FCSD Facilitor Online Training available August 22nd

Posted on July 22, 2026 by Catch Cormier

There are still two more sessions available in 2026 for the Fly Casting Skills Development (FCSD) facilitator training. Both online sessions are on Saturday, August 22nd, one at 11am and the other at 6pm CST. Registration is required. There is no cost to attend.

The Fly Casting Skills Development a structured, self-paced framework designed to help anglers master the mechanics of casting a fly rod. It transitions beginners from basic techniques to advanced presentations, divided into four progressively challenging levels, and by recognizing each level of achievement.

Those levels are:

  • Foundation: For true beginners learning the grip, basic loop, and simple lay-down.
  • Bronze: Introduces target casting at 35 feet, roll casts, and non-dominant shoulder casts.
  • Silver: Focuses on shooting line for distance, changing direction, and managing wind.
  • Gold: Masters complex presentations, water tension casts, and advanced loop control.

Participants who pass each level can apply to FFI for a FCSD Certificate/Badge for that level, or for the highest level they achieve. There is a cost for this, but the recognition and personal gratification are worth it!

To learn all about the FCSD program, CLICK HERE

The FCSD program is not possible without facilitators. These are individuals (club members, FFI members) whose expertise is required to critique and even help the candidate work through each level.  Facilitators observe each skill of a certain level, then critique that skill.  Candidates do not have to be exceptional at each skill, but should show some proficiency. In cases where a skill is below average, the facilitator may later work with the candidate to improve that skill.

You do NOT need to be an FFI Certified Casting Instructor (FFI-CI) to be a FCSD Facilitator. At the Foundation level, the facilitator may be an observer (such as a club member). At the Bronze level, the facilitator must be a Bronze, Silver or Gold level award recipient, or an FFI-CI. At the Silver and Gold levels, the facilitator must be a Gold level award recipient or an FFI-CI.

The Training Class

The FCSD Facilitator Training Class is held online via Zoom, and is a 90-minute all-inclusive session. It will cover:

  • Timelines for organizing an FCSD event
  • Field and course setup including equipment suggestions
  • Typical process for casting through a set of skills, e.g., Bronze skill level
  • Volunteer assignments and key management concepts
  • Handling potentially challenging situations
  • Language to use and language to avoid
  • Tips for success
  • Support materials available on the FFI website
  • Questions and answers

Again, this is a FREE workshop. If you are interested, please email education@ffigcc.org for a link to the FCSD Facilitator Class registration.

Posted in Casting, Education | Tagged , | Comments Off on FCSD Facilitor Online Training available August 22nd

Rio Rumble announced for October 3rd

Posted on July 10, 2026 by Catch Cormier

17th Annual Rio Grande Rumble
Saturday, October 3, 2026

Start: 7:00am (first light for pre-registered)
End: 12:30pm (weigh-in)
Event site: Lafreniere Park, Metairie, LA
$25 entry fee, includes lunch and refreshments

Hosted by the New Orleans Fly Fishers Club, the Rio Grande Rumble is the longest running freshwater fly fishing tournament in the South. Target species is the Rio Grande cichlid. This species is native to south Texas but has become widespread in extreme southeast Louisiana. For fly anglers, it’s an opportunity to put their skills up against a very wary species that when hooked, “fights like a wet cat”.

All entry fish must be caught on flies and fly tackle. Categories are “Longest Rio” and “Most Rios Caught”. Net proceeds from the tournament go to Casting For Recovery.

The rodeo is open to all fly anglers. Registration deadline is 8:00am on October 4th. Both onsite registration and weigh-in will be at Lafreniere Park in Metairie. There will also be a Zoom seminar on fishing for the Rio Grande Cichlid. Date and time of the online seminar will be announced shortly.

For complete details, including tournament rules, and to register online, go to the NOFFC website at www.neworleansflyfishers.com.

Posted in Events | Comments Off on Rio Rumble announced for October 3rd

LA governor vetoes tarpon gamefish bill

Posted on June 26, 2026 by Catch Cormier

A bill that would’ve given gamefish status to Atlantic tarpon in Louisiana has been vetoed by Governor Jeff Landry. This despite House Bill 688 by Rep. Joseph Orgeron having passed both chambers of the Louisiana legislature by unanimous margins.  It leaves Louisiana as the only state, where the species is present in numbers, that does not designate gamefish status to this prized sportfish.

