LWF Commission to consider rollback of menhaden regs

Remember back when the commercial menhaden industry agreed to a "compromise" on harvest regulations in Louisiana? Well, if you forgot about it, you have a very short memory!

It was only a year ago, when threatened with implementation of a coastwide one-mile buffer zone, that the industry agreed to a compromise - one that heavily favored the pogey plunderers. The harvest buffer zone was extended from 1/4 mile to a measly 1/2 mile. 

Since then, an independent study has shown that the menhaden fishery results in the demise of 24,000 red drum each year, mostly spawning size fish. Not to mention millions of other game species. And yet, the dead bycatch total falls just within the LDWF acceptable standard. 

At last Thursday's Wildlife and Fisheries Commission meeting, the industry pleaded for a rollback to prior regulations. They didn’t just ask for a repeal, they put on a full-blown advertisement in south Louisiana newspapers stating their case, claiming that the fishery generates $419 million in economic output and supports over 2,000 jobs. Nevermind that saltwater recreational fishing in Louisiana is a $2.5 billion industry (as of 2021).

As a result, the Committee Chairman has asked LDWF to bring a Notice of Intent to the November 6th commission meeting.

Let's review why anglers and conservation groups were asking for more stringent regulations prior to the "compromise".

• Menhaden are the most important food source for redfish, speckled trout, jack crevalle, spanish mackerel and many other predatory species.
• Overharvesting of menhaden has been linked to poor condition of fish and decreased biomass of species, as well as displacement of sea birds and mammals.
• Studies show that harvest bycatch results in direct kills of over 24,000 redfish (mostly spawners), thousands of black drum, millions of white trout, and many other species each year.
• For these reasons, most coastal states have long banned commercial harvest within their waters, while the few states that allow it have established strict regulations – both zones and harvest allotments.

The American Saltwater Guides Association has posted a response on their website. We strongly encourage all of our followers to read it.  CLICK HERE.

In the meantime, CCA Louisiana, the FFI Gulf Coast Council, Louisiana Wildlife Federation, Louisiana Charter Boat Association and other groups are calling upon members and followers to contact Commission members and legislators and let them know this is unacceptable. What we need is more stringent harvest regulations – not less!

Review: Maxxon Gorge fly rod

Recently our local club was in need of getting new rods for our casting clinics and public events.  We had started with six 2-piece rods at one point, and were down to just 3 rods.  Equally important, the rods we had weren't ideal for storage, transportation, and they had a high swing weight (heavy in the tip).

It just so happens that Maxxon Outfitters was having a sale on their beginner-rated "Gorge" series rods.  I had met the guys at Maxxon at ICAST on three occasions, and tested their products.  Their Aerlius (moderate-fast) rods and Double-X (fast) rods are quite impressive for the money, so I figured their Gorge might be a best buy for our club.  The sale price was very attractive, so we purchased six 8-foot, 6-inch 5-weights, all four piece.

A week later, I received the rods and proceeded to test cast each one.  One broke near the tip, and immediately I put in a warranty claim and within a half-hour received a response.  A new tip was on the way.

Cortland 444 WF5F taper

I put one of the Gorge rods through my usual battery of tests:  20, 40, 60 foot accuracy, distance, and 90 degree change-of-direction cast.  As usual, I also used three different fly lines because - as we should all know by now -  a fly rod's performance often changes with different types of fly lines. The three 5-weight lines used were:  Cortland 444 WF5F,  Mastery GPX WF5F, and a new line from Maxxon, their Premium Freshwater WF5F.

Maxxon Premium WF5F taper

Price.  All important to the buyer working within a set budget.  Our current pricing division for fly rods goes as follows:

    Budget - up to $200
    Value - $200 - $400
    Midrange - $400 - $700
    Premium - $800 - $1200

At $149, the Gorge is clearly a Budget class rod. Competitors include the Allen Heritage, Redington Classic Trout, Orvis Encounter, Fenwick Aetos, Douglas ERA, Echo Carbon XL, Echo Lift.  As mentioned, it comes with a lifetime warranty to replace broken pieces.  The cost for a replacement section for the Gorge is only $35.

Appearance.  The rod comes with a cordura-covered PVC tube case. The rod is light in the hand, comparable to the Orvis Encounter and Redington Classic Trout in this category, with almost no swing weight.  The grip is fairly decent cork, not too small like some budget rods, and the all-aluminum reel seat has a locking ring that is above-average.  The blank is a bluish-green, a welcomed departure from the typical gray/black blanks of most budget rods.

Casting performance.  With all three lines, casting was excellent.  The action is moderate-fast, and so it handled the heavier GPX better than expected.  Still the best lines were the Cortland 444 and their own Premium line.  In fact, the Premium line hit over 80 feet consistently on the distance cast.  The 444 cast almost as far, but felt slightly better over shorter distances.  Either would be an excellent line for this rod.

Accuracy was excellent, about as good as any Budget rod I've ever tested.  As with all Budget category rods, the 90-degree test - while not bad - left something to be desired.  This is where Mid-Priced and Premium rods shine, so I wasn't expecting a miracle.

Conclusion.  This is an excellent budget rod.  Our club made a great choice, and hopefully our students will appreciate it. 

* Reminder:  to view any of the images above in full size, click on the image.

