Trouts Fly Fishing

Redfish Rookie

When I was told that I was going to be coming along to the Annual Trouts Redfish retreat to Port Sulphur, Louisiana, I was in complete disbelief and as excited as a giddy schoolgirl! For weeks prior to our trip I watched every Redfishing video I could find, and studied proper flats boat etiquette to try and prepare myself for what would be an “epic fishing trip!” After many sleepless nights and days spent daydreaming of Bull Reds, the time had come to head to NOLA.

I had bought myself a copy of the latest Drake Magazine thinking it would keep me occupied for the two and a half hour plane ride, but when your sitting between your two managers that are drinking Wild Turkey on the rocks, who needs literature anyway. We did however practice our blood knots, swapped some flies and fishing stories, and when we stammered out of the plane we were all greeted by the smell and humidity of New Orleans that stuck to you like a wet sock. As we headed south on Highway 23, and listened to our shuttle Driver John’s horror stories about what life was like during and after Hurricane Katrina. After an hour shuttle ride and a brief stop at Brothers gas station for fried chicken and libations, we arrived at the amazing Woodlawn Plantation in West Point a la Hache, LA. The house is indescribably beautiful and that is probably why it has graced the label of Southern Comfort since 1934.

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Redfish Retreat Preview

We've pulled a few photos from our recent trip to the Louisiana Marsh.  Already missing the tug.

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Trip Report | Early November at Deckers

An impromptu visit to Deckers proved to be a worthwhile journey.  Pleasantly warm November temperatures proved ideal for coaxing the resident rainbows, cut-bows and browns of this renowned stretch of the South Platte River to feed aggressively, though not consistently.  Nymphing proved to be the most productive method, with any variety of black midges and BWO imitations dominating the trout's diet.  Large black streamers were able to move some fish, including the nice cut-bow shown above.  Keys the success for the day:

1. Find the feeding fish.  This entails moving frequently and not getting stuck in one area trying to "make" fish eat.  By the end of the day, we were all making 5-10 drifts in a run and moving to the next spot.
2. Small flies and light leaders and tippets.  I was running a 6X leader and 6X Fluoro all day, and no flies larger than a size 18.  Small mayfly imitations and black midges proved to be the most productive patterns.  
3. Fish the ENTIRE river.  We spotted and caught fish in a wide variety of areas from slow runs, to deep pools, to shallow riffles.  
4. Expect subtle takes.  The fish seemed lethargic, and the eats were very gentle.  Set you hook on the lightest movement of your indicator.
5. When in doubt, throw a streamer.  Big fish eat big streamers, and this mantra proved particularly true today.

Fishing should remain fair to good at Deckers moving forward.  Be watchful of the flows, if they come down don't bother; if they come up, GAME ON!  As always, feel free to give the shop a call for further information.

Trip Report | 3 Days of Prime Colorado Float Fishing

With our summer fishing season delayed by more than a month, I have been anxious to get my boat out and float some of my favorite stretches of water.  After hearing countless reports of epic fishing across the high country, me and the wife decided to take a couple days off of work and go enjoy some summer trout fishing.  With numerous options at our disposal, we ended up basing ourselves out of the Vail Valley hoping to get some time on the Roaring Fork, Colorado and Eagle Rivers.  Flows on all three drainages had been steadily falling, and the weekend forecast was good with highs in the 70's and a chance of afternoon thunderstorms in the evenings, ideal conditions to say the least.

Friday was our first day on the water, and we decided to head on over to the Roaring Fork Valley hoping to avoid the weekend mayhem that typically descends on the Fork during the Summer.  Putting on the water at Carbondale around 11am, we were able to position ourselves well behind most guided trips, and a bit before the evening floaters came out.  With flows hovering just under 2,000 cfs, the plan was to enjoy a leisurely float down stream to the 2 Rivers take-out in Glenwood Springs.  With not an abundant amount of bugs hatching, we started the float with a short-line 2 fly nymph rig consisting of a size 16 prince nymph and a size 18 Barrs PMD Emerger.

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Trip Report | Bolivian Golden Dorado

This is a slideshow from my recent trip to Bolivia.  Golden Dorado are by far one of the most intriguing fish I have ever stalked on a fly, and watching this series of photos sends chills down my spine just remembering the awe inspiring power and beauty this fish holds.  It was truly a trip of a life time, and adventure that will stay with me forever.  To anybody thinking of heading to Bolivia to stalk Golden Dorado, I have one word for you... GO!!!