Fishing license changes effective June 1st

In last year's legislative session, House Bill 691 proposed much-needed changes in Louisiana's fishing and hunting licenses and fees.  With strong bipartisan support, the bill passed and was signed into law.  In a few days - on June 1st - this new licensing structure will take effect. Here's a summary of the changes that will affect recreational anglers:

• All licenses now will be valid for 365 days from the date of purchase.
• Basic freshwater license (now includes crawfish nets):  $17 annual resident, $68 annual non-resident, $17 non-resident native 10-day, $30 non-resident 5-day.
• Saltwater license (now includes crab traps and shrimp trawls to 25 feet):  $15 annual resident, $60 annual non-resident, $15 non-resident native 10-day, $30 non-resident 5-day
• Hook & Line license (includes roadside crabbing): $5 annual resident, $5 non-resident native 10-day
• Senior licenses (includes hunting): born before 6/1/1940 - not required, born between 6/1/1940 and 5/31/1962 - $5, otherwise anyone 65+ after 6/1/2027 - fee will then be $20.
• Disabled (includes hunting): $4. If disabled native-born military, free.
• Retired military: either resident or native-born - $20.
• Lifetime fishing/hunting: resident or native-born - $500, non-resident $4,000.
• Senior lifetime fishing/hunting: resident or native-born - $100, non-resident - $4,000.
• Youth: the maximum age has been raised from 15 to 17. Does not require a fishing license.

For a complete list of changes, or more details, go to the LDWF Licenses & Permits webpage.

May 11th Flies & Flights

The next Flies and Flights night is scheduled for this Wednesday, May 11th, at Rally Cap Brewing beginning at 7pm.  Location is 11212 Pennywood Ave in Baton Rouge.

F&F is not affliated with the Red Stick club, but all members are invited.  This is an independent collective of tiers just looking to tie and enjoy a social gathering with some fine brews.  Anyone can come and join in.

Bring your vise and materials to tie your favorite patterns if you'd like.  Or just come join in for some great company and a cold beer.  For those looking to learn, there will be some spare vises and materials on hand.  Feel free to pass the word along to anyone who may be interested in joining in.

May 9th monthly meeting

RSFF monthly meeting
Monday, May 9, 2022
6:30 pm - casting
7:00 pm - meeting starts
Room 204, Adult Education Building
Broadmoor United Methodist Church
10230 Mollylea Drive, Baton Rouge, LA

This month, Glen 'Catch' Cormier will present on interesting new products at ICAST 2021 - the world's largest fishing trade show - along with a "State of Fly FIshing 2021".  As Conservation Director for the Fly Fishers International Gulf Coast Council, Catch will also give a second presentation on conservation issues across the region, as well as within the FFI nationally. 

As always, our meetings are open to the public and guests are welcome! 

Tying flies and drinking brews!

Last night was the first-ever "Flies and Flights" brewery tying night organized by RSFF member Chris Williams.  About a dozen folks showed up to tie, including several new faces. According to Chris, some of the flies tied included wooly buggers, Clouser minnows, Concordia Specials, dragonfly nymphs, and even some intruder-style micro Spey flies!

Flies and Flights is a casual tying event to be held monthly at Rally Cap Brewing Company (11212 Pennywood Ave, Baton Rouge).  Time is 7:00pm. Just bring a vise and materials to tie and share your favorite patterns. Or if you're new to tying, you can get instruction and tie a simple fly, like a wooly bugger.  Extra vises, tools and materials will be available.

Chris also maintains the popular "Fat Fingered Fly Tying" blog, which has a great selection of various fly patterns with step-by-step instructions, as well as photos of a wide variety of freshwater and saltwater species. Check it out at www.fatfingeredflytyer.com   

April 11th meeting

RSFF monthly meeting
Monday, April 11, 2022
6:15 pm - casting practice *
7:00 pm - meeting begins
Room 204, Adult Education Building
Broadmoor United Methodist Church
10230 Mollylea Drive, Baton Rouge, LA

On the agenda:
- discussion of our Concordia trip coming up April 22-24
- summary of the recent trip to the Little Missouri River
- fishing reports

* We'll have club rods available for anyone who wants to practice casting.  As always, our meetings are open to the public and guests are welcome!

March 28th tying - Baby Fat Minnow

RSFF monthly fly tying
Monday, March 28, 2022
7:00pm
Adult Education Building
Broadmoor United Methodist Church
10230 Mollylea Drive, Baton Rouge, LA

This month, Sydney Dobson will lead us in tying the chub-colored Baby Fat Minnow.  This is a great pattern for saltwater, but also for catching bass during shad runs on False River and Lake Concordia.

As always, our meetings are open to the public and guests are welcome!  Bring your vise and tools, or use one of the clubs, or simply watch and enjoy.