Trip Rates & Info
The Experience
Fly fishing the Louisiana marsh is one of the most underrated outdoor experiences that this country has to offer. It is truly a playground that should make any fisherman excited to travel for and experience first hand. The estuaries we fish were formed by the alluvial fan of the old, mighty Mississippi River and provides for a variety of features for us to play in. Depending on the conditions and season we could be fishing closer inside in the countless lakes and small satellite ponds that make up the inner marsh or making a long morning run to fish the outer islands further out in the Gulf of Mexico. The inside provides great spring time fishing for slot reds (16-27”) with clean water getting filtered out by grasses that proliferate that time of year. Through the fall and winter we’ll do our best to stay closer to the outside where the water stays clearer, saltier and tends to hold the big breeding bull redfish in greater numbers.
Easing a restless mind is one of the most difficult challenges that we face from a momentary to a lasting basis. That unstoppable mind chatter ranges from the most critical aspects of our life, like our professional life, family, relationships and sports teams, to the most inconsequential things, like what’s for breakfast! We yearn to quiet that restless noise.
When you’re standing on the bow of a state of the art, Hell’s Bay Marquesa with a 10 weight in one hand and a mullet fly in the other, all these things seem to melt away. It may take a while for you to realize it, but as you scan the water around you with a manic focus it hits you. You’ve left your worries at the dock where they belong. And then it happens. You’ve paid your respects to the fishing gods and they reward you with a feeding bull redfish swimming down the bank and toward the boat. Your cast lands out in front of the fish, you strip twice, three times and BOOM! Your line clears in an instant, your drag is playing that sweet string music and the fight is on! The satisfaction of pulling that fish in the boat for a quick grip, grin and healthy release is only matched by the next one. This is what motivates us here at Fly Bayou.
The marshes around New Orleans, Louisiana are truly a diamond in the rough that all first timers are blown away by. As we carve our way through the beautiful landscape of the Biloxi Marsh, we’ll see a variety of exotic bird species including pelicans, egrets, roseate spoonbills, ibis, osprey, hawks, turns and more all feeding on the robust supply of aquatic bait that the marsh provides. If all goes well, they may lead to a school of bull redfish or jack crevalle!
The Boat
Hell’s Bay Marquesa - 18 ft. w Yamaha SHO 115
You’ll have a hard time finding a better skiff than this one. It drafts 7-8” fully loaded for getting into skinny water and the hull was designed to ride great in the chop. On days that are “iffy” on making that run out to the islands, we can go if you’re up for it and get to some areas that most other skiffs won’t. Oh… and it’s fast!
Tackle
Rods - Typically we throw 8-10 weights. It’s got to be pretty calm to throw the size flies we throw with an 8 wt so be ready to throw a 9 or 10 wt with a heavy fly in the wind. I like Orvis Helios 3 rods as my go to but I also use Sage and Scott rods. If you have rods you should bring them. That’s why you bought them! Hopefully you’re used to your gear as that means you’ve PRACTICED!!!
Reels - My go to is Nautilus Reels but I also have some Tibor and Orvis stuff. I like a light reel but not so light it doesn’t provide a little counter balance. A quality drag is essential down here! You could be pulling on a 30+ pound bull redfish or a rowdy Jack Crevalle that will put your gear to the test. For leaders I’m usually going from 40lb flouro at the butt section down to 20-30lb flouro at the tippet.
Flies - Crab, shrimp and mullet imitations are the standard. Usually bigger 2/0 hooks when the big dogs are around and down to a size 2 for smaller slot reds and sheepshead in the spring time. Kwan style shrimp, redfish ritalin, marsh toads, merkin crab patterns. Sometimes rattles can be helpful for getting some attention when the water is dirty. Big poppers can be fun when the fish are happy and/or schooled up. They are heavy and you gotta be able to sling a 10 wt to throw poppers. It’s very fun so PRACTICE and join in on that fun!
Rates and Cancellation Policy
Half Day - $550 Full Day - $800
A trip deposit of $300.00 will be credited to the trip price. The balance will be due the day of the trip.
Cancellations outside of 21 days from the reserved date will be fully refunded.
Cancellations 10-21 days outside of the reserved date will lose their deposit.
Cancellations within 10 days of the reserved date will be responsible to pay in full.