July 22nd meeting - What's new for 2024

KFF general meeting
Monday, July 22, 2024

5:30 pm - casting practice (weather permitting)
6:30 pm - program
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria

A tradition continues. As with each July, our own Glen 'Catch' Cormier attends ICAST - the world's largest sport fishing trade show - and reports back to us what's new in the world of fly fishing, kayak fishing, and fishing in general. He'll fill us in on the "State of the Sport" and the most interesting products from ICAST.

As always, the public is welcome. For the Zoom connection, email Bill Morrison for meeting number and password.  For livestreaming on the KFF YouTube Channel, use this link and go to Live videos - http://bit.ly/3oBk106

July 8th fly tying - Circus Peanut

KFF monthly fly tying session
Monday, July 8, 2024
6:30pm
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube

This month, we will tie one of the most popular articulated streamers, the Circus Peanut.  The Circus Peanut was developed by Russ Madden when he worked for Kelly Galloup at his fly shop in Traverse City, MI.  It was one of the earlier articulated streamers and remains very popular to this day.

We will tie the pattern in olive, so 140 denier thread in olive, tan, or black will be best.  The Circus Peanut is a perfect pattern to learn how to tie articulated streamers, as the body of the fly is fairly simple to tie.  It is basically a Woolly Bugger on the back hook, and a Woolly Worm (Woolly Bugger without a tail) on the front hook.  The version we will tie is similar to the one in the attached photo, and we will discuss several techniques for tying articulated patterns.
 
The session is open to the public. All materials other than thread are provided, and we have several sets of tools for beginners to use during the session.
 
For our remote members near and far, enter the Zoom meeting number and password sent by email. All others worldwide can watch via our YouTube livestream; search for "Kisatchie Fly Fishers" on YT.

Weather permitting, we will have casting practice on the back lawn at 5:30pm.

June 24th meeting - LDWF fish stockings

KFF general meeting
Monday, June 24, 2024

5:30 pm - casting practice (weather permitting)
6:30 pm - program
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria

This month, we welcome guest speaker Talon Jeppson, LDWF's hatchery system supervisor. A native of Salt Lake City, Talon graduated with a B.S. in Environmental Ecology and minored in Fisheries Sciences at Utah State University before getting a Masters in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology from Clemson. He was hired as a fisheries biologist by LDWF in 2019 for the hatchery, and in December 2023 became supervisor.  

After a brief presentation on the workings of the state hatchery, Talon will discuss and take questions on area stockings.  Here's an opportunity to find out where the future best fishing spots might be.

As always, the public is welcome! For Zoom connection, email Catch or Bill for meeting number and password. For the KFF YouTube Channel, use this link and go to Live videos - http://bit.ly/3oBk106   

June 10th fly tying - Hot Lips Gurgler

KFF monthly fly tying session
Monday, June 10, 2024
6:30pm
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube

Jack Gartside’s Gurgler has long been a mainstay for topwater bass and saltwater fishing.  Ron Begnaud shared this version with Flip Siragusa and John Williams of Pack and Paddle.  John also ties a very small version that would be great for panfish as well as bass.

The session is open to the public. All materials other than thread are provided, and we have several sets of tools for beginners to use during the session.

For our remote members near and far, enter the Zoom meeting number and password sent by email. All others worldwide can watch via our YouTube livestream; search for "Kisatchie Fly Fishers" on YT.

Weather permitting, we will have casting practice on the back lawn at 5:30pm.

May 20th meeting - Bayou Shirts, Classic recap

KFF general meeting
Monday, May 20, 2024

5:30 pm - casting practice (weather permitting)
6:30 pm - program
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria

This month we have two short presentations.  First, Alan Trammell of Bayou Shirts will talk about the screen printing and other services that he offers for club members to have logos on t-shirts, caps, polo shirts, and other items. He will bring samples for us to see. Check out the sidebar to see the caps with KFF logo and for Alan's website.  

