July 2013 The Red Letter

Transcription

1 The Red Letter Next Membership Meeting: Monday, August 12 th, 7:00PM at the Wildlife and Fisheries Building on Quail Drive Sun Rise, Leeville, La. by Sheldon Anderson Next Fly Tying Meeting: Monday, August 26 th, 7:00PM at Bass Pro, Denham Springs, La.

2 Above taken at La. National Hunting and Fishing Day, LDWF Education Center A great example of why we volunteer!!! Red Stick Fly Fishers (RSFF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion of fly fishing, conservation and outdoor ethics. Programs are held the second Monday of each month at Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries located on Quail Dr. at 7:00 pm. Fly tying is held the fourth Monday of each month, except December. The location currently alternates between Orvis, Cabela s in Gonzales and Bass Pro Shop in Denham Springs. These events also begin at 7:00 pm. Dues are $25 for individuals or families, free for students. RSFF is affiliated with the Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF) Gulf Coast Council. Submissions to The Red Letter must be received by the Editor no later than the first Monday of each month. Correspondence or club information can be obtained through the club web site, or by (see last page for member contacts), or by regular mail at: RSFF PO Box 3761 RSFF, PO Box 3761, Page 1 Baton Rouge, La

3 August 12 th Membership Meeting: David Cresson. CCA of LA Our next meeting will be Monday, August 12 th, at the Wildlife and Fisheries Building on Quail Drive in Baton Rouge. Time is 7:00pm. Casting lessons outside start at 6:00pm, weather permitting. Our guest speaker for July will be David Cresson, CEO of CCA Louisiana. His topic will be: CCA of Louisiana Mission, History and Current Activities. RSFF Fly Tying When: Monday, August 26 th, PM TO 9PM Where: Bass Pro Denham Springs, LA Fly Tying at Bass Pro Fly Tier and Pattern to be announced. RSFF, PO Box 3761, Page 2 Baton Rouge, La

4 GRAND ISLE FLY FISHING EXTRAVGANZA 2013 Dugan Sabins Red Stick Fly Fishers It is hard to believe but what started out as a small summer weekend gathering of a few hardy Red Stick Fly Fishers back in the 1980 s has evolved into a signature event that is now annually found on the Grand Isle list of notable activities. My first Grand Isle event was in the late 90 s sometime at an old icon of Grand Isle, the Barefoot Inn. I was barely capable of fly fishing at that time but was an old hand at fishing the surf and was duly impressed by the trout and other saltwater fish that could be caught there on a fly rod. Prior to that I only thought it was possible with a silver spoon or dead shrimp. Fast forward a few significant years to the 2013 event which like many previous years events was attended by over 50 fly fishers of all ages and stripes. And in recent years the event though hosted by the Red Stick Fly Fishers has been enriched by participants of several other fly fishing clubs from both Louisiana and Mississippi. The constant annual infusion of new blood from all clubs has added excitement to each event as many first timers experience their first fly caught trout or red or flounder, drum, or sheepshead. The sparkle in their eyes says it all. The 2013 Grand Isle event was headquartered as in the past at the Blue Dolphin Inn located directly behind the dunes but with access to the beach. This year s participants filled up all the rooms in the Blue Dolphin Inn and three cottages. The big question for every Grand Isle event even if the tide cycle is already known is the weather. We always roll the dice on that. This year s weather had it challenges among which were bothersome west winds blowing parallel to the beach and early on during Friday and Saturday morning some noxious rollers coming in from way out in the Gulf. Others fishing boats or canoes or kayaks found some dirty water and low fish activity in some of the usually productive marsh. But good news was eventually to come and by later on Saturday and Sunday morning the winds died down significantly and the Gulf rollers began to subside. We also faced some vicious thunderstorms to dance around. RSFF, PO Box 3761, Page 3 Baton Rouge, La

