KFF Christmas Gathering - Dec. 15th

In lieu of our regular meeting, the club has decided to gather for dinner that evening. Come join us for great food and conversation! 

 

Date: Monday, December 15

Location: Copelands, 2421 S MacArthur Dr, Alexandria, LA

Time: 6:30pm

Dutch Treat

For menu selections, http://www.copelandsofneworleans.com/menu-alexandria-la

You can bring a spouse, guest, sibling, etc.

Dress is casual (but no waders!)

RSVP required... DEADLINE Sunday, December 14... email Catch Cormier

Nov. 24th meeting - LDWF biologist Rickey Moses

Our next meeting will be on Monday, November 24, 2014 at 6:30pm at the Rapides Westside Library in Alexandria.  The public is welcome, so bring a guest if you can.

Our special guest speaker will be LDWF regional biologist Rickey Moses who will talk about area fisheries, including results of their recent surveys.  Here's a golden opportunity to learn where the fish are!

Also on the agenda:  fishing reports, update on the Cenla Fly Fishing Festival, and updates on proposed club trips.

November 18 fly tying - Estaz Charlie

Our next fly tying session will take place on Tuesday, November 18, at the Rapides Westside Library in Alexandria.  Time is 6:30pm. The public is invited.

The pattern this month will be the Estaz Charlie. Bob Nauheim's Crazy Charlie is one of the most effective saltwater flies ever created. In the early 90s, Kyle Moppert and Mike LaFleur each created separate versions of this pattern utilizing estaz for the body (in lieu of transparent ribbing) to give it greater flash and appeal to specks and reds.  The popular version used today uses craft fur in the wing instead of kip tail.  This is a great wintertime pattern!

Bring your tools if you have some, materials will be provided.  For those without tools, the club has 3 sets of tools for use only during tying sessions.  See ya there!  

October 27 meeting

Our next meeting will be on Monday, October 27, 2014 at 6:30pm at the Rapides Westside Library in Alexandria.  The public is welcome, so bring a guest if you can.

For this meeting, we'll watch the video of Lefty Kreh on fly casting that we had to postpone from earlier this summer.  Lefty is the dean of fly fishers... his video contains numerous tips to help improve your casting.  Following the video, we'll have open discussion of casting topics.

Also on the agenda:  fishing reports, update on the Cenla Fly Fishing Festival, other upcoming events including Rendezvous, and updates on proposed club trips.

Note: our November 24th meeting will feature LDWF regional biologist Rickey Moses who will talk about area fisheries, including results of their current surveys.  Make plans now to attend this one!

Make plans for Rendezvous October 31st - November 2nd

What is Rendezvous?  Twenty-six years ago, a group of fly fishermen from Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and elsewhere decided to get together for a weekend to fish and tie flies.  They found the facilities at North Toledo Bend State Park to be ideal.  Since then, the tradition has continued and grown.  There's no planned activities, but plenty of fly tying, food, fly casting and fishing, with only a minimal fee to cover lodging and meals.  The activities take place at the park's group facility, which features a commercial kitchen and dining hall, and lodging available for up to 150 people in 5 heated log bunkhouses (30 beds each). There's also a heated central shower and restroom building with nice night lighting on all the sidewalks and a large main log building with A/C, picnic tables and a large barbeque trailer.

Held the first weekend of November each year, the Toledo Bend Rendezvous (aka Southern Fly Fishers Rendezvous) is co-sponsored by the IFFF Texas and Gulf Coast Councils.  It remains one of the top fly tying events in the country, with many of the attendees featured at regional and national expos.

For complete details, go to the Toledo Bend Rendezvous home page

October 20 Fly Tying - Clouser Minnow

Our next fly tying session will take place on Monday, October 20, at the Rapides Westside Library in Alexandria.  Time is 6:30pm. The public is invited.

The pattern this month will be the Clouser Minnow.  Developed by Bob Clouser for smallmouth bass, it may be the most universal pattern ever created.  Lefty Kreh claims to have caught 87 different species on this fly, and our response is "That's all?".  Here in Louisiana, Clousers are the best fly for speckled trout, sand trout, and white bass, and a good fly for redfish.  It's also a great pattern for schooling largemouth. It's also fairly easy to tie.

Bring your tools if you have some, materials will be provided.  For those without tools, the club has 3 sets of tools for use only during tying sessions.  See ya there!  

