Fly Guy
Making the Most of February
For most outdoorsmen in south Louisiana, turning the
calendar to February is nearly painful. Gone are the fall days
of one-stop shop trout fishing, hunting season has all but
wrapped up, we are down to 60 minutes of football left for
the year, and weather can make many question even venturing out; however, do not despair because what February
does mean is the kickoff to the Gulf South's annual show season.
Vendors both local and global will have their newest and
best products on display for the masses at any one of the numerous shows spread from Houston to Miami. It is a great
time to get out and play with some new toys and talk to the
guys who make it all happen. In the market for a new boat or
ATV? Be sure to take advantage on some of the best pricing
of the year. Most industry guys work these shows specifically
to interact with consumers, so be sure to get all your questions answered when you see them. If you find yourself at a
show and you see me, make sure to drop in and shoot the
breeze. It will be a great time to ask all those fly-fishing questions you don't want to ask in front of your conventional fishing buddies!
by Capt. Tristan Daire
Old Towne Fly Shop
(985) 630 3892
Let's talk a little fishing - February
will mark the end of the winter
redfish season, take advantage of post frontal days with light
winds and sunshine to get some of the last shots at the big
girls. Most female breeding-size fish will begin to push back
offshore for a few months as soon as temps begin to rise or
the wind goes ESE for a few days. River water is beginning to
get into most of the interior marsh presenting the challenge
of stained water. Look to big edges on falling tides, even the
odds.
Warmer days are offering pre-spawn bass as well as sacau-lait if you can find and fish areas not influenced by the
high river. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has also stocked many area ponds with rainbow
trout. This is a yearly event put on by the LDWF which allows
easy access to fish that most have never seen. Several Baton
Rouge area ponds as well as Torres Park in Chalmette should
continue to get fish as long as water temps allow. Take advantage of this great opportunity to get out and fish for cold
water trout on the fly.
Good luck and c’mon April!