KFF monthly general meeting
Monday, May 22, 2023
6:30pm
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube
* fly casting prior to meeting starting at 5:30pm
Our speaker for this month had to cancel his presentation due to a health issue. So instead we'll have the usual presentation of reports followed by a short summary of the recent "Gulf Coast Classic" put on by the FFI Gulf Coast Council in Gulf Shores. That will be followed by an "Open Fly Tying Session". We'll have materials for several flies, as well as equipment for those without tools.
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
Sunday, May 21, 2023
May 22nd general meeting
Monday, May 8, 2023
May 8th fly tying - Bluegill Gurgler
Monday, May 8, 2023
6:30pm
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube
For this month, we'll be tying the Bluegill Gurgler. This is a fun-to-tie topwater bream fly that also works for bass. We'll tie it in a size 8, which is a good crossover size to temp bass along with the bluegills. Bill Morrison also ties it in size 10 (bluegills) and sizes 4 and 6 (bass). It uses Walmart craft foam, so you can mix and match any color combo you like.
As always, materials other than thread will be provided and we have several sets of tools for any who do not have their own. This fly uses 140 denier thread in any of black, tan, olive, etc..
As always, we broadcast the sessions via Zoom and YouTube for those who cannot attend, and record the session for future reference. If you would like to join the Zoom but do not have the Zoom numbers, please email Bill Morrison. The YouTube livestream and recording will be posted to the Kisatchie Fly Fishers YouTube channel.
Tuesday, April 4, 2023
April 10th fly tying - Whitlock Fox Squirrel Nymph
Monday, April 10, 2023
6:30pm
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube
For our April tying, Catch Cormier will lead us in tying a variation of the Red Fox Squirrel Nymph. Developed by Dave Whitlock in the late 60s, the RFSN is an impressionistic pattern that can represent caddis, mayfly nymphs, even small stonefly nymphs. There are countless variations of the original pattern - even Dave had a few variations. But the basic body structure and types of materials remain constant.
In addition to tying the fly, Catch will share a few stories of his encounters with Dave Whitlock over a 30 year span.
As always, all materials other than thread will be provided, and we will have several sets of tools for any who do not have their own. For thread, we recommend 6/0 thread in either orange, brown, rust or even red. Again, almost any color or size will work - fish don't mind!
Materials:
- Hook: #12 nymph hook (TMC 5262 or equivalent)
- Tail: Fox Squirrel tail fur (or squirrel back fur)
- Abdomen: squirrel/antron or SLF blend - light
- Thorax: squirrel/antron or SLF blend - dark
- Collar: Mottled Partridge (we'll use Brahma Hen)
- Weighted: 15 or 20 gauge lead wire
- Rib: Gold tinsel or Oval
In this variation, we'll be using a Saber 7230 size 12, a black finish barbless hook. Unlike the TMC 5262, this is a 1x long hook rather than 2x long. Catch says this variation that has had great success for trout in north Arkansas as well as slightly more appeal to sunfish.
As always, we broadcast the sessions via Zoom for those who cannot attend, and record the session on YouTube for future reference. If you would like to join the Zoom but do not have the Zoom numbers, please email Bill Morrison. The recording will be posted to the Kisatchie Fly Fishers YouTube channel.
Saturday, April 1, 2023
April 24th - annual Spring Picnic
Monday, April 24, 2023
Cotile Lake Recreation Area
(weather permitting)- If inclement weather, we'll hold a regular meeting at the library instead
CLICK HERE to signup!
Postponed from March due to weather, our annual Spring Picnic will take place April 24th in lieu of our regular monthly meeting. Location is the Cotile Lake Recreation Area. Kisatchie members, family members and member guests are welcome to attend! Come anytime that afternoon and fish from the bank. Or bring your boat, kayak, pirogue, and launch at the Rec Area. Or take in some casting lessons and/or participate in our Casting Skills Program. Then at 6:30pm, we'll start gathering at Pavilion #2 (the open pavilion overlooking the lake) and share fishing stories while enjoying grilled burgers and hot dogs.
Participants are welcome to bring side dishes and desserts. Please respond to the "Spring Picnic" email regarding side items.
