I was a bit groggy this morning. And I had right to be. I’ve covered some serious miles the last few days from Wisconsin to Idaho then today to Louisiana. I arrived at my hotel in Venice, Louisiana past 2:30 AM this morning.
I’m here in Louisiana to fish the Yeti Invitational Redfish Tournament. This should be an awesome get together of Yeti ambassadors where we’ll meet, fish and discuss current product and new product ideas. I’ll give more on this after the event starts tomorrow night.
I’ve come down a couple days early to fish with friend Jim Dietz, a Jackson Hole fishing guide by summer and Louisiana redfish guide by winter. Also, friend Landon Mayer, well known fly fisherman, author, lecturer and guide. Despite being friends with each for years, I’ve never fished with either before.
The idea for these two days came about when Yeti put the Invitational together last February. Landon and I literally got the email from Yeti while working together at the Pleasanton Fly Fishing Show in California. We looked at each other and said, “Let’s go a couple days early and practice fish together”.
Here we are now. I arrived late last night in New Orleans and the fellas picked me up. Despite arriving in New Orleans at prime party time, we stayed out of trouble and drove two hours straight to the Lighthouse Hotel this morning in Venice. After three hours sleep we left the marina at 6 AM and hit the Louisiana marsh.
The skies were dreary but there were sucker holes lingering. We had intentions on heading straight to the redfish marsh to sight fish but early on we were distracted. As we raced across an open bay we ran into heaps of diving birds and big bait busting fish. Jim cut the motor and we glided into the action. A few casts later my new Winston Air 9-weight was arced to beat down one of my all-time favorites, the Atlantic jack crevalle.
After testing my rod, reel, line and tippet to the hilt by applying ridiculous pressure to the jack, I was soon displaying my first fish of the trip. I was lucky to get this guy because after I released him the blitz was over. We waited around nearly a half hour but the fish were gone. Timing is everything!
It was back to the redfish pursuit. Jim took us to the marsh and hopped up on the poling platform and went to work. Landon took the bow first. Naturally because sunlight helps for spotting fish there was nothing but clouds when we started.
Fly fishing for redfish for the most part is sight fishing game. If you’ve ever bonefished from boat, redfishing is similar. Both you and the guide scan the flat ahead of the boat for fish milling in the shallows. When you spot one you drop your fly where the fish can see the imitation and strip.
We didn’t find many fish to start. We can blame most of this on the fact that there was no sun but also the fact that the water here is very murky. If you look at the map, this area is essentially the mouth of the Mississippi River. The rain of the storms that played havoc in the Midwest with me last week in WI have now reached here and the marsh is high and off color.
Neither of the three of us are ones to back down from a challenge. While Landon and I took turns on the bow Jim poled long. We changed spots a few times and a couple hours in we finally saw a few fish. On the third one Landon hooked up.
The fight of redfish consists of strong short runs. You can feel some heft to every redfish but if you put the heat on them a 9 pounder only takes a few minutes to land. That’s Landon with the first of what we hope will be many redfish this trip.
Landon’s redfish was the only redfish hook up all day. It was beautiful fish and when you think back to the jack in the morning today was a great start to the trip. Now it’s time for some seafood and to test a few of the local brews!
Andrew, in response to you comment October 18 about photography – here’s my answer. Because I’m almost always fishing rather than doing full on photography, I mostly use a point and shoot camera. For the last couple years its been the Nikon Coolpix waterproof camera. Just recently I bought the TG – 5 Olympus and most of the photos from WI and now here in LA are on this camera. The point and shoots are unreal these days as are the phone cameras. On some occasions I bring along my SLR type which is an old Cannon T2i. Its excellent, however if it dunks its gone and its big and heavy compared to my little cameras. Would be nice if someday I do my “Improve Your Fly Fishing Photography” presentation near you at a fly fishing club or show. Its a good one.
Good luck
Tad
Thanks Tad! Starts tomorrow and the weather looks rough.
Jeff, thanks for the detailed reply! Let me know if and when you circle around to the Bay Area.
Best,
Andrew
No problem Andrew. And I’ll be speaking at the Pleasanton Fly Fishing Show February 22-24. I may also end up in a few of the Fly Fishing Clubs but as of now only Fresno has me booked. You can always see where I’ll be on my “Events Calendar” on my website. I’ll be all over again this winter.