Presenters

The Gulf Coast Classic offers seminars, fly tying and casting workshops, and special activities featuring some of the region and nation’s top anglers, biologists, and other knowledgeable experts.

Check the Schedule, Seminars and Workshops pages for dates and times of their presentations and workshops, and information about the various topics and classes.

Below is the list of speakers and instructors, with their bios:

2026 Speakers / Instructors List

Dr. Aaron Adams

Keynote Speaker

 A passionate conservationist, Aaron leads the development and execution of BTT’s science and conservation strategy, working closely with researchers, resource-management agencies, and partner organizations (including fellow anglers) to translate scientific findings into practical conservation and management actions.  A renowned fly fisherman as well, Aaron has published a number of books on the subject including 2007’s Fly Fisherman’s Guide to Saltwater Prey: How to Match Coastal Prey Fish & Invertebrates with the Fly Patterns That Imitate Them. An in-depth look at more than 150 coastal prey species (including 200+ fly patterns used to imitate them), this book epitomizes Aaron’s approach to both science & angling and is must read for seasoned and aspiring anglers.
Matt Bennett See tying bio (Fly Tying)
Peggy Brenner See tying bio (Fly Tying)
Susan Brooks A resident of Starkville, MS, Susan is South Region Program Manager for Casting for Recovery, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to national support and fly fishing educational programs for women who have or have had breast cancer. The women are provided retreats where there is support by a medical professional, a qualified counselor, and fly fishing instructors. In addition to her work with CFR, Susan is an excellent fly tier whose flies are sold on Etsy under FishWithDamselflies. 
Mack Bryson See tying bio (Fly Tying)
David Buckner David is a retired Southern Company executive, living in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. He is a member of the Gulf Coast Fly Fishers and New Orleans Fly Fishers clubs, and currently serves as Fly Tying Director for the FFI Gulf Coast Council. In 2022, David received the Gulf Coast Council’s “Excellence in Education” Award, and in 2023, the GCC “Lifetime Excellence in Fly Tying” Award. He had previously served on both the GCC and FFI Fly Tying Group boards, and as a member of the FTG, helped draft the Saltwater Fly Tying Skills Award. He has earned the bronze and silver FFI Fly Tying Skills awards. David continues to work with Council clubs to help their fly tying efforts, and with the Council for the Classic fly tying programs.
Capt. Jacob Commer

I am a licensed and insured fishing guide in all waterways that I fish. I work hard every day to provide my ciients the best possible experience   More than anything I love chasing fish, and I’m thankful for every opportunity that I get to do it. There are a few things in particular that I love about guiding fishing. Firstly, every day we might catch a huge one. Additionally, every day we definitely learn something, and see something new. Also, sharing the successes of an angler-and-guide team to fool a fish is a ton of fun. Working together to fool a fish in its pristine natural environment is an experience that I celebrate like it was the first time, every time. We see some amazing things out there.

I had a fly rod in my hand when I was six years old, and I caught my first redfish on a live shrimp about 5 years later. While I was in school at Ole Miss, the two collided and I have been chasing redfish across the gulf every spare minute ever since. Upon finishing my degree, I began my career as a fly fishing guide at Teton Valley Lodge in Driggs, Idaho. Under the tutelage of a renowned staff and a legacy of over 100 years of guided fishing at the lodge, I continue to explore with anglers the technical trout fisheries of the Yellowstone Caldera: the Henry’s Fork and South Fork of the Snake River, the Teton River, and beyond. 
Catch Cormier Catch earned his nickname shortly after college, as a successful bass tournament angler.  In 1985, he discovered fly fishing and in 1988, kayak fishing, and has since been addicted to both.  He's written articles on fly fishing, and was fly fishing columnist for Louisiana Sportsman for 20 years. He’s also written articles on kayak fishing, and was kayak fishing field reporter for Don Dubuc Outdoors Radio show, and has competed successfully in numerous kayak bass tournaments. In 1995, he became an FFI Certified Casting Instructor and routinely teaches beginning classes. He taught fly fishing and fly tying through LSU Leisure program for 6 years. He has served on the CCA Louisiana board, the Louisiana Nature Conservancy board, and is a past president of the Louisiana Photographic Society, Red Stick Fly Fishers, Kisatchie Fly Fishers, and Cenla Kayak Anglers. He helped co-found the FFI Gulf Coast Council in 2006 and served as its first president. In 2018, he returned to the GCC board to serve as Conservation Director and in 2024 was recognized by Fly Fishers International as "Conservationist of the Year". A member of the FFI Fly Tying Group, his flies have been featured in several books, including Gary Borger’s “Long Flies”. When not fishing, he enjoys college sports and hiking with his wife and other members of the Louisiana Hiking Club. 
Capt. Danielle Davidson Danielle grew up along the Florida Gulf Coast saltwater fishing with her family and has spent most of that time on the Pensacola and Apalachicola Bay systems. Her passion lies with inshore fishing. She has spent most of the past five years with a fly rod in hand, which has allowed her to fall in love with the sport all over again. Tripletail, redfish and tarpon are some of her favorite species to chase. She is an educator by profession and enjoys sharing her passion for fishing and love of the outdoors with the next generation. She has served on the Gulf Coast Council board as Women Connect Director, where she initiated the popular “Bugs & Bikes” event. In 2022, she was recognized by the GCC as “Fly Fisher of the Year” for her contributions to helping youth learn about our sport, and her efforts for Women Connect. Currently, she guides for a variety of species around the Appalachicola area. She supports and leads local and national fly fishing organizations, is a steward of responsible angling and fly fishing education, and is one of the leading female voices in the rapidly growing community of fly anglers 
Andre Davis A resident of Birmingham, Alabama, Andre grew up in central Missouri, close to a number of waters that shaped his life. From the Missouri to the Mississippi Rivers, and all the tributaries and streams that flow into and well up from our endless cave systems, a hook and line were never far away. He found fly fishing due to the kind guidance of the folks at Tochterman’s in Baltimore just a couple years ago, now he teaches fly casting and tying at Orvis as a volunteer! When not on the water, Andre and his wife (a 6th grade historically work with local housing communities and kids through volunteer work. "We love being able to give back the many blessings that life has afforded us and look forward to doing exactly that alongside the wonderful team at the Birmingham Mayfly Project!"
Adam Hortenberry See tying bio (Fly Tying)
Tom Logan See tying bio (Fly Tying)
Steve Maldonado See tying bio (Fly Tying)
Arturo Rodriguez

