Bayou Bound

Do you have an affinity for 4 weight fly rods?

2009-12-08T12:14:00.000-08:00

I have 27 fly rods ranging from weights 1 to 8 but, my go to weight is a 4 weight. I use a 4 weight rod for most of my warmwater and coldwater fly fishing. Up until recently, I had three 4 weight rods from Orvis, Winston and St. Croix.
BUT...

Now I have a new favorite 4 weight fly rod. It's the Curtis Fleming "Fly Rod Chronicles" series fly rod from Temple Fork Outfitters. It loads like a dream and I like the 8'-9" length. I've fished it from the bank, wading, boat and kayak with no problems. If you're familiar with the TFO line of fly rods, I would put the action between the Finesse Series and Professional Series. If you get a chance, be sure and test cast this rod. Oh, one more thing; in my opinion, this is the "best looking" rod in the TFO line-up! The 5 weight is next on my rod purchase list.

Here is part of the description from the TFO website:

The translucent moss green blank is complemented by matching graphite inserts, gold up-locking reel seats, and gold accents. Reverse half wells grips on the 3-6 and full wells grips with fighting butts on the 7, 8 and 10.

Model: TF 04 89 4 FRC
Line: 4 wt.
Length: 8'-9"
Pieces: 4
Weight: 3.1 oz
Price: $199.95

For more details, go to the TFO website: http://www.templeforkflyrods.com/

The new website's here! The new website's here!

2009-11-22T18:23:00.000-08:00

Temple Fork Outfitters has their new website up and running. It looks terrific! Be sure and drop by and take a look. All of their products including the new ones announced this year are there!

Uncle Larry has a brand new ride!

2009-04-13T18:51:00.000-07:00

If you’re located anywhere in the Lafayette, LA area and you’re thinking of purchasing a kayak or a canoe, be sure and visit the folks at Pack & Paddle! The products are great and the service is superb. Be sure and ask for John or Amy and tell them that your Uncle Larry sent you! Oh, I almost forgot… I purchased a Native Ultimate 12 from them today. AWESOME!

The Rios are back!

2009-04-02T18:35:00.000-07:00

(Pictured below is my best bud, Shelton Thames and a stump knocker Rio!)

The Rios are back in Bayou St. John and the lagoons of City Park in New Orleans!

TFO Press Release

2009-02-27T08:14:00.000-08:00

Temple Fork Outfitters has done it again, offering great equipment at an amazing price.

This time, TFO has updated its Cast Aluminum Prism Reel with a refined look and feel. The new Prism Cast Large Arbor Reels are made from cast aluminum with a cork disc drag and a one way clutch bearing for instant drag engagement. They feature quick change spools and easy LH/RH conversion.

This is a reel that any angler would be proud to own. And with prices ranging from $84.95 for the 3/4 model to $99.95 for the 9/11 model, the new Prism is hard not to afford.

TFO 1 Reel

2008-11-12T05:19:00.000-08:00

If you're looking for a reel to go with a 1, 2 or 3 weight rod, you might want to consider the TFO 1 reel by Temple Fork Outfitters. The TFO 1 reel is made of machined aircraft grade aluminum with stainless steel and brass internal components for trouble free service. Easily convertible from left to right hand retrieve with an exposed rim for precision palm control, the No. I has a click pawl drag. I have one of these guys on my 2 weight rod and I absolutely love it!

Rodmount RodLoft PRO™ Rod Holder

2008-09-24T18:46:00.000-07:00

I just bought a new rod storage system for my SUV. I absolutely love it! It can store up to 6 rods easily and gives you several mounting options. The name of the product is Rodmounts RodLoft PRO™ Rod Holder. Above I posted two photos of my SUV with the rod storage system.

I purchased the product from Cabelas. Take a look...

http://www.cabelas.com/hprod-1/0022969.shtml

Uptown Angler’s New Website!

2008-08-22T21:04:00.000-07:00

My favorite fly shop, Uptown Angler in New Orleans, has a brand new website (www.uptownangler.com). Uptown is now selling selected items online! The site also has several product review/demos staring my friend, Alec Griffin. You can also enjoy articles, tips, fly & tackle recommendations and some pretty incredible photos. Be sure and jot down the Redfish Court-Bouillon Recipe… Mercy! Please peruse the site and if you’re ever in the Crescent City, drop in the shop and meet Alec. It’s worth the trip!

Oh those Rios!

