Wind-wise, March comes in like a lion, but leaves like a lamb. If the “lamb” arrives early, this could be a great month for fly-casters who love to chase the poisson rouge!
As ponds continue to warm and build up grass, redfish will move in to feed. An unweighted, hook-up fly such as the Bendback or Prince of Tides works well in this scenario. An even better option is the Bendback Mullet, which has a large wool head that pushes water, alerting reds to its presence.
Speckled trout action on poppers is usually very good this month. Again, when the wind allows.
Bass are on spawning beds. Use a long leader, and cast a slightly weighted creature pattern. Twitch it slowly across the bed. Creature patterns can be woolybuggers, Y2K buggers, leeches, Sqwirms, or several of the Pat Cohen Creature flies.
The first solid bream catches will take place this month. Best action will be in ponds, canal systems like Highway 51 near Laplace; clear, grassy lakes like Millers near Ville Platte or Martin near Breaux Bridge; or small oxbows like Cane River near Natchitoches.
In the morning through midday, use submergent flies such as cap spiders, jitterbees and beadhead hares ears under a strike indicator. In late afternoon, switch to yellow or green popping bugs in sizes 8 and 10.
For Louisiana trout enthusiasts who frequent the Beavers Bend and Little Missouri tailwaters a couple of hours north of Shreveport, there’s good news: After December floods closed off both waters, they’re now open, and some good trout are being caught on March Brown dries and emergers.