CCFC Deer Hair Tying Workshop - Sat, Oct. 18th

Mike Hawkins Instructs Deer Hair Tying Techniques -
Including Dave Whitlock's Diving Frog & Deer Hair Bream Flies

A Cane Country Fly Casters Fly Tying Workshop
Saturday - October 18, 2014
8:30am to 1:00pm
Location: Alligator Farm Rd, Natchitoches, LA (Jim Pierson's Hunting Camp)
This is limited-seating workshop for tyers, with some experience, throughout the region.
Cost is $20 per person and includes: tying supplies, beverages, breakfast snacks and lunch.

Schedule:
7:30 Coffee, Doughnuts, Snacks & Set-Up Your Tools
8:30 Workshop Begins
12:00 Burgers and Dogs

Bring your tying equipment. Reservations are based on 1st come 1st serve.
For more Information, contact either: Burley Johnson 318-471-5049 or Vic McClain 318-228-9729
To pre-register, please fill out the form above and mail it in with your check. Make checks
payable to CCFC and mail to:
       CCFC
       915 3rd Street
       Natchitoches, LA
Fill out form the form below and mail it in with your check:
Whitlock Flies Workshop Form (16k, PDF format)

Cenla NHF Day this Saturday

National Hunting and Fishing Day is a national event celebrated on the fourth Saturday in September. It was established by Congress in 1972 to celebrate the conservation contributions of our nation's hunters and anglers.  For over 30 years, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has celebrated NHFD at four venues across the state, including their Woodworth location.

Kisatchie Fly Fishers is proud to once again be part of the Cenla NHFD activities.  We will doing fly tying demos, hands-on tying, hands-on fly casting, hands-on knot tying, and talking about fly fishing, including opportunities in the Cenla area, on the coast, and beyond.

2014 Cenla National Hunting and Fishing Day
Saturday, September 27
7:00am - 2:00pm
LDWF Woodworth Outdoor Education Center
661 Robinson Rd, Woodworth, LA
FREE admission!  Free lunch!

Schedule of Activities:
7:00am - Gates open, registration begins for kids fishing rodeo (ages 15 and under)
9:00am - Opening ceremonies, national anthem, exhibits and activities open (including fly casting and fly tying)
10:30am - Alligator skinning demonstration
11:00am - Door prize drawings
11:15am - BBQ judging followed by BBQ and Burger King lunch served
12:00 - Door prize drawings
1:00pm - BBQ winner announced
1:30pm - RPSO SWAT Team Flash/Bang demonstration (rifle range)
2:00pm - Event ends - thanks for taking part in NHFD

September 22nd meeting - casting at Buhlow

Our next meeting will be on Monday, September 22, 2014.  Please note a change of time and location for this meeting...  we will meet starting at 6:00 pm at the park on Lake Buhlow in Pineville (off Highway 165).   The public is welcome.

This meeting will be dedicated to casting practice and instruction.  Bring your fly outfit (rod, reel, line) that you wish to improve your casting with.  You might even want to bring a few flies as there are bass and redears that frequent the banks near the park area. If you don't have a rod, or can't bring one, you can use one of the club rods during this meeting.

We're starting a half-hour earlier to get in as much daylight - and casting - as possible. A cool front is expected to move through the night before, so it should be comfortable.  In addition, having a nice breeze to cast into makes for a more realistic learning experience (the wind ALWAYS blows when fishing).

If you can't make it as early as 6:00pm, just come when you can.  We'll gather around 7:30pm to go over a few club items including this Saturday's Cenla National Hunting and Fishing Day to take place at the LDWF Environmental Center in Woodworth.

Gulf Coast Fly Fishing Fair - September 12-13

2014 Gulf Coast Fly Fishing Fair
Sponsored by the Gulf Coast Council, International Federation of Fly Fishers
September 12-13, 2014
Ocean Springs Civic Center, Ocean Springs, Mississippi

This event is free and open to the public.  The Fair features free casting lessons, free tying lessons, free beginner classes, tying demonstrations, and free classes.  Class size is limited, so registration is strongly suggested as some classes will fill up early.

On Friday during the day, there will be workshops, including Continuing Education for IFFF Certified Casting Instructors (CCIs).

On Friday evening, there will be a Jambalaya Buffet, followed by Awards and a Live Auction at the Ocean Springs Yacht Club, 100 Front Beach Drive.  The Auction will feature fly tackle, guided trips, artwork, fly plates, and much more!  Half of the proceeds will be donated to the University of Southern Mississippi - Gulf Coast Research Lab, which is responsible for a number of projects in conjunction with the Gulf Coast Council.