2008-08-20T04:19:00.000-07:00

I made a trip to City Park and Bayou St. John before attending the New Orleans Fly Fishers general meeting in July. I caught COUNTLESS numbers of Rio Grande perch in the City Park lagoon. Later, I crossed over Esplanade and fished Bayou St. John. While chatting with a young lady and her daughter walking along the bayou, I had my back turned to the tip of my rod and fly line. I felt my rod twitch. When I look back, my line was stripping off my reel and headed to the center of the Bayou. When I finally stripped in the fish it was a 9 ½” Rio Grande! It felt like a big bass on the end of my 1 weight! He was definitely a STUMP KNOCKER!

Far & Away

2008-08-04T10:20:00.001-07:00

The new issue of “Far & Away”, the online outdoor magazine, is now available for your enjoyment.
We would love for you to share your outdoor stories with us on Far & Away! Before submitting your story, please review our “Submissions Guidelines”.

New Axioms from TFO!

2008-07-24T03:27:00.000-07:00

The already popular line of Axiom rods from Temple Fork Outfitters has just gotten better.

Introduced late last year, this TFO series of 9-foot, 4-piece rods was initially limited to four line weights: 5, 6, 8 and 10. The series was so well received that anglers immediately began asking: When will TFO offer more Axioms?

The company is answering that demand now, with a new 9-foot 7-weight Axiom available for immediate delivery at an MSRP of $274.95. Delivery of the new 4-weight Axiom (MSRP $249.95) and a 9-weight Axiom (MSRP $274.95) is expected in September.

Through a proprietary process, TFO's Axiom sandwiches Kevlar between two layers of carbon fiber pre-preg. This patented process helps reduce the ovaling effect that a rod blank experiences under load, creating an exceptionally smooth and powerful rod with remarkable damping (tip bounce) qualities. The result is ultra high line speed with crisp, clean, accurate loops. The Axiom series feature a rich translucent blue blank accentuated with gold script and accents, Flor grade cork, gun metal blue up-locking reel seat and large stripping guides with gold titanium oxide inserts.

All TFO rods feature our lifetime unconditional warranty. Simply return the damaged rod with $25 for shipping and handling, and we will repair or replace your rod. Please ask your local dealer about TFO or visit our website www.templeforkflyrods.com for more information.

Bob Clouser Joins TFO

2008-07-22T10:41:00.001-07:00

Press Release

July 18, 2008

How does one introduce a man that everyone already knows – or if you don’t know him personally, I’ll bet you’ve at least fished with one of his flies. As a hint - Lefty Kreh has caught 86 different species on his fly pattern, which has proven to be a major advancement in fly fishing. Helping fly anglers catch more fish while spreading his passion for the sport are but two of Bob Clouser’s many accomplishments in life.

Since introducing the famed Clouser Deep Minnow in 1984, Bob has contributed much to fly fishing. He has been involved in everything from rod design to tying vises and materials refinements, from books and videos to hosting fly fishing schools and clinics. If you have been fortunate enough to spend some time with him, you’ll agree that in addition to his status as an ambassador for fly fishing, he is one of the very finest individuals in the sport. In summary, Bob’s life experiences perfectly fit our Mission Statement: to increase participation in and awareness of fly fishing by offering the best possible combination of price and performance in rods and related products.

As the latest addition to our Advisory Staff, Bob has agreed to be involved in the design of our rods and related products, to assist in developing casting schools and educational programs, and to participate in general business planning for TFO. We are delighted and honored to have him work with us and please join me in welcoming him to our family.

Rick Pope

President TFO

Fly Rod & Reel Magazine

2008-07-06T08:20:00.000-07:00

Fly Rod & Reel is one of my favorite fly fishing magazines. Why? FR&R is one of the best all around fly fishing magazines and they usually include a warmwater feature! This month they have a terrific article on Crappie (Sac-a-lait for us Louisiana folk). Be sure to pick up the 2008 July/October issue at your local newsstand. They also have a very informative website with other warmwater articles (http://www.flyrodreel.com/).

Bayou St. John, New Orleans, LA

2008-07-05T20:31:00.000-07:00

(Photo by Uncle Larry)

I had a chance to break in my new Orvis Superfine 1 wt. fly rod today. I fished Bayou St. John near City Park in New Orleans and caught several small bass and Rio Grand Perch. I had a ball!

