Louisiana Fly Fishing Trips

The Guided Fly Fishing Experience With Louisiana Flyfisher

We fish out of technical poling skiffs that are rated for two anglers plus the guide. These boats are designed to float very shallow and allow a stealthy approach at fish while also be seaworthy and fast enough to cover a large amount of water quickly when needed at speeds over 30 mph.

When fishing, the guide is pushing the boat from an elevated platform above the motor where he will have the best visibility and be able to maneuver the boat precisely and quietly. One angler will be positioned on the bow of the boat looking for any sign of fish. This may be seeing a wake, a tail pop up, a back crawling down the bank, or an obvious giant floating fish. Often the guide will see the fish first and will direct the angler to the target. Using the push pole, the guide will position the angler for a shot that will need to be quick and accurate. Long casts are often not required as most shots are up close and personal. The fish in Louisiana are usually willing to eat, however presentations close enough to the fish for them to see a properly stripped fly are generally needed to get a bite. The guide will coach inexperienced anglers through the process.

We strictly sight fish meaning we do not make a cast until we actually see a defined sign of a fish within casting range. The most exciting part of this type of fly fishing is seeing the fish inhale a properly delivered fly.  Fly fishing is by no means the most productive way to catch redfish, but it certainly is a very unique and rewarding way to fish. Most anglers not only really enjoy flats fly fishing but become completely addicted to it.

Fall/Winter Louisiana Fly Fishing

Fall and winter fly fishing has become very popular in Louisiana for a good reason, large bull redfish move into the shallow water in large numbers. Because of this, Louisiana is known as one of the best, if not the best U.S flyfishing destinations in the fall and winter months. You can certainly find big schools of bull redfish year-round but the consistency of finding large redfish in shallow water is what makes the fall and winter a great time to fly fish the Louisiana Marsh. The Winter season is also a great time to target Black drum and sheepshead however jack crevalle are not often found with the cooler temperatures. Water clarity is generally the best in the cooler months with crystal clear water where it will be dirty most of the warmer months.

Cold fronts can be frequent in the winter, however unlike other fisheries this can actually help the fishing. The norths winds can blow a lot of the water out of the bays allowing for negative tide fishing that can only be done with a technical poling skiff. It is also very apparent that the first few days after a cold front are some of the best days finding giant redfish crawling and backing along the bank feeding aggressively. The shallow water along the banks will warm up first in the sun and push fish out of the depths and into the best water for them to feed. Louisiana is never a super crowded fishery, especially in the winter, and many days there will never be another boat in sight. Travel into and out of New Orleans is especially easy in the winter months and lodging can be very affordable.

Spring/Summer Louisiana Fly Fishing

Spring and summer are great times to fish Louisiana. The weather will obviously be warmer and more consistent, winds can be calm, fish can be very active, and large jack crevalle will be roaming the flats. If you are strictly looking for large bull redfish you can not expect to find them every day, however late summer provides anglers with the opportunity to find large schools on the beach. Slot reds in the marsh are happily feeding, black drum are present in great numbers and sheepshead will be catchable but acting finicky as usual. Large bull redfish will begin to spawn in the later months of summer and if lucky enough to hit the weather just right fly anglers can come across massive schools of big fish. Warmer water temps often trigger fish to want to feed on top, and if catching fish on poppers is the goal, this is the time of year.