Registration continues for Round-Up! and The Gathering

4th annual Fly Fishing Round-Up!
Saturday, October 18, 2025
Millican Reserve, College Station, TX
10:00 am - 2:00pm
held in conjunction with Pumpkinpalooza
Cost: $20
www.goodfly.org

Hosted by the Aggieland Fly Fishers of College Station in conjunction with Good Fly, the Round-Up features fly tying demos, casting lessons, specialty casting presentations, vendors, kayak and paddleboard fishing on Lake Prescott and much more. And includes all activities for Pumpkinpalooza.

Evening Activities / VIP After Party
Conservancy at Millikin Preserve
2:00pm to 7:30pm
Tickets separate from Round-Up

This event includes a Casting Cup, Anglers + Ale Hour, followed by the VIP Party fundraiser with dinner and live auction to benefit Good Fly!

The Gathering
Sunday, October 19th
8:00am to 4:00pm
Millican Reserve, College Station, TX

Now in it's fourth year, The Gathering of Casting Instructors has been a popular event for instructors, guides, FFI Certified Instructor candidates and volunteers to spend a day sharpening their skills, or learning the specifics of becoming an FFI or Good Fly CI. 

There are two tracks: Continuing Education and Certification Track (FFI or Good Fly). The CE track is for seasoned instructors to focus on advanced casting and teaching skills.  The Certification track focuses on individual casting skills and standardized methods for demonstrating and teaching basic casts.

Registration for The Gathering is separate from the Round-Up and VIP Party, and spots are limited. Fee includes coffee, breakfast, and lunch.

For more info, go to www.goodfly.org .

Looking Through Water - a new fly fishing film

There are numerous films featuring outdoor sports, but fly fishing rules the roost!  Many of us know about "A River Runs Through It", the movie that catapulted Brad Pitt to stardom - and which ignited modern day interest in fly fishing. But there have been four films since then featuring a fly fishing theme, most notably the comedy-drama "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen" and "Mending the Line" which explored fly fishing as therapy for veterans.

Add one more to the list. Looking Through Water has just been released to theatres and features Micheal Douglas, Cameron Douglas (Mike's son), and David Morse. The story is adapted from a novel by Bob Rich, and explores the themes of forgiveness, healing, betrayal, and finding purpose. The plot involves a fly fishing tournament in Belize where Morse's character reconnects with his son, portrayed by Cameron Douglas.  The movie has a PG rating, so it should be appropriate for young viewers as well as adults.  

Where is it playing? Sadly, not in Louisiana. I checked all of the theatres and didn't find one. Don't be discouraged... Salmon Fishing also had no cinemas here that played it on release, but eventually it had very limited showings in Metairie, Alexandria, and Shreveport. And there's always Netflix and other streaming services once the theatrical run is over. 

Make plans now for Rendezvous

North Toledo Bend Rendezvous
Friday-Sunday, Oct. 31 - Nov. 2, 2025
North Toledo Bend State Park, Zwolle, LA

For those unfamiliar with Rendezvous, it began 36 years ago when members of two clubs met at North Toledo Bend State Park to camp and fish. The following year, the clubs decided to rent the group facility.  Since then, fly tiers and other fly fishing enthusiasts from across several states – along with their families – have gathered for a weekend of fly tying and fishing with only a minimal fee to cover lodging and meals. Some are members of clubs, some are not. Rendezvous is open to all!

There are no organized activities. Everyone is welcome to come fish, tie flies, watch some of the region's top tiers, or tie themselves. You can come for the day or the entire weekend. If you come as a family, the rate for the entire weekend for the whole family or individual is just $40 which includes lodging. For one night lodging, the fee is $20 and for day only the fee is $10.

The excellent facilities at North Toledo Bend State Park are ideal for a Fall weekend fly tying retreat. Activities take place at the park’s group facility, which features a commercial kitchen and dining hall, and lodging available for up to 150 people in 5 heated log bunkhouses (30 beds each). There’s also a heated central shower and restroom building with nice night lighting on all the sidewalks.

For complete details,  CLICK HERE .

Flies & Pies coming in two weeks!

2nd annual ALTO Fly Fishing Fair
Saturday, September 20, 2025
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
First Baptist Church of Natchitoches Gym
508 Second St., Natchitoches, LA
FREE admission

The ArkLaTexOma Fly Tiers group has only been organized for less than two years, yet they have evolved to be one of the most active in the state.  ALTO held their first ever "Flies & Pies" tying event last year, in conjunction with the Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival, and it was a big success.  This year, they return to a new location  just a couple blocks from the heart of the Meat Pie Festival - which is an attraction all to itself.

Along with some of the best fly tiers from across the region, the festival will have presentations including: Jerald Lewis on Fly Fishing for Bream, Burley Johnson on Creating Bass Poppers, and Mike Hawkins on Making Furled Leaders.  The new location has an outdoor casting area as well. So if you need a free casting lesson, or tune up, there will be two FFI Certified Casting Instructors on hand.

While this event is FREE to attend, the group will be taking up a Love Offering to present to First Baptist Church for the use of their facilities.

For more details, go to the ALTO website at www.arklatexomaflytyers.com .  Or check them out on their Facebook page (link)  

September - a month of transition

In three days is the start of a new month, and the start of a major transitional phase in our fisheries. A change that is highly anticipated for freshwater and marsh anglers alike.

Each year, as summer progresses into July and August, very warm water forces most freshwater species to go deep, feed lethargically, and mostly at night. In the marsh, larger redfish and speckled trout have mostly abandoned the shallow interior ponds for open bays where cooler water prevails. They too can be lethargic and have very limited feeding periods.

