Registration for Rio Rumble now up

16th Annual Rio Grande Rumble
Saturday, October 4th, 2025
Start: 7:00am (first light for pre-registered)
End: 12:30pm (weigh-in)
Event site: No Wake Outfitters
1926 Airline Drive, Metairie, LA
$25 entry fee, includes lunch and refreshments

Hosted by the New Orleans Fly Fishers Club, the Rio Grande Rumble is the longest running freshwater fly fishing tournament on the Gulf Coast. Target species is the Rio Grande cichlid. This species is native of south Texas but has become widespread in extreme southeast Louisiana. For fly anglers, it’s an opportunity to put their skills up against a wary species that “fights like a wet cat”.

All entry fish must be caught on flies and fly tackle. Categories are “Longest Rio” and “Most Rios Caught”. Net proceeds from the tournament go to Casting For Recovery.

The rodeo is open to all fly anglers. Registration deadline is 8:00am on October 4th. Both onsite registration and weigh-in will be at No Wake Outfitters in Metairie. There will also be a Zoom seminar on fishing for the Rio Grande Cichlid. Date and time of the online seminar will be announced shortly.

For complete details, including tournament rules, and to register online, go to the NOFFC website at www.neworleansflyfishers.com.

 

August is here, and what that means

Spanish are active in the surf

1. The last full month of SweatFest ... the festival no one likes to celebrate. It's fairly common for us to have several days this month with heat index over 110. So stay hydrated and limit your time outdoors if possible. Also be aware that water temperatures are at their highest of the year, and several strains of aquatic bacteria are active. Especially on the coast where we've had 17 cases of vibrio in Louisiana so far in 2025.  So bring an antibacterial and treat any cuts or wounds immediately.

2. It's peak hurricane season - now through September.  NOAA has predicted an above-average season, with a range of 13 to 19 total named storms (winds 39 mph or higher), and anywhere from 3 to 5 major hurricanes.  So far, we've had only three named storms, but water temperatures in the Gulf are above average and that's never a good sign.

3. Fishing is generally poor.  Because of the hot water temperatures, freshwater fish are deep and lethargic.  Best success for bass is from first light to about 9:00am.  Most of the gobbules I catch this month are smaller and thinner than the ones back in Spring.   On the coast, inside action is mediocre unless you enjoy catching hordes of ladyfish and sailcats.  Look for redfish and speckled trout in larger lakes and around islands.  On the plus side, August is the best time for catching pelagic species like jacks, spanish and king mackeral, and bluefish either nearshore, in passes, or  in lower bays.   Bull reds are making their spawning run and big schools can be found in passes or lower bays. 

4. Football season kicks off. Louisiana fly anglers love their football just slightly less than they do their fishing.  Saints preseason games start August 10th against the Chargers.  LSU faces off against Clemson on August 30th in what we hope is a title run, and a Heisman year for Garrett Nussmeimer.  Also on the 30th, the Ragin Cajuns of UL-Lafayette host Rice, Louisiana Tech and Southeast Louisiana face off, and Tulane hosts Northwestern.  UL-Monroe plays St. Francis on the 28th as a warm-up to their big game against Alabama the following week. 

The Lucky Number Seven New Products from ICAST

For only the second time in 15 years, I didn't attend ICAST, the world's largest fishing trade show. Held earlier this month in Orlando, it was expected to be somewhat of a dud with regards to new products for fly fishing and kayak fishing. Such was not the case. 

While I didn't attend, an old friend in the fishing industry was there. Merv isn't a highly regarded fly angler, but he knows his stuff and like me, isn't afraid to call it like he sees it.  He shared several of his favorite products at the show, and I picked seven to highlight.  These "lucky seven" companies get my picks for the most interesting of show.   And since millions read my blog, I expect all their sales will sky rocket in the coming year. 
  
Here's my picks... in no particular order.

