Southern Way Chronicles: August 2013
Greetings from the Gulf South!
As we mentioned last month, after an unusual start, our summer fishing patterns are now well established at the Chandeleur Islands. What many fishermen don’t realize is that these patterns will persist thru September and October. The fall can be some of the most enjoyable months at the Islands as temperatures begin to moderate but the fishing remains hot. October is generally our driest month and usually the winds aren’t a problem as strong cold fronts don’t start arriving until November. For all you diehard football fans don’t worry… you won’t miss a game with our satellite TV and what’s better than football and fishing. Call today…we still have good dates open for the Chandeleurs in September and October.
While I love the summer fishing, I have to say I’m always excited about our fall light tackle/fly fishing opportunities and our coastal waterfowling trips.
Fall fishing in the Louisiana Biloxi Marsh is simply fantastic. With the Southern Way and Southern Cross positioned at our private dock you are right in the middle one of the most productive fishery in the North America. While we are only 25 miles from New Orleans and 30 miles from Gulfport, I don’t think it’s hyperbole to say you truly feel as if you’re in the middle of Africa or Alaska. The marsh is truly vast and isolated. Other boats and fishermen are rare. We believe this truly is a unique and under recognized experience. Catching reds and trout with light tackle literally yards from the dock is common and limits are the rule not the exception.
For fly fisherman, the Biloxi Marsh has become a world famous destination for trophy redfish. Just check out the website of many of the Florida based fly guides…. where do they go to fish in the fall and winter months? That’s right … the Biloxi Marsh. Fish of 20 to 40 pounds are the rule and the opportunity to catch a record fish is real. We work with New Orleans based Captain Gregg Arnold to arrange everything: experienced guides, well maintained flats boats from Hell’s Bay, Chittum, and East Cape, and high end fly rods and reels if needed. Instead of traveling back and forth from a hotel everyday, being in the marsh increases your time on the water tremendously. You can’t catch fish on asphalt. As we like to say about our marsh trips… “You don’t have to go far when your already there…” Call us to discuss how we can customize a fly fishing trip to meet your groups’ individual needs.
Last week the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries announced tentative dates for the 2013-14 waterfowl season. Our 5700 acre private lease (which sits in the middle of the 100,000 acre+ Biloxi Marsh) is in the Coastal Zone with a 60 day season divided into 2 splits. Opening day is Saturday November 9th running thru December 1st. The second split opens December 14th and runs thru January 19th. Our marsh is in excellent condition now with a resurgence of submerged aquatic vegetation in our ponds (SAV = duck food) and we anticipate an excellent gunning season. With dates set we are now booking fall/winter duck hunting trips. Dates are already starting to fill so call as soon as possible to book your coastal marsh gunning experience. Check out the latest video on the website site (www.southerwaycharters.com) for some gunning action from last year’s season or click on the link below:
If you never have been on a fall/winter trip I encourage you to consider one this year. Hunting in the morning, fishing all day and returning to a meal of chargrilled fresh gulf oysters, boiled crabs or a grilled steak all in such a glorious setting simply has to be experienced to truly understand. We are more than happy to customize a fall or winter combined “Cast and Blast” trip for your group.
A couple of closing notes; our fall and winter trips will leave out of Campos Marina in Shell Beach, Louisiana. Shell Beach is approximately 30 miles from downtown New Orleans and an hour’s drive from Gulfport. Our sportsmen will be shuttled to our marsh operations on a 35 ft. fully enclosed all weather deck boat. With twin 150 Yamaha outboards, it’s just a 45 minute trip to our marsh dock where we will base the Southern way and Southern Cross.
Finally, be on the look out for the September/October edition of Tide magazine where outdoor writer Al Rogers will describe the uniqueness of the Biloxi Marsh fishery in a feature story in this beautiful publication.
As always… keep living life the “Southern Way “
