Louisiana spotted seatrout status – the good, bad, and ugly

Posted on September 5, 2019 by Catch Cormier

Earlier today, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) held their monthly meeting at the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) headquarters on Quail Drive in Baton Rouge. On the agenda was a presentation by LDWF Marine Fisheries Biologist Jason Adriance on the latest Spotted Seatrout (speckled trout) Assessment conducted by the department.

The Bad

Back in March, news of the preliminary assessment leaked out, and it was grim. For many coastal anglers who pursue speckled trout, it reaffirmed their experiences and frustrations. That is, fewer trout and much fewer big trout.

The assessment went through a slight revision since March, but there was little change in the results. According to Adriance:
– we’ve been overfishing trout since 2014
– the vast majority of trout caught last year were barely mature fish
– recreational landings are their lowest level ever in recorded history
– spawning stock biomass is at it’s lowest level ever
– female spawning recruitment is at it’s lowest level ever

Continue reading →

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GCC announces 2019 honorees

Posted on September 3, 2019 by Catch Cormier

The Gulf Coast Council has annually honored FFI members and clubs for their outstanding contributions to our mission. This year, we recognize 7 individuals and 2 clubs for their promotion and advancement of fly fishing, fly tying, conservation and community within the GCC region.

Rex White and other members of the GCC Awards Committee are proud to announce the following honorees.  Emphasis was placed on both past and current contributions.  Each will receive a personalized mug with their name and award. The mug features artwork of award-winning fly fishing artist James Lady.

Man of the Year – Roger Breedlove

An active member of the Kisatchie Fly Fishers club, Roger is a strong environmentalist and conservationist who loves fly fishing and promotes it with vigor to all willing to listen. Roger has given private casting lessons to dozens of adults and youth over the last three years, and never charged a fee. In April, he passed the FFI Casting Instructor certification exam. A master rod builder, he has built and donated dozens of fly rods to his club, to new members of his club, and to the Gulf Coast Council. In the last year, he instructed a rod building clinic at no cost, and open to members of any club.

Outside of fly fishing, Roger is a highly-respected birder, astronomer, and philantrophist. He is past president of the Louisiana Ornithological Society and co-authored the book, “A Birders Guide to Louisiana”. He also teaches astronomy for the Louisiana Master Naturalist program.

Woman of the Year – Jeanne Rogers

As a member of the Contraband Fly Casters, Jeanne helped organize the very successful Contraband Fly Fishing Expo last July. She also worked to secure accomodations for Casting Instructor (CI) and Master Casting Instructor (MCI) examiners and candidates. Over the year, she has greatly improved her casting and is working towards becoming an instructor herself. She has also been an asset to the GCC in an advisory capacity.

Junior Angler of the Year – David Karcher

A 12-year-old member of the New Orleans Fly Fishers, David is a very prolific angler, posting often on Facebook about his fly fishing experiences and adventures. He’s also a well-accomplished fly tier.

During the past year, David:
* won the fly fishing division of the New Orleans City Park Big Bass Rodeo
* placed first in his club’s “Big Year” competition
* tied for first place for most rios in the club’s annual Rio Grande Fly Fishing Rodeo

Fly Tying Achievement Award – Kirk Dietrich

Over the past 30 years, Kirk has been recognized as one of the most innovative warmwater and saltwater fly tiers in the country.  Mentored by such pioneers as Walt Holman, Ted Cabali and Pete Cooper, he has been a leading advocate for balsa and cork-bodied flies. One of his many creations, the Kirk’s Spoon Fly has long been one of Orvis’ best selling saltwater flies. His flies and articles have been featured in numerous magazines and books. And earlier this year, he published his first authored book ever, “Tying Bugs: The Complete Book of Poppers, Sliders and Divers”.

A few of his other accomplishments:
* created dozens of popular flies such as the Squirrelly, Rattle Rouser and Rabid Dog
* taught popper classes and spoon fly classes to clubs in the GCC
* pioneered the use of the Faux Fox dubbing brush
* created several YouTube videos demonstrating popper techniques

This Spring, Kirk – a member of the New Orleans Fly Fishers club – helped organize his club’s first-ever expo, coordinating the fly tying demonstrations and fundraising raffles and auctions. Continue reading →

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Celebrate the great outdoors on September 28th

Posted on September 1, 2019 by Catch Cormier

Kids enjoy canoeing at Outdoorama On The Rez, one of several NHF Day events across the GCC region.

Established by Congress in 1972, National Hunting and Fishing Day is celebrated the 4th Saturday of September. The day recognizes the contributions of America’s hunters, anglers, and other outdoors enthusiasts to our natural resources, with events in 37 states. This year, NHF Day is Saturday, September 28.

