CURRENTS August / September 2016 John Cowan's painting for the 1986 GCCA Stamp and print Herb Booth's painting for the 1984 GCCA Stamp and Print Cedar Bayou Project: Al Barnes' 2014 painting for a banquet art piece "Sail Away!" Ben Kocian's painting for a GCCA membership print ~1~ CCA Artists Remembered CCA will miss John Cowan, Herb Booth, Al Barnes, Ben Kocian four artists By Sam Caldwell Comments in part from interviews in Change of Tides, 2001 CCA Texas has been ex- A History of the Coastal Conservation Association tremely fortunate over the John P. Cowan years to have had many In 1976, Artist John Pemberton Cowan said a small group wildlife artists supporting of irate fishermen from Rockport drove to Houston for a our cause, but these four meeting about a new idea‑ a coastal conservation association. That meeting heralded the beginning of the GCCA. He said, played a tremendous role in “There were die‑hards from Rockport, a few more from San our fundrasing success. Antonio and many other angry men from all over the coast.” It was a fateful meeting, one that engaged all the skills of This All-Star team of nationally known artist Jack Cowan, and in turn, the work of Cowan, Kocian, Booth and many other outdoor artists attracted by Cowan’s stature. Perry R. Bass spoke of Cowan’s impact on conservation: Barnes not only helped “Jack Cowan was so upset by what he considered the illegal CCA, but made an impact netting of the resource, he hardly painted for a year. Instead, he traveled the coast and appeared at committee hearings on so many conservation in Austin. Jack also had a powerful voice in aiding the Texas groups in our state. Their Parks & Wildlife research and enforcement levels." When it came time for the newly formed GCCA to begin passion for capturing a sto- fundraising, Cowan created and donated Memories, a classic ry, memory or experience bay fishing scene that brought a large amount at the new GCCA’s first live auction. Later, Cowan allowed the association to make a limited edition through their paintings that of Memories as membership prints, bringing additional sums for conservation purposes. we all can relate to, was one John Cowan said in 1996, “Without GCCA and an enlightened TPW, our bays would be fishless by now...it will still be a fight to keep the spoilers from destroying it all again.” of the reasons they be- came so much a part of the Herb Booth “Jack outdoor world. There are Cowan came by my studio in probably not many Texas Rockport after an early GCCA meeting in Houston. He said outdoor enthusiasts who do this new group had formed in not have at least one of their Houston that was going to do something about the fish situ- paintings in their home or office. They all have touched us in one way or another and their memories will last forever through the artwork they created. John Cowan's 1986 CCA Conservation Stamp and Print Herb Booth included himself, John Cowan and Al Barnes in Robby Byers, CCA Texas "Hog Heaven" Executive Director ~2~~2~ ation, and I had better get off my tail, and send them some money and Ben F. Kocian join, so I did. When they had the first banquet in Houston, I donated a The burly designer/artist/fish- painting. erman had a powerful impact “Enforcement was a big issue early on, once we got some laws on GCCA even before its formal passed, and that’s why I helped Al Barnes and other good guys start inception, and was a dedicated the Redfish Bay Chapter. We bought night vision equipment for the worker for the CCA until his wardens, and I went out with the wardens at night a few times using death 37 years later. A national- that gear and saw what the wardens were up against. It has been very ly‑known illustrator, he accepted rewarding to see what artists have accomplished.” the critical task of developing Herb Booth was mentored by John Cowan and became one of the communications early on. finest of all sporting artists. Kocian produced the first Houston banquet program, which Al Barnes became the GULF TIDE newsletter, and in 1980, became the Al is remembered by his close friend, Corpus Christi sculptor, Kent national TIDE Magazine. Along the way, Kocian designed Ullberg: “One day offshore from Isla Mujeres, it was bloody rough, dozens of the iconic illustrations that today are a part of every CCA publication and event. Kocian’s CCA redfish bumper but we were catching a lot of sailfish. sticker may have been