July activities

KFF monthly fly tying session
* Tuesday, July 14th

6:30 pm 
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube
Featured pattern: Sam's One Bug
* click on the image to see larger view

** Please note the date change as the library was unavailable on the 2nd Monday **

This month Jim Johnson will lead us in tying the Sam's One Bug.  This classic foam bass and bluegill pattern was created by Sam Blevins around 1984. Sam named the fly “One Bug” after catching 100+ bream, three smallmouth, and five largemouth on the same fly and noting that he needed only one fly to fish all day. We will tie one similar to the photo. 

Incidently, Sam's son Wade continues the legacy by tying these bugs at the Atlanta Fly Fishing Show and other venues. For more info about the origin of this pattern, check out this podcast featuring Wade Blevins.  CLICK HERE.

As always, the session is open to the public. All materials are provided, and we have sets of tools for beginners to use during the session. For beginners, we can also pair you with someone who can help.

Remote members can participate using the Zoom meeting number and password sent by email. All others can watch on the KFF YouTube Channel, use this link and go to Live videos -
http://bit.ly/3oBk106

2026 KFF Summer Workshop
Tying Poppers - with Anthony Falgout

Saturday, July 18, 2026
9:30 am to 1:00 pm
Ft. Randolph - Buhlow Historic Site
135 Riverfront St, Pineville, LA 
 
Registration required, Class Fee $55.  Limited to 10 tiers.  

As of July 1st, we only had 5 club members signed up, so the workshop is now open to ALL tiers!

Details:

• Hands-on demonstration and painting six poppers for each student.
• At the end of the class, each student will have one fully completed popper with instructions to complete the remaining ones.
• Materials needed to complete the six poppers.
• A tool kit to take home for each student to continue the fun.
• Class should run for 3-4 hours depending on skill level of class.

Materials and instruction will be provided to students. Students should bring their own vise, tools, and thread. Anthony will let us know what color and denier thread we'll be using.  Refreshments will be provided.

To register, click this link:  CLICK HERE

KFF general meeting
Monday, July 27th 
6:30 pm 
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Topic:  The True Weight of your Fly Rod

Join us July 27th as we welcome Rush Clay from the North Louisiana Fly Fishers club.  Rush specializes in using the Common Cents System (CCS) for both custom built and factory rods. The CCS was created by Dr. William Hanneman, a world renowned gemmologist who first published his unique system in 2002, that uses pennies to make a relatively accurate determination of the "weight" action of a fly rod or rod blank.

Rush will discuss the origin of CCS and how it works.  Then he will do evaluations of various rods that attendees bring.  Attendees are encouraged to bring one or two of their rods they wish to be evaluated.  

REMEMBER!  The fly line is as important as the rod in making a good cast.  Knowing the proper weight line to use on your rod can make a big difference in your casting.

As always, the public is welcome! Remote members can participate using the Zoom meeting number and password sent by email. The livestream is also available on our YouTube Channel. Click this link and go to Live videos -
http://bit.ly/3oBk106  

UPCOMING 

Fly Tying 101 - Tuesday, Sept. 8th.   

Time 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm.  Rapides Westside Library.  Free to KFF members.  $10 materials fee for non-members. Registration required, as class limited to 15 students.  See the "Tying 101" page on menu for complete details.

3rd annual ALTO Flies & Pies - Friday - Saturday, Sept. 18 -19

Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, Natchitoches, LA. Hosted by the ArkLaTexOma Fly Tyers in conjunction with the Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival.  For details, go to www.arklatexomaflytyers.org
or the ArkLaTexOma Fly Tyers Facebook Page.

KFF Casting Clinic -  Saturday, Oct. 10th

9:00 am to 12 noon, Big Island Field, City Park, Alexandria.  Whether newbie or looking to advance your casting skills, this one is for you!  Instruction will be one-on-one or one-on-two as opposed to a seminar style presentation.  This to help maximize your time casting and work on your specific needs of improvement.  No cost and open to the public.  Club rods will be available for use during the session.

