When it comes to sports there are a few actions that have become the pinnacle in each genre. There is the hole in one in gulf, the home run in baseball and the perfect fly-cast in fishing. Thousands of books have written and even an Academy Award winning movie focuses on the sport of fly fishing.

The Gulf Coast Council of Fly Fishers International will host their third annual Gulf Coast Classic fly-fishing festival on May 2-3, 2025. The event will take place at the Learning Campus of Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Festival hours run from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM on both Friday and Saturday. Attendees can enjoy various educational activities and demonstrations focused on fly-fishing techniques and conservation.

Among the activities:

• Seminars on fishing locations, tactics, and species
• Exhibitors and vendors
• Fly tying demonstrations
• Conservation programs
• Keynote speaker presentation
• Beginner fly casting instruction (free with admission)
• Beginner fly tying instruction (free with admission)
• Fly tying workshops (registration required, cost $20-$50)
• Casting workshops (registration required, cost $0-$20)
• Fishing Tournament (free with admission, kicks off Thursday a.m.)
• Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) (ticket purchase required, limited seating)
• Raffles & silent auction, offering many one-of-a-kind items

The unique facility offers a state-of-the-art theater area, several meeting rooms, and outside facilities. Festival activities include seminars on fishing locations and tactics, exhibitor booths, fly tying demonstrations, and conservation programs.

Admission includes free beginner fly casting and tying instruction. Specialized workshops are available for additional fees ranging from $0-$50, with advance registration required.

A highlight of the event is the Mixed Bag Challenge fishing contest that begins Thursday morning. This unique competition celebrates diversity of catch rather than size, taking advantage of Gulf State Park's varied fishing opportunities.

The 600-acre Lake Shelby within the park offers both fresh and brackish water species. Meanwhile, the Gulf waters along the park's beach host pompano, Spanish mackerel, bluefish, and numerous other marine species.

Beyond fishing, the 6,000-acre park features three-and-a-half miles of beach, 28 miles of paved trails for hiking or biking, and kayaking opportunities. The park offers a free bike share program for the first three hours.

On Saturday evening, the festival will present the 2025 Fly-Fishing Film Tour featuring short films about various fishing locations and species. Special guests will attend, and a unique attendance prize will be awarded.

Accommodations are available in on-campus dormitories for volunteers, presenters, and vendors at $50 per night. Registration began March 1st for invited participants and April 1st for regular attendees, subject to availability.

Smoking is not permitted anywhere within the state park, though staff can suggest nearby designated areas. For registration information, interested participants should visit the Gulf Coast Council website.