Gunnar Brammer headliner at Feb. 8th tying festival

Hosted by the Texas Fly Fishers of Houston, the Dr. Ed Rizzolo Fly Tying Festival features the largest group of fly tiers of any event on the Gulf Coast, with over 70 tiers from several states. Once again, it'll be held at Bethany Christian Church Community Center on 3223 Westheimer. Admission is $10 adults, family $15, students & seniors $8, and children under 12 free.

In addition to the tying demos, there are also several seminars during the day, there are also exhibitors, and demo casting. A barbecue lunch is available for a nominal cost.

Each year, TFF brings in a prominent name in fly tying as their headliner. This year's special guest is Gunnar  Brammer  of  Duluth,  Minnesota, one  of  fly  tying’s  most  amazing  young  tyers. Gunnar specializes in designing  and  tying  predator  flies  for  all  big game  species,  with bait fish patterns ranging from 3-inch bass patterns all the way to 14-inch beast-styled musky patterns, to offshore flies.  If  you  would  like  to  learn  more about Gunnar along with his patterns and impressive style of tying, visit his website at www.streamersbygunnar.com

What's happening this week - 1/26

On Monday, the Kisatchie Fly Fishers hold their monthly general meeting at Rapides Westside Library in Alexandria. Time is 6:30pm. Casting outside on the lawn begins at 5:00pm. Clint Crowe of the Acadiana Fly Rodders and Reel Recovery Louisiana will speak to the club about Reel Recovery and their annual retreat in April. 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.

Friday and Saturday it's the Atlanta Fly Fishing Show at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth, Georgia. This is the largest fly fishing show in the South, and will feature over 200 presentations by some of the biggest names in the sport and regional experts. Along with numerous vendors and fly tiers. For more info, go to www.flyfishingshow.com.

On Saturday, Pack & Paddle in Lafayette will host the 2020 Fly Fishing Film Tour - in conjunction with one of their "Fly Fishing Hangouts" - at their store on 601 E. Pinhook in Lafayette. The Hangout kicks off at 3:00pm with complimentary snacks, brews, and soft drinks. There's casting games at 3:00pm, and an Iron Fly Tying competition at 4:00pm. At 5:00pm, the film festival kicks off. A limited number of tickets are still available. For more info, read our writeup of January 21st, or go to www.packpaddle.com.

Also on Saturday, Orvis of Baton Rouge will host a "Fly Tying 101" at their store on 7601 Bluebonnet. Time is 2:00pm to 4:00pm. FT101 covers tools, materials and techniques of fly tying. Students will tie a couple basic flies to take home. To register, go to the Orvis BR Calendar page.

LDWF announces public meetings on speckled trout management

* Please note updated times and locations *

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has announced dates for public meetings to be held on spotted seatrout (speckled trout) management. The most recent stock assessment indicated spotted seatrout are overfished and undergoing overfishing and changes are necessary in order to recover the stock.

The slide to the left was part of the presentation given by LDWF biologists at the January meeting of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission. It shows that speckled trout spawning stocks have been on the decline since 2010, and below both the conservation target (yellow line) of 14 percent since 2012, and the recruitment threshold (magenta line) of 10.2 percent since 2013.  It also shows what various savings in the spawning biomass or potential ratio (both had similiar graphs) would result in.


No action is being taken at this time.  The Commission indicated it would like to hear public input before considering management changes.  LDWF’s biological opinion is that a 20% reduction in harvest is needed in order to recover the stock by 2025 or sooner, but there are a range of options that can achieve that goal.  From the standpoint of Fly Fishers International Gulf Coast Council (FFI-GCC),  the best management goal is one that takes us above the conservation target in the least amount of time.

Management change options recently presented to the LWFC in early January 2020 included:
- creel limit only changes
- minimum size limit changes only
- combined creel and minimum size limit changes
- slot limit only changes
- combined slot limit and creel changes.

Below is a list of meeting dates and locations.  All meetings will begin at 6:00 p.m., except the meeting in Ruston, which will begin at 1:00 p.m.

- Monday, February 10 – North Branch Library, 4130 West Park Ave, Gray
- Wednesday, February 12 – LDWF HQ, Herring Room, 2000 Quail Drive, Baton Rouge
- Thursday, February 13 – Lafayette Council Chambers, 705 West University Avenue,  Lafayette
- Wednesday, February 19 – East Bank Regional Library, 4747 West Napoleon Avenue, Metairie
- Thursday, February 20 – Slidell Municipal Auditorium, 2056 Second Street, Slidell
- Wednesday, February 26 – Calcasieu Parish Extension Office, 7101 Gulf Highway, Lake Charles
- Thursday, February 27 – Rapides Parish Extension Office, 300 Grady Britt Drive, Alexandria
- Saturday, February 29 – Lincoln Parish Library, 910 North Trenton Street, Ruston

LDWF is partnering with Louisiana Sea Grant to use interactive voting technology at these public hearings in response to a survey that will be given at the meetings.  LDWF will also be sending out an email survey identical to the survey that will be administered at public meetings.

