Natchitoches Fishing Expo - Sat., March 5

The 2016 Natchitoches Fishing Expo - a celebration of Light Tackle and Fly Fishing - will be held Saturday, March 5th at the Natchitoches Events Center in downtown Natchitoches, LA. Time is 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Admission is FREE!

Hosted by the Cane Country Fly Casters, there's activities for the whole family, with over 60 exhibitors and vendors, 40+ fly tiers from across the South, programs on all types of fishing (bass, crappie, saltwater, kayaking, fly fishing) as well as hands-on workshops for a nominal fee.  There's also silent auction with many one-of-a-kind items to raise money for the club's conservation projects.

The downtown Natchitoches area also offers lots of great local restaurants and unique shops.

For a complete schedule, including list of activities and programs, and links to Natchitoches area info, go to the NFE website at www.redriverfishingexpo.com.  Or visit the Cane Country Fly Casters website at www.canecountry.blogspot.com.

February 22nd general meeting - Ricky Yeldell

Our next general meeting will be on Monday, February 22, at the Rapides Westside Library in Alexandria. Meeting starts at 6:30pm.

This month, Ricky Yeldell will be our guest speaker. Ricky is a recently retired inland fisheries biologist with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries. As the managing biologist for Toledo Bend, he has an intimate knowledge of this vast lake, and why it's producing so many trophy bass the last couple of years.  Ricky will give insight to where to find the lunkers, and other species, and what the future holds for T-Bend.

Also on the agenda:  fishing reports and upcoming events. As always, the meeting is open to the public.

Also 2016 dues are due by March 1st!  It's $20 for individual or immediate family, and free to active service members or full-time students.

Acadiana Conclave this Saturday!

29th annual Acadiana Conclave
Saturday, February 20, 2016
8:30am to 3:00pm
Grace Presbyterian Church Hall, 518 Roselawn Blvd, Lafayette, LA 70503

We encourage club members to make the short drive to Lafayette and check out this celebration of fly fishing, hosted by the Acadiana Fly Rodders club.  Bring your rod and pick up casting tips, or learn some new fly patterns.

Activities include:
- casting demos by renowned certified casting instructors
- fly tying demonstrations
- seminars
- vendors
- drawings for a chance to win from a wide variety of fly fishing and fishing-related items

For a complete list of programs, activities, and fly tiers, go to this post on laflyfish.com forum

February 15 fly tying

Our next fly tying session will be Monday, February 15, at the Rapides Westside Libary in Alexandria. Time is 6:30pm.

This month, Gene Taylor will lead us in tying the March Brown.  Rhithrogena morrisoni is one of the largest mayflies found on many streams. It's one of the primary spring hatches on the Little Missouri River, starting in late February and continuing sometimes into late April.  When the March Brown is hatching, strikes from rainbow trout can be spectacular. 

As always, beginners are welcome. Bring your tools if you have some, materials will be provided.  The club has a few toolsets for those without tools. 

14th-ever Little Mo' Fly Fishing Fest - Feb. 12-14

14th-ever Little Mo Fly Fishing Festival
A celebration of trout and fly fishing on the Little Missouri River
February 12-14, 2016
Community Center, Murfreesboro, AR
Cost: $5

Organized by Jeff Guerin of Little Missouri Fly Fishing (www.littlemissouriflyfishing.com), the Fest is one of the more laid-back and enjoyable events of winter.  Folks gather on Friday evening for tying and gumbo or chili.  On Saturday, there's vendors, fly tying demos, furled-leader demos, presentations, and who knows what else!  The "Usual Suspects" return to demonstrate their favorite flies and tying techniques.

On Sunday morning, Jeff conducts the "Can You Take It" casting clinic. It's a group clinic for those wishing to take a hard look at their casting strokes - and have everyone else take a look at them too! OUCH!!!

For more info on the Fest, including a list of accomodations, and latest info on the Little Mo itself, go to www.littlemissouriflyfishing.com.

January 25 general meeting

Our first general meeting of 2016 will be on Monday, January 25, at the Rapides Westside Library in Alexandria. Meeting starts at 6:30pm.

This month, our guest speaker will be Jim Wright.  Jim is an avid coldwater trout expert and a sales associate with the Orvis store in Baton Rouge. Jim specializes in fishing and guiding on the Lower Mountain Fork in southeast Oklahoma.  Jim will speak on fly fishing the LMF, including the changes to the river and fishery brought on by the floods of the past year.  He will also speak and demonstrate some of the latest products from Orvis.

Also on the agenda:  fishing reports and upcoming events. 

Also 2016 dues are due by March 1st!  It's $20 for individual or immediate family, and free to active service members or full-time students.

January 19 fly tying

Our first fly tying session of 2016 will be Tuesday, January 19, at the Rapides Westside Libary in Alexandria. Time is 6:30pm.

This month, Carlton Townsend will lead us in tying the Rainbow Warrior.  This pattern was created by Lance Egan of Utah, a member of the USA Fly Fishing Team since 2003.  Lance is also a member of Umpqua's Pro Staff.  The Rainbow Warrior consists of materials that are proven to attract trout. Whether fished "straight" or under an indicator, it's a great nymph for riffled waters on the Little Mo and Lower Mountain Fork.

As always, beginners are welcome. Bring your tools if you have some, materials will be provided.  The club has a few toolsets for those without tools. 

Club trip to Beavers Bend cancelled

Our club outing to Broken Bow, Oklahoma to fish the Lower Mountain Fork for coldwater trout the middle of this month has been cancelled due to historic flooding around Christmas.  For the second time since April, the gates on the spillway were opened due to extremely high water in the lake.  This time, the flow out of the gates exceeded 28,000 cfs.  Compare this to the normal flow of 150 cfs.  Extensive damage took place to the river, to structures such as bridges.  The fly shop was washed away.

The park has been closed and the word we received was that it could be closed until February.  The Lower Mountain Fork Foundation website is keeping everyone abreast of the latest.  Check out their website.

The Little Missouri River also experienced abnormally high water.  However, our club trip to that water isn't until March. So we feel confident things will be back to normal... or so we hope!