November 2026 activities

AFR monthly meeting
Monday, November 16th
6:00pm
East Regional Library
225 La Neuville Rd, Youngsville, LA
Open to the Public!

Join us as LA Dept of Wildlife and Fisheries Biologist Manager Matthew Duplessis discusses Louisiana's efforts to restore and manage Striped Bass as part of a broader Gulf Coast Striped Bass recovery program. 

Although many of us have pursed “hybrid stripers” (a cross of white bass and striped bass) that are regularly stocked in several of our reservoirs, little discussion of the coastal Striped Bass are heard, particularly here in Acadiana.  However opportunities exist right here in the eastern part of our State. Striped Bass on the fly are a premier game species along the East Coast with many of our sport's greats targeting them and developing techniques and flies we use here for our coastal fly fishing.  

The state all tackle record is 47.5 lbs and opportunities exist for fly anglers right here in our State, so come out and hear what the issues are, what’s being done, and how you can help. This is a great species on fly rod, and an opportunity for fly anglers to learn where and when to hook into these hard-fighting species.   

As always, guests are welcome!  

Acadiana Bugs & Brews

Due to the 4th Thursday falling on Thanksgiving, there's no AB&B this month.  Hoping everyone gets to spend time with family and give thanks for all our many blessings during our usual meeting week.

North Toledo Bend Rendezvous
Friday-Sunday, Nov. 6 - 8, 2026
North Toledo Bend State Park, Zwolle, LA

A tradition for over three decades, fly tiers and other fly fishing enthusiasts from across several states – along with their families – gather for a casual weekend of fly tying and fishing with only a minimal fee to cover lodging and meals. Some are members of clubs, some are not. Rendezvous is open to all!

It's never too late to attend and join in the fun, whether for the weekend or just for the day Saturday.  For complete details, go to the Toledo Bend Rendezvous website at:
https://rendezvousannually.blogspot.com .

October 2026 activities

AFR monthly meeting
* Monday, October 12th
6:00pm
East Regional Library
225 La Neuville Rd
Youngsville, LA
Open to the Public!

* Please note the date change - 2nd Monday instead of 3rd Monday *

With temperatures beginning to moderate and Daylight savings time still in effect, we thought some casting practice would be a great way to spend an enjoyable evening.  Bring your rods and we’ll try to have some drills set up to help us all become better casters. Ask questions and get feedback from some of our more experienced casters or if an experienced caster, come pass on your knowledge.  Club rods are available for interested newcomers.

Acadiana Bugs & Brews 
Thursday, October 22nd
6:00pm
Pack & Paddle (in the shop)
601 E. Pinhook, Lafayette
Open to the public

We’ve had a request to tie the Jitterbee this month from a newer tier, and of course everyone should know Randy Leonpacher’s great fly.  Randy, a longtime member of the Red Stick Fly Fishers, created this subsurface fly to imitate the famed "Ville Platte Special" tiny grub jig popular with South Louisiana jig/spin fishing anglers. This fly checks all the boxes!  It’s a simple tie, it’s durable, and of course it catches fish, so what’s not to love. One of our personal favorites beneath a VOSI, which we will also talk about. As always AFR members assist beginners, and we’ll have tools and materials available for use.  The public is always welcome. 

Acadiana Bugs & Brews is an open community fly tying event, so even if not a member of AFR come join in and either tie the featured pattern or tie anything you want while enjoying an evening of fly tying and conversation.

UPCOMING

AFR November 16th meeting

AFR’s November meeting will feature LDWF biologist Matthew Duplessis discussing Striped Bass Restoration in Louisiana.  Stay tuned for more info.

North Toledo Bend Rendezvous
Friday-Sunday, Nov. 6 - 8, 2026
North Toledo Bend State Park, Zwolle, LA

A tradition for over three decades, fly tiers and other fly fishing enthusiasts from across several states – along with their families – gather for a casual weekend of fly tying and fishing with only a minimal fee to cover lodging and meals. Some are members of clubs, some are not. Rendezvous is open to all!

There are no organized activities. Everyone is welcome to come fish, tie flies, watch some of the region’s top tiers, or tie themselves. You can come for the day or the entire weekend. 

The excellent facilities at North Toledo Bend State Park are ideal for a Fall weekend fly tying retreat.  There are no organized activities. Everyone is welcome to come fish, tie flies, watch some of the region’s top tiers, or tie themselves. Everything takes place at the park’s group facility, which features a commercial kitchen and dining hall, and lodging available for up to 150 people in 5 heated log bunkhouses. 

If you come as a family, the rate for the entire weekend for the whole family or individual is just $40 which includes lodging. For one night lodging, the fee is $20 and for day only the fee is $10. For details, go to the Toledo Bend Rendezvous website at:
https://rendezvousannually.blogspot.com .

