Fly Guy
May's Marsh Madness
by Capt. Tristan Daire
Old Towne Fly Shop
(985) 630 3892
For most fishermen, May arrives like
a long lost friend. After months of cold
winter and then early spring rains and melt, May means stability
and the beginning of our summer fishing.
May is one of the easiest months to target redfish on the fly. Stable
weather, ample bait, and large areas holding clear water makes
our job of finding fish much easier than months past.
Louisiana fly rodders will target redfish in a variety of areas from
Slidell to Point Aux Chene to Calcasieu. Brackish water habitats
that allow for aquatic grass blooms will be key to your pursuit of
summertime sight fishing. Here at Olde Towne, we prefer large
pond systems with several deep water entrance points when looking for the perfect pond. For the beginners, stick with tried and
true areas such as western Delacroix, Myrtle Grove, Lafitte, and
Houma.
Find a water depth where you’re comfortable. The best depth
varies from area to area and even day to day; as long as you can
see the bottom, you are on the right track. Move slowly either by
trolling motor or push pole. Elevating yourself with fancy casting
platforms or just standing on an ice chest will allow you to cut the
glare better than being deck level.
Flies and gear are very simple choices this time of year. Any 79wt fly rod will be fine, reels should hold plenty of backing (80200yds). A tip worth trying is using a "tropic" core fly line if you’re
not already doing so. Tropic core lines are available for almost
every manufacturer and will keep the line from going limp in the
heat of summer.
As for flies, don’t overthink it. You’ll want baitfish and shrimp
patterns that are of medium weight. Your fly should sink enough to
get to eye level with fish, but not too much, as keeping the fly
clear of grass will be a chore. It’s also a great time of year to throw
poppers and other surface flies at redfish.
Follow these instructions:
find fish, cast at fish, strip, strip, strip, set, repeat.
May is one of my favorite months to fish in general, and specifically to throw flies at redfish. Follow a few simple tips and introduce yourself to the world of Louisiana sight fishing.
Remember to wear sunscreen and bring polarized glasses.
Olde Towne Fly Shop & Outfitters is Louisiana's only full service
fly shop offering outfitting services. We exist with the sole purpose of assisting our customers with their fly fishing pursuits.
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May 2016 www.marshandbayou.com