Redfish New Orleans jan 2012 blog


I love the month of January! The reason? Big Redfish in New Orleans! This is the time of year when I get down to the Big Easy and target big Reds on the fly. I first fished the area in 2003 with my good friend Capt. Gregg Arnold. I had fished with Gregg on and episode of my first TV series “In Search of Fly water back in April of that year.

The following January , Gregg called me one cold night in san Diego and said “ you need to come down to New Orleans as soon as possible , I’ve found an area with giant redfish and I think we can break the world record on the fly IF you can get here in the next couple days”.

After I got off the phone with Gregg I immediately booked a plane ticket for the next morning. By the next afternoon Gregg and I were driving through downtown New Orleans planning our fly fishing attack.

Gregg and I fished hard for 3 days which resulted in 3 of the best days fishing I think I’ve ever experienced. We caught big number of redfish and ion our final day on the water we hooked and released 20 all over 25 pounds with the largest fish of the day being a world record redfish that tipped the scales at 41.65 pounds!!

There is no better place to fish during the winter months then New Orleans La for redfish.

If you go

SEASONS: OCTOBER –FEBRUARY

Rod: 9 ft 9 wt

Reel: any good saltwater fly reels w/ 200 yards of 20 to 30 lb Dacron/Gel spun backing

Flyline: Floating WF Redfish taper flyline. (Make sure these lines are made for cooler waters)

Flies: Hailey’s Comet, Lex’s hip hop crab

CONTACT: Capt. Gregg Arnold ph: 504.237.6742 email: garnold3@cox.net

Viva...Baja!

The Baja's East Cape popularity has really boomed in recent years with the fly fishing crowd. No need to go into that but, with this new found popularity comes lots more pressure on the fish, the beaches and the overall Baja experience. Now, I’m not suggesting that this is a bad thing. I think it’s great for any and all fly angers to get out and give this fishery a serious effort. It will open the minds for the trout die hards and refine and improve the skills of the true saltwater fly fishing freaks. Roosterfish are not easy to catch on the fly or on live bait for that matter. I can only compare trying to feed a fly to a big Rooster is like enticing a tiger to eat a watermelon. It can be done however the stars have to line up just right. Now, smaller roosters are a bit more cooperative when casting a fly to them. They seem to have a more eagerness about them when eating the fly and are far less discriminate. So, for that reason these little rosters are the perfect Baja fly rod fish. Targeting roosters is a pretty simple game. Find a beach where deep water pinches close to a beach, the presence of lots of bait and a knowledge of the tides and last but not least: a lot of patience. If the bait is present the roosters will show up….eventually. Now lets talk tackle. A solid 9 or 10 wt rod with an intermediate line and a 9 foot 20 lb florocabon leader will do the trick . Oh and don’t forget the stripping basket. You’ll thank me the fist time you run and gun your first rooster from the beach. No need to explain you'll understand when it happens. How about flies? Mullet patterns, sardines patterns; small, medium and large. Just make sure they are NOT dressed to heavily and the hooks are ultra sharp. Remember less is more when tying or buying flies for Roosterfish. Baja's East cape is worth the trip. Make sure you go May- July to ensure prime time Roosterfish fly rod action! Best Conway Where to stay http://www.rancholeonero.com/ Who to fish with www.baja-anglers.com www.thereelbaja.com

I'm back in action....

OK folks sorry about being AWOL for a LOOOONG time. Its been a crazy year! The birth of my son Maximillan last May and the call of duty required of being a father took the front seat in my life for the past 12 months. Needless to say "Maxaroo",now a year old, is doing great and so is his awesome mom,my wife Michelle.

I've set a goal to keep this blog updates in 2011/12 with stories,tales and tips on fly fishing and adventure.


Conway Bowman

Flats boat Carpin' in San Diego

It's on! Carp on the fly season has begun.Check out this Youtube link and get stoked on this great fishery!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ik1iobnh6Sg

I hope your out fishing

best

Conway Bowman

Back in action...

Its been a long four weeks. Dealing with all sorts of weirdness here in San Diego and trying to put the final touches on my new saltwater fly fishing book for the Orvis Company.For the record, writing a book on flyfishing is a tough gig! There is so much information needed to be covered and to put that information on paper is a task that is very laborsome for sure.

Yesterday...

The big event at Lake Hodges " The Hodge Podge" was not as well attended at I would have hoped. We ahd some great companies who attended like Kaenon,Simms, Ross/Buff and of course the San Diego Fly Shop/Bluewater Tackle from Solona Beach who put on the event. Ed Z from the San Diego Union Tribune stopped by and we had a great chat about fly fishing for carp at our local lakes.

until next time

great tides

conway

Carpin' San Diego Style

I love spring. The heavy rains that fall in February and March mean the reservoirs around San Diego will be filling up with water, creating some great carp flats for wading and sight casting to tailing carp come April, May and June.

Waking the hard sand flats at some some of our local carp "ponds" and casting crayfish patterns to some big "tailers" is about as good as it gets for fly rod sight casting. It's very much like casting to Redfish on the marsh in Louisiana without the travel.

I was lucky enough to get a beautiful EastCape Caiman flats skiff recently delivered from Florida. This baby is going to bring flats skiff fishing to So Cal. not only for carp but for spring time and summer bass.

As I sit here looking out at the rain falling outside , I know carp season is just a couple of week away. Man I can't wait!

" A Crawlin' Carp"

The Caiman

Why I Fly Fish for Carp

www.bowmanbluewater.com

www.kaenon.com

A day on the bay with Mishfish...

San Diego bay was calling. I had not fished the " Big Bay" in a very long time and thought a morning of bay bass fishing would be a perfect after Christmas activity. So, Mish and I hit the road early on Saturday morning welcomed by a Southern California December sunrise.

Mish had a new rod she was trying out "The Bambwoozler". This custom bamboo spinning rod was a gift from a one of her coworkers who worked long hours perfecting it's unique casting and fishing action.

After launching the " SS MISHFISH" from J Street, we headed to our favorite bay bass spot south of the Coronado Cays . Casting Christmas Tree colored MC swim biats, It took 5 minutes before Mish was hooked up on the "Bambwoozler." Mish made quick work of the little spottie, got it to the boat for a pic and quick release. A great way to start the day

We great action all morning. A steady bite of nice sized spotties using Swimbaits, crankbaits and dropshot rigs.

I was really happy to be on the water with Mish. even if she did out fish me...Again.

conway