Captain's Log

Grand Isle, LA September 15, 2008 - As of today Grand Isle is "under lockdown" and no one can visit their property for assessment of damages. I am fairly certain that all Calmwater assets are relatively undamaged. I can't say the same for Grand Isle, the tidal surge and ground swell from Ike was unbelievable. I was on Grand Isle the day Ike entered the gulf and the wave action was unbelievable. The dunes along the beach have been leveled and reports of "water on the island" range from three to six feet. Corps. of Engineers and Entergy are working hard to restore our infrastructure.

We have been getting phone calls and emails from many of you and I've got to tell you we very much appreciate your outpouring of concern and offers of lodging. Kristen and I are currently in St. Francisville at least for another week. We are very hopeful to be allowed home in the near future. Most importantly we are anxious to get Calmwater up and rolling.

We hope to see some of you this fall. We are still shooting for October first to reopen. Friday Kristen and I are going by boat to asses our needed repairs and take a few new pictures. We will send another report after that.

As Gustav started his trek along the area of convergence, I could not fathom that another hurricane strike was in the future of Louisiana. It seems as if, Katrina & Rita and now Gustav are attracted to our coastal marshes with a frequency that leaves even the most seasoned of citizens scratching their heads. Early in the forecast I was encouraged that the path had Grand Isle, LA directly in its sites. I have never seen the actual landfall predicted with any accuracy so far in the future. But as the days wore on, the projection cone only began to pinpoint my home. I knew I had a lot of work ahead of me.

For several days prior to landfall, my wife and I diligently prepared our home for the worst. We moved our boats to Baton Rouge, and returned to Grand Isle to board up, cook our last steaks on the weber kettle, say goodbye to friends who were evacuating and head north to our “evacuation house” near St. Francisville, LA.

Unlike Katrina, final evacuation was orderly and well planned. We slipped up LA 1 without delay and started the nervous waiting game. Only Dean Blanchard, who owns the shrimp house, stayed on the island with a few of his men and crew from CNN. So CNN become our channel of choice to watch for any pictures of our island. Their reports showed the gulf waves inundating the island. We had anticipated this and hoped that it would not reach the floor of our home, elevated 14 feet above sea level.

After landfall, the flow of information concerning the welfare of the assets left of the island suddenly became non-existent as the electrical service and communication infrastructure was quickly decimated by the storm. No power, no phone, no cell service, no internet. To make matters worse, our media coverage was upstaged by a hot chick running for VP.

Four days after landfall, I received a cell phone call from Chris Tiblier, our M&B editor, who expressed an interest in during a story on how the LA 1 fishing grounds had faired after the storm. Answering the call of duty, my wife Kristen and I departed for the coast unsure of how far we could get. However, in all honestly, the damage seemed light compared to what we saw in Katrina. Media reports seem to have been grossly exaggerated. There were of course exceptions to this. For example, Leeville , Port Fourchon and Grand Isle all showed markedly more damage than the northern end of Lafourche Parish. Galliano had power. We even had a hot meal at the Huddle House and got gas with no wait – a far cry from the chaos in Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

Early in the trip my phone rang. A friend of mine forwarded information that all Grand Isle traffic was being turned around at Fourchon. Undeterred, Kristen and I decided to go as far south as we could. At the protection levee south of Golden Meadow, we were stopped and asked our destination. Quickly I replied “Fourchon” and was allowed to proceeded south. In Leeville we got our first taste of real hurricane damage. It appeared that everything had been buried in swamp mud. We rolled down the windows to take pictures and the smell of the prime evil muck inundated the truck. But the people of Leeville are a hearty bunch and were taking the clean up in stride and with good humor. One store owner’s sign asked “Got Mud?” I made a mental note to myself to never let a shrimper build a shed for me. It appears the masters of the trawl seem to struggle with solid construction. Most of the tin sheds we saw in Leeville were shredded, but Boudreaux’s and Bobby Lynns were intact.

From there we proceeded to Fourchon. The power pole damage, which had been reported by the media as close to 100 percent, was an exaggeration. There were many poles down, but about 70 percent were still standing, but most leaning. We arrived at Point Fourchon to check a friend’s camp and discovered that the gate and fence surrounding the beautiful enclave had been obliterated. The neighborhood looked like a frat party gone bad. There was plenty of siding damage and marsh grass under the camps and on the docks.

We ventured further down the port road and found the Fourchon public boat launch pavilion to be beaten up, but operational and the parking lot was clear of debris. We continued down the road to the beach. Upon arrival we noticed that either the tide was extremely high or there was no sand left. The water was clean and green as one foot waves lapped up on the concrete mat that once held the sand in place. I am happy to report that birds were working up and down the beach, much as they were before Gustav. Putting the urge to wade fish behind us, we decided it was time to head to Grand Isle. I pulled a few strings to obtain vehicle access to the island, although we had brought two kayaks and were prepared to paddle home, if necessary. As we passed over the bridge, which seemed to be unaffected by the storm, we immediately saw that the once beautiful dunes that had protect the beach camps had endured the brunt of the storm. Breaches in the levy had allowed sand and mud to migrate over LA 1 and cover the once green lawns of many of the beach camps. It became evident that the impassible nature of the road had prevented local officials and clean up teams from being able to safely open the island to residents. This mass of dune that had been spread to cover the front of the island was being cleared by a diligent brigade of back hoes and dump trucks. The mud and sand were so thick that I could not see where the road started and stopped. Our only visual guide was the leaning power poles marking where the sides of the road should be. We experienced great difficulty traversing the mud, sand and standing water and were glad to have four wheel drive. Camp damage appeared to be mostly confined to ground level structures and moderate roof damage and siding loss. The media’s damage reports of the island seem to be grossly over exaggerated. The return of utilities will return the island to normal and fall fishing will soon be as good always. All in all, you should soon be able to come back to the coast and enjoy fishing the LA 1 corridor soon. Unlike past years, I did not see a single posted sign anywhere!

September’s version of shock and awe will soon be replaced by the cool breezes of fall and great fishing conditions. So don’t write off your fall trip to Grand Isle just yet, you only need to post pone it a few weeks. The grand ole lady of the coast will be in fine form again very soon.

