Yesterday the Fly Fishers International (FFI) announced the recipients of their 2023 Awards of Achievement. These annual awards acknowledge individuals and organizations who demonstrate the highest levels of accomplishment, dedication, and contribution to preserving the legacy and future of fly fishing for all fish in all waters. These awards reflect FFI’s three focus areas of conservation, education, and community, and include additional recognition for leadership, literature, and contribution to various fly fishing skills.
This year, the FFI Gulf Coast Council (GCC) had two recipients.
FFI Fly Fishing Skills Education Award
Chris Williams
Sorrento, Louisiana
This award is based upon extraordinary contribution or continuous prominent effort promoting comprehensive fly fishing education.
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.
This marks the 2nd straight year that a GCC member has been recognized for this award. Last year, Bill Morrison of Pineville, LA, received the Fly Fishing Skills Education Award. It speaks highly to the continuing education efforts within our Council!
FFI Mel Krieger Fly Casting Instructor Award
Jeff Ferguson
Lafayette, Louisiana
This award, honors Mel Krieger a well-known figure in the instruction of fly casting and author of the original Fly Fishers International Certified Casting Instructor Program. It is presented in recognition of those who have made significant contributions to the FFI Certified Casting Instructor Program, have dedicated themselves to fly casting instruction and have shared their knowledge with others. This year there were two recipients, Jeff Ferguson, Louisiana and John Van Derhoof, California.
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.
This is Jeff’s 2nd national award. In 2019, he was honored with the FFI Council Award of Excellence. He’s also been recognized by the Gulf Coast Council on two occasions: In 2019, for the GCC Education Excellence Award and in 2021 for the GCC President’s Award.
Please join us in congratulating Chris and Jeff for their accolades and on the great work they’ve done to advance the FFI mission of “conservation, education, and community”.
Chris, Jeff, and other 2023 FFI award recipients will be recognized in an Awards Ceremony to be held online on October 18th at 7:00pm CST. The public is welcomed to watch. Please visit FFI Awards Ceremony (flyfishersinternational.org).
