Earlier this week, President Trump, the White House Coronavirus Task Force, along with Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and corresponding state and local agencies issued strict guidelines to help protect Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic. The result was closure of numerous facilities to public use, and strong advisement against social gatherings of more than 10 people.
The result has been cancellation or postponement of numerous fly fishing activities within the Gulf Coast Council, and elsewhere across the nation. As of now, nearly all clubs in the GCC have suspended meetings until May. Several have indicated that they will re-evaluate sometime in late April as to what status going forward into May.
Our friends in the Texas Council, Southern Council and Florida Council are reporting similiar measures. Several big events in those areas have been impacted by “social distancing”.
Among the events cancelled are the Texas Fly Fishing & Brew Festival, Sowbug Roundup, Tri-Lakes Fly Festival, Fly Fishin For The Mission, and Fly Fish Texas. The Lake Athens Fly Fishing Festival has been postponed. The Bass On The Fly tournament on Lake Fork – co-hosted by the FFI Texas Council – scheduled for early May is under consideration for postponement.
Perhaps the most disappointing news comes from Fly Fishers International headquarters in Bozeman. The 2020 International Fly Fishing Expo scheduled to take place in Bozeman, MT in July has been cancelled. The Expo will return in 2021 and be established as a regional event with the goal of bringing the Expo experience out to the FFI members and supporters on a rotating basis around the country.
During these difficult times, it’s important to follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and maintain social distancing and frequent sanitation. We can’t stop the spread of COVID-19, but we can slow its progress. This will allow health professionals time to find and implement treatments and vaccines, as well as prevent overwhelming our hospitals and medical services. We will come through this, and when we do, we expect gatherings – a significant aspect of our sport – to be bigger and stronger than ever!
