Fly Fishing - Around here?
"I didn't know you could fly fish around here." We get similar questions and comments all the time. So where can you fly fish around here? The answer is anywhere that you can fish with a 'regular' rod. Fly fishing has long been associated only with fishing for trout and salmon in coldwater streams. Truth is you can fish with a long rod (another name for a fly rod) in all kinds of water. In fact, a clouser minnow (a type of fly) has been documented to have caught over 80 different species of fish!
Our area is unique. Located within a short drive are plenty of ponds, lakes, and rivers including Toledo Bend Reservoir, a world-class bass fishery on the Texas-Louisiana border and the White River in northern Arkansas, a world-class fishery for Rainbow and Brown Trout. And the Louisiana coast boasts some of the best saltwater fishing in the country! Our area is truly unique when it comes to the type of fishing one can do. Below are some fish that you can catch on a fly rod within a day's drive.
Warmwater
Warmwater fishing is the fishing most of us do around the Ark-La-Tex. With an abundance of lakes, ponds, and rivers around the area, there is no shortage of places to fish. These waters are also available to the fly fisher. Bass, sunfish, crappie, catfish, and carp are just a few of the species that can be taken on a fly rod from the local waters. Some of the most fun you can ever have is catching a big bluegill on a lightweight fly rod.
Coldwater
The nearest coldwater fishery, thanks to I-49, is only about two hours away. The Little Missouri river at Murfreesboro, AR is considered our coldwater home waters. We have an annual club outing to the "Little Mo'" to target rainbow and brown trout. This is a stocked river as the temps during the summer get too warm to sustain trout. However, the Lower Mountain Fork river at Broken Bow, OK is a year-round fishery and again, thanks to I-49 is only about two and a half hours away. Both of these trout fisheries are within a day's travel.
Saltwater
While a little further away, the Louisiana Gulf Coast is less than a 4 hours drive from the Shreveport-Bossier area. Speckled trout (spotted sea trout), redfish (red drum) and flounder are the main target species. Whether fishing in the surf, off the jetties, wading the shallow flats or fishing the marsh from a kayak, latching into a bull red feels like you've hooked a whale! And speckled trout thrash about just like their coldwater counter-parts.
our purpose
our purpose
It is the responsibility of the North Louisiana Fly Fishers to afford the general public, and our members in particular, a better understanding of Fly Fishing, Fly Tying, and Rod Building. We wish to perpetuate the sport as a most pleasurable and exciting fishing method and provide education, instruction and opportunities for relaxation to the membership.
The North Louisiana Fly Fishers (NLFF) serves the Ark-La-Tex area surrounding Shreveport, LA. As the closest cold water fishery, we consider the Little Missouri River - affectionately known as the Little Mo - near Murfreesboro, AR our home waters. We also fish the local rivers and lakes. We even have a growing group of kayak fishermen that, as well as the local rivers and lakes, will fish the gulf coast marshes for some saltwater action!
The North Louisiana Fly Fishers (NLFF) serves the Ark-La-Tex area surrounding Shreveport, LA. As the closest cold water fishery, we consider the Little Missouri River - affectionately known as the Little Mo - near Murfreesboro, AR our home waters. We also fish the local rivers and lakes. We even have a growing group of kayak fishermen that, as well as the local rivers and lakes, will fish the gulf coast marshes for some saltwater action!
* The First Fly Fishers International Affiliated Club in Louisiana
* Founded in 1984 - Serving the Ark-La-Tex for over 35 years
* Monthly Meetings, Fly Tying Classes and Fun Outings
* Founded in 1984 - Serving the Ark-La-Tex for over 35 years
* Monthly Meetings, Fly Tying Classes and Fun Outings
NLFF Meetings
Club Meeting
The NLFF meets every second Tuesday of each month in the Conservation Room of the Red River National Wildlife Refuge from 6:45pm until approximately 8:00pm. Our "social hour" begins at 6:00pm. During this "social hour", various activities from fly casting practice to teaching fly tying techniques to leader building and more. Or just show up to visit with other club members before the main presentation which begins promptly at 6:45pm and will generally run for about an hour. The link at the top of this page will give details of the presentation and activities for the next club meeting.
The North Louisiana Fly Fishers thanks the Red River National Wildlife Refuge for sponsoring our club. Click the image below for a map to their location.
The North Louisiana Fly Fishers thanks the Red River National Wildlife Refuge for sponsoring our club. Click the image below for a map to their location.