June 22nd general meeting - The Five Essentials

KFF general meeting
Monday, June 22nd 

5:30 pm - casting on lawn, weather permitting
6:30 pm - meeting
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom & YouTube

This month we pay tribute to world-renowned flycasting instructor and outdoorsman Bill Gammel, who passed away earlier this month.  Bill and his dad Jay wrote the groundbreaking booklet, "The Five Essentials of Fly Casting" in 1990, which has since become the foundation for teaching effective casting, used by instructors worldwide.

We'll first walk through a brief powerpoint featuring two videos, one by Bill and another by one of Europe's top casting instructors, on The Five Essentials.  Then our panel of club casting gurus will elaborate on each of the principles, with some live demonstration possible as well.

If you're new to flycasting, or looking to improve your casting skills, DO NOT MISS THIS MEETING!  Come ready to ask questions and learn what it takes to make an effective cast every time!

Also on the agenda:  Recap of our Cenla Fly Fest, updates on Mixed Bag and Big Catch contests, details on the Summer Workshop in July, Fishing Reports and more.

As always, the public is welcome! Remote members can participate using the Zoom meeting number and password sent by email. The livestream is also available on our YouTube Channel. Click this link and go to Live videos -
http://bit.ly/3oBk106   

June 8th fly tying - Flugenzombie

KFF monthly fly tying session
Monday, June 8th

5:30 pm - Casting practice (weather permitting)
6:30 pm - Tying begins
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube
Featured pattern: Flugenzombie
* click on the image to see larger view

Continuing with our warm water series this summer, we'll be tying the Flugenzombie, an articulated streamer created by the guys at Fly Fish Food.  It has incredible action and movement in the water, and though a number of folks use it for gar, in various colors and sizes, it is also a great bass pattern.  If you've never tied an articulated streamer, this is a great pattern in which to learn.  It's basically two wooly buggers tied together with a few additions on the front.

Leading us this session will be Conner Lewing from Baton Rouge.   Conner was the fishing manager at Orvis in Baton Rouge before it closed, and is a national-level fly tier.   Conner is making the drive up from Baton Rouge, so let’s greet him with a good turnout!

We will be cutting articulation wire, so bring a pair of old scissors or small wire cutters if you have them.  We will tie the pattern in black and white, so 140 denier black or white thread will work.  
  
As always, the session is open to the public. All materials are provided, and we have sets of tools for beginners to use during the session. For beginners, we can also pair you with someone who can help.

Remote members can participate using the Zoom meeting number and password sent by email. All others can watch on the KFF YouTube Channel, use this link and go to Live videos -
http://bit.ly/3oBk106  

May 2026 activities

KFF monthly fly tying session
Monday, May 11th

5:30 pm - Casting practice
6:30 pm - Tying begins
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube
Featured pattern: Bass Gurgler
* click on the image to see larger view

This month Bill Morrison will lead us in tying a top water pattern, a bass / warmwater version of the Redfish Gurgler as sold by Space Coast Flies.  Their variation -as pictured above - is a saltwater version of the popular Gartside Gurgler.  However, we will tie this fly in colors favored by bass, pickerel, and other warmwater species.   

As always, the session is open to the public. All materials are provided, and we have sets of tools for beginners to use during the session. For beginners, we can also pair you with someone who can help.

Remote members can participate using the Zoom meeting number and password sent by email. All others can watch on the KFF YouTube Channel, use this link and go to Live videos -
http://bit.ly/3oBk106

KFF general meeting
* Monday, May 18th  (3rd Monday)

5:30 pm - casting practice
6:30 pm - program
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria

* Please note the date change as the library will be closed for the 4th Monday, Memorial Day *

Join us May 18th as we welcome Zane LeBlanc as our guest speaker.  Zane is Black Bass Coordinator for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF). He will present on the LDWF's Black Bass Management Plan (BBMP) to guide conservation, management, and fishing opportunities for Largemouth Bass, Spotted Bass, and Florida Bass across Louisiana.

