Registration now open for the 2025 Classic

Posted on March 3, 2025 by Catch Cormier

Registration is now live for our 3rd annual Gulf Coast Classic to be held May 2nd and 3rd at the Learning Campus in Gulf State Park. This event continues to grow in popularity, featuring some of the nation’s top fly tiers, regional fishing experts, educational workshops, as well as a slew of fun activities such as a Mixed Bag Challenge fishing contest, a Fly Fishing Film Tour showing, and a large raffle with many one-of-a-kind items.

Located in Gulf Shores, Alabama, the campus and park offer state-of-the-art theatre area, meeting rooms, outside facilities, dormitory lodging, a casual restaurant, easy access to a 600-acre brackish lake and to beaches, hiking and biking trails, and much more.

Complete information is available on the Classic website at www.ffigulfcoastclassic.com

Currently, tickets for the Classic and tickets for the Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) showing are available for advance purchase. You do -NOT- need to be registered or attend the Classic to purchase tickets for the F3T Showing.

Attendees can register for the Classic for one or both days. There’s also a family registration discount.

Roughly ten workshops are being offered during the Classic. Registration for these – as well as dormitory lodging ($50 per night) is separate and will be available April 1st. You must be registered for the Classic to register for the workshops and any available on-campus lodging.

For complete details, go to www.ffigulfcoastclassic.com.

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Red Stick Day coming March 8th

Posted on February 19, 2025 by Catch Cormier

30th annual Red Stick Day
Saturday, March 8th, 2025
8:30am to 3:00pm
LDWF Waddill Outdoor Education Center
4141 North Flannery Rd, Baton Rouge, LA

RSD is one of the longest-running fly fishing festivals in the South. There’s seminars by local and regional experts, fly tying demos by several of the top fly tiers on the northern Gulf Coast, casting instruction, food, loads of raffle items, and more. And best of all, admission is free!

The ponds on the premises at the Waddill Education Center are full of bass and bluegill. In addition, Masseys Outfitters of Baton Rouge will be on hand with a variety of kayaks from Hobie, Native and other brands for folks to test paddle/pedal.

Details about the event, including speaker and tier bios, schedule of activities, and more can be found by clicking on the “Red Stick Day” at the Red Stick Fly Fishers website at www.rsff.org.

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Winter storm brings fish kills along coast

Posted on February 10, 2025 by Catch Cormier

Winter Storm Enzo (January 20-21, 2025) brought record low temperatures and record snowfalls – some up to 13 inches – across most of southern Louisiana, southern Mississippi, and southern Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle. For many, it was an opportunity that only comes once every 20-30 years – a winter playground wonderland! But sadly, it also came at a high cost for our inland coastal fisheries.

Almost immediately after the cold snap, reports began to surface on social media of fish kills across the coast, mostly mullet, speckled trout, black drum, and redfish. Water temperatures in many coastal areas had fallen below critical temperatures (40 degrees F) for saltwater species such as Spotted Seatrout and Red Drum, and lasted for two or more days.

Since then, each of the states in the Gulf Coast Council region have done preliminary evaluations to the extent of the kills.

Louisiana

LDWF has investigated 71 fish kills statewide while documenting coastwide observations in each major basin. The collected data indicates fish mortality occurred coastwide with concentrations of kills occurring in some areas where fish likely did not have time to leave shallower areas or have access to deep enough, and slightly warmer, water.

While kills were spread throughout the coast, not all coastal areas were affected and not all to the same level. It appears the highest levels of speckled trout and black drum mortalities were in the Terrebonne/Timbalier Basin, and the highest redfish and sheepshead mortalities were in the Barataria Basin. In general, the highest overall mortalities of all species occurred in the marshes between the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers. One exception was striped mullet, which had high mortality east of the Mississippi River.

Mississippi

It appears that by far, mullet were hit the hardest on the Magnolia State coast. In Grand Bay, the Mississippi Department of Marine Research estimated over 100,000 mullet killed by the freeze. Grand Bay was likely hit the hardest since it’s the shallowest area on the coast, and lacks easy access to deep water refuge.

Other than mullet, it appears other species were largely unscathed by the freeze. However, there were some social media reports of dead sheepshead in some backwater areas. The extent of those kills is unreported as of yet.

