Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Here's wishing our 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 much emphasis on healthy!  There are many great regional activities coming up in 2022.   Click on our Calendar page to discover what's happening.

November 18th meeting - Ivory-billed Woodpecker in LA

AFR monthly meeting

Thursday, November 18, 2021

5:30pm casting starts

6:30pm meeting

Pack & Paddle Outpost, 601 E. Pinhook, Lafayette

For our next meeting, something different and of general interest to all! We will have a guest speaker, Dr. Tommy Michot.  Dr. Michot is a retired ornithologist/biologist from the U.S. Geological Survey and will be speaking about the on-going search efforts for the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker “The Lord God Bird” in Louisiana.

As always, guests and newcomers are welcome to our meetings! With the end of Daylight Savings Time, we will not be able to have casting practice. But do come early to check out all the great fly fishing and fly tying items at Pack and Paddle!

* As of right now, the mask mandate has been lifted but since we are not certain what COVID-19 policies P&P might have in place at the time of meeting, please bring a mask just in case. *

October 21st meeting - Casting & Fishing

AFR monthly meeting
Thursday, October 21, 2021
6:00pm 
Ponds on Camellia Blvd.

For this meeting, we'll be taking advantage of cool weather and the last weeks of Daylight Savings Time to enjoy some casting and fishing on the ponds off Camellia Boulevard.  Click on the map to see a larger image of directions. 

As always, guests and newcomers are welcome to our meetings.

August meeting cancelled

 Due to the recent spike in Covid cases, we are canceling the August meeting.  We want our members and guests to enjoy a safe experience in the company of others.

Healthcare experts are saying that with the recent surge in vaccinations, plus many recovery immunity cases, that this spike maybe short lived and a real return to normalcy could happen in a month or so.  When we do meet again, our first meeting will be as promised on the Ivory Billed Woodpecker.  An exciting program for everyone!!

July 15th meeting - Bitterroot Challenge

AFR monthly meeting
Thursday, July 15, 2021
6:30pm
Pack & Paddle Outpost, 601 E. Pinhook, Lafayette

For our July meeting, we'll present a professionally made fly fishing film featuring two friends of Flip who started sort of an informal, but unusual club years ago.  The goal of the club was to catch at least one fish per month on the Bitterroot River in southwest Montana, regardless of the conditions.  As you can imagine, this becomes quite a challenge during the winter and runoff! 

Our previously scheduled speaker for July will be present at the August meeting.   You don't want to miss that one either!

As always, guests and newcomers are welcome to our meetings!  Come early for casting practice.  Or even earlier to check out all the great fly fishing and fly tying items at Pack and Paddle.

Toledo Bend Rendezvous returns Nov. 5-7

Toledo Bend Rendezvous
Friday-Sunday, November 5-7, 2021
North Toledo Bend State Park, Zwolle, LA

After cancellation last year due to Covid-19 protocols, Rendezvous is back.  The announcement was made recently by event organizer Walter McLendan.  What  is Rendezvous?  For 32 years each Fall,  fly tiers and other fly fishing enthusiasts from across several states – along with their families – gather for a weekend of fly tying, fly casting, food and fishing. With only a minimal fee to cover lodging and meals. The event is open to everyone.

The excellent facilities at North Toledo Bend State Park are ideal for a Fall weekend fly tying retreat. Activities take 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 (30 beds each). There’s also a heated central shower and restroom building with nice night lighting on all the sidewalks.

Rendezvous continues to be a gathering for some of the top fly tiers in the country, most of whom have been featured at regional and national expos.  There are no organized activities.  Whether you come to tie, or come to watch and learn, or just partake the great scenery, fishing and on-the-water location, you’ll be glad you came!

The FFI Gulf Coast and Texas Councils, along along with several member clubs, are co-sponsors of this event, and make it possible for attendees to enjoy a low lodging rate.

Fees (family or individual are the same):

• $40 for weekend, includes lodging and meals
• $20 one night, includes lodging and meals
• $10 just for the day

For more info, go to http://flycasting.bravesites.com

June 17th monthly meeting - foam bream bugs

AFR monthly meeting
Thursday, June 17, 2021
6:30pm
Pack & Paddle Outpost, 601 E. Pinhook, Lafayette

* Since we are not certain what Covid policies P&P might have in place at the time of meeting, please bring a mask just in case.

We continue our in-person meetings with a demonstration of two simple foam bream bugs.  Anyone interested in learning to tie these patterns is encouraged to bring their vice and tools including 8/0 or 6/0 thread. Materials for tying the patterns will be provided.

Also on the agenda: June 19th Fly Film Tour, fishing reports.  Visitors are welcome, please feel free to come check out our club.  Hope to see you there!

Pack & Paddle to host F3T on June 19th

Fly Fishing Film Tour and Hangout
Saturday, June 19, 2021
Hangout: 3:00pm
Showing: 5:30pmPack & Paddle, 601 E. Pinhook Rd, Lafayette
Tickets: $20, limited to 40 seats

The 15th annual Fly Fishing Film Tour is coming to Lafayette. With the pandemic coming to an end, it's an opportunity to reacquaint with old friends, make new friends, and enjoy the best our sport has to offer. And enjoy a few games, a few films, and a few brews as well.

As in year's past, PnP is combining the film tour with a fly fishing hangout. Hangout starts at 3:00pm.  During the hangout, there's a chance to compete in games like "Marshman Sharpshooter" casting contest, and a "Team Iron Fly Competition" where each team has to tie one special fly from certain materials.  All activity participation is included in the ticket price.  

