Fly Tying - 2026 Gulf Coast Classic fly fishing festival

Each year, the Classic showcases some of the top fly tiers from across the country as well as the Gulf Coast region. You can sit and watch from dozens of experienced tiers with a wide variety of patterns used for everything from coldwater mountain trout to saltwater species.

There are also fly tying workshops available for those looking to tie their first fly, or to advance their tying skills to the next level. See the Workshops page for details.

Here is the list of committed tiers, with their bios (to be updated routinely):

2026 Featured Fly Tiers

Matt Bennett DeRidder, LA	Matt Bennett is a previous full-time commercial fly tyer and the owner of Fly Geek Custom Flies. While having a varied interest in many different types of fly fishing, Matt most enjoys both tying flies and fishing for the native bass species of the Texas Hill Country and exploring the waterways in southwestern Louisiana. Most of Matt's patterns have a broad universal appeal to fish species all over, and he very much enjoys sharing his tying and fishing knowledge with others. Matt has fished the waters of southwestern Colorado since he was a teenager and especially enjoys chasing native Cutthroat trout in creeks throughout the San Juans. Matt is a member of the Ahrex Hooks, Dr. Slick and Raidzap Pro Team, a Renzetti Ambassador, and a member of Umpqua Feather Merchants Signature Fly Designer program. His initial pattern, Bennett's Lunch $, is available in fly shops all over the world. Matt has previously served as the Education Director and Vice President of the Texas Council FFI, as well as President of the Austin Fly Fishers and was awarded the 2015 Charles E. Brooks Memorial Award by the International Federation of Fly Fishers. You can often find him behind the vise at many fly fishing events and shows throughout Texas, Louisiana and beyond. Matt resides in DeRidder, LA with his wife, Amanda, and has tied nearly 100,000 flies during his time as a commercial fly tyer. You can view more of his work on Instagram @flygeekmatt.
Marcus Bevier Belle Fourche, SD	Marcus Bevier is an avid fly tyer and fisherman based in the Black Hills of South Dakota. His tying started in late 2017 out of necessity. Continually ordering bugs from discount dealers took time and did not offer the quality or variety he sought. His better half convinced him tying was something he would enjoy, and it would save the family a little bit of money… The latter never proved to be true. He is primarily known for his ultra clean, precise ties. More recently, he’s made waves in the tying community with his prolific deer hair bugs and large streamers. Marcus blends a combination of art and function into his tying, creating artistic works that catch both fish and fisherman. Marcus is currently a signature tyer for Yellowstone Fly Goods, with 4 of his patterns being released in 2025. As a designer, he is primarily focused on streamer and nymph patterns, showcasing his innovative style. Marcus is becoming a veteran on the show circuit as a method of “paying it forward” to newer and veteran tyers alike. Bevier primarily seeks to showcase his abilities and help the wider audiences understand his process, techniques, and styles when tying signature and established patterns.
Ken 'Redbird' Breaux DeQuincy, LA	Ken is a member of Contraband Fly Casters club. A longtime tier, he ties mostly warm water flies but also some coldwater and saltwater patterns. His favorite pattern is a Coyote Fly.
Peggy Brenner Citrus Spring, FL	Peggy Brenner resides in Florida, close to some of the best saltwater and freshwater fly fishing. She has been tying for several decades now; her specialty being flies that fish well. She started with the basic trout and saltwater fly patterns, progressing to Classic Maine Streamers with Mike Martinek, Jr. at United Fly Tyers and now Classic Salmon flies with a one-year apprenticeship through the New Hampshire Council for the Arts; Traditional Arts Program. Retired, Peggy had her second apprenticeship through the same program for a year to pass on the skills. She was awarded the Dick Nelson Teaching Award by FFI. She ties flies for a select group of customers, as well as giving instruction with a focus on ladies and children’s classes, presentations, and demonstrations around the country for shops and clubs. Peggy was a featured fly tyer as part of the “A Graceful Rise” exhibit, which featured women of the past, present, and future that were influential to the world of fly fishing, at the American Fly-Fishing Museum. Peggy is a Board member of the FFI Fly Tying Group and past Fly-Tying Chair of the FFI Expo, past President of International Women’s Fly Fishers and advisor to United Fly Tyers. Peggy is also a member of several pro-staff teams including Whiting Farms, Partridge of Redditch, Regal and several others. She mostly enjoys fly fishing with her husband Jerry and they both like to share the sport with others.
Mack Bryson Leesburg, GA	Mack Bryson of Leesburg, GA, learned how to fly fish and tie flies at a young age, from mentors Mr. Bob Maricich and Blane Chocklett. Mack is owner of Southeastern Flyworks and creates masterpieces with conventional materials, as well as some personal ones, for bass, tarpon, redfish and other predatory species.
