news and updates

June 22 Fly Tying at Bass Pro featuring Greg Brignac

Last month's "Fourth Monday" tying session was cancelled due to the Memorial Day holiday. So our featured tier, Greg Brignac, has been rescheduled for the June session. Greg is our newsletter editor, but more important, he's been a staple at our saltwater events, and one of several members who can consistently be counted on to provide the filets for the "eat" portion of our Catch-and-Eat trips. Greg will share a couple of his patterns for catching speckled trout, including his "Commie Cokaho". 

Remember, June is an even month, which means we meet at the Bass Pro Shops in Denham Springs. Location is the Conference Room upstairs near the camping area. Time is 7:00 pm. 

Grand Isle Weekend Approaches!

An historic tradition!  For 20 years each July, RSFF members - along with members of other clubs in LA and MS - have invaded the "Cajun Bahamas" for the purpose of surf fishing, good food, and comradery.  In recent years, our puddling contingent has grown much larger, and now there is no safe place for Mr. Poisson Rouge and Mr. Snaggletooth to hide! 

Our Saltwater Chair, Randy Leonpacher, has all the details for the 2009 outing, July 17-19, in the June issue of The Red Letter.  In addition, check the forum for the "Grand Isle Preparation List" (not to be confused with the Preparation-H List).  The specks are biting and the shrimp are boiling... hope to see you there!

2009 RSFF Membership Contest Underway!

Here's a chance for you or someone you know (and would trust you when you borrow their rod) to win a TFO Professional Series rod of their choice.  The drawing will be held at the August 10th membership meeting.  During the contest, if a current member sponsors a new member, both get tickets into the drawing. The new member also gets other perks during this period: $10 club membership and optionally, a $15 FFF membership (if they would be a new FFF member).  The new member can turn around and sponsor another new member to improve his/her chances of winning.  See the Membership Page for complete details.  

Popper Clinic - Saturday, August 8, 2009

The club will conduct a special popper clinic on Saturday, August 8 at the LDWF Waddill Education Center in Baton Rouge. The clinic will focus on tying Ron Braud's Stippled Popper and Walt Holman's Foil Pencil Popper.  The Stippled Popper has become the number one topwater fly in our club for bass, rios and bream.  The FPP is a great fly for reds, specks, and bass and has been demonstrated to us in the past by Walt, Jim Freres, and Paul Barnett, but not since 2000.  The clinic is open to members at no cost, but non-members can join the club for $12 and participate also. Pre-Registration is required.  Check the Education Page for details.        

NOFF hosting 1st ever "Rio Grande Fly Fishing Rodeo"  

Calling all Red Stick members... El Presidente Kahler has declared a call for arms!  Casting arms, that is.  The New Orleans Fly Fishers are challenging other Louisiana clubs to a fly fishing duel to the death!  Well, maybe just which club can catch the biggest or most Rio Grande Perch on fly rod.  The 1st ever "Rio Grande Fly Fishing Rodeo" will be held Saturday, July 25, 2009 at New Orleans City Park. Each club must register their participants. Participants will be treated to soft drinks and po-boys.  The winning team will share the million-dollar prize.  Well... would you believe just bragging rights?  Check our forum for details and flyer. 

June Louisiana Sportsman article highlights BR fishing

The June issue of Louisiana Sportsman magazine features an article by Darren Digby titled "Casting at the Capitol", the byline which states "The Baton Rouge area offers plenty of public ponds that present anglers young and old the opportunity to fill their stringers." The emphasis is on the BREC ponds, but there are also other options as well, most notably the Waddill ponds and Lake Waneteri.  Also, there are other waters such as drainage ditches and a few private ponds that have roadside access.  And let's not forget about the Big Muddy... when the Mississippi gets low in late July it can turn "green clear" and there's excellent bank fishing for skipjack herring (slickers) and white bass on flyrod.