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.  There are several great regional activities coming up in Spring of 2023, including the New Orleans Fly Fishing Expo on January 21, hosted by the New Orleans Fly Fishers (www.neworleansflyfishing.com), the annual Dr. Ed Rizzolo Fly Tying Festival on February 4, hosted by the Texas Fly Fishers of Houston, and the inaugural Gulf Coast Classic in Gulf Shores on May 4-6, hosted by the FFI Gulf Coast Council.  Click on our Calendar page to discover these and other activities taking place.

Dec 15th meeting - Christmas Party

AFR monthly meeting
Thursday, December 15, 2022
6:00pm meeting
Pack & Paddle Outpost, 601 E. Pinhook, Lafayette

For our last meeting of the year, and in spirit with the holidays, we'll have a gumbo with potato salad (on the side), rice for the gumbo, cold drinks and water. Also plan to bring your vise and tying materials as we'll do some fly tying.  Since darkness sets in before 6pm, we'll forego fly casting but please come early and pick up a gift or two for that special someone at Pack & Paddle. Even if that someone is you, lol.

Come join us for the Christmas Party. Hope to see you there!

Toledo Bend Rendezvous this weekend

A reminder that this weekend, October 28-30, marks the return of Rendezvous at North Toledo Bend State Park in Zwolle, LA.  For 33 years, one of the longest running casual gatherings of fly tiers in the country. 

Open to everyone, whether you tie flies or just enjoy watching.  The group facilities allow for overnight stays.  With only a minimal fee to cover lodging and activities. The event is open to everyone, and families are encouraged!

It’s never too late to make plans to attend.  You can read more details by going to the Rendezvous website at http://flycasting.bravesites.com/

Oct 20th meeting - Tying the Inch Minnow

AFR monthly meeting
Thursday, October 20, 2022
6:00pm meeting
Pack & Paddle Outpost, 601 E. Pinhook, Lafayette

Unfortunately with the earlier sunsets, we wouldn't have much time to hold our fishing meeting at Moncus Park as earlier planned.  So in lieu of, we'll be demonstrating the tying of a 3" long version of the "Inch Minnow".  This pattern looks to be a killer in either fresh or saltwater as it can be modified to resemble a variety of forage species.  

Anyone wishing to tie the pattern should bring their vise and tools. Materials will be available. For those without vise/tools, the club will have a few available for use during the session.

As always, the public is welcome. Come early and bring your fly rod and join us for casting on the lawn behind Pack & Paddle. Or just come early and see what the store has to offer. 

September Open Fly Tying Night

Acadiana Open Community Fly Tying Night
Thursday, September 29, 2022
6:00pm
Pack & Paddle Outpost
601 E. Pinhook, Lafayette
Hosted by Pack & Paddle

This month, Ron Begnaud will be the featured tier. Ron is a veteran redfish fly angler who brings great expertise to share. He'll demonstrate how to tie the Strong Arm Crab. Bring your materials, vise, and tools and join in the tying.  Afterwards, tiers will hit the vises, tie any flies they want, hang out, etc.

All are welcome!  There will be beer! Feel free to bring your own, or bring some snacks.

Sept. 15th meeting - Taking Control of Your Cast

AFR monthly meeting
Thursday, September 15, 2022
6:00pm meeting
Pack & Paddle Outpost, 601 E. Pinhook, Lafayette

This month, our speaker will be Jeff Ferguson. Jeff recently moved to Lafayette from the Lake Charles area, and brings a wealth of casting expertise to our club. Jeff is an FFI Master Casting Instructor - Level 2 Examiner. He also serves on the Fly Fishers International Casting Board of Governors, and is also a member of the FFI Gulf Coast Council Board and chairs the GCC Casting Committee.

Jeff will be making a presentation called: "Take Control of Your Cast".  If you have a desire to achieve more from your cast knowing more is what you need, says Jeff.  He will discuss the parts of the cast and their contribution to loop shape and line layout.

As always, the public is welcome. Come early and bring your fly rod and join us for casting on the lawn behind Pack & Paddle. Or just come early and see what the store has to offer. 

