April 17 fly tying

KFF monthly fly tying session
Monday, April 17, 2017
6:30pm
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria

As always, beginners are welcome!  If you don't have tying tools, the club has a few sets for use during these sessions.  Materials are provided.

Introducing Fly Fishers International

The International Federation of Fly Fishers (IFFF) is now Fly Fishers International (FFI).  The largest organization dedicated to the sport of fly fishing underwent a name change on April 1st.  The name change came after a marketing study in which "brand identification" was tagged as one of the issues in reaching out to the growing number of young fly casters.

While a name change is only a small part of the overall marketing effort, it's one that has made the most news - and favorably at that. A logo change also has been made. One of the new logos is shown on left.  Also, if you click on their old website domain name, www.fedflyfishers.org, it will take you to www.flyfishersinternational.org.

Since Kisatchie Fly Fishers is an affiliated club of FFI, we will have to make some changes to our website and leaflets.  Fortunately, there's great timing here - our updated leaflets were going thru the proofreading process when the name change was announced!

Another successful FF101

Our annual Fly Fishing 101 was another big success! With 18 students - beating last year's record participation - we had great weather for fly casting outside, while Gene Taylor and others gave instruction inside the classroom on knots, leaders, and flies.  Everyone got handouts, including a list of places to fish in north and central Louisiana from bank or boat. 

Thanks to everyone who helped as instructors, organizing or bringing important stuff like coffee, donuts, fruit, and drinks:  Rich Hudson, Gene Taylor, Roger Breedlove, Jim Johnson, Rich Dewees, Chris Perkins and Glen Cormier. Also big thanks to Kristi Butler for her assistance and giving the group a tour of the hatchery prior to the workshop! 

Fly Fishing 101 this Saturday!

Arnold Gingrich once said, "Fly fishing is the most fun you can have standing up. Or sitting down.". If you've ever wanted to find out what makes this sport so addictive, here's your chance!

This Saturday, April 8th is our annual "Fly Fishing 101" workshop at the LDWF Booker-Fowler Hatchery in Forest Hill.  Time is 8:30am to 12 noon.  It's FREE and open to the public.  Coffee, donuts, refreshments, handouts and door prizes!

FF101 is a 3-hour hands-on workshop that covers the basics of fly fishing, fly casting, knots, leaders, and flies often used.  Details and a schedule can be found by clicking on the menu above on "2017 Fly Fish 101".  Bring your rod/reel if you have one. If not, the club has setups for use during this workshop.

Please pre-register by calling 318-793-5855 or email catch@laflyfish.com.  Thanks!

March 27 "on the water" meeting

KFF monthly general meeting
Monday, March 27, 2017
Cotile Lake Recreation Area
(weather permitting)

** Please check back on Monday. The current forecast calls for a slight chance of rain. If the forecast gets much worse, we'll meet instead at the Westside Library at the usual time. ** 

With Daylight Savings Time in effect, it's time for our annual "on the water" meeting.  Once again, we'll meet at the Cotile Lake Recreation Area.  Come anytime that afternoon and fish from the bank.  Or bring your boat, kayak, pirogue, and launch at the rec area.

Then at 7:30pm, we'll start gathering at Pavilion #2 (the open pavilion overlooking the lake) and share fishing stories while nourishing on burgers and hot dogs fresh off the grill.  Bring your own drinks and even your own lawn chairs (they have chairs but they're not as comfortable).

Here's a Google Map to Cotile Lake Recreation Area.  It's about 20 minutes from Alexandria.

There's a $5 entry fee per vehicle if you're under 60 years old. It's FREE if you're 60 or older.

Please RSVP to Catch Cormier if you plan to attend so we'll know how many burgers/dogs to get.

March 20 fly tying - Kray Phish

KFF monthly fly tying session
Monday, March 20, 2017
6:30pm
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria

This month Catch Cormier will be leading us in tying a crawfish pattern called the "Kray Phish". Created by Daniel Moss of North Carolina, this pattern uses a couple of fairly new products to fly tying: EP Fiber Tarantula Brush and Fish Skull Cray Tail. Other materials include zonker strips and bucktail. In some variations, Daniel uses hackle instead of zonker strips and another new product from Fish Skull, Faux Bucktail, in lieu of real bucktail.

Here's a video of Daniel tying the Kray Phish.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZM2GBGyz7Ak

For more info, go to Daniel's website at www.9-5flyz.com.

As always, beginners are welcome!  If you don't have tying tools, the club has a few sets for use during these sessions.  Materials are provided.

February 27 general meeting - Kevin Andry

KFF monthly general meeting
Monday, February 27, 2017
6:30 pm
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria

For our "Mardi Gras meeting", we'll have king cake and refreshments, and a special guest.

We are delighted to welcome back Kevin "Doc" Andry of Baton Rouge as this month's featured presenter.  A nationally-awarded music teacher at St. Micheals High School, Doc is also an avid fly angler, tier and kayak fisherman. He chronicles his fishing adventures on his blog, "Kayak Fishing With Kevin". 

Since has last visit almost 3 years ago, he's been working on surface flies.  This time, he's going to demonstrate tying one of his favorite bream flies - The Round Dinny - as well as one of his favorite bass flies - the Crease Fly. He'll also discuss how to effectively fish these flies under all conditions.

He's bringing bodies and materials, enough for club members to join in. So bring your vise and tools, or just listen in. Doc has plenty of entertaining and informative stories regarding his fishing passion!

Bring a guest! See ya'll Monday night.

February 20 fly tying

KFF monthly fly tying session
Monday, February 20, 2017
6:30pm
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria

Yes, it's President's Day, but the Westside Library will be open!

As always, beginners are welcome!  If you don't have tying tools, the club has a few sets for use during these sessions.  Materials are provided.

This month Gene Taylor will be leading us in tying the Peacock and Partridge Wet Fly.  Wet flies are great imitations of emerging caddis pupa, diving caddis adults or even mayfly spinners. These once-popular flies have made a comeback in recent years.

There are several videos for tying this particular fly on Youtube. Here's a link to one of the better videos:
 https://youtu.be/koEPRSL6OSg

See ya' there!