May 23rd meeting - Tying Skills

KFF monthly meeting
Monday, May 23, 2022
5:00pm - casting
6:30pm - meeting
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube

For our May meeting, we'll try something different.  After our business agenda, we'll gather in small groups with each group led by a member who will tie a specific fly and proceed at a pace conducive to beginners or those looking to hone a specific skill set.  We'll try to keep the group size to four members each.  We'll see how this works out and encourage feedback from those who participate.

Among the items on the business agenda:  Mixed Bag report, Summer Workshop, membership report, fishing reports.

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

Changes for Social Casting

Social Casting
5:00 pm to 6:20 pm
PRIOR TO CLUB MEETINGS only
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Province, Alexandria

Our "Social Distance Casting" is now "Social Casting" with the pandemic effectively over. Of course, you can learn to distance cast at Social Casting - or learn about many other casts. Of if you're new to fly fishing, we have certified instructors and other experienced flycasters who can teach you the basic casts (roll cast & standard cast).

Another change is date and location. Starting next week, Social Casting will ONLY be prior to club meetings (usually 2nd & 4th Monday of each month). Location will be the back lawn of the Westside Library. The Casting Committee believes this change will allow us to have more instructors available.

As always, we'll have our casting games (Hula Hoop Loop and Casting Target) as well as participation in the Casting Skills Challenge club program.  If you're a member of Fly Fishers International (FFI), you can also receive an FFI casting award.
 

May 9th tying - Mays Full Motion Crawfish

KFF monthly fly tying session
Monday, May 9, 2022
5:00pm -  casting on back lawn
6:30pm - session begins
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube

This month, we'll  tie the May's  Full Motion Crawfish.  Ontario-based guide Steve May, with the help of fellow guide Ken Collins, developed this fly with trophy smallmouth in mind. Of course,, it works great for largemouth and spotted bass also, as well as carp.

Darin Lee of Opelousas tied this pattern (shown in photo) at the Red Stick Fly Fishers club Red Stick Day event in early March.  While the pattern includes quite a few different materials (see below), most are pretty straightforward to tie on.  Black, brown, rust, or orange thread in 140 denier or 6/0 will work well, though 70 denier will also work.

All materials will be provided, and we have several sets of tools for any who do not have their own.  As always, beginners and guests are welcome!

May’s Full-Motion Crawfish material list:

• Gamakatsu Jig 60 degree hook size #1
• Hareline Brass Dumbbell Eyes – black/medium (use different sizes, lead, or bead-chain for different sink rates)
• Fuzzy Foam – Crawfish Orange – cut to about a hook gap wide and 1” longer than hook
• Pheasant Tail fibers – natural.  (Sub tan Voodoo fibers for more durable antennae)
• Antron Yarn – black
• Cross-cut rabbit strips – crawfish orange
• Silicone legs orange/orange-black flake
• Mono eyes (any color) or plastic shrimp eyes – black. 
• Hareline Hare’e Ice Dub – brown

Mixed Bag Contest - update May 1st

Our 5th 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. Despite some difficult weather conditions this Spring where the wind fan seemed to be stuck on high, members were able to make some notable catches. Things will only get better as weather stabilizes and a wide variety of sunfish species start to bed.

Like last year at this time, Chris Williams has shot into the early lead. However, you don't need to catch as many as Chris (few folks do) to have a chance to be a winner.  The new format - with only the top place awarded and many more prize drawings - means each entry has a much better chance of winning.

Each entry represents 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 - 14
Glen Cormier - 10
Bill Morrison - 8
Jeff Albrecht - 6
Carlton Townsend - 6
Doug Bell - 5
Robert Hughes - 5

Also: Jim Johnson - 3, Tom Zabasky - 3, Hunter Lonsberry - 2, Mike Carlin - 2, Rich Hudson - 2, Rick Maddox - 2, Preston Keiser - 1, Pitt Merryman - 1, Joel Dinnat - 1

Most interesting catches so far: Glen Cormier - spotted sucker, Doug Bell - carp, Chris Williams - orangespotted sunfish and skipjack herring, Jeff Albrecht - smallmouth bass.

Again, we're not even at the halfway mark of the Mixed Bag. So plenty of opportunities for ALL members to jump in and get a shot at the drawing for prizes, or even win the MBC outright!

April 25th meeting - 25 On The Fly

KFF monthly meeting
Monday, April 25, 2022
5:00pm - casting
6:30pm - meeting
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube

For our April meeting we have a presentation by Chris Williams  entitled "25 on the Fly: A Fly Fishing Scavenger Hunt".  This will be an outstanding presentation by one of our most talented fly fishers and fly tyers.

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

April 11th fly tying - Harry's Hairy Bug

KFF monthly fly tying session
Monday, April 11, 2022
5:00pm - casting on the library grounds
6:30pm - tying session begins
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Tying session livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube

This month, we'll be tying "Harry's Hairy Bug".  This fly was created by a past member of the Acadiana Fly Rodders and has been popularized by AFR member Ray Boudreaux.  It's a great pattern for both trout and panfish.

As always, beginners are welcome!  All materials are provided. Bring your tools, for those without, we have several sets for use during these sessions.  

Masks are optional when indoors at the library. For Zoom participants, enter the meeting number and password sent by email. For YouTube participants, search for "Kisatchie Fly Fishers" on YT.

March 28th - annual "On The Water Picnic"

KFF annual Spring Picnic
Monday, March 28, 2022
Cotile Lake Recreation Area
(weather permitting)

** If inclement weather, we'll reschedule the picnic to a later date.

In lieu of our March meeting, we'll hold our annual Spring Picnic at Cotile Lake.  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 nourishing on burgers and hot dogs fresh off the grill.  Participants are welcome to bring side dishes and desserts.  Please respond to the PICNIC email regarding side items.

Please note the following:
1. 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.
2.  Bring your favorite beverages. We'll have bottled water.
3.  Bring a chair.
4.  Bring your fly rod and flies.
5.  Bring a camera (or smartphone) to submit entries for the Mixed Bag Contest.

If you plan to attend, please fill out this short form:
CLICK HERE TO SIGNUP.

Please signup if you plan to attend so we'll know how much food to bring.

March 14th fly tying - A&W emerger

KFF monthly fly tying session
Monday, March 14, 2022
6:30pm
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube

This month, Bill Morrison will lead us in tying a version of Jeff Guerin's A&W Emerger pattern. Jeff developed this buggy pattern specifically for the March Brown hatch on the Little Missouri River in south Arkansas. While we'll tie in March Brown colors in size #14, different colors and sizes also work well at time.  Fish the A&W by stripping it slowly just under the surface and watch out - the eats can be very aggressive!  This fly in black and chartreuse version could also be used for bluegill.

All materials will be provided, and we will have several sets of tools for any who do not have their own.  Cream thread is used for this fly, but brown also works as well.  Size 70 or 140 denier is good.

Masks are optional when indoors at the library. For Zoom participants, enter the meeting number and password sent by email. For YouTube participants, search for "Kisatchie Fly Fishers" on YT.