September 2026 activities

REMINDER - Our monthly club meetings are now the third Monday of the month at the East Regional Library in Youngsville.

3rd annual ALTO Flies & Pies
Friday - Saturday, Sept. 18 -19, 2026
Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame
Natchitoches, LA
 
Hosted by the ArkLaTexOma Fly Tyers in conjunction with the Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival, this event features tiers from across Louisiana and other states.  There is a fee for admission - for the Museum - but demonstration tiers can come in free.

For details, go to www.arklatexomaflytyers.org
or the ArkLaTexOma Fly Tyers Facebook Page  

AFR monthly meeting
Monday, September 21st
6:00pm
East Regional Library
225 La Neuville Rd
Youngsville, LA
Open to the Public!

This month’s meeting is a Fly Tying tag team with the September 24th Bugs and Brews meeting.  Club member Anthony Falgout will cover building and painting a hard foam popper using the stippling techniques made famous by Ron Braud of the Red Stick Fly Fishers.  Stippling is a technique using dots of various sizes to create an image, or in this case pattern.  

We’ll have some poppers prepped and ready to paint and go over the various techniques.  Then at Bugs and Brews on Thursday we’ll finish up the poppers and tie on the tails.  Between both sessions you’ll get to glue the body to the hook, fill the slot, prime a base coat, stipple a pattern, and tie the tail for a complete experience with building hard foam poppers.

So bring your tying tools.  If you're new, we'll have some tools for beginners to use. The public is always welcome!  

Acadiana Bugs & Brews 
Thursday, September 24th
6:00pm
Pack & Paddle (in the shop)
601 E. Pinhook, Lafayette
Open to the public

Acadiana Bugs & Brews is an open community fly tying event, so even if not a member of AFR come join in and either tie the featured pattern or tie anything you want.  AFR members participate and are always willing to assist beginners.

At this month's Bugs & Brews, we'll finish off from the AFR meeting on Monday, and finish our hard body poppers, adding a tail.  You'll have a popper ready for action, and a few more almost completed.

National Hunting and Fishing Day
Saturday, September 26
LDWF Woodworth Education Center
660 Robinson Rd, Woodworth, LA
8:00am to 1:30pm
Free admission!

Established by Congress in 1972, National Hunting and Fishing Day is celebrated the 4th Saturday of September.  The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) celebrates NHF Day at four venues across the state, including Baton Rouge (Waddill) and Woodworth.

Admission  is free. Activities including archery, fishing, target shooting, outdoor games, live animal exhibits, educational displays, and more. There's even food and soft drinks provided at no cost.   

Kisatchie Fly Fishers will again be on hand to demonstrate fly tying and fly casting at the Woodworth location.  Members of AFR are welcome to come up and join in on the fun, or just bring their family members and enjoy the day. 

August 2026 activities

REMINDER - Our monthly club meetings are now the third Monday of the month at the East Regional Library in Youngsville.

AFR monthly meeting
Monday, August 17th
6:00pm
East Regional Library
225 La Neuville Rd
Youngsville, LA
Open to the Public!

This month’s meeting is all about Hackle!  With many new fly tiers in the club we thought we would try and clear up one of the most confusing things from our entry into tying.  

You’ve heard all the terms - dry fly hackle, wet fly hackle, soft hackle, webbed hackle, woolly bugger hackle, Spey hackle, genetic hackle, rooster hackle, hen hackle, strung hackle, barred hackle, dyed hackle, saddle hackle, hackle capes, and much much more.  All the while you probably see some of the prices for these products and begin to wonder just how much of this is really needed.  

We’ll try to explain it and provide examples of the various types and ways you can use the various feathers so you understand what you have and what you may need.  So bring your tying tools and we can also go thru some examples and techniques.  If you don’t tie, this will help as you choose fly patterns that perform as desired.  The public is always welcome.

As mentioned last month we will record this meeting to post as a video. 

Acadiana Bugs & Brews 
Thursday, August 27th
6:00pm
Pack & Paddle (in the shop)
601 E. Pinhook, Lafayette
Open to the public

Acadiana Bugs & Brews is an open community fly tying event, so even if not a member of AFR come join in and either tie the featured pattern or tie anything you want.  AFR members participate and are always willing to assist beginners.

This month’s featured fly will be a Cicada.  As both annual populations and periodic “broods” that hatch in tremendous numbers, Cicadas are a pattern you should have in your arsenal.  Pat Bienvenu will lead us in tying Hoov’s Cicada.  Created by entomologist and fly angler Greg Hoover, it matches adult cicadas of nearly all species.

As always AFR members assist beginners, and we’ll have tools and materials available to use.  The public is always welcome.

