August 14th fly tying - Cats Whisker

KFF monthly fly tying session
Monday, August 14, 2023

6:30 pm - tying session begins
5:30 pm - casting outside, weather permitting
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube

This month's fly is the Cats Whisker, created by David Train of England in 1985. Like it's first cousin the Fluff Butt, the Whisker consists of a chenille body and marabou tail but with the addition of a marabou underwing. The original pattern didn't have bead chain or lead eyes, and had a tendency for the underwing to foul. To solve this, Train added four stiff whiskers from his cat to keep the underwing in place. Thus the name!

There are many variations of this fly over the years, and a wide range of species that eats this fly. If it has fins and gills and swims, it'll eat a Cats Whisker.  Many different colors can be used for the body, tail and underwing as well.

Because it's an easy-to-tie pattern, we encourage all novices or those interested in getting into fly tying to attend this session. The club has spare tools for use during meetings, and all materials are provided.

As always, we broadcast the sessions live via Zoom for those who cannot attend. The sessions are later posted on YouTube for future reference on the Kisatchie Fly Fishers YT channel. If you would like to join the Zoom but do not have the link, please email Bill Morrison.  

July 24th meeting - ICAST report, Redfish Regs

KFF general meeting
Monday, July 24, 2023
6:30pm
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube
* fly casting prior to meeting starting at 5:30pm

Our own Glen 'Catch' Cormier has had a busy month this July. First he represented the FFI Gulf Coast Council at the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission meeting, where changes in speckled trout and redfish management were discussed.  The next week he attended ICAST - the world's largest fishing trade show - and in addition to taking part in a series of conservation seminars, he once again sought out the most interesting new fishing products.

Catch will fill us in on:

• State of the Sport - Latest stats on fishing & fly fishing
• Most interesting products from ICAST
• Background and latest on redfish & speck management

As always, the public is welcome. For Zoom connection, email Mike or Bill for meeting number and password. For the KFF YouTube Channel, use this link and go to Live videos - http://bit.ly/3oBk106

July 10th fly tying - Extended Body Hopper

KFF monthly fly tying session
Monday, July 10, 2023 

6:30 pm - tying session begins
5:30 pm - casting outside, weather permitting
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube

This month, Chris Williams will be on hand to tie the Extended Body Hopper. This fly is very interesting as it uses a needle to extend the body of a terrestrial fly.  There are several variations of this fly, here is a video of one by renown tier Jerry Coviello as shown in the photo above.   CLICK HERE.   Like the variation we will tie, it uses a needle for the extension.

This extended body technique will be new to many of our tiers. So come out and learn another method of enhancing the flies you tie!  As always, materials other than thread will be provided and we have several sets of tools for any who do not have their own.

As always, we broadcast the sessions live via Zoom and YouTube for those who cannot attend. The YouTube sessions remain for future reference on the Kisatchie Fly Fishers YT channel. If you would like to join the Zoom but do not have the link, please email Bill Morrison.