St. Croix Tannic-B Fly Rods

For years, I've been bugging Dan Johnston at St. Croix that they needed to upgrade their Mojo Bass fly rods to utilize the materials and tapers found in their better rods.  

Well, they've gone beyond that. According to SC, their fast-action new Tannic Series is built on advanced high-modulus graphite using MITO Graphene impregnated polymer resins, and utilizing their Intergrated Poly Curve (IPC), Fortifeid Resin System (FRS), and Slim Profile Ferrule (SPF) design. 

Enough of the 3-letter acroynms. Here's what you really need to know: the Tannic B (for bass) rods are lightweight, high-performance rods built for bass and striper fishing. According to my source, they are MUCH better casting than the Mojo Bass rods. 

There is some disappointment. SC decided to make these 9-footers instead of the 8-foot or 8.5-foot rods many southern bass anglers like myself prefer. Well, except the 8-weight is 8'10" long... explain that to me!  I find slightly shorter rods are better for kayak fishing, fishing around cover, and providing more leverage. 

The other concern is the price. The Tannic series is listed at $695. Granted, this is about where many mid-priced rods are these days, and a good price for one made in the USA. Still, it's going up against the lower-priced rods that I consider to be the best bass rods on the market - Lamson Velocity ($449), Echo 84B ($349), and Moonlit S2 Lunar ($199).   

St. Croix Legend Elite, LE Salt

You may have read about the four great mysteries of the world. There is a fifth - why did St. Croix stop making the Legend Ultra and Legend Elite fly rods?  These were amazing performance sticks! I have a couple rods I built off these blanks and can’t say enough good things about them.

For 2025, St. Croix has brought the LE series back with upgraded materials, and their latest technologies. There are two series of LE rods - the Elite and Elite Salt. The Elite has a moderate-fast action and sells for $595, while the Elite Salt is fast action and bit more backbone in the lower section of the rod, and sells for $650.

The Elite won "Best of Show - Fly Rod" at ICAST which means little. Most of the voting takes place before folks have tried casting the rods. But Merv’s opinion is the Elite Salt is on par with the Orvis Recon and Sage Maverick as the best mid-priced USA-made saltwater rod.  I hope to get a chance to test cast this later and find out for myself.    To learn more about St. Croix rods, go to https://stcroixrods.com

TFO Moment

This is an extra-fast action rod designed for long casts and windy conditions. Their news release says the Moment incorporates a patented Kevlar weave and graphene enhancements for faster recovery, reduced ovaling, and true tracking.

According to Merv, this rod is a rocket! He was amazed how easily it shot line out, and with very good accuracy. At $695, this is a bargain to most premium fast-action rods.  While it competes against other excellent mid-priced saltwater rods like the Sage Maverick, Douglas DXF-G2, Orvis Recon, and it's cousin, the TFO Blitz, the Moment is listed as an "extra fast" rod.  That might give it a certain appeal for some folks. Personally, I'm not an extra-fast guy at anything. But if I was, the TFO Moment might be in my arsenal.  To learn more, go to https://tforods.com.

Epic Titanium fly rods

It’s hard to get excited about any premium rods these days.  The $1k+ price tags are hard to swallow, especially given that for $500-$700, you can have a rod that does 90%  (or more) that these high-tech rods can do. 

But here comes Epic, a New Zealand company famous for its fiberglass rods, with a graphite/titanium rod, one that “blends aerospace-grade titanium with high-modulus carbon fiber, creating a fishing tool that is lightweight, incredibly strong, and highly responsive”.

The concept of titanium core rods isn’t new.   The late David Ahn developed a rod in the early 1990s under the trade name ADG Rods.  His innovation was that titanium being flexible would allow the rod to bend more and also hold more energy when loaded during the cast.  David used to go to just about every Fly Fishers International regional conclave, as well as FFI events, where he would be an exhibitor and demonstrate the incredible characteristics of his rods.  ADG is still in business today, and their rods sell for $500 to $900, depending on model.

