Sweetwater Classic happening this week!

Posted on March 8, 2020 by Catch Cormier

Our first-ever Gulf Coast Sweetwater Classic fly fishing tournament and festival takes place this Friday and Saturday at Percy Quin State Park just five miles from McComb, Mississippi.

Despite fear of the coronavirus, and cancellations of some major fishing events across the country, the Classic will go on as planned. However, we encourage anyone showing symptoms of illness to avoid attending or even going out in public. We also encourage all participants to take precautions by packing disinfectants and frequently washing hands.

Classic activities include: casting instruction and casting skills challenge, fly tying demos, Big Bream Contest (Friday afternoon) and the Sweetwater Classic Tournament (Saturday morning). The festival is FREE and admission to the park is free for attendees.

The Big Bream Contest entry fee is $5 cash (winner take all), and the Classic Tournament entry fee is $25 (register via iAngler). There’s also a “One Feather Fly Tying Contest” on Friday evening, and an “Iron Fly Tying” contest on Saturday afternoon.  Also, a fundraiser on Saturday with many great and one-of-a-kind items!

Anyone who registers for the tournament before Wednesday 11:59pm via the iAngler links is eligible for a drawing for $100 cash, to be drawn at the weigh-in. Must be present to win!

* NOTE: check our Facebook page for frequent updates this week on the Classic *

For complete details, click on our “Classic” page.

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Red Stick Day next Saturday in Baton Rouge

Posted on February 29, 2020 by Catch Cormier

26th annual Red Stick Day
Saturday, March 7, 2020
8:30am – 3:00pm
Waddill Wildlife Refuge
4142 N Flannery Rd, Baton Rouge, LA
FREE admission!

Every first Saturday in March, the Red Stick Fly Fishers of Baton Rouge – an FFI affiliated club – hosts their annual “Red Stick Day” fly fishing festival. Activities include fly tying demonstrations, seminars, casting demonstrations and lessons, fishing on premises, and a large fundraiser that goes to support the club’s education initiatives.

RSFF has a history of having some of the top names in fly fishing. This year’s special guest is Louisiana’s own Kirk Dietrich. Kirk is recognized as one of the top fly tiers in the country, having been featured in numerous books and magazines either as a writer or as a subject. His flies have been sold by Orvis for over two decades. Last year, his first book, “Tying Bugs: The Complete Book of Poppers, Sliders, and Divers” was released to rave reviews. Kirk will tie as well as give a presentation on making bugs. He’ll also have copies of his book for sale and to autograph.

Former world casting competitor Jay Clark, an FFI Master Certified Instructor, will give a presentation on “Improving Casting Skills”.  Other presentations include “Preparation and Strategies for Coldwater Trout” and “Kayak Fishing Strategies”.

Several of the region’s top fly tiers will be on hand demonstrating their creations and specialties. The tiers include Ted Cabali, Marc Pinsel, Mike Jackson, Kyle Moppert, Ron “Stippled Popper” Braud, Kenneth Breaux, Steve Oliver, Ron Foreman, and Ray Boudreaux.

Refreshments are free. A jambalaya lunch cooked by one of the club’s renowned “Bayou Chefs” will be available for a nominal fee.

For complete details, including schedule, go to www.rsff.org and click on “2020 Red Stick Day”.

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GCC calls for change in seatrout management in Louisiana

Posted on February 20, 2020 by Catch Cormier

NEW ORLEANS, LA  (February 19, 2020) – Citing an urgency to end the steady decline of spotted seatrout spawning recruitment in Louisiana since 2011, the Fly Fishers International (FFI) Gulf Coast Council today announced its support of an increase to a 14-inch minimum size limit. The proposal is one of several that Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries marine biologists have offered as a means of combating an existing deficit in seatrout spawning recruitment.

[The decision to support the measure came at Tuesday evening’s meeting of the board of directors.  The measure passed with a unanimous vote.]

“The primary problem is a very low number of ages 2 and 3 female trout, the primary spawners.”, said Glen ‘Catch’ Cormier, Conservation Director for FFI-GCC. “A minimum size of 14 inches solves that problem by increasing the total female spawning biomass by 20 percent. In fact, among the ten states that manage for spotted seatrout, Louisiana is the only one with a minimum size limit less than 14 inches.”.