Fish & Fly Magazine

2008-06-20T06:24:00.000-07:00

Tom Pero, editor of Fish & Fly magazine, announced that the current Tackle and Travel issue will be the last for the publication under Turnstile Publishing. Fish & Fly is one of my favorite Fly Fishing Magazines. Hopefully, another publisher will pick up the publication. I’m going to be sure and pick up a copy of the last issue at my local Barnes & Noble.

RIO Gold Fly Line

2008-06-16T04:52:00.000-07:00

I received an Orvis Frequent Flyer 4 weight fly rod and an Orvis Bar Stock reel for Father’s Day. The reel was loaded with the new RIO Gold fly line. The line is terrific and it has improved my cast. I need all the help I can get! I posted the product description from the RIO website below. Test cast this line if you can… I think you'll like it!

RIO Gold

A revolutionary taper design allows tremendous loop stability at distance and a unique weight distribution loads a rod at close range for easy casting. The front taper delivers perfect turnover and presentation of flies between sizes #22 and #2, making this the best general purpose, all round fly line on the market.The long back taper is excellent for mending and for roll and single handed spey casting and the color change between the head and the running line makes it easy to find the perfect load point for each cast.

The lines features RIO's new Extreme Slickness Technology for an extraordinarily slick, dirt-repelling coating; in addition RIO's AgentX and Super Floatation Technologies ensure the line tip and running line remain floating high. As with all of RIO's premier trout lines a small, neat welded loop in the front end makes it easy to change leaders.

WF3F – WF5F; Length: 90 ft (27.4 m)

WF6F – WF8F; Length -100 ft (30.5 m)

Color: Moss head with Gold running line

Callaway Gardens / Mountain Creek Lake

2008-06-03T11:00:00.000-07:00

Last week I took a trip to Callaway Gardens located in Pine Mountain, GA for a little vacation. Friday morning I rented a Jon Boat and I fished Mountain Creek Lake. I introduced the chartreuse/black Jitterbee to the bluegill there. I caught so many gills that I lost count. Some were small others were huge!

Lake Concordia & Lake St. John

2008-05-28T03:58:00.000-07:00

I fished Lake Concordia and Lake St. John with my best bud this past weekend. The lakes are both located near Ferriday, LA. We caught some nice stump knocker bluegill and a few catfish on the fly. We used chartreuse/black, red/black and olive/black Jitterbees fished under a strike indicator. We caught a great deal of our catfish and bluegill with the red/back Jitterbee. Although I always carry red/black Jitterbees in my fly box, this is probably the first time I fished that color combination. My hat’s off to Randy Leonpacker, creator of the pattern. Randy told me that red/black is his favorite color combination and I think it’s mine now too!

Did you miss the GCC Expo?

2008-05-20T04:05:00.000-07:00

Uncle Larry tying at the GCC Expo!

If you missed the GCC Expo in Lake Charles, LA this past weekend, you missed a great time! There were dozens of top fly tiers from across the south, terrific vendor displays, presentations, workshops and awesome Cajun food! The event had several silent auctions and a live auction on Saturday night… and did I mention awesome Cajun food?

2008 FFF Gulf Coast Expo, May 16-17 in Lake Charles, LA!

2008-05-08T04:21:00.000-07:00

The 2nd annual conclave of the Gulf Coast Council of the Federation of Fly Fishers is coming up soon! If you haven't registered to attend, go to their website at www.gulfcoastfff.org and do so now! You can register online in a minute! Watch dozens of the top fly tiers from across the South, and even the nation. Cast the new rods from the manufacturers on exhibit. Demo paddle kayaks at the beachfront. Fish for reds in Lake Charles (they school at dusk) or anywhere else in the Calcasieu estuary (only minutes to a good fishing spot). Enjoy boiled crawfish on Friday night and Cajun feast on Saturday night. Take a workshop with an expert instructor (fee). Lots of great bargains in the silent auctions and live auction on Saturday night. This isn't just the ONLY fly fishing show in the region, it's one of the best experiences you'll have this year off the water!

Renzetti Proudly Announces Tuffleye Distributorship

2008-04-22T04:46:00.000-07:00

Anyone who has ever tied with epoxy knows the apprehension that comes with mixing up a batch you know mostly goes to waste. You often have to mix so much that you tie multiple flies hoping to coat several at once, but inevitably the mix hardens before you can finish. Besides, eventually it yellows and cracks anyway. You either need more hands or a better solution. We can’t help you with more hands, but Renzetti can now offer you a better solution – Tuffleye.