Although it does not appear that you will be able to camp on Fourchon’s beach sand any time soon – the public boat launch is in tack and serviceable and the marsh fishing should be as good as is gets this fall. For all you surf fisherman out there – there is no beach at Fourchon to drive on but the rock jetties are intact and accessible by foot.

Leeville will soon be as good as it ever was. I commend these hardy folks for rebuild this fishing mainstay of LA 1 after each disaster, no matter how big or small. Their hand painted sign: “Only the Strong Survive” is certainly appropriate. I am also happy to report that it was spelled correctly!

While the first week of September as been difficult for us, good fishing is just around the corner. I would like to thank Michael Mathews at the Backpacker in Baton Rouge for getting us on the net to file this story and all the many volunteers and servicemen who have worked so diligently to keep us safe and put south Louisiana back on the grid. Stay tuned to MarshandBayou.com for all the info on marina and motel re-openings along the LA 1 corridor.

Remember when people looked at you funny when you said you were going kayaking, or when they looked at you like you were crazy when you said the two words “kayak fishing”? Well maybe being crazy isn’t that bad because the numbers of kayaks on the water is steadily growing and people no longer have that puzzled look on their faces, kayak fishing with all its simplicity has taken hold. There is no better way to illustrate this than to scan the pass at Elmer’s Island on Saturday morning or the rocks at Fourchon Beach. If you are somehow not aware of where these places are, check out www.marshandbayou.com for the latest maps and fishing reports.

Today either you got kayak or you want kayak. Being in the kayak business full time affords me continuous inquires from people with questions. Surprisingly many of the people who call me for information are retired, don’t want a big boat, and are considering a kayak. While many may think it’s just for the young, I’m finding that there is no age slot into which a kayaker must fall. They just want to enjoy fishing without all the hassle of owning and maintaining a standard boat. After getting off the phone with Brendan Bayard, one of the founding fathers of Louisiana kayak fishing, I can tell you that the sport has taken off with membership in the Bayou Coast Kayak Fishing Club expanding rapidly. Brendan updated me on all the clubs upcoming events, that I’ll get to a little later down the page, and told me that the Club members are continuously introducing new people to the sport through their forum. If you have just bought a kayak and are thinking of taking the dive and buying one then please check the club out at www.bckfc.org the group hosts fishing events and will put you in contact with many others who have just discovered the sport.

Kayak fishing has been great here in Grand Isle. Many kayakers have been hitting the beaches of Grand Isle and Elmer’s Island. The trout are still in the surf and daylight is the time to hit them. Plastic on a jig head, plastic under a cork, shrimp under a cork and yes, croakers have been producing. The weather has been great up till this little hurricane called Dolly, but I think thing will settle down before the Tarpon Rodeo. I have been running my bay boat down the beaches to the east of Grand Isle and have had a great time on these mother ship trips.

Last week on one of these trips I found myself anchored up near the mouth of Four Bayous and the weather was perfect, water was clear and my clients were having fun. I jumped over the side of the skiff and pulled it up on the deserted beach. I offloaded three kayaks and the essential paraphernalia, then prepared to introduce two new people to the sport.

After we discussed each person’s fishing experience, I picked the person that seems most comfortable with the adventure and had the most tested fishing skills and launched him with directions to paddle into a promising little oyster creek. I supplied him with a bait bucket filled with Cocahoe minnows and demonstrated how to put one on the hook. No sooner had he cast into the creek - Bam! Before I could launch the next kayak fisherman he was back with a nice twenty inch red. I put the fish in the ice chest on the boat and off he went again on a mission for more.

Next, I launched his dad who was seventy seven years young and suggested he try fishing near the boat to make sure he was ok. He paddled about forty yards from the boat and began drowning a minnow near the grass as instructed. About that time, a racket erupted from the interior of the island. Seems the kayak heading up the creek had disrupted a band of coyotes. The coyotes began to yip and holler. For a moment I was worried that they might cause my client harm. I laughed later when the guy asked me what was making all that noise. He thought the noise was from a boat load of drunks anchored in the gulf. On my next trip here, I walked the beach and found it littered with tracks. I’m not sure how the band of coyotes gets any fresh water or how they made it to this desolate barrier island after Katrina. Anyway, that trip ended up with seven reds, a half dozen trout and two flounder. The older gentleman never paddled more that seventy five yards from the boat and caught four keeper reds and both flounder.

If you have access to a bay boat, consider that it should become a mother ship and strike out on an adventure on your own. The access the boat provides is almost unlimited and most bay boats will hold two to four kayaks. As the number of kayakers increase you will find it necessary to “get away from the crowds” and spread your wings.

Kayak tournament action will again hosted by Bayou Coast Kayak Fishing Club. This one is called the PAC Attack. Fishing will take place at Pointe Aux Chenes on August 2. The heaviest stringer of slot reds will win! Details are on their website www.bckfc.org. These club tournaments are great fun and to prove that, a cash prize will be given to the lightest stringer. The “weakest link” award will receive five percent of the payout. Entry fees are twenty dollars for members and twenty-five dollars for non members. Looking ahead – make plans to fish one of the Club’s signature tournaments: “Fall n Tide” on October 4^th at the Delta Marina in Venice. Again, all the details are on the club’s website.

Remember: keep hydrated, don’t burn and watch out for lighting. Kayak fishing in the summer is great fun with the warm water and the schools of trout, but also keep your eyes peeled for motorboats and make sure they see you. I recommend brightly colored paddles. Most of all – have a blast and bring a friend!

In that famous movie, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Jack Nicholson took a bunch of guys from a psycho ward on a fishing trip and, if my memory is correct, everyone ultimately had a great time. I kinda felt like Jack yesterday. My party was young, happy, a little cuckoo from too much beer the night before, but all smiles - and they had me laughing before daylight. Having all just graduated from college, I’m sure they felt like they had finally been let out of the nut house and this was their summer for adventure before real world jobs or graduate school had them “locked up” again.

This group of four first time kayakers met me at Bridgeside Marina at five thirty. They were all smiles as they climbed on board. They quickly began discussing “the bet” and, I’ll have to admit, I felt as if we should have been at a golf course and not heading east from Grand Isle for a day of “Mothership” kayak fishing. “Mothership” is a term used to describe loading a few kayaks into a larger transport boat and heading off on a fishing trip that would otherwise be unreachable because of the distance required to paddle. My Carolina Skiff works perfectly for this. Four kayaks fit snuggly between the gunnels and center console, two on each side. With a mothership, a little creativity and an adventurous spirit, you can kayak almost anywhere.