Click here to read the entire press release.

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LDWF announces public meetings on seatrout management

Posted on January 27, 2020 by Catch Cormier

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has announced dates for public meetings to be held on spotted seatrout (speckled trout) management. The most recent stock assessment indicated spotted seatrout are overfished and undergoing overfishing and changes are necessary in order to recover the stock.

The slide to the left was part of the presentation given by LDWF biologists at the January meeting of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission. It shows that speckled trout spawning stocks have been on the decline since 2010, and below both the conservation target (yellow line) of 14 percent since 2012, and the recruitment threshold (magenta line) of 10.2 percent since 2013. It also shows what various savings in the spawning biomass or potential ratio (both had similiar graphs) would result in. CLICK on the images to enlarge.

No action is being taken at this time. The Commission indicated it would like to hear public input before considering management changes. LDWF’s biological opinion is that a 20% reduction in harvest is needed in order to recover the stock by 2025 or sooner, but there are a range of options that can achieve that goal. From the standpoint of Fly Fishers International Gulf Coast Council (FFI-GCC), the best management goal is one that takes us above the conservation target in the least amount of time.

Management change options recently presented to the LWFC in early January 2020 included:
– creel limit only changes
– minimum size limit changes only
– combined creel and minimum size limit changes
– slot limit only changes
– combined slot limit and creel changes.

Below is a list of meeting dates and locations. All meetings will begin at 6:00 p.m., except the meeting in Ruston, which will begin at 1:00 p.m.

– Monday, February 10 – North Branch Library, 4130 West Park Ave, Gray
– Wednesday, February 12 – LDWF HQ, Herring Room, 2000 Quail Drive, Baton Rouge
– Thursday, February 13 – Lafayette Council Chambers, 705 West University Avenue, Lafayette
– Wednesday, February 19 – East Bank Regional Library, 4747 West Napoleon Avenue, Metairie
– Thursday, February 20 – Slidell Municipal Auditorium, 2056 Second Street, Slidell
– Wednesday, February 26 – Calcasieu Parish Extension Office, 7101 Gulf Highway, Lake Charles
– Thursday, February 27 – Rapides Parish Extension Office, 300 Grady Britt Drive, Alexandria
– Saturday, February 29 – Lincoln Parish Library, 910 North Trenton Street, Ruston

LDWF is partnering with Louisiana Sea Grant to use interactive voting technology at these public hearings in response to a survey that will be given at the meetings. LDWF will also be sending out an email survey identical to the survey that will be administered at public meetings.

For more information, please contact Jason Adriance at 504-284-2032 or jadriance@wlf.la.gov.

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FFI to be part of the Atlanta Fly Fishing Show

Posted on January 22, 2020 by Catch Cormier

As a conservation and education partner with Fly Fishers International, The Fly Fishing Show is proud to announce that FFI will have a Learning Center at their Atlanta Show on January 31st-February 1st. The show will be held at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth, Georgia. Times are Friday from 9:00am to 6:00pm, and Saturday from 9:00am to 5:30pm.

The Fly Fishing Show is the largest fly fishing event in America, held at seven venues during late winter.  The Atlanta venue is the closest to the Gulf Coast Council, just over 5 hours from Meridian, and 5.5 hours from Mobile.

The Atlanta Fly Fishing Show will feature over 100 vendors, some 60 demonstrations, fly-casting and fly-tying seminars, films, tackle and gear, guide services and conservation organizations. Classes and seminars are given hourly both days by flyfishing notables, guides, and other experts.

The FFI Learning Center at the show will offer FREE fly fishing instruction, basic fly casting, fly tying and instruction on knots. These activities will be available to beginners throughout the day Friday and Saturday. In addition, members of the FFI Southeastern Council (and elsewhere) will be on hand to talk about how FFI membership benefits conservation and fly fishing education.

For more info on the show, go to www.flyfishingshow.com.