The feedback I got from ICAST was that this was an amazing casting rod, even slightly better than the Hardy Marksman (my choice for best premium saltwater rod).  Hard to believe... but that's okay because Epic allows you to fish their rods for 30 days. If it's not the best rod you've ever owned, return it and they'll give you a full refund. That's a bold strategy, Cotton!  But one that proves they have strong faith in their Titanium rods.  To learn more, go to https://www.epicflyrods.com.

Rambler Nomad fly tying vise

Here's one I wasn't expecting - a new travel vise. If you're not familiar with the Rambler brand, it was formerly Wolff Industries - makers of the Atlas vise. The Atlas is still in their lineup, as this has been highly rated in many reviews. 

By contrast, the Rambler is lightweight, less expensive ($299) offers versatility of jaws to handle hook sizes 7/0 to size 32, and comes with both machined C-clamp and a large pedestal base. And get this.. it uses knurled tension control knob to tighten the jaws. Wow, I hadn't seen a knob-control vise in ages! 

I really dig the color selections. For me, Midnight Blue or Red would be my choice. For a USA-made vise, it's a very good deal, albeit slightly more than the tried-and-true Renzetti Traveler 2200 series at $269. We'll have to see how it performs in actual use.  To learn more, go to https://rambler.co.

Renegade Grey Series reels

It's very rare to find a fully-machined, large arbor fly reel with a sealed drag system for under $200. But the new Renegade Grey Reel meets those critera at $175. The reels come in three sizes:  3/4, 5/6, and 8/9.  That last size - ideal for marsh fishing - comes in at only 5.7 ounces.

Again, these reels need to be tested out to know their true value. One problem with inexpensive saltwater reels is drag slippage... the drag loosens up while under normal use. Still, for someone looking to wet their toes into saltwater fly fishing, the Renegade Grey has to be given strong consideration.  To learn more, go to  https://renegadetackleco.com

Loop V10 Sunglasses

There are more brands of fishing sunglasses on the market than there are flavors at a New Orleans snowball stand.  Personally, I was done with expensive brands long ago.  I don’t deny their superiority, but there are several brands that are 90% as effective at half the price.  And since I’ve lost more sunglasses than I care to admit, price is a big factor!

I’m not sure how good Loop brand sunglasses are, but everything else about this company is quality so I assume likewise.  At $100, the new V10 shades would be a bargain… but it gets better.  There are two characteristics I look for in fishing glasses outside of lens quality.  They are:  large lenses and wide frames to block out ambient light, and lens color choices in yellow or copper.   The V10 offers the former, and comes in both yellow and copper.

Copper is my go-to color for marsh fishing, as they offer distinct contrast in either medium or strong light conditions.   I also love Yellow for overcast days in the marsh or on bayous and lakes, but also for wading fishing trout streams where depth perception is also a requirement.  To learn more, go to https://us.looptackle.com.

Bonus pick - the Fluxjet Kayak

The word “gamechanger” is often bannered at every ICAST on a host of new products, and most if not all, are not worthy.  But this year there was one product that certainly has the potential. 

The Fluxjet kayak is the world's first electric jet-powered kayak. What it gives the angler is freedom from bulky pedal drives, numerous cables, and the ability to go in skinny water without having to pull out the drive or lift a trolling motor.  The integrated jet drive requires a standard marine type battery (your choosing), but offers up to 13 hours maximum time, less if you go at full speed (6 mph).  The kayak weighs in at 88 pounds, substantially less than most pedal drive kayaks.

It's not going to be a great paddling kayak.. at 11 feet long, and 35 inches wide. It's built for stability with a weight capacity of 400 pounds. But that's okay. You can power your way to a spot, and paddle there - no long distance paddling required.

