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Fish won I lost	29 December 2002
Like Catch said it was a beautiful day to be on water. When putting in before dawn some local fisherman said Trout were bitting Friday late and they were back to catch more. They went home after a couple hours of frustration. Not even the bait chunkers on the bank could get a bite.I left LaFleur and Ardes with his Grandson about noon. They were still trying. I'm a very good conservationist. And I didn't have to clean the ice chest.
del Rio	TPH pit Hwy #1
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A really nice day to be on the water	29 December 2002
The weatherman gets credit this time! Saturday turned out to be a perfect day on the water for Randy Leonpacher and myself. The fishing was sub-par, in fact by noon we still didn't have one fish in the box. Nobody was doing much in fact. But it was a great day to enjoy the outdoors - the loons, pelicans, and other marsh critters enjoyed it as well. And for us, it was a much-needed post-Christmas release. We did spot dozens and dozens of spooky reds and drum on the west side of Catfish Lake. We managed to land five reds up to 26", four sheepshead, and a pair of drum. Late in the day, the specks turned on in Catfish Lake and we ended up with 9 keepers. The specks were hitting clousers and coma charlies fished off the bottom along the oyster reefs. The only negative was the gnats. They were awfully friendly.
Catch Cormier	Golden Meadow
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Cold, Cold Trout	20 December 2002
Well while you guys fished for specs I went to Cashiers, NC haveing been offered a free place to stay and an invitation to the Georgia Lady Fly Fishers Christmas fund raiser. Contacted Brookings Orvis in Cashiers and one of their guides offered to fish with me and took me to the east fork of the French Broad River. Very small and cold, cold cold. Caught some nice trout and learned a little. Next day went to the upper end of the Chatooga river, had to hike in, perfect water, great view, no fish. Oh the party, the GLFF rented a micro brewery need I say more. If you go that way I reccomend contacting Mac Marrette to guide, call Brookings in Cashiers. He put of with me and I even learned a litle from him.
Marc Pinsel	Cashiers, NC
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Flies 1, Bait 0	15 December 2002
At about 9am, John Grantham, Steve Lee and I arrived at the public boat launch in Golden Meadow. The parking lot was full and the landing was surrounded by bait fishermen. As usual, our canoes and flyrods attracted the attention of a couple fishermen. As I changed my shoes while sitting on Steve's tailgate, a guy came up to me and handed me his business card. He said to give him a call if we wanted to catch some fish. We pushed off and started catching trout within minutes. Meanwhile, "Pro" was fishing from the bank about 30 yards from us. We had over a dozen trout in the box before he had enough and left muttering something about the fish not biting this morning. Steve caught the most fish using a sinking line, but John and I didn't have any problems with floating lines. A black version of Mike LaFleur's Charlie was the fly of choice.
Kurt Loup	Golden Meadow public boat launch
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Good day for me	15 December 2002
Many times I have fished here and not done very well. But today the wind was 1-2 MPH,sky was clear,water was clear and the Trout were hungry.I fished 8wt floating with 12'leader. They hit mostly Clouser patterns fished slow on the bottom. Fish stopped about 10:30 I stopped @ 11:30 but Hess,Coignet,and Tedesco were still at it. They were still on fish as I drove away. Largest Trout was 16 1/2" total 15 keepers. Great Day for fly fishing!!!!
del Rio	TPH Hwy #1
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FOLLOW UP TO ROGER'S REPORT	09 December 2002
ABOUT 20 MINUTES AFTER MIKE L. LEFT I STARTED CATCHING A FEW 14-15" TROUT ON THE SOUTH BANK TOWARD THE NORTH END, DAVE ALSO STARTED FISHING ON THE NORTH END. THE ACTION SLOWED AFTER 4:00 SO ABOUT 4:30 I LEFT DAVE IN SOLE POSSESSION OF THE TPH. AS I WAS LEAVING I SLOWED DOWN TO WAVE AT DAVE, HE HELD UP A 22" TROUT AND TOLD ME TO COME BACK OUT THERE,HE WAS ON A SCHOOL OF BIG TROUT. AS I WAS LAUNCHING I WACHED HIM CATCH SEVERAL MORE 19"+ TROUT, BY THE TIME I GOT THERE THE ACTION HAD SLOWED ON THE BIG TROUT, BUT DAVE AND I CAUGHT 14-16" FISH UNTIL AFTER DARK, WE QUIT AT 6:00. DAVE WAS TAGING AND RELEASING BUT HE GAVE ME SEVERAL LARGE TROUT SO I COULD COMPLETE MY LIMIT. HE IS A REAL PRINCE OF A GUY! IF THIS HELPS ANYONE, I CAUGHT 19 13-16' REDS BEFORE NOON WITH A BLACK CHARLIE FISHED REAL SLOW ON THE BOTTOM ALONG DROPOFFS, BUT DAVE DID BEST WITH A WHITE AND BROWN CHARLIE STRIPPED FAST. IN OTHER WORDS YOU HAVE TO CHANGE TATICS AS THE CONDITIONS CHANGE.
MIKE HESS	TPH
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Shouda been here last week	09 December 2002
Mike LaFleur caught big ones here last week. Well Mike Hess,LaFleur and me tried to do the same Sunday, but you know how it goes. Hess cuaght some baby Reds and some keeper Trout,LaFleur a 19" Trout,I got 18" Red. Dave Coignet showed up about noon and released 19" Trout and some smaller. I left them about 1:00 PM. Fishing may have picked up later in PM. One of the Mikes will report if so.
del Rio	TPH pit Hwy # 1
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Election Day Report	08 December 2002
Randy Leonpacher, Dugan Sabins, and I got a late start Saturday (8am) after doing our civic duty and voting. We caravaned down to the Meadow, Randy and Dugan with Randy's boat, me solo with the canoe, launching around 1030am. Early polling data was not good. Most anglers were still out, those that came in had a few reds, but almost no specks. Randy and Dugan worked Catfish Lake, water was clear, speck turnout was poor. I made a strong bid for the reds back up in the marsh, but the campaign faltered. Too many independent fish - they stuck to the middle (of the ponds). Then caught a number of small specks in various precincts. Boats were moving around a lot, a sign of uncertainty. Around 2 pm, I was finally able to connect with the speck community. The pattern was working a clouser 24 inches under a VOSI very slowly off canal dropoffs (not even popping the vosi). Met up with Randy and Dugan, they had 8 specks by then. Around 4pm, the specks elected for topwater, especially where canals broke out into the shallow marsh. My final tally was 14 keepers and a few dozen released. I also released a 26 inch red that cast his ballot for a gold foil pencil popper.
Catch	Golden Meadow
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Day After Thanksgiving	02 December 2002
I told you guys that the day after Thanksgiving would be good and crowded. I was right. I tried to post my info here on Friday night so you could try it out on Sat or Sunday, but the website was down. Now it is too late. Conditions have changed and I do not want to mislead you. All I can say is that the TPH at first light until 8 am was fantastic. Lots of 3+ pound trout. They were deep and like black charlies. Then gravity set in and the motorboater inched over with their trolling motors and put down the fish. Being a follower of this website, I looked to the sky to locate the Black Helicopters, knowing that they would be hovering over someone's secret hole. Well, by gully, I was right. I got out of the TPH and drove around until I found a spot to put in the kayak close the the BH. I lucked out. Caught lots of reds in skinney water. Can't really say where I was, but just look to the sky for the Black Helicopters. They are a dead giveaway.
Mike LaFleur	Hwy 1
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Baby tarpon were skipjack!	02 December 2002
I knew there was something funny about those "baby tarpon" I caught at the Meadow last week. I posted a pic of one on louisianasportsman.com and someone replied they were skipjacks, aka "slickers". I've caught em in the rivers, but never in saltwater. Tarpon - even babies - would have an extension to the dorsal fin, and a pronounced pectal fin. Otherwise, it's difficult to tell them apart. Slickers would also explain the differentiation in sizes, baby tarpon would have all been one size. Okay, that answers all questions but one: how did all those slickers end up in salty Catfish Lake?
Catch
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Thanks to RSFF	30 November 2002
On the day after Thanksgiving I must give a BIG thanks to all the RSFF guys that prayed with me for good weather. Well conditions were VERY good. Early we had 2-3 ft seas with some white caps at the Lump,by noon 1-2 ft no white caps,mid afternoon no wind at all. We were fishing with Scot Avanzino(he knows his stuff) Trolling by 8:00 fish on by 8:30 We brought home 3 Wahoo,largest 49 lbs.,1 Blackfin,1 small Yellowfin, 2 King Mackerel,1 amberjack,1 triggerfish that I caught on fly(submitting for state record). We caught and released many Little Tuny(Bonito)some on fly some trolling,2 big sharks on cut bait. Scotts boat is 32' Albemarle great for this type of fishing. We chumed a grass line and raised a 10'Hammerhead and Rainbow Rummers along with Bonito. This is where I caught the Triggerfish. This is GREAT fun on flys.Used 12 wt.Depth Charge 500 grain line. Thanks again for all those prayers.
del Rio	Midnight Lump W. Delta 143
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Golden day at the Meadow	27 November 2002
Yesterday, I took Corinne, my youngest offspring, on only her second saltwater trip. We decided ahead of time to release all our fish, a wise decision. We also got shrimp just in case her fly casting was not up to par, but that was definitely not the case. We launched the canoe at the public launch at Golden Meadow about 8:30am, and paddled out to the north canals. Birds were diving everywhere. Almost every cast, the Cokester had a speck. She worked the clouser under VOSI like a pro (ie, like her dad!). About 11am, we left them biting to go look for reds in the marsh. Wind was up and fish were down. No backs were spotted, and not even shrimp worked, so we headed to a new set of canals. Again, action on the clouser under a VOSI was non-stop. This time, Cokie was into bigger fish with several pushing 18 inches. On occasion, a boat would pass by, see her with a fish, and pull into the canal. Soon there were four boats and none were catching. Then they all left within a few minutes of each other and put the specks down for good. We headed to a canal away from boat traffic, and found birds diving and fish busting minnows. Cokie again was into specks, but I found that the fish working the surface were little BABY TARPON! They'd blow up on my pencil popper even if it was just sitting there unmoved. Most were 8-10 inches long, but I did see several jump over my popper that must've been 2-3 pounds. About 3pm, we decided to use up the shrimp on "pipe dwellers". We found a canal with lots of junk, and within minutes Cokie had a small drum and a big sheepshead. Then she hooked into something big and fast, and after fighting it for about 10 minutes, it came up near the canoe. I saw the huge red, he saw me and decided it was time to split! It made a screeching run and popped Cokie's line (darn commie tackle). We decided it couldn't end better than that and went home.
