April 11th meeting - Dave Zielinski

RSFF monthly general meeting
Monday, April 11, 2024

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

This month, we have a very special guest that will be joining us remotely. Dave Zielinski is owner of Down Home Boatworks, and is author of "Cicada Madness" subtitled "Timing, Fishing Techniques, and Patterns for Cracking the Code of Epic Cicada Emergences". It's the first book every dedicated to fly fishing using patterns based on this group of insects.

Cicadas are large, loud insects that spend their nymphal stages underground until they crawl out, climb a tree trunk, and emerge as winged insects. The adult insects emerge on a 1-year (annual) and 13- or 17-year (periodical) cadence. Yearly emergences are consistent and plentiful in certain places and are a dependable “hatch.”

But in years - like 2024 - when periodical cicadas emerge in certain places, their numbers can be staggering. Even species that don't normally feed on these insects will do so out of sheer abundance of bugs hitting the water. Dave will give insight on where to find these large hatches, which imitations work best, and what techniques to use.

Members in attendance will be able to ask Dave questions. Come and learn about a very rare opportunity this current year offers for great dry fly fishing on many streams and lakes!

As always, meetings are open to the public.

March 25th tying - Carp Flies

RSFF monthly fly tying
Monday, March 25, 2024
7:00 pm
Orvis Perkins-Rowe
7601 Bluebonnet Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA

Featured Patterns: Admiral Ackbar, The Hammerhead

Join us as David Rogers leads us through two unique and effective Carp Patterns, the Admiral Akbar (created by Jean-Paul Lipton) and The Hammerhead (created by Ian Anderson).  With warmer weather and The Dirty Carp tournament approaching, this is a great opportunity to begin stocking up flies for one of the most overlooked and challenging freshwater species our region offers.

Our fly tying sessions are open to the public, and beginners are welcome. Bring your vise and tools, or just watch. For those without tying tools, the club has some for use during these sessions. 

March Flies & Flights

Flies & Flights
Wednesday, March 20
7pm - 9pm
Rally Cap Brewing (11212 Pennywood Ave, Baton Rouge)

Featured Patterns: Jitterbee, Bully Bluegill Spider

Join us at Rally Cap Brewing as we tie up a couple of patterns in preparation for springtime panfish. Randy Leonpacher will be in attendance to share his famed Jitterbee fly, and A.J. Rosenbohm will be coming up from New Orleans to share his variant of the Bully Bluegill Spider.  All are invited! As always, tools, vises and materials are available for those looking to learn.

* Good news: Rally Cap's new pizza oven is officially up and running! Kevin and the crew will have a full menu available for us (pizza, calzones, and subs). So be sure to come hungry and help support our friends at Rally Cap.

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!

RSFF March Activities

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

Louisiana Sportsman Show
Friday-Sunday, March 1-3
Where: Raising Cane’s River Center, Baton Rouge, LA

Details: Be sure to stop by Booth 6140 if you visit the Sportsman Show this weekend.  A few of the gang from RSFF will be on hand sharing information about the club, tying flies and educating the public.

29th annual Red Stick Day
Saturday, March 9th; 8:30am - 3:30pm
Where: Waddill Wildlife Refuge (4142 N Flannery Rd, Baton Rouge)

Red Stick Day is our annual fly fishing festival.   Whether beginner or expert,  there's something for everyone! Click on "Red Stick Day" in the menu above to get all the details!

General Meeting
Monday, March 11th, 7:00pm - til
Where: LDWF Headquarters (2000 Quail Dr, Baton Rouge, LA)

Topic: The 2024 Gulf Coast Classic/The Dirty Carp Fly Fishing Tournament

Details: This month, two members of the New Orleans Fly Fishing Club will be joining us to present on upcoming events.  First up, A.J. Rosenbohm will be joining us to promote the 2nd Annual Gulf Coast Classic Fly Fishing Festival.  Hosted by the Gulf Coast Council of FFI, The Classic is slated to take place May 3-4, 2024 on the Learning Campus of Gulf State Park (Gulf Shores, AL).  The event includes two days of exhibitors, demonstration tyers, and seminars as well as a mixed-bag tournament and showing of the 2024 Fly Fishing Film Tour.

