2023 Mixed Bag kicks off January 1st

Our Mixed Bag Contest is back for a seventh year! The MBC kicks off Sunday, January 1st at 12:01am. If last year is any indication, expect at least 2 or 3 members to be out on opening day to nab a few entries for the contest.

Mixed Bag is a members-only, months-long tournament where the goal is to catch as many different species on fly rod. It's CPRE which means catch-photo-release encouraged. And best of all, there is no entry fee.  You only need to be a 2023 paid member of Kisatchie Fly Fishers.

For all the details on how to submit an entry, go to our "Mixed Bag" webpage.  If you're on Facebook, go to our Kisatchie Fly Fishers Members Share page and share photos of your catch as well.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy New Year!

Here's wishing our members and friends, and all of their families, a most blessed holiday season. Hope everyone finds something under the Christmas tree they can use for their piscatorial pursuits in the coming year.

While Christmas is a season of festivity, let's not forget the reason for the season: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us….” John 1:14. Please be giving to those in need, and pray for those who are less fortunate, for those in suffering, and for those away from their families this season.

We also wish everyone a prosperous and healthy New Year.  The new year brings many traditional club activities, in addition to our monthly meetings. In March, we have our annual Spring Picnic and Little Mo Rainbow Coalition trip, our Fly Fishing 101 in April, and our annual Summer Workshop.  Being an odd year, our biennial Cenla Fly Fest will not be held (coming back in 2024), but another biennial event - held in odd years - is well worth attending. The New Orleans Fly Fishing Expo takes place January 21st in Metairie. Check it out at www.neworleansflyfishers.com.

November 28th meeting - State of Cenla Fisheries

KFF monthly general meeting
Monday, November 28, 2022
6:30pm
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube

Come join us for our final meeting of the year! We'll briefly talk about the Christmas Party coming up on December 5th, then get right into the presentation - which promises to be a good one!

Our guest speaker will be Rick McGuffee, Region 3 District Manager for Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Rick oversees fisheries and game management for Catahoula, Concordia, Grant, LaSalle, Rapides and Winn parishes. Rick last addressed our club 6 years ago.  He will talk about how LDWF samples area waters, then give a "State of the Cenla Fisheries" updating on sampling results and area lake drawdowns (like the one on Cotile Lake pictured).  Come learn about where the best places to catch certain species are in our area, as well as any other questions you may have!

As always, the public is welcome. 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

November 14th tying - Lightning Bug

KFF monthly fly tying session
Monday, November 14, 2022
6:00pm - Tying Basics

6:30pm - Fly of the Month
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube

Since we have several new tyers, we'll have a Basic Skills/New Tyer session at 6:00pm, followed by our regular tying session at 6:30pm. The new tier session will cover the loading the bobbin, securing the hook in the vise, starting thread, maintaining thread tension, basic material tie-in and finishing the fly with a half-hitch.   (Note: this session will not be livestreamed).

Then, at 6:30, we will jump into tying the colorful Lightning Bug.  This fly is also an effective fish catcher for both trout and bluegill. One look at the fly and you realize the origin of its name. The great thing about the Lightning Bug is it lends itself to endless customization.

As always, all materials other than thread will be provided, and we have several sets of tools for beginners to use during the session. The color schemes we'll use are pink or red in sizes 70 denier or 8/0. We'll have a few spools of red thread for those who don't have these colors. 

Material list:

• Hook:  #12 jig hook or standard nymph hook
• Bead:  1/8” slotted tungsten bead (jig hook) or standard bead (for nymph hook)
• Thread:  70 denier or 8/0 in your color choice.
• Tail and Legs:  Pheasant tail – natural or brown
• Body and Wingcase:  Large holographic tinsel in your color choice
• Ribbing:  Brassie size wire in your color choice
• Thorax:   Two strands of strung peacock

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

We look forward to sharing our final fly pattern of 2022, so do come out and join us for a fun tie!

Toledo Bend Rendezvous this weekend

A reminder that this weekend, October 28-30, marks the return of Rendezvous at North Toledo Bend State Park in Zwolle, LA.  For 33 years, one of the longest running casual gatherings of fly tiers in the country. 

Open to everyone, whether you tie flies or just enjoy watching.  The group facilities allow for overnight stays.  With only a minimal fee to cover lodging and activities. The event is open to everyone, and families are encouraged!

It’s never too late to make plans to attend.  You can read more details by going to the Rendezvous website at http://flycasting.bravesites.com/

October 24th meeting - Fly Fishing from Kayaks

KFF monthly meeting
Monday, October 24, 2022
5:30pm - casting
6:30pm - meeting
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube

Would you like to learn more about fly fishing from a kayak, the different types of fishing kayaks, how to outfit your yak for fly fishing, or even strategies on how to fly fish from a yak?  If so, then join us for our October regular meeting. Three members will bring their fishing kayak to show and will talk about their setups.  The boats will include a pedal and motor-driven Hobie, a paddle sit-on-top Bonafide, and an inflatable Bote.  

Weather permitting, this will be our last casting session prior to meetings until Daylight Savings Time returns in Spring.  We'll begin 5:30pm behind the library.

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

October 10th tying - Redfish Rattle

KFF monthly fly tying session
Monday, October 10, 2022
5:30pm - casting on back lawn
6:30pm - session begins
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube

For October, we have another relatively simple pattern that comes as a recommendation from our own Chris Williams, the Redfish Rattle.  While the redfish version of the fly is tied in white/tan to imitate shrimp, we will tie it in the red/white colors that Chris has found effective for warm/freshwater species such as bass, pickerel, and more.

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

Weather permitting, we'll have casting practice from 5:30pm – 6:30pm on the lawn to the rear of the library.  If you have specific casting problems to work on or just want to get in some guided practice, there will be people there who can help.

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

September 26th meeting - Small group fly tying

KFF monthly meeting
Monday, September 26, 2022
5:00pm - casting
6:30pm - meeting
Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine, Alexandria
Also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube

This meeting will include a short business meeting followed by small group fly tying like we did at our May meeting. 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.  The club will support with some materials, vises and tools.

Casting weather should be good as a cool front is expected to pass Monday morning. Casting practice will begin at 5:30pm behind the library.

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