February 9th fly tying - Tan Bead Belly

KFF monthly fly tying session
Monday, February 9th
6:30pm
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube

This month Bill Morrison leads us in tying Jeff Guerin’s Tan Bead Belly - one of Jeff's staple patterns for the Little Missouri.  It can imitate caddis, March Browns, or other insects.  

What makes this fly different from nearly all the trout nymphs we've tied is that the bead is tied near the middle of the hook rather than behind the hook eye. This gives the bead the impression of an air bubble. The pattern has classic soft hackle lines and fishes well under an indicator or stripped or pulled just below the surface.

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  

Cenla Fly Fishing Festival reset for May 30th

Cenla Fly Fishing Festival
Saturday, May 30, 2026

8:30am to 3:30pm 
Kees Park, Pineville, LA
FREE admission!!

We were all disappointed that our Festival in January had to be canceled due to a winter storm watch.  The good news is that now have a NEW date for our Fest - Saturday, May 30th.  And promises from the weatherman that this time there's an extremely small chance of frozen precipitation.

So mark your calendar, tell your friends, and come enjoy a celebration of the fly fishing experience.  Watch some of the top tiers from across the region tie flies and jigs.  Cast a fly rod and/or get casting instruction from top FFI Certified Instructors.  Learn why kayaks are an economical and very effective way to fish.  And please take part in our giant raffle and fundraiser to raise money for our friends at The Food Bank of Central Louisiana - and help feed some hungry families! 

We'll be posting the new schedule, speakers, and tiers for the event in the weeks ahead.  Click on the "2026 Cenla Fest" menu  for details.

January 26th meeting cancelled

In addition to the cancellation of our Cenla Fly Fishing Festival on Saturday due to weather concerns, the Rapides Parish Police Jury has announced closure of all offices and facilities, which includes the parish libraries.  For that reason - as well as continued travel concerns due to possible lingering icy roads - the club has cancelled our January general meeting set for Monday, the 26th.  See you all in February!

Cenla Fly Fest cancelled / postponed

Wednesday morning, the National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for central Louisiana and all parts north. Icy road conditions may exist as far south as Lake Charles and Opelousas beginning Saturday afternoon. This was especially concerning since our special guest speaker, and many of our guest tiers were coming from the I-20 corridor and further north.

Out of abundance of concern for our guest tiers, speakers, and attendees, the Kisatchie Fly Fishers decided to cancel this Saturday's Cenla Fly Fishing Festival. Whether it will be cancelled for 2026 or postponed until late Spring or early Summer remains to be seen.

Many of you are disappointed I'm sure. Interest in the 2026 Festival was much higher than in the previous five events, so we were anticipating a record turnout. The board will meet in a couple weeks and discuss the possibilities for having this event this year.

PLEASE stay safe out there!

January 12th fly tying - Sunday Special

KFF monthly fly tying session
Monday, January 12th
6:30pm
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube
Featured pattern: Sunday Special

This month Robert Hughes will lead us in tying the Sunday Special.  Created by Clint Wilkinson, it's been called the ultimate Arkansas guide fly since it is a consistent, dependable pattern.   It is a buggy, bead head pattern that imitates a wide variety of insects, from caddis to scuds. It fishes well alone with an indicator or with a trailing midge.

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  

2026 Mixed Bag Contest is live!

Our Mixed Bag Contest is back for a ninth year! The MBC is a members-only, months-long tournament where the goal is to catch as many different species on fly rod. It's CPRE which means catch-photo-release encouraged. And best of all, there is no entry fee!

Are you ready?  Here's what you need to compete:

• Be a 2026 member of KFF
• Go to the Mixed Bag Contest page and review the rules
• Have your camera or smartphone available when fishing
• Take photos of your catch and include either the fly rod or fly, or both
• Log them in using the links on the Mixed Bag page.
• Bring your enthusiasm!  Remember, while the top 5 finishers get placement prizes, all other participants are eligible for several consolation prizes. Each entry gets you one ticket into the consolation drawing.  

Check out our website and Facebook page during the year for frequent updates. 

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Here's wishing our members and friends, and all of their families, a most blessed holiday season. Hope everyone finds something under the Christmas tree they can use for their piscatorial pursuits in the coming year.

While Christmas is a season of festivity, let's not forget the reason for the season: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us….” John 1:14. Please be giving to those in need, and pray for those who are less fortunate, for those in suffering, and for those away from their families this season.

We also wish everyone a prosperous and healthy New Year.  Stay tuned for details on the 2026 Mixed Bag Challenge which kicks off January 1st.

Festival time just weeks away!

Cenla Fly Fishing Festival
Saturday, January 24, 2026
8:30am to 3:30pm 
Kees Park, Pineville, LA
FREE admission!!

In even-numbered years we hold our biennial Festival, a celebration of the fly fishing experience.  This event is  unique in that it's all about education, instruction, and community.

We encourage attendees to come learn about the sport, new places to fish, or how to fish them. Watch some of the top tiers from across the region tie flies, or jig makers.  Cast a fly rod and/or get casting instruction from top FFI Certified Instructors.  Learn why kayaks are an economical and very effective way to fish.  

And please take part in our giant raffle and fundraiser to raise money for our friends at The Food Bank of Central Louisiana - and help feed some hungry families! 

For complete details, including schedule, list of fly tiers and jig makers, exhibitors, speakers, and much more, click on the "2026 Cenla Fest" menu above.