April 2026 activities

AFR monthly meeting
Thursday, April 16th
6:00pm
Pack & Paddle (in the shop)
601 E. Pinhook, Lafayette
Open to the public!

With daylight in the evenings bring your rod and we’ll do some casting this month.  We’ll set up some casting targets and see what we can work on.  Need some help with basic casts or maybe want to work on your double haul?  The club even has a few rods for use.

As always, this meeting is open to the public.  

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

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 month, AFR member Anthony Falgout will tie a crab fly.  Don’t go to the marsh without a crab fly in your arsenal...  for reds, drum, sheepshead, small fiddler and blue crabs are a key part of their diet.  We'll have tools and materials so don't hesitate to join if you are new to tying.  We are happy to assist new tiers anytime.

4th Annual Gulf Coast Classic
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. The Classic will feature two dozen 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.  And an opportunity to win a grand prize Winston fly rod - all attendees are eligible!

For complete details, go to the Classic website at www.ffigulfcoastclassic.com  .

March 2026 activities

Early this month - Saturday, March 7th - our friends in the Red Stick Fly Fishers club in Baton Rouge will host their 31st annual Red Stick Day fly fishing festival at LDWF Waddill Outdoors Center on Flannery Rd.  Time is 8:30am to 3:00pm.  Admission is free!

This event features interesting seminars, fly tying demonstrations by some of the area's best fly tiers, casting demos and instruction, a giant raffle, and a fantastic jambalaya lunch.  Oh, and there's fishing on the premises so bring your tackle!

AFR monthly meeting
Thursday, March 19th
6:00pm
Pack & Paddle (in the shop)
601 E. Pinhook, Lafayette
Open to the public!

Joining us this month is Brac Salyers, Fisheries Biologist Manager with the LA Departement of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF).  Brac will discuss the recent Atchafalaya Basin public survey, the overall basin bass fishery, and the Department’s efforts to manage this valuable resource.  

You don’t want to miss this one. As always, the public is welcome.

Acadiana Bugs & Brews
Thursday, March 26th
6:00pm
Pack & Paddle (in the shop)
601 E. Pinhook, Lafayette
Open to the public
Featured pattern:  Mop Fly

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 month, Pat Bienvenu will demonstrate a Mop fly.  Made from those microfiber mop or dust cloths, it’s a basic pattern that imitates a larvae or grub. You’ll find yourself scouring the cleaning isle (pun intended).  We'll also have tools and materials so don't hesitate to join if you are new to tying.  We are happy to assist new tiers anytime.

February 2026 activities

AFR monthly meeting
Thursday, February 19th
6:00pm
Pack & Paddle (in the shop)
601 E. Pinhook, Lafayette
Open to the public!

This month we'll discuss the upcoming Fly Fishing 101 event and prep for the various activities.  If you are new to fly fishing or interested in an introduction see our FF101 page and sign up.  It’s free, but registration is required.  

Additionally, we will discuss interest in upcoming spring trip/picnic.  As always, the public is welcome.

Acadiana Bugs & Brews
Thursday, February 26th
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. While not affiliated with AFR, several of our members participate and assist beginners.  Bring your favorite beverage, and enjoy a cold one while tying flies and sharing fishing tales.

This month, with Sac-au-lait biting and spring bedding brim on the horizon, we will tie the simple but effective Hester Fluff Butt. Attributed to Red Stick Fly Fishers member, Mark Hester, it was an early fly rod version of the tube jig and has been diversified with different hook styles and materials.  It’s been great under an indicator for Sac-au-lait and brim. We'll also have tools and materials so don't hesitate to join if you are new to tying.  We are happy to assist new tiers anytime.

REMINDERS 

It’s conclave season, so check out the Calendar for upcoming events. One that has been around for over 30+ years is "Red Stick Day". Hosted by the Red Stick Fly Fishers club, it will be held Saturday, March 7th in Baton Rouge.  Details can be found at their website at www.rsff.org.

Also, look for a possible re-schedule of the CENLA Fly Fish Festival in Pineville that was canceled due to the winter storm.  For updates on that event, go to www.kisatchiefly.org .

Finally, the Gulf Coast Council of Fly Fishers International - of which AFR is a member club - will hold their 4th annual Gulf Coast Classic on Friday-Saturday, May 1st and 2nd at the Learning Center of Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, AL.  This event features some of the nation's and region's top fly tiers and expert anglers.  Registration begins in February.  Check it out at www.ffigulfcoastclassic.com.

These events are great hands on experience with knowledgeable folks willing to share.

January 2026 activities

AFR monthly meeting
Thursday, January 15th
6:00pm
Pack & Paddle (in the shop)
601 E. Pinhook, Lafayette
Open to the public!

This month we'll discuss the local wintertime rainbeaux trout stockings by the LA Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, as well as trade tips and tricks for successful stillwater trout outings right here in Acadiana. 

As always, the public is welcome.

Acadiana Bugs & Brews
Thursday, January 22nd
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. While not affiliated with AFR, several of our members participate and assist beginners.  Bring your favorite beverage, and enjoy a cold one while tying flies and sharing fishing tales.

This month, in keeping with winter trout stockings. we’ll tie a Parachute Adams.  Noted as one of the best all around dry flies, it’s a pattern that imitates nothing specific but seems to be similar to a lot of mayflies. Whatever it seems to be, it works for trout or brim!  

As always, AB&B is open to the public. We'll also have tools and materials for some so don't hesitate to join if you are new to tying.  We are happy to assist new tiers 

REMINDERS

It’s conclave season, so check out the Calendar for upcoming events such as the Cenla Fly Fishing Festival on Saturday January 24th from 8:30am to 3:30pm at Kees Park in Pineville, LA. These events are a great way to learn whether you’re new to the sport or an old hand.  For details, go to www.kisatchiefly.org .

Also stay tuned for info on another upcoming Fly Fishing 101 session.

Merry Christmas and Joyous New Year!

Here's wishing all our Acadiana Fly Rodders club members and friends, and all of their families, a most blessed holiday season. Hope everyone finds something under the Christmas tree they can use for their piscatorial pursuits in the coming year.

While Christmas is a season of festivity, let's not forget the reason for the season: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us….” John 1:14. Please be giving to those in need, and pray for those who are less fortunate, for those in suffering, and for those away from their families this season.

We also wish everyone a prosperous and healthy New Year.  With the new year brings a flurry of regional events - please see the Calendar page for the activities and dates.  Also, our club has a few things planned for early 2026, so stay tuned! 

 

December 2025 activities

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

This month we'll gather to tie flies and reminisce about the wonderful  times we've had fly fishing over the last year, so bring something to tie, a favorite beverage and some stories and we'll have some snacks to enjoy an evening of fellowship.

Also, bring your favorite fly for the year and we'll gamblers draw for swaps!  If you don't tie or are a new fly fisher, don't worry we'll have something for you as well!

Acadiana Bugs & Brews

Due to the Christmas holiday, there's no meeting this month. So enjoy Christmas with family and friends. Come January, we'll get back to tying. 

Reminders:

Please provide your opinions to your elected and appointed representatives on the proposed changes to the State's Menhaden Exclusion Zone.  Info can be found at the FFI Gulf Coast Council website at www.ffigcc.org.

Also, there's still time to take the survey for the LDWF Black Bass Angler Survey, with results to be used for the new Black Bass Management Plan. CLICK HERE