The Gulf Coast Council of Fly Fishers International is gearing up to host its 2nd Annual Gulf Coast Classic Fly Fishing Festival that is scheduled for May 3-4, 2024. The event will be held at the Learning Campus at Gulf State Park. The entry fee is $10 per day for individuals and $15 per day for families, and it’s free for children under 16. Tickets will be available beginning April 6th through the official website.

This year's festival is set to surpass its inaugural success, featuring an Exhibitors Hall in the Conservation Hall of the Learning Campus, where attendees will discover various guide services from across the Gulf Coast, alongside suppliers of fly tackle and fly tying, publications, local and regional artists, and several non-profit organizations dedicated to fly-fishing and conservation. 

The Fly Tyers Row, a highlight within the Exhibitors Hall, will showcase over a dozen accomplished fly tyers, including Umpqua Signature Fly Designers and Pro Staff tyers from leading brands. In addition to the exhibits, the festival will offer free seminars on topics like Fly Fishing the Surf and Mobile Bay, as well as paid fly tying workshops and casting instruction, from introductory to advanced levels, conducted by certified instructors. 

The event will also feature the Mixed Bag Classic Fly Fishing Tournament, raffles, auctions, a keynote presentation by Tony Friedrich, and a special showing of the 2024 Fly Fishing Film Tour.

See all the details for this year’s event are below.

2nd Annual Gulf Coast Classic Fly Fishing Festival presented by the Gulf  Coast Council of Fly Fishers International

When: May 3-4, 2024

Where: The Learning Campus at Gulf State Park

Cost: $10/day (individual); $15/day (family); Kids under 16 enter for free (On sale through the Classic Website beginning 4/6/24)

Exhibitors Hall:

Located in the Learning Campus' Conservation Hall, this year's exhibitor hall will feature Guide Services from across the Gulf Coast region, Fly Tackle & Fly Tying suppliers, two fly fishing publications, local & regional artists as well as several fly fishing & conservation NPOs from across the region.

Fly Tyers Row:

Located in the Exhibitors Hall, this year's Fly Tyers Row will host more than a dozen accomplished Fly Tyers including two Umpqua Signature Fly Designers as well as Pro Staff tyers from major tying brands.

Seminars:

This year's Classic will include free seminars on a variety of topics including Fly Fishing the Surf, Fly Fishing Mobile Bay, and Fly Fishing for Tripletail

Fly Tying Workshops:

Six paid workshops will be offered at this year's Classic including:

  - "Building Better Baitfish" hosted by Umpqua Signature Fly Designer, Matt Bennett

  - "Intermediate Deer Hair Techniques" hosted by Semperfli Pro Team member, Jeff Rowley

  - "Tying Whitlock's NearNuff Crayfish" hosted by New York-based tyer, Allen Rupp (former apprentice to the late Dave Whitlock)

Casting Instruction:

Free introductory Casting Classes will be hosted each day by FFI Certified Casting Instructors and Master Casting Instructors

Paid Intermediate & Advanced Casting Classes will also be available

The Mixed Bag Classic Fly Fishing Tournament:

Our multi-species, catch-photo-release fly fishing tournament will be returning for a second year as we continue to focus on promoting the diversity of our local fisheries.  Running from sunrise on Thursday, May 2, until noon on Saturday, May 4, the tournament is free to all Classic participants (must purchase a ticket to the event) and features adult and youth divisions.  Prizes (TBD) will include fly fishing gear, Sunglasses from Bajio and subscriptions to On the Fly Magazine.

Raffles & Auctions:

Raffles & Silent Auctions will be hosted each day of the event.  Among the prizes will be four Guided Fly Fishing Trips, a Hatch Iconic 9+ reel (MSRP $983), art from several talented local artists and a wide variety of flies and fly tying supplies.

Keynote Presentation:

Friday's festivities will close with a Keynote Presentation from Tony Friedrich.  VP & Policy Director for the American Saltwater Guides Association, Tony is also Executive Director for CCA Maryland & founder of the Lefty Kreh TieFest (the largest non-commercial fly fishing show on the east coast).  He has 22-years experience in environmental & fisheries policy, and hosts The Guide Post podcast.

2024 Fly Fishing Film Tour:

Following the close of the Festival on Saturday afternoon, the Learning Campus Conservation Hall will be used to host a showing of the 2024 Fly Fishing Film Tour.  Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at this link.  Of note, we'll have anglers featured in three of this year's films in attendance for the event.