May 2025 activities

KFF monthly fly tying session
Monday, May 12, 2025
6:30pm
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube
Featured pattern: Rubber Leg Fox Squirrel Nymph

This month we'll tie the Rubber Legged Fox Squirrel Nymph, a variation of Dave Whitlock's popular Fox Squirrel Nymph that we tied last year. Unlike the original, this version has a bead head and rubber legs. These additions make the fly somewhat buggier, and more likely to be a better bluegill and panfish pattern.  We will tie a version similar to the one in the picture.

As always, the session is open to the public. All materials are provided, and we have sets of tools for beginners to use during the session. For beginners, we can also pair you with someone who can help.

Remote members can participate using the Zoom meeting number and password sent by email. All others can watch on the KFF YouTube Channel, use this link and go to Live videos -
http://bit.ly/3oBk106

KFF general meeting
Monday, May 19, 2025  *

5:30 pm - casting practice
6:30 pm - program
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube
Meeting topic: Crawfish!

* Please note the date. We're meeting on 3rd Monday since the 4th Monday is the Memorial Day holiday *

Everything eats crawfish, not just Cajuns! Many fish species, especially bass, find great nutritional value in mudbugs. That's why every fly box should have crawfish, or crawfish-like, patterns. What color works best for the flies we choose depends on many factors, including species, time of year, and even some genetic factors.

This month, our guest speaker is Jay Huner, retired biology professor and former Director of the ULL Crawfish Research Center. Jay has written several books on crayfish, and served as co-chair for the International Association of Astacology (crawfish studies). Jay will share the many facets of our favorite crustacean.

Come early for casting practice on the back lawn.  

As always, the public is welcome! Remote members can participate using the Zoom meeting number and password. All others can watch on the KFF YouTube Channel, use this link and go to Live videos -
http://bit.ly/3oBk106

Spring Picnic Updates

Monday, April 28th is our annual Spring Picnic.  Below are updates to the email sent out earlier to members. 

Side dish commitments:

Rich Hudson - Mexican Casserole with chips (it's actually a dip) 

Dessert commitments:

Debbie Coe - TBD 

Other:

Carlton Townsend - will bring paper plates and towels, and plastic utilities.
Rich Dewees - sliced tomatos, sliced lettuce, onions.

April 14th fly tying - Goober Bug

KFF monthly fly tying session
Monday, April 14, 2025
6:30pm
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube

Moving into our warm-water season, this month we'll be tying the Goober Bug - another throwback pattern from about 6 years ago. Like the Rio Bandito, it's a very effective pattern and also a creation of a Texas fly tier. Creator Bruce Sublett says that any fish that will eat a Wooly Bugger will eat the Goober Bug and it’s also easier to tie.

As always, the session is open to the public. All materials are provided, and we have sets of tools for beginners to use during the session. For beginners, we can also pair you with someone who can help.

Remote members can participate using the Zoom meeting number and password sent by email. All others can watch on the KFF YouTube Channel, use this link and go to Live videos -
http://bit.ly/3oBk106

Registration now open for 2025 Gulf Coast Classic

3rd annual Gulf Coast Classic fly fishing festival
Friday & Saturday, May 2-3, 2025
Gulf State Park
20249A State Park Rd, Gulf Shores, AL
www.ffigulfcoastclassic.com

Click on the image for full size poster

Registration is now open for the 3rd annual Gulf Coast Classic on Friday May 2nd and Saturday May 3rd at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, AL.  The Classic is the largest fly fishing event on the Gulf Coast, and features seminars, fly tying demonstrations, casting and tying workshops, a fishing contest, a film festival, and much more!  Many of the tiers are nationally-recognized and some are even professional tiers. Several of the tiers will be leading workshops as well.

Hosted by the Gulf Coast Council (GCC) of Fly Fishers International (FFI), it's a fundraiser and community gathering for the council.  The GCC consists of clubs and members in Louisiana, Mississippi, south Alabama, and northwest Florida.  Kisatchie Fly Fishers is a proud member of the Gulf Coast Council.

