LWF Commission opts for 4-fish limit

Posted on March 7, 2024 by Catch Cormier

Today the Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries Commission (LWFC) amended a Notice of Intent (NOI) for new redfish regulations, increasing the daily and possession limit from 3 fish to 4 fish. The proposed slot size of 18″ to 27″, with no overslots, remains the same. This change will add 11 more years for the Spawing Potential Ration (SPR) recovery to reach the Conservation Standard.

Comments were evenly divided between the 3-fish and 4-fish proponents. Two new members both voted for 4-fish while the retired members they replaced had both voted in support of 3-fish. CCA Louisiana has been spearheading efforts to get a 4-fish regulation in place, while the FFI Gulf Coast Council, Louisiana Wildlife Federation, American Saltwater Guides Association and other groups supported the 3-fish limit.

A one-time public hearing will be held on April 29th.  If no further changes are made, this proposed regulation could go into effect either July or August.

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Louisiana proposed redfish regs under attack!

Posted on February 26, 2024 by Catch Cormier

Back in December, the FFI Gulf Coast Council and its allies won a key battle in the year-long effort to establish new regulations for redfish in Louisiana. LDWF biologists have assessed that red drum numbers are in decline due to a number of causes, including wetlands loss and a doubling of the number of anglers since current regulations were established 35 years ago. A change in regulations is necessary to restore both Escapement Rate and Spawning Potential Ratio (SPR) back to the conservation standard for the species.

At their December meeting, the Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries Commission amended their Notice of Intent (NOI) to match a proposal originally put forth by the FFI Gulf Coast Council – a 3 fish daily limit, 18 – 27 inch slot limit, with no fish allowed over the slot. The NOI was days away from being adopted into law.

One “conservation” group – along with their bowfishing allies – have continued to push for a four fish limit. Now, the Commission is looking to revisit the NOI once again at their March 7th meeting. The chart below shows exactly why a 4 fish limit is unacceptable and attempts to change the current NOI must be stopped.

Proposed regulations for Louisiana redfish

That group is not denying that they would like to build a hatchery for the purpose of stocking red drum in Louisiana waters. This despite much evidence that hatchery-raised redfish contribute less than 2 percent to recruitment of spawning stock.

What can you do?

  • Contact Commission members below and ask them to retain the current NOI.
  • Contact your state legislator and let them know you support the 3-fish NOI.
  • If possible, attend the March 7th Commission meeting in Baton Rouge and speak out!

In crafting your email…

Be kind and courteous. Please point out one or more of the following. Do it in your own “voice”, i.e., PLEASE DO NOT copy and paste what is below.

  • Point out that since the current regs were set 35 years ago, we’ve had a vast increase in fishing pressure (doubled the number of anglers), a large amount of wetlands loss, and a decrease in the redfish forage base (mainly menhaden).
  • That any angler reports of increased small reds in the marsh are good news, but the real problem is the number of fish making it to maturity. It takes 4-5 years, during which they have to avoid more threats now than ever before. At least 30 percent must escape or our stocks will continue to decline.
  • That any rumor of building a hatchery must be tempered with the actual outcomes. It may provide more fish to catch, but not more fish to spawn. Of the 19 million redfish fingerlings that Texas stocks, only 1.8 percent reach maturity.

Again, if you can make the Commission hearing on March 7th, PLEASE DO SO. Meetings are held at LDWF headquarters, 2000 Quail Drive in Baton Rouge, LA, beginning at 9:30 a.m..

If you can attend, please sign up prior to the meeting start to speak on the topic. Instructions are given when you signup.

Members of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission
https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/commission

LA House Natural Resources Committee
https://house.louisiana.gov/H_Cmtes/NaturalResources

We greatly appreciate your efforts. It’s sad that we and our allies have had to fight so hard and so long against a group of fellow sport anglers just to do the right thing for the resource.

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LWFC passes “compromise” menhaden harvest buffer

Posted on February 17, 2024 by Catch Cormier

On Thursday, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission passed a motion to amend an original Notice of Intent (NOI) to expand the exclusion zone for commercial menhaden harvest.  But it was not the buffer zone that many conservationists had hoped for.

In October, the LWFC passed an NOI extending the current zone of 1/4 mile outward to 1 mile, and extending a few areas out to 3 miles. After a minimum 90 day comment period, the LWFC was expected to give a final vote at their February 1st meeting.  However, after spirited comments from a room full of both those in support and against the NOI, the Commission decided to table the vote so that “stakeholders could meet and come up with a compromise”.

On Thursday, the compromise was announced as reducing the buffer from the proposed one mile to 1/2 mile, and eliminating the proposed 3-mile buffer for Holly and Rutherford beaches.  It was evident that the Commission was relieved about not having to make a tough decision as they were ready to vote five minutes into the meeting… before the required comment period!

