Get ready for Red Stick Day on March 9th

March is almost here, and that means Red Stick Day is now just days away! Our annual fly fishing festival takes place Saturday, March 9th. It's a celebration of our sport featuring great programs, fly tying demonstrations, casting instruction, loads of raffle items, kayak demos and more.  And best of all, admission is free!

The event will again be held at the LDWF Waddill Outdoors Education Center off North Flannery Road.  The ponds on the premises are full of big bass and bluegill, so bring your fly tackle.  In addition, our friends at Masseys Outfitters will be on hand with a variety of kayaks  for folks to test paddle/pedal.  

Once again, we have great programs lined up on fly fishing for smallmouth bass, on obscure species across the South, on the finer points of fly casting and more.  

Roughly a dozen of the region's top fly tiers will also be on hand to demonstrate their various flies, along with their favorite legacy patterns. Attendees can watch and learn the step-by-step process to making a great fish-catching lure from scratch.

We'll also have casting instruction from some of the top fly casting instructors in the country! There will also be casting games for those looking to test their skills.

Complete details of the event - including schedule of activities, speaker and tier bios, and more - can be found by clicking on the "Red Stick Day" page on the menu above. 

February Flies & Flights

Flies & Flights
Wednesday, February 21st
7pm - 9pm
Rally Cap Brewing (11212 Pennywood Ave, Baton Rouge, LA)

Featured Pattern: Meat Whistle

Join us at Rally Cap Brewing as we tie up John Barr’s Meat Whistle in preparation for some springtime Largemouth.  Tools, vises and materials are available for those looking to learn, so please don't hesitate to join us if you're looking to learn.

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!

February 19th meeting: Redeye Bass on Fly

RSFF monthly general meeting
Monday, February 19, 2024 *

7:00 pm
LDWF Headquarters
2000 Quail Drive, Baton Rouge, LA

* note this month's meeting is moved to the 3rd Monday due to the Mardi Gras weekend *

This month Alabama Native, Dr. Matthew Lewis, will be joining us remotely to discuss Redeye Bass on the Fly.  Dr. Lewis has a Master’s in Fisheries and a PhD in Genetics from the Auburn University, but is best known in the fly fishing community for his book, "Fly Fishing for Redeye Bass", and his work co-founding the Redeye Bass Slam.

As always, meetings are open to the public.  For remote members, the meeting will be available via Zoom.

Meet your 2024 Directors

Red Stick Fly Fishers is celebrating its 36th year as a club, and we're off to a great start with several events set for 2024. The new Board of Directors is busy planning out monthly meetings and tying sessions, as well as traditional activities such as Red Stick Day, Concordia Freshwater trips (Spring & Fall), Marsh Catch-n-Eat trips (Spring & Fall) and more.

There are also new activities in the works. Our new Casting Director Felipe Martinez is planning to hold frequent casting sessions, for both beginners and those willing to learn a new technique or two. Our new Conservation Director Robinson Almeida is working with other organizations in the area on a variety of projects. For those with a few hours open on a weekend, participating in one of these helps improve your skills or contributes to the improvement of the natural habitat we depend on to enjoy our sport.

President - Brian Roberts
Secretary - Jack Lithgoe
Treasurer - Ron Braud
Communications - Chris Williams
Past President - Pete Sturgis
Fly Tying - David Rogers
Education - Joe Conachen
Casting - Felipe Martinez
Warmwater - Emmitt Simmons
Saltwater - Randy Leonpacher
Coldwater - Cole Miller
Membership - Ben Roussel
Conservation - Robinson Almeida
Events - Gary Elbourne
International Travel - Ken Holmes

If you have any questions regarding any activities or seeking info in certain skill areas, please feel free to contact one of our directors.
 

RSFF February Activities

A new month is upon us.  Here’s a look ahead at what RSFF has on the docket for the month of February!

Sack Up for Clean Waters
Saturday, February 3rd,  9am - til

* This event has been cancelled due to inclement weather *

"Our love of fly fishing is not just about uncovering amazing locations; it’s also about taking responsibility for our environment. As our consumption increase so does the litter that finds its way onto our streets, into our infrastructure, ending in our waterways. RSFF is committed to educating and advocating for responsible practices to keep all of our favorite spots pristine.” -Conservation Chair, Robinson Almeida

RSFF Casting Clinic
Saturday, February 10th, 9am - til
Where: Perkins Rd Community Park

Details: Join RSFF Casting Chair, Felipe Martinez, as he leads the RSFF crew through the FFI Copper and Silver Casting Challenges.

For those interested in having their casting stroke recorded, we’ll have a video station setup as part of the event.

General Meeting
Monday, February 19th, 7:00pm - til
Where: LDWF Headquarters (2000 Quail Dr, Baton Rouge, LA)

Topic: Redeye Bass on the Fly

This month Alabama Native, Dr. Matthew Lewis, will be joining us remotely to discuss Redeye Bass on the Fly.  Dr. Lewis has a Master’s in Fisheries and a PhD in Genetics from the Auburn University, but is best known in the fly fishing community for his book, Fly Fishing for Redeye Bass, and his work co-founding the Redeye Bass Slam.