Catch	Golden Meadow
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Bayou Lafourche	27 November 2002
OK, the secret's out. Yes, I've been fishing the bayou north of Leeville and doing pretty good. Most of my fish were caught from the bank, but there's one spot where a canoe/kayak can be launched without navigating rocks. The water in late fall is fairly clear, and not much boat traffic. The barges come through once in awhile, but they're no problem for my canoe. The canals north of Lake Jesse are a short paddle away. People forget this area is where Capt Steve Shook used to catch 8+ lb trout back in the days when such fish were unheard of. Roger and I fished it in February many years ago with sink tip lines and caught a load of big trout. I never forget GOOD fishing spots!
Catch	Leeville
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Stealth Fisherman	26 November 2002
This gives a new meaning to "Stealth Fisherman." I didn't know that Jody was so determined to find Catch's secret hole that he would call on Tom Ridge and the Dept. of Homeland Security to help locate it. He must be well conected. This explains why all of those black helicopters were flying all over the area between Golden Meadow and Grand Isle. With us poor taxpayers picking up the bill. Would it not be easier, and cheaper, for Jody to just pick up the phone and call Catch instead of waiting for it to be put on this website. Anyway, enough is enough. Let's get back to fishing and having fun.
Taxpayer	In Hidding
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Last Weekend	25 November 2002
Began fishing the TPH at sunrise last Saturday and caught about 20 specs before 7:30 am. Managed another 15 to 20 specs and 3 rat reds the rest of the day. Tried again Sunday morning and caught about 15 specs before leaving at 11 am. As Roger said in a previous post, the TPH has been invaded by power boats. What he didn't say (I hope he was spared the experience) was that someone with a very powerful boom box treated us to a rap concert. Although there seemed to be a good number of fish, it was not exactly the angling experience I was looking for. I think Roger is right, it's time to find a new spec hole.
Steve Lee	Telephone Pole Hole
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Secret Fishing Spots	25 November 2002
Good work, Undercovers I and II, but while you were able to determine the puddlers holes neither of you found Catch's new secret spot. Thanks to satellite survellance, and a ground team disguised as roadside shrimp vendors, we were able to surmise his vehicle made several stops along Highway 1 north of Leeville this past Saturday. During a 90 minute span at a point 4.3 kilometers north of the bridge, our fish inferometer determined he landed 13 spotted seatrout of various lengths 18 to 54 centimeters, and hooked and lost one red drum of undetermined size, but certainly large enough to go deep within his backing (using our backing inferometer). My top analysts say this had to be Bayou Lafourche, but no fly fishermen ever fish this bayou. We will continue our investigation. We've tapped phones, but so far, nobody's talking.
Tom Ridge, Chief Homeland Security	If I told you location, I'd have to take drastic measures
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Day After Thanksgiving	25 November 2002
The day after Thanksgiving is usually one of the busiest fishing days at the deep holes along La. Hwy. 1, such as the Telephone Pole Hole, the Snake Pit and the Madison Hole (they are marked on the map given out by RSFF). There is bank fishing at all three, but if you have a puddle craft, you can get to some great water. So, if you like to fish with a crowd, come on down. (Now if that ain't specific help, I don't know what is.)
Mike LaFleur	La. 1
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Trout	25 November 2002
Started fishing about 1:30 PM Sunday pulled Kayak out at 4:45 PM. Caught 5 keeper trout action slow wind at 10 Knots from East. Three bass type boats launched from Hwy#1,made noise,cranked motors on and off trailer I,m looking for another hole.
del Rio	Telephone Pole Hole Hwy#1
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Hotspot	24 November 2002
Don't worry, Undercover I, I wont give away your hotspot, I also went down along Highway One this weekend, looking for the hotspot, and found several. I guess we did it the old fashion way, we earned it. We actually tried several spots until we found the hole with lots of fish. I guess that is why they call it fishing instead of catching. Maybe Jody should try to earn it instead demanding exact instructions on where to go. Besides, condition change so rapidly, day by day and even several time during a day, due to tides,wind, fronts, etc. A report posted on this website today about fishing yesterday is no indication of what it will be tomorrow, let alone next weekend. Give us a break, Jody. I like to hear that flyfishermen are catching fish in the general areas indicated. I don't need to know the exact spot or what rock to stand on. I like to get out and explore various spots. You ought to get off your butt and try it too. As to your club not being helpful, I have met several of your members along Highway One, and everyone of them has been friendly, helpful and informative about where they were catching fish and on what flies. I don't blame them for not putting all of this information on this statewide website. I bet they share the info with their clubmembers off the web. Get a life and stop crying.
Undercover II	Highway One
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Catch's Hotspot	24 November 2002
Went down along Hwy 1 to try to find Catch's hotspot. Following his directions, I observed lots of flyfishermen. They all seemed to be catching fish, at least their rods looked to be bent over. I just wonder why we don't see any more reports on this site. Maybe someone poisoned the well. Anyway, I must have found the spot. I caught lots of big trout.
Undercover Fly Fisherman	Highway One
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Swedish bikini team was all that was missing...	22 November 2002
Sorry for the belated report...Lenny Ray and I fished the TPH Tuesday. Lots of specks, mostly undersized, on chartreuse clouser 18" under a VOSI, until a school of bait entered the big speck zone. Then the water boiled, fish jumped in the air, it was a most glorious sight! I switched to a Kirk's Popper, and by 9am had a near limit of 13-15 inch fish. Then proceeded to work the marsh. Water the lowest I've ever seen, and fish were spooky. Still managed 3 reds and 2 drum on coma spoon. Now comes the best part.. I found a new spot coming back from Grand Isle, where I caught and released about twenty specks none smaller than 18 inches. Listen up, Jody. It's between Caminada Bridge and Galliano. Seriously, I know the commies are reading my reports now, thanks to HOMELAND SECURITY they are tracking me daily. I'll give you the location, but it must be done in a covert manner.
Catch	Fourchon
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Reds on the fly	19 November 2002
Launched at 0700 today. Water was low with not water in the grass. Paddled along the shore line and raised a few Reds and landed one. Switched from spoon fly to a flexo crab, not any takers. Dug out a Pink Charlie and everything changed. Caught and released 7 Red to 25" and quit fishing at 1400. Feels good to have a day off to catch some fish. Mike, I need to stock up on Pink Charlie's, do you sell them? Tombo
Tombo	Marsh at Grand Isle
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Low water in the marsh	19 November 2002
Fishing in G.M. last sat. was a disaster. High winds and low water led to no fish. The strong north wind left the water muddy and very low. The I have seen it in the past 3 years. I believe that the specs have not moved to the front from catfish lake. Anyway, finished the day up at 1:00 with 6 lonely trout and 3 19" reds. Found the reds on the points and the trout in 4-5 ft of water. Sooner or later G.M. will be hot and anyone is welcome to join!
Bryan	Golden Meadow
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BASS PRO-SHOP IN SHREVEPORT LOUISIANA !	18 November 2002
the word in shreveport is the new BASS PRO-SHOP will open in may 2004. they have allready started to break ground. it will have 2 storys. it will be the only BASS PRO-SHOP in the country that has its own working MARINA! boat demos, casting demos , at the shop, on the red river, down town! sounds great! it is located on the bossier side of the texas street bridge, on the water. maby they will have some good flyfish'n pro demos. BASS PRO usually has a good fly section ... can't wait... just thought i'd pass the word on.. ty
ty southerland	rayne, la
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To Jody	18 November 2002
Jody: Amen and Amen.
Mickey	B.R.
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Great Fishing	17 November 2002
In order appease some misguided sensibilities (Jody, we were close to 90 W 29 N), Sunday was absolutly a perfect day to catch ( I mean see) fish. Intellecast and its Windcast were right on, as opposed to the NOAA Marine Forecast. There was hardly any wind at first light, then building to 10 to 15 in the afternoon. If I told you where we were, as they say in the CAI, I would have to do something drastic. Suffice it to say, the specks are in the deep holes with the cold front (Jody, that is a hint). This is not a fishing report but rather a weather forecasting report.
Mike LaFleur	Somewhere
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sharing	15 November 2002
Thanks for the preaching Jody. You are 100% right. No fisherman worth his salt, would not share what is God given. I haven’t read the book "Fly Fishing Through Mid Life Crisis” but my wife and I lived out our own book that we should have written for the benefit of mankind. It would have had to been titled “Ultra-lite fishing through life’s crisis” but believe me it was a life and family saver. Two $31.00 mini Diawa’s with 4# test line, a hand full of tube jigs, an old leaky jon boat with a 6 hp and we were ready. 32 years later we are still the happy couple that we started out as. Along the way, we helped dozen of friends, neighbors, and relatives plus our children, get into fishing, by telling them exactly where, when and how and showing them in person. We revealed every secret spot we knew, all of our secret baits and techniques, and to this day we have never regretted sharing any and all. The blessings we’ve received are countless. We laugh to this day about our trips. Like the time my wife hooked a 25# carp on her 4# test mini-spin, fought it until she was tired then passed it over to me. By the time I landed it there were 25 or more people standing around, with my wife taking bets that I could land it. Of course I landed it and of course we didn’t collect the bets. Then there is the run and gun bunch. It’s funny how a couple of words can affect a person’s thinking. On some occasions when we were fishing a quite stretch and a "run and gun" would show up, the first thing they ask as they are idling by is, “how you doing”. We had two standard answers. The first one was, “not too good they’re not biting today”. We would cast out but never reel in while they were in sight. We would try and guess how long they would hang around. Usually 10 or15 minutes of fishing time and they had cranked off and left the scene. The second answer was “they biting real good, we have a basket full of perch, sac-a-lait, and some nice bass to boot”. We would then reach over and pick up the basket out of the water and watch their eyes pop. We would then add “fish with small baits and fish slow”. We would proceed to catch fish in front of them and then watch them. With the confidence we gave them, they would soon be loading the boat also. So what’s the lesson here. “Give and you shall receive”, “do unto others…,” or is it just fish and have fun the rest will be taken care of. As we all know 10% of the fishermen catch 90% of the fish. You need not worry about your secret spot or bait, someone already knows where and what. You can hoard it or share it and the only difference will be in the hand you deal yourself. Bless you.
gene	Houma, La.
