Friday, November 29, 2019

KFF Holiday Gathering - December 9th

In lieu of our December meetings, the club will again gather for a holiday evening of food, fun, and prizes.

Date: Monday, December 9th
Location: Tunks Cypress Inn on Kincaid Lake, Highway 28 West near Gardner
Time: 6:30pm
Dutch Treat
For menu selections, go to www.tunkscypressinn.com

You can bring a spouse, guest, sibling, etc.
Dress is casual (but no waders!)
RSVP required... DEADLINE Thursday, December 5th... email Catch Cormier

Friday, November 22, 2019

November 25th general meeting - Ian Huang, Alec Beane

Kisatchie Fly Fishers monthly meeting
Monday, November 25, 2019
5:00pm - casting on back lawn
6:30pm - meeting
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria

** Please note that we're now doing casting prior to each meeting.  **

Our guest speakers this month will be Alec Beane and Ian Huang of the Orvis store in Baton Rouge. Alec is the store General Manager. Ian is the Fishing Manager. Both have a great deal of expertise on fishing from coastal waters and destinations from north Georgia, Texas, Montana, Colorado, Belize and more. They will give a powerpoint presentation on exciting places to fly fish, when to fish each, tackle and gear to bring, how to choose guides and lodges, and more.  We will also have time for questions and answers to a wide variety of topics.

Also on the agenda: final nominations for the 2020 board, Christmas Party on December 9th, fishing reports and upcoming events.

As always, guests are welcome. Invite a friend!

Thursday, November 14, 2019

November 18th fly tying - HMRL Copper John

KFF monthly fly tying session
Monday, November 18, 2019
6:00pm - tying skills clinic
6:30pm - regular fly tying begins
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria

** Please note that the tying skills clinic starting this month at 6:00pm **

With the trout stockings in full force on the Little Missouri River and Beavers Bend, now is a good time to learn an effective winter nymph. Few are as effective as the Copper John, created by John Barr.  One of Barr's variations is the Rubber Leg Copper John.

Another variation comes from Flying Fishmen Company, the Heavy Metal Rubber Leg Copper John. The HMRL CJ uses a tungsten bead and 25-gauge lead wire to sink the fly deep in runs and pools, without having to use a split shot (in most cases).

For a video of tying this fly, click here.

As always, beginners are welcome!  Bring your tools, if none, the club has sets for use during these sessions. Materials are provided.   

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Skills clinics to precede monthly fly tying

Starting with our November 18th fly tying session, we'll be instituting an intermittent "Tying Skills Clinic" beginning a half-hour prior to the tying session. The clinic will deal with beginning skills such as basic tools, thread types, whip finish, thread control, building heads, tying in various materials, and much more.

Each session will start at 6:00pm and end at 6:30pm. At 6:30pm, we will move into the main tying session. According to Tying Co-Chairs Gene Taylor and Bill Morrison, this clinic was concieved based on the outstanding success of the Casting Skills clinic which precedes each regular meeting.

The Tying Skills Clinic may not be every month, depending on room availability at 6:00pm. Also when members request it, or when the Tying Committee sees a need for basic skills lacking in the main session.

We're hoping this will encourage new members to engage in fly tying, and to build upon their basic skills. And for those who have been tying to improve their techniques.

Friday, November 8, 2019

FFI-GCC recognizes Kisatchie Fly Fishers, two KFF members

The Gulf Coast Council of Fly Fishers International has annually honored individuals and clubs within it's geographic region for their outstanding contributions to fly fishing, fly tying, conservation and community.

In September, the FFI-GCC announced their 2019 awards. Among the recipients were the Kisatchie Fly Fishers club, as well as KFF members Roger Breedlove and Glen 'Catch' Cormier.  Emphasis was placed on both past and current contributions.  Each of the winners received a mug with their name and award, featuring award-winning artwork of fly-fishing artist James Lady.  The awards were distributed at the recent North Toledo Bend Rendezvous.

Kisatchie Fly Fishers was recognized with the "Club Community Award". This award is based on community participation and philantrophy. Among the accomplishments noted were: a successful expo with proceeds donated to The Food Bank of Central Louisiana, holding an annual "Fly Fishing 101", participation in the local farmers market special events, teaming with the Lafayette Kayak Fishing Club to restore a kayak launch on Calcasieu Lake, co-sponsoring the North Louisiana Fly Fishers "Masters Series", donating over $300 of books and videos to the local library, and many more!

Roger Breedlove was awarded with the "Man of the Year". This award goes to a male individual who has demonstrated unusual devotion to the sport of fly fishing, and through his devotion, has benefited the sport and community. Among Roger's credentials were: obtaining the FFI Casting Certified Instructor badge, teaching and giving private casting lessons over the last three years at NO cost, building and donating dozens of fly rods to his club and to the GCC, teaching a rod building clinic, and much more. Recently, Roger was named to the Gulf Coast Council Board of Directors.

Glen 'Catch' Cormier was awarded with the "Presidents Award". Chosen by the President of the Gulf Coast Council for their outstanding contributions to the Council, and to the sport of fly fishing in general. In selecting Catch for this award, GCC President A.J. Rosenbahm noted his contributions via magazine articles, radio segments, and websites on fly fishing and kayak fishing. "He's always willing to help clubs that need help on their websites. He does this on his own time, not expecting recognition or compensation. He is very generous with his time, a staunch conservationist and a talented fly tier.".  Currently, Catch is president of Kisatchie Fly Fishers and Conservation Director for the FFI Gulf Coast Council.

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Mixed Bag Update - just weeks to go!

Carlton Townsend with a PAC redfish
Everyone is asking, "What happened to Fall?". Well it came and brought Winter with it!  The first week of October, the water at Cotile Lake Recreation Area was 82 degrees. A month later, it's 59 degrees - cold enough for rainbow trout!

With November being the final month of our Mixed Bag Contest, KFF members looking to move into the top tier will have to fish deep and slow, or pick warm days when the fish move closer to the shallows. If you're willing to drive a few hours south, marsh fishing is excellent.  And if you're willing to head a few hours north, rainbow stockings have begun on the Little Missouri River.

We'll be awarding the top five (5) places at the Christmas Party in December, so everyone still has a chance to make the cut. However, if you don't make the top five, there's still the CONSOLATION PRIZE DRAWING.  Every member who has entered at least ONE fish will have their name placed in the drawing - also to take place at the Christmas Party. Incidently, you don't need to be present to win.

Here are the latest standings (number is different species registered):
Carlton Townsend - 16
Bill Morrison - 15
Robert Hughes - 12
Phil Havener - 10
Jim Johnson - 9
Glen Cormier - 8
Jim Guillory - 8
Gene Taylor - 8

Others: Joel Dinnat -6, Rich Hudson -5, Greg Babin -3, Robert Clark -3, Mike Carlin -2, Ronnie Richmond -2, Jonathon Bennett -2, Barbara Carlin -1, Tom Zabasky -1, Lindsey Torbett -1.