As always, the public is welcome! Remote members can participate using the Zoom meeting number and password sent by email. The livestream is also available on our YouTube Channel. Click this link and go to Live videos -
http://bit.ly/3oBk106

Cenla Fly Fishing Festival
Saturday, May 30, 2026

8:30am to 3:30pm 
Kees Park, Pineville, LA
FREE admission!!

In even-numbered years we hold our biennial Festival, a celebration of the fly fishing experience.  This event is  unique in that it's all about education, instruction, and community.  

Originally scheduled for January, the 2026 event had to be postponed to May 30th due to a winter weather event that occurred that weekend.

We encourage attendees to come learn about the sport, new places to fish, or how to fish them. Watch some of the top tiers from across the region tie flies, or jig makers.  Cast a fly rod and/or get casting instruction from top FFI Certified Instructors.  

And please take part in our giant raffle and fundraiser to raise money for our friends at The Food Bank of Central Louisiana - and help feed some hungry families! 

For complete details, including schedule, list of fly tiers, exhibitors, speakers, and much more, click on the "2026 Cenla Fest" menu above. 

April 2026 activities

Pinch Hitter tied by Chris Johnson

KFF monthly fly tying session
Monday, April 13

5:30 pm - Casting practice
6:30 pm - Tying begins
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube
Featured pattern: Jigged Pinch Hitter

This month, Jim Johnson will lead us in tying the Jigged Pinch Hitter, another super-effective pattern by Chris Johnson, creator of the Rio Bandito. The Pinch Hitter is a crayfish pattern
with lots of movement from the rabbit and rubber legs. It works well for bass, carp, trout, and various river species.    

As always, the session is open to the public. All materials are provided, and we have sets of tools for beginners to use during the session. For beginners, we can also pair you with someone who can help.

Remote members can participate using the Zoom meeting number and password sent by email. All others can watch on the KFF YouTube Channel, use this link and go to Live videos -
http://bit.ly/3oBk106

KFF annual Spring Picnic
Monday, April 27
Cotile Lake Recreation Area
(weather permitting)

** If inclement weather, we'll reschedule the picnic to a later date.

In lieu of our general meeting at the library, this month we'll hold our annual Spring Picnic at Cotile Lake Recreation Area.  All 2026 KFF members, family members and member guests are welcome to attend!  Come anytime that afternoon and fish from the bank.  Or bring your boat, kayak, pirogue, and launch at the Rec Area.  Or take in some casting lessons on the adjacent lawn area.

Then at 6:30pm, 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.  Participants are welcome to bring side dishes and desserts.  Please respond to the PICNIC email regarding side items.

Please note the following:
1. Bring your favorite beverages. We will have water and some beverages.
2. Bring a chair.
3. Optional:  bring your fly rod and flies, and a camera (or smartphone) to submit entries for the Mixed Bag Contest.

If you plan to attend, please fill out this short form:
CLICK HERE TO SIGNUP.

Please signup if you plan to attend so we'll know how much food to bring.

4th Annual Gulf Coast Classic
Fly Fishing Festival
Friday-Saturday, May 1-2, 2026
The Learning Campus at Gulf State Park
Gulf Shores, AL
Admission: $15-$20 (Free for youth 16 & younger)

The 2026 Gulf Coast Classic Fly Fishing Festival returns May 1st and 2nd at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, Alabama, for a weekend built around fly fishing, education, and conservation. The Classic will feature two dozen demonstration fly tyers from across the country, showcasing a wide range of patterns and techniques for both fresh and saltwater fisheries.

The event features 15+ exhibitors and is supported by 30+ sponsors, whose contributions fuel a robust lineup of raffles, conservation auctions, and prizes for this year’s Mixed Bag Fly Fishing Tournament. Attendees can also enjoy two signature competitions—the Blind Tie Challenge and Iron Fly Tyer.

Education remains at the core of the festival, with 10+ free fly fishing seminars, a Saturday morning youth workshop, free and paid casting clinics, and 6+ paid fly tying workshops designed to help anglers improve at every level.

