This week is Mardi Gras (Tuesday), and Valentines Day (Wednesday), so it's going to be a busy one!
On Monday, the Cane Country Fly Casters hold their monthly meeting at the Westside Baptist Community Center off old Highway 1 in Natchitoches. Casting at 6:00pm, meeting at 6:30pm. Special guest speaker this month is Capt. Steve Stubbe of Mudfish Adventures fly fishing guide service. Steve will do a presentation on fly fishing the Toledo Bend backwaters. The public is welcome! For more info, go to www.canecountry.blogspot.com
Also on Monday, the Red Stick Fly Fishers will hold their monthly meeting at the Wildlife and Fisheries building on Quail Drive in Baton Rouge. Time is 7:00pm. Mike LaFleur will be bringing the 2018 BTNEP Tidal Calendars. Also, discussion on the upcoming Red Stick Day on March 3rd. For more info, go to www.rsff.org.
On Tuesday, the North Louisiana Fly Fishers hold their monthly meeting at the Red River National Wildlife Refuge on Sunflower Road in Bossier City. This month is their annual "Chili and Flies" meeting. There's a (slightly) competitive chili cooking contest and a (slightly) competitive Iron Fly Tying contest. Members are welcome to bring guests. For more info, go to www.northlaflyfishers.org.
On Thursday, the New Orleans Fly Fishers hold the 2nd of their twice-monthly fly tying sessions at St. Francis Xavier Church Hall on 444 Metairie Road. Bring your tools, if none, the club has sets for use during the session. Bring $1 for materials. For more info, go to www.neworleansflyfishers.com.
Starting Friday evening, and Saturday, it's the 13th ever Little Mo Fly Fishing Festival at the Community Center in Murfreesboro, Arkansas. The event celebrates fly fishing with emphasis on the local Little Missouri River and it's famed trout fishery. Friday offers gumbo and tying, while Saturday offers programs, fly tying, exhibitors, casting, and the wildly popular "State of the River" address by AFGC trout biologists. There's also the "Fly Draft" that evening. On Sunday, there's the "Can You Take It' casting clinic with emphasis on fishing moving waters. For details, go to www.littlemissouriflyfishing.com.
On Saturday, Orvis of Baton Rouge will hold another of their "Fly Tying 101" sessions at their store on Bluebonnet in Perkins-Rowe. Time is 8:00am. FT101 is a free one-day, 2-hour hands-on clinic covering the basics of tying. Pre-registration is required as class size is limited. For more info, call 225-757-7286.
Also on Saturday, Masseys Outfitters of Baton Rouge will hold a free Kayak Demo Day at Wampold Park on University Lake. Time is 11:00am to 3:00pm. Boats include models from Jackson, Native, Bonafide and others. Check their Facebook page for possible changes due to weather.