Next Club Meeting: Monday, Nov. 12, 7:00PM at the La Resource

Center for Education, 5550 Florida Dr, BTR. 225-924-7600

Next Fly Tying Meeting: Monday, Nov. 26, 7:00PM at

Bass Pro, Denham Springs, La.

November 2012

The Red Letter Official Publication of Red Stick Fly Fishers

The Red Letter

RSFF, PO Box 3761, Page 1 Baton Rouge, La. 70821-3761

November 2012

Above taken Sept. 25th, 2010 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, www.rsff.org, or by email

(see last page for member contacts), or by regular mail at:

RSFF PO Box 3761

Baton Rouge, La. 70821-3761

The Red Letter

RSFF, PO Box 3761, Page 2 Baton Rouge, La. 70821-3761

November 2012

RSFF Nov 12 and Dec 10 Meetings will be held at

Louisiana Resource Center for Education (LRCE) 225-924-7600, 7-9 PM

located in the old Louisiana Office Supply at 5550 Florida Blvd. Adjacent to the 14 story white building

formerly known as Republic Tower. The side street is Cloud Drive. Parking and entrance is behind the

building. As a landmark, Fleur-De-Lis Pizza is on the corner of Cloud Drive and Government Street.

A DVD not to be missed

This DVD, provided for the club’s viewing by Joe Kahler, is part of the FFF Casting Instructor

Certification Program materials. As you know if you’ve ever worked with a Certified Casting Instructor (CCI)

at one of our conclaves, much of what a CCI does is to observe the caster, identify strengths and

weaknesses, and make suggestions about how to fix the little problems that result in “less than optimal

performance” (the diplomatic term for “flubbed casts.”)

This film was produced by one of the greatest living fly fishers, Gary Borger, and features his son,

Jason demonstrating the 15 most common casting errors. There are three sections: (1) demonstration of the

errors themselves; (2) a repetition of the errors contrasted with a proper execution of the intended cast; and

then (3) a more detailed, illustrated narrative on why the erroneous casts don’t work well and how to correct

the casting errors.

All of the above is contained in a 19 minute video of exceptional quality. Even if you’ve been casting

fly rods for 20 years, you’re bound to walk away with a little something that may improve your technique, or

just make it easier for you to fling a fly. If you’re new to fly fishing, it’s a great way to start off on the right

foot by watching a true master of the art show you how it’s done (and how not to do it.)

RSFF Facilitates Fly Tying for Scouts at Camp Avondale

by Greg Brignac The Istrouma Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, which serves a 13 parish area including East Baton

Rouge, held its “Centennial + 2” event at the Avondale Scout Reservation near Clinton, LA on Saturday,

October 20. Based on the interest expressed in fly tying during past events, RSFF was asked to return as a

participant again this year and, true to form, came through with a strong showing. Our volunteers included

Ron Braud, Emmitt Simmons, Jeff and John Ryan Dennig, and myself. The flies we primarily demonstrated

included wooly buggers, jitterbees, foam poppers, and foam spiders. But several streamer patterns were

also demonstrated. Most of the scouts did quite well with these patterns and walked away with some pretty

good looking flies. Our tables were quite well attended with lines occasionally forming as they waited their

turn. Some were satisfied to tie with the first available instructor while others returned again and again until

they had tied with all of the instructors and had all of the different flies ceremoniously stuck in the brim of

their caps. To capture and hold their attention for that long was a bit surprising considering the other

activities being facilitated at the event, activities such as rock climbing, canoeing and paddle-boarding, skeet

shooting, and zip lining just to name a few. However, if the crowd around the fly tying tables were any

indication, it would seem the future of our sport is in good young hands.