Most on both sides praised the amended proposal. But not the FFI Gulf Coast Council. We supported a one-mile buffer and still do. Sadly, our voice is small compared to the larger conservation groups that worked on this “compromise”. We’re still trying to figure out what the commercial menhaden sector gave up in return for the buffer zone reduction.

The NOI now goes to a legislative oversight committee for a simple yea or nay vote, where it’s expected to pass handily.  The new regulations would then go into effect in May.

If you’re not a member of Fly Fishers International, and you’re upset that nearshore menhaden harvesting will continue, then you need to join our organization. We’re more than just about promoting fly fishing… but also fighting for the interests of fly anglers – from conservation to outdoors ethics.

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2024 Classic posters now online

Posted on January 29, 2024 by Catch Cormier

2024 Gulf Coast Classic posterTo any clubs, retailers, or other entities wishing to help promote our upcoming 2nd annual Gulf Coast Classic on May 2-4, 2024, we now have 2024 posters available in PDF format in both Letter format and A3 (11×17) small poster format.

Click here to download the Letter format

Click here to download the A3 format

The posters will likely be updated in the near future as more sponsors get added to our event. But please don’t wait to put these up… we need to get the word out before registration begins on March 1st.

Complete details on the Classic can be found on the website www.ffigulfcoastclassic.com. This includes links for registration (coming soon) and to purchase F3T tickets (now available). The F3T tickets must be purchase separately from registration.

Also, for our readers on Facebook, please join our “Gulf Coast Classic Group Share” community. We’ll be providing frequent updates there as well as on our Instagram page.

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Event season is here!

Posted on January 15, 2024 by Catch Cormier

Here on the Gulf Coast each year we celebrate several seasons: shrimp season, oyster season, crawfish season, Mardi Gras season, football season… to name a few.   Spring is a time for some of those, but it’s also time for fly fishing events.  Across the South, there’s a wide range of regional events from large commercial expos like the Atlanta Fly Fishing Show and Texas Fly Fishing & Brew Festival to mid-sized events like our own “Gulf Coast Classic” to smaller club festivals like “Red Stick Day”.  There are also a number of fly fishing tournaments across the region put on by FFI clubs.

Here is a list of regional events taking place now through May, open to the public:

Jan. 20 (Sat) – 5th biennial CENLA FLY FISHING FESTIVAL, Kees Park Center, Highway 28 East, Pineville, LA. 8:30am – 3:30pm. Free admission. Presentations, fly tying demos, casting clinics, exhibitors and more. Special guests: Duane Hada, Tadd Fore. Jambalaya lunch available. Benefits Food Bank of Central Louisiana. Hosted by Kisatchie Fly Fishers club. Website: www.kisatchiefly.org.

Jan. 27 (Sat) – 31st annual Dr. ED RIZZOLO FLY TYING FESTIVAL, Terrace United Methodist Church, 1414 Wirt Rd, Houston, TX. 8:30am – 4:30pm. The largest fly tying event on the Gulf Coast features over 80 tiers as well as seminars and vendors. Featured guest tier: Les Lehman. Hosted by the Texas Fly Fishers club. Website: texasflyfishers.org.

Feb. 2-4 (Fri-Sun) – ATLANTA FLY FISHING SHOW, GA South Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Duluth, GA. 9am – 6pm. Largest fly fishing show in the South featuring nationally-renown speakers, tiers. Workshops, seminars, destination seminars, exhibitors, and more. FFI will host the Learning Center, with casting and fly tying instruction free to show attendees. Website: www.flyfishingshow.com.

Feb. 24-25 (Sat-Sun) – 7th annual TEXAS FLY FISHING & BREW FESTIVAL, Mesquite Convention Center, Mesquite, TX. Nationally known fly fishing authors, professional guides, expert casters, fly tiers from across the country, dozens of exhibitors. Microbrew sampling. The Texas Council of FFI will have an education area. Website: txflyfishingfestival.org.

Mar. 9 (Sat) – 29th annual RED STICK DAY, Waddill Outdoor Education Center, 4142 N Flannery Rd, Baton Rouge, LA. 8:30am – 3:30pm. Free admission. Seminars, tying demos, kayak demos, food, refreshments.  Several FFI MCI casting instructors will be on hand for presentations and coaching.  Hosted by Red Stick Fly Fishers. Website: www.rsff.org.

Mar. 21-23 – 26th annual SOWBUG ROUNDUP, Baxter County Fairgrounds, Mountain Home, AR. 9am – 4pm, each day. Admission $10 for all 3 days, adults with kids under 12 free. Largest fly tying event in the country, over 120 tiers. Seminars, fly tying clinics, vendors. Special guests Davy Wotton, Tim Flagler. Hosted by North Arkansas Fly Fishers. Website: www.sowbugroundup.org.

Apr. 6 – 1st ever BLUEGILL BASH, Red River Refuge, Bossier City, LA. A celebration of sunfish. Seminars and other activities on fly fishing for bream. Hosted by the Arklatexoma Fly Tiers. For details, go to their Facebook page “Arklatexoma Fly Tiers”.