For more information, please contact Jason Adriance at 504-284-2032 or jadriance@wlf.la.gov.

Fly Fishing Film Tour coming to Lafayette February 1st

The 14th annual Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) is coming to Louisiana twice this year, with the first stop being at Pack & Paddle in Lafayette on Saturday, February 1st. P&P will also hold one of their now-famous "Fly Fishing Hangouts" that afternoon prior to the showing.

F3T is a collection of independent short films highlighting the adventure and conservation aspects of our sport. Shot across the US, Canada and around the world, these films celebrate fly fishing in all it's splendor.  F3T is shown at select venues across the country.

The tour is more than just great fishing adventures, epic takes and spectacular scenery. For example, three of this year's many films focus on conservation and community:
- “Common Tread”, a story where fly fishing is the glue that holds several generations of a Texas family together through the loss of a beloved family member.
- "Project Rainbow", the story of how a dedicated group of anglers and researchers worked to save the Gunnison River from whirling disease.
- "Time", profiles Lefty Kreh and Flip Pallot, who both taught and inspired thousands of anglers.

In addition to the film showing, Pack & Paddle will host their Fly Fishing Hangout starting at 3:00pm with complimentary snacks, beer, and soft drinks. There's a "MarshMan Sharpshooter Casting Competition" at 3:00pm, and an "Iron Fly Tying Competition" at 4:00pm. At 5:00pm, the film festival kicks off.

Tickets are $15. Tickets are available at Pack & Paddle or can be purchased online at their website at www.packpaddle.com. Advance purchase is strongly encouraged as the event is limited to 60 tickets and has sold out the last two years. 

More Rainbeaux Trout coming tomorrow

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will be stocking seven ponds around the state with 2,300 pounds of rainbow trout on Tuesday, January 21st. The effort is part of the department's "Get Out and Fish!" community fishing program. The program is designed to provide good bank fishing for all ages.

The ponds to receive trout are: Oil and Gas Park (Jennings), Southside Regional Park (Youngsville), Girard Park (Lafayette), Burbank Pond (Baton Rouge), Sid Hutchison Park (Walker), Zemurray Park (Hammond), and Joe W. Brown Park (New Orleans).

A week ago, LDWF stocked 2,100 pounds in several other ponds involved in their GOAF program. Back in December, Baton Rouge Recreation (BREC) Department stocked five parish ponds with rainbow trout, and Ascension Parish stocked Lamar-Dixon in Gonzales with trout.

The trout are a coldwater species and rarely survive past March. However by then almost all of them have been caught and taken out. The daily limit is four (4) fish per person. Anglers 16 and older must have a Louisiana license when fishing any public waters.

What's happening this week - 1/19

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 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. Visitors are welcome. For more info, go to www.lafayettekayakfishing.com.

Also on Tuesday, the Kisatchie Fly Fishers hold their monthly fly tying session at Rapides Westside Library on Provine Place in Alexandria. This month's pattern is the Guides Choice Hares Ear. Bring your tools, if none, the club has sets for use during the session. Materials are provided. Guests are welcome. For more info, go to www.kisatchiefly.org.

On Thursday, the New Orleans Fly Fishers hold their monthly meeting at the Crab Trap Room on 7840 Lakeshore Drive. Time is 7:00pm.  Guests are welcome. For more info, go to www.neworleansflyfishers.com.

On Saturday, it's the Bayou Coast Kayak Fishing Club's annual Minimialist Challenge out of Leeville. The 120 slots have already been filled. For more info, go to www.bckfc.org.

What's happening this week - 1/12

A big week ahead!  Starting with the College Football National Championship Monday night. Our LSU Tigers take on defending champions Clemson in the Superdome. Obviously, all meetings for Monday night have been cancelled or moved back one week. This weekend also marks the kickoff of the "Events Season" with events in Pineville, Baton Rouge and Lake Charles.

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 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 North Louisiana Fly Fishers hold their monthly fly tying session at the Bass Pro Shops in Bossier City. Time is 6:00pm. Visitors are welcome to come and learn the basics of tying, and even tie a particular fly. For more info, go to www.northlaflyfishers.org.

Also on Thursday, the New Orleans Fly Fishers hold the 2nd of their twice-monthly fly tying sessions at the River Ridge Public Library on 8825 Jefferson Highway. Time is 7:00pm. Beginners welcome. Bring your tools, if none, the club has a few sets for use during the session. Bring $1 for materials. For more info, go to www.neworleansflyfishers.com.