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GCC to host national CICP testing in Lake Charles

Posted on January 21, 2020 by Catch Cormier

On March 5-7, 2020, the Gulf Coast Council will host the largest FFI casting event in North America!  Coordinated by GCC Casting Chair Jeff Ferguson, and with help from several other qualified upper-level casting instructors, the event will take place in Lake Charles, LA. Candidates for the FFI Certified Casting Instructor (CCI) badge, as well as for the Master Certification Instructor (MCI) badge, will be tested.

Jeff describes in detail how this came about.

This will be my third year as event coordinator for CICP testing in Lake Charles, LA. The first two years were challenging. I was a new event coordinator with little name recognition hosting a first time event in a place where fly fishing is not on top of the list.

I struggled to get enough candidates and then struggled even harder getting examiners to travel far distances to do the exams. The candidates I did get were mostly regional candidates that Keith Richard and I had conflicts with. Getting candidates and examiners and meeting a budget was challenging. With some support from the Contraband Fly Casters and the Gulf Coast Council I was able to get it done and showcase our southern charm.

I started planning the March 2020 event in mid 2019. I expected the same hurdles. I opened the registration with 4- CI slots and 1- MCI slot. I had worked hard getting the word out to encourage registration to candidates I was aware of that were possible candidates. Gary Davison was helpful sharing the information with the CI study group. To my surprise the registration opened and all slots but one were taken in the first week! One more registration and I can make budget and start working on securing examiners.

Continue reading →

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GCC launches a raffle for a Crescent Kayak!

Posted on January 15, 2020 by Catch Cormier

This Spring, the FFI Gulf Coast Council is raffling off a Crescent Kayaks LiteTackle 12 kayak and paddle. Every ticket purchased helps to support GCC conservation and education initiatives.

The LiteTackle 12 is one of the hottest new fishing kayaks on the market. Made in the USA, it has received strong reviews for it’s hull design that offers an optimum blend of speed, stability and excellent tracking. Fly anglers will appreciate the open cockpit, strong enough for stand-up fishing. The transom is built to accept electric motors from Bixpy, Torqeedo, BassYaks and others.

Donations are 1 ticket for $10, or 3 tickets for $20. A limited number of tickets will be sold. The drawing will take place on April 15th, 2020.

We will be selling tickets at several events across the Gulf South during the next few months. In addition, we will soon have an online ticket sales available. If any clubs would like to sell a book of tickets to their members (or others), please contact us. You send us a club check, and we’ll mail you a block.

A very special thank you to Crescent Kayaks for their support of the Gulf Coast Council, and also to Donald Dehm of Floating Feathers Kayak Fly Fishing School for his assistance.  For more info about Crescent Kayaks, go to www.crescentkayaks.com.

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Cenla Festival kicks off 2020 events in GCC

Posted on January 9, 2020 by Catch Cormier

Cenla Fly Fishing & Light Tackle Festival
Saturday, January 18, 2020
8:30am to 3:30pm
Kees Park, 2450 Highway 28 East, Pineville, LA
FREE admission!

The start of a new year brings several events across the Gulf South, beginning this weekend with one in central Louisiana.  The Kisatchie Fly Fishers, an FFI affiliated club in Alexandria, hosts their biennial Festival.  Proceeds from their raffle will benefit The Food Bank of Central Louisiana, along with the club’s conservation and education initiatives.

Held in even years, the Cenla Fly & Light Tackle Festival features mostly fly fishing, but also some elements of light tackle spinning and casting.   On tap are seminars on bass fishing Toledo Bend, fly fishing the Little Missouri River (Arkansas), and kayak fishing. Over 20 fly tiers and jig makers from several states will be demonstrating their craft.

There’s also fly casting instruction and a “Casting Skills Challenge” led by several FFI Certified Casting Instructors.  If you’re an FFI member, it’s a chance to earn your casting accomplishment pin.

There’s also several exhibitors and a huge raffle and Gamblers Draw featuring several one-of-a-kind items.  A pastalaya lunch will be served along with choice of tea, lemonade or bottled water for just $5.

For complete details, including schedule and list of tiers, go to www.kisatchiefly.org.

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