August Open Fly Tying Night

Acadiana Open Community Fly Tying Night
Tuesday, August 23, 2022
6:00pm
Pack & Paddle Outpost
Hosted by Pack & Paddle, 601 E. Pinhook, Lafayette

Our friends at Pack & Paddle will be hosting another open fly tying night. All are welcome, beginners also! Flip Siragusa will kick things off by demonstrating his version of the Borski Slider. Afterwards, tiers will hit the vises, tie any flies they want, hang out, etc.

There will be beer! Feel free to bring your own, or bring some snacks. Ron Begnaud will also provide some music. This is a free event, but please sign up so we'll know how many tables (and beer) to have. To sign up, CLICK HERE.
 

August 18th meeting - proposed river diversion projects

AFR monthly meeting
Thursday, August 18, 2022
6:00pm meeting
Pack & Paddle Outpost, 601 E. Pinhook, Lafayette

This month, club member Darren Lee will be our speaker. Darren is with the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Association (CPRA). He will give a presentation on the proposed Mississippi River diversion projects in Plaquemines Parish. These projects are an effort to stem the tide of coastal erosion and subsidience by building thousands of acres from river sediment.

As always, the public is welcome. Come early and bring your fly rod and join us for casting on the lawn behind Pack & Paddle. Or just come early and see what the store has to offer.

July 19th meeting - Acadiana Open Tying Night

AFR monthly meeting
* Tuesday, July 19, 2022
6:00pm
Pack & Paddle
601 E. Pinhook, Lafayette

* please note the date change. Also we'll meet inside the P&P store *

This month's meeting will be held on July 19th in conjunction with the "Acadiana Open Fly Tying Night" an event hosted by Pack and Paddle.  

Acadiana Open Fly Tying Night

This FREE event is at 6pm at the Pack & Paddle Outpost - right behind the main shop.  We are hosting this event along with the Acadiana Fly Rodders club and invite everyone interested. The club will be providing beer for the event.

Our Open Fly Tying Night is for everyone interested in fly tying. Bring your own tools, materials, supplies, and just tie! Although this is not an instruction night, there will still be plenty of learning from each other. This event is a great excuse to get out of the house, tie some flies, and have some fun with fellow tiers.

This is a FREE event for those who want to hang out and tie with other tiers. A few extra tools and vises are available if needed, but make sure to bring your own materials and hooks!

Free event - but please sign up so we know you're coming.  To sign up, CLICK HERE 

June 16th meeting - How Fly Rods are Made

AFR monthly meeting
Thursday, June 16, 2022
6:00pm meeting
Pack & Paddle Outpost, 601 E. Pinhook, Lafayette

This month, Catch Cormier will talk about how graphite fly blanks are made and assembled into finished rods.  And how to assemble your own. He'll include a short video at the beginning for an overview of the process then go into more specific details.  Being a longtime tackle junkie and rod builder, Catch has many interesting insights and stories to share on this subject!

As always, come early and bring your fly rod and join us for casting on the lawn behind Pack & Paddle - weather permitting of course!

May 19th meeting - Tying the Full Motion Crawfish

AFR monthly meeting
Thursday, May 19, 2022
6:00pm meeting
Pack & Paddle Outpost, 601 E. Pinhook, Lafayette

This month, we will be tying a fly, the Mays Full Motion Crayfish. Ontario-based guide Steve May, with the help of fellow guide Ken Collins, developed this fly with trophy smallmouth in mind. It would work great for largemouth and perhaps foraging redfish would “tear it up” also.

 

Darin Lee of Opelousas tied this pattern (shown in photo) at the Red Stick Fly Fishers club's annual Red Stick Day event in early March. While the pattern includes quite a few different materials, most are pretty straightforward to tie on. Black, brown, rust, or orange thread in 140 denier or 6/0 will work well, though 70 denier will also work. 

 

Please bring your tying gear. All materials will be provided.  As always, come early and bring your fly rod and join us for casting on the lawn behind Pack & Paddle.

April 21st meeting - Casting & Fishing

AFR monthly meeting
Thursday, April 21, 2022
6:00pm
Moncus Park, Lafayette

Weather permitting, the plans are to meet at Moncus Park, the old horse farm on Johnston Street in Lafayette.  For those of you who have not been there, there is a very nice fishing pond. Some of our members have been there and caught bass and bream.  Bring your fly rod(s) and plan to meet in the parking lot at 6 pm.  