I love how this boat is laid out, with front hatch, rear tank well storage, deck and navigation lights included, transducer setup ready, and even a USB/USBc charger built in.  At $2,999 it's also a bargain compared to the high-priced premium pedal boats on the market (or a standard kayak rigged with Torqeedo, Bixpy, or Newport motors).  

Again, I don't know if this will be a one-time wonder, or if it's the start of a trend in kayaks. But judging on the number of social media posts about the Fluxjet, it definitely has everyone's attention.  For more, go to https://www.fluxjetkayaks.com/

Summary

Again, these are just seven... uh, eight of the nearly three dozen (or more) items that were on display at ICAST.  I selected these based on my specific interests, and nothing else.  Also, if you ask ten other experts about these products, you’re likely to get ten different opinions.  That’s why I always say, “Try before you buy”.   Go to your local retailer and check them out yourself.  Most of the new products at ICAST should be in stores by November… just in time for Christmas shopping.

Pennies for your rod building thoughts

Yesterday was the inaugural Caddo Fly Fishing Expo, hosted by the North Louisiana Fly Fishers club. It was held in Jefferson, TX, about 43 miles from Shreveport.  You might be wondering why their event was held such a distance, and if you've been to Jefferson, you likely know why.  It's a wonderful small town that appeals to couples and families, with many small shops, restaurants, and historic interests.  It's also close to Lake of the Pines and Caddo Lake, two of the hottest fishing lakes in the four states area.  

It's also close to Longview, which is rapidly becoming a thriving community with a high quality of life, with business and tech opportunities emerging the past few years.  

Overall, the Expo was quite a success, with attendance about 100 folks.  Everyone I spoke to at the event enjoyed it, and can't wait for the next one in 2027 (the Expo will be a biennial event, much like the Cenla Fly Fishing Festival and the New Orleans Fly Fishing Expo).

The first presenter at the Expo was Rush Clay, who demonstrated the Common Cents System for rating fly rod weights. The CCS was created by Dr. William Hanneman, a world renown gemmologist who first published his unique system in 2002, that used pennies (post 1985) to make a relatively accurate determination of the "weight" action of a fly rod or rod blank.

As part of his presentation, Rush did evaluations of different rods that attendees had brought. The setup calls for setting the butt end of the rod at horizontal level and measuring the deflection as pennies are added to a plastic bag clipped to the tip of the rod. According to charts developed by Dr. Hanneman, each length rod has a specific deflection.  When the deflection for that rod reaches that number, the number of pennies in the bag are counted. That number is correlated to another chart developed by Dr. Hanneman - one that gives the "true weight" of the rod.

For example, Rush tested out my 6'6" 1-weight which I purchased from Old English Fly Shop, and which I use for creek fishing and indoor casting demonstrations.  Through trial and error, I determined that the rod performed best using a Wulff Triangle Taper 2/3 weight line.  Rush's measurements using CCS rated the rod as a 2.7.  So I was right... it wasn't a 1-weight rod.  Still fun to fish - and useful as an instruction rod.

When I learned of this presentation at the Caddo Expo, it brought back memories.  I actually used CCS to evaluate blanks back towards the last years when my little side business - Woods Creek Outfitters - was operational.  I formed WCO when Dave Diaz moved from Louisiana.  Dave used to do rod building clinics to fly clubs and had a related business called Technical Research Company which sold blanks, components and rod building supplies and tools. I purchased most of Dave's inventory and started carrying blanks from Sage, Loomis, St. Croix, Cedar and other sources.

Most of those "other sources" were non-label and Asian.  Usually IM6 or IM7 graphite. Among rod builders, these were notorious for being mis-labeled for weight.  But for first time builders on a budget, they were cheap.  And in some cases, made decent casting rods.

Prior to the CCS, weight of these blanks was determined by trial and error. You'd build the blank, then determined whether you had the weight you really wanted, lol.  However some of us kept logs on what these blanks performed.  I was able to tell my customers that might order the labeled 4-weight that they were really getting a 5-weight.

