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.
The new regulations are as follows:
- Size limit: 13-20 inches total length, only two fish included within the daily creel limit can be greater than 20 inches total length
- Daily Creel: 15-fish daily limit per angler
- Charter guides and crew will not be able to retain a creel limit while on a charter trip but may engage in fishing
The current limits are 12″ minimum size (no slot) and a daily creel of 25 fish east of Mermentau River and 15 fish west of Mermentau. The new regulations will be statewide.
The FFI Gulf Coast Council was instrumental in getting these new regulations passed and insuring the viability of this fishery for years to come. According to a couple of commission members and a few legislators, it was members of the fly fishing and kayak fishing communities who wrote or spoke out in greatest numbers for a more conservative limit. We faced opposition from a small number of groups – including the state’s largest “conservation” organization – that lobbied for no increase in the minimum size. Despite evidence from LDWF biologists that this was a necessary requirement for increase in spawning biomass. Thank you to all who made calls, wrote emails, or attended the Commission meetings – your efforts made the difference!
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
At their monthly meeting on Thursday, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission voted on a final amendment to their speckled trout Notice of Intent (NOI) to change regulations to reduce the harvest of speckled trout – and thus bring their Spawning Potential Recruitment (SPR) ratio back above the Conservation Standard .