It's all about dissolved oxygen.   As the chart shows, warm water holds less of the gas than cool water. In deeper freshwater lakes, such as reservoirs and oxbows,  the pool of cool water found below the thermocline - known as the hypolimnion - loses it's oxygen content as summer goes on. This pool is isolated because cooler water is denser than warm water. By late August, it's practically a dead zone.

As Plank's Law states, a hot body (lake) will radiate heat to a cooler body (air).  In late August, the  average surface temperature of the lakes here in central Louisiana are around 89 degrees - about the maximum they reach each year. For every hour that the heat index (temperature + humidity) is greater than 89 degrees, surface water heats. And conversely, every hour less than 89 degrees, it cools.

You'd think that with early September daytime highs still in the 90s, that no cooling is taking place. Such is not the case. Since June 21st - the summer solstice - the days have been getting shorter and nights longer. And even though we won't reach the equinox until late next month, the cooling hours are already starting to exceed the heating hours because the warm mass (lake) has a greater thermal budget than the surrounding air.  

Here on Cotile,  I measure the water temperature each week at the recreation area dock by lowering the  transducer on my portable fishfinder down 3 feet.   Going with this transducer depth helps avoid any surface anomolies.  On August 20th, the temperature was 88.1 degrees.  This morning, it was 85.5 degrees.  That's a pretty significant decline in eight days!

As water temperatures begin to decline throughout the month, and oxygen levels rise, fish become far more active.  Here in central Louisiana, we see a big increase in redear sunfish moving to the shallows, and bass feeding on schools of shad, most notably on Toledo Bend.  After two consecutive nights of below 60 degrees, the crappie move into the shallows and along structure and submerged grass.

And then just as things are getting good, we hit a big pause late in September or early October.  This happens when we get a major front where the lows drop below 60 degrees for a few nights - and we get strong northerly breezes to accelerate the cooling. Turnover takes place - very low (or no) oxygen in the hypolimnion mixes with now denser surface water.  Across the entire water column there's a temporary drop in dissolved oxygen.  The result is a period of a few days to a week of poor fishing. After recovery begins can be the best fishing outside of early Spring - until the water gets cold (and by cold, I mean below 60 degrees).

The Coast

Cooler water triggers migration of larger redfish and trout to interior waters.  This begins in September, but this month we're faced with the problem of very high tides - the effect of summer-long glacial and ice cap melt in the Northern Hemisphere. I recall numerous times having to park my vehicle in flooded launches in Port Sulphur, Bayou Bienvenu, and Montegut. These high tides give plenty more spots for redfish, drum, and sheepshead to roam and hide.

September is prime time for bull reds in the passes and around the islands, and for pelagic species like jacks and mackeral. Cobia is still outstanding.  Sand trout are everywhere, and on average, two or three inches bigger than they were in June. This is also the best month for a shot at inside tarpon.

Sadly, there's still a ton of catfish, ladyfish and other annoying species to deal with. They'll be around for several more weeks.  And if you're older or have a lower immune system, the Vibrio bacteria still exists in high numbers and will continue as so until the water temperature dips below 75 degrees.  So if you fish the salt, be sure to bring anti-bacterial spray or lotion.

Registration for Rio Rumble now up

16th Annual Rio Grande Rumble
Saturday, October 4th, 2025
Start: 7:00am (first light for pre-registered)
End: 12:30pm (weigh-in)
Event site: No Wake Outfitters
1926 Airline Drive, Metairie, LA
$25 entry fee, includes lunch and refreshments

Hosted by the New Orleans Fly Fishers Club, the Rio Grande Rumble is the longest running freshwater fly fishing tournament on the Gulf Coast. Target species is the Rio Grande cichlid. This species is native of south Texas but has become widespread in extreme southeast Louisiana. For fly anglers, it’s an opportunity to put their skills up against a wary species that “fights like a wet cat”.

All entry fish must be caught on flies and fly tackle. Categories are “Longest Rio” and “Most Rios Caught”. Net proceeds from the tournament go to Casting For Recovery.

The rodeo is open to all fly anglers. Registration deadline is 8:00am on October 4th. Both onsite registration and weigh-in will be at No Wake Outfitters in Metairie. There will also be a Zoom seminar on fishing for the Rio Grande Cichlid. Date and time of the online seminar will be announced shortly.

For complete details, including tournament rules, and to register online, go to the NOFFC website at www.neworleansflyfishers.com.

 

August is here, and what that means

Spanish are active in the surf

1. The last full month of SweatFest ... the festival no one likes to celebrate. It's fairly common for us to have several days this month with heat index over 110. So stay hydrated and limit your time outdoors if possible. Also be aware that water temperatures are at their highest of the year, and several strains of aquatic bacteria are active. Especially on the coast where we've had 17 cases of vibrio in Louisiana so far in 2025.  So bring an antibacterial and treat any cuts or wounds immediately.

2. It's peak hurricane season - now through September.  NOAA has predicted an above-average season, with a range of 13 to 19 total named storms (winds 39 mph or higher), and anywhere from 3 to 5 major hurricanes.  So far, we've had only three named storms, but water temperatures in the Gulf are above average and that's never a good sign.

