Jambalaya Challenge & Big Stick Updates
David’s Lemon Shark! A rarity on the fly!
The weather is warming up and so if the fishing…at least if the Jambalaya Challenge results are to be believed. As March comes to a close, 20 RSFF anglers have now submitted 130+ entries (30+ Species!) to the Jambalaya Challenge so far in 2026. David Rogers deserves some recognition for one of the more unique catches we’ve had submitted in a while, a Lemon Shark!! (see pic).
Leading the entries in the Adult Division of the Jambalaya Challenge: Chris Williams - 19, Brad Dunne - 18, Ben Roussel -15, Murray Neames -14, Brian Roberts -11, Stephen Work -11, Carlos Adams -9.
So far, no entries in the Youth Division
In the Big Stick, Ben Roussel has taken a sizeable lead as he currently holds first place in the Redfish (39.75”) and Bream (8.75”) categories & 2nd place in the Bass (17.5”) category.
Remember that these entries create a database that members can use to determine where to catch certain species, what flies work for them. It's as good as any fishing report! For more details, click on the menu items above.
Saturday, April 11th
9:00 am - till
Perkins Road Community Park
7122 Perkins Rd, Baton Rouge
Interested in improving your casting before that next big trip? Join the RSFF gang for this month’s RSFF Casting Clinic at Perkins Road Community Park led by RSFF Casting Chair, Felipe Martinez. The clinic begins Saturday, April 11, at 9:00 AM and is a great opportunity to learn some basics or bring you casting game to the next level.
With easy access to the Perkins Road Park pond and nearby Dawson Creek, you’ll even have the opportunity to wet a line once you have your casting stroke down!
Monday, April 13th
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Bluebonnet Regional Branch Library
9200 Bluebonnet Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA
Topic: Fly Fishing the Alabama Coast with Sam Sumlin
Join us Monday, April 13th, as the Red Stick Fly Fishers welcome Sam Sumlin as this month’s speaker. The owner of Space Coast Flies as well as Community Fly Supply (Gulf Shores, AL), Sam is a Gulf Shores native and has been an avid fly fisherman for over a decade. A wealth of knowledge when it comes to fly fishing the Alabama Coast, Sam will be joining us remotely to share some tips and tricks for fly fishing the Alabama Coast.
With the 4th annual Gulf Coast Classic only a month a way, this is a great opportunity for our membership to prepare for the event and learn a little more about everything Alabama’s coastal fishery has to offer.
Remote viewing information:
For those wishing to attend remotely, a separate email will be sent the morning of meeting with log-in instructions.
Wednesday, April 15th
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Rally Cap Brewing
11212 Pennywood Ave, Baton Rouge, LA
Featured Pattern: TBD
While we haven’t settled on a featured pattern as of yet, we’re aiming for something that can be used by anglers attending the upcoming Gulf Coast Classic. The surf is already heating up, and the Classic will be a great opportunity for the dozen-plus RSFF members in attendance to test their luck chasing Pompano, Spanish Mackerel and more.
Whether you’re a seasoned tier or new to the vise, come hang out, sip some craft brews, and tie a fly with the community.
F&F is an independent collective of tiers just looking to tie and enjoy a social gathering with some fine brews. While not affiliated with Red Stick, it was hatched by a few club members as an alternative to a traditional meeting environment. Everyone is welcome!
Monday, April 27th
7:00pm - until
Bluebonnet Regional Branch Library
9200 Bluebonnet Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA
Featured Tyer: Jeff Preddy, owner of The Fly Hair Co.
Featured Fly: Preddy’s Purple Pickle
Join us this month as we welcome a very special guest tier to lead us. Jeff Preddy, owner of The Fly Hair Company, stops by for a visit with the club! Known for carrying a wide variety or rare and unique furs & hairs, Jeff’s products are now available at shops across the country including online retailers like J Stockard.
An accomplished angler and tyer, Jeff will be introducing the group to his Purple Pickle Streamer. Built with a blend of radioactive, purple and black Primo Bucktail, the fly also incorporates a custom Fly Hair Co dubbing brush made from Coyote fur giving this fly a uniquely lifelike movement in the water. Whether targeting aggressive fish or looking for a fly that excels on a slow retrieve, the Purple Pickle delivers.
Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to pick the brain of one of the leading sellers of fly tying hair in the southern US and maybe even pick up that new material you never knew you needed. Rumor has it, Jeff will be offering a 20% discount to anyone in attendance.
As usual, beginners and guests are welcome! Tools, vises and materials are available for use during this session for those looking to learn.
Fly Fishing Festival
Friday-Saturday, May 1-2, 2026
The Learning Campus at Gulf State Park
Gulf Shores, AL
Admission: $15-$20 (Free for youth 16 & younger)
The 2026 Gulf Coast Classic Fly Fishing Festival returns May 1st and 2nd at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, Alabama, for a weekend built around fly fishing, education, and conservation. Anglers of all experience levels can connect with 20+ demonstration fly tyers from across the country, showcasing a wide range of patterns and techniques for both fresh and saltwater fisheries.
The event features 15+ exhibitors and is supported by 30+ sponsors, whose contributions fuel a robust lineup of raffles, conservation auctions, and prizes for this year’s Mixed Bag Fly Fishing Tournament. Attendees can also enjoy two signature competitions—the Blind Tie Challenge and Iron Fly Tyer.
Education remains at the core of the festival, with 10+ free fly fishing seminars, a Saturday morning youth workshop, free and paid casting clinics, and 6+ paid fly tying workshops designed to help anglers improve at every level.
A centerpiece of the weekend is the Conservation Keynote on Saturday at 4 PM, delivered by Dr. Aaron Adams of the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust. Director of Science & Conservation, Dr. Adams is not only a leading voice in flats fisheries research, but also an accomplished fly fisherman and author of multiple books on the subject.
The festival concludes Saturday evening with the Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T), with tickets priced at $25, featuring a lineup of world-class fly fishing films and conservation storytelling.
For complete details, go to the Classic website at www.ffigulfcoastclassic.com.
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