Alabama

The Alabama coast saw massive numbers of dead mullet in shallow canals, backwaters and other interior waterways. Although mullet was again the most impacted, there were sporadic reports of dead redfish, spotted seatrout and sheepshead. Some social media reports of dead sheepshead in the Weeks Bay area also emerged.

Of great concern what was this winter storm did to the emerging snook population. Snook were finally becoming established in Alabama to the point where recreational limits were being proposed. Unless they found a warmwater discharge, its likely very few survived.

Northwest Florida

Although there was some fish kill along the Emerald Coast, it was rather insignificant compared to the extensive kill that occurred in south Florida and even the Atlantic Coast. Most were tropical species or semi-tropical such as snook.

Summary

It appears that the most significant kill to game fishes came on the Louisiana coast, likely because the polar jet that fed Enzo was aimed directly on the state, resulting in record low temperatures in most areas along this area of the Gulf coast.

Compared to the freeze of December, 1989, the kill was not nearly as massive or extensive. Following that kill, it was two years before decent fishing returned.  It should be pointed out that in 1993, we had the best fishing for reds and specks in many years.

Still, there is some concern.  New regulations were recently initiated for speckled trout and redfish due to declining numbers.  A fish kill of this magnitude is not normally factored in recovery estimates.  The FFI Gulf Coast Council is reviewing data with our partners in the American Saltwater Guides Association and Louisiana Wildlife Federation to determine is a temporary action may be needed.

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Make plans for the NOFF Expo Jan. 25th

Posted on January 14, 2025 by Catch Cormier

New Orleans Fly Fishers Expo
Saturday, January 25th
8:00am to 3:30pm
St. Christopher the Martyr School Gymnasium
3900 Derbigny St, Metairie, LA
Free admission!

Held in odd years, the New Orleans Fly Fishing Expo is hosted by the New Orleans Fly Fishing Club and is one of the more interesting club fly fishing festivals.  It features a number of saltwater speakers and fly tiers from across the northern Gulf Coast.

There’s a good number of exhibitors, casting clinics, an Iron Fly Tying Contest, raffles and more.  Whether you’re wanting to get into fly fishing, or a seasoned veteran, there’s a program or activity certainly to be of interest.

For more info, go to www.neworleansflyfishers.com

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FTG membership has its privileges

Posted on January 4, 2025 by Catch Cormier

Fly Tying Group logoThe new year brings a new series of Zoom technical skills sessions hosted by the FFI Fly Tying Group. These sessions are open to all members of the FFI FTG and will be held the 1st & 3rd Tuesday of each month until April 29th.

The Fly Tying Group (FTG) is an organization of fly tiers within FFI whose goal is to advance the art of fly tying. FTG members can be of any skill level, but through FTG programs have the opportunity to advance their own skills and learn how to assist others in their tying skills. You must be an FFI member to join the Fly Tying Group. FTG dues are $20 per year, $48 for 3 years, and $285 for lifetime membership.

FTG members must register in advance for the skills sessions. After registration, you will get an email from Zoom that provides the link to join that meeting.

Here are the upcoming sessions for Spring 2025:
January 7th – Fred DuPre’ / Tying with Foam
January 21st – Chris Johnson / Hackle Techniques
February 4th – Son Tao Tying with Quills/Peccary and moose mane body flies
February 18th – Jerry Coviello / Marrying Wings
March 4th – Eric Austin / Dying Fly Tying Materials
March 18th – Rick Passek / Tying in Booby eyes & Using CDC and dubbing in dubbing loops and how to palmer CDC
April 1st – Tim Jacobs / Deer hair techniques and Bass Bugs deer hair trimming
April 15th – Patty Lueken / Warm water fly techniques
April 29th – Fred Hannie / Extended body on terrestrial/imitative wasp hornet

While these sessions are offered to FTG members only, there are numerous other online events offered by FFI open to all members. Check the Calendar of Events at www.flyfishersinternational.org.

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Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Posted on December 23, 2024 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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Alabama MRD considering new regulations

Posted on December 6, 2024 by Catch Cormier

The Marine Resources Division (MRD) of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources recently concluded three public hearings on the status of various fish species and potential new regulations on each. Although any proposed changes are still subject to review and adjustment, it’s clear that AL-MRD believes changes are necessary.

