GCC announces 2022 Achievement Awards

Posted on September 1, 2022 by Catch Cormier

Since 2007, the Gulf Coast Council has annually honored those members and clubs for outstanding contributions to our mission. This year, we recognize four individuals and two clubs for their promotion and advancement of fly fishing, fly tying, conservation and community within the GCC.

Awards Chairman David Buckner and other members of the Awards Committee are proud to announce the following honorees. Each has received a personalized mug with their name (or club name) and award. The mug features an abstract of a redfish tail.

Fly Fisher of the Year – Danielle Davidson

Previously Man of the Year / Woman of the Year, this award recognizes individual(s) who have made significant contributions to the FFI, the GCC, individual clubs, the fly fishing community, or the sport in general.

Danielle is an accomplished angler and ardent conservationist. This past year, she served as President of the Eastern Shore Fly Fishers, Committee Lead for the ESFF annual Tripletail Classic, and as Women Connect Director for the GCC. Danielle also put together one of the most successful youth fly fishing events ever on the northern Gulf Coast, Fly Fishing with Kids, at the Weeks Bay National Estuarine Reserve Visitors Center in Fairhope. The activity included instruction and exhibitors for over 100 kids. As Women Connect Director, she organized the “Bikes and Bugs” event, which gathered 40 women to
Gulf Shores State Park for a day of fishing and biking. She continues to serve as a GCC board director, assisting with marketing for the 2023 Classic.

Fly Tying Lifetime Achievement – Marc Pinsel

Awarded to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the art of fly tying, through a combination of innovation, enhancement of the art, instruction of others, or media education. In 2018, this award was modified to recognize lifetime achievement.

For over 30 years, Marc Pinsel has tied at various shows across the country and abroad. Although he ties a wide variety of flies, his specialties are salmon flies and woolhead patterns. His list of creations includes the 4M, B&W Woolhead, Bream Woolhead, and Orange Bream Bass Fly. He is a member of the Whiting Pro Staff and the Fly Dressers Guild UK. He has conducted fly tying workshops at FFI events, such as “Tying Salmon Flies for Largemouth Bass”. Marc served on the board of the FFI Southeastern Council and was a co-founder of the Gulf Coast Council. He is a previous recipient of the GCC Fly Fisher of the Year and President’s Award. He was honored by the FFI with the Charles E. Brooks Memorial Award for lifetime achievement in fly tying. Marc has been featured in fly fishing magazines such as Eastern Fly Fishing and American Fly Fishing.

Education Excellence Award – David Buckner

Awarded to individuals or clubs that have made outstanding contributions to passing along the art of fly fishing to others, whether in the form of fly casting, fly tying, rod building, or any of the other fly fishing arts and sciences.

David joined the FFI GCC Board in 2021 and has become a key contributor in the Council’s efforts. He is a former officer of HOSSFLY club and has been a driver in their growth and contribution to the GCC. David is an accomplished fly tyer and always seeks opportunities to share his knowledge and expertise. David was instrumental in the success of the 2021 GCC Sweetwater Classic, teaching several event sessions and demonstrating his fly tying skills. He developed several GCC materials and presentations for the event. David is a tremendous advocate for fly fishing in our region and within the GCC.

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Summer 2022 Gulf Streamer now online

Posted on August 23, 2022 by Catch Cormier

Summer 2022 Gulf StreamerThe Summer 2022 edition of The Gulf Streamer, the newsletter of the Gulf Coast Council of Fly Fishers International, is now available to the public online. CLICK HERE to download (1.5mb, PDF format).

This issue was sent out to our members via email over a week ago. If you are an FFI member in good standing and did not receive that email, please check with the GCC Membership Chair to insure your email address is correct.

In this issue:

  • A.J. Rosenbohm shares insights on council activities
  • David Buckner announces 2022 Council Awards
  • Casting from a Kayak – Donald Dehm shares tips and tricks
  • Fred Hannie shares tips on deciding what flies to tie
  • Check that fish before you eat it! George Norton explains why
  • Night time is the right time for late summer fishing!
  • Why new regulations are helping with flounder issues
  • How the FFI Tying Skills Challenge can improve your tying
  • and much more!
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Get your tickets to win a Crescent CK1 kayak!

Posted on August 18, 2022 by Catch Cormier

This Summer/Fall, the FFI Gulf Coast Council is again raffling off a fishing kayak.  This year’s model is the Crescent Kayaks CK1 Venture. It includes paddle and an inflatable PFD. Every ticket purchased helps to support GCC conservation and education initiatives. The raffle is open to the general public.

The CK1 Venture is one of the hottest new fishing kayaks on the market. Made in the USA, it has received strong reviews for it’s hull design that offers an optimum blend of speed, stability and excellent tracking for it’s length. It also weighs an amazingly light 60 pounds! A perfect kayak for all ages, combat launching or river or marsh fishing.

