Mixed Bag Update - April 17th

Rain, rain, go away! Come again another...month! Honestly, the only critters happy right now with all the water are frogs and fish.

Speaking of fish, the nasty weather hasn't curtailed members from getting entries into our Mixed Bag Contest (MBC). In fact, Chris Williams and Jerry Patton have both recorded a record number of entries by any individual for this time of year. Overall, we've had more entries into the MBC for this date than any previous year.

With the Spring Picnic and a club outing coming up soon, we hope many more members will get an entry into the Mixed Bag. Remember, this year we'll be expanding the number of drawing prizes. Each entry represents one ticket in the drawing. So, more entries = greater chances to win!

Here are the current standings:

Chris Williams - 13
Jerry Patton - 11
Bill Morrison - 6
Tyler Wood - 5
Carlton Townsend - 5
Glen Cormier - 5

Other entries: Robert Hughes - 4, Joel Dinnat - 3, Gene Taylor - 2, Jim Johnson - 2, Louis Busby - 1,  Rich Hudson - 1

Among the many species listed so far, are some not normally caught on fly.  Those include: flounder (Tyler Wood), bowfin and striped mullet (Chris Williams).

Virtual Tying Tuesday postponed to April 20th

Tuesday, April 20th
6:00pm
Skip Morris Predator Fly
Deadline for materials request:  Sunday, April 4th

* This session has been moved back a week due to delays in getting materials *

For our next session, we'll tie the Skip Morris Predator fly, a versatile and scalable foam top-water pattern that can be tied as large as #4 for bass and down to a #10 for panfish.  As we are on top of spring bluegill and panfish season, we will tie a tan #10 version.

To join in:

1)  Active participants can join via the Zoom app on any PC, tablet, or smartphone.  Enter the meeting ID and password to join in.  Email Bill Morrison to request.

2)  Casual observers can join via live-streaming on YouTube.   No downloads necessary.  Go to the Kisatchie Fly Fishers YouTube Channel:  http://bit.ly/3oBk106  and click on "Live" videos.  Use the Chat feature to ask questions.

April 26th - annual "On The Water Picnic"

KFF Spring Picnic
Monday, April 26, 2021
Cotile Lake Recreation Area
(weather permitting)

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

Once again, we'll meet at the Cotile Lake Recreation Area.  KFF 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 7:00pm, 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 whoever at the entrance that you are with "Kisatchie Fly Fishers" and they'll let you in free.
2.  Bring your favorite beverages.
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 many burgers/dogs to get.

Mixed Bag Standings - March 16th

Spring is here. That means crawfish, pollen, excellent fishing, and more additions to our Mixed Bag Contest. The MBC is our members-only, online tournament where size doesn't matter, but diversity does.

Chris Williams has shot into the lead with a remarkable 11 species. This is the highest number this early in the year during the four years of our Mixed Bag!  Congratulations, Chris!

Remember, this year we'll be expanding the number of drawing prizes. Each entry represents one ticket in the drawing. So, more entries = greater chances to win!

Here are the current standings:

• Chris Williams (11) - black crappie, bluegill, bowfin, largemouth bass, longear sunfish, redfish, redear sunfish, redspotted sunfish, spotted bass, striped mullet, warmouth
• Jerry Patton (7) - black crappie, brown trout, cutthroat, largemouth bass, rainbow trout, redfish, spotted bass
• Glen Cormier (5) - black crappie, chain pickerel, largemouth bass, rainbow trout, yellow bass
• Carlton Townsend (4) - black crappie, brown trout, largemouth bass, rainbow trout
• Robert Hughes (3) - brown trout, rainbow trout, longear
• Tyler Wood (3) - redfish, seatrout, flounder
• Bill Morrison (2) - bluegill, spotted bass
• Rich Hudson (1) - rainbow trout
• Jim Johnson (1) - bluegill
• Joel Dinnat (1) - rainbow trout

Again, to see who caught what, and where and how, go to the Mixed Bag page and click on "Submissions Recieved".

New time for Social Distance Casting

Social Distance Casting
Mondays
5:00pm to dark
Big Island Field, City Park, Alexandria

Spring is here!  So is Daylight Savings Time.  That means we'll be starting later and with enough extra daylight for working folks to come out and take part in casting.  No coats necessary... maybe some bug spray.  Big Island has lots of space.  At least for the time being, we'll continue to wear masks and  practice social distancing guidelines. 