seen on more cars and boats than any And Al Barnes wanted to see those sticker in history. fish in the worst way. He had a yellow Ben Kocian was stunned when he was named the first Minolta, a little underwater camera, CCA Man of the Year in 1983. From his interview in Change maybe good to 10 feet. I grabbed him of Tides: “When they called my name, it was a big surprise. But the neat thing was, inscribed on the back of the watch by the ankles, and big Herb Booth and was; 'Captain Ben Kocian, GCCA’s Best.' I’ve worn it ever I were hanging him over the transom, since the day I got it. It’s with me when I go wade fishing, because that’s where the fish were sleeping, working. being brought in, as we were backing “I’ll point out that there were hundreds of other artists down on them. The props were churn- from all over the nation that have helped keep GCCA, and now CCA, programs funded. The art print program has ing, waves breaking, diesel fumes brought in a lot of dollars to help keep our programs and smoking—God, if we had dropped Al hatcheries funded. “Communicating with paintings, drawings, photogra- Barnes, artistry in America phy; that helped the organization in the beginning and is still would have been different!” helping now. I hate to leave anyone out, but I think all the artists would be proud to be represented by some of the earli- Al Barnes was described est art donors, who were also involved workers. Jack Cowan, by John Cowan as an “art- Herb Booth and Al Barnes made a huge difference. ist’s artist,” and a truly 'Fine I can’t leave out two artists who donated paintings at Artist.' that first banquet in 1977 and are still donating in 1999, Sam Al Barnes said, “The first Caldwell and me.” time I heard about GCCA, I was at the Rockport airport, and Jack Cowan was there with his painting, Memories. Jack told me, “You need to get involved, Al. This is re- ally a good group of people. The GCCA brought coast- al art to the forefront. And, as Cowan said, the people turned out to be really good people. It’s all in the atti- tude of the people who own the fish. Us.” One of many award-winning illustrations by Ben Kocian. This one stars Herb Booth and sons. Kocian's bumper stickers decorate cars fom Mexico to Canada. Al Barnes created this poster for the STAR Tournament program. ~3~ loaded Ford F‑150 “Texas Edition” XLT Super angler must be a CURRENT member of CCA, Cab, pulling a brand new 23’ Haynie BigFoot boat in addition to being registered as a 2016 TEXAS rigged with a Mercury 150 L Pro XS OptiMax mo- STAR entrant. The CCA membership fee is $30 tor and Coastline trailer prize package, which will annually, and the 2016 STAR Tournament fee is be awarded to him at the STAR Awards Ceremony still $20 for a total of $50. In order to win at STAR, in October. an angler must be registered and be a current member of CCA. Keep in mind STAR doesn’t end until Labor Day, September 5 at 5p.m., so there’s still plenty of time YOUNG ANGLERS FISH FOR FREE! Young to register for the tournament! Over fifty tagged anglers ages 6–17, the “New Tide” membership redfish are still out there swimming, and four fee remains $10 annually and the STAR entry truck/boat/motor/trailer prize packages and five fee is FREE!!! Of course, we want all kids on the boat/motor/trailer prize packages are still available water. CCA “New Tide” members will continue to win in the CCA Texas to have the opportunity to win giant scholarships STAR Tournament Texas to fund their college education for just the price Ford Dealers Redfish Di- of a $10 CCA “New Tide” Membership. We thank vision. our generous sponsors for making it possible for 27th Annual Just ask last year’s us to offer young anglers this great opportunity. fifth tagged redfish win- To be eligible to fish STAR, “New Tide” Members CCA State of ner, Joe Contreras. With MUST BE at least 6 years of age in 2016 and under less than seventy-two age 18 to enter for FREE. It is the “New Tide” hours remaining before Member’s responsibility to make sure their CCA Texas Anglers’ the close of the 2015 CCA membership is current and that they are regis- Texas STAR Tournament, tered for the current year STAR tournament. Rodeo Corpus Christi resident Joe Contreras made plans Our great partner, Academy THE REDS ARE BACK! SPREAD THE to go fishing after work, Sports + Outdoors, sent all WORD AROUND! the Friday before Labor current CCA Texas members a Day.