Monday, April 29, 2019

What's happening this week - 4/28

On Wednesday, the Pontchartrain Basin Fly Fishers hold their monthly meeting at Abita Brew Pub on 72011 Holly Street in Abita Springs. Gathering starts at 6:00pm, meeting at 6:30pm.  Guests are welcome. For more info, go to  www.pbasinflyfishers.blogspot.com.

On Saturday, it's the 16th annual Paddlepalooza kayak fishing tournament. More on that later.

Also on Saturday, it's the 7th annual Cedar Lake Fly Fishing Tournament hosted by the Mississippi Coast Fly Fishers. Location is Camp Contributions Road in Biloxi. Time is 6:00am to 12:00pm. The tournament is open to all anglers. Entry fee is $30 and includes lunch from Your Mamaz House. Registration deadline is this Friday. Sign in morning of tournament at Camp Contributions. For more info, including tournament rules, go to this link.

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.

There's never a loser at Paddlepalooza!

This Friday evening and Saturday it's Paddlepalooza XVI, the longest-running kayak fishing tournament in the country, and one of the three largest. It'll again be held out of Bridgeside Marina on Grand Isle. Hosted by the Bayou Coast Kayak Fishing Club, it kicks off with the Captains Dinner on Friday evening. Saturday is tournament fishing day. After the weigh-in, there's fish fry, awards, and a huge raffle. Entry fee is $60. Onsite registration is also available.

Fishing is confined to the Highway 1 corridor from Galliano to Grand Isle. The Cajun Slam category (heaviest combination of 1 slot red, 1 speck, and 1 flounder) offers the top prizes. There's also individual species categories, Youth Division, Ladies Division, the Leopard Red and Trash Bash Divisions. The latter two offer the chance for any skill level to win. The Leopard Red is a slot red (18" to 27") with the most spots. In the Trash Bash Division, bags will be handed out to willing participants to collect trash in the marsh. Bring back a bag of trash and be eligible to win.

Regardless of who gets prizes, there's never a loser at Paddlepalooza! That's because this event offers great comradery and great food - Friday night pastalaya and Saturday night fish fry - as well as nearly $10,000 in raffle prizes. There's kayak demos and plenty of information sharing on yaks and fishing techniques. What's more, the revenues from the tournament go to charity. 

For a complete list of rules, or to register, go to www.bckfc.org.

Sunday, April 21, 2019

Happy Easter!

What a wonderful Easter day! Hope you and yours are enjoying the great weather this weekend, after all the unsettled weather we've been through here in Louisiana the past month.

The ground has dried up enough for the kids to enjoy an Easter egg hunt without hip boots. Us adults are busy in the kitchen and outside on the grill. A true Cajun feast awaits at the Cormier homestead!

With all the fun, the reason for this day is not lost. We recognize the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who was sent to redeem the world.

We wish everyone a great day. And a reminder that, with many schools having Spring break this week, to take a young person fishing!

What's happening this week - 4/21

On Monday, the Red Stick Fly Fishers hold their monthly fly tying session at the East Baton Rouge Main Library on 7711 Goodwood Blvd in Baton Rouge. Time is 7:00pm. Bring your tools, if none, the club has sets for use during the session. Materials are provided. For more, go to www.rsff.org.

Also on Monday, the Kisatchie Fly Fishers hold their monthly general meeting at the Rapides Westside Library on Provine in Alexandria. Time is 6:30pm. With the good weather, the club will hold another of their casting sessions in the back lawn. The public is welcome. For more info, go to www.kisatchiefly.org.

On Thursday, the New Orleans Fly Fishers hold their monthly meeting at Lakeshore Marina and Fuel across from the Blue Crab Restaurant on Lakeshore Drive. Time is 7:00pm. For more info, go to www.neworleansflyfishers.com.

Also on Thursday, Orvis of Baton Rouge will hold another "Fly Fishing 101" session at their store on 7601 Bluebonnet Blvd.  Time is 4:00pm to 6:30pm. No fee, but pre-registration is required as seats are limited. Orvis FF101 is a one-day, 2.5 hour clinic designed to introduce the basics of fly fishing and fly casting. To register, contact 225-757-7286.