I will stay on top of the weather and post a notification if plans change, in which case, we will meet at Pack And Paddle.

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

Fly Fishing Film Tour this Saturday at P&P

2022 Fly Fishing Film Tour & Hangout
Saturday, April 9, 2022
3:00pm - Hangout
5:00pm - Films showing
Pack & Paddle
601 E. Pinhook Rd, Lafayette, LA

Pack & Paddle in Lafayette will again host their annual showing of the Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) along with their popular "Fly Fishing Hangout" prior to starting the films.  Tickets are $20 in advance and at the door (if not sold out already).

F3T is a collection of independent short films highlighting the adventure and conservation aspects of our sport. Shot across the US, Canada and around the world, these films celebrate fly fishing in all it's splendor.  F3T is shown at select venues across the country.

The Hangout kicks off at 3pm and will feature fly tying demos, tying games, casting games, snacks and beer, and more.  The films will kick off between 5 and 5:30. These collection of short films run the gamut from coldwater steelhead to jungle streams of aggressive fish, to personal stories of inspiration, to conservation issues and victories.

Acadiana Fly Rodders will be on hand to promote the club and gain momentum for our "Fly Fishing 101" later this year.

For tickets, go to www.packpaddle.com  or call 337.232.5854.

March meeting - Crappie on the Fly

AFR monthly meeting
Thursday, March 17, 2022
6:00pm meeting
Pack & Paddle Outpost, 601 E. Pinhook, Lafayette

For our March meeting, Glen 'Catch' Cormier will give us a presentation on fly fishing for crappie (sacalait). Catch has, or has held, several state and/or IGFA world records for crappie. He's also fished in kayak tournaments for crappie. He'll cover biology, seasonal tactics, flies, tackle, and locations for this popular game fish.  It's a great time of year to fly fish sacalait while they're in the shallows!

With Daylight Savings Time, we'll have casting again prior to the meeting starting at 5:30pm.  Meet us in the back parking area for Pack & Paddle.  Bring your fly rod and improve your casting skills.

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

Sweetwater Classic this weekend in McComb

2nd annual Gulf Coast Sweetwater Classic
Fly fishing festival and fishing contest
Friday-Saturday, March 11-12, 2022
Percy Quin State Park, McComb, MS
FREE admission to festival, entry fee for contests

The Sweetwater Classic is hosted by the Gulf Coast Council (GCC) of Fly Fishers International (FFI).   It's open to the public, and admission to the festival and the park is FREE.  There is a $5 entry for the Big Bream Contest on Friday afternoon, and a $30 entry fee for the Big Bass Contest on Saturday.  It should be noted that Acadiana Fly Rodders is a member of the FFI and affiliated with the GCC.

In addition to the contests, there are seminars on fly fishing basics, on fly fishing for warmwater species and coldwater trout, there are also fly tying demonstrations and instruction, fly casting clinics and instruction, raffles and more. The raffle and silent auction includes fishing tackle, accessories, and many one-of-a-kind items.  Proceeds from the fundraiser help to fund the Gulf Coast Council's conservation and education projects. There will also be free coffee and donuts on Saturday morning, and a pulled pork BBQ lunch on Saturday for $6.

For complete info, including schedule of activities and links to tournament registration, go to  www.ffigcc.org and click on "CLASSIC".

Esteemed AFR member Bob Tabbert passes

Last week, Acadiana Fly Rodders lost one of our most beloved members - and fly fishing in general lost one of its great contributors - when Robert "Bob" Tabbert passed away. Bob was 93 years old. Born in Ripon, Wisconsin, his job as a geologist took him to south Louisiana where he embraced the lifestyle. After retirement, he became a seasonal summer resident of his native state, living in a cabin in northern Wisconsin chasing his beloved brook trout. The rest of the year he lived here in Lafayette, where he was a longtime active member and board director for our club.  

Bob had many interests, but his passions were fly fishing and conservation. In the Federation of Fly Fishers (now Fly Fishers International) he found an avenue for combining both. A longtime FFF member, in 2000, he and a few other members helped rebuild the FFF Conservation Committee and establish new goals and direction. He served many years on the FFI Conservation Committee, and more recently as the Committee's Senior Advisor.  He worked on the FFF's native fish conservation projects and chaired their Coldwater Committee. He also served as vice-president of conservation for both the Southern Council and the Gulf Coast Council after its formation in 2006.