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Thousands of fish in a secret location	14 November 2002
Had a few minutes to spare after work yesterday so I decided to take the kayak for a spin. I launched in the United States just south of the Mason Dixon line. The water was clear, birds were diving, the reds were tailing and there were fish everywhere. Nobody else was around because I didn't invite them nor did I dare tell anyone where I was going. I didn't want them to steal MY fishing hole. Anyway, why spoil such a wonderful and secret place with my friends! I caught 700 reds but only brought home one because all were over 27". I couldn't keep but ten specks because the Pungo was about to sink from the weight. A wonderful day-wish you could have been there-oh but I really don't wish you were there. Sorry about the sarcasm but I just don't like the disease that seems to be infecting our club (Red Stick Fly Fishers)and this website lately. We used to be a place you could go where people were happy to share fishing locations and be open about their trips and what they caught. The club was and I hope still is a place to educate people on how to catch fish on the fly and where to find them. We've even had meetings lately where speakers are reluctant to give out specific locations they fish. I pick on no one in particular and don't intend to make a big deal out of this nor lose any friends over it. I only ask that people think about what they are doing and what the real purpose of all this is. I also suggest that everyone read a book that I read and enjoyed several years ago and intend to re-read over the holidays-"Fly Fishing Through Mid Life Crisis". Sorry about the preaching. Jody
Jody Titone	Below theMason-Dixon Line
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Lots of specks	13 November 2002
I had the day off on Tuesday, and you know what they say about fishing when you can, so I took the kayak south to the marsh. The wind was howling (as predicted the night before)and I almost didn't launch, but at the last minute I found an area that was protected enough to put the boat in. I'm glad I did. I found birds working everywhere. Specks were under them eating bait fish. They weren't as big as last week, but many were 16 to 19 inches. I have to say that LaFleur's Chartreuse Charlie not only resembles shrimp, but bait fish as well, because they tore it up. Later in the day, I got into some big reds, and released all but one. The paddle back against the wind after fighting the big reds was hard, but well worth it.
Dirk Burton	Salt water marsh
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Contraband Fly Casters Invade Arkansas	11 November 2002
Five members of Contraband Fly Casters (Lake Charles)made the 8 hour drive up to Heber Springs Arkansas last Thursday. We fished Thursday afternoon, Friday, and Saturday driving back Sunday. We drift fished out of canoe's and waded areas from a little below Cow Shoals to just above Johns Pocket. We caught lots of browns with a few rainbows and cutthroats thrown in. The fishing was a little off, maybe becuase of low water conditions, and little recent generation, but we did ok. I caught about 60 fish over the weekend, Danny Williams caught a few more...the other guys didn't fish as hard so they didn't catch as many. We didn't catch any real whoppers but we did catch a fair amount 12inch to 13inch fish, with a couple of larger fish broken off. Hot patterns were sow bugs, scuds, small (#14 to 16) wooly buggers. It was lots of fun, we had great accomodations on the water at "Little Green Acres". If you ever go up there to fish, stay at a place on the water, and bring a canoe, kayak, boat..whatever..this opens up a lot of water that you can't access otherwise..it also allows you to drift fish area's too deep to wade.
Ron Begnaud	Little Red River - Heber Springs Arkansas
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Puddler trip	10 November 2002
Four of us PBFFC Puddlers gave up on Bayou Lacombe and ventured down to Grand Isle this lasr friday. Arrived a little after 7AM. Stopped at the FAA Gate. Locals were catching very nice trout on the other side of the gate. Within 100 yards of the road,the specs were on top making a great sight for us puddlers. Several hookups,mainly school trout,though larger fish seen pounding the bait. Redfish were heard back in the grasses. We ended up with a mixed bag of specs,reds,sheepshead,and flounders. No black drum. Reds were only evident after the tide dropped enough to see their backs.Water was murky. Tide was falling fast. The storms had opened up some of the ponds and cuts. Left around 12 with the reds still showing.
Don Bolstad	Grand Isle
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LSU lost, Saints lost, we lost	28 October 2002
In the superdome Sunday pm, Master Jake and I watched as Saints defenders ran up to Micheal Vick and ended up tackling air! Reminiscent of the day before (Sat) when Steve Lee and I would approach a good-looking redfish spot, only to cast to empty water. We were fishing my annual company rodeo out of Basons, out of my canoe, in the inches-thin marsh. Based on our trips in the last year, we figured slam-dunk winners in redfish category. Lili changed that outcome, for sure. Since the storm, the marsh is abandoned, except for a few lost speckled trout. A sure indicator is mudboils. Even if you don't see backs or tails, these indicate reds, drum, sheeps. We saw two dozen mudboils all day, about six times fewer than normal. We came in with only 3 reds and 11 specks, and released 5 undersized reds. Mike LaFleur was also in that marsh. He caught and released several rat reds, his largest was only 18 inches. All the boats that took trophies caught their fish south of Catfish Lake, about 12 miles from the launch. Too far for us to paddle.
Catch	Galliano
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Too dumb to come in out of the rain.	23 October 2002
Monday afternoon Danny Williams and I took his boat out to big lake looking for birds working. We had just gotten on a school of specs and caught one when a storm popped up with lots of lighning so we headed back to the launch and waited it out in the truck. After a while the lightning had passed so we went back out, it was still raining, and puite windy. We found the birds working just North of the platforms again but Danny's trolling motor was not operating properly so it was hard to keep up with them. We ended up catching 7 fish, averaging around 14", and losing several others, not the greatest day but ok considering conditions.
Ron Begnaud	Calcasieu Lake
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High Watar	21 October 2002
10/19/02 First trip following the storms and it was interesting. The water was 15"+ higher than I've ever seen it, it was over the tops of the canal dikes. The water was also very dirty with about 12" of vis. The good news was there were plenty of fish but conditions worked against us we were into 5 or 6 and landed only 2.
flybob	Myrtle Grove
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Lacombe back in business	21 October 2002
If you talk to Master Jake, he'll give several excuses as to why we passed on a trip to the Meadow Sunday am. "The LSU game drained us". "The bishop was invocating Father Matt". "I wanted to see the Saints game". Whatever reason, he had Bayou Lacombe in the back of his mind. It was a quick trip, only 3 hours of fishing, but the action was constant. Nearly a dozen bass and sacalait, and lots of bluegill and redear, all released, all within 150 yards of the launch. This was the best fishing in Lacombe since the drought wiped out the freshwater fishing and all vegetation. The hydrilla and lilly pads are starting to return also.
Catch	Bayou Lacombe
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Sunday Bakers Dozen	20 October 2002
Got up early Sunday with plans to hit a couple of favorite reefs in Big Lake, in search of BIG trout. Loaded up and headed out, by the time I got to the launch the weather was nasty, rain and lots of lightning. Not wanting a dose of natures own electroshock therepy I headed home. After the bad weather passed, I loaded back up and got on the water at about 10:15am. Unfortunately the wind had picked up and was out of a direction that made properly drifting the reefs I wanted to fish all but impossible, so I headed to the platforms in the North part of the lake looking for birds. The first bunch of birds I got on only produced 1 fish, the second 2. The third bunch of birds I got under had 1 other boat fishing it (there was almost no one out on the lake). The guy in the other boat was fishing conventional tackle, and was catching, but I was seriously outcatching him throwing a chartruse Pensicola Clouser. He commented that it looked like fun catching them on fly rod, and finally after seeing me catch several more fish then hime asked me what color I was fishing, hoping he could catch up. I left them biting with 13 fish in my box, I didn't want to clean any more than that, and I was tired of fighting the wind. All of the fish were over 13 inches. 3 were 14", 3 were about 16", one was 18" and one was 20". I'll be back out there in the afternoons this week.
Ron Begnaud	Calcasieu Lake
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Thursday Afternoon	17 October 2002
The weather was real nice so I launched near the North end of Big Lake Thursday afternoon. I first checked out a couple of marsh spots for reds, but the water was way too high to see anything. I made my way into the lake, and there were a lot of birds working with a lot of boats under them. My trolling motor is not working so I didn't want to try to fish the birds with all the boats under them. The wind and tide direction were favorable for making drifts along a reef I know of that usually produces nice fish. I caught 2 specks, one was 3pounds the other just under 4. I also hooked and lost a big one that had to be over 5. When I got back to the launch I talked to a couple of guys who were throwing hardware under the birds. They had picked up about 25 - 30 keeper trout under the birds. Things should really start to heat up.
Ron Begnaud	Calcasieu Lake
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Big Reds	13 October 2002
I couldn't go fishing on Saturday, so I went today, even though the winds were forecast to be 15 to 25 knots (per the marine weather forecast). I always check the Windcast, which said that the winds would be 5 to 10 in the morning, from the east, then 10+ from the north in the afternoon. Windcast wins again. At first light, the water was high, so I thought it would be hard to spot the fish. Wrong. Even with high water, these fish were so big that their tails still stuck our of the water. It took until afternoon, when the winds picked up, for the big guys to get lockjaw and let their little brothers taste the pink charlie. The marsh was in great shape, except that a few islands and duck blinds no longer exist.
Mike LaFleur	Salt Water Marsh
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Cosmos rejoins 101st LCFFB for successful mission	13 October 2002
My older son Kevin, aka Cosmos, was on Army leave this past week and was anxious to rejoin the Louisiana Combat Fly Fishers 101st Battalion in pursuit of topwater specks and reds. After Lili, I couldn't make any promises, but we headed out Friday 1 am to Grand Isle. A couple of hours of bridge fishing produced a few specks and lots of 10-11 inch white trout, all on clousers. At dawn, we hit the bottom part of Laurier under diving birds and caught about 20 nice specks on topwater. The north wind picked up big time, so we left, went down the road and put the canoe in the Telephone Pole Hole. Here we found specks big time. Most caught on clouser under a VOSI, but Corporal Cosmos landed the biggest ones on topwater again. We kept about 20, then released everything after that. When the wind died down around noon, we carried the canoe over to the north side of Hwy 1, and worked the shallow marsh for reds. Water was clear and quite high, but not many fish. Looked like oxygen levels were low. Still we found one spot with lots of reds, and Cosmos launched a vicious attack with Coma Spoon that resulted in 9 redfish taken prisoner and released, and 3 casualties (to be grilled). Several folks fishing the roadside ditches reported good catches of reds, flounder, and drum. We also saw specks busting under birds in Bayou Lafourche north of Leeville on the way back. Looks like fall fishing is here!