3. Fishing is generally poor.  Because of the hot water temperatures, freshwater fish are deep and lethargic.  Best success for bass is from first light to about 9:00am.  Most of the gobbules I catch this month are smaller and thinner than the ones back in Spring.   On the coast, inside action is mediocre unless you enjoy catching hordes of ladyfish and sailcats.  Look for redfish and speckled trout in larger lakes and around islands.  On the plus side, August is the best time for catching pelagic species like jacks, spanish and king mackeral, and bluefish either nearshore, in passes, or  in lower bays.   Bull reds are making their spawning run and big schools can be found in passes or lower bays. 

4. Football season kicks off. Louisiana fly anglers love their football just slightly less than they do their fishing.  Saints preseason games start August 10th against the Chargers.  LSU faces off against Clemson on August 30th in what we hope is a title run, and a Heisman year for Garrett Nussmeimer.  Also on the 30th, the Ragin Cajuns of UL-Lafayette host Rice, Louisiana Tech and Southeast Louisiana face off, and Tulane hosts Northwestern.  UL-Monroe plays St. Francis on the 28th as a warm-up to their big game against Alabama the following week. 

The Lucky Number Seven New Products from ICAST

For only the second time in 15 years, I didn't attend ICAST, the world's largest fishing trade show. Held earlier this month in Orlando, it was expected to be somewhat of a dud with regards to new products for fly fishing and kayak fishing. Such was not the case. 

While I didn't attend, an old friend in the fishing industry was there. Merv isn't a highly regarded fly angler, but he knows his stuff and like me, isn't afraid to call it like he sees it.  He shared several of his favorite products at the show, and I picked seven to highlight.  These "lucky seven" companies get my picks for the most interesting of show.   And since millions read my blog, I expect all their sales will sky rocket in the coming year. 
  
Here's my picks... in no particular order.

St. Croix Tannic-B Fly Rods

For years, I've been bugging Dan Johnston at St. Croix that they needed to upgrade their Mojo Bass fly rods to utilize the materials and tapers found in their better rods.  

Well, they've gone beyond that. According to SC, their fast-action new Tannic Series is built on advanced high-modulus graphite using MITO Graphene impregnated polymer resins, and utilizing their Intergrated Poly Curve (IPC), Fortifeid Resin System (FRS), and Slim Profile Ferrule (SPF) design. 

Enough of the 3-letter acroynms. Here's what you really need to know: the Tannic B (for bass) rods are lightweight, high-performance rods built for bass and striper fishing. According to my source, they are MUCH better casting than the Mojo Bass rods. 

There is some disappointment. SC decided to make these 9-footers instead of the 8-foot or 8.5-foot rods many southern bass anglers like myself prefer. Well, except the 8-weight is 8'10" long... explain that to me!  I find slightly shorter rods are better for kayak fishing, fishing around cover, and providing more leverage. 

The other concern is the price. The Tannic series is listed at $695. Granted, this is about where many mid-priced rods are these days, and a good price for one made in the USA. Still, it's going up against the lower-priced rods that I consider to be the best bass rods on the market - Lamson Velocity ($449), Echo 84B ($349), and Moonlit S2 Lunar ($199).   

St. Croix Legend Elite, LE Salt

You may have read about the four great mysteries of the world. There is a fifth - why did St. Croix stop making the Legend Ultra and Legend Elite fly rods?  These were amazing performance sticks! I have a couple rods I built off these blanks and can’t say enough good things about them.

For 2025, St. Croix has brought the LE series back with upgraded materials, and their latest technologies. There are two series of LE rods - the Elite and Elite Salt. The Elite has a moderate-fast action and sells for $595, while the Elite Salt is fast action and bit more backbone in the lower section of the rod, and sells for $650.

The Elite won "Best of Show - Fly Rod" at ICAST which means little. Most of the voting takes place before folks have tried casting the rods. But Merv’s opinion is the Elite Salt is on par with the Orvis Recon and Sage Maverick as the best mid-priced USA-made saltwater rod.  I hope to get a chance to test cast this later and find out for myself.    To learn more about St. Croix rods, go to https://stcroixrods.com

TFO Moment

This is an extra-fast action rod designed for long casts and windy conditions. Their news release says the Moment incorporates a patented Kevlar weave and graphene enhancements for faster recovery, reduced ovaling, and true tracking.

According to Merv, this rod is a rocket! He was amazed how easily it shot line out, and with very good accuracy. At $695, this is a bargain to most premium fast-action rods.  While it competes against other excellent mid-priced saltwater rods like the Sage Maverick, Douglas DXF-G2, Orvis Recon, and it's cousin, the TFO Blitz, the Moment is listed as an "extra fast" rod.  That might give it a certain appeal for some folks. Personally, I'm not an extra-fast guy at anything. But if I was, the TFO Moment might be in my arsenal.  To learn more, go to https://tforods.com.

Epic Titanium fly rods

It’s hard to get excited about any premium rods these days.  The $1k+ price tags are hard to swallow, especially given that for $500-$700, you can have a rod that does 90%  (or more) that these high-tech rods can do. 

But here comes Epic, a New Zealand company famous for its fiberglass rods, with a graphite/titanium rod, one that “blends aerospace-grade titanium with high-modulus carbon fiber, creating a fishing tool that is lightweight, incredibly strong, and highly responsive”.

The concept of titanium core rods isn’t new.   The late David Ahn developed a rod in the early 1990s under the trade name ADG Rods.  His innovation was that titanium being flexible would allow the rod to bend more and also hold more energy when loaded during the cast.  David used to go to just about every Fly Fishers International regional conclave, as well as FFI events, where he would be an exhibitor and demonstrate the incredible characteristics of his rods.  ADG is still in business today, and their rods sell for $500 to $900, depending on model.

