Following rejection of a Notice of Intent (NOI) for new red drum regulations by a legislative committee last month, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) amended the NOI at their monthly meeting on Thursday.
LDWF biologists have assessed that redfish numbers are in decline due to a number of causes. A change in regulations is necessary to restore both escapement rate and Spawning Potential Ratio (SPR) to above the conservation standard for the species.
In July, after hearing assessments and public comments, the LWFC passed an NOI that would have modified the daily creel limit as follows:
Current regulations:
– 5 fish daily limit, 16″-27″ slot with one overslot allowed
The proposed change:
– 3 fish daily limit, 18″-24″ slot with no overslots
This new regulation would’ve resulted in a 2 year recovery for escapement rate and an 11 year recovery for SPR.
In November, after a required period of public comments, the NOI was sent to a legislative committee for final approval. The Louisiana chapter of Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) successfully lobbied legislators to reject the NOI, much to the dismay of fly fishing and kayak fishing interests and other conservationists who supported the measure.
The NOI was then sent back to the Commission for changes. CCA requested a more liberal limit of 4 fish daily, 18″-27″ slot (no overslots). This proposal would result in a 29 year SPR recovery… unacceptable to everyone else!
According to comments received by LDWF, the biggest problem with the original NOI was the restrictive slot limit. After much discussion, and unanimous comments in support of, the Commission passed a compromise amendment which expanded the slot from 6 inches to 9 inches but kept the 3 fish per day limit. The amended NOI is now:
– 3 fish daily creel, 18″-27″ slot with no overslots
This new NOI will result in a 4 year recovery for escapement rate, and a 16 year recovery for SPR to the conservation standards.
Now the amended NOI goes back to the Legislative Natural Resources Oversight Committee. It’s expected that opponents to this NOI will again lobby against it. The FFI Gulf Coast Council and it’s allies will make every effort to insure that conservation wins out.
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has officially published the change in spotted seatrout (speckled trout) regulations. They will go into effect Monday, November 20th. According to biologists, these new regulations will allow the Spawning Potential Ratio of specks to return to 18 percent within 3 years. Currently, the SPR is 8 percent which is below the Conservation Standard of 14 percent.
North Toledo Bend Rendezvous
A degreed marine biologist, Chris is an accomplished fly tier who enjoys traveling for fishing or to participate in fly fishing events. He chronicles his adventures and vast tying expertise on his “The Fat Fingered Fly Tyer” blog. Chris conducts tying clinics and workshops, and initiated a monthly casual tying event called “Flies and Flights” at a local brewery which became a blueprint for other regional casual tying events. He’s also involved in the Mayfly Project, a national non-profit which uses fly fishing to mentor and support children in foster care. He has also been a champion for targeting on fly – and conservation – of “underappreciated species”. Chris is a member of both the Red Stick Fly Fishers and the Kisatchie Fly Fishers.
Jeff is Casting Director for the Gulf Coast Council, has served on the FFI Casting Board of Governors, is a Master Certified Casting Instructor (MCI) and a Level-2 Examinar, as well as a member of the FFI North American Events Committee and the FFI Awards Committee. He has been a fixture at club events, regional events, and several national events. He’s helped organize the largest casting certification event in U.S. history, and conducts casting clinics at all levels from beginning to advanced. Jeff is a member of both the Acadiana Fly Rodders and the Kisatchie Fly Fishers.
I’m very happy to announce that we’ve finalized the award for the 12 species level Suncatch Expert and will be doing custom personalized wooden fly boxes. I received the first shipment this week and they came out looking very sharp, suffice it to say, I am thrilled with the results!
Since 2007, the Gulf Coast Council has annually honored those members and clubs for outstanding contributions to our mission. This year, we recognized four individuals for their promotion and advancement of fly fishing, fly tying, conservation and community within the GCC.
Awarded to individual(s) who demonstrate unusual devotion to the sport of fly fishing. Their contributions have benefitted one or more aspects of fly fishing, the fly fishing community, the FFI, the Gulf Coast Council, or fishing in general.
Awarded to individuals or clubs that have made outstanding contributions in teaching one or more elements of our sport to others, including fly fishing basics, fly casting, fly tying, rod building, or advanced fishing techniques.
David is a nationally-recognized tier, with a wide range of patterns from salmon flies to trout flies, and to his specialty, saltwater patterns. His willingness to share his knowledge with others was key to him being awarded the Gulf Coast Council “Excellence in Education Award” in 2022. That same year, he was named to the FFI Fly Tying Group Board of Governors.
Dr. Kevin Andry is a nationally-recognized educator and music director for St. Micheals High School in Baton Rouge. He ties a wide repertoire of patterns from traditional nymphs and streamers to inshore saltwater favorites with an eye for exact details and proportion. But his love for bass fishing – at which he’s been highly successful – has led Kevin to mastering Crease Flies, Hard-bodied Poppers, and Deer Hair Bugs. The latter of which he’s earned a national reputation.
Selected by the Council president, this award is given to an individual who has made outstanding contributions. Not just to the Council, but also in service to helping our members advance in the FFI mission of either casting, tying, conservation, environmental, or other aspect.
14th Annual Rio Grande Fly Fishing Rodeo
The Summer 2023 edition of The Gulf Streamer, the newsletter of the Gulf Coast Council of Fly Fishers International, is now available to the public online. 
14th Annual Rio Grande Fly Fishing Rodeo