Catch Cormier	Grand Isle
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Calcashieu river	08 October 2002
Me and my pop went out to the river between hurricanes. We caught a few bass and a few bream. Nothing very exciting. We had to wait a while before hitting our favorite spot cuz the duck hunters like the same area. It did'nt seem to make much difference. there were more bass hitting than bream for some reason and they were few and far between. we still caught/hooked/lost about 20 or so fish before we gave up. The big thing is look for clear water and changes in structure. cypress knees, duck blinds,and changes in vegitation are the areas to hit. The bream like slow, slow as in sit down drink some coffee and have one blow up on your fly right whe you are'nt looking. The bass go either way. Popping bugs work best in the colors orange, yellow, black and chartreuse. If the hurricanes would stop mabey the fishing will improve. good luck . William
William	Lake Charles
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Post-Isadore expedition to Hwy 51	30 September 2002
After the Saints game yesterday, Master Jake and I made a exploratory trip to Hwy 51 south of Manchac. Road was finally open after being closed since Isadore. Water was still very high, up to shoulder of road in some places, and clear black in the pit areas. Caught just "swamp species" - goggle eye, cypress bream, gar, and sacalait (aka crappie). No bass and no bluegill, both of which were everywhere 2 weeks ago. The dozen or so sacalait hit a black/chartreuse fluff butt. The gar were cruising on top among huge schools of minnows and finger mullet, and Jake was sight casting to them with poppers. BTW... mosquitos even worse after Isadore - bring repellant!!
Catch	Ruddock
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Reds 09/21/02	23 September 2002
I enjoyed light winds on saturday and was fishing before the sun was up. I cought 2 in the dark on poping mullit. It was a great day I landed more than 10 and was to quick on a number of others. I didn't see any large fish at all sizes ranged from 17 to 23 inches. A new trick worked great I was alone so poling casting and spotting is a lot to do at once. I setup on a flat or a shoreline with the wind at the stern. I set out a portion of heavy chain adjusting to slow or speed my drift worked great!!!
flybob	Myrtle Grove
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Ruh-Roh	23 September 2002
"Ruh-Roh" - Rat Reds in the marsh. Fished "The Intersection" down by GI Saturday evening and Sunday morning. Fairly windy the whole time and high water, of course. I figured conditions would be less than ideal, but I was starting to twitch from fishing withdrawal, so I just had to float the boat. Anchor system on the Pungo (based on LaFleur's fore and aft design) worked like a charm even under these conditions. Boated several small Reds and small flounder on a Pink Charlie. Kept only one Red of legal size; the rest went back to the teeny-bopper party they were having back there. At least I wet a line.
Joe Kahler	Dry Land (Unfortunately)
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Precept to Law #5: Slack Tides Favor The Fly Angler	22 September 2002
Some detractors to my 5th Law of Fly Fishing draw the line on speckled trout. "Trout need tide", they say. Non-believers take note. You can't get much worse tide than we had Saturday. Yet 25 specks went into the Cormier box. Fished the bridge from 2am-5am, caught about half the keepers there on white seaducer. Caught the other half at the bottom end of Lake Laurier from 6am-9am on chartreuse popper or chartreuse clouser under VOSI. Then worked marsh for reds until 1pm. Caught a half-dozen rats, 2 keepers (released), and 1 sheepshead, all on Coma Spoon. Great day, except for 10 minute rain storm - with waterspout - that hit around sunrise. One more detail: stopped at TPH for a few bank casts and caught 2 small trout. Could they be moving in?
Catch	Grand Isle
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really slow	19 September 2002
Well, I'm here to report that the fishing is really slow these days on the streets of Baton Rouge: I mean NO tails showing at the Walmart, no wakes at the Albertsons and absolutely no species of any kind have jumped into my canoe on Meadow Lea under the carport. I really don't think the wind is a factor. No matter how hard it rains, I check the canoe every morning and have never found a stray spec or even a pinfish or shrimp. Just proves that you have to be on the water to catch fish. PLEASE let me know if any puddlers are going to the marsh this weekend. I need an able body to help unload/load the canoe and then you won't see me till time to pack it in. Thanks. I'd also be in favor of wading at Lacombe if anyone will be around.
paula	Streets of Baton Rouge
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Afternoon reds	17 September 2002
Yesterday (Monday) afternoon, I met Danny Williams at his house at about 4, we launched at Prien Lake Park to fish some of the Marsh around the lake. The water was real high but shortly after we got there the tide started moving out at a pretty good clip. When the tide first started moving out the fish seemed to get active for a short while, Danny caught one, but the fish quickly settled down and got spooky again, finally, late we began working a different bank and quickly picked up 4 more fish before dark. The fish ranged from just under 2 to about 5 pounds. Danny caught the biggest fish in totaly classic sight fishing style, back out of the water in clear water, you could see the fish, see the fly, and see the take...very cool. Nice way to start a week.
Ron Begnaud	Calcasieu Estuary
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Hwy 51 Report	16 September 2002
Late pm trip with Masters Jake and Josh. Launched canoe just south of pass, tide surge so high water covered parts of the road!! Steady catch-and-release action on bream. Jake with black/orange jitterbee under vosi, Josh with chartreuse Miss Prissy size 8, did equally well. If you go, bring repellant, mosquitos get bad around sunset.
Catch	Manchac
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Late Summer Specks	15 September 2002
Well I'm going to try this again. Just finished a report and poof it was gone! Some sneaky computer bug I guess. Anyway here goes again! Randy Leonpacker and I made a trip to Golden Meadow area to see what we could find. Despite all the hoopla on the tropical storm we found fishable conditions with some complications. The water level was about as high as I have seen and I had to wade through water to get in the boat! The wind was 10-15 from the NW early but died to calm by noon. We found off color water and few specks in east side canals so when the wind started dying down we headed for out favorite place over the reefs on the north shore of Cafish Lake. Found nice water and our specks and a few white trout all caught on the old trusty clouser and vosi. After about 10 or so in the box and an equal or greater amount returned we headed for the west side waters and ended up at Bay Currant around 3PM. But the winds had changed to the SW and built to about 15 and together with the waves made fishing conditions tough. Found no specks despite the strong outgoing tide and birds diving on shrimp. Finished the day back on our honey hole in Catfish lake and ended with about 20 keeper specks and whites. Many more released to fight another day. Reds were way back in the marsh and despite Randy's best effort with a spoon fly and rattle rouser they would not come out! Probably needed Mike Lafleur and some pink charles and a wilderness Ride to get them out. Some specks were found with eggs and also heard some croaking males so summer spawning may still be occuring. Can't wait until the waters cool and the fall migration is on. All in all a good trip despite all the changing weather, hot temperatures and high water. Dugan
Dugan	Catfish Lake
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Fluff Butt	14 September 2002
Blue Gill, Sac-a-lait and Goggle Eye were tearing up the Peterson's Fluff Butt this weekend in Bayou Pigeon. Colors were pearl and blue.
Larry Offner	Little Pigeon
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Reds in Skiiiiiiiiiny water.	13 September 2002
Thursday afternoon (9/12) Danny Williams and I launched his "woop Ray" at Prien Lake Park and went to Haymark Marsh. Unlike a week earlier, the North wind had the water blown out. Haymark tends to fish best when it's real shallow. We saw lots of small fish, they were being pretty spooky, but we managed to catch 3, plus hooked and lost another. All fish were caught on redchasers (although Danny will probably never admit to catching a fish on one.) As a side note, this was the shallowest water I have ever fished with Danny in his Hells Bay. It's amazing how shallow that boat will pole!!
Ron Begnaud	Heymark Terminal//Calcasieu Estuary
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Have canoe, will travel	09 September 2002
By Sunday am, cabin fever had set in, so I strapped my canoe, 'The Red Sticker' and headed north away from the squalls. Up I-49, stopped at Dubisson, then Cocodrie, then Indian Creek lakes. Each time, rain came within an hour and spoiled some decent action on small bass and bluegill. Finally ended up in one of the many pits along Hwy 28 east of Pineville, near Catahoula Lake. Here I hit the motherload: found two schools of nice sacalait and a few big chickapin. An olive fluff butt, beadhead version, size 12 was the ticket. For those who don't know what this fly is, tie a beadhead wooly bugger and leave out the hackle and the wooly (vernille instead of chenille).
Catch	Somewhere around Alexandria
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Water Water Everywhere	06 September 2002
Yesterday (thurs) afternoon, Danny Williams and I went to fish Haymark Marsh on the South End of Prien Lake. We were amazed when we got to the Prien Lake boat launch and saw how much water was pushed up by T.S. Faye (it was just a depression at the time) The water is about 18 inches above the normal high tide...didn't see any redfish because of the high water...did see some birds working Prien Lake but all we could catch under them was lady fish.... I'm hopeful that this flush of water will be good for the estuary.
Ron B	Calcasieu
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Fishing report	04 September 2002
My target was Silver Salmon, and I was not disapointed. My first stop was on the Russian River, it was filled with Red Salmon, but they could have been caught with your feet, they were in shallow water, and they do not bite at this stage. Moved to another creek called Montana Creek and were rewarded with a mix of Chum (Dog Salmon) and Siver's. The Silver Salmon were the most acrobatic of all salmon species and made for good fun on an 8wt. The Chum Salmon are a little bigger, but not as aggressive as the Silvers. Stopped in Ketchican and hooke (snagged) some Pink Salmon on a 6wt. The Pinks were so thick, it was hard not to hook a fish. Alaska has no bad place for me. If the fish do not cooperate, the scenary will take your breath away. Tombo
Tombo	Alaska
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Great days on the flats near Cancun.	30 August 2002
My wife and I just returned from 5 days in Cancun. We spent two days fishing the flats in the Isla Blanca area North of Cancun for baby tarpon, bonefish and permit with a guide named Enrique. This was my first experience with any of these 3 species of fish and was awesome. First I want to say that this is a great fishery. We saw a tremendous amount of baby tarpon up to about 35lb...enough to keep you busy fishing if you fished for nothing else. We saw a pretty good number of bonefish..most in the 3 - 4 pound range but a couple that pushed 6 And we saw a respectible number of permit and quite a few good sized snook. Our guide said the bonefishing is a little off right now because of high temperatures..but there were definately enough to get quite a few shots...While the fishery was great, I wasn't. The frist day I managed to land 1 bonefish and jump 2 tarpon, and got one permit to follow my fly...aside from that I blew many shots with bad cast, line tangles etc..Just nerves I guess... The second day was a little better, catching 1 bonefish, hooking a large cuda (man they're fast) hooking a couple of snook, and jumping 8 tarpon...unfortunately I never was able to land a tarpon. I paid attention to the "rules" of setting the hook well, bowing when they jumped etc...but these fish are just difficult to land. Next trip down I will tie flies on hooks with a larger gap, and I will try the Mustad Circle Streamer hooks (anybody try these on tarpon yet?). The ride to the area where the boats are kept is also an adventure. Enrique picked us up at our hotel each morning in an old VW van that is older than me. We then had a 40 minute ride, most of which was on a poor excuse for an atv trail through the jungle. Very scenic and made the trip much more interesting. We also did some crazy stuff to get into the back country in the boat (panga). We went through mangrove creeks that were so over grown, we had to lay down in the boat to get through the branches, Enrique had to lift branches up and over the outboard...very cool...All in all a very beautiful place with a great variety in the species that are readily available, and not overly pressured (none of the fish seemed particularly boat shy) and with a great variety in the areas and types of water to fish...from classic turtle grass flats to tannic back country mangrove lagoons. This fishery is WAY under rated...if you have the chance check it out.
