Louisiana fly fishing report December 2014

 

December fly fishing in Louisiana is probably my favorite month. The Florida guides have left leaving the fish unmolested for the native fly fishermen. I can not tell you how many times I have seen these interlopers run over big fish to fish the slot fish near the banks. Big fish do not like to be disturbed. It does not take much pressure and the bulls run for cover out of sight fishing reach.

 

The bigger fish have moved into the ponds at the edge of the marsh. They are basically in shallow areas where you normally find slot fish. There is one in almost every pond so patients is key. Poll slowly and wait. These fish are cold and don't move very much. A calm slow approach the area is much more effective than the run and gun attitude of warmer months.

Peanut butter patters are working well. The fish want to look up and see a big meal. Right now they are lethargic and conserve energy where they can. Large flies on the surface are producing heart pounding slow motion eats. Fish slow and poll silent on sallow flats and work the mud ponds for best results.

Mid November Louisiana fly fishing report

The Louisiana marsh south of New Orleans is no doubt a fly fisherman's dream. Huge cold fronts moved Artic air over the south. Colder temperatures cool and clear the waters of the marsh. Big redfish become much easier to spot in the gin clear shallows.


This time of year the bull reds move into more protected waters. Lounging lazily on the bottom waiting for an easy meal. Once the tide begins to move entire schools go on the hunt. Acres of fish maraud the flats. Finding the redfish is simple because they general mix in with hundreds of black drum. Find the black drum and your day is amazing.

December is my favorite month. Most of the non native guides leave the area to head home. With very few fly fisherman on the water the bull reds are free to congregate without molestation. This allows me to better control which fish I rotate into my route.

There is not a better time to fly fish than right now. If you have been planning a trip December is a great month. Email me for availability.

Guidelines to book a good Louisiana fly fishing redfish guide in season

Louisiana is known for monster redfish swimming in the shallows or up high in the water column. These bulls or donkeys are a fly fisher's fantasy fish. Most of my clients have never caught a fish over 10 pounds much less a fish in the 25 to 30 pound range. The redfish live here year round. Do not let anyone tell you any different. The summer time here is brutally hot, the water is not that clear, and the tides are much higher. That is why our most booked season is in the mild cooler months of October through March. Finding a good guide during these months is easy if you book a year in advance. Unfortunately most clients plan their trip a month in advance and want to book two weeks out. This action will land in a tight spot. You will call a good guide and hear the line "I am busy that day but I will find you a guide." Be assured the guide you will receive is by no means top notch. Buyer beware if you are not fishing with the guide you are calling.

The fly fishing here is awesome. On a great day even a novice fly guide will stumble on some good fishing. Most great days have low water, low wind, lots of sun, and a moving tide. I prefer low tide around noon with about a 1.5 foot tide range. Incoming tides are also good just as long as the water is moving. There are probably only 12 to 15 good tide days a month. That is why these days book up so fast. Of the good tide days only 6 or 7 days a month have low tide around noon. Conditions may be poor one day, so booking 3 days is ideal. Most good guides make long boat runs so we don't book half days in season. Checking the tide range for the days you want to fish will increase your chances for an amazing day of fly fishing. The guide will do this for you but planning ahead and being flexible is key. 

Some fishermen have a limited booking window. Perhaps you are in New Orleans for business. Booking a good guide is imperative. Most good guides will be booked if there is good tide. We may have the occasional hole in our calendar or a cancellation. Avoid any guide that says "I will find you someone". At minimum ask for the other guides phone number. If the area code is not 504 or 985 (New Orleans and surrounding area) you are probably getting someone that is just here for the season overflow. I have fished these waters since 2000. It takes years to learn how to run all this water. The marsh south of New Orleans is huge. Look on google earth and see what I mean. The interloper will probably know only holes the locals fish. There may be fish there but they are wise and skittish. If their boat is not registered in Louisiana you have probably made a huge mistake.
  
 This is a technical fishery. Big fish are much wiser. A good guide is key to maximize the number of good shots you will get. Find a good guide and make sure he will be fishing with you. Don't let someone pawn you off for the 100 dollar booking fee. His gain will be your loss. Good guides share trips and will give you the other guides phone number. You are spending a lot of money and effort for your days on the water. Please use these guidelines to increase your chances for what can be and incredible day fly fishing. Here is my latest video for August.

Bulls crawling in August
https://vimeo.com/103401483 

WHEN FLY GUIDES ATTACK III

I am back from vacation and ready to fish. When I left we were crushing the bull redfish on every good weather day and doing pretty well in bad conditions. I cannot say how many fish are waiting on my return but I guarantee it is a lot.

I finally finished with all the footage that had accumulated. My latest video should stand on its merits without any hype.

When fly guides attack III
https://vimeo.com/84087745

Bad Weather Bulls

The November season is in full swing and the Louisiana redfish are big and easy not unlike our namesake city of New Orleans. Twenty pound fish are cruising flats high up in the water column and simple to spot for most fly fisherman.

The numbers of fish seem to increase daily. There are so many redfish that cloudy rainy days are not a problem. Schools of four to five bull redfish swim around lazily looking for bait. A properly presented fly makes a perfect substitute to satisfy their apatite.

 
This Weeks Video:  Bad Weather Bulls
https://vimeo.com/79638332

Come on down and join the fun. Our season lasts well into March. I will help you with accommodations. I am teamed up with the good local guides so the more the merrier. New Orleans fly fishing is by far the best in the world for redfish. 
 

 

                                    

 

Aggressive November redfish

 

November is upon us and the Biloxi marsh is fired up with the red hue of fish stalking the banks. Shallow water redfish are the order of the day. Even the post spawn big girls are sallow and eager to take flies.

Clients are ecstatic with the results of their casts. Fish are in a frenzy. I am calling out those magical words "He ate it" on a constant basis. I would be begging people to book but my calendar is full  through January with few exceptions.

If you are reading this please book your trip early if you want a guided fly fishing redfish charter in Louisiana during October or November.

VIDEO FOR THE WEEK




AGGRESSIVE REDFISH ON THE FLY
                                                  https://vimeo.com/78490965

Bull after Bull

 

 

 

The Bull redfish are in and the bite is on. Terrible sight fishing conditions have not deterred the fish from being active and on top. Easy pickings for my excited clients. All the good guides are fully booked and the fishing is easy. I don't know what else to say except October in Louisiana is a Fly fisherman's dream come true. Here is some video I hope you will enjoy.

Bull after Bull

https://vimeo.com/77612656

Eric and Mason

https://vimeo.com/77285264