To my amazement the bet was not a lot of money as these young men were fresh out of LSU. It became a team event. Two on two and the winner would be the team catching the most fish. The prize would be a po-boy on the way home. The size and amount of toppings would be unlimited. I applauded their ingenuity and I agreed to be the official weighmaster.

With four novice kayakers on board a Carolina Skiff loaded to the gills with yaks and ancillary gear, we slid down the back of Grand Isle headed first for the island of Grand Terre. Daylight had broken and the horizon showed no signs of early thunderstorm developments, in fact the weather looked great. The wind was barely blowing and the water was that awesome color of green, the kind of water you know holds catchable fish.

Game on! The four kayaks headed out onto the sand flats behind Grand Terre. The guys tossed out plastic under a cork and the school trout began pounding the “opening night” touts. I sat back and realized that kayak fishing appeals to so many people for a variety of reasons, from fishing to communing with nature, to just relaxing.

Each of these fishermen headed off on his own accord. Some fished slowly, others headed straight for points and cuts that were sure to hold fish. The kayaks afford a person a chance to follow his or her own game plan, to fish the places you want to fish, in the way that you want, and at your own pace. The fact that we were “mothershipping” put us in a completely different state of mind. They did not have to worry about where they going or how to get back because the Carolina Skiff was there to pick them up where ever they ended up. I dropped them off on a down wind float on the back of Grand Terre and then picked them up a hour and a half later.

We loaded up the skiff, deposited the keeper trout in the ice chest and headed down the coast to Four Bayous where we changed over to minnows under a cork. This time the target was redfish and it sure didn’t take long for a “Cajun Sleighride” to happen. The water was low and the guys could see the reds in the shallow canals with their backs out of the water. There was lot of hooting and hollering each time one of them hooked up a nice red.

The day was beautiful, clear blue skies and just a hint of wind. We were fishing a remote piece of coast that is truly spectacular. It would be hard to put into words the serenity of kayak fishing on this jewel of coastline. We all witnessed a pod of dolphins making their way across a shallow flat and did not see another boat for several hours. These uninhabited barrier islands east of Grand Isle provide kayakers with an experience that you can’t find anywhere else. The shallow bays and cuts in these islands are typically too shallow for most bay boats, so a kayaker has these little pieces of fishing paradise all to himself, so long as he has the mothership to get him there.

Our day ended with a winner and a looser, but the looser of the bet confided in me that he didn’t really care about the bet anymore - he was going to go home and buy a kayak. In my book, that meant everyone felt like a winner. I told him that he would love the sport and that I’ve never been disappointed in a paddle trip since my first experience. Like everyone, I’ve had trips that have been non-productive from a fishing stand point, but I have always enjoyed the kayak experience.

Summer is upon us and now it the time of year to make full use of your kayak. Water temperatures are in the eighties and it is so relaxing to let your feet hang over the side. Plan a trip today and if you are up to the challenge throw the kayaks in a bay boat and head out. The trip is just like a road trip, but the options are unlimited. Louisiana has hundreds of miles of deserted beaches and bays and many have miles of shallow flats that are seldom if ever fished. So, go get some “mothership” action.

The Bayou Coast Kayak Fishing Club’s next big fishing tournament, “Fall n Tide,” will be in Venice on October 4th. This is one of the major kayak fishing events of the year and I urge you to mark your calendars and visit their website at www.bckfc.org for more information and join, if you have not already. Kayaking is an emerging sport and being a part of this organization will provide new kayakers with a pipeline of valuable information on fishing, events, new ideas, new friends and fishing buddies. This year Hobie is donating one of their Revolution kayaks for the fisherman who catches the redfish with the most spots at the “Fall n Tide” event. Each year, the Club and its members come up with other events to encourage its members to get out on the water. Check out their website for all the latest info on other events, such as the “PAC Attach” at Pointe-aux-Chene on August 2nd and a possible fly fishing tournament in the works for later in August. Please get involved and have some fun.

A Wish to Fish for Speckled Trout

Summer is upon us. Let’s get ready to kayak in warm waters and enjoy lots of summer action. I’m happy to report that the waters around Grand Isle are blanketed with trout. I’ve had some fantastic action on top water lures like the Zara Spook Jr. and lots of trout taking plastic on jig heads. Catching big trout on live croakers is also happening on the beach. Stop at Bridgeside Marina and grab about twenty croakers for your live well, make sure your aerator is working. Rig the croakers by hooking them in the back near the dorsal fin, use a twenty pound leader, swivel and a 1/8 ounce slip sinker. This big sow trout are very reachable from the beach as they are currently dropping their eggs in the deep trough between the first and second sand bars. Cross the bridge onto Grand Isle, launch at the first beach access and fish your way down the beach toward the rock jetty at the western tip of the island. The trout are often willing to grab that croaker, but usually the “take of the bait” will be preceded by a strike designed to kill the croaker. Don’t try to set the hook too soon. Be patient and wait for the big trout to inhale the bait before setting the hook. Croakers are hard to keep alive for extended periods of time so change your water out often.

Let’s keep talking speckled trout. Get out of bed and get on the road early as trout magically turn on shortly after daylight. Nothing beats being in the right place with the right bait as the sun climbs out of the Gulf and you are in position to catch a limit of trout. Light winds resulting in clean water are becoming the norm and with it lots of action starting at daylight.

Kayak fishermen can stalk the beach much like the marsh. Start early and use your eyes to look for shrimp jumping out the water or birds working. “The bite” may only last for twenty minutes to an hour. During that time I love to fish top water. Caution should be exercised when landing fish on treble hooked lures. Don’t under any circumstance boat a fish that is hooked, only bad things can happen when an unsecured fish is flopping between your legs with two are three exposed hooks flying around. Secure the fish outside the boat to keep those hooks from ending up in your flesh.