** For those unable to attend in person, be on the lookout for a link to the virtual meeting as the date approaches **

Flies & Flights
Wednesday, February 21st, 7pm - 9pm
Where: Rally Cap Brewing (11212 Pennywood Ave, Baton Rouge, LA)

Featured Pattern: Meat Whistle

Join us at Rally Cap Brewing on Wednesday, February 21st, as we tie up John Barr’s Meat Whistle in preparation for some springtime Largemouth.

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!

** Tools, vises and materials available for those looking to learn **

Sack Up for Clean Water x Clean Pelican
Saturday, February 24th, 9:00am - til
Where: Perkins Rd Community Park

Details: Join us Saturday, February 24th, as Conservation Chair, Robinson Almeida, and the RSFF Crew team up with the Gaudin Law Group for the next Clean Pelican litter cleanup event.  Cleanup will run from 9am to 10am with a casting event hosted by RSFF beginning at 10:15am.

RSFF Fly Tying Session
Monday, February 26th 7:00pm - til
Where: Orvis Baton Rouge, 7601 Bluebonnet Blvd, Baton Rouge LA

Featured Pattern: The Pillow Talk

Join us Monday, February 26th, as Tristan Welch teaches us to tie the Pillow Talk, a bonefish fly developed by Alphonse Island's Wayne Haselau. Somewhat different than most bonefish flies you've probably fished but, we've added this one into the monthly rotation for one simple reason. It's a powerhouse fish fooler.

**Tools, vises and materials available for those looking to learn**

Reminder: The deadline for monthly submissions will be the final day of the prior month and can be sent directly to Chris Williams (thefatfingeredflytyer@gmail.com) or Brian Roberts (roberts.brian84@gmail.com).

Event season is here!

When it comes to fly fishing, Spring is event season across the South. There's a wide range of regional events from large commercial expos like the Atlanta Fly Fishing Show and Texas Fly Fishing & Brew Festival to smaller club festivals like our own "Red Stick Day" and to the medium-sized Fly Fishers International regional events like the "Gulf Coast Classic".

Our friends in the Kisatchie Fly Fishers club recently held their biennial festival in Pineville, and it was very successful. It's held in even years, while the New Orleans Fly Fishers event is held in odd years.  No exact date yet for the NOFF Festival but it'll be sometime in January 2025. Our friends in the Big Easy always put on a really good show!

Here are dates for the remaining regional events this Spring:

Jan. 27 (Sat) – 31st annual Dr. ED RIZZOLO FLY TYING FESTIVAL, Trini Mendenhall Community Center, 1414 Wirt Rd, Houston, TX. 8:30am – 4:30pm. The largest fly tying event on the Gulf Coast features over 80 tiers as well as seminars and vendors. Featured guest tier: Les Lehman. Hosted by the Texas Fly Fishers club. Website: texasflyfishers.org.

Feb. 2-4 (Fri-Sun) – ATLANTA FLY FISHING SHOW, GA South Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Duluth, GA. 9am – 6pm. Largest fly fishing show in the South featuring nationally-renown speakers, tiers. Workshops, seminars, destination seminars, exhibitors, and more. FFI will host the Learning Center, with casting and fly tying instruction free to show attendees. Website: www.flyfishingshow.com.

Feb. 24-25 (Sat-Sun) – 7th annual TEXAS FLY FISHING & BREW FESTIVAL, Mesquite Convention Center, Mesquite, TX. Nationally known fly fishing authors, professional guides, expert casters, fly tiers from across the country, dozens of exhibitors. Microbrew sampling. Website: txflyfishingfestival.org.

Mar. 9 (Sat) – 26th Annual RED STICK DAY, Waddill Outdoor Education Center, 4142 N Flannery Rd, Baton Rouge, LA. 8:30am – 3:30pm. Free admission. Seminars, tying demos, kayak demos, casting clinics, food, refreshments. Hosted by Red Stick Fly Fishers. Website: www.rsff.org.

Mar. 21-23 – 27th annual SOWBUG ROUNDUP, Baxter County Fairgrounds, Mountain Home, AR. 9am – 4pm, each day. Admission $10 for all 3 days, adults with kids under 12 free. Largest fly tying event in the country, over 120 tiers. Seminars, fly tying clinics, vendors. Special guests Davy Wotton, Tim Flagler. Hosted by North Arkansas Fly Fishers. Website: www.sowbugroundup.org.

May 3-4 (Fri-Sat) – 2nd annual FFI GULF COAST CLASSIC, Learning Campus, Gulf State Park, Gulf Shores, AL.  Seminars, fly tying demos, casting clinics, raffles, Mixed Bag Challenge fishing contest. Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) on Saturday 4pm. Hosted by the Gulf Coast Council of Fly Fishers International. Website: www.ffigulfcoastclassic.com or www.ffigcc.org.

May 11 (Sat) - THE DIRTY CARP fly fishing tournament, fly fishing tournament for carp in Jefferson, Orleans and St. Bernard parishes. Bank fishing only. Hosted by members of the New Orleans Fly Fishers. More details and registration to come soon. Follow on instagram @thedirtycarp for details as they become available.