The Red Letter

RSFF, PO Box 3761, Page 3 Baton Rouge, La. 70821-3761

November 2012

Tying the Coma Spoon by Glen ‘Catch’ Cormier

My first exposure to the spoon fly took place in the Louisiana Legislature. No kidding! I was attending a

hearing on gill nets in 1989 when I got into a conversation with Steve Shaddock. He had just returned from a

trip to Florida where he had great success using this new fly from Jon Cave called the Wobbler. Of course,

the Wobbler was the first spoon fly. A couple years later I took a spoon fly class with Kirk Dietrich. Kirk’s

version of this fly is the one most recognized today, and sold thru Orvis.

Folks were already experimenting with the spoon fly. For example, adding lead wire or bead chain eyes to

get it to sink faster. I had a different idea… recalling from Fluid Dynamics course in college the reasons why

a propeller experiences little drag in forward movement, I decided to shape my spoon fly more like a

propeller. A long, narrow mylar fly with a twist in it. I named it the Coma Spoon after my other nickname

(which Mark Hester gave to me. In fact, most of my fly creations have the name ‘Coma’).

The Coma Spoon has several differences from a regular spoon: it spins, it sinks faster and is somewhat

easier to cast. The leader does not twist up. The key is to use tiny strips in the retrieve. It spins one way

when stripped, the other way when paused. I often use flourocarbon tippets to help it sink even faster,

especially when fishing dropoffs canal banks.

This fly is easy to tie IF you use a few tricks. It lends itself to assembly line production – do several at each

step (except for the 5-minute epoxy stage). The Coma may not be as popular as other spoonflies, but in two

decades it has landed over a thousand reds, drum, sheepshead and bass. In recent years, it’s been featured

in magazine articles and most recently in Angelo Peluso’s book “Flies of the Southeast Atlantic and Gulf

Coast” and Gary Borger’s book “Long Flies”.

Materials:

Mustad 34011 or S74SZ size 1 hook, mylar tubing “Wapsi Large”. The hook is a 4x long shank made of

stainless steel. I’ve tied on size 2 and 1/0, but size 1 is my favorite. If you choose a 4x equivalent to the

Mustad, make sure that the hook can be bent. As for the mylar, “Wapsi Large” is medium diameter to some

other makes. I know Bass Pro and Orvis sell the proper diameter for this fly. As for colors, gold, pearl,

purple and root beer are my favorites. Pearl also lends itself to 2-toning as I’ll demo later.

You will also need: Devcon or other 5-minute epoxy, a clear 30-minute epoxy or alternative, clear sandwich

bags, stirring sticks or toothpicks, aluminum foil, cheap plastic brushes (like you get at Hobby Lobby 50 for

$2).

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RSFF, PO Box 3761, Page 4 Baton Rouge, La. 70821-3761

November 2012

Many years back, Ted Cabali told me he tied his spoon flies on a jig hook and that made them more

weedless. After that, I started bending my hook and got the same results. Bend it evenly except with a little

more bend near the eye, as shown.

Start with the thread, but make open loops and don’t snip the tag end until you get to the shank. Then make

open loops back to the front, and then again to the back. The purpose is to create gaps where epoxy can

sink in and bind the mylar to the hook.

Cut a section of mylar the length of the hook. After you remove the stuffing, it will actually be longer than

the hook. That’s okay, we need that extra length. Let a little unravel at one end, slide it that end down the

hook and work the thread thru a bit. Then holding the end of the mylar, make a couple wraps of thread

loosely, then tighten. Make two more wraps, then do a “Hand Whip Finish” to knot off the back wraps. Cut

the thread.

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RSFF, PO Box 3761, Page 5 Baton Rouge, La. 70821-3761

November 2012

Feel the mylar just behind the eye of the hook. Start a thread wrap there, by holding the tag end firmly and

making 2-3 loops over the first wrap. Do a whip finish here.

After the front whip finish, you have some mylar over the eye. Trim that mylar with scissors (good) or nail

clippers (better). Then start another wrap behind the eye, this time to make a clean head. Finish with whip

finish or other knot. Now the fly is ready for final steps. It helps to flatten out the mylar a little bit in

advance of the final steps.

