster there is. He finished first in our club’s casting contest. He also taught a few folks how to cast.”

Much better:

“This year, Joe became an FFI Certified Casting Instructor, taught two workshops, and gave presentations at the Meridian Fly Club and the Mississippi Outdoors Expo”.

Except for Friend of the Council, nominees must be FFI members affiliated with the Gulf Coast Council. Most awards are for contributions of the past 12 to 18 months, except for fly tying. The Fly Tying Excellence Award is now a lifetime achievement award.

In cases where more than one well qualified nominee exists, preference will be given to a nominee not previously recognized. In some cases, we may end up giving up to two persons/entities the award (co-honorees). Please list all accomplishments as in some cases, the nominee could qualify for an alternative award.

Again, deadline is June 30th. Honors are announced sometime late July to August time frame. Honorees will receive a commerative mug with their name and award (as shown in photo).

For more info, including a complete list of GCC Awards, their qualifications, past winners, and links to the nomination forms, go to the GCC Awards page – CLICK HERE.

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Remembering Syd Smith

Posted on May 15, 2024 by Catch Cormier

On April 26th, the Gulf Coast Council – and the world of flycasting – lost one of its greatest advocates.  Dr. Sydney Smith of Gulfport, a former Casting Director for the GCC, passed away at age 82.   A former neurologist, Army veteran, and native of Jackson, MS, he retired from medicine in 2011.

An FFI Master Certified Casting Instructor,  Syd conducted casting workshops at various club events and at GCC events.  He also contributed articles to “The Loop”, the official publication of the Fly Fishers International Casting Program.  In addition, Syd made beautiful bamboo fly rods the likes of which few could compare.  He was also a skilled fly tier, and graciously donated his beautiful flies to flyfishing events.

Syd was a gentleman of many talents beyond our sport.   He enjoyed singing in the choir and playing the guitar.  His specialization was folk music, and he even composed several original songs.  He also authored a book on the subject.  And in the Fall, Syd could be found alongside his best friend in a duck blind waiting for the winged wonders to come from the sky.

He is survived by his wife, Jordan, and son, Zachary.

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2024 Gulf Coast Classic one to remember!

Posted on May 6, 2024 by Catch Cormier

Building on the success of last year’s event, our 2024 Classic proved even better. In terms of attendance and monies raised, it will go down as the 3rd most successful festival / conclave in the 18 year history of the GCC.

But those are the measurables. In terms of the mission of our organization – education, community, and conservation – it may have been the best we’ve ever had.   So far, all of the attendees, presenters, exhibitors and tiers at this year’s event have expressed a desire to return next year!

The pinnacle of the celebration came Saturday evening at the showing of the Fly Fishing Film Tour. Two separate films featured GCC members who were on hand to address the audience. Capt. Danielle Davidson – our GCC 2022 Fly Angler of the Year – was featured in “Triple Trouble”. The pursuit of tripletail on fly and efforts to learn more about, and conserve, this unique species. Also, Capt. Gabrielle Barnes was featured in “Line in the Sand”. Gabby and her husband and many other Andros residents trying to save their delicate ecosystem – and world class fishery – from attempts to mine large parts of the island.

You never know what may happen at a GCC film showing… we even had a birthday celebration with Danielle bringing out cake and cupcakes for her husband Nobles birthday. The crowd sang “Happy Birthday” and enjoyed delicious cake!

We couldn’t have done it without the help of some GREAT sponsors, donors, exhibitors, fly tiers, instructors, and crew of volunteers! The Classic website will be updated shortly with photos and some info that we had missing due to last minute changes. We’ll continue to show the 2024 information – especially our Sponsors and Donors – for the next several months. We’ll transition the website to the 2025 Classic early this Fall and begin registrations on January 1st.

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GCC raffling off Costa Rica Adventure Trip

Posted on April 8, 2024 by Catch Cormier

The FFI Gulf Coast Council is raffling off a five-day adventure trip to beautiful Costa Rica, donated by 4 Corners Costa Rica.   Anyone can purchase a ticket online until all online tickets are sold.  A reserve number of tickets will be sold at the FFI Gulf Coast Classic on May 3-4, 2024, in-person only.  The drawing will be held at the Classic on Saturday, May 4th.  Winner does NOT need to be present to win.

Anyone can participate in the drawing.  You do -NOT- need to be an FFI member or a member of the Gulf Coast Council to purchase tickets or win.

For complete details of the raffle, go to the RAFFLE page in the menu above.  Or click on the 2024 RAFFLE button on the sidebar.  Thank you to 4 Corners Costa Rica, and best of luck to all!

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