On the registration pages, you can pay for admission, signup for a workshop, purchase film festival tickets, and even procure inexpensive onsite lodging on the campus. Or you can register for the Classic now, and register for the workshops later.  But don't wait too long...  workshops and lodging can book up in advance of the event!

Fly tier bios are currently available, and later this week schedules, seminar descriptions, and speaker bios will be posted. Seminar topics cover a wide range of fishing opportunities, from bluegill and bass to tarpon and speckled trout to Louisiana redfish and more.  In addition, there are speakers on conservation topics, including the Director of Alabama's Marine Fisheries Division, and Friday Keynote Speaker, William Strickland of Mobile Baykeepers.

There's also an incredible array of raffle and silent auction items courtesy of our amazing sponsors.  And our always popular "Mixed Bag" fishing contest - it's FREE entry with registration!

Again, to learn more about the Classic, and links to registration and workshops, go to: www.ffigulfcoastclassic.com. 

March 24th meeting - Little Mo report, Permit

KFF general meeting
Monday, March 24, 2025

5:30 pm - casting practice
6:30 pm - program
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube

This month, we'll have two presentations. First, Carlton Townsend will give us a recap of the club's "March Brown" trip to the Little Missouri River the weekend prior to the meeting. There's always some great stories from this trip!   Afterwards, Rob Ratcliff will give a slideshow presentation on a permit fishing trip he made recently. If you've never fished for permit, they are a wily adversary.  But once hooked, bolt like a small train! Should be a great talk as well.

Come early for casting practice on the back lawn.  

As always, the public is welcome! Remote members can participate using the Zoom meeting number and password. All others can watch on the KFF YouTube Channel, use this link and go to Live videos -
http://bit.ly/3oBk106

March 10th fly tying - Rio Bandito

KFF monthly fly tying session
Monday, March 10, 2025
6:30pm
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube

What was expected to be our February featured pattern is now our March featured pattern.  Jim Johnson will lead us in tying the Rio Bandito. It was created by Chris Johnson of Living Waters Fly Fishing for the Rio Grande Perch in the Hill Country waters of Texas. However being a small crawfish imitation, it's a great fly for many species.

We did this pattern back in 2020 as part of our "Virtual Tying Tuesday" during the pandemic.  So this is the first time we've done it in person, and given how effective it has proven and many new members who haven't tied it, we felt the need to bring it back.  In addition, Jim Johnson has developed a simpler way to tie the pattern, so this version will be slightly different than what we tied previously.

As always, the session is open to the public. All materials are provided, and we have sets of tools for beginners to use during the session. For beginners, we can also pair you with someone who can help.

Remote members can participate using the Zoom meeting number and password sent by email. All others can watch on the KFF YouTube Channel, use this link and go to Live videos -
http://bit.ly/3oBk106

February 24th fly tying - CDC Quill Nymph

KFF monthly fly tying session
Monday, February 24, 2025
6:30pm
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube

* Due to the library closure on the 10th, we've moved fly tying to our regular meeting date. Also, we've swapped the February and March patterns.  Yep, it's complicated! *

We have never tied a quill-body fly, nor have we used CDC feathers, so this is a great pattern to learn these materials. This pattern is a size 14 euro-style jig nymph that should prove very effective on trout. Our version will be similar to that in the picture.

As always, the session is open to the public. All materials are provided, and we have sets of tools for beginners to use during the session. For beginners, we can also pair you with someone who can help.

Remote members can participate using the Zoom meeting number and password sent by email. All others can watch on the KFF YouTube Channel, use this link and go to Live videos -
http://bit.ly/3oBk106

February 10th fly tying cancelled

Sorry for the late notice, but due to roof repairs at the Rapides Westside Library, we're unable to hold our fly tying session scheduled for tonight.  However, we have rescheduled the session in lieu of our regular meeting program on February 24th.  Join us on the 24th as Jim Johnson will lead us in tying the Rio Bandito.