In 2012, he was awarded the "FFI Conservation Award" for extraordinary contributions to the conservation of fisheries resources. He was also awarded the Don Harger Memorial Award for outstanding contributions to fly fishing.

In addition to his contributions as a conservationist were his contributions to fly casting. Bob was one of the first FFF Certified Casting Instructors in the state, and one of its first Master Certified Instructors. He also served a stint as Casting Director for the FFF Gulf Coast Council.  He helped organize several casting clinics for the Acadiana club, and directed casting activities for their annual conclave.

In 2019, Bob wrote a book "The Great Depression & Alaska Fly Fishing", a collection of stories from his youth growing up in central Wisconsin during the Depression. The second half of the book is about his time in Alaska working as a geologist. Both segments of his life are intertwined with his love of fly fishing.

Bob's wife, Phyllis, passed away in March of last year. They are survived by their children, Lori and Matthew, and a string of grandchildren and great grandchildren.

February meeting cancelled

Our meeting tonight is cancelled.  But we'll be back on March 17th.  Take note that the March meeting will take place after Daylight Savings Time so casting prior to the meeting will resume.

Tonight our friends at Kisatchie Fly Fishers will be holding their rescheduled monthly fly tying session. We encourage AFR members and friends to join in watching their session via Zoom or on their YouTube Channel.  For details, go to www.kisatchiefly.org.

Springtime is events time

When it comes to fly fishing, Spring is event season across the deep South.  While Covid forced cancellations of most events the past two years, it's clear that the Omicron variant isn't scaring anyone from getting back to some semblence of normal. 

Here is a list of fly fishing events within four hours drive or less from the Lafayette area, taking place over the next few months. We encourage AFR members and others to attend one or more of these.

Jan. 29 (Sat) – 4th biennial CENLA FLY FISHING & LIGHT TACKLE FESTIVAL, Kees Park Center, Highway 28 East, Pineville, LA. 8:30am – 3:30pm. Free admission. Presentations, fly tying demos, casting clinics, exhibitors and more. $5 lunch available. Benefits Food Bank of Central Louisiana. Hosted by Kisatchie Fly Fishers club. Website: www.kisatchiefly.org.

Feb. 12 (Sat) – 29th annual Dr. ED RIZZOLO FLY TYING FESTIVAL, Trini Mendenhall Community Center, 1414 Wirt Rd, Houston, TX. 8:30am – 4:30pm. The largest fly tying event on the Gulf Coast features over 80 tiers as well as seminars and vendors. Featured guest tier: Jerry Coviello. Adults $10, students and seniors $5, children free. Hosted by the Texas Fly Fishers club. Website: texasflyfishers.org.

Mar. 5 (Sat) – 26th Annual RED STICK DAY, Waddill Outdoor Education Center, 4142 N Flannery Rd, Baton Rouge, LA. 8:30am – 3:30pm. Free admission. Seminars, tying demos, kayak demos, casting clinics, food, refreshments. Hosted by Red Stick Fly Fishers. Website: www.rsff.org.

Mar. 11-12 (Fri-Sat) – 2nd annual SWEETWATER CLASSIC, Percy Quin State Park, McComb, MS. Free admission, bass tournament entry $30. Fly tying demos, casting clinics, seminars, raffles, Big Bream Contest (free), CPR big bass tournament with categories for boat/kayak and bank fishing, plus Slab Master (largest crappie). Hosted by FFI Gulf Coast Council. Website: www.ffigcc.org.

January meeting - Movie and a Fly

AFR monthly meeting
Thursday, January 20, 2022
6:00pm meeting
Pack & Paddle Outpost, 601 E. Pinhook, Lafayette

For our first meeting of the new year, we'll start off with the award-winning film presentation, "Off the Grid".

Following the movie, Flip will demonstrate tying the "Hair and Hackle Crawfish" which was originally developed by Chris Williams. Bring your tying equipment. There will be materials provided so you can tie your own crawfish.

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