Award Criteria
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FFI Awards Program

FFI Award Criteria

The Fly Fishers International Board presents Board Awards of Achievement to various individuals, FFI Councils, Clubs and other organizations whose achievements exemplify the mission and values of FFI.    Criteria for receiving each award are presented below.  It is the responsibility of the Board Awards & Nominating Committee to review those nominations that are received during a given year and make recommendations to the Board regarding final approval and presentation.  Specific nominations may be forwarded to other Board Committees for initial review and recommendation to assist the Board Awards & Nominating Committee.

 

FFI Board Awards of Achievement

 

FFI Award of Distinction for Leadership and Service (formerly Lapis Lazuli Award)

This award is the ultimate award presented by Fly Fishers International.  Thus, the consideration of what represents significant achievement by an individual is extremely strict.  Services and contribution to FFI must be prominent, extraordinary and significantly above the criteria that would merit consideration for any other FFI award.  Criteria are as follows:

  • Eight years of service to FFI is required.
  • Services should have been provided at National or International levels; performed in multiple organizational responsibilities; and enhanced the conservation, education and community programs of FFI.
  • Service should be as a member of FFI. Time as a paid employee of the organization may merit minor consideration.
  • Individuals should not have previously received the award.
  • This award shall be presented judiciously and infrequently to preserve the integrity of the award.
  • This award is the ultimate award of Fly Fishers International. Thus, the consideration for individual achievement must be extremely strict. Services and contributions to the organization must be prominent and extraordinary and, above all, they must be long term. They must be significantly above the criteria that would merit consideration for any other award.

Nomination review and approval shall be the responsibility of the Executive Committee.  Approval for presentation shall require a 2/3 majority vote.  The Chair of the Awards Committee shall be notified prior to the meeting of the Committee to avoid conflict or duplication. Nominations for this award should be made directly to any member of the Executive Committee.


FFI McKenzie Cup

This award was named in honor of McKenzie Fly Fishers, a Club that remains active in Eugene, Oregon, that  provided instrumental leadership in the original formation of what now is Fly Fishers International.  The FFI McKenzie Cup is presented to a FFI Club that has made an outstanding contribution on behalf of the FFI.  Criteria are as follows:

  • The FFI Club must have a minimum of three years of continuous affiliation with FFI.
  • Awards should be based on cumulative service, but significant activity in the past year is important. A ratio of 70% (past years) to 30% (present year) would serve as a general guideline.
  • Activities and services performed should be on behalf of FFI. Those functions may have as their primary outlet another organization but ultimately benefiting FFI should be of primary consideration.
  • Outstanding contributions are those that are conspicuous and consistent over a period of time. Contributions should be consistent with FFI the goals and objectives.


FFI Fly Fisher of the Year (formally known as Federator of the Year)

This award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated unusual devotion to Fly Fishers International and through outstanding contributions has benefited FFI at national or international levels.  Criteria are as follows:

  • A minimum of five years membership and service to the FFI is required. 
  • Service should be as a member of FFI. Time as a paid employee of the FFI  would merit minor consideration.
  • This award should be for achievements that are national in scope - as opposed to regional or local.
  • Continuing service is of prime importance. Therefore, considerations generally should be weighed 70% for cumulative service and 30% for achievements during the past year.
  • Contributions to FFI should be consistent with FFI the goals and objectives.


FFI Fly Fishing Skills Education Award

This award is presented to recognize a single extraordinary contribution or an ongoing prominent effort that promotes comprehensive fly fishing education.  Extraordinary contributions are those that are superior and conspicuous in relation to others and consistent philosophies of Fly Fishers International.  Criteria are as follows:

  • This award may be presented to individuals, national or local Clubs, groups or organizations and national or state agencies.
  • The individual, group, organization or agency should be affiliated with the FFI, but not required.
  • The individual, group, organization or agency should not have previously won the award.
  • This award should be based upon a single extraordinary contribution or a continuous prominent contribution that contributes to fly fishing education.
  • Contributions to fly fishing education should be those that are superior and conspicuous and consistent with the goals and objectives of FFI.

