Yesterday Fly Fishers International (FFI) announced the recipients of their 2024 Awards of Achievement. These annual awards acknowledge individuals and organizations who have advanced the FFI’s mission of conservation, education, and community.
Two members of the Gulf Coast Council were recognized.
Fred Hannie of Lake Charles is recognized as one of the premier realistic fly tiers in the world. The former Fly Tying Chairman for the GCC has been active in many fly fishing events across the region and South, and served on the FFI Fly Tying Committee. An author, artist, and instructor, he will be honored with the Buz Buszek Memorial Fly Tying Award, given to individuals “who have demonstrated highest skills and made significant contributions to the preservation of the artwork of fly tying”.
Glen ‘Catch’ Cormier of Cotile has been Conservation Director for the FFI Gulf Coast Council for the past 6 years, and a member of the FFI Conservation Committee and FFI Grants Subcommittee for the same time. He was also a co-founder of the GCC and its first president. Involved in numerous conservation organizations for over 40 years, he will receive the FFI Conservationist of the Year Award. This award recognizes “individuals, groups, or organization that has made extraordinary contributions to the conservation of our fishery resources”.
Fred, Catch, and other 2024 FFI award recipients will be recognized in an Awards Ceremony to be held online on November 13th at 7:00pm CST. The public is welcomed to watch. For more details on these recipients, their accomplishments, and other recipients, check out the Fly Fishers International news page – CLICK HERE.
