October 24th meeting

Our next general meeting will be on Monday, October 24, at the Rapides Westside Library in Alexandria. Time is 6:30pm.

For our October meeting, we welcome Don Lawler of Shreveport. Don is a renown fly tier who has been featured at numerous events. He's most famous for his mouse pattern and spoon flies, but also for his unusual patterns. Don's presentation will be on "Materials of Opportunity". He'll show us how to scavenge materials from unlikely sources to tie some truly unique, but very fishable, flies. In addition, Don will be tying one of his flies based on odd-sourced materials. This promises to be a very informative - and entertaining - session!

As always, guests are welcome!

Toledo Bend Rendezvous - A Gathering of Fly Tiers

Twenty-eight years ago, a group of fly fishermen from Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and elsewhere decided to get together for a weekend in November at North Toledo Bend State Park to fish and tie flies.  And with that, "Rendezvous" was born.  Since then, the tradition has continued and grown, with Rendezvous held the first weekend of November each year.

This year, Rendezvous will be held at North Toledo Bend State Park the weekend of November 4-5.

Rendezvous is co-sponsored by the IFFF Texas and Gulf Coast Councils, and is one of the top tying events in the country. There's no planned activities, but plenty of fly tying, food, fly casting and fishing, with only a minimal fee to cover lodging and meals ($40 weekend, $20 day or night).  The 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 and a large main log building with A/C, picnic tables and a large barbeque trailer.

For complete details, go to the Toledo Bend Rendezvous home page

October 17th fly tying

Our next fly tying session will be Monday, October 17, at the Rapides Westside Libary in Alexandria. Time is 6:30pm.

This month Gene Taylor will lead us in tying the "Mop Fly".  This simple pattern imitates a crane fly larvae, and is very effective.  Discussion of the Mop Fly and tying instructions can be found here:

http://www.flyfisherman.com/fly-tying/the-mop-fly/

This second video is a variation that includes a glo bug addtion. We'll do that if we have enough time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCfsjmnarTA

As always, beginners are welcome. Bring your tools if you have some, otherwise the club has a few toolsets for those without tools.  Materials are provided.  See you Monday!