In an effort to continue bringing you the finest in fly tying tools and accessories, Renzetti proudly announces that it will begin distributing Tuffleye – an epoxy alternative created by Wet a Hook Technologies. “I have searched for years to find a material that outperforms epoxy in all facets, but unfortunately, every alternative would be deficient in some critical area,” says well-know tier and epoxy user Bob Popovics. “I have finally found a material I can honestly say surpasses epoxy.”

Tuffleye is a special light-cured acrylic that hardens in less than 20 seconds and ends up harder than epoxy and never yellows. Unlike epoxy, Tuffleye does not require mixing and comes in four consistencies, including gel, liquid, putty and elastic. The best part -- it won’t harden until you apply the proper wavelength of light, and you apply only what you need when you need it. The material can be colored and even weighted and remains totally insoluble in both fresh and saltwater forever.

Pricing for complete kits, including the special light and several tubes of the acrylic, begin at $88.95, but individual syringes of Tuffleye retail between $9.95 for a 10cc Tuffleye Finish to $19.95 for a 30cc syringe of Tuffleye Core. For more information about Tuffleye or to order, simply log on to www.Renzetti.com.

Book Note - Bluegill Fly Fishing & Flies by Terry and Roxanne Wilson

2008-03-08T03:28:00.000-08:00

Book description:

Bluegill Fly Fishing & Flies will show you that large bluegill can be as selective as any trout. Their pugnacity is legendary and their yanking, diving, twisting battles make for a tenacious opponent, especially on ultra-light equipment. The Wilsons share: proper equipment; the best flies, including their recipes and techniques for using them; identifying the most productive bluegill waters; bluegill habits and behaviors; effective presentations; and many more tips learned over their combined 75 years of experience fishing for bluegill.

This book is your guide to more and larger bluegills.

6 x 9 inches, 151 pages.

Baton Rouge's Red Stick Fly Fishers Celebrates their 20th Anniversery!

2008-03-03T04:45:00.000-08:00

Red Stick Fly Fishers celebrates their 20th Anniversary with their clubs 17th annual Red Stick Day Conclave. Nationally renown authors and fly fishing experts Nick Curcione, Pete Cooper Jr. and Terry and Roxanne Wilson along with over a dozen fly tying and casting experts form across the northern Gulf Coast will be on hand. Additional Details can be found on the Red Stick Fly Fishers website.

Bluegillers! It was love at first site!

2008-02-04T04:02:00.000-08:00

Uncle Larry with the new Finesse Series 6’-9”, 4 piece 1 weight fly rod. (Photo by Glen “Catch” Cormier)

I attended the Texas Fly Fishers Fly Tying Festival in Houston, TX this past weekend with friend and fellow fly fisherman Glen “Catch” Cormier. The first thing we saw when we arrived was Rick Pope, President of Temple Fork Outfitters, with an outdoor display of all the TFO fly rods. He showed us his new installment in the Finesse Series (my favorite series) fly rod. It was a 6’-9”, 4 piece 1 weight rod! Holy crap! It’s a bluegill fly fisherman’s dream… and it casts like one too! Catch said if you catch a bluegill with that rod you’ll need a gaff to get him in the boat! Needless to say, one of these guys will be in my rod holder soon!

The Top Ten!

2008-01-30T04:56:00.000-08:00

In the February issue of Field & Stream Magazine they named the "Best Fishing Towns in America"! Some of them were actually WARMWATER destinations! I listed the top ten for you. If you want to see the entire list F&S is in the newsstands now. (No Louisiana towns... Huh!)

Greenwood Spring, Colo.

Mountain Home, Ark.

Traverse City, Mich.

Bozeman, Mont.

Minocqua, Wis.

Apalachicola, Fla.

Nantucket, Mass. (warmwater)

Bend, Ore.

Guntersville, Ala. (warmwater)

Morehead City, N.C.

Press Release!

2007-06-22T08:44:00.000-07:00

These limited edition "Patriot Spoons" will be priced at $50 with proceeds going to The Project Healing Waters Fly-Fishing Program. These will be sold starting the day of this event.

Press Release
Uptown Angler, LLC 601 Julia Street New Orleans, LA 70130 Phone: 504-529-3597

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 11, 2007
CONTACTS: Alec Griffin
(504) 529-3597

Uptown Angler presents the Healing Waters Rod Program and 4th of July Celebration on June 30th – a fun and meaningful way to show support for wounded U.S. Veterans…..and take home a beautiful new fly rod in the process!!!