The feedback I got from ICAST was that this was an amazing casting rod, even slightly better than the Hardy Marksman (my choice for best premium saltwater rod).  Hard to believe... but that's okay because Epic allows you to fish their rods for 30 days. If it's not the best rod you've ever owned, return it and they'll give you a full refund. That's a bold strategy, Cotton!  But one that proves they have strong faith in their Titanium rods.  To learn more, go to https://www.epicflyrods.com.

Rambler Nomad fly tying vise

Here's one I wasn't expecting - a new travel vise. If you're not familiar with the Rambler brand, it was formerly Wolff Industries - makers of the Atlas vise. The Atlas is still in their lineup, as this has been highly rated in many reviews. 

By contrast, the Rambler is lightweight, less expensive ($299) offers versatility of jaws to handle hook sizes 7/0 to size 32, and comes with both machined C-clamp and a large pedestal base. And get this.. it uses knurled tension control knob to tighten the jaws. Wow, I hadn't seen a knob-control vise in ages! 

I really dig the color selections. For me, Midnight Blue or Red would be my choice. For a USA-made vise, it's a very good deal, albeit slightly more than the tried-and-true Renzetti Traveler 2200 series at $269. We'll have to see how it performs in actual use.  To learn more, go to https://rambler.co.

Renegade Grey Series reels

It's very rare to find a fully-machined, large arbor fly reel with a sealed drag system for under $200. But the new Renegade Grey Reel meets those critera at $175. The reels come in three sizes:  3/4, 5/6, and 8/9.  That last size - ideal for marsh fishing - comes in at only 5.7 ounces.

Again, these reels need to be tested out to know their true value. One problem with inexpensive saltwater reels is drag slippage... the drag loosens up while under normal use. Still, for someone looking to wet their toes into saltwater fly fishing, the Renegade Grey has to be given strong consideration.  To learn more, go to  https://renegadetackleco.com

Loop V10 Sunglasses

There are more brands of fishing sunglasses on the market than there are flavors at a New Orleans snowball stand.  Personally, I was done with expensive brands long ago.  I don’t deny their superiority, but there are several brands that are 90% as effective at half the price.  And since I’ve lost more sunglasses than I care to admit, price is a big factor!

I’m not sure how good Loop brand sunglasses are, but everything else about this company is quality so I assume likewise.  At $100, the new V10 shades would be a bargain… but it gets better.  There are two characteristics I look for in fishing glasses outside of lens quality.  They are:  large lenses and wide frames to block out ambient light, and lens color choices in yellow or copper.   The V10 offers the former, and comes in both yellow and copper.

Copper is my go-to color for marsh fishing, as they offer distinct contrast in either medium or strong light conditions.   I also love Yellow for overcast days in the marsh or on bayous and lakes, but also for wading fishing trout streams where depth perception is also a requirement.  To learn more, go to https://us.looptackle.com.

Bonus pick - the Fluxjet Kayak

The word “gamechanger” is often bannered at every ICAST on a host of new products, and most if not all, are not worthy.  But this year there was one product that certainly has the potential. 

The Fluxjet kayak is the world's first electric jet-powered kayak. What it gives the angler is freedom from bulky pedal drives, numerous cables, and the ability to go in skinny water without having to pull out the drive or lift a trolling motor.  The integrated jet drive requires a standard marine type battery (your choosing), but offers up to 13 hours maximum time, less if you go at full speed (6 mph).  The kayak weighs in at 88 pounds, substantially less than most pedal drive kayaks.

It's not going to be a great paddling kayak.. at 11 feet long, and 35 inches wide. It's built for stability with a weight capacity of 400 pounds. But that's okay. You can power your way to a spot, and paddle there - no long distance paddling required.

I love how this boat is laid out, with front hatch, rear tank well storage, deck and navigation lights included, transducer setup ready, and even a USB/USBc charger built in.  At $2,999 it's also a bargain compared to the high-priced premium pedal boats on the market (or a standard kayak rigged with Torqeedo, Bixpy, or Newport motors).  

Again, I don't know if this will be a one-time wonder, or if it's the start of a trend in kayaks. But judging on the number of social media posts about the Fluxjet, it definitely has everyone's attention.  For more, go to https://www.fluxjetkayaks.com/

Summary

Again, these are just seven... uh, eight of the nearly three dozen (or more) items that were on display at ICAST.  I selected these based on my specific interests, and nothing else.  Also, if you ask ten other experts about these products, you’re likely to get ten different opinions.  That’s why I always say, “Try before you buy”.   Go to your local retailer and check them out yourself.  Most of the new products at ICAST should be in stores by November… just in time for Christmas shopping.

Pennies for your rod building thoughts

Yesterday was the inaugural Caddo Fly Fishing Expo, hosted by the North Louisiana Fly Fishers club. It was held in Jefferson, TX, about 43 miles from Shreveport.  You might be wondering why their event was held such a distance, and if you've been to Jefferson, you likely know why.  It's a wonderful small town that appeals to couples and families, with many small shops, restaurants, and historic interests.  It's also close to Lake of the Pines and Caddo Lake, two of the hottest fishing lakes in the four states area.  

It's also close to Longview, which is rapidly becoming a thriving community with a high quality of life, with business and tech opportunities emerging the past few years.  