If “the bite” is really frenzied, then get with the program! Don’t waste time putting fish on a stringer. I hate to see that valuable time window shortened by broken line, backlashes and hesitation. Once you make a cast, get a strike and land the fish just deposit him in the bottom of the kayak and repeat the process. As the school moves away clean up, put fish on the stringer or in the ice chest and quickly try to make contact with the school again.

Make sure to stick a measuring tape on the floor of your yak so you can effortlessly check your trout. I like to make sure they are twelve plus inches. Try and keep fish that are clearly over twelve inches and not on the line, that keeps it from being a problem if you are checked. Don’t forget to wear your life jacket when fishing the beach as the water is a lot deeper than the muddy old marsh. You will need will need to change over from your stab anchor to something more suitable like an eight pound mushroom anchor . Twenty feet of anchor rope will be enough to hold even near the passes. If anchoring near an area with a lot of current be careful and make sure the anchor you have deployed has a good bite. Just more wasted time during “the bite” if you have to reset the anchor.

Now that we’ve covered fishing trout on the beach let’s talk about the STAR Tournament. This annual fishing event is hosted by CCA to raise money. CCA now recognizes the growing ranks of kayak fishermen and has opened the tournament up to us with a special new category. This year you will be able to fish in the “paddle craft” division. The combined weight of a trout and a flounder caught on the same stringer will be weighted and the combined weight will decide the winner.

Entering this summer long event is something I highly recommend for all kayakers as it lets CCA know how many paddlers are out here and let’s CCA know we want to be represented in all their legislative endeavors. I’d really like to be part of a group of people who are dedicated to preserving our fishery and hopefully taking a stand on the growing number of posted property signs and fences that block entry to the tidal waters of our state from state owned highways and the Gulf. To learn more about the STAR Tournament’s paddle craft division visit www.marshandbayou.com and click on the “Join CCA” Redfish for more information. If you need more information on kayak fishing or are looking for some friends to fish with, check out the Bayou Coast Kayak Fishing Club at www.bckfc.org.

Calmwater Charters hosted “Wish to Fish” this month. “Wish to Fish” is a non-profit program supported by Wildlife and Fisheries that introduces children to fishing, teaches them fish identification and fish biology. We had ten girl scouts from Metairie visit our camp with their sponsors and we took them for their first time trip fishing in kayaks. The girls had a blast and caught small specks, white trout, flounder, and a few rat reds. They learned how to trawl for bait, throw and cast net, bait their own hooks, and identify, measure and tag fish the fish they caught. It made me realize that when I slide my kayak in the water to go fishing that wonderful feeling of being a kid still exists in me, just like when my cousin Bob look me fishing for the first time. I think the “Wish to Fish” program gave me more happiness than I ever expected and made me realize that fishing is really good therapy. Wish to Fish gives kids a chance to learn to fish, with an emphasis on the importance of conservation and exploration. Fishing should be shared and handed down to the next generation. So don’t ever pass up a chance to take someone fishing. If you have a group of kids you think would benefit from Wish to Fish Louisiana or would like to support or sponsor an event, contact the LDWF coordinator, Danica Bailey, at 504-628-7282 or wishtofishla@yahoo.com. Danica and her group of volunteers from LDWF, CCA, BTNEP and RFRI are always looking for more sponsors (both financial and in kind) to expand the number of events that they can host each year. You can watch footage from the Wish to Fish event hosted by Calmwater Charters on the TV shows, Paradise Louisiana and Big Fish – check your local listings for stations and times. You can read more about The Wish to Fish event at http://www.paradiselouisiana.com/Default/Articles/Entries/2008/6/3_Wish_2_Fish_2008.html

June is the start to a great summer of fishing. So load up your kayak and fishing gear, get your sun screen and something cold to drink and hit the road headed for warm salt water and big fish on the beaches. Remember to be careful and have lots of good old fun, like when you were a kid.

If it’s trout you are looking for, be prepared for “speck”tacular results. Forget about waders, forget about stinging fingers, and forget about getting back in the truck and turning on the heater. Summer is right around the corner.

Living on Grand Isle is awesome. The bird watching festival was great and hundreds of bird watchers helped mark the “fall out” that occurs when the finch and warblers land after crossing the Gulf of Mexico. It still amazes me to think those little birds can fly that far without a break. The warmer temperatures have the shrimp filling the bay and the speckled trout and birds are hard at work making a wonderful display nearly every day. The trout are nice sized and popping corks with live shrimp and plastic are working nicely to bring in a full stringer. The names of the plastic baits continue to amuse me. This year the hot color is “chicken on a chain” a departure from last year’s special variety “electric chicken.” Who comes up with these names? If you are going to be fishing Grand Isle or Fourchon, Bridgeside Marina has live shrimp available seven days a week.

What does this all mean if you are a kayaker? Be happy! Put the waders up and let your feet hang over the side. This is the perfect month to take off and go fishing on the coast. If all you have done with your kayak is paddle in the marsh, now is the time to think about fishing the bays and coast. Before committing to the trip check the weather and make sure the winds are light. I’ve noticed that a lot of people consult the wrong source for this information. The Costal Marine forecast has the correct information. Go to the National Weather Service website: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lix/html/marine.htm and click on the Coastal Waters link then scroll to mouth of the Atchafalaya to the mouth of the Mississippi, out twenty miles. This will give you the true costal winds with are usually ten miles per hour more than the inland reports. You can also go to the weather channel’s website, and search the near shore forecasts for the area your area: http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/boatandbeach/nearshoreforecast/USLA0194?zoneId=GMZ550

Another must when fishing for trout is clean water. What you need is fifteen inches of visibility at a minimum. Don’t pull your kayaks off the racks if the water doesn’t have that much visibility. Check a few spots and pick the one with cleanest water.

If you are going to use live shrimp, check your aerator as live shrimp need an aerator to survive. Unlike minnows, live shrimp can’t make it in an unassisted bait bucket. Bringing along spare batteries is a good idea. If you have a cast net, bring it with you as finger mullet also work well when fishing for trout. If you have access to a pier with lights there is a good chance that you can catch your shrimp at night under the lights.

