Jon Cave demonstrates acceleration casting

Check out this new video posted by casting guru Jon Cave of Florida. It demonstrates the acceleration phase of the casting stroke for distance casting (using the double haul).  Take notice of where his arm is during the entire stroke - low and relaxed with a final push out to deliver maximum speed (the stop then causes strong negative accleration causing the fly line to sail out).

A Jon Cave fly casting instructional. Performance Fly Casting: The Acceleration Phase of the Casting Stroke

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!

September 26th meeting

Our next general meeting will be on Monday, September 26, at the Rapides Westside Library in Alexandria. This will be our annual Fall casting session.

PLEASE NOTE: Meeting time will be 6:00pm this month to give us an extra half-hour for casting.

This is our annual "Fall Casting Session". BRING YOUR FAVORITE ROD. We'll take advantage of the last remnant of daylight savings time - and hopefully slighty cooler weather - to practice some casting. 

We'll meet in the library, go thru a few basics, then proceed outside to the grass lawn. We'll finish up in the library with a few business items before adjourning.

See you Monday!

How to tie the Slow Sinking Spider

At our September tying session, Dan Fromme led us in tying the Slow Sinking Spider, created by Stephen Robert of Houma.  Here is a list of materials and a link to an instructional video done by Stephen.  Enjoy!

Material list:
- Mustad size 10, dry fly hook-R50-94840
- Ultra chenille- standard- black and ultra chenille-standard-chartreuse
- Barred silly legs- yellow-gold-black
- 70 Denier thread-black

Youtube instructional video by Stephen Robert

September 19th fly tying

Our next fly tying session will be Monday, September 19, at the Rapides Westside Libary in Alexandria. Time is 6:30pm.

This month Dan Fromme will lead us in tying the Slow Sinking Spider (SSS). The SSS is the creation of Stephen Robert of Houma, and has quickly become one of the best bream flies anywhere! Stephen says, "I use this pattern sight fishing to bluegill and bass. If you have bright sunny days and the fish will not hit poppers and you can see the fish let this fall slowly in their face or in their beds.".  Earlier this summer, Kevin Andry and I did exactly that and had a banner day on Kincaid fishing beds in 3-4 feet of water. Every fly tier who fishes bream needs to learn the Slow Sinking Spider!

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!

2016 Gulf Coast Fly Fair this weekend

The 2016 Gulf Coast Fly Fair will be held this Friday and Saturday, September 16 and 17, at the Civic Center in Ocean Springs, MS.  Hosted by the International Federation of Fly Fishers (IFFF) Gulf Coast Council, the expo features exhibitors, seminars, fly tying, casting, workshops, banquet, auction and more.  Best of all, admission is free!  In fact, many of the workshops are also free.

Whether you're a beginner or expert, there's something for everyone at the GCC Fly Fair.  For complete details, including a schedule of activities on Friday and Saturday, programs, workshops and tiers, click here to go to the Gulf Coast Fly Fair website.

For info about the IFFF Gulf Coast Council, go to www.gulfcoastfff.org.