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!

January 23rd meeting - Tom Bullock

KFF monthly general meeting
Monday, January 23, 2017
6:30 pm
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria

We are delighted to welcome Tom Bullock as our guest speaker for our January meeting.  Tom will give us a presentation on "Soft Hackled Flies and How to Fish Them".   Tom has fly fished his entire life and travels extensively in pursuit of trout with wet flies.  He’s also a board member of the North Louisiana Fly Fishers, and the IFFF Gulf Coast Council.

As always, the public is welcome! 

Also on the agenda: fishing reports, upcoming regional events, and ideas for a local fishing outing.

Also, a reminder that 2017 dues are due!  Please pay our Treasurer, Rich Hudson, or email your check for $25 to:

Kisatchie Fly Fishers
5093 Laura Lane
Woodworth, LA  71485

January 17 fly tying

KFF monthly fly tying session
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
6:30pm
Rapides Westside Library, Alexandria

** Please note the date!  Because of the ML King holiday, the library is closed on our normal tying day (Monday).  So we will meet on Tuesday instead. **  

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's pattern will be the Jitterbee.  This now-famous bream fly was created by Randy Leonpacher of Baton Rouge two decades ago.  Randy, an avid bream fisherman, was looking for a fly that could best match the tiny split-tail  plastic grubs he had success with on spinning tackle.  Unable to find such a fly, he created his own - and the Jitterbee was born!

The Jitterbee is an excellent bead head nymph that looks like a bee with a cricket-like tail. Best colors are black/orange, black/red or black/chartreuse. As Randy says, "This bug is my first line of offense for bream. It can be fished deep or under a strike indicator. In either case don't set your rod down 'cause once the bream get sight of this bug its gone pecan!".

Instructions for tying the Jitterbee can be found on www.laflyfish.com and on www.frankenfly.com.  The photo shown comes courtesy of FrankenFly.

** Please note that we start collecting 2017 dues this month.  Dues are now $25 - individual or family - we went up $5 to cover our FFF dues.  If you're a full-time student or active military, membership is still FREE!  **

See you Tuesday! 

Cenla Fishing Expo has been cancelled

We regretfully have announced that our first-ever general fishing expo which was set for January 21st has been cancelled.  If we had postponed the event, we had enough vendor interest for a later date, but there were very few dates available and all had considerable conflicts.

The club is still looking forward to doing a special event each year.  What that event might be is in discussion. We may go back to doing our very successful - but much smaller - fly fishing festival.  Or we may hold a fishing event, similiar to the New Orleans Fly Fishers Rio Grande Rodeo. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Here's wishing a most blessed Christmas for all our members and friends!  Hope everyone finds something under the Christmas tree they can use for their piscatorial pursuits in the coming year.  And let's not forget the reason for the season. Please be giving to those in need, and keep in our prayers those in suffering, distress, and away from their homes and families this holiday season, especially our troops.

With the new year comes two things we all love - good fishing and fun activities.  The club has several great things in store for 2017, starting with our biennial Cenla Fishing Expo on January 21st.  We also have club trips, an evening meeting on Cotile Lake, and our annual Fly Fishing 101.

Also, many of our friends are holding events this coming year, including the Little Mo Fly Fishing Fest, Acadiana Fly Rodders Conclave, and  the North Louisiana Fly Fishers Masters Series. For dates and details of all things happening in 2017 - including our meeting and fly tying dates - check out our Calendar page.

KFF Holiday Gathering - December 12

In lieu of our December meeting, the club will again gather for an holiday evening of food, fun, and prizes.

Date: Monday, December 12
Location: Tunks Cypress Inn on Kincaid Lake, Highway 28 West near Gardner
Time: 6:30pm
Dutch Treat
For menu selections, go to www.tunkscypressinn.com

You can bring a spouse, guest, sibling, etc.
Dress is casual (but no waders!)
RSVP required... DEADLINE Wednesday, December 7... email Catch Cormier

November meeting recap

From Rich Hudson, Secretary/Treasurer. VP Carlton Townsend presided as Catch was out of town. Our guest speaker was Howard Malpass, owner of Gray Wolf Fly Shop in Shreveport. Howard entertained the group with stories of his introduction to fly fishing in England and Scotland and the experience of owning the only privately run fly fishing shop in North Louisiana.

He moved on to specifically talking about the San Juan River in Northwest New Mexico, a location he has frequently fished.  He focused on lodging, transportation, areas to fish, necessary gear,  water temperature and safety.  Additionally, he brought several flies, tied on size 26 and 28 hooks, that are commonly used on the river.  He donated these to the club for a future fund raising event.  He also brought several packs of hooks, many were purchased by members.

Prior to his conclusion, Howard discussed Hero’s on the Water and Louisiana Yard Dogs, organizations he is involved with, that support veterans and others suffering from PTSD and other injuries.  This is primarily through fishing experiences.

In the business segment, Carlton announced nominations for the 2017 Board of Directors, as well as a list of club events and activities for the first quarter of next year. Also, a reminder to members about the Christmas Gathering on December 12.