At 5:30pm, the film showing begins.  These collection of short films cover the spectrum of fly fishing from trophy trout waters to jungle waters with aggressive fish, to bluewater adventures, to backwater stillwater locales.  Films of interest to all audiences and with stories that connect with our souls.

The Acadiana Fly Rodders will be present, promoting our club and meetings, and looking to get more interest in our club and in fly fishing in the area. Please come by and visit our table.

For complete details on this event, go to www.packpaddle.com and click on Events.  Or go to either the P&P Facebook page or our Facebook page (we have the Event link as well).

AFR "Phoenix meeting" moved to Thursday, May 13th

Acadiana Fly Rodders meeting
Thursday, May 13th
6:30pm
Fabacher Pond, Youngsville, LA

* Due to severe weather forecast for Wednesday, this meeting has been moved to Thursday *

It's been over a year since our group met in person.  With vaccinations and the pandemic in strong decline, we've decided to start meeting again and hope everyone will be comfortable in doing so.  Even so, we strongly encourage everyone to wear a mask.

We'll meet at Fabacher Pond in Youngsville.  Time 6:30pm.  The ponds are conducive to fly fishing, so bring your rod and favorite flies and catch a few!  We will fellowship, talk about the rejuvenation of the club, and enjoy the camaraderie that we all miss so much. 

Virtual Tying Tuesday postponed to April 20th

Tuesday, April 20th
6:00pm
Skip Morris Predator Fly
Zoom session / Youtube Live

* This session has been postponed a week due to delays in getting materials *

This session, we'll tie the Skip Morris Predator fly, a versatile and scalable foam top-water pattern that can be tied as large as #4 for bass and down to a #10 for panfish.

To join in:

1)  Active participants can join via the Zoom app on any PC, tablet, or smartphone.  Enter the meeting ID and password to join in.  Email Bill Morrison to request.

2)  Casual observers can join via live-streaming on YouTube.   No downloads necessary.  Go to the Kisatchie Fly Fishers YouTube Channel:  http://bit.ly/3oBk106  and click on "Live" videos.  Use the Chat feature to ask questions.

Virtual Tying Tuesday - Squrim Worm, Ruby Midge

Tuesday, March 16th
6:00pm
Squirm Worm, Ruby Midge
Zoom session / YouTube Live

Bill Morrison will lead the group in tying the Squirm Worm (Umpqua version using two sections of material) and the Ruby Midge (a small #18 pattern). Both are very effective patterns for fishing the tailwaters of the Little Missouri River.

To join in:

1)  Active participants can join via the Zoom app on any PC, tablet, or smartphone.  Enter the meeting ID and password to join in.  Email Bill Morrison to request.

2)  Casual observers can join via live-streaming on YouTube.   No downloads necessary.  Go to the Kisatchie Fly Fishers YouTube Channel:  http://bit.ly/3oBk106  and click on "Live" videos.  Use the Chat feature to ask questions.

February Virtual Tying Tuesday sessions

Tuesday, February 2nd
6:00pm
Lefty's Deceiver
Deadline for materials request:  Monday, Jan.  18th

* Postponed from 1/25 due to materials shipping backlog

The next fly pattern we will tie will be the Lefty’s Deceiver.  This is a proven fly for any species that eats baitfish and is probably only exceeded in popularity by the Clouser Minnow. We will tie a size #2 version in the popular white/chartreuse colors that should work well for bass, large trout, or saltwater. 

Link to request sample materials:
https://forms.gle/7etFHwBwTb9ZtBoy7

Tuesday, February 16th
6:00pm
Seaducer
Deadline for materials request:  Friday, Feb. 5th

Seaducers have been around since the late 19th century, and have been used for nearly every predator species from brown trout to stripers to tarpon.  Chico Fernandez used this fly to catch his world-record redfish.  The Godfather of Fly Fishing, Lefty Kreh, writes in his book, Presenting the Fly, that Seaducers are "one of the best patterns for both large and smallmouth bass that I've fished. I never make a trip without some of these in my box.".

For all sessions:

• Active participants can join via Zoom (www.zoom.us).  Download the app for use on any PC, tablet, or smartphone.  Enter the meeting ID and password to join in.  To get the ID and password, email Bill Morrison.
  
• Casual observers can join via live-streaming on YouTube.   No downloads necessary, just click on the link below and click on "Live" videos to watch.   If you have a YouTube app on your smartphone or tablet (almost all do), you can even cast it onto your TV  (if it has an internet connection) and watch on your TV.
• Link to KFF YouTube Channel:  http://bit.ly/3oBk106

January 2021 Virtual Tying Tuesday sessions

Tuesday, January 12th
6:00pm
Ozark Craw
Deadline for materials request: Monday, Jan. 4th

Jim Johnson will lead us in tying Chris Johnson's "Ozark Craw".  This fly is a crawfish imitation which is effective on multiple species.  It's also fairly simple to tie.

 
For all sessions:

• Active participants can join via Zoom (www.zoom.us).  Download the app for use on any PC, tablet, or smartphone.  Enter the meeting ID and password to join in.  To get the ID and password, email Bill Morrison.
  
• Casual observers can join via live-streaming on YouTube.   No downloads necessary, just click on the link below and click on "Live" videos to watch.   If you have a YouTube app on your smartphone or tablet (almost all do), you can even cast it onto your TV  (if it has an internet connection) and watch on your TV.
• Link to KFF YouTube Channel:  http://bit.ly/3oBk106