August 22nd meeting - Big Easy Rios

KFF monthly meeting
Monday, August 22, 2022
5:30pm - casting
6:30pm - meeting
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube

This month's program will be a presentation by Bill Morrison, Jim Johnson and Catch Cormier.  Jim and Bill recently fished for Rio Grande Cichlids (aka Rio Grande Perch) with AJ Rosenbohm in New Orleans City Park.  Jim and Bill will speak of that June fishing trip and specifically, fishing in City Park.  Catch will add his thoughts on the Rodeo from the perspective of being a two time tournament winner.  Bill will propose a KFF club trip down to NOLA for the tournament which takes place on October 1st.

We'll also discuss our plans for Cenla National Hunting & Fishing Day (Sept. 24).

For Zoom connection, email Mike or Bill for meeting number and password. For the KFF YouTube Channel, use this link and go to Live videos - http://bit.ly/3oBk106

August 8th fly tying - Clouser Swimming Nymph

KFF monthly fly tying session
Monday, August 8, 2022
5:30pm -  casting on back lawn
6:30pm - session begins
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube

This month, Chris Williams will be here in person to lead us in tying the Clouser Swimming Nymph. According to Chris, most carp patterns are weighted so the hook point and tail are up. But his research found one major exception: Bob Clouser's Swimming Nymph. This fly was designed for smallmouth, but despite an active retrieve this fly has also been a carp killer.

This fly can also be a good crawfish imitation, especially in the preferred colors of rust/orange or olive. It can also be weighted or unweighted depending on fishing in grass or hard bottom.

All materials other than thread will be provided, and we have several sets of tools for beginners to use during the session.

For Zoom participants, enter the meeting number and password sent by email. For YouTube participants, search for "Kisatchie Fly Fishers" on YT.

July 25th meeting - A Caribbean Fishing Adventure

KFF monthly meeting
Monday, July 25, 2022
5:30pm - casting
6:30pm - meeting
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube

For this meeting, we'll have the program that was scheduled for our June meeting, but cancelled due to the library closure.  Rob Ratcliff will talk on his recent fly fishing trip to Cuba.  Rob and his compadres pursued a variety of tropical species including bonefish, tarpon, permit and more. He'll also share some photos of the city and country life and give his take on a country few Americans have visited.

After the presentations, we'll have a raffle for some outstanding flies tied by KFF members and donated by Richard Dewees.  You need to be present to win.

For Zoom connection, email Mike or Bill for meeting number and password. For the KFF YouTube Channel, use this link and go to Live videos - http://bit.ly/3oBk106

July 11th fly tying - Hula Worm

KFF monthly fly tying session
Monday, July 11, 2022
5:30pm -  casting on back lawn
6:30pm - session begins
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube

This month, we will tie the Hula Worm bass fly, a scaled-back derivative of the Jiggy Worm. This is a new fly for us, and it should be an excellent bass fly.  It can be tied in any color, and by varying the size of the cone-head, different sink rates can be attained for varying water depths and conditions.

For anyone new to tying or looking to get into it, this will be a good session to participate. There are only three materials to tie in, and the techniques used are great foundational tying skills. Olive thread is best, but black or brown should also work well - 6/0 or 140 denier will be best.   Also, if you have a grill or cigarette lighter, please bring it to heat and taper the tip of the tail.  If not, we will have several to share.

All materials other than thread will be provided, and we have several sets of tools for beginners to use during the session.

For Zoom participants, enter the meeting number and password sent by email. For YouTube participants, search for "Kisatchie Fly Fishers" on YT.

June 28th meeting cancelled

Our meeting scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, June 28th is canceled due to Library closure.  An employee tested positive for Covid-19 which resulted the in library closing until Thursday, June 30th.  The library will reopen on Thursday as long as no other employee  test

For the time being we will plan to slip the program planned for Tuesday evening to Monday ,July 25th, pending speaker availabilities.  More to follow.

Next fly tying is still scheduled for Monday, July 11th at 6:30 pm.

June 13th fly tying - Red-Faced Wobbler

KFF monthly fly tying session
Monday, June 13, 2022
5:30pm -  casting on back lawn
6:30pm - session begins
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube

This month, Jim Johnson will lead us in tying the Red-Faced Wobbler. This pattern was developed by Iowa fly angler Ward Bean for smallmouth bass. Though it was originally developed for smallmouth, it should be a great largemouth and general small streamer pattern.

For anyone new to tying or looking to get into it, this will be a good session to participate. Unlike our last couple of tying sessions, there are only a few materials to tie in, and the techniques used are all great foundational tying skills.   

All materials other than thread will be provided, and we have several sets of tools for any who do not have their own. Bring your own thread - either 6/0 or 140 denier red (white will also work).  

Material list:

• hook: Mustad 9674 or equivalent
• underbody: 10 wraps of .025 lead wire (or 18 of .015)
• tail: marabou
• tail flash: Lite Brite or Flashabou
• body: pearl Estaz
• collar: red Hen Neck Feather (or Hackle)

For Zoom participants, enter the meeting number and password sent by email. For YouTube participants, search for "Kisatchie Fly Fishers" on YT.

May 23rd meeting - Tying Skills

KFF monthly meeting
Monday, May 23, 2022
5:00pm - casting
6:30pm - meeting
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube

For our May meeting, we'll try something different.  After our business agenda, we'll gather in small groups with each group led by a member who will tie a specific fly and proceed at a pace conducive to beginners or those looking to hone a specific skill set.  We'll try to keep the group size to four members each.  We'll see how this works out and encourage feedback from those who participate.

Among the items on the business agenda:  Mixed Bag report, Summer Workshop, membership report, fishing reports.

For Zoom connection, email Mike or Bill for meeting number and password. For the KFF YouTube Channel, use this link and go to Live videos - http://bit.ly/3oBk106

Changes for Social Casting

Social Casting
5:00 pm to 6:20 pm
PRIOR TO CLUB MEETINGS only
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Province, Alexandria

Our "Social Distance Casting" is now "Social Casting" with the pandemic effectively over. Of course, you can learn to distance cast at Social Casting - or learn about many other casts. Of if you're new to fly fishing, we have certified instructors and other experienced flycasters who can teach you the basic casts (roll cast & standard cast).

Another change is date and location. Starting next week, Social Casting will ONLY be prior to club meetings (usually 2nd & 4th Monday of each month). Location will be the back lawn of the Westside Library. The Casting Committee believes this change will allow us to have more instructors available.

As always, we'll have our casting games (Hula Hoop Loop and Casting Target) as well as participation in the Casting Skills Challenge club program.  If you're a member of Fly Fishers International (FFI), you can also receive an FFI casting award.