A centerpiece of the weekend is the Conservation Keynote on Saturday at 4 pm, delivered by Dr. Aaron Adams of the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust. Director of Science & Conservation, Dr. Adams is not only a leading voice in flats fisheries research, but also an accomplished fly fisherman and author of multiple books on the subject.

The festival concludes Saturday evening with the Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T), with tickets priced at $25, featuring a lineup of world-class fly fishing films and conservation storytelling.

For complete details, go to the Classic website at www.ffigulfcoastclassic.com  .

Mixed Bag, Big Catch Challenge updates

Ed Jones' threadfin shad

We're starting the fourth month of our 9th annual Mixed Bag Contest. The MBC is our members-only, online tournament where size doesn't matter, but diversity does. The objective is to catch as many different species on fly rod and flies over the course of 11 months, over a limited geographical area. Click on "Mixed Bag" menu above for complete details.

Proof that you can catch just about anything on flies - check this photo of a Threadfin Shad caught by Ed Jones.  If it's hooked in the lips, it counts!

So far, 18 members have contributed 119 total entries - yet another record pace!  And surprise, surprise!  Bill Morrison is not leading the pack.  That honor belongs to Eron Borne with an amazing 25 different species!

While Eron is the clear frontrunner, don't let that deter you from submitting entries.  Remember that under the newest format, everyone who submits entries gets tickets in the Mixed Bag drawing - and some really nice prizes too!  Every entry gets 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! 

Here's the MBC leaderboard as of April 1st 11:59pm...

Eron Borne - 25
Chris Williams - 18
Ed Jones    - 15
Bill Morrison  - 10
Jim Johnson  - 10
Frank Coe  - 9
Jerry Patton  - 8

Big Catch Challenge

Unlike our Mixed Bag, the Big Catch is a fishing contest where size does matter!  There are 4 species categories: Bass, Bream, Crappie, Trout. The top 5 entries for each species gets points, and the goal is to have the highest aggregate of points.

It's a tight race so far.  Currently Jerry Patton leads with 14 points on the strength of a 19.0" brown trout (1st) and having tied with Bill Morrison for largest bass at 16.0".  Catch Cormier is 2nd with 10 points,  anchored by the largest crappie at 13.50".  Jim Johnson is 3rd at 9 points, with the top bream at 9.0".  Bill Morrison has a close 4th place and Eron Borne is at 5th place.

Of course, the REAL purpose of the Mixed Bag and Big Catch are to give members a database of where and when to catch certain species of fish, and what flies work for those fish.  All to help us improve our success on the water.  Your participation is important!

March 2026 activities

KFF monthly fly tying session
Monday, March 9th

5:30 pm - Casting practice
6:30 pm - Tying begins
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube
Featured pattern: Stimulator Dry Fly

** Note: Monday is our first meeting in Daylight Savings Time, so we'll begin fly casting prior to all meetings, starting at 5:30pm. We cast on the grounds behind the library.

This month, Bill Morrison will lead us as we finish our series of trout patterns with the Stimulator.  This "dry fly" pattern was originally created by Jil Slattery in 1980, with the popular version we now fish created by Randall Kaufmann in 1982.      

The Stimulator is a winged, double-hackle dry fly that floats extremely well and works great in rippled or splashy water. It can represent a variety of insects, including hoppers, caddis and even emerging stoneflies.  While this fly may look imposing to tie, with a couple of tricks, it can be somewhat simple. It demands an eye to proportion which with practice is easily attained.

As always, the session is open to the public. All materials are provided, and we have sets of tools for beginners to use during the session. For beginners, we can also pair you with someone who can help.

Remote members can participate using the Zoom meeting number and password sent by email. All others can watch on the KFF YouTube Channel, use this link and go to Live videos -
http://bit.ly/3oBk106

KFF general meeting
Monday, March 23rd 

5:30 pm - casting practice
6:30 pm - program
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Special guest via Zoom:  Tim Flagler

This month, we are joined - via Zoom - by one of the world's premier fly anglers and fly tiers, Tim Flagler. Tim is a videographer by trade and owner of Tightline Productions located in New Jersey.  Incidently, it was Tim who was instrumental in helping KFF select equipment for our livestreaming of fly tying and general meetings.