I have had the pleasure to fish with several excellent flyfishermen from all over the map in the last few weeks. Utah seems to produce quite a few anglers that have mastered the fly cast and love to travel to fight our gulf coast redfish. I was fortunate to guide such a gentleman, Kelly, this past week. As we left the dock in Grand Isle and headed north for the marsh, I prayed the reds would cooperate. As we approached one of my honey holes, I knew that God had heard me that morning. As I eased into the small pond I could see the back and fin of one and then another and another sizable reds working together to push shrimp along the far bank. I told Kelly to tie on a shrimp pattern that Alec Griffin, from the Uptown Angler in New Orleans, had supplied us with and get ready to cast as we got in range. I looked at Kelly and saw him start to shake a little– like I do when I see the first big buck of the season. If I get buck fever, Kelly was getting bull fever. He started to false cast to the side, away from the fish so as not to spook them, but all jitters were gone as he focused, found his zone and shot the line forward toward the tailing reds. One took off right creating a torpedo-like wake, but the others did not spook. In fact, they got down right greedy. As Kelly stripped his line the second time, an all out melee ensued as at least two of the reds both went after the fly. Kelly expertly paused for just a moment then, feeling the bite, he set the hook and the fight was on. Pulling the red from the pack, Kelly gained some line on him, but lost more as the red ran straight back for cover. Kelly let him run then steered the head of the red away from the bank to be sure he would get the line tangled in the weeds. This game of cat and mouse, running and gaining back line, went on for about five minutes until the red finally succumbed to the angler. Kelly’s buddy, Tator, gets credit for the assist with the net to land the red. That big Utah smile never left his face as he handled the fish and posed for a few pictures, enjoying the moment. I knew there would be quite a few more that day as I noticed Kelly’s focus turn to another wake in the opposite corner of the pond.

Kayaks are selling at a record pace in Louisiana. If you have just purchased one, think about joining the Bayou Coast Kayak Fishing Club. Reach them on the internet at www.bckfc.org . This group is happy to help a novice kayak fisherman. Post a message on the website on their forum about when and where you are planning a fishing trip, they will have plenty of advice for you and you may pick up a fishing partner too. The Club also sponsors a lot of nice events that allow for meeting others and compete for fun. Several times a year they get serious about fishing competitively, but the club always maintains its friendly flavor. Last month the club held an event in Big Lake below Lake Charles.

After a hard day kayak fishing yesterday I decided to drink a pot of coffee and try to share my inspirational thoughts on kayak fishing with you. Somehow writing this article might be the easiest part of my fishing experience during March.

Wind, Wind and more wind battered the marshes last month and when the wind took a day off…gnats, gnats and a million more gnats wrecked the sanity of many a fisherman. I fished the marsh regardless of the conditions and kept a tube of Amber Romance lotion within reach as protection against the knats. Amber Romance is available at Victoria’s Secret and does a great job at separating the angler from the gnats, if only by a few inches. As a passing thought, would it be against the Geneva Convention rules of interrogation to place enemy forces in the Louisiana marsh. Splash a little fish slime on them, wait for the gnats to descend and ask them for information? I think the debate over water boarding might be over if they used our all natural gnat attack method.

If you own a kayak or are preparing to buy a kayak good news is on the horizon. First and most importantly, spring is starting to stir in the ingredients that make the month of April taste a lot better than the goulash we survived on in March.

The longer days and warmer air have water temperatures on the rise and set in motion the wonderful transformation from winter to spring. Water temperatures moved up about seven degrees from a few weeks ago. A few weeks ago, as I attempted to put left over Cocahoe minnows back in my floating shrimp basket, I lifted to the surface a hundred or more tiny brown shrimp. Last week I noticed that they were significantly bigger. A growing shrimp hatch is a sure sign the trout will begin to transition into the open bays.

The advent of warmer weather and more stable weather makes it time to think past the mud of the marsh and move into the fertile bays and barrier islands. This time of the year I start to reminisce about my first kayak fishing trip to Grand Isle, more than 5 years ago. I had just purchased two fishing kayaks and set off to have fun and see what my new kayaks could handle. A friend and I pulled out of Baton Rouge about four am and headed south. We launched behind Grand Isle and drifted the marsh flats behind the island. After about an hour, we had three trout each and decided to make a move to the beach. The surf was flat and the wind was light. Being late spring and a bit chilly, the beach was deserted. We paddled out off the rock piles and began bouncing plastic off the bottom. Bam…bam…bam! We were in a school of keeper trout and for the next hour we learned how to flip trout into a yak. We laughed and had a blast. Trout slime lined the inside of the yak and occasionally we stopped to put fish on a stringer and take a count. As we neared our limits the bite was ending and what a great day we were having when a school of monster bull reds appeared. The twenty five pound fish paid no attention to our silent kayaks. We watched them taking in small crabs that floated in the gentle tide. I frantically reached for my tackle box. On a small rod and reel with ten pound test line I put on a small Rapala and cast it into the heart of the moving, orange mass. Instantly, I was hooked up and my first Cajun Sleigh ride was underway. After being towed about four hundred yards, the line broke. But it didn’t matter, the adrenaline rush had consumed me and I was hooked on kayak fishing forever.

I’ve been blessed with more incredible fishing opportunities since that first trip and hope that more people learn this unique and exciting fishing method. There is no way to really describe all the variations that these boats add to the sport of fishing. As March fades into April, waders will give way to shorts, fishing trips in the bays and on beaches will gradually replace marsh trips, and the trout will start to fill our stringers in greater numbers than redfish, you should consider being part of the kayak fishing sport.

The kayak community is growing each week as more and more kayaks are sold to the public. This sport is growing by leaps and bounds. Louisiana is rapidly becoming a “kayak destination” because of our bountiful fisheries. If you are interested in buying a kayak and joining the fun please visit my friends at www.bckfc.org they are the driving force in organizing the sport.

March Madness was not isolated to basketball. March 15^th marked the fifth annual Bayou Coast Kayak Fishing Club’s premier fishing event, PaddlePalooza V. All had fun fishing the Hwy 1 corridor. The event serves as a reference point on the growth of the sport in Louisiana as it again the event grew in size. Most importantly, the event helps bring attention to the sport and rewards the fishermen that participated with lots of nice prizes and great camaraderie.