Following that, New Orleans angler, Mac Colvin, will be presenting on the inaugural Dirty Carp Fly Fishing Tournament.  Slated for May 11, 2024, the tournament will put fly anglers skills to the test as the battle to catch the largest carp the city of New Orleans has to offer.

**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, March 20th, 7pm - 9pm
Where: Rally Cap Brewing (11212 Pennywood Ave, Baton Rouge, LA)

Featured Pattern: Spring Panfish & Bass; Exact Pattern TBD

Join us at Rally Cap Brewing on Wednesday, March 20th, as we tie up a few smaller patterns in preparation for some springtime panfish & bass.

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!  Keep an eye out for a follow up email with more details.

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

RSFF Fly Tying Meeting
Monday, March 25th, 7PM - Til
Where: Orvis Baton Rouge, 7601 Bluebonnet Blvd, Baton Rouge LA

Featured Patterns: Admiral Akbar & the Hammerhead

Details: Join us Monday, March 25th, as RSFF Fly Tying Chair, David Rogers, leads us through two unique and effective Carp Patterns, the Admiral Akbar & the Hammerhead.  With spring temps on the way and The Dirty Carp tournament only a few months off, this is a great opportunity to begin stocking your boxes for one of the most overlooked and challenging freshwater species our region offers.

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

Bogue Chitto Camping Trip x #SackUpForCleanWater
When: Friday - Sunday, March 22-24, 2024
Where: Bogue Chitto State Park (Franklinton, LA)

Details: Join the RSFF crew for a weekend of fishing, camping and camaraderie as we descend upon Bogue Chitto SP (Franklinton, LA) the weekend of March 22-24, 2024.  Conditions should be ideal for fishing for fishing the ponds, small creeks and Bogue Chitto River, so come prepared for some great mixed-bag opportunities!

Kayaks are recommended for those looking to float the river or fish the larger ponds.  Available campsites are limited, please contact Brian Roberts, if interested.

Conservation Chair, Robinson Almeida, will be hosting this month’s Sack Up For Clean Water event in conjunction with the trip, so come prepared to help leave Bogue Chitto SP cleaner than we found it!

"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

Volunteer Sign-up form

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

Visit RSFF at the Louisiana Sportsman Show

44th annual Louisiana Sportsman Show
Friday-Sunday, March 1-3, 2024
Raising Cane's River Center
Baton Rouge, LA

Red Stick Fly Fishers will be participating in this year's Louisiana Sportsman Show for the first time in several years. The show has moved to the first weekend of March and to a new weather-independent venue, the River Center in downtown Baton Rouge.

We'll be at booth 6140 which is near all the boats. We'll be doing some fly tying, have a slideshow of fish photos and videos, a poster board with club events, some tackle on display and more.  And of course, some promotional material for Red Stick Day coming up the following weekend (March 9th).

The show promises to be better than ever this year with special guest appearance by Jimmy Houston on Sunday.  For schedule, ticket prices, and more details, go to www.louisianasportsmanshow.com.

February 26th fly tying - Pillow Talk

RSFF monthly fly tying
Monday, February 26, 2024

7:00 pm
Orvis Perkins-Rowe
7601 Bluebonnet Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA

Join us for this month's tying session as Tristan Welch teaches us how to tie the "Pillow Talk", a bonefish fly developed by Alphonse Island's Wayne Haselau. Somewhat different that most bonefish flies you've probably seen, but it's a powerhouse fish fooler!

Our fly tying sessions are open to the public, and beginners are welcome. Bring your vise and tools, or just watch. For those without tying tools, the club has some for use during these sessions. 

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!