Donations are 1 ticket for $10, or 3 tickets for $20. A limited number of tickets will be sold. The deadline for ticket sales will be November 14, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. CST.

Individuals can purchase tickets by mail via check, VENMO, or online via credit card or Paypal. If purchasing online, tickets are sold only in blocks of 3 tickets ($20 each), so make the payment to the amount of a block. For example, $40 for 6 tickets.

A very special thank you to Crescent Kayaks for their support of the Gulf Coast Council, and also to Donald Dehm of Floating Feathers Kayak Fly Fishing School for his assistance.

To learn more, or to purchase tickets, click on our RAFFLE page (menu above).

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Registration for Rio Rodeo now up

Posted on August 7, 2022 by Catch Cormier

13th Annual Rio Grande Fly Fishing Rodeo
Saturday, October 1st, 2022
7:00am – on-site registration
7:30am – 12:30pm – fishing time
Event site: No Wake Outfitters
1926 Airline Drive, Metairie, LA
$15 entry fee includes lunch and refreshments

Hosted by the New Orleans Fly Fishers Club, a charter club in the GCC, the Rio Rodeo is the longest running freshwater fly fishing tournament on the Gulf Coast.   Target species is the wary Rio Grande Cichlid. All entry fish must be caught on flies and fly tackle. Categories are “Longest Rio” and “Most Rios”. Net proceeds from the tournament go to Casting For Recovery.

The rodeo is open to all fly anglers.  Advanced registration must be received by mail by September 24th. Onsite registration is from 7:00am to 7:30am day of the tournament. Both onsite registration and weigh-in will be at No Wake Outfitters in Metairie. For complete details, and to download registration form, go to the NOFFC website at www.neworleansflyfishers.com.

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Toledo Bend Rendezvous returns Oct. 28-30

Posted on July 24, 2022 by Catch Cormier

Toledo Bend Rendezvous
Friday-Sunday, October 28-30, 2022
North Toledo Bend State Park, Zwolle, LA

*  The FFI Gulf  Coast and Texas Councils, along with several member clubs, are co-sponsors of this event, and make it possible for attendees to enjoy a low lodging rate at this outstanding facility. *

After cancellation the last two years due to Covid-19, Rendezvous is back.  What  began as a camping and fishing event 33 years ago, soon evolved into its current format. Each Fall, fly tiers and other fly fishing enthusiasts from across several states – along with their families – gather for a weekend of fly tying, fly casting, and fishing. With only a minimal fee to cover lodging and meals. The event is open to everyone!

The excellent facilities at North Toledo Bend State Park are ideal for a Fall weekend fly tying retreat. Activities take place at the park’s group facility, which features a commercial kitchen and dining hall, and lodging available for up to 150 people in 5 heated log bunkhouses (30 beds each). There’s also a heated central shower and restroom building with nice night lighting on all the sidewalks.

Rendezvous continues to be a gathering for some of the top fly tiers in the country, most of whom have been featured at regional and national expos.  There are no organized activities.  Whether you come to tie, or come to watch and learn, or just partake the great scenery, fishing and on-the-water location, you’ll be glad you came!

Fees (family or individual are the same):

  • $40 for weekend, includes lodging
  • $20 one night, includes lodging
  • $10 just for the day

Again, if you come as a family, the rate for the entire weekend for the whole family is just $40!  Be sure to sign in at our registration table in the dining hall.

If you plan to eat with us, please bring food to share.  We do not need several main dishes but more salads and side dishes to go with our main meat dishes. You do not need to cook for 65 people, that is why we usually have so much.

For more info, go to http://flycasting.bravesites.com

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Conservation Alert – Tell them “NO” to HR8167

Posted on July 19, 2022 by Catch Cormier

Congressman Andrew Clyde of Georgia has introduced House Resolution 8167 this session. Omninously entitled “Return our Constituitional Rights Act of 2022”, the bill was intended to eliminate the federal excise tax on firearms. Whether intended or not, it also calls for the elimination or reduction of the same tax on all purchases of fishing-related items.

Why is this so bad? Since 1950, the excise tax has funded the Sport Fish Restoration Program. The inital law, also known as the “Dingell-Johnson Act” and later reauthorized as “Wallop-Breaux” applies a 10-percent manufacturer’s excise tax on fishing rods, lures, electric motors, sonar finders, and many other fishing items. These funds are transferred to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which in turn, distributes them to states for recreational sport fishing projects. Each state receives a proportional share based on the amount of land and water in the state, and the number of paid recreational fishing license holders.

Wallop-Breaux has been praised by nearly every conservation organization in America as one of the most cost-effective laws ever passed. It’s also been very popular with anglers as well. That’s because the funds have to be spent on specific items that benefit all anglers, and the spending must be tracked and reported.

