Just got back from a wonderful trip to New Orleans with the better half. This was a combination mini-honeymoon / fishing trip. In short we had a blast.
This was both our first time to the Big Easy. Soaked in the sights and sounds of the city. The food was amazing everywhere.
We did some touristy stuff:
We ate really good. Gained at least 3 lbs each:
Visited the local shop:
On to the fishing. I booked 2 days but only ended up fishing one day due to weather. It wasn’t wide open by any means, but I caught a few fish. This was my first ever sight-fishing experience and it showed. Had a tough time seeing the fish that the guide pointed out and my short-range casting accuracy sucked. Added to that, most of the fish we saw were ‘laid-up’. Just sitting there motionless and spooked as we got closer or as the fly landed in the water.
Still, I had a few heart-stopping moments on some really big fish. First was a 25-lb+ bull that followed the fly 15-ft from the boat. It spooked as I inexplicable lifted my rod. Rookie.
Another was a pod of huge bulls tailing in some very muddy water. The guide had a tough time figuring out the direction of the fish. Finally, one of the giants showed itself. I made a cast on target, made the right strip, the fish looked and followed…, guide said ‘get ready, he’s gonna eat it’. Then it just turned away….Holy shiznit. 40+ lb bull according to the guide. What a rush.
We kept on pushing on and by this time, the next pods of fish that we saw were more active. Spotted a small redfish 20 feed from the boat. Made the right cast, fished turned, inhaled the fly and I strip set. Pretty freakin cool.
First ever redfish on:
Very happy man:
Apparently I got really excited and started cussing like a sailor when I hooked my first ever redfish. The guide got a good laugh out of that:
Around the bend, we saw a few more active fish. I couldn’t spot the fish but could see the wake as it pushed against the bank. Made a cast to intercept it, a couple of soft stips, and fish on:
The marsh is so full of life:
Not a bad first sight-fishing trip for a rookie. I caught some fish and got a few giants to follow. I can see why people keep coming back to this wonderful place.
We ate good, had a LOT of fun with the better half and I caught a new species on the fly.
Life is good.
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