Ron Begnaud	Cancun Mexico
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It's Hot	27 August 2002
8/24/02 I was the second boat out and ran right to the usual locations. The water was clear and filled with weeds, oh and Reds!! The fish were on finger mullet and not interested in crabs. Once I figured this out it was great fishing but so so Hot.
flybob	Myrtle Grove
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West Ship Island	26 August 2002
I went to Horn and Ship Islands with family and friends. It was primarily a boat riding excursion but, just in case, a fly rod made the trip. While the rest of the crew went for lunch on E. Ship, I was dropped off on W. Ship where there were some guys already working some grass beds. There were lots of bait fish in the area. I caught and released a couple of small specks taken on a shrimp pattern. I also had a couple of nice specks on that managed to break off. For the short period of time I was out there and considering the time of day, the action was pretty good. It is only a 40 min. boat ride from the Gulfport Marina. There were lots of good looking grass beds. Worth making another run there.
Felipe
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Response to Jeffs request for Ladyfish Recipe.	24 August 2002
Ceder smoked ladyfish 1lb of lady fish fillets, patted dry 2tsp course salt 1/2 tsp black pepper 1/2tsp cayenne peper, 1/4 cup fimly packed brown sugar 1tsp oregano minced Cedar Plank for smoking fish on combine dry ingredients, coat fillets liberally, place fillets on cedar plank. Smoke slowly at 180 degrees for 4 hours. THROW OUT LADYFISH AND EAT THE CEDAR PLANK, It will taste better! P.S. I'm off to Cancun tomorrow, 2 days of fishing Isla Blanca for Baby (up to 40lb) tarpon, bones and permit...wooo hooo!!! Ron
Ron B.	Lake Charles
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Surf Fishing	23 August 2002
Just got back from a morning of surf fishing at the coast. Three weeks ago crabs crabs were everywhere. Crabbers were having a field day. I caught a few specks but fishing was spotty. Today, the crabs appeared to have left the building, and so did the trout....but, the ladyfish, the spanish mackeral, and the little yellowtailed jacks were en masse. They were holed up by the jetties and literally attacked anything put before them- poppers (5-6 hits on a cast),charlies, spoons, rattlers, clousers, caddis, adams, you nameit, red, peacock,chartreuse. They had the bait minnows pinned against the barges and it was like a Sicily's buffet all morning. Those gnarly-toothed monsters made off with about 20 flies and meters of 12lb fluorocarbon tippet. It was a good day to clean out all those flies tied eons ago which I thought would never work. Surf was calm again overall.Two old timers from Mandeville had caught a bunch of those yellowtailed little jacks or whatever they are and asked me if they were amberjack and were they edible. I said I didn't think so on both counts, but people ate snakefish so what's worse. They said that they ate bream that were smaller and had more bones. I said maybe go for it and started wondering if there are any good ladyfish recipes going around?
JeffM	Fourchon
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white trout	21 August 2002
This past Sunday my daughter Sam and I went to the baptisam of a friend's baby in Slidell. His home is on a canal that holds lots of fish so I always take fishing tackle for the kids, but since this was a spesial occasion I left the gear at home. We left to return home at 4:00 and decided to go to Bayou Lacombe to just look at the water. The tide was coming in strong and was almost across the road; the wind was about 10-15 , The lake was very rough-not a good time for kayaks for sure! We stopped at the bridge to see what the bait chunkers were doing. When I looked at the water I was amazed to see that as far as you could see white trout were churning the water like I have never seen before.you could see dozens at a time darting in the water chahsing bait (the water was very clear). I sat there kicking myself for not bringing any rods and thinking how much fun my eleven year old would have had. Like Am.Express says "never leave home without it".
mike hess	bayou lacombe
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Hi Water Blues	20 August 2002
Fished The Intersection from daylight to 10:30 a.m., then Galiano from 11:30 to 2:30 on Saturday. Like Catch reports below, water where I fished was high and murky and, of course, "slack tides and clear water favor the fly fisher." Plus, it was hot as . . . hot as . . . August in South Louisiana. To sum it all up, I didn't get a fish. I talked to bait chunkers at both sites, and at least they were griping about their catch (or lack thereof) too. Can't wait for September and October, the return of cooler waters, and more active pescas.
Joe Kahler	Home 'til It Cools Off
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Where did all the redfish go?	20 August 2002
Jake and I went out Sunday with Ron Begnaud to the Sabine marsh on the west side of Big Lake. Anytime you see a boat launch empty, that's not a good sign! Water was way up and dirty from last week's heavy rains. In a marsh that had been full of reds, we sighted only a few, hooked one on a popper, and that was it. Lots of action on ladyfish. Midday we fished the reefs around Long Point for specks, water clearer. One pompano and a few ladyfish. Barring any more heavy rain, Ron believes reds will be back within a week.
Catch	Lake Calcasieu
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Bank fishing bonanza	19 August 2002
I've been bank flyfishing the South-shore for the last month or so. Last week the trout (specks and whites) were biting really good in the canals and at Seabrook. I landed my largest specks (ca. 20") middle of last week. The action has slowed over the last couple of days for unknown reasons. I've seen a good number of big Reds and Jacks caught on cut pogies this week. Large schools of Menhaden are being terrorized near shorelines in the evening. I tried casting into schools but all you end up doing is snagging alot of Menhaden. But, I did get a couple of hard bumps last night. The lady fish are still on at Seabrook and their size seems to be increasing. I hooked a really nice one (about 22") Saturday. I've had a blast this summer fishing this way. The plus side is that I don't have to drive far or worry about getting caught in a T-storms in the canoe. Oh yeah, the Irish Bayou marsh gave up some nice trout and ladyfish early last week. I've also seen/spooked lots of drum. I also paddled across and scared small schools of shrimp. The fishing may get really good around Irish Bayou soon. Cheers
Mark Clements	Lake Pontchy
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Hunt for BIG FISH	19 August 2002
We tried but none landed. Sunday Gary Parrish,Frank Genusa,myself and guide Chad Billoit found calm water and light winds. We fished at many rigs about 6-8 miles Southwest of Belle Pass(Bayou Lafourche). We landed Blue Fish,Hard Tails,Spanish Macks,Small Cobia. I fought a big Jack about 20 minutes,but he wore through 20# shock mono...GREAT FUN. Chad said Cobia show up in Sept.& Oct. Anybody want to go??
del Rio	G.of M. South of Belle Pass
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Alaska, silvers, and chum salmon	17 August 2002
BOL, Tombo. The silvers are fun in the backwaters, they feed like bass at times. Definitely do not pass up chum salmon. They fight in the "bruiserweight division". Can't wait to go back.
Catch
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Silvers	16 August 2002
What you've heard about Silvers is true, Tombo! They are an amazing fish. Best of luck to you!
Pescador
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peta and fishing	16 August 2002
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,60532,00.html check this out
jay	baton rouge
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Pre-fishing report	13 August 2002
I have been waiting along time for this trip. In search of Silver Salmon and have been told of all five salmon in Alaska, Silvers are the most fun to catch. They are tailor made for an 8 wt fly rod with floating line, and can be caught on the surface. Silvers run about 10-12 pounds, and are more aggresive and plentiful (remains to be seen). Will report in depth on return. I have rented an RV for 4 days and have already fished some of the targeted streams, so am a little familiar with the area. Wish me luck and a safe trip. Tombo
Tombo	Anchorage Alaska
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Pensacola Weekend	12 August 2002
The family went to Navarre this weekend. According to my wife, "it's not a fishing trip", but hey, with me and The Master, it's always a trip! Conditions were rough Friday, so we waded the sound. Caught a couple of small specks. Met up with Tom Herrington and his son Doug from Ocean Springs. Tom and Doug worked the surf that morning and caught a bunch of ladyfish before getting beat up by the waves. Fri pm, tried a new tactic - a size 6 crystal shrimp on a sinking line. Caught some small pelagics, and 2 specks about 18". We hit the Navarre pier on Sat at first light. Fly fishing off the pier drew some attention, especially when we landed several pompano in a row. But the attention turned away when the king mackeral moved in. Try as we may, we couldn't hook one up, but we did jump a big tarpon! He threw the size 2/0 deceiver on the first jump. He looked to be about 80 lbs. How we would have landed him, I dunno. Sat pm, we met up with Matt from the Pensacola club over at Fort Morgan. Fish were busting bait all over the pass. Jake and Matt were surrounded by crazed ladyfish. These were big ladies... BULL DYKES. Once they got in the current, they were in the backing in no time. We're anxious to go back soon, kings, spanish, tarpon, blues, bonito - all are on the inside right now, eating flies. As Jake put it, "where in Louisiana can you catch those species while checking out the bikinis at the same time?".
Catch
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Trying for Tuna	10 August 2002
Had a memorable trip with Gary Parrish, Oliver Boyd and Gary's friend Joey into the offshore Gulf in search of Yellowfin Tuna on a fly. It was a dramatic step for all of us in that it was our first trip this far offshore and for attemting to catch yellowfins. Went with Capt. Scott Avanzino on the 32 foot Balancing Act. Went out of Venice Marina through South Pass and two hours and 50 miles into the Gulf to the Ursa and Mars floating rigs in 3,000 feet of water. Kind of mind challenging for all of us but we rose to the occasion and "hooked" some yellowfins. Gary's friend Joey had two 10 wts, a 12 and a 14. Gary and Oliver teamed together to put up a 10 wt rig. We used colorful large deceivers and clousers. Capt. Scott had the deck hand cutting and tossing chum(mostly pogies) and that seem to be the key as it brought everything to the back end of the boat in easy casting distance. But he was supposed to find us some "small" yellowfins in the 50 pound range but instead put us on 100 plus pounders all day. Well to make the story short the flies all worked, the hooks made contact but alas the leaders were not up to the task. Over 5 yellowfins took our flies and got hooked but the leaders broke at the strike, withing 5 seconds of the strike and in one case Gary had one on long enough to almost loose all his fly line and backing! But alas the leader gave way in time to save his line. We did catch and land some beautiful rainbow runners, hardtail jacks and one baracuda all in the 5-10 pound range. They were a thrill on a fly. We saw the aqua marine cobalt blue water and another boat hooking and fighting a marlin. Even though no yellowfins were landed just seeing them take the fly in that beautiful water and run off was a thrill. We all want to go back but do need to do something about those leaders! Hence Gary's question on the new forum board pleading for some advise here although he is thinking of steping down to cobia, mackeral and snapper!