Once CCS became widespread, there were numerous rod building websites that maintained databases on nearly all blanks. Several forums as well. Folks could be fairly confident that the blank they were purchasing would be the weight they wanted.  Or perhaps more important, what weight line to purchase for the rod they would build.

Sadly, the advent of inexpensive but good Asian rods - like TFO, Echo, Redington - resulted in collapse of interest in rod building. In recent years, interest has re-emerged and the CCS is garnering interest again. Also, many of the finished rods - especially those on Amazon or house brands - are still mislabeled.  Knowing the correct weight of your rod can save quite a bit of money...  good fly lines aren't cheap!

It was a great presentation by Rush, and one that I think many fly clubs would be interested in.  For more info on the Common Cents System, click here.

2025 RBFF Report: Fly fishing holding steady

Yesterday the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation - along with the Outdoor Foundation - released its annual survey of fishing participation in the United States. The report comes out each year just prior to ICAST, the world's largest fishing trade show.  

The 2025 Special Report on Fishing details participation trends in overall fishing, saltwater fishing, fly fishing and other areas of our sport based on licenses, surveys, tackle sales and many other metrics from the previous year (in this case, 2024).  The survey counts anyone ages 6 and over who fished at least one time during the calendar year. 

Overall trend. Participation continues to grow with 57.9 million anglers, up from 57.7 in 2023, and 54.5 million in 2022. The participation rate remains at 19 percent, an all-time high. However, the number of anglers who fished more than 11 times per year (considered frequent anglers) continued to decline - down to 32 percent from 37 percent a decade ago.

Youth participation ages 6 to 12 grew slightly, while ages 13 to 17 declined slightly. Among minorities, black participation reached an all-time high at 5.5 million. Hispanic participation continues to break new records, having increased from 3.3 million in 2014 to 6.6 million in 2024. Women also reached an all-time high with 21.3 million, and represented 39 percent of first-time anglers - also a record.

Fly Fishing.  Our sport remained steady with 8 million participants in 2024. This was only the second time in 14 years that fly fishing numbers did not grow. In fact, there was little change in any numbers over 2023. The percentage of male to female fly anglers remains at 69/31, and the percentage of Hispanic flyfishers grew just 1 percent, while Black and Asian participation remained at 12% and 4%, respectively.

Historically, fly fishing has the highest income and highest education levels, and again, there was basically no change from 2023. Nearly 35% of longrodders have income of $100k or more, and 53% have some college or college degree. The youth movement continues however, as the largest age demographic - ages 25 to 34 - grew slightly. While age groups 55-64 and 65+ declined slightly.

Since revamping the regional participation metric (fewer regions), it's been difficult to do historical comparisons here. However, it does appear, from rough analysis, that the South region continues to grow, while the Northeast region continues to decline. The South region - Maryland to Texas - accounted for 39 percent of all fly anglers, and 52 percent of all saltwater fly anglers.

New book features Louisiana fly tiers

The Fly Tying Group (FTG) of Fly Fishers International (FFI) has published a new book, "Fly Tying for All Fish All Waters".  This hardcover book features over 100 patterns, including tips on tying, historical info, and more from some of the biggest names currently in fly tying, including Charlie Craven, Mike Stewart, Tim Flagler, Davy Wotton, Skip Morris, Patti Lueken, Tom Rosenbauer, Gretchen and Al Beatty, to name a few.

Most of the contributions to the book came from featured tiers at the FTG's show in Dallas, TX, in September of last year. The photos of selected patterns are of high quality, and each has a story behind it, written by the tier, which gives the reader insight to the origin of the fly, and it's most effective use. 

Included in the list of contributors are several names familiar to Louisiana fly tiers. Realistic tying guru Fred Hannie of Lake Charles is an FFI Buz Buzsek Award honoree - the highest honor in the world of fly tying. In addition to his featured patterns, his artwork graces the cover of the book. Other Bayou State tiers who are featured include Kenneth Breaux, Ron Braud, and Catch Cormier. Tiers  with Lousiana connections include Mike Hawkins and Fred Dupre. There are also many other tiers well known to our state's tying community.