New Orleans, LA. – Uptown Angler is proud to now support the Healing Waters Fly-Fishing Program, which is being conducted at military and Veterans Affairs hospitals across the nation. The Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing program teaches fly fishing and fly tying skills as therapy to the service men and women wounded in Afghanistan and Iraq and disable veterans from World War II and the Korean, Vietnam, and other conflicts. Click here for the entire article located in the “General Discussion” Forum.

Uptown Angler will be donating, upon request, $25 from every fly rod sold in the month of July to the Healing Waters program. To kick this off, Uptown Angler will hold a 4th of July celebration on Saturday, June 30th from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., showcasing the Temple Fork Outfitters Healing Waters rods as well as limited edition Capt. Rich Waldner “Patriot Spoon Flies” from which sales proceeds will go to support the Healing Waters Fly Fishing Program. Casting demonstration and instruction will be offered to all attendees.

Uptown Angler is the premier fly fishing store in New Orleans. The store provides its customers with classic outdoor gear and apparel for sport and travel. Uptown Angler carries Orvis, Patagonia, Tilley, Ex-Officio, Sage, Winston, Scott, Abel, Lamson and many others. Uptown Angler boasts the most extensive saltwater fly collection in the world. The store promotes guided fly-fishing trips in the coastal marshes of the Gulf of Mexico, as well as travel to angling destinations worldwide.
Uptown Angler, 601 Julia Street, is open Monday through Friday, 10 am to 6 pm, and Saturdays 10 am to 2 pm. Contact the Uptown Angler at 504-529-3597 or agriffin@uptownangler.com

Warm Fly

2007-05-27T19:07:00.001-07:00

Be sure and visit my new warmwater website... Warm Fly!

The Little Missouri River

2007-05-02T05:33:00.000-07:00

There's a great article about the Little Mo in Arkansas Sportsman Magazine. It's a good read with plenty of quotes and advice from our favorite guide, Jeff Guerin! If you've never fished coldwater the Little Mo is a great place to go. Hey, that rhymed! Be sure to check out Jeff's website, Little Missouri Fly Fishing, for tips on flies, techniques and the latest on the river. When you get up there be sure and give Jeff a call... he's a terrific guide with very reasonable rates!

The gills are biting!

2007-04-24T05:45:00.000-07:00

Yes, the blue gill are biting. I've made trips to Lake Concordia, Lake St. John and Lake Martin and did well on each trip. I was fishing a black/chartreuse Jitterbee and a red/black Tussle Bug.

Finessing the Gill!

2007-04-15T12:58:00.000-07:00

On my latest fly fishing trip, I learned there’s only one way to catch blue gill on the fly! I recently purchased a TFO Finesse series 7’3” 2 weight fly rod from Alec Griffin at Uptown Angler. It’s now my favorite bream stick. I’m a warmwater enthusiast and love to catch blue gill on the fly, but this is a brand new experience. Okay, so it’s really a trout rod… but the blue gill don’t know it! A blue gill on this 2 weight feels like a 10 lb redfish. Temple Fork Outfitters makes an incredible product for an affordable price and I highly recommend this rod for warm and cold water anglers. (The fish pictured above was caught with the TFO Finesse series 2 wt.)

Congratulations Nick Curcione!

2007-04-13T04:33:00.000-07:00

Press Release

April 11, 2007

What can be done to grow the sport of fly fishing? Offer the best possible performance in affordable rods and teach new anglers how to use them. Individual contributions to our cause are fundamental - sell the experience and make it fun. As a writer and a teacher, Nick Curcione has done these things. He continues to be a true ambassador for our sport, with limitless passion and skill for sharing both knowledge and techniques.

In addition to his 35 year career as a university professor in southern California, Nick is internationally recognized as an outdoor writer, instructor, lecturer and tackle consultant with over 40 years of angling experience. He has authored three fly fishing books –The Orvis Guide to Saltwater Fly Fishing, Baja On The Fly, and Tug-O-War, A Fly Fishers Game plus numerous articles that have been published worldwide. Nick has been on the editorial staff of Fly Fishing in Saltwaters magazine since its inception. His skills and writings are the result of his extensive experiences with both fly and light tackle throughout Europe, North and South America.

Lefty summed it up nicely by saying: “He's ethical and a real pro -- everyone who knows him loves him -- he is especially revered on the West Coast. Nick will be a terrific member of our team”. As the latest addition to our Advisory Staff, Nick has agreed to be involved in the design of our rods and related products, to assist in developing casting schools and educational programs, and to participate in general business planning for TFO. We are delighted and honored to have him work with us and please join me in welcoming him to our family.