Starting Friday and continuing thru Sunday, it's the Red Stick Fly Fishers' annual Spring outing to Lake Concordia near Ferriday for warmwater species. The highlight of the outing is the Saturday evening fish fry, featuring donations of freshly-caught bream and catfish caught by attendees. For more info, go to www.rsff.org.

This Saturday is the 3rd annual "Fly Fishin for the Mission" tournament  out of PAC Kayak Rentals in Pointe-aux-Chenes southeast of Houma. Friday is "Vets Fishing Day" along with fly tying, casting clinics, kayak demos, and more. Saturday is tournament day with Captains meeting at 5:30am, followed by shotgun launch. Weigh-in is 2:00pm to 3:00pm.  Format is two (2) heaviest redfish per team. Divisions include Boat, Kayak and Overall. Team format, entry fee is $100 per team with all donations going to the Mission Six charity, which aids veterans and other uniformed heros. For more details, or to register, go to www.mission6.org.

Also this Saturday is the rescheduled "Marsh Bass Madness" kayak fishing tournament hosted by the Lake Charles Kayak Fishing Club. This is a CPR tournament (TourneyX app) with target of five (5) bass with an 8" minimum. Fishing is from 6:30am to 2:30pm. Entry fee is $35. This tournament is open to the public. For more info, go to the LCKFC Facebook Page.

Tuesday, April 16, 2019

Registration open for Fly Fishin' for the Mission

Fly Fishin' for the Mission
Saturday, April 27
PAC Kayak Rentals
Pointe-aux-Chenes, LA
Saltwater fly fishing tournament
Two-person teams
Categories: Boat, Kayak, Overall
Stringer of 2 heaviest redfish
Sheepshead side pot

Now entering it's 3rd year, the Fly Fishin' for the Mission saltwater tournament has emerged as one of the most popular and fun fly fishing events in Louisiana! And it's for a great cause: to benefit the Mission Six nonprofit that is dedicated to help alleviating the effects of PTSD by providing benevolent support to our veterans and service men and women.

Things kick off Friday, April 26, with Donald Dehm and other members of the Floating Feathers Kayak Fly Fishing School providing free fly tying and casting instruction to veterans.

On Saturday, it's the tournament. After check-in of teams, an inspection of the kayaks and boats, there's the shotgun start and the fun begins! Part of what makes this a great tournament is the team factor. For kayakers, it means having to work different angles to insure you help your partner.

The list of sponsors keeps growing every year. Eddie and Lisa Mullen of PAC Kayak Rentals roll out the red carpet for this event. There's  exhibitors, food and kayak demos.

For the competitors, it's all good. While there are separate categories for Boat and Kayak, there's also an Overall where both groups compete against each other. Last year, boat anglers Shane Coleman and Mark Carline took 1st place Overall; the first year kayak team Kevin Andry and Catch Cormier took first. The awards are setup so that each team can only take one place. Last year, roughly one quarter of the teams were awarded.

For complete rules and to register, go to the Fly Fishin for the Mission webpage at mission6.org.

Sunday, April 14, 2019

What's happening this week - 4/14

With Easter this Sunday, no weekend events scheduled.

On Monday, the Kisatchie Fly Fishers hold their monthly fly tying session at the Rapides Westside Library in Alexandria. Time is 6:30pm.  Bill Morrison will lead the group in tying Lance Egan's "Red Dart", and his own "Laser Bugger". Beginners are welcome. Bring your tools, if none, the club has a few sets for use during the session. Materials are provided. For more info, go to www.kisatchiefly.org.

On Tuesday, the Contraband Fly Casters hold their monthly meeting at St. Paul Lutheran Church on 1620 East Prien Lake Road in Lake Charles. Fly tying and discussion at 6:00pm, meeting at 7:00pm.  Guests are welcome. For more info, go to www.contrabandflycasters.net.