Next cut up small strips of the ziplock bag and keep handy.

Next stir up a small amount of 5-minute epoxy. I stir on a 3x3 inch aluminum foil to keep the epoxy cool.

Immediately after stirring, take a small amount on a toothpick or stirring stick and apply to the mylar evenly

above and below the hook. Quickly put the ziplock strip over the mylar.

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RSFF, PO Box 3761, Page 6 Baton Rouge, La. 70821-3761

November 2012

The ziplock strip keeps you from getting epoxy on your fingers as you press the mylar flat. Press the mylar

immediately after applying the epoxy to get the wet epoxy inside the mylar. Then you can stop for a couple

minutes. Check the epoxy on the aluminum foil. Once it gets real sticky, start pressing again. This time

press from the bend to the eye and back, using your fingernail to press tight against the hook. The idea is

remove any air space. The hook should stick out prominently… if it does, you’ve done good!

Wait several more minutes after the fly is formed before pulling the mylar off. When you do pull it off, you’ll

find the fly is still pliable. Now is the time to put a TWIST into the fly. Grab each end with finger and thumb

and twist about 45 degrees.

Now is the time to add any color to the fly. You can add a black or red spot(s) using a permanent marker. I

also like doing 2-tone using a Sharpie pen… color one side of the fly, or both with different colors.

Now comes the finish. The fly will not survive the vicious attacks of reds, drum and sheepshead with a hard

waterproof epoxy shell. I’ve used Devcon 2-ton (30 minute) or West Systems epoxy because they stay clear

even with age. However, lately I’ve gone to one of the UV quick-set epoxies. The best I’ve come across so

far is Deer Creek’s Diamond Hard. Unlike others which are tacky and require a coat of Hard As Nails

afterwards, Diamond Hard is done… one coat does the trick!

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RSFF, PO Box 3761, Page 7 Baton Rouge, La. 70821-3761

November 2012

All you need is 2-3 drops on each side. A little bottle – while somewhat expensive – goes a long way! Put

the fly in an alligator clip or pliers. Take a plastic brush and paint the epoxy over the fly and wraps. No

hurry… the epoxy doesn’t harden until UV light hits it. When ready, zap the fly with the included UV light. I

strongly suggest wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes from reflective UV radiation.

The fly is now done. However, you’ll find it’s still a little pliable. For that reason, I put the finished flies on a

piece of pool noodle foam and let it sit on my vehicle dashboard or on a window sill. Natural UV radiation will

harden this fly off in about 24 hours. To the point where it can withstand a redfish bite.

Try tying and fishing the Coma Spoon. A thousand fish can’t be wrong!

The Red Letter

RSFF, PO Box 3761, Page 8 Baton Rouge, La. 70821-3761

November 2012

Absolutely don’t miss RSFF Dec meeting,

1) it’s a “eating meeting” , our annual Christmas Pot Luck Dinner for club members and their

families. As in the past bring those special dishing to share with the club. More will be posted on the

club forum;

2) it’s “election of the board”, which there will be changes as noted below:

Status of Board Members:

Member Position 2013 Status 2013 Nominees

Dan Weber President

Greg Brignac

Don Richardson Past President Dan Weber -

Greg Brignac Vice President open

Ron Braud Treasurer

Ron Braud

Sheldon Anderson Editor open Jeff Denig

Mike LaFleur Secretary

Mike LaFleur

Glen Cormier Events

Glen Cormier

Jack Dial Coldwater open Emmitt Simmons

Emmitt Simmons Fly Tying open

Randy Leonpacher Saltwater

Randy Leonpacher

Bill Brown Membership

Bill Brown

Roger del Rio Conservation

Roger del Rio

Dugan Sabins Education/Programs

Dugan Sabins

Jack Lithgoe Warm water

Jack Lithgoe

The Red Letter

RSFF, PO Box 3761, Page 9 Baton Rouge, La. 70821-3761

November 2012

RSFF Calendar of Events by Catch Cormier, Events Chair

What's happening in the weeks and months ahead. Asterisk (*) denotes a RSFF-sponsored event. Activities

designated with (M) are only for members and their immediate family, or members of other clubs. All other

activities are open to the public. For the most up to date list, go to www.rsff.org, and click "Calendar" page

to see what's scheduled.