Dugan	Way Offshore
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Redfish on top!	09 August 2002
Red fish were going nuts on poppers! In 3 hours between the storms on August 4,7 redfish were landed on poppers. Things are starting to shape up into an early fall pattern. However, the speckled trout do not seem to want to come inside in upper Plaquemines parish yet.
Kirby LaCour	Myrtle Grove
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After the Storm....	06 August 2002
Fished the small beach at the Seabrook bridge (industrial canal) yesterday and today. Two day total of lady fish, about 200; all between 10" and 18". Also got some nice specks (ca. 10). Also tried my Orvis 6'-4wt, 1oz brook trout rod. Lots of fun catching those lady fish. Fly of choice = anything small, stripped fast. Saw bait dunkers landing really nice drum off the bridge. Might go out agian this evening with my 3 wt. Cheers
Mark Clements	Lake Pontchy
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Old River - Morganza	06 August 2002
Master Jake and his grandpa caught 100 gobbules at Old River, kept 34 size 3/4 pound on up. Jake used a black/chartreuse jitterbee 18 inches under a VOSI along the edges of trees at Willow Point.
Catch
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Response to Mark's Lake Ponchartrain question	01 August 2002
I've fished the Ponch for almost 25 years, and 'consistent' is NOT a word I would use to describe the fishing there. The only spots which are consistent are the bridges. The problems are: (1) the lake is not salty, so it doesn't hold the numbers of trout found on the lower coast, except maybe in dry years, and this is NOT a dry year. (2) Ponchy is one big open water shaped like a bowl. During summer, the specks follow the shrimp, and this year the shrimp are more toward the southern part of the lake. The same holds true for huge schools of reds, croaker and sand trout - you have to search, and Ponch is a VERY BIG lake to have to search. Fortunately, some reds are always present along the shorelines and bayous, and they don't care about salinity too much. Come September the specks tend to be more shoreline oriented, as do jacks and other species. If a storm comes and brings a tidal surge into the lake, GO FISHING the next weekend!
Catch
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Bayou lacombe report	01 August 2002
Last July myself and a buddy of mine were able to catch a lot of specs off the shorline toward goose point. This year there is a lot of grass, which would seem to me to make it better, but the fishing really sucks there this year. I was wondering if any of you old timers that have fished this area a lot over the years can explain to me why the fishing is so bad there this year. I was hoping it would be good so I could take my wife and daughter there to catch some easy fish but when I took them it was terrible. I am primarily a bass fisherman but even so, last year I killed them there with comi tackle but not this year. Any ideas? Mark
Mark
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Bayou Cocodrie, Three Rivers	28 July 2002
Knowing I couldn't leave BR until 7 am Sat, decided to punt on the tarpon rodeo and try some freshwater fishing instead. First stop was floodplains north of Morganza. Caught two small bass on a Coma Minnow before storms came. Second, fished the backwater area near the Atchafalaya locks. Water was clear green, lots of small bass, white bass, skipjacks. Again, CM was ticket. Fished 1 hr before storms came. Continued north to Deer Park Lake, but guess what? Storms moved in. Headed west to Bayou Cocodrie, storms threatened but never arrived. This is a beautiful water for puddling. Lots of mid-size gobbules. Jitterbee ineffective, poppers worked okay, Hester fluff butt worked great. For whatever reason, this year the black/chartreuse fluff butt has outfished the jitterbee by a wide margin.
Catch
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Response to Rudy	27 July 2002
This is in response to Rudy of Mandeville. Guess we sometimes forget that lots of people read this website site and don't always know the terminology! A vosi is short for vertical oriented strike indicator! It gets a lot of ribbing from some folks but used right it works! What we have found out is that in certain situations we need to keep the fly suspended off the bottom and into the mid water column where the fish are feeding and the vosi does the trick. Sometimes it is the best way to catch schooling specks, ladyfish on the coast and bluegills, readears and other bream in freshwater. But look out it will also work on aggressive redfish, bass and even freshwater drum and catfish which are feeding off the bottom and toward the mid water column. It is simply a small cork or any floating object placed at typically one to two feet above the fly. Dugan Sabins
Dugan Sabins
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little red river arkansas fiasco	26 July 2002
Went to the swinging bridge on the little red in Arkansas a couple of weekends ago. I had to go early before the water came down from the dam and made it impossible to wade. I got there and there were about a million people there. Most of them were thrashing the water just to get out 20 feet of line and the rest were crashing through the water like grizzlys. I tried to fish for 5 or 10 minutes then packed it in. I stoped by a flyshop to inquire about any cool are warm water streams where I could catch some bass of some sort. The only guy in the place said that he didnt know of any such streams and said something about not fooling with lowly warmwater fish. I then left and took a back road back to Conway and crossed the east fork of the Cadron, which was a small stream that runs just north of Conway. I pulled off and made a few cast and 4 hours later I was tired of catching fish. That was about 2oo fish later. All being bream, goggle eye and bass. I know that most of us from louisiana go up there for the trout, but when you get tired of the crowds or the water is high try some of the small streams around Arkansas, most of which have some access right of of the roads. other streams to check out are the west fork of the Cadron, Illinois bayou and the Big Piney. the fish are mixed with some smallmouth largemouth and red eye bass. there are also the ever present bream and goggle eye. All these creeks are less crowded than the Buffalo, and are just as enjoyable with all the landscape to go with them. Any questions about the area just e-mail me and I'll be happy to help. good luck.
william andrus	arkansas
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KUDOS	24 July 2002
thanks to everyone who helped to orginize this weekend, you did a great job. I brought my nephew from Iowa,Galen,who was in town to attend the LSU football camp, and this was his first experience flyfishing and saltwater fishing so I put him in the front of my canoe and paddled him around the marsh. On Friday we saw and spooked lots of reds but they were lethargic due to the hot watter; he had two hookups but lost both. Sunday he cought his first red and black drum before 8:30. At 9:30 we hit the mother lode, school trout(10-12") and some lady fish with a hit every cast until 1:00 when we left them bitting because we ran out of water to drink. We caught most on #6-8 pincil poppers and #6-8 pink charlies. Most of the time I used a #6 popper with a #8 pink charlie dropper and cought mostly doubles. Needless to say he had a blast and so did his uncle! P.S. we fished across from the FAA gate.
mike hess	grand isle
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Comments and a question	24 July 2002
I enjoy reading the info contained in your different sections. It is both fun and educational. I am new to your web site but have been fly fishing for over 45 years. One thing has been bothering me and that is "What is a vosi?"
Rudy Hamaker	Mandeville, LA
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HOT FUN AND HOT SUN	24 July 2002
Yes, we caught fish in the Surf......the folks who didn't come really missed out.....although I just had a thought.....it would be fun to be there with everyone in the cooler months....I'll just bet the fish would be friskier.....This year Marc Pinsel and I stayed at the Blue Dolphin to be close to the action, which turned out to be Fun....my 8wt got a "reel" workout with the Lady Fish & Specks....paddling about in the Yaks was great fun....visiting with old friends like Kyle Moppert (& Ian) and Dave Kinney (& Johnathan), Dave Marquette, Buzzy Burns and John Lever was a "blast". We all had a terrific time, as usual. Many Thanks to Paula, Catch, Randy, et al, for staging this event. Its always good and getting better every year!!!!We missed seeing the likes of Roger del Rio, Mike LeFleur, and Tom Landry....maybe next year.....Until then, good fishing to you all....perhaps we'll see you at the upcoming Sportsmans Expo in Gonzalas, LA in August (I think) or the Conclaves...><)))'>
Walt
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Specks, reds, ladyfish and shrimp	23 July 2002
Will add my thoughts to the Grand Isle weekend stories. In addition to the exceptionally hot weather as Catch described add unusual winds. Saturday and Sunday morning was interupted by some strange northeast winds in the 10-20 range that made speck flyfishing difficult on the back bays. But with Captain Gary Parrish at the helm we managed to find our share. The better fishing both days was in the Lake Laurier and surrounding marsh where we chased birds,shrimp and trout. Mostly schoolies but fun nonetheless. Sunday we found a spot in the deep marsh where the trout and ladyfish had the shrimp jumping right in front of the boat! Had strikes every cast and if they missed the clouser they went after the vosi! Put some 14-15 inchers in the box. It was a lesson in marine biology. The marsh was full of water and sea life. It should be a good white shrimp harvest. At least the trout were being well fed. And the reds, well there were there but that is another story! As we Aggies say, wait until next year!
Dugan	Grand Isle/Back bay/Lake Laurier and Marsh
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Great Weekend	23 July 2002
Made my first ever trip to Grand Isle for the big fly fishing get together this weekend. G.I. is an amazing place as for as the amount of available productive water and the variety of types of fishing you can do. First, big thanks to everyone who worked hard to put on the event, cook the food and everything else..the grub was great. A personal thanks to Catch for cluing me in as to where to fish. I fished the marshes along the shore of Lake Laurier(sp?) I saw an amazing number of fish although the bite was a bit slow because of the HOT water. I managed a limit of reds in the marsh, and one spec in the surf on Friday, Saturday morning I took Paula with me and gave her the front of the boat, again lots of fish...but not a great bite. Paula hooked and broke off 2 nice reds. Saturday afternoon Catch went with me and we managed to land 2 reds, a realy nice flounder and a sheephead..ok I only caught 1 of the reds, Catch caught everything else. Sunday morning...lots of fish visible...NO BITES....Overall a very fun weekend, enjoyed the camradarie and picked up some great tips...I'll definately be back next year (hopefully with more members of Contraband Fly Casters). Monday, went to Grand Bayou with Danny Williams, caught reds, and saw some fish starting to school, but still not in full blown mode. It should be starting soon.