Also on Tuesday, the Lafayette Kayak Fishing Club holds their monthly meeting at Pack and Paddle on 601 East Pinhook in Lafayette. Time is 6:00pm. For more info, go to www.lafayettekayakfishing.com.

On Thursday, the Acadiana Fly Rodders hold their monthly meeting at the Outpost building back of Pack & Paddle on 601 E. Pinhook in Lafayette. Time is 6:00pm. The public is welcome.

Also 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. Time is 7:00pm. 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.

Monday, April 08, 2019

What's happening this week - 4/7

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. On the agenda: Gary Peterson will give details on his potential state record white crappie which he caught last week at Poverty Point. Glen ‘Catch’ Cormier, president of Kisatchie Fly Fishers and Conservation Director for the FFI Gulf Coast Council will discuss his KFF club and also some conservation topics. 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. 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.com6
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On Saturday, it’s the Lake Charles Kayak Fishing Club’s annual “Marsh Bass Madness” tournament out of Lacassine Pool. Entry fee is $35 paid thru TourneyX. Facebook Live Captains Meeting on Friday, April 12th at 6:30pm. MBM is a CPR tournament, best 5 fish stringer by inches. First cast at 6:30am, final photo submission 2:30pm. Check in and awards + door prizes at Cajun Grocery 3:00pm to 3:30pm. For more info, go to the LKFC Facebook Page.

Monday, April 01, 2019

Green New Deal: Harbor Freight edition

Global warming continues to be a hot topic, pardon the pun. Alexandria Occasio-Cortez, freshman congresswoman from New York, has offered a "Green New Deal" to address climate change. Sadly, it calls for the elimination of cows - an animal very close to my heart and to my apetite. Apparently farting cows are a major cause of greenhouse gases. Considering that 60 million bison roamed America in the 17th century, it must've been hellaciously hot back then!

I do believe we need to be good stewards of Mother Earth. So I'm offering my own "Green New Deal". It starts with a practical solution for keeping our environment clean. As a traveling fly tier, I've been using battery-powered lights for some time. But even batteries in high-lumen LED lights quickly dissipate - the average use time is about 3 to 5 hours. Then they get thrown in the trash, and on to the landfill where they leach their chemicals into the groundwater.

At the Little Mo Fly Fishing Fest, we ran into our old friend, David Chin. The former Monroe resident is a master at all things fly fishing, from tying impeccable flies to building gorgeous bamboo rods to catching fish. David was using a rechargeable Braun worklight to light up his tying area. The magnetic base of the light was held up by one of those magnetic pans used to hold screws, bolts, nuts, etc..  Both of those items came from Harbor Freight, he said.

So I went to my nearby Harbor Freight, and using a 20-percent off coupon, got that same light for just $32. It has two intensities, 390 lumen and 180 lumen. The 180 lumen is more than satisfactory for me and lasts a whopping 8 hours before needing recharge using a USB connection. But if you do need that extra boost in light, the high setting more than does the job! Best of all, using LED bulbs means it stays cool (us "old timers" who tied with incandescent lights appreciate this).

There were two problems. One is that the worklight doesn't fold down.  An inconvenience, as it would be nice to fold down to protect the light, as well as reduce the storage. So what I do is put it in a ziplock bag, and store it an angle in my box. Not ideal, but it works.

The other problem was more significant.

The light base plus magnetic tray pan is about 6 inches, high enough for some table vises. But if you use a pedestal base, that's too short. While I was at HF, I noticed these round magnets with a hole in the middle. I went back to the store, bought one of those. I then took one of my (too many) sealed drink cups, turned it over and drilled a hole in the middle of the bottom. Aligned the magnet hole over the cup hole and connected them with a screw. Now I have more than enough clearance, even for my Regal with a long base (it was originally a table vise).

This has worked out especially well. I took a tying bag and the accessory box (light apparatus included) with me on a recent weekend trip and the battery lasted the entire time. After getting home, put it on a charger and it's ready to go again.

No disposed batteries. A recycled drink cup that was destined for the trash. I might've even saved a cow or two.