Mixed Bag standings - November 1st

We're now into the final month of our annual Mixed Bag Contest - it ends 11:59pm on November 30th. The MBC is our members-only, online tournament where size doesn't matter, but diversity does. The objective is to catch as many different species on fly rod and flies over the course of 11 months, over a limited geographical area. Click on "Mixed Bag" menu above for complete details.

Proof that you can catch just about anything on flies - check out this photo of a Lowland Cichlid taken by Eron Borne in a New Orleans canal.  While closely resembling the Rio Grande Cichlid, the Lowland Cichild is a new species here in Louisiana.

So far, 24 members have logged more than 270 entries. While  the top contestants may be way ahead in numbers, don't let that deter you from submitting entries.  Remember that under the new format we started a couple of years ago, there are many more consolation drawings - and some really nice prizes too!  Every entry gets one ticket in the drawing. For example, enter 4 species in the Mixed Bag and you get 4 tickets in the drawing. More entries = greater chances to win!
 
Mixed Bag Standings as of 11/1/2025:

Bill Morrison - 42
Eron Borne - 35
Ed Jones - 31
Jim Johnson - 25
Jerry Patton - 21
Chris Williams - 19

Warmouth taken by Joel Dinnat on Rio Bandito

Others: Orlando Madrid -15, Jeff Albrecht -11, Noah Hoyt -11, Tyler Hoyt -8, Glen Cormier -7, Joel Dinnat -6, Mike Carlin -6, Robert Hughes -5, Chris Perkins -4, Frank Coe -4, Phillip Cole -4, Tom Zabasky -4, Barbara Carlin -3, Carlton Townsend -3, Rich Hudson -3, James Guillory -2, Isaac Hoof -1, Ronnie Richmond -1.

Remember - the Mixed Bag is as much an educational tool as it is a contest. The spreadsheet database, which is available online to anyone, can tell you:
- how many different species can be caught on fly
- the best places to catch a certain fish at a certain time
- what flies work best on certain fish

So get busy and get some entries in! 

October / early November activities

KFF monthly fly tying session
* Tuesday, October 14th
6:30pm
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube
Featured pattern: LaFleur's Charlie

* Please note: this month's tying is on Tuesday due to library closure on Monday for the holiday *

This month Catch Cormier will lead us in tying the LaFleurs Charlie. Created by Mike LaFleur of Baton Rouge, this easy-to-tie variation of the popular Crazy Charlie is great for beginners. It's one of several similar patterns that uses a flashy chenille for the body.  

Mike's version is unique in that it uses a high modacrylic fiber for the wing.  This European-produced synthetic has been resold by one fly shop for over three decades as "craft fur",  but in recent years has been sold by brands under the name "polar fiber".  It differs from craft fur in that it has amazing shimmer.  The LaFleur Charlie been featured in a couple of books and several magazine articles, and is a great pattern for all inshore species as well as crappie and white bass.

As always, the session is open to the public. All materials are provided, and we have sets of tools for beginners to use during the session. For beginners, we can also pair you with someone who can help.

Remote members can participate using the Zoom meeting number and password sent by email. The video is also available on our YouTube Channel. Click this link and go to Live videos -
http://bit.ly/3oBk106

KFF general meeting
Monday, October 27th
6:30 pm 
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube
Topic: Smallmouth Bass in the Ouachitas

This month KFF members Robert Hughes and Bill Morrison will give us a presentation on the club's smallmouth fishing trip in the Ouachita Mountains last May. They'll share the key points they learned and what flies and techniques worked best for this hard-fighting species.

Casting practice starts at 5:30 pm. With Daylight Savings Time ending early next month, this will be our last casting prior to meetings for 2025. So if you need to tune up your casting, show up before 6:30pm and get a few lessons in.

 

As always our meeting is open to the public. Remote members can join in via Zoom, while all others can watch via the Kisatchie Fly Fishers YouTube Channel at http://bit.ly/3oBk106  

 

North Toledo Bend Rendezvous
Friday-Sunday, Oct. 31 - Nov. 2, 2025
North Toledo Bend State Park, Zwolle, LA

Entering it's 36th year, Rendezvous is a casual gathering for fly tiers and other fly fishing enthusiasts from across several states – along with their families – for a weekend of fly tying and fishing with only a minimal fee to cover lodging and meals. Some are members of clubs, some are not. Rendezvous is open to all!

There are no organized activities. Everyone is welcome to come fish, tie flies, watch some of the region's top tiers, or tie themselves. You can come for the day or the entire weekend. If you come as a family, the rate for the entire weekend for the whole family or individual is just $40 which includes lodging. For one night lodging, the fee is $20 and for day only the fee is $10.

The excellent facilities at North Toledo Bend State Park are ideal for a Fall weekend fly tying retreat. 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.

For complete details,  CLICK HERE . 

Sugar Day Festival
Saturday, November 8th
9:00am - 5:00pm
Kent Plantation House
3601 Bayou Rapides Rd, Alexandria, LA

The 32nd Annual Kent House Sugar Day features live music, house tours, demonstrations of blacksmithing, corn grinding, woodcrafting, and FLY TYING.  As well as vendors selling handmade arts & crafts items, and plenty of children’s activities! 

KFF members wishing to demo tie should fill out the form below so we can tell them how many tables to set up for us.  You’re welcome to tie any pattern you wish.  FORM:  https://forms.gle/wgmcELdBbhXYiVUS8