Across the country, wildlife agencies and organizations sponsor events aimed at getting kids and families to learn about the many facets of the great outdoors. There are usually numerous exhibits, as well as hands-on activities such as archery, fishing, target shooting, live animal displays, and more – including fly fishing. These events are made possible thanks to financial sponsorship and the help of volunteers and organizations.

In Louisiana, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries hosts annual outdoor festivals at four venues – Bodcau, Monroe, Baton Rouge, and Woodworth – with attendance at each in the thousands. Admission is free, and there’s even food and soft drinks provided at no cost. The Waddill (Baton Rouge), Bodcau and Woodworth venues feature fly casting and fly tying thanks to the Red Stick Fly Fishers, North Louisiana Fly Fishers and Kistachie Fly Fishers clubs, respectively. For more details, go to www.wlf.louisiana.gov.

In Mississippi, the Mississippi Wildlife Federation hosts “Outdoorama On The Rez” at the Turcotte Education Center, located in Canton. Like the LDWF events, there are numerous exhibits and hands-on activities for all ages. There’s even fly casting and fly tying courtesy of the Magnolia Fly Fishers club. For more info, go to www.mswildlife.org.

For folks in south Alabama and northwest Florida, there’s the Wiregrass Wildlife Expo at the National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds in Dothan, Alabama. Unlike the one-day events in Louisiana and Mississippi, the Wiregrass takes place both Saturday and Sunday. In addition to vendors and exhibitors, fish and wildlife biologists will give seminars and demonstrations on a variety of topics. Alabama 4-H will offer fun outdoor activities for children and adults. Cost is $5 for adults, free for kids. All proceeds go to 4-H educational programs. For more info, go to www.aces.edu.

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George Norton joins GCC Board of Directors

Posted on August 31, 2019 by Catch Cormier

At their August meeting, the FFI Gulf Coast Council board of directors unanimously approved the appointment of George Norton to the board. George fills the seat vacated by Jeff Deuschle. George will also serve as Secretary on the GCC Board.

George lives in Pensacola, Florida, with his wife Janie. He’s an active member of the Fly Fishers of Northwest Florida, serving on their board as Secretary. Previously, George and his family lived in Baton Rouge and Little Rock, where he was a member of the Red Stick Fly Fishers and Arkansas Fly Fishers, respectively. As a member of RSFF, George served on their board as Warmwater Chair and originated and organized the club’s annual outings to Lake Concordia.

George is a well-traveled fly angler, having fished across North America from Alaska to Argentina. His current passion is fishing the emerald waters of the northwest Florida coast for a wide variety of species, from bonita to bull reds.

We are very excited to have someone of George’s experience. He will be a strong voice of representation for the eastern sector of our council. Please welcome George to the GCC board!

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Miller’s white bass recognized as LOWA Fish of the Year

Posted on August 8, 2019 by Catch Cormier

The Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association (LOWA) maintains the listing of top 10 fish of each species for both Rod & Reel and Fly Fish Divisions.  Each year, the LOWA Records Committee selects the outstanding submissions of the previous year.  The winners receive their awards at the LOWA annual convention banquet, which takes place this Saturday night in Morgan City.

In the Fly Fish Division, Charles Miller of New Orleans, will be honored for a 3.98-pound white bass (Morone chrysops) caught in the Pearl River. It qualified for a new state record for that species.

Charles, a professor in the Department of Global Environmental Health Sciences at Tulane University, is a board member of the New Orleans Fly Fishers Club, an FFI Charter Club in the Gulf Coast Council.  He is also a very active member of the Bayou Coast Kayak Fishing Club. In 2017, he was named “Fly Angler of the Year” by Louisiana Sportsman magazine.

Chuck caught his fish on a chartreuse/white Clouser Minnow back in December while fishing from his Hobie Outback. That same day he also caught a white bass that registered as 3rd place in the state record.  Details of his trip can be read on his fishing blog, “Welcome to the Crawdad Hole”, at this link.

An Honorable Mention in the Fly Fish Division will be awarded to Dustin Semar, a native of Lake Charles, who caught a 6.66-pound Bowfin in Cameron Prairie. That fish also qualified for a new state record.

In the Rod & Reel Division, top award went to 8-year old Drew Dubuc of Metairie for a 33.90-pound Striped Bass he caught in Lake Catherine. It ranks 6th in the state record book. Honorable Mention went to Brian Neil of Metairie for a whopping 213.5-pound Big Eye Tuna caught in the Mississippi Canyon off Venice. It ranks 1st place in the state record.

