re: The Fly Fishing Thread: Questions, pics, discussion all here

You don't have to see them but it is normally easier if you know where they are.

As to the kit. Not sure there is a kit.
Commonly recommended fly rods are TFO. They're very good.

New to the FF thread.

Can anybody explain to me why there isn't a single local fly fishing shop in the state of LA? SELA is a major FF destination for saltwater and I know outfitters out west send their guys here every year.

Would be nice to have somebody knowledgeable to talk to and a place to meet other FF enthusiasts but I guess it's nowhere to be found. It's also a huge pain in the arse when it comes to getting fly tying materials.

If I'm just not aware - would love getting pointed in the right direction.

This. The recreational fly fishing community in Louisiana is very spread out and there really aren’t that many of us. Recreational guys drive relatively far to reach fishing areas, and the guides concentrated down the bayou where a fly shop would be a tough sell regardless.

I know a guy well who had a shop in Slidell for awhile and it’s just tough to make it work if that’s your only business. I haven’t been in the new Marsh and Bayou yet but they sell a lot of stuff besides fly fishing gear. Sportsman’s Warehouse in Slidell has a pretty good selection by Louisiana standards.

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I just got back from Destin and my first foray with surf fishing..conditions sucked most mornings, visibility wasn’t great for sight fishing. Did manage to catch a ladyfish on a clouser which was a lot of fun. Last night I was there, waded out around sunset with a popper/gurgler type fly, casting blind off the 2nd bar. They went nuts for it...5 takes, but didn’t land a single one. Waves kinda beat the shite out of me, so again not great conditions...but top water in the ocean is pretty awesome.

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If you try it again go at daylight before the wind gets up and the crowds get thick. If the tide is moving all the more better but it ain't necessary. Wade out to the first bar or stay on the beach but fish the inside ditch with clousers or top water chuggers...or any kind of crab / shrimp pattern. The first ditch is loaded with fish from sunset until folks get in the water. The inside ditch will be LOADED with pompano, flounder, small reds, lady fish, jacks, tarpon, blue fish, trout....the usual suspects. Most people fish the second and third ditch and they also hold fish but the first one is like I-75 in Atlanta in rush hour the first few hours of sunlight. If you ever watch any serious surf fishermen who are catching anything other than sharks and catfish you will notice they are most likely casting parrellel to the beach into the first ditch....not across the first bar into the second ditch. I have caught so many small reds on a kast master in Destin and PCB from sun up until about 730 that I couldn't keep count...would be bit almost every cast. Its a blast and it is also a special time of day to be on that coast...before it turns into a shopping mall at Christmas time situation.

The next chance you get walk in the first ditch about 2 hours after full sunset with a light under water...it is AMAZING how many good fish are just past the first breaker in the surf at night...and they are there in the morning also, but only until the sun gets up and folks get in the water in large numbers.

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This is way late but maybe it will help someone in the future. If fishing from the beach then clouser or baitfish patterns. Chartreuse, white, pink, red, blue, silver flash are all good colors for beach flies. Generally less is more with clear water with some silver flash for good measure. Sandflea and crab patterns work well too along the panhandle for reds and pompano. Everything in the Gulf will eat a shrimp too so I keep one or two of those in my box at all times.

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Concentrate on the first ditch early in the morning. It is loaded with fish. Either from the beach or from the first bar....but the ditch between the 2 is where the fish are.

I was wondering if I would run into you one day haha.

Yeah brother. We will have to do a reunion soon

I have a St Croix 3wt that isn't new nor short.

It's a 9ft 3wt. I adore that rod.

I do have a short 2wt. 7'6". It will make a 1lbs smallmouth seem like a 5lbs on a regular rod.

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Everyone has high praise for them though.

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I have a bunch of them across the spectrum of weights. All but one is the Ultra Legend or whatever they're called now.

I love the action of them. Faster backbone with a softer tip.

I will say that I built all of them, but I would still highly recommend.

Nice work.

Being a rookie to the fly world - what size hook are you using for your redfish flies and what tippet size are you pairing it with?

Could use some guidance. Much appreciated.