Apr. 27 – 12th CEDAR LAKE BLUEGILL TOURNAMENT, Camp Contributions, Road 536, Biloxi, MS. Sunrise to 12 noon. Hosted by Mississippi Coast Fly Fishers. This is a bluegill-only tournament, other sunfish are not eligible. Fish must be weighed in alive. For details, go to www.mississippicoastflyfishers.com.

May 3-4 (Fri-Sat) – 2nd annual FFI GULF COAST CLASSIC, Learning Campus, Gulf State Park, Gulf Shores, AL. Seminars, fly tying demos, casting clinics, raffles, Mixed Bag Challenge fishing contest. Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) on Saturday 4pm. Hosted by the Gulf Coast Council of Fly Fishers International. Website: www.ffigulfcoastclassic.com or www.ffigcc.org.

May 11 (Sat) – THE DIRTY CARP fly fishing tournament, fly fishing tournament for carp in Jefferson, Orleans and St. Bernard parishes. Bank fishing only. Hosted by members of the New Orleans Fly Fishers. More details and registration to come soon. Follow on instagram @thedirtycarp for details as they become available.

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Make plans now for the 2024 Gulf Coast Classic!

Posted on January 2, 2024 by Catch Cormier

Gulf Coast Classic fly tiers2024 Gulf Coast Classic
Friday-Saturday, May 3-4, 2024
Gulf State Park – Learning Campus
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Website: www.ffigulfcoastclassic.com

With the new year, it’s time to make plans for our 2nd annual Gulf Coast Classic fly fishing festival in May. Our new title sponsor is No Wake Outfitters out of Metairie, LA. NWO specializes in fly fishing, paddle sports, outdoor apparel and gear, and services.  Check them out at www.nowakeoutfitters.com

Our Classic website is up and we’ll be adding in sponsors, exhibitors, demonstration fly tiers, speakers, instructors and more within the next several weeks. As well as some new features to our event.  Back is the Mixed Bag Contest, with a few improvements. Also back is the 2024 Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) on Saturday evening. In fact, tickets are already available online.

For sponsors, exhibitors, and donors, new this year are the early bird specials. An opportunity for discounts as much as 25 percent. It benefits us by getting our exhibition spacing and sponsor/donor marketing completed earlier. Remember: there are a limited number of exhibition spots. Getting in early not just saves money, it gets you in for the best event of the season!

There are special lodging opportunities for volunteers, demo fly tiers, speakers and instructors. Registration will be live shortly and details for those interested in making our event a success will be sent to those who have interest.

For those coming as strictly attendees, now is the best time to book lodging in the Foley and Gulf Shores area. Check out the LODGING page on the Classic website for details.

Again, bookmark the Classic site at www.ffigulfcoastclassic.com and visit often as updates will be posted routinely.

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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Posted on December 23, 2023 by Catch Cormier

Here’s wishing our members and friends, and all of their families, a most blessed Christmas. Hope everyone finds something under the tree they can use for their piscatorial pursuits in the coming year.

While Christmas is a season of festivity, let’s not forget the reason for the season. Please be giving to those in need, and pray for those who are less fortunate, for those in suffering, and for those away from their families this season – especially our service men and women.

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Improve your tying with the FTG Series

Posted on December 19, 2023 by Catch Cormier

The FFI Fly Tying Group’s Online Tying Technique Series continues this month and into the new year. The Series is held the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month thru April 30th. Time is 7:00pm CT.

The expert tiers leading these sessions will share their knowledge and guide the viewer through essential techniques that will improve your precision, efficiency, and creativity in fly tying. Whether you’re a seasoned tier or just starting, there’s something valuable for everyone.

Here is the schedule for the remaining tying sessions:

December 26th – Hairwing Techniques f/ Al Beatty
January 9th – Potts and Grant Weaves f/ Dutch Baughman
January 23rd – Dry Fly Techniques f/ Son Tao
February 13th – Managing Quill Wings f/ Jerry Coviello
February 27th – Touch Dubbing and Wire Wraps f/ Gretchen Beatty
March 12th – Joel Evens
March 26th – Intruder Fly Techniques f/ Tim O’Neil
April 4th – Saltwater Techniques f/ Alan Kuhre
April 23rd – Tying with CDC f/ Britt Davenport
April 30th – Bucktail Techniques f/ Gunner Brammer

All sessions are via Zoom webinar. If you’re a member of the FFI Fly Tying Group, you will receive a link via email. If you’re not an FFI member, or a member of the Tying Group, you can get the link by going to the FFI Fly Tying Group page: CLICK HERE

The link for the December 26th session with Al Beatty has been published.
To join the Demonstration:   https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87008502572?pwd=VkVmcnpEV0dPeFhQVlNmelgyaUprQT09

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LWF Commission amends proposed redfish regs

Posted on December 8, 2023 by Catch Cormier

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.

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