Overall, the Expo was quite a success, with attendance about 100 folks.  Everyone I spoke to at the event enjoyed it, and can't wait for the next one in 2027 (the Expo will be a biennial event, much like the Cenla Fly Fishing Festival and the New Orleans Fly Fishing Expo).

The first presenter at the Expo was Rush Clay, who demonstrated the Common Cents System for rating fly rod weights. The CCS was created by Dr. William Hanneman, a world renown gemmologist who first published his unique system in 2002, that used pennies (post 1985) to make a relatively accurate determination of the "weight" action of a fly rod or rod blank.

As part of his presentation, Rush did evaluations of different rods that attendees had brought. The setup calls for setting the butt end of the rod at horizontal level and measuring the deflection as pennies are added to a plastic bag clipped to the tip of the rod. According to charts developed by Dr. Hanneman, each length rod has a specific deflection.  When the deflection for that rod reaches that number, the number of pennies in the bag are counted. That number is correlated to another chart developed by Dr. Hanneman - one that gives the "true weight" of the rod.

For example, Rush tested out my 6'6" 1-weight which I purchased from Old English Fly Shop, and which I use for creek fishing and indoor casting demonstrations.  Through trial and error, I determined that the rod performed best using a Wulff Triangle Taper 2/3 weight line.  Rush's measurements using CCS rated the rod as a 2.7.  So I was right... it wasn't a 1-weight rod.  Still fun to fish - and useful as an instruction rod.

When I learned of this presentation at the Caddo Expo, it brought back memories.  I actually used CCS to evaluate blanks back towards the last years when my little side business - Woods Creek Outfitters - was operational.  I formed WCO when Dave Diaz moved from Louisiana.  Dave used to do rod building clinics to fly clubs and had a related business called Technical Research Company which sold blanks, components and rod building supplies and tools. I purchased most of Dave's inventory and started carrying blanks from Sage, Loomis, St. Croix, Cedar and other sources.

Most of those "other sources" were non-label and Asian.  Usually IM6 or IM7 graphite. Among rod builders, these were notorious for being mis-labeled for weight.  But for first time builders on a budget, they were cheap.  And in some cases, made decent casting rods.

Prior to the CCS, weight of these blanks was determined by trial and error. You'd build the blank, then determined whether you had the weight you really wanted, lol.  However some of us kept logs on what these blanks performed.  I was able to tell my customers that might order the labeled 4-weight that they were really getting a 5-weight.

Once CCS became widespread, there were numerous rod building websites that maintained databases on nearly all blanks. Several forums as well. Folks could be fairly confident that the blank they were purchasing would be the weight they wanted.  Or perhaps more important, what weight line to purchase for the rod they would build.

Sadly, the advent of inexpensive but good Asian rods - like TFO, Echo, Redington - resulted in collapse of interest in rod building. In recent years, interest has re-emerged and the CCS is garnering interest again. Also, many of the finished rods - especially those on Amazon or house brands - are still mislabeled.  Knowing the correct weight of your rod can save quite a bit of money...  good fly lines aren't cheap!

It was a great presentation by Rush, and one that I think many fly clubs would be interested in.  For more info on the Common Cents System, click here.

2025 RBFF Report: Fly fishing holding steady

Yesterday the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation - along with the Outdoor Foundation - released its annual survey of fishing participation in the United States. The report comes out each year just prior to ICAST, the world's largest fishing trade show.  

The 2025 Special Report on Fishing details participation trends in overall fishing, saltwater fishing, fly fishing and other areas of our sport based on licenses, surveys, tackle sales and many other metrics from the previous year (in this case, 2024).  The survey counts anyone ages 6 and over who fished at least one time during the calendar year. 

Overall trend. Participation continues to grow with 57.9 million anglers, up from 57.7 in 2023, and 54.5 million in 2022. The participation rate remains at 19 percent, an all-time high. However, the number of anglers who fished more than 11 times per year (considered frequent anglers) continued to decline - down to 32 percent from 37 percent a decade ago.

Youth participation ages 6 to 12 grew slightly, while ages 13 to 17 declined slightly. Among minorities, black participation reached an all-time high at 5.5 million. Hispanic participation continues to break new records, having increased from 3.3 million in 2014 to 6.6 million in 2024. Women also reached an all-time high with 21.3 million, and represented 39 percent of first-time anglers - also a record.

Fly Fishing.  Our sport remained steady with 8 million participants in 2024. This was only the second time in 14 years that fly fishing numbers did not grow. In fact, there was little change in any numbers over 2023. The percentage of male to female fly anglers remains at 69/31, and the percentage of Hispanic flyfishers grew just 1 percent, while Black and Asian participation remained at 12% and 4%, respectively.

Historically, fly fishing has the highest income and highest education levels, and again, there was basically no change from 2023. Nearly 35% of longrodders have income of $100k or more, and 53% have some college or college degree. The youth movement continues however, as the largest age demographic - ages 25 to 34 - grew slightly. While age groups 55-64 and 65+ declined slightly.

Since revamping the regional participation metric (fewer regions), it's been difficult to do historical comparisons here. However, it does appear, from rough analysis, that the South region continues to grow, while the Northeast region continues to decline. The South region - Maryland to Texas - accounted for 39 percent of all fly anglers, and 52 percent of all saltwater fly anglers.

