KFF August meeting - The Streak

KFF monthly meeting

Monday, August 23, 2021 

5:00pm - casting

6:30pm - meeting

Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria

Also livestreamed on Zoom

 * Due to the latest Covid outbreak, masks are required at all times inside the library meeting rooms * 

On the agenda: 

- fly casting prior to meeting 

- a silent auction for several rods and reels donated by Rober Breedlove (to be run concurrently with meeting) 

 - meeting: committee reports and fishing reports 

- a 27 minute film, "The Streak" 

 Flip Siragusa will introduce the film and answer questions after the showing.  As a federal game warden, Flip worked with Rick Branzell, one of the two characters who, fishing together with Kris McLean, caught a trout on a fly every month for 19 years straight on the Bitterroot River, Montana. 

August 9th fly tying - Foam Bugs

KFF monthly fly tying session

Monday, August 9, 2021

6:30pm

Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria

Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube

* Remote members can participate via the Zoom app on any PC, tablet, or smartphone.  Enter the meeting ID and password to join in.  Email Bill Morrison to request.

For this meeting, Flip Siragusa is travelling up from Lafayette to lead us in two foam patterns, the Triangle Bug (#10) and a #6 foam popper.  A few of us have fished the Triangle Bug and it has worked very well.   As always, materials will be provided and we will have vises and tools available for those who don’t have their own. 

For Zoom participants, materials will only be mailed to those members who reside beyond 100 miles. foam popper.  A few of us have fished the Triangle Bug and it has worked very well.   As always, materials will be provided and we will have vises and tools available for those who don’t have their own.  For Zoom participants, materials will only be mailed to those members who reside beyond 100 miles.

Casting Mondays

Every Monday of the month offers an opportunity for members to improve their fly casting skills. Come get personal instruction, or compete in a casting game, or qualify for the KFF and/or FFI Casting Skills Challenge Award. Check the weather in advance, or check emails for cancellation if adverse weather.

For our monthly meeting dates - 2nd Monday fly tying and 4th Monday general meeting - there is fly casting behind our meeting place (Rapides Westside Library). It starts around 5:00pm and concludes 10 minutes prior to the meeting (6:30pm).

All other Mondays of the month we meet at the Big Field area of Alexandra City Park.  Casting begins at  5:00pm and goes until around 6:30pm..

July 12th tying session - EP Shrimp

KFF monthly fly tying session
Monday, July 12, 2021
6:30pm
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube

* Remote members can participate via the Zoom app on any PC, tablet, or smartphone.  Enter the meeting ID and password to join in.  Email Bill Morrison to request.

Member Chris Williams from Sorrento, LA will be present and lead us in tying of the EP Shrimp. Chris is blogger for Fat Finger Fly Tying (check out his webpage). Created by Enrico Puglisi, the EP Shrimp has several variations, all of which are very effective for many species from speckled trout to bonefish.  

Beginners are welcome! Bring your tools, materials will be provided.  For those without tools, the club has sets for use during the session.  For Zoom participants, materials will only be mailed to those members who reside beyond 100 miles.

Patton, Williams setting records in Mixed Bag

Our 4th annual Mixed Bag Contest is setting records left and right!  Currently we have almost twice as many entries at this point in contest history. And while Jerry Patton and Chris Williams are out to prove that there is NO species that won't take their flies, we want to remind members that each entry - even just one - is more important than ever.

That's because in January the board voted to change the MBC award system to encourage more member participation. Rather than award out six places as in the past, this year only the winner will receive a cash prize. Conversely, we've expanded the consolation drawing from one prize to several. Each entry will be worth one ticket under your name in the drawing. 

We still have five more months in the contest, plenty of time to enter.  More entries = greater chances to win!

Here are the current standings:

Jerry Patton - 20
Chris Williams - 17
Tyler Woods - 8
Carlton Townsend - 8

Others: Glen Cormier (7), Robert Hughes (6), Mike Carlin (6), Bill Morrison (6), Joel Dinnat (5), Rich Hudson (5), Jim Johnson (4), Barbara Carlin (3), Preston Keiser (2), Louis Busby (2), Gene Taylor (2), Dustin McDavid (2).

Among the more recent catches of interest are Guadalupe Bass (Mike Carlin), Longnose Gar (Tyler Wood), Tiger Trout (Rich Hudson, photo top), Common Carp (Chris Williams) and Croaker (Jerry Patton, photo bottom).

Fly Tying 101 coming August 7th

Saturday, August 7, 2021
8:30 am - 11:30 am
* Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria, LA
FREE and open to the public!

* Please note that location is subject to change depending on class size *

While most tiers may not agree on the economics of fly tying, nearly all will agree with actor Ewan McGregor, of Star Wars fame and who portrayed biologist and fly fishing expert Dr. Alfred Jones in the movie “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen”.  In an interview, McGregor explained the reasons why he himself loves to tie flies: that crafting a fly is transcendental, and there’s nothing more gratifying than catching a fish on a fly you tied.

If that appeals to you, here's your opportunity to learn from expert tiers.  Fly Tying 101 is a 3-hour, hands-on workshop that covers the basics of tools, materials, and terminology.  Students will tie at least 3 different flies using popular techniques and thread knots. And best of all, it's FREE!

Details, schedule and a link to registration can be found by clicking on the menu above "FT101".

June 28th general meeting - Welcome back!

Kisatchie Fly Fishers monthly meeting
Monday, June 28, 2021
5:00pm until meeting starts - casting on back lawn
6:30pm - meeting begins
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria

* Also streamed on Zoom.  Enter the meeting ID and password to join in.  If you need the ID and password, email Bill Morrison with a request.

We welcome our members and any guests to our first in-person general meeting since February 2019.  While the pandemic may be over, we strongly urge our members to practice good health.  Wear a mask if you feel the need to.  And please stay home if you feel ill.

Casting practice kicks off at 5:00pm and goes until start of meeting. Bring your rod, or use one of the club outfits. Get casting instruction, or participate in the Casting Skills Challenge for a Bronze, Silver or Gold certificate.

 

For our June program, we have two presentations of great interest.  First,Tom Zabasky will present the Coldwater Committee plan for a club trip to the White River in Arkansas, tentative dates November 8-11 this Fall.   Afterward,  Tom and Robert Hughes will share information regarding their Belize Coastal Reef Bonefish and Tarpon fly fishing happening next week.

 

Also: fishing reports and details on upcoming activities including Fly Tying 101 in August. The public is welcome!

June 14th tying session - Peanut Envy

KFF monthly fly tying session
Monday, June 14, 2021
6:30pm
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria

* Remote members can still participate via the Zoom app on any PC, tablet, or smartphone.  Enter the meeting ID and password to join in.  Email Bill Morrison to request.

For our first in-person fly tying session in over a year, Tyler Wood will lead us in tying a smaller version of Kelly Galloup's Peanut Envy.  In a size 4, this small profile streamer is easier to cast, and versatile for a wide variety of predatory species.  Bring your tools, materials will be provided.  

Hope to see you there!