This bill would’ve done more than just given gamefish status to one of the most prized recreational species in saltwater. It would have put management of tarpon under the auspices of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission. And it turn, the LWFC could’ve determined the extent of current “catch and kill” tarpon tournaments. It also would’ve required LWFC to take actions to limit any activity in which tarpon was a significant bycatch.

In his veto letter, Landry wrote: “I can discern no corresponding conservation benefits in this designation. There is no real harvest pressure on tarpon, and nothing in the science suggests we need new limits or restrictions to protect them. Louisiana anglers do not need more regulatory hurdles for their recreational activities.”

The Louisiana Wildlife Federation (LWF) and the Gulf Coast Council of Fly Fishers International (FFI) expressed extreme disappointment in this action. It’s our belief that this was a measure may have been to further protect the menhaden industry from repercussions of tarpon bycatch.

FFI-GCC Conservation Director Glen ‘Catch’ Cormier stated that this action was the final blow to a very disappointing legislative session in which two bills to limit redfish (and other gamefish) bycatch by menhaden harvest failed to pass.

“We will be appealing to legislators to include HB688 in their veto override session.  If accepted, we firmly believe the legislators will maintain their previous position that tarpon are too valuable a fish to be killed routinely just for display.”.

Posted in Conservation | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on LA governor vetoes tarpon gamefish bill

Remembering Bill Gammel

Posted on June 12, 2026 by Catch Cormier

Last week, the fly fishing world lost an icon in the realm of fly casting. Bill Gammel of Baytown, TX, passed away at the young age of 56. Gammel was a fly casting instructor who – with his father Jay – revolutionized the sport by co-creating the five core principles for effective fly casting.

In the late 1980s, the Gammels analyzed master casters and the physics of fly casting and condensed the mechanics of a perfect cast into five core principles. In 1990, at the urging of a fellow professor at Lee College, Judy Lehmberg, who at the time was FFI VP of Education, the Gammels produced a booklet for FFF entitled, “The Five Essentials of Fly Casting”. This booklet has since become the foundation for FFF/FFI casting instruction worldwide, and used by anglers of all skill levels to diagnose and achieve efficient, aerodynamic loops.

The Five Essentials are:

  • Straight Line Path: The rod tip must travel in a straight line during the casting stroke to form a narrow, efficient loop.
  • Proper Power Application: Power must be applied smoothly, increasing gradually and ending in an abrupt stop to load and unload the rod.
  • Vary the Casting Arc: The size of the casting arc must match the length of the fly line extending past the rod tip.
  • Proportional Pause: There must be a pause at the end of each stroke. The duration of this pause depends on the length of the line outside the rod tip.
  • Eliminate Slack Line: You must keep slack to a minimum, ensuring the line remains under constant tension to effectively load the rod

Bill was an avid outdoorsman and Christian, and in 2015, wrote a book combining his love of outdoors and his beliefs. “A Sportsman’s Pursuit” is a collection of short stories about hunting and fishing from his life that all point back to the Gospel.

The FFI Gulf Coast Council wishes to express our sympathies to his wife, Tiffany, his sons, and the rest of the Gammel family.

Posted in General | Comments Off on Remembering Bill Gammel

June 30th deadline for GCC awards

Posted on June 4, 2026 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 Fly Fishers International.

Nominations for 2026 honors are now being accepted. Deadline is June 30th. FFI members can submit nominations by going to “Resources -> Awards & Recognition”.   That page lists the awards, procedures for nominations, as well as qualifications for each award.

Nominations must be through the online form, along with a brief supporting document which can be uploaded through the form.  The supporting document can be Word, PDF, Google Docs, etc., and should list specific accomplishments.   There is a sample document on the Awards page for use as example when writing up the support doc.

Please be specific when writing up qualifications.  For example, a poorly written nomination for the Fly Tying Achievement award would be:

“I think Joe is the best fly tier there is. He ties some great looking streamers. He’s also tied at places.”

Conversely, a well-done nomination would be:

“Joe has demonstrated tying at Red Stick Day, Sowbug Roundup, and the Houston Tying Festival. He has taught workshops on tying streamers to the Magnolia and Contraband clubs. His flies have been featured in Fly Tyer magazine Summer 2024 issue, on the Flies for Fools website, and on Youtube. His creations include the Whimpy Spider and the Catfur Clouser.  Joe has also served as board member for the Catskill Flies Collective.”.

