At the recent Gulf Coast Classic in Gulf Shores, Ben Roussel, Director for the Suncatch Challenge program, gave an overview of the program including a few exciting new changes effective as of May 1st.
The Suncatch Challenge was established in 2021 by the FFI Gulf Coast Council to highlight the value of species diversity among sunfish in our geographic area, and the importance of conserving the places they reside and their individual habitats. It mimics the Fly Fishers International Cuttcatch and Basscatch Projects in that it encourages FFI members to document the different species they catch and release, and, in return, receive recognition for those fish.
Participation in Suncatch is easy. First, you need to be an FFI member – and not necessarily a member of the Gulf Coast Council. Second, go fishing! Take a photo of the qualifying fish with either the fly and/or fly tackle. Third, enter the catch info on the online form linked on the Suncatch page.
At the Classic, Ben gave the basics of the program, as well as several exciting new changes that will give fly anglers greater opportunity to receive recognition. He also went through each species, their ranges within GCC boundaries and the types of habitats they prefer.
Here are the primary changes:
- the list of qualifying species has increased from 16 to 19, including addition of white crappie and black crappie
- there are now three (3) levels of recognition: Suncatch Fanatic (8 species), Suncatch Expert (12 species) and Suncatch Master (16 species)
- photos can now be uploaded as part of the online form, making it easier to submit entries
Suncatch award recipients are recognized here on the GCC website, in the Suncatch Facebook group, and receive a recognition award at the appropriate level.