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Ferguson receives FFI Council of Excellence Award

Posted on July 29, 2019 by Catch Cormier

Jeff Ferguson displays his award on location in Montana

At last week’s annual FFI Fly Fishing Expo in Bozeman, Montana, Jeff Ferguson of Lake Charles, Louisiana, was recognized by Fly Fishers International with the 2019 Council of Excellence Award for the Gulf Coast Council.

The COE Award is presented annually to an individual from each Council who has made outstanding contributions to the FFI at the regional level. The nomination is made by the Council president, and presented at the annual FFI Awards Banquet. Each recipient receives a pewter cup with the FFI logo and their name and award engraved.

Jeff had quite a year! A Master Certified Casting Instructor and board member of the Gulf Coast Council, he helped organize the Contraband Fly Fishing Expo last July. In January he was appointed to the GCC Executive Committee, with the title of Casting Director. In March, he organized a Casting Instructor Certification Program (CICP) testing event in Lake Charles. Two basic CCI candidates achieved certifications, and two MCIs – including Jeff – completed peer performance requirements for the Examiner Development Pathway program (EDP). As an MCI-EDP, Jeff traveled across the country participating in casting workshops and training sessions, including at the FFI National Fly Fishing Expo in July.

In addition, Jeff has given presentations at several events across the South this past 18 months, including TroutFest, Cenla Fly Fishing Festival, Rizzolo Fly Tying Festival, Cenla Fly Fishing Festival, Red Stick Day and many more.  He was featured in several magazine articles as well.  He also does a presentation on “Fly Fishing Big Lake” (Calcasieu).

Congratulations to Jeff on a well-deserved honor!

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Richard recognized by FFI for casting contributions

Posted on July 26, 2019 by Catch Cormier

FFI Chairman Tom Logan (l) presented Keith Richard (r) with the 2019 Jay Gammel Award on Wednesday. Photo courtesy of Keith Richard.

At this week’s annual FFI Fly Fishing Expo in Bozeman, Montana, Keith Richard of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, was recognized by Fly Fishers International with the 2019 Jay Gammel Casting Award for “his lasting contributions to the teaching of fly casting instruction”.

The Jay Gammel Award recognizes individuals who have developed instructional materials that advance fly casting instruction. These can be books, videos, websites, pamplets, etc.. The award is named after Jay Gammel, who co-authored the The Essentials of Fly Casting. That book is recognized as the first to analyze fly casting from the instructor’s perspective.

Keith is an FFI Master Casting Instructor (MCI) and one of less than 50 Masters in the world who have earned Level 2 status. This qualifies him to test candidates for Casting Instructor (CI) certification and the MCI certification.

He has served on the FFI Casting Board of Governors, and as an officer in the FFI Gulf Coast Council, and currently as president of the Acadiana Fly Rodders. He is owner of The Camp Fly Fishing School in Breaux Bridge, and works with AHERO promoting fly fishing for veterans. He has conducted workshops at FFI events and has authored articles on fly casting.

Much of Keith’s fly casting instructional material can be found on his website at www.thecampflyfishingschool.com.

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Tickets going fast for Dave Hughes seminar

Posted on July 17, 2019 by Catch Cormier

7th annual NLFF Masters Series
Saturday, July 27, 2019
9:00am to 5:00pm
Red River National Wildlife Refuge
Sunflower Rd, Bossier City
Hosted by the North Louisiana Fly Fishers
Tickets $35, open to the public, seats limited

Headliner: Dave Hughes

Ticket includes admission, lunch, coffee, drinks.  Capacity limited to 75, pre-registration required.

The Masters series is an annual program in which NLFF brings the very best fly fishermen in the world to the Ark-La-Tex region. This years event will consist of an intense day learning from a legend in the sport of fly fishermen. This is a full day of learning. Segments will include power point presentation, outdoor casting clinic, and hands on fly tying.

This year’s headliner is Dave Hughes. Dave is a highly-respected author with over 20 books to his credit. He has contributed numerous articles to magazines such as Fly Fisherman, American Angler, Field & Stream, Fly Rod & Reel, and others. He is the founding president of Oregon Trout, and a life member of Fly Fishers International. For over 40 years, Dave has studied trout streams and lakes, the natural foods on which trout feed, and the flies that trout eat under the widest variety of circumstances. His presentation will explore many of his findings.

A few tickets for this event are still available, but as seating is limited, pre-registration is required.

For more info, contact Tom Bullock 318-393-7729 or Scott Irwin 318-469-0854, or check the NLFF Facebook page.

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