A few important notes:

  • Except for Friend of the Council, nominees must be FFI members affiliated with the Gulf Coast Council.
  • Awards are for contributions of the past 12 to 18 months, with the exception being the Fly Tying Award, which is a lifetime achievement.
  • In cases where more than one well qualified nominee exists, we may end up giving co-honorees.
  • Please list all accomplishments for the nominee, as in some cases, they may qualify for an alternate award.

Again, deadline is June 30th. Honors are announced sometime late July to August time frame. Honorees will receive a commemorative 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 link to the nomination form, go to the Awards page – CLICK HERE.

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

June events highlight Women’s Fly Fishing Month

Posted on June 1, 2026 by Catch Cormier

Did you know that women are the fastest growing demographic in fly fishing? Fly Fishers International recognized the value in mentoring women by establishing a women-focused program over 10 years ago. It is now known as FFI Women Connect.

In 2020, June was established as Women’s Fly Fishing Month, to celebrate, honor, and encourage female anglers worldwide.  FFI is asking their members – both ladies and guys – to introduce a woman to our sport, or give them encouragement, or maybe even donate them a gift of flies or equipment.

FFI Councils are holding events this month to give women the opportunity to gather, learn, and inspire each other as they embark or continue their journey in fly fishing. Here in the Gulf South, there are two events, one hosted by the Gulf Coast Council and one by the Southeastern Council. There’s also a Zoom program available to all ladies everywhere.

Ladies 101 and 201 Fly Fishing Clinic
Date: June 6, 2026
Location: Bremen, Alabama (SEC Council)
Summary: An interactive women’s clinic including fly casting, fly tying, and guided wading instruction. All gear and lunch included. Limited to 12 students each. Contact meghanstander@gmail.com for details.

FFI Women Connect Monthly Online Program
Date: June 23, 2026
Location: Zoom
Link: Click here to register
Summary: : Join us for Charting New Waters, an engaging panel discussion featuring accomplished women in the fly fishing industry: Captain Stacy Lynn of Texas, Kimberly of New Mexico, and Melanie of Florida.

Ladies Fly Tying Night
Date: June 30, 2026
Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Location: Metairie, Louisiana
Summary: Join other ladies for an evening of fly tying fun. Hosted by FFI Women Connect & No Wake Outfitters. Tools & materials provided. Class size limited, so please register early. To RSVP or more details, contact Lisa Lowman at wconnect@ffigcc.org.

Posted in Events, Women Connect | Comments Off on June events highlight Women’s Fly Fishing Month

Public invited to GCFF seminar on June 2nd

Posted on May 27, 2026 by Catch Cormier

The Gulf Coast Fly Fishers of coastal Mississippi will hold a “Double Header” seminar on Tuesday, June 2nd, at 6:00pm at the Biloxi Yacht Club at 124 Lameuse St in Biloxi, MS. On the agenda are Capt. Roger Apperly and Capt. “Wild Bill” Hancock. The public is invited.

Roger will speak on “Fly Fishing for Tripletail”, a species of growing popularity among salty flyrodders. Bill will talk on “Speckled Trout Strategies”, a popular game fish that absolutely loves flies.

Again, the public is welcome to come out and spend an evening learning expert tips, proven techniques and local knowledge from two of the the Gulf Coast veteran flyrodders.

Posted in Events | Comments Off on Public invited to GCFF seminar on June 2nd

Free Fishing Days coming in June

Posted on May 26, 2026 by Catch Cormier

Each year, wildlife agencies in each state designate “Free Fishing Days” for the public to fish recreationally in public waters without a fishing license. These events are part of National Fishing and Boating Week.

Free fishing days are the perfect opportunity to try out fishing for the first time, or introduce a beginner to the sport.  For experienced anglers willing to travel, it’s a chance to partake of fishing in another state without having to purchase a license.  Some states may have certain restrictions, so please check before making plans.

Although anglers are not required to have a recreational license for Free Fishing Days, they must still adhere to all other regulations, including size and possession limits.

Here are the free fishing days in Gulf Coast Council states for 2026:
– Alabama – Sat., June 13 (fresh, salt) *
– Florida – Sat-Sun, June 7-8 (salt), June 13-14 (fresh)
– Louisiana – Sat-Sun, June 7-8 (fresh, salt)
– Mississippi – Sat-Sun, June 7-8, July 4th (fresh, salt) **

* AL State Fishing Lakes still require a permit
** MS State Fishing Lakes require a permit on the July 4th date

Note: Free fishing days are a great opportunity to destination fish for species in the GCC Suncatch Challenge. 

Posted in General | Tagged | Comments Off on Free Fishing Days coming in June