Board Meeting
The NLFF holds its board meeting every fourth Tuesday of the month in the meeting room upstairs across from the elevator at the Bass Pro Shop in Bossier City, LA at 6:00pm. All club business not requiring a membership vote per our bylaws is decided upon at this meeting. If you would like to help shape the direction of the NLFF, you should consider becoming a board member. If you just have a "hot button topic" and you would like the board to hear your thoughts about it, you are always welcome to attend our board meetings. Any member of the club or invited guest may attend these meetings and are encouraged to do so.
The North Louisiana Fly Fishers thanks the Bossier City Bass Pro Shop for sponsoring our club. Click the image below for their website.
The North Louisiana Fly Fishers thanks the Bossier City Bass Pro Shop for sponsoring our club. Click the image below for their website.
Fly Tying
Casual fly tying gatherings are frequently held at the White River Fly Shop in the Bass Pro Shop in Bossier City, LA. Bring your own equipment and materials. This is the perfect opportunity to practice your fly tying, share with others, or get a little one-on-one help from your peers.
Occasionally, the NLFF will hold a fly tying tutorial session, also at Bass Pro.
Details for these tying events will be listed in upcoming events, the newsletter and on the calendar when applicable. This class will focus on techniques to help increase your fly tying skills. Bring your own equipment if you have them. All tying materials are provided during these tutorials.
Thanks to the White River Fly Shop for providing space for these NLFF tying events.
Occasionally, the NLFF will hold a fly tying tutorial session, also at Bass Pro.
Details for these tying events will be listed in upcoming events, the newsletter and on the calendar when applicable. This class will focus on techniques to help increase your fly tying skills. Bring your own equipment if you have them. All tying materials are provided during these tutorials.
Thanks to the White River Fly Shop for providing space for these NLFF tying events.
Upcoming events
Monthly Meeting
Tuesday March 12th
Come and join us for our March meeting. Fly fishing guide Dennis North will discuss crappie fishing.
This will be two double features! Dennis will discuss fly fishing for crappie on Lake O' The Pines AND Caddo Lake. He will also talk some on conventional fishing for Crappie on BOTH lakes also! Two lakes - two methods of catching Crappie. For what more could you ask?!
There will also be casting instructions and prctice available since the time will have "sprung forward" by the time our meeting rolls around. That means some outdoor activities during the 6pm social hour as it will be day light longer.
Come see Dennis North and the rest of your fly fishing friends. We'll see you there!
This will be two double features! Dennis will discuss fly fishing for crappie on Lake O' The Pines AND Caddo Lake. He will also talk some on conventional fishing for Crappie on BOTH lakes also! Two lakes - two methods of catching Crappie. For what more could you ask?!
There will also be casting instructions and prctice available since the time will have "sprung forward" by the time our meeting rolls around. That means some outdoor activities during the 6pm social hour as it will be day light longer.
Come see Dennis North and the rest of your fly fishing friends. We'll see you there!
Fly Tying Gathering
Saturday February 24th
Our monthly Fly Tying gathering will be held on Saturday the 24th in February at the Bass Pro Shop in Bossier City.
The gathering is a great time to complete your fly box, learn a new pattern or technique, get some tying help or just hang out to watch and visit. Bring your tying equipment or let us know if you need to borrow a set from the club.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
The gathering is a great time to complete your fly box, learn a new pattern or technique, get some tying help or just hang out to watch and visit. Bring your tying equipment or let us know if you need to borrow a set from the club.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Flies & Fleas
April 28th - May 3rd
Our annual Flies & Fleas outing will be a little different this year. Purtis Creek State Park is hosting several events that are interferring with the First Mondays Trade Days in Canton, TX. This year's event will run through the week before First Mondays rather than on the weekend. This may better be called Flies sans Fleas!
Plan to come for any of the days that you are able. The fishing will still be fantastic. Bring your kayak or boat for a day, several days or all week. But make reservations at the campground or at a local hotel early as they tend to book up fast.
Fantastic fishing, great photography opportunities with wildlife and sunrises/sunsets, hiking trails and shopping in nearby Canton promises to appeal to one and all. Looking forward to having you join us!
Plan to come for any of the days that you are able. The fishing will still be fantastic. Bring your kayak or boat for a day, several days or all week. But make reservations at the campground or at a local hotel early as they tend to book up fast.
Fantastic fishing, great photography opportunities with wildlife and sunrises/sunsets, hiking trails and shopping in nearby Canton promises to appeal to one and all. Looking forward to having you join us!
Club Meeting
Board Meeting
