What's happening this week - 11/24

A very light week ahead with Thanksgiving and Black Friday. Remember to be thankful for the many gifts from God we have before going out to stand in line for those 4 a.m. doorbuster specials.

On Monday, the Kisatchie Fly Fishers hold their monthly general meeting at Rapides Westside Library on Provine Place in Alexandria. Time is 6:30pm. Casting outside on the lawn begins at 5:00pm. This month the club welcomes Ian Huang and Alec Beane of the Orvis store in Baton Rouge. They will speak on fly fishing adventure preparations. Guests are welcome. For more info, go to www.kisatchiefly.org.

Also on Monday, the Red Stick Fly Fishers will hold their monthly fly tying session at the Independence Park 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.

Louisiana outdoors icon passes at age 57

We were very saddened to learn yesterday that Ann Taylor, co-publisher of Louisiana Sportsman magazine, the St. Charles Herald-Guide and other publications, passed away after a courageous bout with pancreatic cancer.

Ann and her husband Tony started the Louisiana Sportsman magazine - the state's largest outdoors publication - roughly four decades ago. She was its editor at the beginning, and most recently, and wrote numerous articles over the years covering her wide range of interests from hunting, fishing, cooking and camping.  A devout Catholic, and native of Houma, she and Tony raised their children to enjoy the outdoors as well.

Louisiana Sportsman eventually became "Sportsman LLC" when it expanded to include North Carolina Sportsman, South Carolina Sportsman, Mississippi Sportsman, and so on.  Each of the offshoot publications copied the LAS formula of a magazine featuring locally-based articles and columns, outdoors news features, specific how-to and where-to information, and probably most important of all, conservation-oriented editorials.

Ann's strong dedication to conservation led Governor Bobby Jinal to appoint her to the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission in 2009. She served until 2015. In 2012, the commission elected Ann as chairman of the Commission. 

It was under Ann's guidance that led that Sportsman magazine sought out Pete Cooper, Jr., to begin writing a monthly column on fly fishing. "Fly Lines" was authored by Pete until 1999, and continued again in 2000 when Glen "Catch" Cormier (myself) was asked to be contributor.  Earlier this year, in response to budget cutbacks, the column was moved from printed version to online (website only). I never dealt closely with Ann over these long years, but always admired her dedication to details and making the magazine one of the very best in the outdoors industry.

What's happening this week - 11/17

On Monday, the Kisatchie Fly Fishers hold their monthly fly tying session at Rapides Westside Library on Provine Place in Alexandria. New this month is a "Tying Skills Clinic" at 6:00pm for beginners and novices. Regular tying session begins at 6:30pm.  This month's pattern is the Heavy Metal Rubber Leg Copper John. Bring your tying tools, if none, the club has 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 Pack & Paddle "Outpost" building behind their main store on 601 East Pinhook in Lafayette. Time is 6:00pm. Guests are welcome. For more info, go to www.acadianaflyrodders.org.

Also on Thursday, the New Orleans Fly Fishers hold the 2nd of their twice-monthly fly tying sessions at Building 500 in the Government Building Complex off F. Edward Hebert Blvd on the West Bank. 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.

On Saturday, the Kisatchie Fly Fishers will hold a club trip to Calcasieu Lake. For more info, go to www.kisatchiefly.org.

What's happening this week - 11/10

A big week ahead, both fishing and non-fishing.

Monday is Veteran's Day. And while it's a holiday for some, it's also a time to be thankful to those who have served our country and protected our freedom.

Also on Monday, the Red Stick Fly Fishers hold their monthly general meeting at Broadmoor United Methodist Church inside the Adult Education Center. Location is 10230 Mollylea 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.  The public is welcome! For more, go to www.northlaflyfishers.org.

On Thursday, the New Orleans Fly Fishers hold their twice-monthly fly tying sessions at Building 500 in the Government Building Complex off F. Edward Hebert Blvd on the West Bank. 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.

Saturday is Election Day in Louisiana. Many state legislative races - as well as the all-important governor's race - are up for vote. Please vote!  The governor's race is critical because that person appoints cabinet positions including LDWF Secretary as well as appointments to the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission. We NEED conservation-oriented men and women appointed to those positions, so please take that into strong consideration, along with jobs, the economy, and education.

Also on Saturday, Pack & Paddle will host one of their "Adventure Skills Workshops" featuring Kirk Dietrich.  More on that later.

Also on Saturday, it's the Bayou Coast Kayak Fishing Club's annual Series Championship out of Topwater Marina in Leeville. The event is open to only those anglers who qualified by meeting the BCKFC Series criteria. Most of Louisiana's top kayak anglers have qualified and will be competing.

PnP to host Kirk Dietrich seminar this Saturday

Tying Bugs with Kirk Dietrich
Saturday, November 16, 2019
9:00am to 11:00am
Pack & Paddle, 601 E. Pinhook, Lafayette, LA
FREE event
A Pack & Paddle Adventure Skills Workshop

Kirk Dietrich is a Louisiana fly tying legend. Considered one of the nation's top surface bug craftsman, he specializes in balsa and other hard-bodied flies, but is also the creator of the decades-popular Kirk's Spoon and Kirk's Rattle Rouser. As well as numerous other saltwater and warmwater flies.  Earlier this year, he received the Fly Fishers International - Gulf Coast Council's "Fly Tier of the Year" award for his many contributions, both past and current.

Kirk will be demonstrating some of his key bugs, and how to fish them. He will also speak briefly on the "how to" of fishing these styles of flies.  This seminar is a special opportunity to meet Kirk Dietrich and learn from him in person.  After the class you will also have to opportunity to purchase an autographed copy of his book if you choose. 

Pre-registration is requested so adequate refreshments are provided. For more info, go to www.packpaddle.com.

Fishing legend Jerry McKinnis passes

The creator and host of one of the most popular fishing television shows of all time, Jerry McKinnis, passed away yesterday morning at age 82.  For more than five decades - including 26 years on ESPN - McKinnis could be seen on "The Fishin' Hole" promoting fishing and conservation for the average angler.

After a brief stint in professional baseball, McKinnis moved to Arkansas and began guiding on the White River. He was soon giving fishing reports on a Little Rock TV station.  In 1965, he started filming fishing segments for audiences which soon led to his nationally-syndicated TV show. In 1979, he signed a deal for his show with a new sports network called ESPN. The Fishin Hole TV show was the 2nd longest running show on ESPN, only after Sportscenter.  

At a time when many popular fishing personalities limited themselves to a particular style of fishing, McKinnis had no boundaries. One week viewers might be watching him fish for bluegills, another week for bass, another week for pike. And a few episodes each year, he could be seen fly fishing for trout, bass or panfish, often on his home waters of northern Arkansas. A few of his fly fishing partners included coach Bobby Knight and baseball legend Ted Williams.

McKinnis was both a member of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame and the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame. His company, JM Associates, produced a number of popular fishing shows including "The Spanish Fly" with Jose Wejebe, "Orvis Sporting Life" with Rick Ruoff, "The Bass Class" with Denny Brauer, and many others.

What's happening this week - 11/3

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.

Also on Wednesday, Pack & Paddle and CCA Louisiana will co-host a "Fall Fishing Seminar" at their store on 601 E. Pinhook in Lafayette. Time is 6:00pm. This is a free event. Refreshments will be served. For more info, go to www.packpaddle.com.