FFI Women's Community Development Award

This award is presented to an individual, group or organization who has demonstrated unusual devotion to increasing the diversity of Fly Fishers International’s fly fishing community by expanding the involvement of women. This award is to recognize leadership and service on a regional, national, and/or international level.  Criteria are as follows:

  • The nominee must have demonstrated unusual devotion specific to increasing diversity within FFI’s fly fishing community by expanding the involvement of women in the sport and education of fly fishing and conservation of natural resources that support and enhance fly fishing opportunities.
  • The nominee must have demonstrated leadership and service to increase diversity within FFI at no less than a regional level.
  • Leadership, service and advocacy for women in fly fishing must have been demonstrated cumulatively for a minimum of five years to include the past year.
  • Individuals should not have previously received this award.
  • The services of the nominee must be consistent with the goals and objectives of FFI.

FFI Buz Buszek Memorial Fly Tying Award

This award is named in honor of Wayne “Buz” Buszek who developed a retail business during the mid-1900s where he established a standard of excellence for fly tying materials and more importantly the many excellent fly patterns he developed that include the Western Coachman and Old Gray Mare that continue to inspire the highest skills in fly tying today.  The award, likewise, is presented to individuals who have demonstrated highest skills in fly tying and made significant contributions to the development and preservation of the artform of fly tying. Criteria are as follows:

  • The nominee must have demonstrated fly tying skills, creativity, innovation and teaching abilities that are considered exemplary by their peers.
  • The individual must have published in formats that may include written and video on various topics of tying a diversity of patterns, materials and their uses and tying techniques that assist tiers at all skill levels improve their skills and knowledge of fly tying.
  • The individual must have demonstrated a standard of fly tying and teaching excellence over a period of years that contributes to preservation of the artform of fly tying.

FFI Darwin Atkin Memorial Fly Tying Achievement Award

This award was named in honor of Darwin Atkin, who set the standard for preserving the artform of fly tying in many ways, from his contagious inspiration of other fly tiers to do more to the unique patterns he designed that included his “California Girl”.  He was noted for his hand-tied sculpins but especially for the Fly Plate Construction Program he developed that earned Fly Fishers International substantial revenue.  This award was created in his honor to recognize an FFI member whose long-term contribution to fly tying is widely recognized and respected.  This award is for outstanding achievement, demonstrated commitment and significant advancement of the craft and artform of fly tying. Criteria are as follows:

  • Contributions of the nominee to fly tying should have been long-term.
  • Contributions may include books and other publications on fly tying patterns, tying techniques, entomology and other natural resource information of importance to fly tiers and fishers, handling of materials, tools and their uses and displays that memorialize fly patterns and fly tying tools of significance to fly tying.
  • The nominee may have demonstrated long-term leadership in organizing and implementing fly tying venues that display, demonstrate and teach the artform of fly tying.

FFI Dick Nelson Fly Tying Teaching Award

This award was named in honor of Dick Nelson, an excellent fly tier, who devoted his skill and understanding of fly tying to teach at a level that established a standard of excellence for teaching fly tying to others.  This award is presented to an individual who demonstrates those standards and excels in teaching the artform of fly tying to tiers at all skill levels. Criteria are as follows: 

  • The individual must be able to demonstrate and teach fly tying at all skill levels.
  • They must have experience teaching both in group and individual environments.
  • Teaching contributions may be at national, regional or local levels.
  • Contributions must be consistent with the goals and objectives of FFI, regarding ethics of fly fishing and conservation of natural resources.