Saturday is a day full of activities, including casting, tying, vendors, exhibitors, workshops, raffles, and much, much more.  The list of casting instructors is impressive, with a number of IFFF Certified Casting Instructors (CCIs) as well as Master Certified Instructors (MCIs).

To register for the event (free registration) simply click on this link for the GCC Fly Fair 2014 website:
www.gulfcoastifff.blogspot.com/p/gulf.html

August 25th meeting

Our next meeting will be on Monday, August 25, 2014 at 6:30pm at the Rapides Westside Library in Alexandria.  The public is welcome, so bring a guest if you can.

As of this posting, our scheduled speaker was not able to confirm. If they are unable to show up, we'll see a video by Lefty Kreh on fly casting.  Lefty is the dean of fly fishers... his video contains numerous tips to help improve your casting. 

Also on the agenda:  upcoming events, our participation at the Cenla Hunting and Fishing Day (September 27), update on the Cenla Fly Tying Festival now set for January 24th, and proposed trips to Calcasieu for reds and specks (fall) and to the Lower Mountain Fork (winter).

10th Contraband Fly Fishing Expo this Saturday

Our neighboring club in Lake Charles is holding their annual conclave this coming Saturday.  A chance for KFF members to learn or improve on casting, fly tying, and fishing techniques from regional experts.  Here are the details:

10th Contraband Fly Fishing Expo
Saturday, August 23, 2014
8:30am - 4:00pm
PPG - Porter Hall, 2250 Prater Road, Westlake, LA
FREE ADMISSION.  Open to the public!
Sponsored by the Contraband Fly Casters / Tom Nixon Chapter
Fly Tying, Casting Demos, Lure Exhibits, Auctions / Raffles, Food and Refreshments, Equipment Displays and more!  Public invited.

August 19 Fly Tying - Foam Spider

Our next fly tying session will take place on Tuesday, August 19, at the Rapides Westside Library in Alexandria.  Time is 6:30pm. Guests are invited.

The pattern this month will be the foam spider.  This is a great pattern for late summer fishing on all area lakes, especially around docks and trees. It's relatively simple to tie as well.

Bring your tools if you have some, materials will be provided.  For those without tools, good news!  The  club tying sets have arrived.   We now have 3 sets of the following:  vise, bobbin, scissors, bodkin, hair stacker, hackle pliers.  These are for use only during tying sessions.  

July 22nd meeting - What Knot to Wear

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, July 22nd at 6:30pm at the Rapides Westside Library in Alexandria.  Please note the change from our routine 4th Monday date.

The topic of this meeting will be "What Knot to Wear".  I'm knot kidding. We'll do hands-on of several popular fishing knots. Also, if anyone has any knots they'd like to share, please do so. The public is welcome, so bring a guest if you can.

Also on the agenda:  upcoming events, our participation at the Cenla Hunting and Fishing Day (September 27), and a proposed "Cenla Fly Tying Festival" for January. See you there.

June 23rd meeting - Kristi Butler, Booker Fowler Hatchery

The next monthly meeting of the Kisatchie Fly Fishers will be on Monday, June 23rd at 6:30pm at the Rapides Westside Library in Alexandria.  The public is welcome, so bring a guest if you can.

For this meeting, we welcome Ms. Kristi Butler, Manager for Booker Fowler Fish Hatchery, as our guest speaker. The LDWF Booker Fowler Hatchery is located in Woodworth and is the primary fish production for the state. Kristi will talk about the workings of the hatchery and stocking efforts in the Cenla region. Please make sure to arrive early for this meeting as Kristi will give her program first. We will then follow later with club news, fishing reports and other business.

June 16 Fly Tying

Our next fly tying session will be on Monday, June 16th, at the Rapides Westside Library in Alexandria.  Time is 6:30pm. Beginners are invited.

This month, we'll review some basics on fly tying with a video by Gary Borger.  Then apply those basics for one of the most effective freshwater patterns ever created... but with a slight twist. Members are encouraged to bring their tools and follow along.  Materials will be provided. For those without tools, we have a few to borrow for this session (KFF is getting four sets of tools that should arrive for our July session).

Destination Texas Fly Fishing Expo June 12-14

The Texas Council of the International Federation of Fly Fishers (IFFF) will hold their first-ever Expo Friday-Saturday, June 12-14, at the Civic Center in New Braunfels, Texas. The title of their event is "Destination Texas Fly Fishing Expo" with the intent to feature fly fishing opportunities in Texas, as well as flies and techniques for all fish, all waters. Admission is $20 for both days.

