It's that time of the year again. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah - and our Spring Calendar submissions. If you have, or know of, a fly fishing event taking place next year, please check the LAFlyFish.com Calendar page and see if it's posted and the information is correct. Exact details are not required at this time. If the event is missing, or info is incorrect, please email me at catch@laflyfish.com.
Here are some regional events already scheduled:
Jan. 21 - New Orleans Fly Fishing Expo. St. Christopher the Martyr School Gymnasium, 3900 Derbigny St, Metairie, LA. This is biennial event (every odd year) put on by the New Orleans Fly Fishers Club. Demo tying, casting, exhibitors, seminars, writers roundtable, raffle, silent auction, and more. www.neworleansflyfishers.com.
Feb. 3-4 - Atlanta Fly Fishing Show, Infinite Energy Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, GA. The Fly Fishing Show is the largest commercial event celebrating our sport with dozens of national and regional experts, recognized fly tiers, numerous seminars, workshops, vendors, conservation groups, and more. www.theflyfishingshow.com.
Feb. 11 - Dr. Ed Rizzolo Fly Tying Festival, 1414 Wirt Rd, Houston, TX. Hosted by the Texas Fly Fishers, this is one of the largest exhibitions of fly tying in the country, with both regional and national renown tiers. There's also seminars, casting and more. www.texasflyfishers.org.
Feb. 17-18 - TroutFest Texas, Lazy L&L Campgrounds, New Braunfels, TX. Hosted by the Guadalupe River Trout Unlimited chapter, it's one of the largest events in the South, featuring fly tying, exhibitors, casting clinics, seminars and a fundraising banquet.
Feb. 25-26 - Texas Fly Fishing & Brew Festival, Mesquite Convention Center, Mesquite, TX. Exhibitors, seminars, casting clinics, fly tying, and featuring Texas micro-brewed beer as well. There are also workshops on a variety of skills. www.txflyfishingfestival.org
Mar. 4 - Red Stick Day, 4141 North Flannery, Baton Rouge, LA. The Red Stick Fly Fishers host the longest-running "conclave" in Louisiana, featuring fly tying, casting, seminars, great food, and on-the-water activities including fishing on premises. www.rsff.org.
Mar. 22-25 - Sowbug Roundup, Mountain Home, AR. Hosted by the North Arkansas Fly Fishers, this is largest fly tying event in the nation, with as many as 140 tiers from across the country and even other countries at one time. There's also free introductory classes, and free beginner fly casting lessons. www.naff.org.
May 5-6 - Gulf Coast Classic, Gulf Shores State Park Learning Campus, AL. The FFI Gulf Coast Council is holding their first "conclave" style event in many years, with fly tying by recognized tiers from across the country, seminars, workshops, casting, a film festival, a "mixed bag" fishing contest, raffles, auctions, and much more. Also, the FFI Board of Governors will hold their Spring meeting at this event. www.ffigcc.org.
May 5-6 - Bass On The Fly, Lake Fork Marina, Alba, TX. Catch-photo-release tournament with categories for boat, kayak, and bank fishing. Charitable event also features product vendors, casting contests, and more. www.bassonthefly.org
June 9-10 - Lake Athens Fly Fishing Festival, Lake Athens, TX. Fly tying, casting instruction, and fishing events. CPR bass tournament benefits Project Healing Waters - North Texas Patriots.
www.johnnyonthefly.com
Sept. 15-16 - FFI Fly Tying Group Rendezvous, Branson, MO. The Fly Fishers International (FFI) Fly Tying Group is initiating an annual event featuring top fly tiers from across the country, and beyond. This promises to be a great event for anyone interested in fly tying at all skill levels.
Sept. 23 - National Hunting and Fishing Day. Barring a hurricane, expect LDWF to once again hold festivals at the usual four venues: Waddill in Baton Rouge, Woodworth, Minden and Monroe.
Nov. 3-4 - North Toledo Bend Rendezvous, North Toledo Bend State Park, Zwolle, LA. The largest casual gathering of fly tiers from across several states, with food, lodging, and more on premises.