Our group of casting instructors can help improve your skills - from novice to advanced.  We also have a fun format with challenges for casters of all levels of proficiency.

• Hula Hoop Loop. See if you can throw a loop thru a hula hoop. 
• Casting Target. See if you can cast a fly into a hula hoop laying on the grass. 
• Balloon Pop. This is a test of high accuracy. See if you can hit a balloon target and make the balloon pop!

Or participate in the Casting Skills Challenge program and earn a Bronze, Silver or Gold recognition. If you're a member of Fly Fishers International (FFI), you can also receive an FFI casting award.

March 9th meeting - Fly Fishing the Little Missouri River

KFF monthly general meeting
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
6:00pm
Zoom meeting

Our annual club "March Brown" trip to the Little Missouri River in southwest Arkansas is coming up March 25-28. A record number of newbies will be joining our group for this trip. For them, and anyone else interested in fishing this year-round coldwater trout fishery just over 4 hours from Alexandria, we strongly advise you attend this virtual meeting!

Our resident Little Mo expert, Carlton Townsend, will lead the presentation. Among the many topics that he will cover include: tackle, leaders, packs or vests, boots and waders, accessories, flies, river access points and possibly the most important - river safety!

There are two ways to join in:

1)  Active participants can join via Zoom app on any PC, tablet, or smartphone.  Enter the meeting ID and password to join in.  If you need the ID and password, email Bill Morrison with a request.

2)  Casual observers can join via live-streaming on YouTube.   No downloads necessary.  Go to the Kisatchie Fly Fishers YouTube Channel:  http://bit.ly/3oBk106 and click on "Live" videos.

March Virtual Tying Tuesday sessions

Tuesday, March 2nd
6:00pm
Christmas Tree, Green Weenie
Deadline for materials request:  Monday, Feb.  22nd

For March, we'll be tying patterns that are effective for rainbow and brown trout on the Little Missouri River in southwest Arkansas. These are also good for bream.  

We'll start the month with Carlton leading us in tying the Christmas Tree (originated by Mike Ingram) and the Green Weenie.  Both are very productive flies that are relatively easy to tie.

Link to request sample materials:
https://forms.gle/j2AAJyE2zkr3LSSFA

Tuesday, March 16th
6:00pm
Squirm Worm, Ruby Midge
Deadline for materials request:  Monday, March 8th

Bill Morrison will lead the group in tying the Squirm Worm (Umpqua version using two sections of material) and the Ruby Midge (a small #18 pattern). 

Link to request sample materials:
https://forms.gle/j2AAJyE2zkr3LSSFA

Tuesday, March 30th
6:00pm
Frenchie
Deadline for materials request:  Monday, March 22nd

This is a favorite of Robert Hughes, though he ties it in a size #18.  For the ease of tying in our session, we will tie a size 14.

Link to request sample materials:
https://forms.gle/j2AAJyE2zkr3LSSFA

To join in:

1)  Active participants can join via Zoom (www.zoom.us).  Download the Zoom app for use on any PC, tablet, or smartphone.  Enter the meeting ID and password to join in.  If you need the ID and password, email Bill Morrison with a request.

2)  Casual observers can join via live-streaming on YouTube.   No downloads necessary.   If you have a YouTube app on your PC, smartphone or tablet, you can even cast it onto your TV  (if your TV has an internet connection) and watch it on the big screen in high definition!

• Go to the Kisatchie Fly Fishers YouTube Channel:  http://bit.ly/3oBk106
  and click on "Live" videos.

 

Virtual Tying Tuesday reminder

A short reminder that tonight for our bi-weekly Virtual Tying Tuesday, Gene Taylor will be leading us in tying the Seaducer.  There are two ways to join in.

1)  Active participants can join via Zoom (www.zoom.us).  Download the Zoom app for use on any PC, tablet, or smartphone.  Enter the meeting ID and password to join in.  If you need the ID and password, email Bill Morrison with a request.

2)  Casual observers can join via live-streaming on YouTube.   No downloads necessary.   If you have a YouTube app on your PC, smartphone or tablet, you can even cast it onto your TV  (if your TV has an internet connection) and watch it on the big screen in high definition!

• Method 1.  Click directly on this link:  https://youtu.be/1FEAcs1RhTo
• Method 2.  Go to the Kisatchie Fly Fishers YouTube Channel:  http://bit.ly/3oBk106
  and click on "Live" videos.