The Civic Center will feature exhibitors, vendors, programs, and fly tying demonstrations by some of the country's top fly tiers. Cypress Bend Park will be the location for Casting Programs, Certifications, and kayak fishing classes. Both locations will have hands-on workshops, which attendees can sign up for a nominal fee, and with limited class sizes. Also Youth and Women's Outreach programs.

Other activities: Thursday night there will be a Welcoming Dinner, Friday night the Texas Council will host the Fly Fishing Film Tour, and Saturday night will be the Awards Banquet and Auction. For more info, go to www.txflyfishexpo.com

May 27th meeting

Due to the Memorial Day holiday, our usual fourth Monday meeting has been moved to the following evening, Tuesday, May 27th.  Same time - 6:30pm, same location - Rapides Westside Library.

We were going to meet this month at a location on the water to practice casting, but with a 70 percent forecast of thunderstorms, we'll meet at our usual location. On the agenda is the upcoming Grand Isle Fly Fishing Weekend, the CCA STAR Fly Fishing Division, and other upcoming events, as well as a discussion of saltwater fly fishing opportunities during the summer months.

May 20th fly tying

Our first-ever fly tying session will take place on Tuesday, May 20, at the Rapides Westside Library in Alexandria.  Time is 6:30pm. Guests are invited.

For this inaugural session, we'll have a special guest instructor - Kevin "Musicdoc" Andry. Kevin is a high school music instructor at St. Micheals in Baton Rouge. He's also an avid fly angler, kayak angler and fly tier, and maintains the "Kayak Fishing With Kevin" blog at kevinandry.wordpress.com.  His site has been honored as one of the top kayak / fly fishing videos on the internet.

For this beginning session, Kevin will cover some basic tools for the tier, then go into one of his favorite simple patterns demonstrating several tying techniques.  He'll then demonstrate a more advanced pattern. For the simple pattern, members are encouraged to bring their tools and follow along.  Materials will be provided. For those without tools, we have a few to borrow for this session (KFF is getting four sets of tools that should arrive for our June session).

Come meet and greet Musicdoc... should be a great time!

Natchitoches Fishing Expo this Saturday!

The 2nd Annual Natchitoches Fishing Expo - a celebration of Light Tackle and Fly Fishing - will be held this Saturday, May 3, 2014 at the NSU Prather Coliseum in Natchitoches, LA. Time is 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Admission is FREE!

Hosted by the Cane Country Fly Casters, there's activities for the whole family, including kids casting games hosted by professional bass angler Kat Arnold. Also over 50 vendors and exhibitors, 50+ fly tiers from across the South, programs on all types of fishing (bass, crappie, kayaking, fly fishing, fish biology and more) as well as activities for the non-fishing spouses. Silent auction and raffles with many one-of-a-kind items to raise money for our charities. Lots of great local restaurants and places to visit in the Natchitoches area.

For a complete list of activities and programs, and links to Natchitoches area info, go to www.canecountry.blogspot.com.

April 28 meeting - Casting Faults and Fixes

The next meeting of the Kisatchie Fly Fishers will be on Monday, April 28.  Location is the Rapides Westside Library on 5416 Province Place in Alexandria, in the north meeting room.  Time is 6:30pm.  This meeting is open to the public, and all are invited.

For April, we will review some of the basic priniciples of fly casting, followed by a video by Mel Kreiger on "Casting Faults and Fixes".  Mel was considered one of the best casting instructors of all time, and this video is both entertaining and educational.  Also on the agenda: some great fishing reports... bream action is starting to heat up as we approach the full moon in May.  Also details on this Saturday's Natchitoches Fishing Expo - a celebration of light tackle and fly fishing at Prather Coliseum on the campus of NSU and hosted by our sister club Cane Country Fly Casters of Natchitoches.  See you there!

Caddo Conclave this weekend!

Caddo Conclave 2014

Located on beautiful Caddo Lake near Karnack Texas at Caddo Lake State Park

Friday-Saturday, April 11 - 12, 2014

Registration $10 per person, maximum $20 per family

Door open at 5 p.m Friday. Pot Luck Supper, bring a dish for yourself and enough for
another family
Saturday: Breakfast provided by North La Fly Fishers
4 speakers to be scheduled throughout the day Saturday include:

• 51 Best Places to fish in Ark-La-Tex
• UV Light: Why it is important and how to use it in your flies
• Epic Fly Fishing overnight trout fishing flat boat fishing trip
• Ideal Warm Water Flies for bass and pan fish.

