COVID-19 update: April meetings cancelled, FF101 postponed

On Monday, President Trump, the White House Coronavirus Task Force , Governor John Bel Edwards and state and local agencies issued strict guidelines to help protect Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic. The result was closure of numerous facilities to public use, and strong advisement against social gatherings of more than 10 people.

Out of concern for our members and the public in general, the board of Kisatchie Fly Fishers has voted to cancel our fly tying and general meeting for April, and postpone our Fly Fishing 101 - which was scheduled for March 28th - until sometime in the Fall.

For those members who wish to improve their casting skills, Roger Breedlove has agreed to coach a few members behind the library on the 3rd and 4th Monday of April.  Please make sure to contact Roger in advance.  We do not want to have more than ten folks show up at a time!

Both club trips now through May are still on as planned.

All other fly fishing events across the region through May have been cancelled as of this date. The NLFF Masters Series in July is still on.  In addition, we are still considering our annual "Summer Workshop" in late June.

Bill Morrison receives his FFI Casting Certification

A big congratulations go out to our own Bill Morrison. This past weekend, Bill participated in a Fly Fishers International (FFI) Casting Instructor Certification Program in Lake Charles. According to his mentor, Roger Breedlove, Bill took and passed his practical and teaching exams on Friday, and his written exam Friday evening, and PASSED all three!

Roger says Bill did exceptionally well on the performance test and "smoked" the teaching tasks. The judges were impressed. He also made an "A" on the written exam.  Bill joins Roger and Glen Cormier as KFF members with FFI instructor certification.

Hosted by the FFI Gulf Coast Council, this certification event was the largest of its kind in North America the past year, with 7 examiners and over 15 candidates. The FFI Certification Program was created in 1992 to enhance the overall level of instruction in fly casting and to create a common terminology and methodology of casting mechanics. The CCI program also establishs a communication network among all instructors, with the purpose of sharing new ideas and teaching techniques.

Please join us in congratulating Bill on his impressive feat!

March 16th meeting - annual "On the Water" picnic

KFF monthly general meeting
Monday, March 16, 2020
Cotile Lake Recreation Area
(weather permitting)

** If inclement weather, we'll reschedule this meeting at a later date. **

With Daylight Savings Time in effect, it's time for our annual "on the water" meeting.  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.  Roger Breedlove will be on hand early to assist anyone with casting.

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.

Please note the following:
1. There is NO entrance fee for our group. Tell Butch or 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.

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.

Gulf Coast Sweetwater Classic coming this month

Gulf Coast Sweetwater Classic
Friday-Saturday, March 13-14, 2020
Percy Quin State Park, McComb, MS
FREE admission to park & festival
Entry fee for tournament: $25

The Fly Fishers International (FFI) Gulf Coast Council (GCC) will host their first-ever "Gulf Coast Sweetwater Classic" fly fishing tournament and festival this Friday and Saturday at Percy Quin State Park just five miles from McComb, Mississippi.

The event marks a departure from the routine conclaves of past years, and joins the growing number of fly fishing tournaments, or events with a tournament component, that have become popular across the country.  Lake Tangipahoa inside Percy Quin offers fly anglers an opportunity for a trophy bass, as well as crappie over 2 pounds during March and April. 

Classic activities include: casting instruction and casting skills challenge, fly tying demos, Big Bream Contest (Friday afternoon) and the Sweetwater Classic Tournament (Saturday morning). The festival is FREE and admission to the park is free for attendees.

The Big Bream Contest entry fee is $5 cash (winner take all), and the Classic Tournament entry fee is $25 (register via iAngler). There’s also a “One Feather Fly Tying Contest” on Friday evening, and an “Iron Fly Tying” contest on Saturday afternoon.  Also, there's a fundraiser on Saturday with many great and one-of-a-kind items!

Anyone who registers for the tournament before Wednesday 11:59pm via the iAngler links is eligible for a drawing for $100 cash, to be drawn at the weigh-in. Must be present to win!

For complete details, including schedule, tournament rules, local lodging and restaurants, go to www.gulfcoastcouncilffi.org and click on the “Classic” page or any of the submenu items.

March date changes and non-club events

March is a busy month for our club!  We have several activities planned, and some rearrangement of meeting dates.  There's also some regional events club members may be interested in.

Please note the following:
- NO fly tying session this month.  We resume in April.
- Our annual Spring Picnic meeting is a week early this year,  March 16th.
- Our annual "March Brown" trip to the Little Missouri is March 19-22.
- We'll be at a special event Alexandria Farmers Market on March 24th.
- Our annual "Fly Fishing 101" is March 28th.  Details on the "FF101" page.

Other activities of interest this month:
- Pack & Paddle's annual Spring Demo Day on Saturday, March 7th at Vermillionville in Lafayette. Time is 10am to 2pm.  Free event, with kayak demos and fly rod testing demos.  For details go to www.packpaddle.com.
- Red Stick Day on March 7th in Baton Rouge, the Red Stick club's annual conclave.  Free admission. Location is Waddill Outdoors Center in Baton Rouge.  For details go to www.rsff.org.
- Winnfield Rotary Club meeting, on Wednesday, March 11th at Lydia's Country Kitchen in Winnfield.  Time is 12 noon.  KFF member Glen 'Catch' Cormier will speak on fly fishing.
- Gulf Coast Sweetwater Classic, fly fishing tournament and conclave,  Friday-Saturday, March 13-14, Percy Quin State Park in McComb, MS.  This is a new event by the FFI Gulf Coast Council.  Free admission, with a $5 entry fee on Friday's Big Bream Contest and $25 entry fee for the Saturday bass and crappie tournament.  Details and registration are at www.gulfcoastcouncilffi.org.
- Alexandria Farmers Market,  Tuesday, March 24th,  2727 Jackson St (across from United Methodist Church).  KFF will be displaying and doing casting lessons for the general public.
- Sowbug Roundup, Thursday-Saturday, March 26-28, Baxter County Fairgrounds, Mountain Home, AR.  This is the largest fly tying event in the country, hosted by the North Arkansas Fly Fishers.  Admission is $10 good for all 3 days.   Go to www.sowbugroundup.org.

Also, the Lake Athens Fly Fishing tournament and festival will be the first weekend in April,  Friday-Saturday, April 3rd and 4th.  Location is Lake Athens Marina in Athens, TX.  Free admission, with the Big Bass Contest having a $40 entry fee.  Proceeds benefit Project Healing Waters. Go to www.johnnyonthefly.com.