Mid May 2013

Ferry Crossing

I just finished fishing/guiding 5 days in a row. I am sore and a little beat up from all the polling. The first day I fished Hopedale on the east side of the river. After fishing I jumped on the ferry crossing the Mississippi river west to fish for Cajun fishing adventures the last 4 days.This is a great lodge in Buras with super friendly staff and a terrific piece of marsh across the street. I cant wait return for my next set of bookings in October.

We did really well the first day. The clients mother purchased the trip as a college graduation present. We landed about a dozen redfish. The fish displayed  spectacular colors and appeared to be fat and happy. Those college boys really enjoyed mom's gift and should have fond life long memories of that day.


Cajun fishing adventures at dawn

The last 4 days were spent at the lodge in Buras Louisiana. The 5 clients rotated between the 3 guides. They all loved our marsh. Fish were fairly easy to find. I located a stretch of bank holding 20+ pound bull redfish. Man this bank did not disappoint. Day after day it held big fish. Bulls were floating up left and right. I was constantly barking the clock position and distance to the fish. Shot after shot was taken but these boys never hooked a pig. The eat zone was elusive and never got full crossed. Good natured ribbing and catch phrases swarmed my boat for days. This was an absolutely incredible week.

 
 

Early may

This week the fishing just keeps getting better and better. I have spotted well in excess of 500 fish on 3 trips this week. Every flat is drenched with the orange hue of shallow water redfish. Anywhere you stop seems to be the best spot of the day. Words can not explain how many fish are out there waiting for the proper presentation of a fly. The numbers literally boggle the mind.

Bucket list gar

Early in the week the winds were brutal. High winds are definitely not a fly fisherman's friend. My novice clients casts were completely out of bounds. Still the redfish poured by the bow of my boat in the hundreds. The customers may have been frustrated by the wind but they were delighted by the number of shots. I would estimate they threw at least 75 fish on this day.

I was pleasantly surprised when another guide gave me the first day of a two day trip. This never happens because no one wants to get their head kicked in by an Iverson. I lost a ton of my gin clear water due to the gale blow yesterday. Still the fish were everywhere and looking to eat. The formula for finding fish is simple. Kill the engine and start polling. I do not know the outcome of the other guides second day trip but he had better be at the top of his game.


The winds finally laid down to a pleasant breeze. Polling was easy and the reds did not disappoint. The water has cleared a bit making the fish stand out against the dark grassy bottom. My client struggled at first but eventually started presenting the fly properly. His confidence in me grew exponentially as each flat held multiple golden eaters. I know fishing is not supposed to be this easy and will not last forever. I truly savor these days.   

End of April

Gin clear water

The fishing at the end of April has been spectacular. The wind conditions have been tough but the redfish are everywhere. Clean clear water is producing lots of shots for clients. The redfish really stand out like pumpkins in a field swimming over the dark summertime grasses produced by the marsh.    




This time of year I have my clients casting gold or copper colored spoon flies. The flash of the spoon is irresistible for the aggressive redfish. If you find a clear pond with lots of blue crabs you are on the fish. Finding clear water can be difficult for some anglers. The clean water is found in ponds and bayous that dead end away from the main channels.

      

Gold and Copper spoon flies


The New Orleans weather right now is perfect for fishing. Mid to upper 70's makes for comfortable fishing conditions. If you are lucky enough to book a sunny day with low winds I can almost guarantee tons of sight fishing shots at numerous summertime redfish. Right now is a charter captain's delight.