COVID-19 update and cancellations

President Trump, the White House Coronavirus Task Force, Governor John Bel Edwards and state and local governments and agencies have issued strict guidelines to help protect Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic. The result has been closure of numerous facilities to public use, and strong advisement against social gatherings of more than 10 people.

Out of concern for our members and the public in general, the Red Stick Fly Fishers have cancelled our fly tying and general meetings until further notice.

We are also re-evaluating our upcoming trips. Some of the facilities we plan to stay at, or use for our gatherings, are closed until further notice.

We wish the best for all our members, friends, and their families during this crisis. We pray for all who are stricken and for a swift end to this pandemic.

Inaugural Gulf Coast Sweetwater Classic this weekend!

Gulf Coast Sweetwater Classic
Friday-Saturday, March 13-14, 2020
Percy Quin State Park, McComb, MS
FREE admission to park & festival
Entry fee for tournament: $25

The Fly Fishers International (FFI) Gulf Coast Council (GCC) will host their first-ever "Gulf Coast Sweetwater Classic" fly fishing tournament and festival this Friday and Saturday at Percy Quin State Park just five miles from McComb, Mississippi.

The event marks a departure from the routine conclaves of past years, and joins the growing number of fly fishing tournaments, or events with a tournament component, that have become popular across the country.  Lake Tangipahoa inside Percy Quin offers fly anglers an opportunity for a trophy bass, as well as crappie over 2 pounds during March and April. 

Classic activities include: casting instruction and casting skills challenge, fly tying demos, Big Bream Contest (Friday afternoon) and the Sweetwater Classic Tournament (Saturday morning). The festival is FREE and admission to the park is free for attendees.

The Big Bream Contest entry fee is $5 cash (winner take all), and the Classic Tournament entry fee is $25 (register via iAngler). There’s also a “One Feather Fly Tying Contest” on Friday evening, and an “Iron Fly Tying” contest on Saturday afternoon.  Also, there's a fundraiser on Saturday with many great and one-of-a-kind items!

Anyone who registers for the tournament before Wednesday 11:59pm via the iAngler links is eligible for a drawing for $100 cash, to be drawn at the weigh-in. Must be present to win!

For complete details, including schedule, tournament rules, local lodging and restaurants, go to www.gulfcoastcouncilffi.org and click on the “Classic” page or any of the submenu items.

March 9th general meeting

Red Stick Fly Fishers monthly meeting
Monday, March 9, 2020
7:00pm
Adult Education Building, Broadmoor United Methodist Church
10230 Mollylea Drive, Baton Rouge, LA

For this month, our guest speaker will be Harry Blanchet, Marine Fisheries Director for Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Blanchet will address the club on the current speckled trout status, as well as the process for gathering public response to proposed management plans to help stocks recover.

Also on the agenda, recap of this past Saturday's Red Stick Day, upcoming trips to Lake Concordia and Golden Meadow. As always, the public is welcome!

February 24th fly tying

RSFF monthly fly tying
Monday, February 24, 2020
7:00pm
Independence Park Library, Room 2D
7711 Goodwood Blvd, Baton Rouge

The public is invited, beginners are welcome.  Bring your tools - if none, the club has tools for use during the session.  Materials are provided.

Kirk Dietrich highlights Red Stick Day March 7th

26th annual Red Stick Day
Saturday, March 7, 2020
8:30am - 3:00pm
Waddill Wildlife Refuge
4142 N Flannery Rd, Baton Rouge, LA
FREE admission!!

Every first Saturday in March, our club hosts our annual "Red Stick Day" - a celebration of fly fishing. Whether beginner or expert, there's something for everyone! Activities include fly tying demonstrations, seminars, casting demonstrations and lessons, fishing on premises, and our giant fundraiser that goes to support our club's conservation and education initiatives.

Our special guest this year is Louisiana's own Kirk Dietrich. Kirk is recognized as one of the top fly tiers in the country, having been featured in numerous books and magazines either as a writer or as a subject. His flies have been sold by Orvis for over two decades. Last year, his first book, "Tying Bugs: The Complete Book of Poppers, Sliders, and Divers" was released to rave reviews. Kirk will tie as well as give a presentation on making bugs.  He'll also have copies of his book for sale and to autograph.

Former world casting competitor Jay Clark, a Fly Fishers International Master Certified Instructor, will give a presentation on "Improving Casting Skills" on one of Waddill's ponds. Regardless of experience, Jay's presentation is a must-watch!

Other presentations cover topics such as "Preparation and Strategies for Coldwater Trout" and "Kayak Fishing Strategies".  We highly encourage those new to fly fishing or kayak fishing to come and learn from the experts.

To help make this event free, we'll have our raffle and Gamblers Draw.  We bequest members to make donations of used equipment, or boxes of flies. Once again, we'll have our Big Bundle for those who join the club or renew their membership.

We also have delicious jambalaya cooked by one of our great "Bayou Chefs" for a nominal fee.

For complete details, including schedule, list of fly tiers and jig makers, exhibitors, speakers, and much more, click on "2020 Red Stick Day" on the menu above.

February 10th general meeting

Red Stick Fly Fishers monthly meeting
Monday, February 10, 2020
7:00pm
Adult Education Building, Broadmoor United Methodist Church
10230 Mollylea Drive, Baton Rouge, LA

On the agenda:

• Update by Pete Sturgis on the club's upcoming Red Stick Day March 7th at Waddill.
• Update by Dugan Sabins on LDWF public meetings on future speckled trout management. The Baton Rouge meeting is Wednesday, March 12th at LDWF headquarters.  At our March meeting, LDWF biologists will reveal results of their meetings.
• Fishing reports
• Upcoming club trips
• Instruction: how to build a leader and connect leader to fly line using speed nail knot.

As always, the public is welcome!