Recurring Activities

* Membership Meeting: 7:00 p.m., 2nd Monday of each month, Wildlife and Fisheries building, Quail Drive,

Baton Rouge. Casting instruction prior to meeting during Daylight Savings Time.

* Fly Tying Sessions: 7:00 p.m., 4th Monday of each month. Meeting locations rotate. For more info, contact

the Fly Tying Chair, Emmitt Simmons, at emmitt.simmons@cox.net

- January, April, July, October - Cabela’s.

- February, May, August, November - Bass Pro.

- March, June, September, December - Orvis.

Fly Tying Clinics by Friends of RSFF

- Bass Pro Shops, Denham Springs. 4th Saturday of each month except December, 9:30am to 12noon,

Conference Room. Bring tools and equipment, materials provided. Call Ron Brooks (225)271-3100.

Events 2012

* November 9-10 (Fri–Sat) - RSFF Spring Catch-and-Eat. Annual spring marsh outing for reds, specks, drum

and other species. Highway 1 corridor. Culminates with Saturday evening fish fry at Boudreauxs Condeauxs

in Golden Meadow or Boudreaux Motel in Leeville. For more info, check the April newsletter or forum at

www.rsff.org.

Events 2013 January-April

January 18-20 (Fri-Sun) – Red River Rendezvous, Bonham State Park, Bonham, TX. Sponsored by the Red

River Fly Fishers, and formerly known as "Texoma Tie In". Similar to Toledo Bend Rendezvous. For more

info, go to www.rrff.org.

February 2 (Sat) – 21st annual Dr. Ed Rizzolo Fly Tying Fest, Bethany Christian Church, 3223 Westheimer,

Houston, TX. 8.30am to 4.30pm Sponsored by Texas Fly Fishers club. Nearly 100 tiers from across the

South, programs, vendors, casting. Special guest: Dave Hughes. For more details, go to

www.texasflyfishers.org.

February 12 – Mardi Gras

February 15-17 (Fri-Sun) – 9th annual Little Mo Fly Festival, Community Center, Murfreesboro, AR. A

celebration of trout and fly fishing on the Little Missouri River. Programs, fly tying, exhibitors, retailers,

casting, biologists "State of the River" program, and more. For more details, go to

www.littlemissouriflyfishing.com.

* February 16 (Sat) – Fly Fishing 101, Waddill Outdoors Center, 4141 N. Flannery Rd, Baton Rouge. 8:30am

– 2:30pm. Free course covers the basics of our sport: tackle and gear, hands-on casting, knots and fly tying.

Includes lunch and refreshments. Pre-registration required. For more info, go to www.rsff.org.

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RSFF, PO Box 3761, Page 10 Baton Rouge, La. 70821-3761

November 2012

February 23 (Sat) – 26th annual Acadiana Fly Rodders Conclave. 8:30am - 4:00pm, Grace Presbyterian

Church, 518 Roselawn Blvd, Lafayette. Programs, fly tying, exhibitors, casting games and more. Lunch and

refreshments available. More info TBA shortly.

* March 3 (Sat) – 22nd annual Red Stick Day Conclave. 8:30am - 3:30pm. Waddill Outdoors Center, 4141 N.

Flannery Rd, Baton Rouge. FREE admission. Programs, fly tying demos, kayak demos, casting, fishing,

raffles, and more. Special guest: Tim Borski.

March 22-24 (Thu-Sat) - Sowbug Roundup. Baxter County Fairgrounds, Mountain Home, AR. Sponsored by

North Arkansas Fly Fishers club. Over 100 tiers from across the country, programs, vendors, raffles, more.