The Saturday night weigh-in and awards dinner was hosted at Boudreaux’s in Leeville and attended by almost one hundred people, including many out of state fishermen who now participate on a regular basis. Food and drinks were provided by the club and this year prizes were fantastic. In total 69 anglers participated, 46 of which turned in a fish to be weighed. There were 3 Cajun Slams, 1 Trash Slam and lots of people who were tired of the wind blowing! Congratulations to all the winners listed below. I look forward to seeing you next year at PPVI!

Great kayak tourney and “extreme kayak fishing” on the Horizon

March 1, 2008

Don’t wait any longer for winter to be over; it’s time to spring ahead. I know that many of you are diehard fishermen and have fished all winter, but for those who haven’t, dust off your rods and re-spool your reels.

If you have been thinking of buying a kayak go ahead and make the purchase and get geared up. The boys at the Bayou Coast Kayak Fishing Club will be happy to welcome you to the sport and get you started. Visit the forum on their website for all the information and advice you need.

On the top of my list this month was covering the Minimalist Challenge, a kayak tourney hosted by the BCKFC. A full field of twenty-five kayak angler’s hit the water at 5:30 am. from Bessons Marina in Galliano. The anglers were pitted against each other as in most fishing tournaments, but the Minimalist Challenge was delightfully different when it came down to tackle. The acronym KISS (keep it simple stupid) would be applicable. The tournament provided the only tackle the anglers could use for the day: two jig heads, two pieces of plastic, top water bait and a stringer. The tackle was donated by Texas Tackle Factory and the colors of plastic lures, Liquid Shrimp and Texas Roach, sounded tasty. The challenge was to load as many legal fish on your stringer and be back at the Launch for noon to weigh-in. Winner take all. What a better way to determine the best fisherman on this given day. Same tackle, same water, same type of boat, the only difference would be skill and strategy.

My wife and I headed “up the bayou” to Bessons Saturday morning and arrived at the weigh in just in time to share the stories and snap a few photos. Spirits were high and everyone had a great time. I met newcomers to the club and talked with many of my “ole timer” buddies. It would be fitting to comment that this club has been around for five years now and has officially grown to the point where the term “ole timers” applies.

The top three stringers were:

1^st Place: David Rogers……..23.10 lbs. Winning $150.

2^nd Place: Roy Pendergraft..15.10 lbs.

3^rd Place: Mel Landry………..13.6 lbs

I got to tell you, I like this format. I followed the event from its conception and monitored the thread on the club website www.bckfc.org . For those hardcore young guys that slept in their vehicles on the Wal-Mart parking lot in their vehicles I applaud your tenacity. To the seven die hards who paddled all the way to the Sulphur Mine I say “You da Man!” That paddle must have been a test of strength and persistence as pre frontal winds blew hard all day making the trip back to the landing quite a long haul. Water conditions were great and the water temperatures have steadily been on the rise. Given the limited tackle, I was impressed with the stringers. Only two contestants got skunked (names withheld to protect the innocent).

Rumor is that the next event in the Minimalist Challenge will be the “my best bait vs. your best bait”. Fishermen will be able to use only their top lure. The BCKFC is breaking ground with creative, fun formats well suited to kayak fishing. Talk has also begun on hosting a Bull Red Event down at Grand Isle’s famous Caminada Pass. This event will allow for some “extreme kayak fishing” at the end of the summer when twenty to thirty pound reds are in the pass.

BCKFC’s flagship event will be March 15^th. Paddlepalooza V will sport lots of prizes and food. The tournament will be an open field and is always a lot of fun for the whole family. There is always a youth division with prizes for the kids. If you are interested in registering for the tournament or want more information, contact the club via the website www.bckfc.org. Last year sixty five fishermen participated and this year we expect it to grow again. The event is hosted from Leeville, La. at Boudreaux’s Resort. Fishing along the Hwy. 1 corridor should be great this time of year.

I do not hesitate in reminding the kayak fishing community that although we think of our kayaks as shallow water dream machine, the Eskimo inventors of this craft used it in the cold deep waters of the Arctic. The warm deep waters of the Gulf will be the next frontier for these amazing boats. As the weather patterns settle down from winter’s weekly frontal passages and the warmth of spring begins to bathe the coast, I’ll go on record as predicting that rigs and offshore wrecks will be the new focus of a daring few. I don’t think it is a stretch of the imagination to see yaks on the rips trolling for Mai Mai or pulling Amberjacks off wreck sites. This is the next great frontier for Louisiana kayak fishermen wanting an “extreme adventure”.

I had the pleasure of fishing a charter with a young man from California. At home, he fishes his kayak off the beach near San Diego for yellow tail and sea bass. This day, he was chartering my services in hopes of catching his first redfish. He could not believe the fishery and was successful limiting out two days in a row. On the second day, as we were driving back onto Grand Isle, we saw two boats anchored in the pass. Both boats had big fish on and I pulled to a stop on the bridge as no cars were in sight. One of the boats pulled a twenty pound bull red over the side as we watched. The Californian looked at me and said, “Man I want to catch a bull red.” We had to do it.

We went to the camp and reloaded a couple large bait casters with braid, stopped at Bridgeside and bought the ten biggest minnows they had and paddled out in the pass. The tide was slowly coming in as we paddled down the inside of the bridge pilings near the anchored boats. We trolled the minnows on the bottom and went fishless for about an hour. The anchored boat hooked up about three times during the hour on reds and drum. Finally, I paddled over and asked if they could possibly give me enough bait for a fish or two.

Wicked Winter Weather

January 31, 2008
Well it’s time to write the next captain's log and all I can think of is the weather. The last few weeks on Grand Isle have been awesome. Mother Nature has flexed her muscle and, without a question as to whether it’s fair or not, she has taken hold of the landscape. The wind has blown at least two times in excess of 40 miles per hour for twelve hours or better. The water temperatures have plunged to the 48 degree range and the pelicans and gulls are hungry. I know because they have become beggars and don’t think twice about hanging around the piers to fight over redfish hulls.

Well it’s time to write the next captain's log and all I can think of is the weather. The last few weeks on Grand Isle have been awesome. Mother Nature has flexed her muscle and, without a question as to whether it’s fair or not, she has taken hold of the landscape. The wind has blown at least two times in excess of 40 miles per hour for twelve hours or better. The water temperatures have plunged to the 48 degree range and the pelicans and gulls are hungry. I know because they have become beggars and don’t think twice about hanging around the piers to fight over redfish hulls.

