news and updates

January 11 - BREC Conservation Director Greg Grandy
Dugan Sabins, Education and Program Chair

Our next meeting will be on Monday, January 11, 2010 at 7:00pm at the LDWF headquarters on Quail Drive.

It's that time of year when the East Baton Rouge Parks and Recreation Department (BREC) stocks rainbow trout, a.k.a. "Rainbeaux" trout, in selected BREC ponds. Several RSFF members have stalked rainbows in BREC ponds during the last several years under the program and become accomplished at matching the right flies and gear for a fun days catch.  For our January 11 program, we are fortunate to have BREC's new Director of Conservation, Greg Grandy, come talk to us about this year's Rainbow Trout Stocking Program and how we can participate and help make it a success!  Greg also would like to discuss his vision of the BREC Conservation Program for the parish and get RSFF input on existing and proposed BREC Conservation Programs including enhancement of fly fishing opportunities at BREC ponds. Greg brings a lot of experience to this position, having hosted LPB educational programs, being the first manager of BREC's Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center, being named Educator of the Year by the Louisiana Wildlife Federation and the recipient of a Conservation Stewardship Award from the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana.

So plan on coming out to hear and talk with Greg and see what opportunities there are for RSFF to collaborate with BREC to enhance and improve conservation programs at BREC parks.

The Boys Are Back In Town!

East Baton Rouge Parks and Recreation (BREC) has once again stocked rainbeaux trout in select ponds this winter. North Sherwood Forest and Burbank Lake are locations. The limit is four (4) per person per day, but we ask that everyone practice catch-and-release until after the kids fishing rodeo in January.  Check our forum as it is "RAINBEAUX TROUT CENTRAL"  for any and all the latest reports!

January 25th Fly Tying Session at Cabelas
by Jack Dial, Fly Tying Chair

Our next "Fourth Monday" fly tying session will be on January 25th in the upstairs Conference Room at Cabelas in Gonzales.  The session begins at 7:00pm. In the interest of suspense,  our tier this month will be a mystery man.  He is a USCG licensed Captain and has been fly fishing since a very young age.  He has landed several large species of fish.  One in particular will catch most of our attention.  A 6.1lb Speckled Trout on the fly rod.  Don't forget to ask him about the 10.2 pound Speckled Trout caught on alternative tackle.  His knowledge about stalking Specks astounds me.  This guy is multi fast id in all aspects of fishing and tying. Off course saltwater flies will be on the menu.  You don't want to miss this guys and girls. 

2010 BTNEP Tidal Calendars on their way!

Our club has placed an order for a box of these popular calendars with the good folks with the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program. This year there are two versions - one highlighting oil and gas, and the other coastal conservation projects.  We've chosen the latter because we wish to educate members about restoration.  And because it has better tidal graphs.  We hope to have these no later than the January meeting.  If you're not familiar with the BTNEP calendars, they show:

• daily tidal graph with ranges for Grand Isle (with tide adjustment table for various points from Shell Beach to Ship Shoal.
• lunar cycle for each day
• holidays and important outdoors events
• each month has a story with photographs following the theme of the calendar