Monday, September 08, 2025

Make plans now for Rendezvous

North Toledo Bend Rendezvous
Friday-Sunday, Oct. 31 - Nov. 2, 2025

North Toledo Bend State Park, Zwolle, LA

For those unfamiliar with Rendezvous, it began 36 years ago when members of two clubs met at North Toledo Bend State Park to camp and fish. The following year, the clubs decided to rent the group facility.  Since then, fly tiers and other fly fishing enthusiasts from across several states – along with their families – have gathered for a weekend of fly tying and fishing with only a minimal fee to cover lodging and meals. Some are members of clubs, some are not. Rendezvous is open to all!

There are no organized activities. Everyone is welcome to come fish, tie flies, watch some of the region's top tiers, or tie themselves. You can come for the day or the entire weekend. If you come as a family, the rate for the entire weekend for the whole family or individual is just $40 which includes lodging. For one night lodging, the fee is $20 and for day only the fee is $10.

The excellent facilities at North Toledo Bend State Park are ideal for a Fall weekend fly tying retreat. Activities take place at the park’s group facility, which features a commercial kitchen and dining hall, and lodging available for up to 150 people in 5 heated log bunkhouses (30 beds each). There’s also a heated central shower and restroom building with nice night lighting on all the sidewalks.

For complete details, go to flycasting.bravesites.com.

Wednesday, September 03, 2025

Flies & Pies coming in two weeks!

2nd annual ALTO Fly Fishing Fair
Saturday, September 20, 2025

8:00 am - 4:00 pm
First Baptist Church of Natchitoches Gym
508 Second St., Natchitoches, LA
FREE admission

The ArkLaTexOma Fly Tiers group has only been organized for less than two years, yet they have evolved to be one of the most active in the state.  ALTO held their first ever "Flies & Pies" tying event last year, in conjunction with the Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival, and it was a big success.  This year, they return to a new location  just a couple blocks from the heart of the Meat Pie Festival - which is an attraction all to itself.

Along with some of the best fly tiers from across the region, the festival will have presentations including: Jerald Lewis on Fly Fishing for Bream, Burley Johnson on Creating Bass Poppers, and Mike Hawkins on Making Furled Leaders.  The new location has an outdoor casting area as well. So if you need a free casting lesson, or tune up, there will be two FFI Certified Casting Instructors on hand.

While this event is FREE to attend, the group will be taking up a Love Offering to present to First Baptist Church for the use of their facilities.

For more details, go to the ALTO website at www.arklatexomaflytyers.com .  Or check them out on their Facebook page (link)