Ron Begnaud	Grand Isle//Grand Bayou
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Surf Catches Highlight Grand Isle Weekend	22 July 2002
The surf was calm, and the marshes were teeming with reds and drum. Unusually hot conditions made the bite slow, but there were enough opportunities that just about everyone at the Grand Isle Fly Fishing Weekend caught good numbers of fish. Highlights: Murray Neames, Pete Bongiovanni, Roy Wallace, John Landry, Dan Weber and others with solid catches of specks and ladyfish in front of the inn; Gary Peterson and Mark Hester caught near limits of specks to 17" at Fourchon; Dave McDougal and his camp crew with non-stop action on red/white clousers at Exxon access on Sat pm; Ken Holmes, Catch Cormier, others with solid catches of specks, whites off lighted bridge at night; Ron Begnaud, Oliver Boyd, Jody Titone, Steve Lee with good marsh catches; Jeff Books, Dugan Sabins, Randy and Mark Leonpacher with specks at Golden Meadow; Frank Genusa, Larry Offner, Ardes Johnson with offshore bull red action. There were probably other good stories which I haven't heard yet. The food and comradery was great, MANY THX to Barry Dauphin, Gary Parrish, Paula Cannon, and Randy Leonpacher for the evening feasts (shrimp boil, fried fish). Everyone from the Lafayette, Lake Charles, Baton Rouge, and Mississippi Coast clubs had a great time and are looking forward to next year when hopefully Elmers Island will be reopen and the Blue Dolphin patio will have FANS to blow air!!
Catch	Grand Isle
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Norfork and White Rivers	22 July 2002
Drove up Wednesday, fished Thursday on the White. Taught a beginner (son of a friend)with us how to catch trout on a fly rod. He loved it. Caught dozens of trout even though they were generating with 6 to 7 units. Just stayed ahead of the rise. Friday took the family around and did the tourist thing. Saturday I slipped out of the room before daylight and drove to the River Ridge (fisherman's park)area of the Norfork. Much to my surprise they weren't generating on Saturday. Missed a nice 2 1/2 pounder on my first cast with a wooly bugger. Thought that would jinx me for the day, but happily I was wrong. Caught so many good rainbows on a bead head prince that I finally quit counting. Picked up a couple of cutthroat and even a small brookie. For an hour or so, it was a trout every other cast, and some were really nice too. Finally let some others into my spot after catching the biggest one of the day. Went back to the White and caught more fish in the evening. (Still not generating on the White at that time!) Packed up that night and drove home the next morning. Now I know why I fly fish! What a trip!
Dirk	Northern Arkansas
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LIL'MO TROUT	16 July 2002
Late report from Murfreesboro.Did an overnite trip to the lil'mo last thursday to catch the evening bite at prime time and escape the 95 degree temps of north LA..Caught a dozen trout-all healthy with beautiful color-in the skinny water above the park below the Narrows Dam.Whole lotta risin' goin'on.Terrestrials like ants and beatles starting to show up but plenty of mayflies as well.Started out with a gray sz 14 parachute dry and ended using one of Jeff Guerin's Smidges.Caught several 14 inch trout that put a good bend in the 5 wgt.The strikes came without hesitation.Come dark-thirty,we had to leave them biting.May need to invest in night vision goggles.Jeff made an appearance that evening on the river and showed me how it was done-sensei Guerin has black belt in Lil' Mo'fly fishing.Tite lines ya'll!
PAUL LAWLER	BLANCHARD,LA.
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Fly Rod Day on the "High Life" with Capt. Tommy Pellegrin	16 July 2002
I understand the "ban" on me posting has oficially been lifter, so here goes.... Monday, Kevin Greve, David Coignet and I ventured out of Cocodrie with Capt. Tommy Pellegrin to target Red Snapper, Mangrove Snapper or any other willing species on fly for potential records. We were greeted by not-so-friendly skies & seas, so we made a shorter run than originally planned. It didn't take long before we enticed a school of mangroves far enough away from the rig to give us a shot at landing these hard fighters. Using one of my favorites, a Jose' Wejebe Spanish fly in blue/white, I hooked into a sizzler. When the drag finally stopped screaming, the slug-fest began. After a 20 min. fight, I slid a 9lb. 5 oz mangrove alongside. Quite a feat using 12# tippet and 11" mono shock. This should be first place in the state once certified by LOWA. Kevin hooked up next and boated a 6lb. mangrove, followed by a 3 lb. red snapper. His mangrove should be 3rd in the state. My last fish at that stop was a 6 lb. 14 oz mangrove, using 20# tippet and a blue/white conehead deceiver. David & Steve Coignet weren't as fortunate, as they had been using wire shock and the mangroves would have none of that! They caught their share of hardtails, but no snapper. If you are looking for a hard fighting fish, try out the mangrove Snapper. (My next topic when invoited to speak again at Red Stick!!) Tight Lines, Susan Gros
Susan Gros	Cocodrie, LA.
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The good, the bad and the ugly.	15 July 2002
Despite a forecast of rain, thunderstorms and 15 mph winds, I ventured into the marsh Saturday and was rewarded with partly cloudy skies, light winds and moderate temperatures. Spotted reds cruising throughout the morning but they were so spooky I could not get a hookup. Then, about noon a few began backing in very shallow water and attacked anything that was thrown. I managed to land a couple before one struck a spoonfly at close quarters, made a blistering run straight under the boat and broke a newly built Sage RPL (this is the 2nd RPL I've broken in 2 weeks). By this time the wind had increased to the promised 10 - 15 mph and thunderstorms were moving in, so I called it a day. Overall, I didn't see as many reds as usual and those caught seemed to tire quickly. I suspect the elevated water temperature and possibly a low oxygen content are affecting the fish.
Steve Lee	Hwy 1
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Old River	10 July 2002
My grandpa and I went to Old River yesterday. Fishing was terrible. Do not believe my dad when he says we caught over 60 bull bream. Do not believe him when he says most of the fish were caught on jitterbee under a vosi. Stay away from Old River. Go to LSU Lakes instead, that's where all the fish are.
Jacob
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Reds	08 July 2002
Thurday 7/4 Danny Williams, his son Seth and I were giong out to fish for marsh reds. When we left the dock, the Lake was much rougher than predicted, and one of the trim tabs on Danny's boat was stuck all the way down to so the boat was running at an odd angle. There was no way we were going to be able to make the run to where we wanted to fish in those conditions with the trim tab problem so we ducked into a marsh near the launch that we both were familiar with, but had never fished much. It was loaded with reds. We ended up catching 8 and losing 3 others...Then Friday, Chuck Uzzle came over from Orange and met me at Sabine Refuge. Lots of tailing and schooling red fish. Chuck caught 2 including his biggest yet on fly (11lbs). I hooked 2, one broke off, the other straightened the hook and got off...oh well, nice morning anyway. Ron
Ron Begnaud	Calcasieu Estuary
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west wind blues	05 July 2002
07/05/02 those darn weather guessers can't get the wind directions straight. North is good west is bad very very bad. They also need to understand us fly fishers enjoy 5-10 but 10-20 requires a differnt stratigy. We had a great time cought 2 and spoked 30 plus fish.
flybob	Myrtle Grove
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Redfish on the fly	04 July 2002
Fished out of the Golden Meadow public launch on Wednesday morning. I launched my kayak at the pipes and explored the back marsh. The water was high and the reds were hard to see -- but they were there. Around 8am the feeding activity picked up and the fish began to show an occasional tail and back in addition to busting bait. The fishing was fun and challenging as the fish never showed themselves for more than a few seconds at a time. I spooked lots of fish as I paddled or drifted -- the best bet was to anchor at an active flat and wait for the fish to show. Try to get there while the grass beds are still in good shape. This spot doesn't fish well once the grass begins to die.
Rhad Hayden	Golden Meadow
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Nephew Gets First Fly Rod Red, Drum	01 July 2002
My nephew Ira accompanied me to the Shallow Water Expo earlier this year, and he got valuable casting lessons. He put those to good use this past weekend, catching his first red and drum on fly rod. Master Jake also took a fly rod double. Overall, tides were VERY high and fish difficult to sight. But a few showed enough tail to give us a sporting chance, and we made them pay for it! Coma spoon in gold was best fly. Friday night we met Steve Lee on the bridge. Water was dirty and specks not under lights in big numbers yet. But clousers did pick up 9 keepers 12-17 inches. Lost even bigger ones trying to get them up.
Catch	Along Highway 1
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I'm back!	24 June 2002
6/24/02 Rain thunder even lightning could stop the maidan voyage of the "New Widowmaker". The weather sucked, when the wind didn't blow it rained and the light was obviously poor. However the boat was great and 7 reds and 2 sheephead wanted to see the new sled. I hooked 3 others but the barbless hooks came out on long runs. I think do the all the weeds hanging on the leader was the problem. I saw very few tailers but ran over lots of fish. If the light was better who knows? It was a great day and the boats been worth the wait.
flybob	Myrtle Grove
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Triple Tail	19 June 2002
Last Thursday (13 Jun 02) I took my little guy out hoping to find some trout, or for that matter, anything that would bite. We put in at Pass Christian, MS and headed West to Pass Marianne Light. On the way we ran into a weed line of water hyacinths that were washed from the MS River Gulf Outlet Channel into Lake Borne and out into the MS part of the Sound. I ran into this situation several years ago and remembered that Triple Tail love to lay under the plants eating small crusteaceans and baitfish that hang around. This was the case again....we put hooks into 5 and landed 3....the biggest went an even 10 lbs...the other 2 weighed 3 lbs each....Triple Tail like shade from floating debris, and marker buoys....Next time you're out its worth a shot to look over floating debris or markers....if the Triples are there you'll see them at or near the surface.....they sure saved our trip,fight strong, and are lots of fun, plus they eat good. ><)))'>
Walt	MS Gulf Coast
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weekend report	17 June 2002
I promised my boss who has never been saltwater fishing that I would bring he and a friend of his visiting from Missouri fishing on Sunday. Saturday morning I went out scouting so that I would be able to put him right on fish. I went to one of my favorite honey holes and it was FULL of nice reds (6 to 7 pounders) concentrated in the small portion of this marsh that is deaper than the rest because the tide was way out. I quickly caught one 7pounder on a redchaser than spent the rest of the morning just poling around scoping things out. Sunday I got up and turned on the Weather Channell, Severe Thunderstorm Warning flashed across the bottom of the screen. The place I had scouted was out of the quesiton because it is a long boat ride and we could be in trouble if caught by a storm, so instead I took my boss and his friend to Hog Island Gully in Sabine refuge. Conditions sucked, the wind waw howling, but we found some birds working small schools of redfish in the 3 ot 5 pound range. All I did was pole the boat, my boss caught 2 reds on johnson spoons, his friend got skunked. We were able to fish for about an hour and 45 minutes before getting rained out. My boss and his buddy aren't very skilled anglers, with someone on the front of the boat who can actually cast, we probably would have caught 4 or 5.