The second short presentation will be a recap of the recent Gulf Coast Classic in Gulf Shores. Bill Morrison, Mike Carlin and Catch Cormier all attended and will share their feedback on what turned out to be a great event for the Gulf Coast Council of Fly Fishers International (KFF is a member club).

As always, the public is welcome! For Zoom connection, email Mike or Bill for meeting number and password. For the KFF YouTube Channel, use this link and go to Live videos - http://bit.ly/3oBk106 
 

May 13th fly tying - Flashtail Clouser

KFF monthly fly tying session
Monday, May 13, 2024
6:30pm
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube

This month, Catch Cormier will lead us in tying a less well-know variation of the famous and popular Clouser Minnow, the Flashtail Clouser. For those times when fish want a bit more flash, this pattern should come through.  We will tie two versions: one with peacock herl and one without.

We'll tie it in white and red rather than the white, chartreuse, and red in the image, so 140 denier or 210 flat waxed thread in red or black will work.   If you have never tied a Clouser, or if it’s been a while, this will be a great session to learn what many call the most effective baitfish pattern ever.

The session is open to the public. All materials other than thread are provided, and we have several sets of tools for beginners to use during the session.

For our remote members near and far, enter the Zoom meeting number and password sent by email. All others can watch via our YouTube livestream; search for "Kisatchie Fly Fishers" on YT.

Weather permitting, we will have casting practice on the back lawn at 5:30pm.

Mixed Bag Standings - April 27th

Our 7th annual Mixed Bag Contest is off to another great start! The MBC is our members-only, online tournament where size doesn't matter, but diversity does. Click on "Mixed Bag" menu above for complete details.

The objective is to catch as many different species on fly rod and flies over the course of 11 months, over a limited geographical area. Proof that you can catch just about anything on flies - check this photo of Ed Jones catching a gizzard shad on a Clouser Minnow!

So far, there are 84 total entries. Like almost every year, Chris Williams and Bill Morrison are up at the top of the standings. But don't let that deter you! Remember that under the new format we started a couple of years ago, there are many more consolation drawings - and some really nice prizes too!  Each entry gets one ticket in the drawing. For example, enter 4 species in the Mixed Bag and you get 4 tickets in the drawing. More entries = greater chances to win!

Here are the current standings:

Chris Williams - 17
Bill Morrison - 16
Jim Johnson - 10
Joel Dinnat - 7
Noah Hoyt - 6
Carlton Townsend - 6

Also: Robert Hughes -5, Eron Borne -4, Ed Jones -4, Tyler Hoyt -4, Orlando Madrid -3, Jeff Albrecht -2, Rich Hudson -2, Barbara Carlin -1, Glen Cormier -1, Maedbh Ryan -1, Mike Carlin -1.

April 8th fly tying - Chubby Chernobyl

KFF monthly fly tying session
Monday, April 8, 2024
5:30pm -  casting on back lawn|
6:30pm - session begins
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria

Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube

This month, we are tying the Chubby Chernobyl, a very popular hopper/ant/stonefly pattern that is often the floating dry fly in a dry/dropper setup.  Cheech Pierce of Fly Fish Food goes so far as to say it,”…could be the best fly created ever…...ever, ever, ever, ever…”. It is an extremely versatile pattern that can be tied in almost any color, in sizes from 4-16, and with a variety of wing and foam configurations and thicknesses.

It is tied similarly to other foam hopper/ant patterns with a dubbed underbody, foam body, and rubber legs.  It differs from most other patterns with its signature upright double wings that make it highly visible in low light or fast water.

We will tie it in tan (see image), so 140 denier thread in tan or brown will be best.  We will use these materials:

• hook: size 6
• tail:  Krystal Flash 
• underbody: Ice Dub 
• body 3mm foam
• legs: brown rubber legging
• wing:  EP Fibers

The session is open to the public. All materials other than thread are provided, and we have several sets of tools for beginners to use during the session.  For members who cannot attend, enter the Zoom meeting number and password sent by email. All others can watch via our YouTube livestream; search for "Kisatchie Fly Fishers" on YT.

Weather permitting, we will have casting practice on the back lawn at 5:30pm.