Common Snook

The average seasonal water temperatures of the Gulf of Mexico have increased slightly over the past decade, but more than enough that certain sub-tropical species are establishing themselves on the northern Gulf Coast. Permit and snook are two of these species.

According to Scott Bannon, Director of MRD, snook presents a conundrum. They’ve been caught around Perdido Bay for the past decade. Because they’re not native, there’s no reason to set regulations.  However, snook are beginning to overwinter and even spawn in Perdido Bay – a trend also observed in the Florida Panhandle. In addition, the majority of anglers are excited about having the opportunity to catch snook and would like some protection.

AL-MRD is proposing a one (1) fish daily limit with a minimum length of 24 inches on common snook.

Redfish

The current regulation for redfish in Alabama is three (3) fish per day, with a slot limit of 16 to 26 inches, of which only one fish can be longer than 26 inches.  Recent surveys show the spawning stock recruitment to be trending below the conservation standard, so some change is necessary. Alabama was stocking redfish fingerlings at its marine hatchery, but has since switched over to southern flounder and pompano, species in greater need of stocking efforts.

AL-MRD is proposing eliminating the allowance of oversized redfish (like Louisiana and a few other states have). There is also consideration for increasing the minimum size from 16 to 18 inches like most states have.

Sheepshead

Current regulations for sheepshead are ten (10) fish per person per day with a minimum length of 12 inches.  Biologists say they’ve seen a decline in both recreational catches and commercial catches in recent years. Two proposals are being considered by the Department.

Proposal 1: keep the current 10 fish limit, but increase the minimum length size to 15 inches. Because this is the average size caught by most anglers, this change may only marginally increase the spawning stock biomass.

Proposal 2: lower the daily bag limit from 10 to 8 (or lower). By comparison, Mississippi is 15, Florida is 8, Texas is 5. Louisiana has no size or bag limit, but there is strong evidence that this species is being overfished and regulations are imminent.

Tripletail

The current limit for tripletail in Alabama is three (3) fish per person per day, minimum total length of 18 inches.  Fishing for tripletail continues to gain in popularity, and because the species is excellent table fare, anglers seldom release what they catch. Scott Bannon says that while data isn’t finalize yet, there is significant demand by sport fishermen to “do something”.

AL-MRD is considering adopting a boat limit as opposed to tighter restriction on individual limits.

Other species

Rays, skates and sharks are also being considered. Rays and skates are
being targeted by bow fishermen for their tails. There’s a significant enough harvest right now to affect this late maturing species.

Shark depredation is a serious problem across the South Atlantic and Gulf Coast, due to dramatic increases in their numbers. Protection was placed many years back when several shark species were endangered, and now the pendulum has swung 180 degrees. AL-MRD is considering allowing a very limited longline commercial shark operations in state waters.

GCC recommendations

The FFI Gulf Coast Council plans to take conservation actions on several, if not all, of these proposals. Like all CAs, the first step will be to consult with fellow stakeholders such as CCA Alabama, Alabama Wildlife Federation, Alabama Charter Fishing Association, organizers of the Tripletail Classic, coastal fishing clubs including GCC member clubs.

The second step will be to discuss the results of these discussions with AL-MRD for their opinions, as well as other resource professionals.   The third step will be to bring a summary of all these discussions to the GCC Conservation Committee for a recommended course of action, and then final approval by the GCC board for those actions.

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FFI to hold in-person event in 2025

Posted on November 22, 2024 by Catch Cormier

For the first time since 2019, Fly Fishers International (FFI) will hold an in-person event this coming year. The FFI Flyfest will be held Friday & Saturday, September 26 – 27, 2025, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

FFI Flyfest 2025 will once again offer an extensive slate of indoor and outdoor workshops, presentations, and demonstrations for all experience levels and covering topics including fly casting, fly tying, and important conservation partnerships.

Grand Rapids is centrally located and offers easy travel options. It’s also a hub for culture and entertainment options. But probably of greatest interest to attendees will be the area’s excellent fishing. September is prime time for coho salmon runs on the Grand River. And while the downtown area offers good fishing, there are numerous lakes, rivers and streams offering a wide variety of species, including smallmouth and trout.

The Fly Tiers Rendezvous – normally held in September – will be held in conjunction with the FFI Flyfest. More details about Flyfest will be coming over the next few months.

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