FFI International Ambassador Award

This award is presented to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to expand Fly Fishers International world-wide furthering the mission and vision of the organization.  Contributions, including development organizationally, member engagement, program growth and delivery of benefits and opportunities (i.e. Conservation, Learning Center, Grants and Scholarships), should have been made over a period of years.  Criteria are as follows:

  • The nominee must have demonstrated a commitment to leading and serving as a liaison between FFI and FFI members within countries where they occur in the development of conservation and education programs that are consistent with the cultural values within each respective country, its legacy of fly fishing and conservation of fisheries and their habitats within each country.
  • The nominee must have developed an organization of leaders responsible for developing member programs that address various fly fishing topics (i.e. conservation, education, fly tying and casting, etc.).
  • Efforts of the nominee should have fostered development of a sense of Community of fly fishers who share a desire to preserve and enjoy their common interests of fly fishing and its legacy.
  • The nominee must have focused development of a community of fly fishers that grows in numbers and diversity, especially with respect to age and gender, to achieve mission, success and enjoyment of fly fishing on behalf of those members.
  • The contributions of the nominee must be consistent with the goals and objectives of FFI.

FFI Lee Wulff Award

This award honors Lee Wulff who is well known as a pioneer in fly fishing and conservation of fishes and their habitats, recognizes manufacturers or a retail business that demonstrates outstanding innovation in the fly fishing industry through their products, and stewardship of natural resources. The criteria are as follows: 

  • The business must have demonstrated outstanding innovation in the fly fishing industry through their product development.
  • The business should have supported and advocated outstanding stewardship for water and fisheries resources.

FFI Roderick Haig-Brown Award

This award is named in honor of Roderick Haig-Brown, who was an avid fly fisher, pioneer conservationist and acclaimed author of many books on, rivers, fishes and fly fishing.  This award is presented to a fly fishing author whose work embodies the philosophy and spirit of Roderick Haig-Brown, particularly a respect for the ethics and traditions of fly fishing and an understanding of rivers and their inhabitants.  Criteria are as follows:

  • The nominee must have demonstrated a respect for the ethics and traditions of fly fishing.
  • The nominee must have demonstrated an understanding of rivers their inhabitants and connectedness with other systems with an emphasis on things natural, concern for the whole and  a philosophical appreciation for the endeavor of fly  fishing.
  • Their literary quality of the work must be exemplary.

FFI Silver King Award

This award is named after the highly prized saltwater trophy, the tarpon, is presented to an individual who has made extraordinary contributions to the sport of saltwater fly fishing and/or conservation of saltwater fisheries and habitats over an extended period of time.  Criteria are as follows: 

  • The nominee must have demonstrated a history of unselfish promotion of saltwater fly fishing.
  • They must have practiced the sport of saltwater fly fishing for many years.
  • The nominee must have advocated the sport of saltwater fly fishing and conservation of saltwater fisheries and habitats in venues that include as an educator, conservationist, innovator, writer, speaker and/or expert in the sport.

FFI Conservation Award

This award is presented to an individual, group, or organization that has made extraordinary contributions to the conservation of our fishery resources.  Criteria are as follows:

  • Nominees may be individuals, national or local clubs, groups or organizations and Federal or State  Agencies.
  • The nominee may have made a single outstanding contribution or demonstrated a continuous prominent effort promoting conservation of fishery resources.
  • The nominee must have made an extraordinary contribution or contributions that are superior and conspicuous in relation to others and consistent with the conservation the goals and objectives of FFI.

FFI Leopold Conservation Award

This award is named in honor of Aldo Leopold, who was known as the “Father of Modern Wildlife Management”.  He was a conservationist, forester, philosopher, educator, and writer, best known for his concept the “land ethic”, which calls for an ethical, caring relationship with nature.  The award is presented to an individual honoring them for a lifetime of fisheries conservation work.  Criteria are as follows: 

  • The nominee should have demonstrated in their career work an adherence to the land ethic espoused by Aldo Leopold, Luna Leopold, A. Starker Leopold, and other Leopold family members: a recognition of the value of all ecosystem parts, not only fish and wildlife but all biotic and abiotic components that are an integral part of total ecological systems.