Capt. Duke Davis Escambria, FL	Captain Duke is a 23-year Veteran of the United States Marine Crops. He served innumerous locations throughout the world and spent much of his time deployed to combat zones as a Marine Scout Sniper. Upon retiring from the Corps, he became the National Programs director for Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing. This allowed Duke to travel the country to teach disabled veterans the art of ﬂy ﬁshing, ﬂy tying and rod building. He would eventually move on to serve in another sector to help veterans by taking a role in Ketchikan, Alaska, the salmon capital of the world. Where he honed his skills catching salmon on the ﬂy and with other conventional methods. Since this was a seasonal job, it allowed him to fulﬁll his passion of ﬁshing Florida’s warm weather ﬁsheries for the remainder of the year. In 2019 he started guiding full time. through his guide service Tango Down Fishing. He continues to guide in the Pensacola and Escambia Bay areas which offer some magniﬁcent red drum ﬁshing. In 2022 He and his wife Kara founded a national nonproﬁt called Restoration, Inc. with its focus on helping veteran couples transition by using mentorship and by using outdoor recreational therapy such as ﬂy ﬁshing. Captain Duke is a Beavertail Skiffs Pro-Guide, and affiliated with temple forks outﬁtters, ﬂymen ﬁshing company, brook outdoors. Information about Captain Duke can be found at www.tangodownﬁshing.com
Ron Foreman Lake Charles, LA	Ron is a member and current Treasurer of the Contraband Fly Casters in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He is a member and supporter of the FFI, and a member of their Fly Tying Group. Ron has also served on the Gulf Coast Council as a former Treasurer and Fly Tying Chair.. Ron has been involved in fly fishing since his high school days. He grew up fishing small streams and creeks in Louisiana. He is an avid bass fisherman having fished numerous lakes throughout the midsouth. After moving to the Lake Charles area, he began saltwater fishing. His passion now is fly fishing for reds, specks, and flounder. Also, Ron takes trips to cold water fisheries to try for rainbow and brown trout. He is a Sowbug tyer, and has tied at other fly fishing shows throughout the south. Ron enjoys tying flies and teaching a newcomer to tie. Ron is always looking for ways to promote fly fishing, fly tying, his local club, the GCC, and FFI.
Chris Harris Marietta, GA	Chris embarked on his journey into the world of fly fishing in 1992 after being inspired by the film "A River Runs Through It." Over the past 33 years, he has become an avid fly fisherman, mastering both freshwater and saltwater species. His dedication to the craft led him to start tying flies in 1993, a passion he has pursued for 32 years, tying both freshwater and saltwater flies. In the mid-90s, Chris began sharing his expertise by teaching fly tying for Trout Unlimited (TU). His commitment to the fly fishing community continued to grow, and for the past six years, he has been privileged to mentor veterans through Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing (PHWFF) Atlanta, both in person and online. The opportunity to teach this craft to veterans has been incredibly rewarding for him. Chris has had the honor of assisting many with tying their first fly and seeing them apply their new skills in the annual Fly-Tying Competition and on rivers. Chris enjoys fishing in his home waters of North Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee, as well as saltwater fishing from the coast of South Carolina to the Florida Keys. His extensive experience and passion for fly fishing and tying have made him a respected mentor and cherished member of the fly-fishing community.
Adam Hortenberry Atlanta, GA	Adam Hortenberry is a dedicated angler and fly tyer originally from Cincinnati, Ohio. After spending nearly 15 years on the East Coast—most of them in Rhode Island—he found himself deeply influenced by the region’s saltwater fisheries, which have shaped much of his recent tying and fishing style. Adam began fly fishing in 2018 and took up fly tying in 2020, quickly developing a passion for crafting patterns that reflect both innovation and functionality. Although he enjoys exploring a range of fisheries, his primary pursuit is smallmouth bass on the fly. His work is inspired by iconic tyers such as the late Bob Popovics, Kelly Galloup, Dave Whitlock, and many others whose creativity and vision have helped shape modern fly design. Committed to the philosophy of giving more than you take, Adam is passionate about teaching, sharing knowledge, and helping strengthen the fly-fishing community. He looks forward to connecting with and supporting fellow anglers at the Gulf Coast Classic.
Joe Jackson Martinsville, IN	Avid fly angler Joe Jackson is a prolific fly tyer best known for his artistic masterpieces with deer hair, including his Baby Yoda, Hummingbird, Cardinal, and T-Rex. An Army vet, Jackson was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan; after being medically retired with 14 years of service, Jackson discovered fly tying through Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, where he found more therapeutic relief than he did in the therapist’s chair. Joe began tying flies in November 2016; by May 2017 his unique style had already garnered attention at an annual Project Healing Waters fly-tying event. Jackson tied in public for the first time at the International Fly-Tying Symposium in November 2017; meanwhile, his quirky art flies were creating a buzz on social media.
