June 30th deadline for GCC Awards

Posted on June 1, 2024 by Catch Cormier

Since 2007, the Gulf Coast Council has annually recognized individuals and clubs for their accomplishments in education, conservation, service and other areas that promote the goals and ideals of our organization. FFI members and member clubs are encouraged to submit nominations. Deadline is June 30th.

Nominations can be submitted either online or by nomination letter. Qualifications for the nominee should be stated using instances of promoting the sport or conservation.  Being specific helps insure the nominee gets strong consideration. For example:

“I think Joe is the best fly caster there is. He finished first in our club’s casting contest. He also taught a few folks how to cast.”

Much better:

“This year, Joe became an FFI Certified Casting Instructor, taught two workshops, and gave presentations at the Meridian Fly Club and the Mississippi Outdoors Expo”.

Except for Friend of the Council, nominees must be FFI members affiliated with the Gulf Coast Council. Most awards are for contributions of the past 12 to 18 months, except for fly tying. The Fly Tying Excellence Award is now a lifetime achievement award.

In cases where more than one well qualified nominee exists, preference will be given to a nominee not previously recognized. In some cases, we may end up giving up to two persons/entities the award (co-honorees). Please list all accomplishments as in some cases, the nominee could qualify for an alternative award.

Again, deadline is June 30th. Honors are announced sometime late July to August time frame. Honorees will receive a commerative mug with their name and award (as shown in photo).

For more info, including a complete list of GCC Awards, their qualifications, past winners, and links to the nomination forms, go to the GCC Awards page – CLICK HERE.

Posted in Recognition | Comments Off on June 30th deadline for GCC Awards

Remembering Syd Smith

Posted on May 15, 2024 by Catch Cormier

On April 26th, the Gulf Coast Council – and the world of flycasting – lost one of its greatest advocates.  Dr. Sydney Smith of Gulfport, a former Casting Director for the GCC, passed away at age 82.   A former neurologist, Army veteran, and native of Jackson, MS, he retired from medicine in 2011.

An FFI Master Certified Casting Instructor,  Syd conducted casting workshops at various club events and at GCC events.  He also contributed articles to “The Loop”, the official publication of the Fly Fishers International Casting Program.  In addition, Syd made beautiful bamboo fly rods the likes of which few could compare.  He was also a skilled fly tier, and graciously donated his beautiful flies to flyfishing events.

Syd was a gentleman of many talents beyond our sport.   He enjoyed singing in the choir and playing the guitar.  His specialization was folk music, and he even composed several original songs.  He also authored a book on the subject.  And in the Fall, Syd could be found alongside his best friend in a duck blind waiting for the winged wonders to come from the sky.

He is survived by his wife, Jordan, and son, Zachary.

Posted in General | Comments Off on Remembering Syd Smith

2024 Gulf Coast Classic one to remember!

Posted on May 6, 2024 by Catch Cormier

Building on the success of last year’s event, our 2024 Classic proved even better. In terms of attendance and monies raised, it will go down as the 3rd most successful festival / conclave in the 18 year history of the GCC.

But those are the measurables. In terms of the mission of our organization – education, community, and conservation – it may have been the best we’ve ever had.   So far, all of the attendees, presenters, exhibitors and tiers at this year’s event have expressed a desire to return next year!

The pinnacle of the celebration came Saturday evening at the showing of the Fly Fishing Film Tour. Two separate films featured GCC members who were on hand to address the audience. Capt. Danielle Davidson – our GCC 2022 Fly Angler of the Year – was featured in “Triple Trouble”. The pursuit of tripletail on fly and efforts to learn more about, and conserve, this unique species. Also, Capt. Gabrielle Barnes was featured in “Line in the Sand”. Gabby and her husband and many other Andros residents trying to save their delicate ecosystem – and world class fishery – from attempts to mine large parts of the island.

You never know what may happen at a GCC film showing… we even had a birthday celebration with Danielle bringing out cake and cupcakes for her husband Nobles birthday. The crowd sang “Happy Birthday” and enjoyed delicious cake!

