Gulf Coast Fly Fishing Fair - September 12-13

2014 Gulf Coast Fly Fishing Fair
Sponsored by the Gulf Coast Council, International Federation of Fly Fishers
September 12-13, 2014
Ocean Springs Civic Center, Ocean Springs, Mississippi

This event is free and open to the public.  The Fair features free casting lessons, free tying lessons, free beginner classes, tying demonstrations, and free classes.  Class size is limited, so registration is strongly suggested as some classes will fill up early.

On Friday during the day, there will be workshops, including Continuing Education for IFFF Certified Casting Instructors (CCIs).

On Friday evening, there will be a Jambalaya Buffet, followed by Awards and a Live Auction at the Ocean Springs Yacht Club, 100 Front Beach Drive.  The Auction will feature fly tackle, guided trips, artwork, fly plates, and much more!  Half of the proceeds will be donated to the University of Southern Mississippi - Gulf Coast Research Lab, which is responsible for a number of projects in conjunction with the Gulf Coast Council.

Saturday is a day full of activities, including casting, tying, vendors, exhibitors, workshops, raffles, and much, much more.  The list of casting instructors is impressive, with a number of IFFF Certified Casting Instructors (CCIs) as well as Master Certified Instructors (MCIs).

To register for the event (free registration) simply click on this link for the GCC Fly Fair 2014 website:
www.gulfcoastifff.blogspot.com/p/gulf.html

August 25th meeting

Our next meeting will be on Monday, August 25, 2014 at 6:30pm at the Rapides Westside Library in Alexandria.  The public is welcome, so bring a guest if you can.

As of this posting, our scheduled speaker was not able to confirm. If they are unable to show up, we'll see a video by Lefty Kreh on fly casting.  Lefty is the dean of fly fishers... his video contains numerous tips to help improve your casting. 

Also on the agenda:  upcoming events, our participation at the Cenla Hunting and Fishing Day (September 27), update on the Cenla Fly Tying Festival now set for January 24th, and proposed trips to Calcasieu for reds and specks (fall) and to the Lower Mountain Fork (winter).

10th Contraband Fly Fishing Expo this Saturday

Our neighboring club in Lake Charles is holding their annual conclave this coming Saturday.  A chance for KFF members to learn or improve on casting, fly tying, and fishing techniques from regional experts.  Here are the details:

10th Contraband Fly Fishing Expo
Saturday, August 23, 2014
8:30am - 4:00pm
PPG - Porter Hall, 2250 Prater Road, Westlake, LA
FREE ADMISSION.  Open to the public!
Sponsored by the Contraband Fly Casters / Tom Nixon Chapter
Fly Tying, Casting Demos, Lure Exhibits, Auctions / Raffles, Food and Refreshments, Equipment Displays and more!  Public invited.

August 19 Fly Tying - Foam Spider

Our next fly tying session will take place on Tuesday, August 19, at the Rapides Westside Library in Alexandria.  Time is 6:30pm. Guests are invited.

The pattern this month will be the foam spider.  This is a great pattern for late summer fishing on all area lakes, especially around docks and trees. It's relatively simple to tie as well.

Bring your tools if you have some, materials will be provided.  For those without tools, good news!  The  club tying sets have arrived.   We now have 3 sets of the following:  vise, bobbin, scissors, bodkin, hair stacker, hackle pliers.  These are for use only during tying sessions.  

July 22nd meeting - What Knot to Wear

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, July 22nd at 6:30pm at the Rapides Westside Library in Alexandria.  Please note the change from our routine 4th Monday date.

The topic of this meeting will be "What Knot to Wear".  I'm knot kidding. We'll do hands-on of several popular fishing knots. Also, if anyone has any knots they'd like to share, please do so. The public is welcome, so bring a guest if you can.

Also on the agenda:  upcoming events, our participation at the Cenla Hunting and Fishing Day (September 27), and a proposed "Cenla Fly Tying Festival" for January. See you there.

June 23rd meeting - Kristi Butler, Booker Fowler Hatchery

The next monthly meeting of the Kisatchie Fly Fishers will be on Monday, June 23rd at 6:30pm at the Rapides Westside Library in Alexandria.  The public is welcome, so bring a guest if you can.

For this meeting, we welcome Ms. Kristi Butler, Manager for Booker Fowler Fish Hatchery, as our guest speaker. The LDWF Booker Fowler Hatchery is located in Woodworth and is the primary fish production for the state. Kristi will talk about the workings of the hatchery and stocking efforts in the Cenla region. Please make sure to arrive early for this meeting as Kristi will give her program first. We will then follow later with club news, fishing reports and other business.

June 16 Fly Tying

Our next fly tying session will be on Monday, June 16th, at the Rapides Westside Library in Alexandria.  Time is 6:30pm. Beginners are invited.

This month, we'll review some basics on fly tying with a video by Gary Borger.  Then apply those basics for one of the most effective freshwater patterns ever created... but with a slight twist. Members are encouraged to bring their tools and follow along.  Materials will be provided. For those without tools, we have a few to borrow for this session (KFF is getting four sets of tools that should arrive for our July session).

Destination Texas Fly Fishing Expo June 12-14

The Texas Council of the International Federation of Fly Fishers (IFFF) will hold their first-ever Expo Friday-Saturday, June 12-14, at the Civic Center in New Braunfels, Texas. The title of their event is "Destination Texas Fly Fishing Expo" with the intent to feature fly fishing opportunities in Texas, as well as flies and techniques for all fish, all waters. Admission is $20 for both days.

The Civic Center will feature exhibitors, vendors, programs, and fly tying demonstrations by some of the country's top fly tiers. Cypress Bend Park will be the location for Casting Programs, Certifications, and kayak fishing classes. Both locations will have hands-on workshops, which attendees can sign up for a nominal fee, and with limited class sizes. Also Youth and Women's Outreach programs.

Other activities: Thursday night there will be a Welcoming Dinner, Friday night the Texas Council will host the Fly Fishing Film Tour, and Saturday night will be the Awards Banquet and Auction. For more info, go to www.txflyfishexpo.com