Arturo was raised along the shoreline of Marvista, Costa Rica, the oldest son and DNA replica of his father, Marvin, co-founder of 4 Corners Costa Rica.  Arturo brings passion and energy to his profession of guiding adventurers across this beautiful country. While working in the hospitality industry in Vail, Colorado during college, he gained knowledge and experience needed to cater to the comforts of visitors while also refining his fly casting and roll-casting abilities in his free time!  
A.J. Rosenbohm A.J. is a retired newspaper production executive who along with his wife Mary, lives in River Ridge, Louisiana.  A lifelong fisherman, he bought his first flyrod at the age of 12. After pursuing fly fishing for a year, he broke the tip on his fly rod and never repaired it.  Fast forward to 2012 when he decided to seriously pursue fly-fishing and fly tying. He currently works part-time at No Wake Outfitters in the New Orleans area, managing the fly-fishing operation of the shop and taking every opportunity to share his passion for fly fishing with everyone that he meets. A.J. is also president of the New Orleans Fly Fishers Club.  In 2021, he was awarded by FFI as recipient of the Council Leadership Award, recognizing the most outstanding leader across all FFI councils.  He has served on the FFI Board of Directors, and is currently president of the FFI Council of Presidents. AJ is an avid fly tyer who loves tying flies for his friends. He teaches fly tying and fly casting and is pursuing his FFI Certified Casting Instructor certification.
Jeff Rowley See tying bio (Fly Tying)
Allen Rupp See tying bio (Fly Tying)
Sam Sumlin Sam grew up in Gulf Shores, Alabama, and fished before he could even remember. He started fly fishing in 2014 and went all in on every aspect of the sport. He is co-owner of Space Coast Flies which has been an online fly-fishing store for over 6 years. He designs production flies and materials and distributes for other brands.  In 2024, Sam opened Community Fly Supply in Gulf Shores which he now runs full-time. Sam is a past board member of the Eastern Shore Fly Fishers club and the Tripletail Classic Fly Fishing Tournament. He is very active in the fly fishing community and is dedicated to growing the sport in the Gulf Coast area. Sam currently serves as Marketing Director for the FFI Gulf Coast Council, and has also been invaluable in providing marketing tools and support for our annual Gulf Coast Classic.
Chris Williams Chris is a degreed marine biologist and a highly accomplished fly tier and fly angler who enjoys traveling for fishing or participating in fly fishing events. He chronicles his adventures and vast tying expertise on his blog, “The Fat Fingered Fly Tyer”. Chris conducts tying clinics and workshops and initiated a monthly casual tying event called “Flies and Flights” at a local brewery which became a blueprint for other regional casual tying events.  Chris is a member of both the Red Stick Fly Fishers and the Kisatchie Fly Fishers, and has been a consistent leader in their annual diverse species contests, proving his savvy ability to catch all fish in all waters.  Chris serves on the Gulf Coast Council board as Tournament Director and on the Suncatch Challenge Committee. In 2023, Chris was recognized by the Gulf Coast Council with the President's Award for his many contributions to the GCC.  That same year, he was recognized by Fly Fishers International with the highly prestigious “Fly Fishing Skills Education” Award.  Chris is also very active in the GCC’s conservation efforts, reaching out to other organizations and individuals across the region involved with conservation or environmental issues.