Here are the items allowed for expenditure:

  • Fish hatcheries and fish stocking
  • Artificial reefs
  • Outdoor education programs
  • Fisheries research
  • Boating and bank access
  • Outreach programs (new anglers)

Over $400 million is collected annually via Wallop-Breaux. For most states, this funding is critical to stocking programs and improvement or creation of public access areas and boat launches, with almost all funding for those coming from this source. Without Wallop-Breaux, states would have to double their annual license fees. Conversely, there is no evidence whatsoever that manufacturers would suddenly reduce the MSRP on their products by 10 percent.

While this is only a “resolution” which has no impact of law, the author intends to use the votes in the House and Senate to determine the amount of support he has for a bill likely to be introduced at a later date. That’s why this resolution needs to be defeated now!

HR8167 has a significant number of co-sponsors. From Louisiana, there is Clay Higgins (LA-3), from Mississippi, Rep. Kelly Trent (MS-1), from Alabama, Rep. Barry Moore (AL-2) and Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-5). And from the Florida Panhandle, Rep. Matt Gaetz (FL-1).

The Fly Fishers International Conservation Committee is asking all FFI members to contact their congressmen and women and ask them to oppose HR8167. You can reach your local representative using THIS LINK.

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Welcome to SweatFest 2022!

Posted on July 8, 2022 by Catch Cormier

Welcome to “SweatFest”, the annual festival no likes to celebrate!  It’s 90 degree days, 75 degree nights, and high humidity, punctuated by the occasional tropical storm.  The hot water and plethora of bait makes for tough conditions on the coast. Even moreso for fly anglers.

But there are some exceptions.

One of those is Spanish Mackerel. They’ll be cruising the beaches and passes now through September. Toss a Clouser Minnow or other slim-profile baitfish pattern into a school and strip fast. Hold on for a vicious strike and several leaps!

Then there’s the jack crevalle. These will be busting mullets along beaches and in bays. They love large baitfish patterns. I’ve caught them around Destin off the rock jetties and in Lake Pontchartrain from kayak. Hook one in a kayak and you’d better have your passport ready for Cuba!

For jacks, tackle requirements include a 10-weight rod or higher, a disc drag reel holding at least 200 yards of backing, and either an intermediate or sinking fly line. As with mackerel, a bite tippet of wire is necessary or one chomp and it’s over!

On the lighter side, schools of sand trout are common in July and August. A sandie in the 11 to 14 inch range hits like it’s spotted cousin, and on a 6-weight rod is as much fun as the law allows! A sparsely-dressed, size 2 white Clouser Minnow is the ticket.

Night fishing under dock lights can be very productive in late summer for sand trout, speckled trout, and even redfish. The key is a moving tide, but one that’s not too strong. Fish the edges of the light ring for best results.

If you fish during the day, remember to hydrate often.  And to protect yourself from the sun’s harsh radiation – a leading cause of skin cancer. A sunscreen of UPF 50, brimmed hat, neck gaitor, long-sleeve nylon or polyester shirt and pants will protect and keep you cool enough to enjoy several hours on the water. Since best fishing times are very early and very late, use the midday to rest and tie flies. With jacks, mackerel, trout and other toothy critters, tying replacement flies is a necessary chore.

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GCC announces 2023 Gulf Coast Classic

Posted on June 26, 2022 by Catch Cormier

2023 Gulf Coast Fly Fishing Classic
Friday-Saturday, May 5-6, 2023
Learning Campus, Gulf Shores State Park
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Hosted by the FFI Gulf Coast Council

Next year, the Gulf Coast Council of Fly Fishers International will once again hold a major event the first weekend of May. Unlike our recent Sweetwater Classics – which were mostly tournament events with a splash of casting and fly tying – the Gulf Coast Classic will be more like our “conclaves” of the past. However, we’ll still have a fishing contest as well as the Fly Fishing Film Tour and much more!

Preliminary details have been posted on the “Classic” page. More details will be forthcoming on that page over the next few months.

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Samantha Bergeron named “Biologist of the Year”

Posted on June 3, 2022 by Catch Cormier

Samantha BergeronSamantha Bergeron, southern regional freshwater fisheries biologist with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP) has been recognized by MDWFP as “2021 Biologist of the Year”.

Sam began working for MDWFP in 2014, and manages several lakes including Tangipahoa (Percy Quin State Park) and Mary Crawford. Both lakes were the target waters for the Gulf Coast Council’s Sweetwater Classic back in March. An avid flyfisher and fly tier, Ms. Bergeron was our featured guest at the Classic. She gave an excellent presentation on fly fishing Percy Quin and Mary Crawford, as well as instruction to other ladies, and even assisted one angler in getting a new fly rod state record certified.

In recognizing her, the press release stated “Samantha goes above and beyond her normal job duties through writing articles for Mississippi Outdoors, collaborating on in-person educational opportunities, judging regional science fairs, and representing MDWFP Fisheries Bureau on various committees and organizations.”

The GCC board and our members wish to congratulate Samantha on this honor!

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