We couldn’t have done it without the help of some GREAT sponsors, donors, exhibitors, fly tiers, instructors, and crew of volunteers! The Classic website will be updated shortly with photos and some info that we had missing due to last minute changes. We’ll continue to show the 2024 information – especially our Sponsors and Donors – for the next several months. We’ll transition the website to the 2025 Classic early this Fall and begin registrations on January 1st.

Posted in Events | Comments Off on 2024 Gulf Coast Classic one to remember!

GCC raffling off Costa Rica Adventure Trip

Posted on April 8, 2024 by Catch Cormier

The FFI Gulf Coast Council is raffling off a five-day adventure trip to beautiful Costa Rica, donated by 4 Corners Costa Rica.   Anyone can purchase a ticket online until all online tickets are sold.  A reserve number of tickets will be sold at the FFI Gulf Coast Classic on May 3-4, 2024, in-person only.  The drawing will be held at the Classic on Saturday, May 4th.  Winner does NOT need to be present to win.

Anyone can participate in the drawing.  You do -NOT- need to be an FFI member or a member of the Gulf Coast Council to purchase tickets or win.

For complete details of the raffle, go to the RAFFLE page in the menu above.  Or click on the 2024 RAFFLE button on the sidebar.  Thank you to 4 Corners Costa Rica, and best of luck to all!

Posted in General | Comments Off on GCC raffling off Costa Rica Adventure Trip

LWF Commission opts for 4-fish limit

Posted on March 7, 2024 by Catch Cormier

Today the Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries Commission (LWFC) amended a Notice of Intent (NOI) for new redfish regulations, increasing the daily and possession limit from 3 fish to 4 fish. The proposed slot size of 18″ to 27″, with no overslots, remains the same. This change will add 11 more years for the Spawing Potential Ration (SPR) recovery to reach the Conservation Standard.

Comments were evenly divided between the 3-fish and 4-fish proponents. Two new members both voted for 4-fish while the retired members they replaced had both voted in support of 3-fish. CCA Louisiana has been spearheading efforts to get a 4-fish regulation in place, while the FFI Gulf Coast Council, Louisiana Wildlife Federation, American Saltwater Guides Association and other groups supported the 3-fish limit.

A one-time public hearing will be held on April 29th.  If no further changes are made, this proposed regulation could go into effect either July or August.

Posted in Conservation | Comments Off on LWF Commission opts for 4-fish limit

Louisiana proposed redfish regs under attack!

Posted on February 26, 2024 by Catch Cormier

Back in December, the FFI Gulf Coast Council and its allies won a key battle in the year-long effort to establish new regulations for redfish in Louisiana. LDWF biologists have assessed that red drum numbers are in decline due to a number of causes, including wetlands loss and a doubling of the number of anglers since current regulations were established 35 years ago. A change in regulations is necessary to restore both Escapement Rate and Spawning Potential Ratio (SPR) back to the conservation standard for the species.

At their December meeting, the Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries Commission amended their Notice of Intent (NOI) to match a proposal originally put forth by the FFI Gulf Coast Council – a 3 fish daily limit, 18 – 27 inch slot limit, with no fish allowed over the slot. The NOI was days away from being adopted into law.

One “conservation” group – along with their bowfishing allies – have continued to push for a four fish limit. Now, the Commission is looking to revisit the NOI once again at their March 7th meeting. The chart below shows exactly why a 4 fish limit is unacceptable and attempts to change the current NOI must be stopped.

Proposed regulations for Louisiana redfish

That group is not denying that they would like to build a hatchery for the purpose of stocking red drum in Louisiana waters. This despite much evidence that hatchery-raised redfish contribute less than 2 percent to recruitment of spawning stock.

What can you do?

  • Contact Commission members below and ask them to retain the current NOI.
  • Contact your state legislator and let them know you support the 3-fish NOI.
  • If possible, attend the March 7th Commission meeting in Baton Rouge and speak out!

In crafting your email…

Be kind and courteous. Please point out one or more of the following. Do it in your own “voice”, i.e., PLEASE DO NOT copy and paste what is below.