While his video programs cover a wide range of topics, his specialty is fly fishing.  A renown fly tying instructor, his videos are some of the best around and his YouTube channel currently has over 126,000 subscribers and 40 million views. Almost every week he produces a new fly tying or “how to” video which appears on his Tightlinevideo YouTube channel as well as Midcurrent and the Orvis News fly fishing blog. They’re also featured on Trout Unlimited’s national website and in the Orvis Learning Center. 

In addition, he has a regular column “Beginner’s Masterclass with Tim Flagler” in Fly Tyer magazine, which selected Tim as their “Fly Tyer of the Year” for 2022.

Tim is a featured presenter at all of The Fly Fishing Show venues, as well as several other large fly fishing events.  From late Spring on, he guides for South Branch Outfitters and hosts annual trips to Patagonia, Kootenai, and northern British Columbia. 

Each month, Tim and Clark "Cheech" Pierce and Tim Rosenbauer compete in a friendly "Tie Off" livestreamed on Facebook, YouTube and Tim's own channel.  In fact, the day of our meeting, Tim will be in a tie-off... you can watch it on FACEBOOK LIVE at the Orvis Fly Fishing page or Tightline Productions page.  Time is 2:00pm CDT. 

Tim's presentation will be "What Trout Like to Eat & Flies to Feed Them".  This updated video-based presentation includes incredible underwater footage of a variety of aquatic insects, bait fish & crustaceans that trout eat in order to survive. In addition, Tim will share the fly patterns he uses to best imitate the variety of bugs discussed.

** IMPORTANT: this meeting will only be available remotely to 2026 members via ZOOM.  We will -NOT- be broadcasting or recording this meeting to YouTube per the speaker's request.  ** 

Also happening this month... 

31st annual Red Stick Day
Saturday, March 7th 
8:30am - 3:30pm
Waddilll Wildlife Refuge
4142 N Flannery Rd, Baton Rouge)
FREE admission!

Our friends in the Red Stick Fly Fishers club in Baton Rouge will be holding their annual festival the first Saturday in March.  The event includes programs, fly tying demonstrations, casting seminars and instruction, and more.  Best of all, admission is FREE!

Fly tying begins at 8:30am and continues through the day. Some of the region's top fly tiers will be on hand.  There are free refreshments during the day.  A lunch prepared by award-winning Jambalaya cook Ken Holmes will be provided for a nominal cost. Then there's the big raffle and Gamblers Draw for flies, tackle, equipment, and other items that help benefit the club's education and conservation projects.

For more details, go to www.rsff.org and click on "Red Stick Day".

February 23rd general meeting - Big Catch, Survey, New products

KFF general meeting
Monday, February 23rd 
6:30 pm
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom & YouTube

Join us for our first general meeting of 2026 (our January meeting was cancelled due to weather). This month we will have 3 short presentations of interest to all members.

First, Bill Morrison will give an overview and take questions on our new "Big Catch" Challenge which kicks off February 21st. 

Second, Catch will give a short presentation on some of the many new items he saw and tested at the Denver Fly Fishing Show earlier this month.  

Finally, Catch Cormier will give the results of the Club Survey and touch on the items of most interest to club members.  Open discussion of the items will follow.

A reminder that 2026 dues are due!  They remain at only $25 per family... for now.  You can pay at our meetings OR online through our membership page.  

Also... we have a very special program lined up for our March  meeting - ONLY 2026 members will be able to view remotely (no YouTube either).  You will NOT want to miss it, so pay those dues!

As always, the public is welcome! Remote members can participate using the Zoom meeting number and password sent by email. The livestream is also available on our YouTube Channel. Click this link and go to Live videos -
http://bit.ly/3oBk106