Weather prognosticators are predicting a wetter, colder-than-normal winter starting this month. That might not be so bad.
Last winter’s weather was similar, and coastal fly flingers enjoyed some of the best redfish action in years.
In colder water, a wider variety of flies work, as reds are more opportunistic in their feeding. This is a good time to try baitfish patterns such as the Apte Tarpon Fly, Whitlock Baitfish and Seaducer.
On those overcast days — and the weather folks are predicting many — patterns in darker colors such as a purple Haley’s Comet or rootbeer-colored Spoonfly will work best.
Excellent topwater action for speckled trout continues this month. Early morning, late afternoon or overcast days are best. Gold, copper or silver pencil poppers and green/white or red/white Skipping Bugs should be considered.
Later in the day, switch to a clouser under a VOSI. On cold days, work the clouser off the bottom using either an intermediate fly line or sink-tip section added to a floating line.
Crappie will be schooling this month. For suspended fish, use a long, fine leader — 8 to 9 feet long, in general — and count down a fast-sinking fly like Fluff Butts and Crappie Candies. Then work the fly up in small strips.
For crappie on structure, try a Fluff Butt under a tiny float. Best colors will be black/chartreuse, blue/white, pink/white, and the “Gray Ghost” (gray/gray).
Later this month, ponds in East Baton Rouge, Ascension, and Lafayette parishes again will be stocked with “rainbeaux” trout. Nothing is as exciting as hooking these colorful fish and watching them make multiple jumps.
Tackle-wise, all you need is a 5-weight rod, with floating weight-forward line, a 7-foot leader, and black or olive woolybuggers. This is a great way to get youth introduced into fly fishing.
The limit is four, but please release the rainbows so others can enjoy the fishing.
