September 12th tying - Bluegill Bully Spider

KFF monthly fly tying session
Monday, September 12, 2022
5:30pm -  casting on back lawn
6:30pm - session begins
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube

For September, we will tie a modified version of Terry and Roxanne Wilson's famous Bluegill Bully Spider.  This version was first tied by A.J. Rosenbohm, President of the FFI Gulf Coast Council.  Bill Morrison and Jim Johnson did well with this fly while fishing in New Orleans City Park for the Rio Grande Cichlid.

This is an easy and effective fly to tie, suitable for both beginners and advanced tiers.  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.

Mixed Bag Contest - update August 17th

Joel Dinnat's white bass

Our 5th annual Mixed Bag Contest is at the halfway point and we're up to 139 entries. The MBC is our members-only, months-long online tournament where size doesn't matter, but diversity does.

And while the top place will win a dedicated prize, the new format gives out more prizes for the drawing. Each entry represents one ticket in the drawing. For example, enter 4 species in the Mixed Bag and you get 4 tickets in the drawing. More entries = greater chances to win! So get out there and catch fish!

Prizes are cool, but the real winner of the Mixed Bag is you, the angler. It's a database for finding a good location to catch a particular species, and what flies might work best.

Here are the current standings:

• Chris Williams - 24
• Bill Morrison - 19
• Jim Johnson - 15
• Carlton Townsend - 13
• Glen Cormier - 12
• Jeff Albrecht - 7
• Jim Guillory - 7
• Robert Hughes - 7

Also: Phillip Cole - 6, Doug Bell - 5, Joel Dinnat - 5, Rich Hudson - 4, Tom Zabasky - 4, Keith Breazeale - 3, Rick Maddox - 2, Mike Carlin - 2, Pitt Merryman - 1, Preston Keiser - 1

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.