Rick Pope

President

Temple Fork Outfitters

Lake St. John

2007-04-02T07:43:00.000-07:00

I fished Lake St. John last Friday. I caught some Monster Blue Gill! The largest gill measured 9 3/4". They weren't biting fast and furious but they were all huge! I fished mostly with a chartreuse/black Jitterbee under a strike indicator.

It's about time!

2007-03-18T18:03:00.000-07:00

(photo by Roger Stouff)

Fishing report by Roger Stouff:

It's almost there. The water's still a little cool, and shifting winds are keeping it stained, but around the basin area in lower St. Mary Parish, things are looking like they'll break in a couple of weeks. Though absolutely no 'gills or chinquapin were tempted in two days of fishing, this big mouth fellow took a black-and-red Jitterbee like it's been a long, cold lonely winter, in the words of George Harrison. He and a companion choupique was the entire creel of the weekend, but three other bass threw the hook, one while dancing on his tail in a splashing frenzy.

Bud's Bayou

2007-02-09T04:38:00.000-08:00

So, do you have ‘THAT’ fishing story? You know the one I’m talking about! It’s the one you keep in your hip pocket, ready to pull out at a moment's notice. You’re sitting around in a group of guys telling fishing stories. After everyone has had a turn, you wait, and then whip it out! The fishing story to top all stories! Well, this is mine…

Bud’s Bayou

The ritual always started with a stop at Schweggman’s Supermarket on Friday afternoon, and the purchase was always the same: three dozen chicken necks. My dad, Brent ‘Bud’ Offner, would knock off from work at Boh Brothers Construction Company in Gentilly, Louisiana and stop in at Schweggman’s, the largest supermarket in the New Orleans area and on his way home. That was probably the only time Bud enjoyed shopping!

When he arrived home to Marietta Street in Chalmette, we would begin preparations for the Saturday morning outing. Yes, I’m a Chalmatian, born and raised and I still have my white rubber boots! At the time I was about twelve years old and preferred nothing better than being on the water with my Dad. Three dozen crab nets were laid next to our boat. They were drop bottom nets with large orange corks tied to the towing strings. We would tie a chicken neck in each on Friday night because dad said they had to smell just right in the morning to tempt the day’s catch. Trust me, the next morning they did smell just right!

So, every Saturday morning we would hitch the boat and finish our preparations. Our boat was a beauty. It was a twelve-foot aluminum bateau with a seven-and-a-half horse Ted Williams hand till outboard motor that dad purchased from Sears and Roebuck. He was so proud of his rig; you would have thought it was a twenty-foot bay boat. The crab nets were stashed in the back of the Caterpillar yellow pick-up truck. Our state of the art Mitchell 300 reels and Shakespeare fiberglass rods were also loaded into the truck along with shad rigs, large white and orange popping corks and a couple of pounds of bait shrimp in the ice chest.

Then would come the command; “Lar-ray, get in the truck!” Dad hailed from the Irish Channel in New Orleans. Folks in that area have what some say sounds like a Brooklyn accent. So, he always added an “a” to my name which came out ‘Lar-ray’.

Our destination was Bayou Bienvenue, just a couple of miles from our home. How close was it? Dad would always say he could smell mom dripping the coffee when she woke up in the morning. We would launch our little boat at the public boat launch and head straight across the bayou. On the opposite side of the bayou was a barge docked on the shore. But, what it hid was our secret fishing hole, Bud’s Bayou! We would put our little motor in neutral and walk the boat around the backside of the barge. You see, the barge was not docked on the shore at all; it was hiding a shallow mud flat. The mud flat was a long narrow canal about twenty-feet wide that ran about a quarter mile and ended into a pond that dad called the “Cul-de-sac”.

Once on the other side of the barge, our work began. We would start dropping our smelly crab nets down the middle of the flat about four or five boat lengths apart. Once all the nets were dropped, we would turn around and begin “running” the nets. I would pilot the boat and dad would pull up the nets, because most of the time there would be so many crabs in them that I could not pull and lift them out of the water! We would repeat this routine four or five times. It only took four or five times because, as the good Lord is my witness, we would always have one and a half to two bushels of crabs by then.