"Fly Tying for All Fish All Waters" is currently shipping. Cost is $75. For more details, or to purchase, click here .  

Simms offers new space-saving waders

Many Louisiana fly anglers love to travel to fishing destinations, but packing a pair of bulky waders can be a problem. Especially since the days of free check-in bags have long been gone. In fact, some airline check-in fees for a 3rd bag can be half the price of the flight ticket!  The ideal would be to have waders that are not only light in weight, but pack into a small size.  

Simms to the rescue! They recently added the new Flyweight Packable Wader to their collection. It features their signature waterproof breathability a lightweight, self-stowing package for easy travel. Features include a rugged 4-layer lower, waist-high to chest-high adjustability, and low-volume neoprene feet that can be worn comfortably with wading boots or lightweight wet wading footwear. 

The Flyweight Packable folds into the chest pocket for convenient carry. It weighs a mere 38 ounces (size medium).  And features a 60-Day replacement for leaks, no questions asked, and 365 days on any necessary repairs. MSRP is $379. 

For more details, go to www.simmsfishing.com.

Louisiana free fishing days June 7-8

Each year, wildlife agencies in each state designate “Free Fishing Days” for the public to fish recreationally in public waters without a fishing license. These events are part of National Fishing and Boating Week, which this year runs June 1st to June 8th. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has designated Saturday-Sunday, June 7th and 8th, as free fishing days for our state.

Free Fishing Days are a perfect opportunity to try out fishing for the first time, or get a newbie into our sport.  LDWF will also be holding special events to teach beginners the skills of the sport.  Lessons will include tackle setup, casting, knot tying, fishing techniques, handling and taking the fish off the hook.  CLICK HERE for event locations, dates, and times.

If you're willing to travel, FFDs are an opportunity to partake of fishing in another state without needing a license. Some states may have certain restrictions. For example, you may not be required to purchase a freshwater license, but still may have to buy a trout stamp. So please check before making plans.

Here are the free fishing days for neighboring states:

• Alabama – Sat., June 7 (fresh, salt) *
• Arkansas - Fri, June 6 noon - Sun, June 8 **
• Florida – Sat-Sun, June 7-8 (fresh), June 14-15 (salt)
• Mississippi – Sat-Sun, June 7-8, July 4th (fresh, salt) *
• Texas - Sat, June 7 (fresh, salt)

* permits for "State Fishing Lakes" still required
** trout permit not required these dates

For a complete list of free fishing days in all states, go to www.takemefishing.org. 

Mark your calendar for the Caddo Expo July 19th

Caddo Fly Fishing Expo
Saturday, July 19th, 2025
9:00am – 5:00pm
Jefferson Tourism & Visitors Center
Jefferson, TX
hosted by North Louisiana Fly Fishers

On Saturday, July 19th, the North Louisiana Fly Fishers will hold their  inaugural Caddo Fly Fishing Expo.. This event will be held in historic downtown Jefferson, TX.   It will feature fly tying demonstrations, seminars, fly casting, exhibitors, raffles, and more. Held on the banks of Cypress Bayou which feeds Caddo Lake, there is fishing available as well as kayak rentals available locally. 

In the links below is an event flyer with more details.  Also, a show invite along with applications for tyers and vendors.  Spots are limited for vendors and tiers, so if you’re interested in tying or exhibiting please apply early. Also, NLFF would appreciate regional clubs giving a shout out about the Caddo Expo at their meetings.

Click on these links for Caddo Expo documents:

Caddo Event Flyer (pdf)

Caddo Expo Tiers Invite (pdf)

Caddo Expo Vendor Tyer Flyer (pdf)

Caddo Expo Vendor Invite (pdf)