FFI Council Leadership Award

This award is presented to a Fly Fishers International Council President who has demonstrated unusual devotion to FFI and whose outstanding contributions have benefited FFI. Criteria are as follows:

  • The nominee must have served FFI as a member for a minimum of eight years.
  • The nominee must have demonstrated leadership accomplishment at the council level on a continuous and  current basis.
  • The nominee may have demonstrated leadership accomplishment in areas of club and council fly fishing activities, education, conservation and membership growth at the council level.
  • The nominee’s contributions should be superior and consistent with the goals and objectives of FFI.

FFI Lifetime Achievement in Fly Casting Education Award

This award is presented to individuals who have made significant, long-term contributions to fly casting education.  Contributions may include teaching, innovation in fly casting techniques, writing, motivation and sharing their knowledge of teaching to advance the goals of the Fly Casting Education Program.

  • The nominee must have served a minimum of 20 years in fly casting education.
  • Long-term contributions must have been made to fly casting instruction in areas that include teaching, innovation in fly casting techniques, casting instruction publication, promotion of fly casting development, sharing knowledge of teaching and contributions to the Fly Casting Education Program and/or Casting Instructor Certification Program if a member of FFI.

FFI Mel Krieger Fly Casting Instructor Award

This award, honoring Mel Krieger a well-known figure in the instruction of fly casting and author of the original Fly Fishers International Certified Casting Instructor Program, is presented in recognition of those who have made significant contributions to the FFI Casting Instructor Certification Program and the FFI Fly Casting Education Program. Criteria are as follows:

  • The award may be given to an individual(s), group or club who have made substantial contributions to fly casting instruction and the art of teaching fly casting.
  • The nominee must be recognized by peers for sharing their knowledge of teaching and as a motivator of students.
  • The nominee must be a member of FFI and achieved CI, MCI, THCI or THMCI status within the FFI Casting Instruction Certification Program.

FFI Board Committee and Council Awards of Achievement

 

FFI Conservation Committee

FFI Dr. James Henshall Warmwater Fisheries Award

This award is presented to an individual who has made extraordinary contributions to warmwater fly fishing and conservation of warmwater fisheries in memory of Dr. James A. Henshall, 19th century author and early advocate for bass as a gamefish.  Criteria are as follows:

  • The nominee must have demonstrated a history of promoting the sport of freshwater fly fishing.
  • They must have practiced the sport of fly fishing for warmwater fishes for many years.
  • The nominee must be known by their peers as having advocated the sport and value of warmwater fly fishing and the conservation of warmwater fisheries and habitats in venues that may include as an educator, conservationist, innovator, writer, speaker and/or expert in the sport.

FFI Fly Casting Education Program Committee

FFI Floyd Franke Award for Contributions to the Fly Casting Education Program

This award recognizes significant contributions to processes and organizational components of the Fly Casting Education Program (FCEP) of Fly Fishers International, a program developed from the Casting Board of Governors (CBOG) and Casting Instructor Certification Program and adopted in 2024.  Floyd Franke advanced the mission of the CICP on several levels through his contributions as a Governor and later as Chairperson of the CBOG.  Floyd had vision, proposed practical solutions to real problems and implemented those solutions.  He foresaw that high standards must be maintained and laid the foundation for the Code of Conduct and established an Ethics Committee.  He helped establish the Two-Handed Casting Instructor Program, Governor Membership terms and opened governance committees and program activities to participation by all Master Certified Instructors.  Floyd looked for people who “got things done” without consideration of name recognition or celebrity status.  He played a major role in making the CICP a respected and valued program of FFI worldwide.

  • The nominee must have made significant, long-term contributions to the processes and organizational components of the Fly Casting Education Program.
  • The nominee must have contributed to at least one of the following components:

FFI Jay Gammel Award for Fly Casting Instruction

This award, named in honor of Jay Gammel, recognizes an individual(s) or group who have developed instructional materials that have advanced fly casting instruction. Bill and Jay Gammel (son and father, respectively) authored The Essentials of Fly Casting which was the first published work that analyzed fly casting from the instructor’s perspective.  The 24-page pamphlet was published by Fly Fishers International in 1993 and changed forever the methods of teaching fly casting.  Criteria are as follows:

  • The nominee must have developed published materials (i.e. books, magazines articles, Loop articles, web sites, etc.), instructional materials (i.e. course materials or lesson plans, etc.) or electronic media (i.e. hosted web sites, DVDs, CDs, videos, etc.) that have made a lasting contribution to fly casting instruction.
  • Contributions should be exclusively for teaching single-handed or two-handed casting instruction.

