Print this page

History

In August, 2006, a group of two dozen committed individuals representing flyfishing interests along the northern and western Gulf Coast met to consider the creation of a new council of the Federation of Fly Fishers. Upon voting unanimously to go forward and form the Gulf Coast Council FFF, the group then stepped forward, on a challenge from Marc Pinsel, to pledge donations to establish it's startup expenses. Later a few others would join in to the donations.  Thanks to these individuals and clubs - the "GCC Founders Club" - the new council was financially sound and able to grow.

Founding Members

Founding Clubs

Roger Maler
Rick Boebel
Ron Allen Thomas
Marc Pinsel
Sydney Smith
Bill Heugel
Danny Williams
Buzzy Burns
Robert Raynor
Barry Dauphin
Jimmy Lee
Walter McLendon
Jeaux McMahon
Ronnie Foreman
David Trahan
Catch Cormier
Thomas Herrington
Brad Nunn
Albert Wood
Robert Peet
Mark Delaney
Ron Begnaud
Jim Gill
Keith Richard

Acadian Fly Rodders
Austin Fly Fishers
Contraband Flycasters
Mississippi Coast Fly Fishers
San Gabriel Fly Fishers
New Orleans Fly Fishers
Red Stick Fly Fishers
Historic Ocean Springs Fly Fishers

 

 
The new Gulf Coast Council consisted of FFF clubs and individual FFF members from south Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, coastal Alabama, and the Florida Emerald Coast. Some were members of the Southern Council, others of the Southeastern Council. With the help and guidance of the original councils, the new GCC met the guidelines required by the Federation and was approved as a full council.

To help raise funds for conservation and education, the Gulf Coast Council made plans for it's first "conclave". In May 2007, the first-ever FFF Gulf Coast Expo was held at the Lakefront Civic Center in Lake Charles, Louisiana.  An array of speakers, headlined by Lefty Kreh and Nick Curcione joined with dozens of outstanding fly tiers from the region and the country. There were programs, tying demos, kayak demos, exhibitors, youth activities, and much more.  Including great fishing for reds and specks, and great food (boiled crawfish Friday night and a Saturday night Cajun Feast). The event was a success and greatly enjoyed by all.

Two more Expos would be held at the Civic Center before it was decided to venture west to New Braunfels. The New Braunfels expo proved to be the best ever, both in attendance and approval. It was decided to return to Texas the following year, this time in downtown San Antonio. 

The two Texas expos proved to be the catalyst that would eventually result in the formation of a new IFFF Texas Council.  In 2012, members of Texas clubs affiliated with Gulf Coast began discussions with Texas clubs affiliated with Southern Council.  By January, 2013, all formalities for a new Texas Council had been established, and the new organization was approved by the IFFF. 

Today the Gulf Coast Council consists of FFF charter and affiliated clubs, as well as individual members, from Louisiana, Mississippi, and coastal Alabama.  The new GCC may be smaller geographically, but it continues to grow more clubs and members.  

 

 


^ Top

Previous page: Contacts
Next page: Organization