Bring your fly tying equipment. Plenty of tables for fly tying available
Lunch: Provided by East Texas Fly Fishers
TFO will staff an outdoor booth with many different fly rods for you to cast

Plenty of fishing available on bayou at Caddo Lake State Park
Jackson’s Kayak Team will offer kayak demo’s
Caddo Lake State Park 903-679-3351
For more info contact Mike Hawkins 903-736-1887
Or Scott Irwin 318-742-2190

Make plans now for Expo!

2nd Annual
Natchitoches Fishing Expo

Fly Fishing and Light Tackle Fishing Show

Saturday, May 3, 2014
8:30 am to 5:00 pm 

NSU Prather Coliseum and Chaplin Lake, Natchitoches, LA
Hosted by the Cane Country Fly Casters

Click here for the full size poster

March 24 meeting - Meet the Fluff Butts!

The next meeting of the Kisatchie Fly Fishers will be on Monday, March 24.  Location is the Rapides Westside Library on 5416 Province Place in Alexandria, in the north meeting room.  Time is 6:30pm.  This meeting is open to the public, and all are invited.

Catch Cormier will give a presentation on "Fluff Butts and How To Fish Them".  There are numerous variations of this fly, but one thing they have in common is an ability to catch fish when used correctly.  It's caught everything from bluegills to stripers, and a saltwater version has even taken speckled trout and snook!  Catch will also briefly discuss other hot panfish flies such as Jitterbee, Cap Spider, Tussel Bug, and more as we prepare for what should be a great spring fishing in the Cenla area.

Acadiana Conclave this Saturday

27th annual Acadiana Conclave
Saturday, March 15, 2014
9:00am - 2:30pm
Grace Presbyterian Church, 518 Roselawn Blvd, Lafayette, LA
Free admission!

Hosted by the Acadiana Fly Rodders, the activities include:
- presentations by world angler Dr. Norm Crisp, redfish guru Ron Begnaud, and fly tackle expert Marc Pinsel
- casting presentation on "Curve Casting" by FFF Master Certified Instructors Keith Richard and Bob Tabbert
- fly tying demos by some of the region's most innovative tiers
- vendors of fly fishing and kayak gear
- silent auction on one-of-a-kind items, custom flies, and other collectibles
- free refreshments and a $5 chili dog lunch is available

For those KFF members who have never been to a conclave, you must check this out.  It will change your life! Perhaps even in a good way.   :-)

For a schedule of activities, bio on speakers and tiers,  and other details, go to www.acadianaflyrodders.com and click on "Club News".

February 24 meeting featuring John Williams

The next meeting of the Kisatchie Fly Fishers will be on Monday, February 24.  Location is the Rapides Westside Library on 5416 Province Place in Alexandria, in the north meeting room.  Time is 6:30pm.  This meeting is open to the public, and all are invited.

This month we are delighted to have John Williams as our guest speaker.  John and his wife Becky own Pack & Paddle in Lafayette. John is an avid kayak angler and enjoys all types of kayak fishing, but especially going into the marsh after redfish. He's also been successful in kayak tournament fishing. Among his honors are top spot in the CCA STAR Southwest Kayak Division, and winning the Lafayette Kayak Fishing Club "Angler of the Year" in 2010.

John will talk about various kayaks for fishing, basic accessories and rigging, and opportunities for kayak fishing in south Louisiana.

Also on the agenda:
- Tip of the Month
- Fishing Reports
- Fly Fishing 101 and other upcoming events

January 27 meeting featuring Jeff Guerin

The next meeting of the Kisatchie Fly Fishers will be on Monday, January 27.  Location is the Rapides Westside Library on 5416 Province Place in Alexandria, in the north meeting room.  Time is 6:30pm.  This meeting is open to the public, and all are invited.

For January, we are delighted to have Mr. Jeff Guerin as our guest speaker.  Jeff is a fly fishing guide on the Little Missouri River in southwest Arkansas, and owner of the www.littlemissouriflyfishing.com website.  He's also an accomplished blues musician.

The Little Missouri River is located near Murfreesboro, AR, exactly four  hours from Alexandria.  It is one of three tailwaters in the Ouachita Mountains that are cold enough to support rainbow trout year-round. In addition, there is a winter-only stocking of trout in the river section above Lake Greeson.  Jeff will talk about the history and future of trout on the river, about tackle, flies, and tactics for trout, and other fly fishing opportunities in the Ouachitas.  Jeff is always fun to listen to, and this promises to be a very informative meeting... you will not want to miss!

Also on the agenda:
- Tip of the Month
- Fishing Reports
- Fly Fishing 101, Acadiana Conclave, other upcoming events