Please note the following:
- There is NO entrance fee for our group. Tell the staff at the entrance that you are with "Kisatchie Fly Fishers" and they'll let you in free.
- Bring your favorite beverages. We'll have bottled water.
- Bring your chair.
- Bring your fly rod and flies to fish, and a camera/smartphone to submit entries for the MIxed Bag Contest.
If you plan to attend, please CLICK HERE to signup. Please signup if you plan to attend so we'll know how much food to bring.
Monday, March 27, 2023
March 27th meeting - Potpourri
Monday, March 27, 2023
6:30pm
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube
* fly casting prior to meeting starting at 5:30pm
This month in lieu of one prime presentation, we'll have a trio of brief presentations, each about 15 minutes long:
- Recap of this past weekend's club trip to the Little Missouri
- Zoom address from A.J. Rosenbohm, president of the FFI Gulf Coast Council
- Presentation by Bill Morrison and Jim Johnson on identifying species for the Mixed Bag
Also, details about our annual Cenla Fly Fishing 101, the club's Spring Picnic in April, and fishing reports.
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Spring Picnic postponed
Our annual Spring Picnic has been postponed due to weather (cold, rainy, windy)! The new picnic date will be April 24th, the regular meeting date for that month. One thing is certain - it will be warmer. If not, climate change is here and we're all in trouble!
If you have already registered for the picnic, and can make the new date, your registration will be retained. If not, please email catch@laflyfish.com and your entry will be removed.
We will now have a March general meeting on our regular date. That's March 27th (4th Monday). Location at Westside Library. Time 6:30pm. Program details to be posted in a few days.
Friday, March 10, 2023
March 13th fly tying - March Brown Flymph
Monday, March 13, 2023
6:30pm
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube
From Tying Chair Bill Morrison:
For our March tying, I will lead us in tying the March Brown Flymph in #14 (see attached picture). It is a leggy soft hackle that is unweighted and rides just below the surface or a little deeper with a slow retrieve. It’s simple to tie and uses only two materials other than hook and thread. The pattern is from Morgan Lyle’s current book, Simple Flies (a great book if you don’t have it). However, it was created, along with other flymph patterns, by Pete Hidy in the early 1950’s, and the term flymph is a combination of “fly” and “nymph.” Flymphs are basically emergers before they were called emergers.
The March Brown color comes at just the right time for those who are headed to the Little Missouri the end of this month for the annual club March Brown trip. This brown dubbing is similar to Jeff Guerin’s March Brown color that he developed specifically for the Lil Mo. But, the great thing about these buggy soft hackles is that they are so versatile. They work equally as well for bluegill and panfish in our warm water fisheries as they do for trout. Add a little lead wire or a bead and they can be fished in deeper water. All around, a very versatile, basic soft hackle pattern.
As always, all materials other than thread will be provided, and we will have several sets of tools for any who do not have their own. And if you have never tied, we can pair you with someone who can help. The fly uses red 70 denier or 8/0 thread. If you don’t have red, we will have several spools, but almost any color or size will work.
Materials:
- #14 standard nymph hook
- 70 denier or 8/0 red thread
- Brown dubbing or color of your choice
- Brown India Hen Back hackle or any hen hackle
Important News!
As always, we broadcast the sessions via Zoom for those who cannot attend, and record the session on YouTube for future reference. If you would like to join the Zoom but do not have the Zoom numbers, please email Bill Morrison. The YouTube livestream and recording will be posted to the Kisatchie Fly Fishers YouTube channel.
The club has invested in new audio/video equipment for our meeting and tying sessions. Based on our testing, the quality of our Zoom - and especially YouTube - will be greatly improved! Also, our post processed tying videos (usually 30 minutes) have been getting about 10 times as many views as the full length sessions (usually 45 to 90 minutes). So we may be post processing all of our tying videos from now on. Many thanks to Tim Flagler of Tightline Videos for his help and recommendations!
Friday, February 17, 2023
Feb. 27 meeting - Trout Management on the Little Missouri
Monday, February 27, 2023
- AFGC Trout Management Programs
- Brief background on the Little Missouri River tailwater and Albert Pike
- Stocking program in the tailwaters
- Fall stocking questions
- Ongoing creel survey in the tailwater
- Any questions we may have for him