When it comes to fishing around Grand Isle, one must be comfortable with working in the wind. Only on the rarest of occasions does the wind let up for a full day. So if you are preparing to kayak fish, plan you trip with the wind in mind. Paddle down wind, if possible, and be careful if crossing open waters. Next, plan to keep dry by wearing waders and making sure you have a slicker suit. When dressing for the weather, remember the W’s: Wicking, Warmth and Wind/Water. Layer a wicking layer closest to your skin, then a layer that adds warmth, then a wind/water proof layer to keep dry. Finally, head protection will help keep that cold from taking its toll and neoprene gloves will keep your hands warm as you paddle. Plug in your cell phone and make sure your cell phone battery is charged and also let someone know your plans and when you expect to be home.

Pushing away from the bank in your kayak this time of the year requires more planning and care as getting wet is not an option. Be safe not sorry.

The number of people who are fishing this time of the year really drops off. So, in simple terms, the fishing gets easier. If you can locate the fish they are usually there in large numbers. Find the deeper holes, usually in the eight to fifteen foot range, and try minnows or plastic. Fish slowly and try and “feel” for the bite as fish are often tentative. It’s not uncommon to miss the first few fish because you didn’t feel the bite.

Yesterday I caught a limit of redfish in only a few minutes. However, I took two hours finding them. I drifted right over the fish and was shocked to find them holding on a shelf near a drop off, but not directly over the deeper hole. They were staged in about four feet of water and each time I bounced the plastic up the shelf they nailed it. I must have released ten reds that were undersized before ending up with five nice slot reds. We are having them for dinner tonight.

Another tip for finding reds this time of year: study a map or Google Earth and look for old natural creeks or sloughs. The creeks that transverse the marsh often carry a substantial amount of tidal flow and provide a noticeable channel often visible on the “satellite view”. These creeks often link many acres of ponds. When the north wind drains these ponds, the resident reds simply move into the creek channels. When fishing these creeks, stealth needs to play an important part in strategy. Fish can feel the force of your kayak moving up these narrow waterways. Proceed slowly and try to put the kayak on hard bottom when stopping to make casts ahead of you. Another technique is to get out of your boat and “walk the grass” to a point where several producing casts can be made to the deeper holes in the creek. Plant your paddle vertically in the marsh before leaving your boat. This will mark the location of your boat and make it easy to find if you get carried away catching fish. Low tide will make this technique a sure producer, but plan for a few extra minutes for cleaning up the mess it will make of your yak. All those redfish are well worth the extra effort.

The chatter on the Bayou Coast Kayak Fishing web site is exciting. The minimalist challenge is rescheduled for February sixteenth at the Besson launch. That is the launch near the “Wal-Mart” in Galliano. The field will all use the same tackle supplied by the tournament organizers and it could only be described as minimalistic. Each contestant will get two jig heads and two types of plastic. In addition to the plastic, a top water stick bait and, finally, a stringer will be provided. Fill the stringer with as many legal fish as you can and make it back for weigh in. Heaviest stringer wins it all. For availability check their website at www.bckfc.org. I’ll be covering the event and providing a few pictures. Check back next month for all the tournament results.

The Bayou Coast Kayak Fishing Club’s flagship tourney, Paddle Palooza, has been scheduled for March fifteenth. Paddle Palooza V will be bigger and better. The club is lining up sponsors and gathering lots of nice prizes for the event. “P5”, as the club refers to it, will be held in the Fourchon area with lodging and the pre-tourney supper hosted at Boudreaux’s in Leeville. Rumor has it that custom rods are being donated for prizes in the event. The club anticipates that the event will attract a record number of participants, both locals and fishermen from our neighboring states.

Since Louisiana’s costal marshes account for 48% of our nation’s total, it’s no wonder we have the best fishery in the country. The sport of kayaking and those of us who understand the importance of this estuary system need to do everything in our power to preserve its resources. Make no mistake, kayaking is exploding. This is no longer a small sport for a crazy few. It’s a sport that has broad appeal. Kayaking can take you places where only a few have gone and let you experience the feeling of freedom and adventure you can only get when exploring a watery environment with only your own power, wits, a small boat and a paddle. Have fun on the waters of our state, and in this cold weather take all the necessary precaution when exploring and enjoying the outdoors.

Holiday Gumbo

Well it’s that time of the year again. Thanksgiving and Christmas have been twisted into one lengthy stretch of time with lots of opportunity to fish and give or get fishing gifts. I’d like to make a little gumbo in this article by starting with a fishing report…adding a few holiday gift ideas and throwing in a few thanks to the friends that have helped shape the year.

Let’s begin by announcing that The Bayou Coast Kayak Fishing Club has served up another tournament venue this winter. The Minimalist Fishing Tourney is being re-scheduled - see their website (www.bckfc.org) for details on the new date. It will be held at the Golden Meadow Public Launch. A full field of twenty five will stage their boats at five am and then paddle/ fish till the weigh in at noon. Why is it called the Minimalist Challenge? Each contestant will be given two jig heads and two Texas Tackle Factory plastics. These lures are not sold locally so the fishermen will have not seen or fished the particular plastics. In addition, a pink top water stick bait and a stringer will be supplied and you have it – that’s all you can use to fish. At noon, any legal speck, red (under 27”) or flounder will be weighed, stringer and all.

This creative, fun and challenging tournament is evidence of the growth in kayak fishing. I’m hoping to see more people “get off the fence” and take the plunge. Buy a kayak and don’t look back. I just want to encourage any new kayak owners to join in the fun, and register for the tournament by contacting the Bayou Coast guys at www.bckfc.org.

Next let’s talk fishing. Is it winter yet? Yep, I think so. Well, one day is eighty degrees, and the next will be in the fifties. I have noticed that the fish have become a little harder to catch and the birds that were working small shrimp have all but gone. Minnows are the live bait of choice and plastics under a cork are the artificial weapon of choice in the marsh. Hit the LA 1 roadside and look for reds along the marsh grass. When cleaning fish I often see what they have been dinning on. The small shrimp are still being eaten by the smaller reds. The bigger fish, those in the twenty four inch range are dining on big minnows and small crabs. The trout are in the deeper pits and usually on the bottom. Plastic on a jig head, bounced along the bottom usually makes them bite.