Check www.naff.org for more details.

March TBA - Paddlepalooza X, kayak fishing tournament hosted by Bayou Coast Kayak Fishing Club. Lots of

prizes, two meals (Friday night and Saturday after the weigh-in), and captains bag for each participant.

"There's never a loser at Paddlepalooza!" For more info or to register, go to www.bckfc.org.

March 30 (Sat) - New Orleans City Park Rodeo. Includes a Bass Fly Rod Division. Registration: 6:00am to

8:30am at Parkview Cafe. Fishing begins 6:30am, weigh-in 11:00am. Entry fee $10 Adults, $5 for 12 &

under. For details or to register online, go to http://neworleanscitypark.com/fishrodeo.

March 31 – Easter Sunday

* April 12-14 (Fri-Sun) – Spring Lake Concordia outing. Friday thru Sunday. Lake Concordia and nearby Lake

St. John offer great fly fishing for bass, bream, and other species. Stay is at scenic Lakeview Lodge.

Culminates with Saturday evening fish fry. For more details, check www.rsff.org or contact Jack Lithgoe,

Warmwater Chair.

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RSFF, PO Box 3761, Page 11 Baton Rouge, La. 70821-3761

November 2012

RSFF Board Position home work/cell e-mail address

Dan Weber President 372-2377 dweberg@aol.com Don Richardson Past President 305-8081 drichardson33@cox.net Greg Brignac Vice President 810-8645 gbrigna@gmail.com

Ron Braud Treasurer 744-3085 braudrp@eatel.net Sheldon Anderson Editor 588-3255 sa.adventures@yahoo.com

Mike LaFleur Secretary 281-3218 lafleurmf@aol.com Glen Cormier Events 751-6848 388-7307 catch@laflyfish.com Jack Dial Coldwater 927-2696 933-7330 JDial213@aol.com

Emmitt Simmons Fly Tying 335-4596 elsimmons@cox.net Randy Leonpacher Saltwater 769-1895 RMLeonpacr@bellsouth.net

Bill Brown Membership 295-1381 Bbrownflyfish@yahoo.com Roger del Rio Conservation 751-3304 756-7092 dri92640@aol.com Dugan Sabins Education/Programs 766-4060 dugansc@bellsouth.net

Jack Lithgoe Warm water 769-2331 235-5235 JackLithgoe@gmail.com

Friends of RSFF, Please support our club sponsors!

Cabela's - Gonzales, LA 70737. www.cabelas.com. All outdoors. St Croix, Sage, Ross, Cabela's own fly rods and reels, fly tying materials, lines and accessories.

Green Trout Fly Shop - 219 N. Range Ave. Denham Springs, La. (Located in Seldom Seen

Antiques). www.greentroutflyshop.com or 225-978-1945. Specializing in TFO products, Teeny fly lines, warm water flies and accessories. *****

A Bayou Runs Thru It - PO Box 1062, Broussard, LA 70518, (337)330-8051, Jerome & Dena Hebert - Custom Flies, Wildlife & Game Fish Art.

Backpacker - 7656 Jefferson Hwy, Baton Rouge, LA, (225)924-4754, www.backpackerbr.com, Camping, canoes, kayaks, outdoor clothing.

Bass Pro Shops - Denham Springs, LA 70726, (225)271-3100. 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)657-337, www.fishwithrich.com, Fly fishing for reds and specks in the Southeast Louisiana Marsh

Louisiana Fly Fishing www.laflyfish.com. Louisiana's online fly fishing resource since 1996. Check

the LFF Calendar and Forum for all events related to fly fishing and kayak fishing in Louisiana and the region.

Louisiana Sportsman Magazine PO Box 1199, Boutte, LA, (504)758-7217, www.louisianasportsman.com, Louisiana's premier outdoors magazine and online resource.

Temple Fork Outfitters www.templeforkflyrods.com, Makers of affordable quality fly fishing products.