Starting Friday, and continuing thru Sunday, it's the Central Gulf Coast Boat & RV Show at the Lake Charles Civic Center. Admission is $10 for adults and free for youth 15 and under. The Contraband Fly Casters will be exhibiting and demonstrating fly tying. For more info, including show times, go to www.centralgulfcoastboatrvshow.com.

On Saturday, it's the 3rd-ever Cenla Fly Fishing & Light Tackle Festival at Kees Park in Pineville. More on that later.

Also on Saturday, Orvis of Baton Rouge will hold their annual  "Travel Day" at their store on 7601 Bluebonnet in Perkins-Rowe. Time is 10:30am to 2:00pm. Admission is free. Meet and speak with representatives of Orvis-endorsed lodges and fly fishing guides from across North America and the Caribbean. For more info, click here.

Make plans for Cenla Festival this Saturday!

Cenla Fly Fishing & Light Tackle Festival
Saturday, January 18, 2020
8:30am to 3:30pm
Kees Park, 2450 Highway 28 East, Pineville, LA
FREE admission!

In even-numbered years, the Kisatchie Fly Fishers hold their biennial Festival, a celebration of the light tackle lifestyle. While the majority of the event is fly fishing, there's also some elements of light tackle spinning and casting for bass, crappie, redfish and speckled trout.

On tap are seminars on bass fishing Toledo Bend, fly fishing the Little Missouri River (Arkansas), and fishing from kayaks for freshwater and marsh. Over 20 fly tiers and jig makers from Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Alabama and Mississippi will be demonstrating their craft.

Fly casting. Saturday morning, FFI Master Certified instructor Jeff Ferguson will lead a casting presentation followed by coaching. That afternoon, Jeff, Roger Breedlove and Chris Perkins will lead a "Casting Skills Challenge" open to all attendees. If you're an FFI member, it's a chance to earn your casting accomplishment pin.

There's also several exhibitors and a huge raffle and Gamblers Draw. The event is a fundraiser for The Food Bank of Central Louisiana, and the KFF club's conservation initiatives.

A pastalaya lunch will be served along with choice of tea, lemonade or bottled water for just $5. 

For complete details, including schedule and list of tiers, go to www.kisatchiefly.org.

What's happening this week - 1/5

* Please note that for 2020 some club meeting dates and locations have changed.

On Thursday, the New Orleans Fly Fishers hold the first of their twice-monthly fly tying sessions.  Their 2nd Thursday fly tying session is held at St. Francis Xavier church hall on 444 Metairie Road in Metairie. Time is 7:00pm. Bring your tools, bring $1 for materials. If no tools, the club has a few sets for use during the session. For more info, go to www.neworleansflyfishers.com.

On Saturday, Orvis in Baton Rouge will host their "Fly Fishing 101" at their store on 7601 Bluebonnet in Baton Rouge. Time is 8:00am to 10:00am. There is no cost. FF101 covers tackle, basic rigging, and basic casting. Participants will receive special offers on equipment. To register, go to the Orvis BR Calendar page.

Also on Saturday, Pack & Paddle will host a "Fly Tying Level 1" at their Outpost behind the store on 601 East Pinhook in Lafayette. Time is 9:30am to 11:30am. Cost is $20. Covered will be fly tying tools and how to use them, followed by hands-on instruction on tying two flies effective for Louisiana.  To register, go to www.packpaddle.com.

Later on Saturday, Orvis of Baton Rouge will host a "Fly Tying 101" at their store on 7601 Bluebonnet. Time is 2:00pm to 4:00pm. FT101 covers tools, materials and techniques of fly tying. Students will tie a couple basic flies to take home. To register, go to the Orvis BR Calendar page.

Later on Saturday, PnP will host "Fly Fishing FUNdamentals" at the Pack & Paddle Outpost on 601 East Pinhook. Time is 2:00pm to 5:00pm. Cost is $40. This clinic covers the basics of our sport, including gear, flies, rigging, knots and basic casting.  To register, go to www.packpaddle.com.

Welcome to 2020

2020 - Cajun Year of the Gator

First off, wishing all our LFF Community and their loved ones the best wishes for a safe, healthy, and prosperous year ahead. 

For my fellow fly flingers - may your loops be tight and your flies get victimized often! For my fellow kayak anglers - may the waters be calm and your butts stay dry! 

As you can see from the Calendar page, there are many great activities coming up this Spring for those of us who pursue fish on the fly and/or from a paddlecraft.  Hope to see some of you at one or more of these events... or on the water!