UPCOMING

3rd annual ALTO Flies & Pies
Friday - Saturday, Sept. 18 -19, 2026
Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame
Natchitoches, LA
 
Hosted by the ArkLaTexOma Fly Tyers in conjunction with the Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival, this event features tiers from across Louisiana and other states.  There is a fee for admission - for the Museum - but demonstration tiers can come in free.

For details, go to www.arklatexomaflytyers.org
or the ArkLaTexOma Fly Tyers Facebook Page  

July 2026 activities

ATTENTION - We’re moving our monthly meeting location, but we want to sincerely thank Pack and Paddle for all the support these last years.  We look forward to continuing to work together and remind everyone to support your local fly shop! Because they support this community. 

AFR monthly meeting
* Monday, July 20th

* East Regional Library
225 La Neuville Rd, Youngsville, LA
6:00pm
Open to the Public

* NEW LOCATION! NEW DATE!

Join us on Monday, July 20 at the East Regional Library in Youngsville and with several new members we thought this month we would discuss fly line care. 

With the monetary and environmental cost of all things these days it’s important to maintain equipment for the long term.  Choosing the right fly line is nearly as important as choosing the fly rod. Even a great rod casts poorly with a bad fly line.  Find out what qualities make for a good fly line and how to maintain it for the long run.

Bring a fly line and any tips you have to keep your fly lines performing at their best.  We’ll discuss cleaning, storage, attaching leaders, and even fixing broken loops.

Click image for larger view

Acadiana Bugs & Brews 
Thursday, July 23rd
6:00pm
Pack & Paddle (in the shop)
601 E. Pinhook, Lafayette
Open to the public

Acadiana Bugs & Brews is an open community fly tying event, so even if not a member of AFR come join in and either tie the featured pattern or tie anything you want.  AFR members participate and are always willing to assist beginners.

We are ashamed to admit that we let June - which is Women’s Fly Fishing Month - go by without acknowledging the contributions of lady anglers, especially with AFR's history of award winning women fly tiers including Carolyn Dunn, Dena Hebert, Beverly Vidrine, and others.  

So to make up for our oversight, this month the featured fly will be Cathy Beck’s Super Bugger.  Mrs. Beck developed it on a guide trip while waiting for a tropical system to pass.  Designed to push a lot of water in the expected muddy condition and ride hook point up, it has become a great all around fly for many fresh and saltwater situations.  

As always AFR members assist beginners, and we’ll have tools and materials available to use.  The public is always welcome.

REMINDERS -

Check out Mrs Beck’s many contributions to fly fishing and don’t forget to mentor the next generation of fly fishers as Mrs Beck certainly did.   CLICK HERE.

Also, don’t forget to stop by Pack and Paddle for fly fishing and tying resources, and while you’re there thank them for their continued support of AFR!

June 2026 activities

AFR monthly meeting
Thursday, June 18th
6:00pm
Pack & Paddle (in the shop)
601 E. Pinhook, Lafayette
Open to the public

This month we’re prepping for the Father’s Day event at Moncus Park, see more info below.  We’ll finalize plans, make sure we have equipment needs covered, along with tying materials.  Then we’ll practice tying the flies that we will demonstrate.  Bring your tying equipment and we’ll tie some files so we can all learn the flies to assist on the day.

Father's Day at Moncus Park
Sunday, June 21st
10:00am to 2:00pm

In conjunction with Moncus Park, join us Father’s Day, Saturday June 21st, from 10am till 2pm, we’ll be at the pond for a Park “Pop Up”.  We’ll have rods and tying equipment to give folks some hands on experience.  We’ll also give a demo from 11-12 talking about the opportunities here in LA and the basics to get started.  We would love to see folks interested in learning to fly fish come out, but also stop by if you’re an old member we haven’t seen lately and visit.  

For more info see the park website-
https://moncuspark.org/calendar-events/fathers-day-pop-up-at-moncus-park/

Acadiana Bugs & Brews
Thursday, June 25th
6:00pm
Pack & Paddle (in the shop)
601 E. Pinhook, Lafayette
Open to the public

Acadiana Bugs & Brews is an open community fly tying event, so even if not a member of AFR come join in and either tie the featured pattern or tie anything you want.  AFR members participate and are always willing to assist beginners.  Maybe bring your favorite beverage, and enjoy a cold one while tying flies and sharing fishing tales.

This months featured fly will be Henry Cowen’s Silverside.  Developed to imitate the Atlantic Silverside and target salt species known to tear up flies, like bonita and false albacore, this easily tied yet durable minnow is a great intro to both braided tubing and epoxy heads.  It also imitates many small minnows here in the southeast like the Gulf and Brook Silversides as well as the Bay Anchovy.  Get the technique down and you can change colors to imitate many small baitfish with a very durable fly.  As always we’ll have tools and materials available to use, and the public is always welcome.

REMINDERS -

Don’t forget to stop by Pack and Paddle for fly fishing and tying resources, and while you’re there thank them for their support of AFR!