New book features Louisiana fly tiers

The Fly Tying Group (FTG) of Fly Fishers International (FFI) has published a new book, "Fly Tying for All Fish All Waters".  This hardcover book features over 100 patterns, including tips on tying, historical info, and more from some of the biggest names currently in fly tying, including Charlie Craven, Mike Stewart, Tim Flagler, Davy Wotton, Skip Morris, Patti Lueken, Tom Rosenbauer, Gretchen and Al Beatty, to name a few.

Most of the contributions to the book came from featured tiers at the FTG's show in Dallas, TX, in September of last year. The photos of selected patterns are of high quality, and each has a story behind it, written by the tier, which gives the reader insight to the origin of the fly, and it's most effective use. 

Included in the list of contributors are several names familiar to Louisiana fly tiers. Realistic tying guru Fred Hannie of Lake Charles is an FFI Buz Buzsek Award honoree - the highest honor in the world of fly tying. In addition to his featured patterns, his artwork graces the cover of the book. Other Bayou State tiers who are featured include Kenneth Breaux, Ron Braud, and Catch Cormier. Tiers  with Lousiana connections include Mike Hawkins and Fred Dupre. There are also many other tiers well known to our state's tying community.

"Fly Tying for All Fish All Waters" is currently shipping. Cost is $75. For more details, or to purchase, click here .  

Simms offers new space-saving waders

Many Louisiana fly anglers love to travel to fishing destinations, but packing a pair of bulky waders can be a problem. Especially since the days of free check-in bags have long been gone. In fact, some airline check-in fees for a 3rd bag can be half the price of the flight ticket!  The ideal would be to have waders that are not only light in weight, but pack into a small size.  

Simms to the rescue! They recently added the new Flyweight Packable Wader to their collection. It features their signature waterproof breathability a lightweight, self-stowing package for easy travel. Features include a rugged 4-layer lower, waist-high to chest-high adjustability, and low-volume neoprene feet that can be worn comfortably with wading boots or lightweight wet wading footwear. 

The Flyweight Packable folds into the chest pocket for convenient carry. It weighs a mere 38 ounces (size medium).  And features a 60-Day replacement for leaks, no questions asked, and 365 days on any necessary repairs. MSRP is $379. 

For more details, go to www.simmsfishing.com.

Louisiana free fishing days June 7-8

Each year, wildlife agencies in each state designate “Free Fishing Days” for the public to fish recreationally in public waters without a fishing license. These events are part of National Fishing and Boating Week, which this year runs June 1st to June 8th. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has designated Saturday-Sunday, June 7th and 8th, as free fishing days for our state.

Free Fishing Days are a perfect opportunity to try out fishing for the first time, or get a newbie into our sport.  LDWF will also be holding special events to teach beginners the skills of the sport.  Lessons will include tackle setup, casting, knot tying, fishing techniques, handling and taking the fish off the hook.  CLICK HERE for event locations, dates, and times.

If you're willing to travel, FFDs are an opportunity to partake of fishing in another state without needing a license. Some states may have certain restrictions. For example, you may not be required to purchase a freshwater license, but still may have to buy a trout stamp. So please check before making plans.

Here are the free fishing days for neighboring states:

• Alabama – Sat., June 7 (fresh, salt) *
• Arkansas - Fri, June 6 noon - Sun, June 8 **
• Florida – Sat-Sun, June 7-8 (fresh), June 14-15 (salt)
• Mississippi – Sat-Sun, June 7-8, July 4th (fresh, salt) *
• Texas - Sat, June 7 (fresh, salt)

* permits for "State Fishing Lakes" still required
** trout permit not required these dates

For a complete list of free fishing days in all states, go to www.takemefishing.org. 

Mark your calendar for the Caddo Expo July 19th

Caddo Fly Fishing Expo
Saturday, July 19th, 2025
9:00am – 5:00pm
Jefferson Tourism & Visitors Center
Jefferson, TX
hosted by North Louisiana Fly Fishers

On Saturday, July 19th, the North Louisiana Fly Fishers will hold their  inaugural Caddo Fly Fishing Expo.. This event will be held in historic downtown Jefferson, TX.   It will feature fly tying demonstrations, seminars, fly casting, exhibitors, raffles, and more. Held on the banks of Cypress Bayou which feeds Caddo Lake, there is fishing available as well as kayak rentals available locally. 

In the links below is an event flyer with more details.  Also, a show invite along with applications for tyers and vendors.  Spots are limited for vendors and tiers, so if you’re interested in tying or exhibiting please apply early. Also, NLFF would appreciate regional clubs giving a shout out about the Caddo Expo at their meetings.

Click on these links for Caddo Expo documents:

Caddo Event Flyer (pdf)

Caddo Expo Tiers Invite (pdf)

Caddo Expo Vendor Tyer Flyer (pdf)

Caddo Expo Vendor Invite (pdf) 

This Crawfish Pattern is Near Nuff Perfect

Near Nuff Crayfish: Cormier (t), Rupp (b)

At the FFI Gulf Coast Classic this past weekend, I took Allen Rupp's workshop on tying Dave Whitlock's Near Nuff Crayfish. If you don't know who Allen Rupp is, you should. He's a highly-acclaimed commercial tier who appears at many fly fishing events each year across the country, and a protege of Whitlock. You can read about him here.

Interview with Allen Rupp

In the last few years, I've connected with Allen on several occasions at various shows across the country. I've become a huge fan of his work... his flies are practical fish catchers, clean, well-designed and perfect in proportionality.  We also have something in common - we both were influenced by Gary Borger and have a deep appreciation for the contributions of Dave Whitlock.

