11th annual Rio Grande Fly Fishing Rodeo
Saturday, October 5, 2019
8:00am to 12:00pm (weigh-in)
Sign in: 7:00am to 8:00am
Sponsored by the New Orleans Fly Fishers
$10 entry fee, includes lunch and refreshments
All proceeds go to Casting for Recovery
Onsite registration and weigh-in will be at the intersection of Henry Thomas Drive and Celebration Drive (under the oak trees across from the Blue Rose art sculpture). Look for the NOFF sign and tent.
Mail-in registration deadline – September 21st
Onsite registration deadline – October 5th, 8:00am
This tournament is fly fishing only for the Rio Grande Cichlid. All entry fish must be caught on artificial flies. Two categories will be awarded:
- Longest rio wins top prize and bragging rights for the year.
- Most rios caught by a fly fisher takes first prize in the second category.
Now into it’s second decade, the Rio Rodeo is now bigger and better than ever! This tournament is fly fishing only for the elusive Rio Grande Cichlid.
The Rio Grande Perch is native to south Texas and northeast Mexico, making it America’s only native cichlid. Sometime in the early 1990s, rios began appearing in waterways in Orleans and Jefferson parishes, most likely the result of dumpings by pet store and aquarium owners. Since rios are more cold-tolerant than other cichlids, most are able to survive the mild winters of southeast Louisiana. They are now common across ponds and canals across Orleans, Jefferson and Plaquemines parishes.
Rios make excellent fly fishing quarry on light tackle. While not the greatest fighters, they can get up to 2 pounds and “fight like a wet cat”. The larger specimens are called “brainiacs” because of their obtruding front lobe. They are also very wary, making presentation and choice of fly critical.
For complete rules, and registration forms and details, go to www.neworleansflyfishers.com.
