April 25 general meeting

Our next general meeting will be on Monday, April 25th, at the Rapides Westside Library in Alexandria. This month we take advantage of longer daylight and mild weather - before it gets hot - to hold our annual "Casting Meeting". Starting at 6:00pm, we'll gather on the lawn back of the library and do some casting analysis and share techniques for improving casting. We'll also cover a few specialty casts, such as Roll Cast, Reach Cast, Pendulum Cast, Belgian Cast, maybe even Double Haul.

Afterwards, we'll gather inside to discuss a few business items, including: Recap of Fly Fishing 101, the upcoming Grand Isle Fly Fishing Weekend in June, and the 2017 Cenla Fishing Expo.

As always, meetings are open to both members and non-members, so please share!

April 18 fly tying

Our next fly tying session will be Monday, April 18, at the Rapides Westside Libary in Alexandria. Time is 6:30pm.

This month Brent Humphries will lead us in tying the Cap Spider.  This famous fly was created by the late Mike Verduin, a nationally-recognized and awarded tier out of Lewisville, TX.  The name of Mike's fly came from an encounter in a tournament, where he saw several spider-like jigs on the cap of another angler.  He was so impressed with the lure that he modified it to make it "fly friendly". On several occasions when fishing Louisiana with members of other clubs, he demonstrated how deadly the Cap Spider was on bedding bream, especially redears.

There are very few places to buy Cap Spiders.  One of those is Belah Bugs, owned by our fellow member Brent Humphries (look up Belah Bugs on Facebook).  Brent ties all of his flies and jigs, so you know there's quality.  The "Cap" is easy to tie, and Brent will show us this month how to tie our own.

As always, beginners are welcome. Bring your tools if you have some, otherwise the club has a few toolsets for those without tools.  Materials are provided.  See you Monday!

Fly Fishing 101 this Saturday!

Have you ever considered learning about fly fishing?  Or actually doing it?  As they say, there's nothing more rewarding than catching a fish on a fly.  Unless it's catching one on a fly that you tied!

This Saturday, April 16th is our 3rd annual "Fly Fishing 101" workshop at LDWF Booker-Fowler Hatchery in Forest Hill.  It runs 8:30am to 12:30pm.  Best of all, it's FREE and open to the public.  Coffee, donuts, soft drinks and handouts are provided.

FF101 is a 3-hour hands-on workshop that covers the basics of fly fishing, fly casting, knots, leaders, and flies used for the sport.  Details and a schedule can be found by clicking on the menu above on "2016 Fly Fish 101".  Bring your rod/reel if you own one, but if not, the club has setups for use during this workshop.

All we ask is that you register by calling 318-793-5855 or email catch@laflyfish.com so we know how many to expect.  Thanks!

 

March 28 general meeting "On the Water"

The next general meeting of the Kisatchie Fly Fishers will be on Monday, March 28th.  With Daylight Savings Time - and a good weather forecast - we'll take our meeting outdoors and on the water.

This month, 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.

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

Cotile Fishing Report.  Fishing has been slow lately because of the cold spell and high winds.  Bass anglers have been working the lake hard with somewhat limited success.  The big redear run has not started yet - a bit late this year - but could kick off any day now.  A few nice bluegill being caught on popping bugs.  Grass pike (chain pickeral) have been very active, hitting Seaducers, large woolybuggers, and other rapidly retrieved streamers.

March 21 fly tying

Our next fly tying session will be Monday, March 21, at the Rapides Westside Libary in Alexandria. Time is 6:30pm.  The pattern will be a soft hackle variation.

As always, beginners are welcome. Bring your tools if you have some, materials will be provided.  The club has a few toolsets for those without tools. 

Natchitoches Fishing Expo - Sat., March 5

The 2016 Natchitoches Fishing Expo - a celebration of Light Tackle and Fly Fishing - will be held Saturday, March 5th at the Natchitoches Events Center in downtown Natchitoches, LA. Time is 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Admission is FREE!

Hosted by the Cane Country Fly Casters, there's activities for the whole family, with over 60 exhibitors and vendors, 40+ fly tiers from across the South, programs on all types of fishing (bass, crappie, saltwater, kayaking, fly fishing) as well as hands-on workshops for a nominal fee.  There's also silent auction with many one-of-a-kind items to raise money for the club's conservation projects.

The downtown Natchitoches area also offers lots of great local restaurants and unique shops.

For a complete schedule, including list of activities and programs, and links to Natchitoches area info, go to the NFE website at www.redriverfishingexpo.com.  Or visit the Cane Country Fly Casters website at www.canecountry.blogspot.com.

February 22nd general meeting - Ricky Yeldell

Our next general meeting will be on Monday, February 22, at the Rapides Westside Library in Alexandria. Meeting starts at 6:30pm.

This month, Ricky Yeldell will be our guest speaker. Ricky is a recently retired inland fisheries biologist with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries. As the managing biologist for Toledo Bend, he has an intimate knowledge of this vast lake, and why it's producing so many trophy bass the last couple of years.  Ricky will give insight to where to find the lunkers, and other species, and what the future holds for T-Bend.

Also on the agenda:  fishing reports and upcoming events. As always, the meeting is open to the public.

Also 2016 dues are due by March 1st!  It's $20 for individual or immediate family, and free to active service members or full-time students.

Acadiana Conclave this Saturday!

29th annual Acadiana Conclave
Saturday, February 20, 2016
8:30am to 3:00pm
Grace Presbyterian Church Hall, 518 Roselawn Blvd, Lafayette, LA 70503

We encourage club members to make the short drive to Lafayette and check out this celebration of fly fishing, hosted by the Acadiana Fly Rodders club.  Bring your rod and pick up casting tips, or learn some new fly patterns.

Activities include:
- casting demos by renowned certified casting instructors
- fly tying demonstrations
- seminars
- vendors
- drawings for a chance to win from a wide variety of fly fishing and fishing-related items

For a complete list of programs, activities, and fly tiers, go to this post on laflyfish.com forum