Fly Guy
Welcome
2016!
by Capt. Tristan Daire
Old Towne Fly Shop
(985) 630 3892
2015 was a great year for Louisiana fly-fishing and Olde Towne Fly
Shop & Outfitters, in particular, with our acquisition and continued expansion. For everyone who is on the fence about fly-fishing, what better time to
take the plunge and give it a try than with the new year? On that note,
while the temperatures have not felt like it, we are now into winter here in
south Louisiana. What does that mean for fly-fishing?
Those of you who have visited any
of the area boat launches know we
are in the middle of our wintertime
redfish season. Post frontal days
with low water, light winds, and
sunshine will be the the ticket for
anglers looking to get in on this
action. The River has been and will
continue to be high, so focus on
areas as far away from the River as
possible. Look for fish to be high,
hungry, and happy from now until
we start to make our spring transition. The best fly is the one that is
in front of them!
Late winter/early spring in Louisiana is known for three things: football
(some years), parades, and sac-au-lait. Whether you call them sac-au-lait,
crappie, or white perch, anglers statewide will be out for blood over the
next few weeks. Fly-fishing presents a great opportunity to target these
wary fish. The same way crappie jig poles are long and supple is the same
reason using a fly rod can be very effective. I will begin to fish for white
perch on milder days following cold weather by fishing small baitfish imitations under overhangs adjacent to deep water in any of the area’s deeper
waterways. My personal favorites are the West Pearl River, Bayous Lacombe
and Bonfouca, and the Tchefuncte River. Use that long rod to your advantage by getting into the thicker overhangs and allowing your bait to fall
slowly down ledges.
A real cheater way to fish some of these areas is by using a 3-5 weight fly
rod with a small cork a few feet above a normal jig (I hear the guys at Matrix
Shad have just the “mini” jig for this). This may not be traditional fly-fishing,
but it is very effective and I am certainly not above it.
One last thing: the old adage about fly-fishing and catch and release certainly does not pertain to these fish. They are one of the best eating fish we
have, and that is saying something!
Till next time,
Be safe and pull hard.
19
January 2016 www.marshandbayou.com