On Monday, the Red Stick Fly Fishers hold their monthly general meeting at the Wildlife and Fisheries building on Quail Drive in Baton Rouge. Casting practice at 6:30pm, meeting at 7:00pm. The public is welcome. For more, go to www.rsff.org.
On Tuesday, the North Louisiana Fly Fishers hold their monthly meeting at the Red River National Wildlife Refuge in Bossier City. Gathering starts at 6:00pm, meeting at 6:45pm, program at 7:00pm. Ricky Yeldell, former LDWF Managing Biologist for Toledo Bend, will be guest speaker. Although retired, Ricky keeps his finger on the pulse of all things Toledo Bend. The public is welcome! For more, go to www.northlaflyfishers.org.
On Thursday, the New Orleans Fly Fishers will hold the first of their twice-monthly fly tying sessions at St. Francis Xavier community building on 444 Metairie Road. Time is 7:00pm. Bring $1 for materials. Bring your tools, if none, the club has sets for use during the session. Beginners welcome! For more, go to www.neworleansflyfishers.com.
Also Thursday kicks off the 40th annual Louisiana Sportsman Show & Festival at Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales. The state's largest outdoor and boat show runs from 12pm to 7pm on Thursday and Friday, 9am to 7pm on Saturday, and 9am to 5pm on Sunday. Admission is $12 adults, $6 ages 6-12, and free for 5 and under. In addition to nearly two hundred exhibitors, the show features regular seminars, a kids fishing tournament, and much more. For more, go to www.louisianasportsmanshow.com.
On Friday evening, it's the start of Pack & Paddle's annual Spring Demo Weekend with a "Beer and Gear Social" at their store on 601 East Pinhook in Lafayette. Time is 5:00pm to 8:00pm. The social will feature kayak and fishing vendors, and feature various micro-brews from across the country. The event is free. There will also be drawings, including for a new kayak. Must be present to win.
Saturday, PnP will hold a free "Kayak Demo Day" at Vermillionville Pond in Lafayette. Time is 10:00am to 2:00pm. Boat company reps will be on hand, with the largest selection of kayaks for the year. New and existing models from Jackson, Hobie, Native, Bonafide, Blue Sky, Nucanoe, Wenonah, BOTE and others. For more, go to www.packpaddle.com.
Also on Saturday, Orvis of Baton Rouge will hold another of their "Fly Fishing 101" sessions at their store on 7601 Bluebonnet in Perkins-Rowe. Time is 8:00am. FF101 is a free one day, 2.5 hour clinic designed to introduce the basics of fly fishing and fly casting. No cost, but pre-registration is required as class size is limited. For details, call 225-757-7286.