Tom Logan Tallahassee, FL	Tom H. Logan is a retired Certified Wildlife Biologist who specialized for 47+ years in research, recovery and management of T&E wildlife species. He teaches fly casting and tying and fishes classic fly patterns for bream and bass in his home waters and streams of the Smokies and western US. Tom specializes in writing and teaching the biology of fish prey selection and the predator/prey relationship to selection of fly patterns. Tom was awarded "Fly tyer of the Year" by the Southern Council in 2003 and the "Silver King" and "Conservation" awards by the FFI Board in 2013 and 2015, respectively. He was presented the Board "Award of Distinction for Leadership and Service" in 2021 and is the 2025 recipient of the “FFI Buz Buszek Memorial Fly Tying Award”. Tom is a Life member of FFI, Chairman Emeritus of the FFI Board and it's Fly Tying Programs and Conservation Committees and currently serves as Vice President of the Florida Council of FFI.
Steve Maldonado Evergreen, CO	A Colorado native who grew up in walking distance of the Arkansas River, Steve is a nationally recognized fly designer that has patterns with Umpqua Feather Merchants, a recognized speaker on fishing streamers as well as a world class flycaster. Steve has put-on fly-tying presentations and teaching demos all over the USA. His simple system approach to fishing streamers with his on the river tuning and applications, tips and techniques are second to none. Steve starter River Rat Fly Design a few years ago which offers his customer streamers for anything from golden dorado, peacock bass to trout. Steve has fished over the country with saltwater being his true love and tarpon being on top of his list. He is the southern Rockies pro for Scientific covering Colorado, Utah and New Mexico. He is also on staff with Semperfli, Regal, Fishpond, Lamson Waterworks, Nature Spirit, Ahrex Hooks, Anadromous Fly Company, Lid Rig, Solarez, Ultimate Rod Case, Costa Sunglasses and so on. Steve has always found it fun and rewarding to share his patterns and techniques with people he is tying for and sharing his knowledge of fly fishing with all comers. I've had articles Published in Fly Fishermans Destinations Magazine and Loop Magazine about my Golden Dorado Streamer the Jungle Junkie.
Lance Renoux Lafayette, LA	I'm from Lafayette, LA, and currently reside in southeast Louisiana. I have lived in Arkansas and Oregon where I worked on my Masters in biology and developed my fly fishing and fly tying skills. This background in biology has aided me in my tying, where I incorporate old school patterns with new techniques and materials. My focus in fly fishing and tying is saltwater, tying for all species.
Allen Rupp New York, NY	Allen Rupp is a passionate fly tyer and angler with an incredible 35-year journey in the world of fly fishing. Throughout the years, Allen has honed his skills, dedicating countless hours to perfecting the art of tying flies. His creations have proven their effectiveness by enticing fish from various corners of the globe. From the pristine waters of Africa and Belize, to the breathtaking landscapes of Chile, Mexico, Portugal, and the Seychelles, Allen's flies have been trusted companions for anglers. These meticulously crafted flies have seduced species far and wide, leaving no doubt about their unwavering appeal. However, Allen is not solely confined to the tying bench. Despite his mastery of the fly tying art, he always manages to find time for his true passion: fishing. Each year, he embarks on thrilling adventures, seeking out the exhilaration of battling with various fish species. Whether it's the powerful strikes of Bass, the finesse required for Panfish, the explosive strikes of Stripers and Snook, or the delicate presentations needed for Trout, Allen embraces the challenges and joys of fly fishing with open arms. With an unmatched wealth of experience and an unyielding love for the sport, Allen continues to push boundaries, constantly exploring new fishing grounds, and sharing his expertise with fellow enthusiasts. His dedication to the art of fly tying and the pursuit of fish is an inspiration to both seasoned anglers and novices alike.
Jeff Rowley Amarillo, TX	I was born and raised in the Texas Panhandle. Growing up, I spent a lot of my time in the Rocky Mountains where my family had a cabin. My love for fly fishing and fly tying began there. At age 12 I was gifted a fly tying kit, learning mostly from books and instructional manuals. I spend time fishing in Colorado, New Mexico, & Texas mostly. The majority of that time is targeting trout in the Rocky Mountains. I love saltwater fishing on the Texas coast too. I'm always looking for new places to fish!
David Rogers Prairieville, LA	David grew up amidst the tranquil waters of southern Louisiana, casting lines since childhood. As a youth, he favored traditional tackle, but since the late 90s, has been exclusively devoted to fly fishing. His primary haunts are the saltwater marshes of Louisiana and Alabama's tidal river systems, though he frequently ventures to coldwater and warmwater fisheries. One of his greatest pleasures is angling in the pristine, clear waters of Louisiana and Mississippi's free-flowing creeks and rivers. An avid tier, in January 2024 he became Fly Tying Chair for the Red Stick Fly Fishers and soon after took a leadership role in an independent tying event known as "Flies & Flights". He has taught beginners fly tying and for his many contributions to helping others, he was awarded the GCC "Excellence in Education" Award in 2025.