As the cold season begins it would also be a good idea to use your dry storage area. A spare set of dry clothing, lighter, towel and a few snacks might get you out of a “wet weather encounter.”

When making a kayaking trip this time of the year add a few items to your list. Waders are a great investment. I have a pair of lightweight waders for the warmer days and a pair of heavy neoprene for the cold days. If you need a great gift for a winter time kayaker buy him or her a pair of waders. I recommend a pair of chest waders with built in boots – best for navigating the Louisiana marsh mud. I have a little trick to share. Duct tape your pants legs prior to putting on your waders, this will keep them from getting out of position. Also, I suggest a foul weather suit. When you finally realize that the weather is going downhill fast, a good rain suit, be it gore tech or plastic, that keeps you dry as you paddle back to your truck or car is, as they say, “priceless.”

If you are going to get a loved one a kayak for Christmas ask yourself how many times a year it’s going to get used and then determine how much to spend. I really have to go on record as recommending a factory outfitted fishing “angler package” kayak from a reputable dealer. You get what you pay for when buying a boat.

Now, fitting the kayak under your Christmas tree may cause you some grief unless you have a tree that rivals the one in Rockefeller Center. Getting your kayak home to the tree may require the purchase of car racks. If a pickup truck is available to you, tie the kayak down in the back and head home. Don’t be a scrooge just because giving the gift of adventure may require a little more work, the gift is well worth the extra effort. Finding a kayak with your name on it Christmas Morning will make you feel like being a kid again. They are one hundred percent maintenance free, which makes ownership smooth sailing or more correctly smooth paddling.

I get a lot of questions about whether to buy a tandem or a single seat kayak. If you are going to fish from your kayak, a single is your best choice, unless you want to risk pulling a few wayward hooks out of you or your tandem fishing partner. If you are still debating this issue, consider the new 14.5 Native Water Craft Ultimate kayak. Their new seats are removable, creating a kayak that can be used as a tandem or a single – pretty slick! These are also the most comfortable kayak seats that I have sat on – and I log at lot of time in a kayak. You can check them out on the internet at www.nativewatercraft.net.

A great stocking stuffer is a year’s membership in the Bayou Coast Kayak Fishing Club. Annual dues are $25 per year for individual membership and $40 per year for family membership. You can get all the registration information on their website: www.bckfc.org. This group holds lot of great kayak fishing tournaments and events throughout the year.

My kayak charter service, Calmwater Charters, in Grand Isle also provides gift certificates, if you want to introduce a friend or family member to kayak fishing. Just give me a call and we can arrange to send you one in time for Christmas. Contact us at www.calmwatercharters.net.

I’d like to spend a little time giving thanks to the many people who have helped to grow the sport of kayak fishing. Thanks to the Grand Isle Tourism Commission for their help in nurturing the growth of the sport of kayak fishing and also helping the guides on Grand Isle market their businesses.

Next I would like to thank Marsh and Bayou for letting me contribute to their magazine. It has been a lot of fun to sit down and capture my thoughts and put them on paper. It’s also helped me get in touch with a few people I had lost touch with over the years because they read the column an contacted me via e-mail.

I would like to thank Bridge Side Marina. What a hard working group! I went over this afternoon to buy minnows for a charter on Thanksgiving Day thinking they would close down, but they will be open to serve the fishing public. If you are traveling down to the island and need live bait or supplies please let Bridge Side serve you.

I have been featured in many articles and publications, both local and nation this year. I owe a big thank you to the many journalists, photographers and videographers that have “put me on the map” this year: Tom Bie, Tosh Brown, Bob Marshall, John McCusker, Scott Owens, Al Rogers, Steve McNemar, Wendy Billiot and especially Chris Tiblier.

I’d like to thank my wife. Thanking her for dedicating her time and talents into our business Calmwater Charters. She has worked many hours and woven her wonderful spirit into every kayak charter we launch.

Finally, I would like to thank all of you for reading this article each month and those that have come to fish with me in Grand Isle.

Fall has arrived. No question about it. As I sit writing this month’s article, the north wind is delivering white caps to Caminada Bay and my jacket is now hanging on the wall near the door. Hot coffee on the stove has me warm on the inside and it won’t be long before I take out the chest waders and kiss the warm water goodbye. The good news is the fishing is great this time of year! The trout and birds are working shrimp in the bays and marsh, making the trout easy to find and catch. This is prime time kayak fishing season. As our kayaks drift down the marsh bank, we do not disturb the feeding activity. You can get in tight - all most on top of the fish – and make easy casts. In fact, the fish don’t know you are there, until they realize they are hooked! The trout I have been catching are of decent size.

We have also noticed packs of red fish pushing shrimp and minnows down the sides of the marsh grass. You might almost mistake them for a school of mullet – until you recognize their coppery red backs coming out of the water. Look for egrets standing on the bank. Watch and see if they slowly move down the bank. If so paddle over and toss anything in front of the reds who are feeding on shrimp. It’s an easy target in a kayak. I’ve also been catching a few flounder by bouncing plastic along the bottom near the marsh grass. Try fishing your kayak on the windy side of the ponds. Let the wind hold your boat against the grass and cast parallel to the bank. Advance your kayak by pushing off the grass and letting it come to rest back on the grass. This keeps you fishing in the strike zone. This month the fish will be moving into the closed marshes and you’ll find lots of action up the road in Leeville and Golden Meadow. Try fishing a black and chartreuse plastic or fish real minnows under a popping cork.

October offered kayakers a shot at competitive fishing. “What the heck is ‘Fall n Tide’”, you ask? It’s actually one of the premier kayak fishing tournaments of the year. The Bayou Coast Kayak Fishing Club hosts this annual tournament at Venice, LA each fall. Fall n Tide attracts a growing number of kayaker anglers each year and this year was no exception. On Saturday, October 13^th, a group of forty-five kayak anglers paddled out in the marsh around Venice to catch the “Cajun Slam.” The slam requires a speckled trout, redfish and a flounder of legal size be caught; for this feat an additional pound is added to the total weight of the creel. The heaviest creel wins top honors. Of the many participants in the tournament, thirty-one of these