FFI Casting Instructor Certification Program Mentoring Award

This award is presented to a Fly Fishers International Certified Casting Instructor(s) for long and continuing support of the Casting Instructor Certification Program through mentoring.  Mentoring involves assisting and preparing Certification Candidates toward FFI instructor certifications (CI, MCI, THCI, THMCI) through casting and teaching tuition sessions (individual or group) to further improve candidates’ casting knowledge and skills.  Instruction may be virtual, in-person or both.  Mentoring also includes sharing casting knowledge voluntarily with individuals, group or clubs to improve members’ casting skills. Criteria are as follows:

  • Nominee must have demonstrated an extensive history of mentoring by activities that include the following:
    • Assisting and preparing candidates toward FFI instructor certifications (CI, MCI, THCI, THMCI) through casting and teaching sessions, either in-person or remote.
    • Sharing casting knowledge voluntarily with individuals, groups or clubs to improve members’ casting skills.
  • The nominee must be a member of FFI.

FFI Fly Casting Education Program Recognition Award

This award is presented to a an FFI Certified Casting Instructor who has contributed significantly to the Fly Casting Education Program community through their unselfish devotion and passion to help individuals and groups learn to enjoy the sport of fly fishing.  Contributions may include teaching involvement with the Fly Fishers International’s Learning Center in such areas like the Fly Casting Skills Development; teaching and working with Veteran groups, Women or youth groups, First Responder groups, and/or Special Needs groups; the development of unique teaching programs; or their involvement with FFI Councils, clubs or regional casting programs.  Criteria are as follows:

  • Nominee has represented the Fly Casting Education Program community with professionalism and dedication to helping others learn fly casting.
  • Nominee must be a member of FFI and have at least one of the following FFI casting instructor certifications: CI, MCI, THCI, or THMCI.
  • Nominee must have made a significant contribution as a volunteer casting instructor in such areas as Fly Casting Skills Development Program, FFI Learning Center, Veterans groups, Women or Youth groups, First Responder groups, Special Needs groups, the development of unique teaching programs, FFI Councils, Clubs or international regional casting instruction activities.
  • Nominations must include examples of casting instruction activities, teaching, volunteerism, communications, organizational implementation, and/or outstanding leadership.
  • Individuals who are current or past members of the Fly Casting Education Program Leadership Team at the time of nomination are not eligible.

FFI Fly Casting Education Program Leadership Team Recognition Award

This award is presented in recognition of an individual’s vision, steadfastness, initiative, creativity, and ability to inspire those being led toward a goal. This may be through administration, committee involvement or program implementation. The award is decided by vote of Fly Casting Education Program Leadership Team members. Leadership Team members are not eligible for this award.  Criteria are as follows:

  • Award given at the discretion of the Fly Casting Education Program Leadership Team.
  • Award given to those not on the Leadership Team who have demonstrated significant leadership and initiative on Fly Casting Education Program teams or in Councils, Clubs, or global regions.
  • Nominee must be a member of the FFI.
  • Nominee need not be a Certified Instructor.

FFI Council Awards

FFI Council Awards of Excellence

This award is presented to those individuals in each Fly Fishers International Council who have made outstanding contributions to FFI at the local or regional level.  Criteria for presentation are determined by each respective Council President and the award is presented in the name of FFI by each Council President.  Ther individual must be nominated by their respective FFI Council Board of Directors.


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Awards Adminstrator
awards@flyfishersinternational.org

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FFI Awards Criteria  (PDF)

FFI Awards Procedures (PDF)

FFI Awards Nomination Form (Online only)