After we finished crabbing, it was time to fish. We would take the boat to the end of the flat and anchor facing the “Cul-de-sac”. Dad would always ask, “How many are we feeding tonight?” That would determine how many fish we would keep for dinner. We would cast our Mitchell 300’s armed with a large popping cork, shad rig and shrimp on each hook into the pond. Then…BAM! It was like shooting fish in a barrel: redfish, specks and bull croakers one after another. When we had enough to feed our crew, we’d pack up and head home. Every Saturday we would have a seafood meal fit for a king!

My Dad and Mom are now in a retirement home. Bud is now eighty-two years old but still sharp as a tack. Nearly every visit, he and I will reminisce about the good old days we fished in Bud’s Bayou. When we do, Bud always finishes with the same line “You just don’t catch fish like that anymore!”

You know what? He’s right!

About a month after I wrote this story, my dad passed away. A week or two before his passing he told me he was tired and ready to go home to the Lord. Then he said he wished he could go on one more fishing trip. I told dad that the Bible says there’s rivers in heaven. He looked up at me, smiled and said “If I get there first, I’ll meet you on the bank”!

South East Fly Fishing Forum!

2007-01-28T06:02:00.000-08:00

I found a great place to rub elbows with some of my fellow fly fishermen. If you haven't dropped by yet, try the South East Fly Fishing Forum. It's definitely a great bunch of folks!

Merry Christmas!

2006-12-21T09:07:00.000-08:00

I hope that you and yours have a very Merry Christmas. Please remember the true REASON FOR THE SEASON. I also wish that you have a SAFE and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Tussle Bug

2006-11-18T08:03:00.000-08:00

If you’re looking for a killer bluegill fly, I know just the fly you need. Dirk Burton’s award winning “Tussle Bug” is an absolutely awesome bream/bluegill fly. I am a big fan of Randy Leonpacker’s Jitterbee, as most of you know, but I’ve been using Dirk’s Tussle Bug lately with incredible results! Like the Jitterbee, Dirk’s fly can be fished under a V.O.S.I. (strike indicator). The Tussle Bug is also extremely durable. If you want to tie the Tussle Bug and add it to your fly box, you can get the pattern at laflyfish.com. By the way, I’ve also landed a couple of nice bass with the Tussle Bug!

Choupique (Bowfin) on the fly?

2006-11-09T11:08:00.000-08:00

There is a thread that was started on laflyfish.com concerning Choupique on the fly. It started out as a joke, but now I think some of us are going to target the species. If anyone has any experience with Choupique on the fly please leave a comment under this topic! Who knows... the Choupique could become the Bonefish of Louisiana!

Fifty Favorite Fly-Fishing Stories

2006-11-02T14:33:00.000-08:00

While browsing in a bookstore on a business trip recently, I found a book called “Fifty Favorite Fly-Fishing Stories” by Chris Santella. In the book fifty celebrated fly-fishers share their favorite fly-fishing stories based on their travels and experiences. A few of the folks that share their stories are Conway Bowman, Cindy Garrison and our very own Captain Danny Ayo. So if you’re looking for a good “non-technical” read on fly-fishing this book is great! By the way, the stories are TRUE!

See that bobber go down!

2006-10-30T11:35:00.000-08:00

I just read this blurb about Carl Walters on the MidCurrent website. It seems Carl doesn’t like fly fishing. Walters also said, “Nothing is more exciting to me than to see that bobber go down”. Carl received a $70,000 Volvo Environment Prize for this work in fisheries science. You can read the whole story at gainsville.com. I guess Carl has never fished a JitterBee under a V.O.S.I. before! Yes, you can fly fish and still see the bobber go down! I mean see the V.O.S.I. go down...

A labor of love is complete!

2006-10-24T05:53:00.000-07:00

After a couple of months working in the evenings and on weekends my best buddy, Shelton Thames, and I finished construction of our pirogues! We took them for a test spin this past weekend and they actually float! We plan to add outriggers when paddling/fly fishing in the marsh at Grand Isle and Fourchon, LA. We purchased the plans for the pirogues on line at Uncle John's General Store.

Did you miss the Saltwater Fly-Fishers' Picnic?

2006-10-22T10:04:00.000-07:00

(Flip Pallot giving casting instructions at the Picnic)

Would you like to know what you missed by not attending the Picnic? Let's see, you missed Flip Pallot and Chico Fernandez giving casting lessons. You missed Tim Borski and Enrico Puglisi giving fly tying demos. You missed an awesome presentation by Conway Bowman on Mako Sharks on the fly! You also missed numerous vendors and a chance to cast new rods and play with new toys. You missed an incredible weekend! Don't miss it next year!

