IFFF Gulf Coast Fly Fishing Fair - September 18-19

2015 Gulf Coast Fly Fishing Fair
Sponsored by the International Federation of Fly Fishers, Gulf Coast Council
September 18-19, 2015
Ocean Springs Civic Center, Ocean Springs, Mississippi

The GCC Fair is the largest "conclave" held on the northern Gulf Coast each year, with attendees having the opportunity to learn from a very diverse group of anglers and tiers, with specialties ranging from mountain trout to offshore fly fishing.

- Friday activities include specialty classes and casual dinner that evening at the Yacht Club with award presentations, auction featuring one-of-a-kind items, and more.

- Saturday begins with breakfast at Gulf Coast Research Lab, followed by programs, fly tying, vendor exhibits, casting, silent auction and raffles.

All classes and instruction are FREE!

For IFFF members, dorm suites available at the Research Lab for $15 or $22, first come, first served. Holiday Inn Express also has special rates for $77. 

For complete details on this great event, with contact info, go to www.gulfcoastfff.org.

August 24th general meeting - Chris Patterson

The next meeting of the Kisatchie Fly Fishers will be on Monday, August 24, at the Rapides Westside Library in Alexandria. Time is 6:30pm. The public is welcome.

For this meeting, we’ll have Chris Patterson as our guest speaker.  Chris was hired back in March as the new Parks and Recreation Director for Alexandria. A position he had held the last six years in Brownsville, Texas. Under Chris' leadership, the Brownsville department grew from 16 parks to 32 parks and youth recreational programs were expanded to several thousand youngsters.

Since joining AREC, Chris has initiated a series of activities to get kids outside and showing them more to life than video games and Facebook pages. Chris will talk about some of his programs and do questions and answers.

Chris will also address a hot topic on the minds of KFF members: can Alexandria have winter stocking of rainbow trout like they do in Baton Rouge, Gonzales, and Lafayette? You'll have to attend to find out!

The August, 2015 issue of "Lines and Leaders", the newsletter of the Kisatchie Fly Fishers, is now online in PDF format (901kb). Click here to download.

Contraband Fly Fishing Expo this weekend!

11th Contraband Fly Fishing Expo
Saturday, August 22, 2015
8:30am - 4:00pm
PPG - Porter Hall, 2250 Prater Road, Westlake, LA
FREE ADMISSION.
Sponsored by the Contraband Fly Casters / Tom Nixon Chapter

Fly Tying, Casting Demos, Lure Exhibits, Auctions / Raffles, Food and Refreshments, Equipment Displays and more! Also, the drawing for their Kayak Raffle.  Tickets will be sold during the event up until the drawing.

For a complete schedule of activities, go to http://www.warmfly.com/smf/index.php?topic=7863.0

August 17 fly tying

Our next fly tying session will be Monday, August 17, at the Rapides Westside Libary in Alexandria. Time is 6:30pm.

Coming soon!  Great fall fishing for bass and redfish. Redfish will be feasting on storm minnows, while bass will be chasing shad. There are several great patterns that imitate baitfish.  One of the most effective is the Coma Spoon.  Originated by KFF member Glen "Catch" Cormier, this fly is a "twist" on the popular spoon fly.  Unlike traditional teardrop spoons, the Coma Spoon - based on propeller science - sinks faster without weight, and can be retrieved at a fairly rapid pace without skimming at the surface.

For this session, we'll tie the Coma Spoon and give options for this fly.  Bring your tools if you have some, if not, the club has a few sets for use during these sessions. Materials will be provided.

2015 Fly and Kayak Fishing Products

I attended ICAST / IFTD - the world's largest sportfishing and fly fishing trade show - a couple weeks ago in Orlando.  I've been compiling on my blog some of the new or more interesting products I saw related to fly fishing and kayak fishing.  The url is www.nonewtailstotell.blogspot.com.  The posts are compiled by category (kayaks, rods, reels, clothing, etc.).  Keep checking back as new categories are added... should be completed by early August.  Hope this provides some interest - maybe even excitement - to KFF members as you ponder items for your Santa list this Christmas.

No New Tails to Tell

July 20 general meeting, July newsletter

The next meeting of the Kisatchie Fly Fishers will be on Monday, July 20 at the Rapides Westside Library in Alexandria. Time is 6:30pm. The public is welcome, so bring a guest if you can.

Please note: there is -no- fly tying session this month. We’ve moved the general meeting from the usual 4th Monday date to the 3rd Monday. This is due to the library’s Summer Book Sale the last week. 

For this meeting, we’ll have Burley Johnson and possibly other members of our neighboring club - the Cane Country Fly Casters in Natchitoches - who will make a special presentation to our club. Also, Catch Cormier will give a brief recap of some of the new products he saw and tested at last week’s ICAST trade show in Orlando.

Also: the July, 2015 issue of our newsletter, Leaders and Lines, is now available online in PDF format (901kb). Click here to download.

ALBC 30th Youth Tournament - August 1st

Association of Louisiana Bass Clubs
30th Annual Youth Tournament
Saturday, August 1, 2015
Cotile Lake Recreation Area

Ages: 3-8 and 9-14
Entry fee: $5 per child includes t-shirt plus hamburger and RC Cola compliments of Burger King and Cenla Beverage Co.
Fishing times: safe daylight to 10:30am


Trophies for 1st, 2nd, 3rd in each age group for each species: bass, bream, white perch. Free Zebco Rod and Reel to first 500 entries. Drawing for 8 bicycles donated by Academy Outdoors.

To enter, click on image, print it out, then mail to Sayes Office Supply, 7603 Hwy 71 South, Alexandria, LA 71302. Mail entries must be received by July 25th. Onsite entries day of the tournament also accepted.

2015 NLFF Masters Series ft. Davy Wotton - July 25

North Louisiana Fly Fishers - 3rd Annual Masters Series
"A Day with Davy Wotton - Mastering the Nymph"

Saturday, July 25, 2015
9:00am to 5:00pm
Red River National Wildlife Refuge
150 Eagle Bend, Bossier City, Louisiana
Cost: $35 per person (includes lunch, coffee, drinks, etc)

Registration for this event is now open. Pre-registration required as seats limited to 75 participants (see form link below).  This is a great event, with something for all levels of fly anglers from beginners to experts.  Held at the beautiful Red River Refuge complex overlooking Lake Caroline. Seats often fill up weeks in advance, so register asap!

Click here for more details in PDF format.

Click here for registration form including details of the seminar.