5 The fishing results were slow as mentioned on Friday and early Saturday because of difficult wind and water conditions but night fishing the Grand Isle bridge piers produced some nice trout. Catch Cormier had led some on expeditions to the bridge piers on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights; some on their first trips there. Surf fishers did hook up with some specks on Friday and Saturday and had some really good results on Sunday fishing some nice holes and rips in the first gut which from seine hauls by some of our younger fishermen showed that there was a good number of brown shrimp and small blue crabs out there tempting the surf specks. Other good reports came from a boat crew led by Gary Peterson, Mark Hester and Rick Shaw who found some green water along the Fourchon beach and boated some nice specks in the inch range all on fly rods. It is acknowledged by all fishers that when the wind and water conditions were too challenging conventional tackle was used to put a few more fish in the box. One notable fly fisherman was first timer, Nathanael Fickett who fished exclusively with his basic fly rod rig and landed over a dozen trout some in the 14 inch range. He was seen on several occasions out in the surf on the second bar with water up to his neck! Nathanael was one of those newcomers with a sparkle in his eyes. Flies that were noted to catch fish this trip ran the usual gambit of clousers, charlies, deceivers and streamers as well as other homemade varieties. Capping off the 2013 Grand Isle event was the traditional shrimp boil on Friday night and fish fry on Saturday night count jumbo white shrimp were bought from the dock on Grand Isle and most were boiled on Friday night but some were held in reserve to fry with the fish on Saturday night. To put this in perspective, 100 pounds of shrimp were purchased and none were left over. There are not enough words to describe all that goes on behind the scenes to run these two special events. Suffice to say that there is a lot of planning and tender loving care that goes into making them come off and meet expectations. Salt Water Chair Randy Leonpacher would be the first to say don t just thank him but be sure and thank all the volunteers who peal the shrimp, boil the shrimp and fillet the fish, prepare the fish and fry the fish and then put out all the trimmings and table ware and drinks. And then there is the clean up. The roar of the fly fisher crowd and satisfied looks tell of a good time being had by all. The RSFF, PO Box 3761, Page 4 Baton Rouge, La

6 shrimp boil and fish fry have become a reunion of sorts for many of the old timers who come year after year. And for those who are reading about this event for the first time and want to experience it for themselves or are old timers curious about next year, the 2014 dates have been picked and plans are being made so as soon as you find a 2014 calendar be sure and fill up the last weekend in June as committed. Our Wonderful Host Hotel! RSFF, PO Box 3761, Page 5 Baton Rouge, La

7 RSFF, PO Box 3761, Page 6 Baton Rouge, La

8 RSFF, PO Box 3761, Page 7 Baton Rouge, La

9 RSFF, PO Box 3761, Page 8 Baton Rouge, La

10 RSFF, PO Box 3761, Page 9 Baton Rouge, La

11 RSFF, PO Box 3761, Page 10 Baton Rouge, La

12 Ride The Bull August 17, 2013, Bridge Side Marina, Grand Isle, LA Ride the Bull is a unique Fishing Tournament with spectator value - we only fish for Bull Reds in Caminada Pass. This is a catch and release Tournament. There are support vessels available to help you transport your catch to the weigh station at Bridge Side Marina. For more information go to: Schedule of Events Bridge Side Marina, Grand Isle, LA Friday, August 16, pm Dinner Dark - Calmwater Film Festival Saturday, August 17, am Safety Meeting and Shotgun Start Noon - Lunch 3pm - Fishing Closes 3:15pm Awards Times are subject to change due to weather and other conditions upon the decision of the Tournament Director. RSFF, PO Box 3761, Page 11 Baton Rouge, La

13 RSFF Board Position home work/cell address Dan Weber President Don Richardson Past President Greg Brignac Vice President Ron Braud Treasurer Sheldon Anderson Editor Mike LaFleur Secretary Glen Cormier Events Jack Dial Coldwater Emmitt Simmons Fly Tying Randy Leonpacher Saltwater Bill Brown Membership Roger del Rio Conservation Dugan Sabins Education/Programs Jack Lithgoe Warm water Friends of RSFF, Please support our club sponsors! Cabela's - Gonzales, LA All outdoors. St Croix, Sage, Ross, Cabela's own fly rods and reels, fly tying materials, lines and accessories. Green Trout Fly Shop N. Range Ave. Denham Springs, La. (Located in Seldom Seen Antiques). or Specializing in TFO products, Teeny fly lines, warm water flies and accessories. **** A Bayou Runs Thru It - PO Box 1062, Broussard, LA 70518, (337) , Jerome & Dena Hebert - Custom Flies, Wildlife & Game Fish Art. Backpacker Jefferson Hwy, Baton Rouge, LA, (225) , Camping, canoes, kayaks, outdoor clothing. Bass Pro Shops - Denham Springs, LA 70726, (225) All outdoors. Sage, Bass Pro, Redington, TFO fly rods, reels, fly tying materials, lines and accessories. Free fly tying class every 4th Saturday. Fish With Rich Guide Service - Capt. Rich Waldner, New Orleans, La, (504) , Fly fishing for reds and specks in the Southeast Louisiana Marsh Louisiana Fly Fishing Louisiana's online fly fishing resource since Check the LFF Calendar and Forum for all events related to fly fishing and kayak fishing in Louisiana and the region. RSFF, PO Box 3761, Page 12 Baton Rouge, La

14 Louisiana Sportsman Magazine PO Box 1199, Boutte, LA, (504) , Louisiana's premier outdoors magazine and online resource. Temple Fork Outfitters Makers of affordable quality fly fishing products. RSFF, PO Box 3761, Page 13 Baton Rouge, La