Mountain Home Arkansas

2006-10-12T05:23:00.000-07:00

Last week was a lot of firsts for yours truly. I attended my first FFF Southern Conclave, fished my first dry fly and caught my first cut throat trout. It was truly a GREAT week. A special thanks to Glen "Catch" Cormier for being my chauffer and guide! That handsome guy in the picture is not Mel Gibson... it's me!

Native Waters: A Few Moments In A Small Wooden Boat

2006-09-26T10:48:00.000-07:00

If you haven't read "Native Waters: A Few Moments In a Small Wooden Boat" by Roger Emile Stouff, you’re missing a wonderful book. You should read it now, because his new book "The Way of Memory" will be published in the near future! Roger Emile Stouff is the son of Nicholas Leonard Stouff Jr., last chief of the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana, and Lydia Marie Gaudet Stouff. He has been a journalist for 25 years and author of the award-winning column "From the Other Side" in the St. Mary and Franklin Banner-Tribune. "Native Waters: A Few Moments In A Small Wooden Boat" is part autobiography, part historical retrospective of his people, and part outdoorsman memoirs. He currently resides on the Chitimacha reservation. Be sure to check out his Native Waters website!

Tibor LineMaster

2006-09-18T18:10:00.000-07:00

Take a look at Tibor's new LineMaster! They call it a portable line management system. You can remove and reload line at home or in the field. It will be available at dealers December 1st. Pretty cool!

Are you a kayak fisherman?

2006-09-14T10:16:00.000-07:00

I ran across an article in Hatches Magazine (what was I doing there?) on kayak fishing. The title of the article is "Kayak Fly Fishing in Saltwater" by Sean Murphy. It's a pretty good read and worth your time to take a look! Be sure to drop by next week, I'm going to post photos of my completed Kajun Kayak. Actually it's more like a Cajun Canoe. This water craft was handmade by yours truly.

Echo 2 Fly Rod

2006-09-11T03:56:00.000-07:00

Echo Fly Fishing unveiled the new Echo 2 fly rod at the 2006 Fly Fishing Retail Show. The rod comes in 5 and 10 weights and allows conversion from a 9’-6” rod to a 10’-0” rod by changing the tip sections. According to the folks at Echo the extra rod length, which is also modified in taper, does two things: it moves the action of the rod down from the tip and toward the grip, making it a better rod for roll-casting and controlling larger amounts of line; and it gives the float-tuber/drift-boater fisherman better line control by keeping the line higher in the air. Is the Echo 2 a rod the folks in kayaks and canoes should consider? The Echo 2 sells for $269 – 279 for single-handed and $349 for two-handed.

L.L. Bean to open 26 new stores!

2006-09-06T19:07:00.000-07:00

L.L. Bean plans to open 26 new retail stores over the next few years according to an article I found while surfing the internet. The article, from the Boston Globe, claims that L.L. Bean plans to follow in the footsteps of Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's. I wonder if they will try to locate a store in Denham Springs? NOT! (By the way, Cabela's got the thumbs up from the Supreme Court today. They will be breaking ground in Gonzales, LA soon!)

Can the quality of the fly rod make a difference?

2006-09-04T06:43:00.000-07:00

That's the question I asked more than once as a novice fly fisherman. I found out recently that it does make a difference. I just purchased a Orvis TLS Power Matrix fly rod from my favorite fly shop in New Orleans. Why did I purchase it? I didn't have a 5 weight fly rod and it was on sale! The rod is 8'-6' long 4 piece and it LOOKS beautiful. That alone is a good enough reason to purchase a new rod for most fly fishermen. When I returned home I slipped on my 5/6 Orvis Mid-Arbor reel and took it out to the back yard for a test drive. I was amazed! I could cast clear across my back yard and quite accurately! So, to answer the question, and remember this is from a novice, YES the rod quality does make a difference. An impulse purchase is probably not the best method to use for fly rod selection, although it worked for me this time. I would suggest gathering data from the internet, experienced friends, your fly shop owner and then test cast the rod if possible.

Baton Rouge's National Hunting and Fishing Day - September 23,2006

2006-09-01T20:08:00.000-07:00

National Hunting and Fishing Day will be held again at the Waddill location of LDWF on Flannery Road on September 23, 2006 from 9 a.m. till 3 p.m. Members of Red Stick Fly Fishers will be demonstrating fly tying, knot tying and fly casting. Other activities include canoeing, archery, sport shooting, duck and goose calling and boating education. My favorite is the sampling of Louisiana game and seafood dishes!