Ron Begnaud	Calcasieu Estuary
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Catch and Eat	15 June 2002
This is a followup on the recent RSFF Catch and Eat reported on previously by Catch and Steve and others. In addition to the fishing going on at Golden Meadow and down LA 1 to Fouchon and Grand Isle, I rode with Captain Gary Parrish in his Pathfinder and Yamaha VMax. With that capability we made three trips out of Little Lake across Lake Raccourci around the Casse Tete and other islands to the main Timbalier Island. Quite a journey! As reported previously, the water was high everywhere, in the marsh, in the bay and on the beach! Also baitfish and shrimp were everywhere with pelicans,terns and gulls galore having a feeding frezy and if that wasn't enough they had plenty of shrimp boats to follow. We found some nice schools of specks,spanish mackeral, drum and a few reds. On Saturday, Gary and I found some nice 20" trout in the surf off Timbalier and boated several for the box on clousers. I also managed to catch my first and record ladyfish on a fly, over three pounds! Sunday, Oliver Boyd and Mark Skinner joined us and we found huge schools of spanish mackeral feeding from all sizes at Little Pass Timbalier. Mark and Oliver were wade fly fishers excellante landing some nice 20" plus trout and one five pound redfish along with some spanish makeral and nice ladyfish on assorted flys. Captain Gary and I added some trout and spanish mackeral when they were not cutting us off! All in all the Catch and Eat was a great trip with plenty of stories to go around. Be sure and catch it next year.
Dugan	Leeville/Timberlier
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Ponchartrain South Shore	13 June 2002
Went to see my favorite band last night in concert at UNO Lakefront Arena. You guessed.. the "Goo Man" likes the Goo Goo Dolls, what else? That big, beautiful flat lake looked too inviting, so I took my always-ready 6 wgt out and made some casts. Caught 1 nice croaker, he fought like a small red. I gave it to this elder gentleman a few yards down the seawall, he showed me his catch: several nice croakers and a BIG speck, probably 4 lbs! He told me the sand (white) trout were running about 3 weeks ago, then shut down. He expects the run to start again soon. He also told me he's been catching specks, reds and some drum so big they can't fit an ice chest. This spot is near the Seabrook Canal, so I know there's all kinds of species swimming around. Incidently, the concert was awesome. The warmup band was terrific, "Five For Fighting", they have the hit "Superman". I heard they might change their name, because some people get the wrong idea. How about "Five For Fly Fishing"?
Catch Cormier
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Terrorist Redfish Brought to Justice	12 June 2002
Went south to Leeville last weekend for the annual RSFF spring Catch and Eat Rodeo and stayed with the gang at Boudreaux's. While everyone else went south to concentrate on specks, Mike LaFleur and I fished the Golden Meadow area for reds. Conditions were near perfect and fish were cruising the marsh ponds terrorizing baitfish. We did our duty to protect the innocent and brought as many redfish to justice as possible, but alas, they were too many and we were too few. The highlight of the trip came when I managed to land (with much prayer and supplication) a 14 1/2 lb., 32 1/2" Spot Tail Elvis on a 6 wt. fly rod. Many thanks to Mike for "herding" the big fish toward me (he's probably still kicking himself). The good news for everyone else is, after boating the fish, I saw a red chasing baitfish that I judged to be much larger than the one I landed. So, for anyone who would like to experience the adrenline rush of sight casting to big reds with a fly rod out of a canoe/kayak, the fish are still out there, just cruising around terrorizing hapless baitfish.
Steve Lee	Hwy 1
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Catch and Eat Odds and Ends	11 June 2002
Master Jake, his friend Josh, and I went down for the RSFF club Spring Catch and Eat outing. We fished Fri, Sat, and Sun. All total we put 30 specks, 5 reds, 3 drum, 1 spanish and 1 sheepshead in the box (in part for the Sat fish fry), and released many more reds, drum, and sheepshead. The sheepshead was caught by Jake on a gold Coma Spoon and wouldve been a state and world record, except it was dissected by a LDWF biologist before it got to the scale. At least it will go to advancing the cause of sheepshead science! The spanish was a 20" Josh caught off the Grand Isle bridge at the end of rising tide Sat. Four others that size were hooked up with, but none were successfully landed. The other big story was that specks were abundant in the Timbalier system, but scattered in the Caminada system. We caught ours in the upper marsh lakes on Kirks Poppers size 2 under diving birds.
Catch	Leeville
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Lake Ponchy	10 June 2002
Well if you do something long enough its going to work once. There I was alone on the lake, and I mean alone, from 6:30 to 8:30, thats all the weather would cooperate with, found some specs. Guys they are further out. The grass is further out than in the past, in about five feet of water. They want small stuff, numbers two to six, the usual - small bait fish, clousers, shrimp, and them damn pink charleys
Marc Pinsel
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Reds on the fly	09 June 2002
Saturday I caught my largest flyrod red to date. The fish was 10.5 lbs. and the rod was a 7-weight. The red took a orange/gold spoon and I'll try to post a picture.
Pescador	Myrtle Grove
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oh yeah	07 June 2002
i live in rayne.....................................ive worked hard at finding the absolute closest spot to my home to put in the kayak and site cast some reds...pecan island is 48 1/2mi from my door step... ive been a couple of times and saw some fish but no hook ups... i went early yesterday morn... the grass in the marsh is thick (good sign) saw the bigest tail ive ever seen! closers and red chasers wouldn't work due to grass... i put on a trusty " GUTTER SPOON " a true ty creation made only from metal flashing... i make'm out of gutter flashing simply epoxyed to a hook with a mono weedgaurd ( i curve the hook slightly)... i color them with diferent color nail polish with a final coat of teen girl nail glitter ( you have the option of adding 30min epoxy for durability) ... i do them in gold and orange etc.... i put on an orange gutter spoon and i had a taker! 20 1/2 '' red... not a whale but a start! i hope this will start my pecan island ball, a rollin!
ty	pecan island
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Beautiful day, no wind, and no.........	06 June 2002
FISH Went down to GI on Tuesday to take my buddy on a little birthday surf fishing expedition. It was a baeutiful day, great dawn in the surf, almost no wind, and no fish. I caught one respectable speck, but that was it. We went and tried out luck off the bridge. The amount of shrimp and baitfish swarming around the piers was amazing, and we couldn't entice any hits. Had 1 black drum chase my clouser all the way to the surface, but not interested in a nibble. Guess I'll have to see what this week-end holds in store..... neal
Neal	GI surf
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...and then it all comes apart...	03 June 2002
Sunday fished the marsh ponds in Sabine refuge with a friend who will remain nameless to protect the guilty. While my partner for the day is a very acompolished fly fisher who has taught me much, due to family and work obligations he hasn't fished since last August and is a bit out of practice. Pulled into a favorite pond early, lots of wakes and a few tails, soon we started to see numerous pods of a dozen or more redfish tailing. Several times I poled the boat skillfully and set my buddy up within 30 feet of one of these tailing pods. First he was too conservative, worried about lining fish, he was leaving the fly much too far from the tailing fish...(when redfish are tailing in bunches like this lining them isn't a big deal 1. there heads are down so they probably won't spook, 2. even if you line 1 or 2 fish, there's 10 more there to eat the fly). Then the pressure got to him, on subsequent approaches to within spitting distance of tailing bunches of fish he blew the cast....I offered to sign him up for the liesure learning course on fly casting I teach at McNeese university. He finally made one cast that fell behind a school of tailing reds, and it got picked up by a 3 1/2 pound black drum. By the time I got the front of the boat, the wind had picked up and the fish had gone down, I picked up one small black drum blind casting... Cest' La Vie !!!
Ron Begnaud	Sabine Refuge
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Beat the Drum Slowly	03 June 2002
Fished the marsh down in the GI area Sunday AM from sunup to about 10:30. Flat water, not particularly clear, but the tide was as high as I've seen it. Was able to get up into areas where even my 'yak normally bottoms out on oysters. Like others this weekend, because of the high water I was frustrated to see none of the "flags" that our little spot-tailed friends usually fly in these areas. Was forced to cast to the blunt wakes that preceded explosions of baitfish. Caught Black Drum mostly; a few smallish Specks. Saw some sizable Reds, rolling at the surface of deep water in a main canal very late in the AM, but they were not interested in what I had on, and by then I was too tired to change out until I suited their palates. By the way, I agree with Catch about the table quality of Black Drum - they're very good. I usually filet them out and grill 'em, skin side down, scales and all, with a sauce of butter, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, red & black pepper, garlic, salt, sugar, and flour. Let me know if you want the recipe. Mike Lafleur tells me capers are good on top (and when it comes to fish, I tend to listen to Mike). Wonder how he did at LaCombe.
Joe Kahler	The House
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A Bridge Too Far	02 June 2002
One of my closest friends was killed last Wednesday in a car accident. The wake was Sat nite, so Master Jake and I canceled our Grand Isle bridge fishing trip, and joined Steve Lee for a Sat morning-only puddle in an unexplored marsh south of Leeville. It's hundreds of small broken islands surrounding two small lakes. Looked very promising on the aerial maps, but it turned out to be what Jake calls "deep water marsh". Just inches from every island, the depth drops to 2 feet. Needless to say, almost no tails or backs were sighted. And with the wind-broken surface and rising tide, it was nearly all blind casting. Upon exiting at 1 pm, Jake and I had released 6 reds, Steve had caught none. All of us were thinking, "what if?" so we headed to the bridge to see what the surf and water was like. We discovered that Sat am the specks and spanish went nuts off the bridge. Steve and I tried our clousers, but could only manage a few looks by spanish. Later this week, the "masters of bridge fly fishing" will return to reap vengeance upon clouser-eating species!
Catch	Leeville
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Bayou Lacombe Assault: 02 June 2002	02 June 2002
Puddlers and Waders Alike Stormed the Grass Beds of Bayou Lacombe on Sunday, June 2nd,2002. The Trout, when seeing the onslaught that was about to fall on them, decided to abandom their well swam-in positions and fall back. I'm assuming they felt retreat was the better part of valor for this day. We haven't heard from Mike LeFleur who led an advanced party of one into the deep recesses of the northern point. A very few Redfish were scared up, but not caught by the majority who spread out from one end of the launch area to the other. Conditions were near perfect with light breezes, clear water, numerous pods of baitfish and mullet, but no "reel" action to speak of. Stay tuned as another assault is already in the planning stages for another day....
Walt	MS Gulf Coast
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