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.

Louisiana November fly fishing report

Louisiana fly fishing is extraordinary for bull redfish. Now is the time of year when the big fish come into the shallows. The Biloxi marsh is ablaze with monster donkey reds.

 

 

 

 

  

The fish are on the banks as well as the outside barrier islands. The monster redfish are easy enough to spot. A well placed first shot is imperative to entice a rod jarring strike. Practice the short game. Sometimes they appear extremely close to the boat.

 

The time is right

Cooler weather has arrived. Hopefully the dog days of summer are behind us. The mild temperatures will cool and clear the water. Clean clear water is very important to see the monster redfish that I target. The big redfish usually swim deep and cloudy water just wont work.

November is the premier month for the big reds in Louisiana. The fishing gets easy. The tide begin to be much lower in the winter months. Less water uncovers the bull redfish hiding places. Now all we need is low wind and some sunshine and the bite will be tremendous.

I still have a few days to book in November. If you can be flexible on dates I can get you on the water. This should be a great season. It has started off wonderful and should only  get better.  
 
 

 
 

 

  

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 

Low winds High redfish

This was one of those special weeks with low water lots of sun and no wind. The cold weather seems to get the big redfish to float on the surface offering themselves to clients. Frisky bulls swim slowly looking for the opportunity to crush anything in their path. It is a fly fishing guides dream to watch clients get frustrated or delighted depending on their cast. 

Multiple shots on multiple floaters is standard operating procedure as of late. The gin clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico glisten blue showing off four foot deep oyster beds. The bull reds are swimming inches deep appear in the distance allowing me to pole into position. If an accurate cast is present the eat is almost certain.

I have broken two fly rods and lost a gopro this week. Normally that would seem like a bad thing but the week was so much fun nothing dampened my sprits. Here is a video from last week I simply have to much footage to finish this weeks video.

VAPOR:        https://vimeo.com/81014876 

   
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 

 

Whacked

We have had some crappy weather as of late. This did not deter the bull redfish from floating to the surface and eating our flies. The fish are cooperating in spectacular fashion. When we do get good weather conditions fly fishing is absolutely amazing. Seeing tons of giant redfish a day is a quite the rush.

Giant redfish appear in the gin clear shallows. Clients claim their heart begins to pound and knees begin to shake. All their focus is on the fish as flies swish by my head. I am getting so much footage that the majority does not make it to my video's.

This is definitely the job for me. I love chasing these big fish and watching them eat. I am privileged and honored to have such a life. This is way more fun than a real job.

This weeks video is called WHAKED. If you look closely you can see a client whack me with a fly as he casts at a 30 pound bull Louisiana redfish. He actually hit me twice but the footage was too long for the video. I picked up a fly rod and whaked a few which was a rare treat. We will save that for the next blog.

WHACKED: https://vimeo.com/81148873

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.