Join us at the Contraband Fly Fishing Expo

2018 Contraband Fly Fishing Expo
Friday, July 13 - Noon - 4pm
Saturday, July 14 - 8am - 4pm
Isle of Capri Casino Hotel, Westlake, LA

** Update: here's the link to the Expo booklet with schedule, speaker bios, list of tiers, and more. **

Our friends in the Contraband Fly Casters (Lake Charles) are holding their annual fly fishing expo this year in mid-July. The event will showcase Pat Cohen, one of the most recognized names in fly tying, and a master of deer hair flies.

In addition to Pat, some of the top fly tiers in the Gulf Coast region will be demonstrating their favorite patterns.  That includes nationally-recognized realistic tier Fred Hannie who will be at the Copic booth. Several of the region's top fly casting instructors - such as Jay Clark and Jeff Ferguson - will be on hand.  There are programs, exhibits and demonstrations, as well as raffles to benefit Project Healing Waters and Reel Recovery.

The event is free and family-friendly. For more info, go to www.contrabandflycastersinc.com or call 337-540-1292.

June 25th meeting - Kristi Butler

Kisatchie Fly Fishers general meeting
Monday, June 25, 2018
6:30pm
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria

For our June meeting, we welcome back Ms. Kristi Butler, Manager for the LDWF Booker Fowler Fish Hatchery.  It's been a long four years since Kristi last spoke to our club. So for our many new members since then, this will be a treat!  Kristi will start with a presentation about the workings of the hatchery and stocking efforts in the Cenla region, then take questions from the group.

Also on the agenda: upcoming events, fishing reports, Mixed Bag Contest updates, and tackle tips.

The meeting is open to the public.  So invite a friend to attend!

Link to deer hair presentation

For our 2018 Summer Workshop, Kevin "Musicdoc" Andry instructed us on "Intro to Deer Hair Tying".  At the beginning of the session, Kevin explained the different types of deer hair and how each is processed and used for particular flies.  He then shared a powerpoint presentation on tying a deer hair popper, featuring materials and tools needed, and step-by-step instruction.  After which, we proceeded as a group in tying the popper.

As promised, Kevin has provided us a link to that presentation.  Whether you attended the workshop or not, this is a very helpful guideline if you wish to pursue making deer hair flies. We strongly suggest saving the presentation to your local computer as a PDF file!  Don't ask why - you'll thank us later.

Click here for deer hair presentation

June fly tying - Disco Midge

KFF monthly fly tying session
Monday, June 18, 2018
6:30pm
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria

* Note: prior to tying, Carlton Townsend will discuss final arrangments for the club trip to the White River.  *

This month we'll revisit a pattern from a previous tying session - the Disco Midge.  This is a great fly for trout, but can be used also for bream.  When fishing for trout in summer, the Disco Midge is a great dropper fly underneath a floating dry, such as a Daves Hopper or Royal Wulff.

If you're one of our many new members - or just a guest - and looking to start fly tying, the the Disco Midge is a great fly for beginners.  If you don't have tools, the club has a few sets for use during the session.  And assistance is always there!  Materials will be provided.

Beginners and guests are welcome!

Mixed Bag Contest update - 6/13

Bill Morrison with a Destin ladyfish

We're now into the fourth month of our club's "Mixed Bag" contest.  This is a months-long CPRO (catch-photo-release optional) tournament where size doesn't matter, but diversity does.  So get your diversity training and go fishing, lol!

Seriously, the intent is to create a database of how many diverse species can be caught on fly rod, where it can be caught, and what flies work to catch these fish.  And in the process, have some fun and win a few prizes.  It's free and open to all KFF members.  See the "Mixed Bag" contest for details. And remember, even entering just one fish into the contest gets your name into a bonus drawing to be held at our Christmas Party.

And now for the current standings:

Jim Johnson (10) - bluegill, chain pickerel, crappie, largemouth bass, longear sunfish, redbreast sunfish, spotted bass, rainbow trout, warmouth, freshwater drum

Bill Morrison (9) - black crappie, bluegill, brown trout, rainbow trout, green sunfish, ladyfish, largemouth bass, longear sunfish, smallmouth bass

Other entries - Carlton Townsend (6), Glen Cormier (6), Greg Babin (5), Rich Hudson (4), Spencer Hackney (3), Phil Havener (3), Gene Taylor (3), Tom Zabasky (2), Corinne Cormier (2), Robert Clark (1), Mike Carlin (1), Greg Hackney (1), Barbara Carlin (1).

The most unusual catch is a freshwater drum (goo) caught by Jim Johnson in Bayou Bouef in Woodworth using a Pat Cohen's Slurp and Burp Worm.

Top flies in coldwater have been: Sqwirmy Worm, A&W Emerger, Ruffled Birds Nest, Adams Parachute and Christmas Tree.
Top flies in warmwater have been: poppers, popping bugs, Ruffled Birds Nest, Fluff Butt and Mop Fly.
Top flies in saltwater have been: Clouser Minnow, LaFleur's Charlie.