  • Point out that since the current regs were set 35 years ago, we’ve had a vast increase in fishing pressure (doubled the number of anglers), a large amount of wetlands loss, and a decrease in the redfish forage base (mainly menhaden).
  • That any angler reports of increased small reds in the marsh are good news, but the real problem is the number of fish making it to maturity. It takes 4-5 years, during which they have to avoid more threats now than ever before. At least 30 percent must escape or our stocks will continue to decline.
  • That any rumor of building a hatchery must be tempered with the actual outcomes. It may provide more fish to catch, but not more fish to spawn. Of the 19 million redfish fingerlings that Texas stocks, only 1.8 percent reach maturity.

Again, if you can make the Commission hearing on March 7th, PLEASE DO SO. Meetings are held at LDWF headquarters, 2000 Quail Drive in Baton Rouge, LA, beginning at 9:30 a.m..

If you can attend, please sign up prior to the meeting start to speak on the topic. Instructions are given when you signup.

Members of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission
https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/commission

LA House Natural Resources Committee
https://house.louisiana.gov/H_Cmtes/NaturalResources

We greatly appreciate your efforts. It’s sad that we and our allies have had to fight so hard and so long against a group of fellow sport anglers just to do the right thing for the resource.

Posted in Conservation | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Louisiana proposed redfish regs under attack!

LWFC passes “compromise” menhaden harvest buffer

Posted on February 17, 2024 by Catch Cormier

On Thursday, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission passed a motion to amend an original Notice of Intent (NOI) to expand the exclusion zone for commercial menhaden harvest.  But it was not the buffer zone that many conservationists had hoped for.

In October, the LWFC passed an NOI extending the current zone of 1/4 mile outward to 1 mile, and extending a few areas out to 3 miles. After a minimum 90 day comment period, the LWFC was expected to give a final vote at their February 1st meeting.  However, after spirited comments from a room full of both those in support and against the NOI, the Commission decided to table the vote so that “stakeholders could meet and come up with a compromise”.

On Thursday, the compromise was announced as reducing the buffer from the proposed one mile to 1/2 mile, and eliminating the proposed 3-mile buffer for Holly and Rutherford beaches.  It was evident that the Commission was relieved about not having to make a tough decision as they were ready to vote five minutes into the meeting… before the required comment period!

Most on both sides praised the amended proposal. But not the FFI Gulf Coast Council. We supported a one-mile buffer and still do. Sadly, our voice is small compared to the larger conservation groups that worked on this “compromise”. We’re still trying to figure out what the commercial menhaden sector gave up in return for the buffer zone reduction.

The NOI now goes to a legislative oversight committee for a simple yea or nay vote, where it’s expected to pass handily.  The new regulations would then go into effect in May.

If you’re not a member of Fly Fishers International, and you’re upset that nearshore menhaden harvesting will continue, then you need to join our organization. We’re more than just about promoting fly fishing… but also fighting for the interests of fly anglers – from conservation to outdoors ethics.

Posted in Conservation | Comments Off on LWFC passes “compromise” menhaden harvest buffer

2024 Classic posters now online

Posted on January 29, 2024 by Catch Cormier

2024 Gulf Coast Classic posterTo any clubs, retailers, or other entities wishing to help promote our upcoming 2nd annual Gulf Coast Classic on May 2-4, 2024, we now have 2024 posters available in PDF format in both Letter format and A3 (11×17) small poster format.

Click here to download the Letter format

Click here to download the A3 format

The posters will likely be updated in the near future as more sponsors get added to our event. But please don’t wait to put these up… we need to get the word out before registration begins on March 1st.

Complete details on the Classic can be found on the website www.ffigulfcoastclassic.com. This includes links for registration (coming soon) and to purchase F3T tickets (now available). The F3T tickets must be purchase separately from registration.

Also, for our readers on Facebook, please join our “Gulf Coast Classic Group Share” community. We’ll be providing frequent updates there as well as on our Instagram page.

Posted in Events | Comments Off on 2024 Classic posters now online