If you look through my boxes of flies, you'll find the following Whitlock originals:

- Red Fox Squirrel Nymph
- Saltwater Swimming Baitfish
- Sheep Shad
- Dave's Hopper
- Whitlock's Damsel Nymph
- Dave's Diving Frog
- Near Nuff Crayfish

Of those, the only one I had not tied was the Near Nuff Crayfish. The first NNC that Dave gave me I put into an hermetically sealed jar and stored in an underground vault alongside other flies tied by legendary fly anglers such as Lefty Kreh, Gary Borger, Gary Lafontaine, Polly Rosborough, to name a few.

Soon after, I purchased three NNCs directly from Dave, and fished those extensively... with fantastic results!

Coma Crawfish

Now it must be noted that being a former bass tournament angler, born and raised in the heart of crawfish country, I had a lifelong experience with mudbugs. And with what bass preferred in their favorite crustacean. I combined that with a philosophy of using natural motion materials in flies (something I learned from Borger) and in the mid-90s, created my own crawfish fly called the "Coma Crawfish".

Over the years, I've tried other patterns and none had fished better for largemouth bass than the Coma Crawfish. But first time I fished the Near Nuff, it helped me win the first of several bass kayak tournaments, so automatically it became one of my very favorite bass flies.  So much so, it replaced my own ecrevisse. It also soon became my favorite for smallmouth bass.

But here's the problem.  Once when Dave's stock was depleted, I tried purchasing them from different sources and discovered that like gumbo, you never know what recipe you'll get with the Near Nuff Crawfish.  In fact, most of the NNCs I got were just horrible - like gumbo made with hot dogs and a cauliflower roux. They didn't look anything like Dave's flies and fished like sh*t!

Then I saw Allen's version and tears came to my eyes! This was perfection... everything in it's right place and proportion. At one of the shows, I sat and watched Allen tie and it was an education even for an experienced tier like myself. Attention to every detail, and purpose for every material and how it adds to the effectiveness of this pattern.

Allen Rupp workshop at Classic

The workshop we took last weekend lasted a full two hours but it seemed like it went all too fast. As Allen applied a material, I was able to recall what he showed me a year ago, and it made it easier for me to keep up. I think my Near Nuff came out pretty Near Nuff indeed. Check out the photo at the top. One is Allen's and the other is mine. There is one difference, and is the reason his rendition is better than mine. Can you see it?  

There's a video on Allen tying the NNC on April Vokey's YouTube Channel. It's an hour and half long, and includes some fishing techniques mostly for trout fishing the fly. 

Video: Allen Rupp tying the Near Nuff Crayfish

Most of my Coma Crawfish are tied in orange, tan or olive. These are colors of most crawfish I find in the primary areas I fish. I imagine I'll be tying NNCs in those colors as well. But just last month, I discovered a couple of deep blue crawfish near my dock. So maybe yet another species / color to consider?

Regardless of color, now that I'm able to reproduce this fly in quality and quantity, the basskeens - with mouths large or small - are in serious trouble!

Learn fly fishing basics thru Orvis classes

The Orvis store in Baton Rouge routinely conducts introductory fly fishing clinics at their store at 7601 Bluebonnet (in Perkins-Rowe). Based on 50 years of running schools and fly-fishing education programs, the Orvis classes provide the basics on fly casting, rigging, fly selection, and more. Perfect for beginners of all ages to get started fly fishing (under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult).

Orvis FF101 is a FREE, one day, two hour clinic designed to introduce the basics of fly fishing and fly casting.  It includes hands-on rigging and casting instruction. Equipment is provided. 

There is NO cost, but pre-registration required as class size limited. For more info, call (225) 757-7286.  Or to register online, CLICK HERE.

Classes in May:
Fly Fishing 101 - Saturday, May 3rd
Fly Fishing 101 Panfish edition - Saturday, May 10th
Fly Fishing 101 - Saturday, May 17th

Bill to allow mature redfish harvest halted in committee

Earlier today at the state capitol, in the House Natural Resources Committee hearing,  Rep. Joe Orgeron agreed to defer House Bill 604, which he had sponsored. This bill would've allowed harvest of overslot red drum (over 27 inches) under a proposed tag program. Redfish over 27 inches are considered sexually mature and critical to maintaining a viable abundance of the species.

HB604 would've allow anglers to kill spawning size bull reds with a $25 tag for the purpose of funding a private hatchery.  As Tony Friedrich, Executive Director of American Saltwater Guides Association (ASGA) keenly stated, science shows that redfish hatcheries have virtually no impact on adult populations. Several states currently stock millions of redfish fingerlings each year, but data shows that on average only a mere 2% ever reach escapement to the spawning stock. To summarize, hatchery fish are pretty stupid compared to their wild counterparts.

ASGA, Louisiana Wildlife Federation, and Fly Fishers International lobbied against the bill. Some members of the committee acknowledged later hearing from guides, kayak anglers, and fly fishers in opposition.

During testimony before the committee, fly fishing charter guide Ty Hibbs spoke on behalf of many fishing guides pointing out that new regulations had just been put in place, and that the record freeze earlier this year killed many redfish and no assessment of that freeze has yet been fully completed.  Glen 'Catch' Cormier of the FFI Gulf Coast Council also testified reminding legislators the year before they had voted 90 to 0 in favor of eliminating mature harvest of redfish. He also stated that while hatcheries are appealing because they provide anglers more easy-to-catch fish, they do almost nothing to increase spawning stock recruitment. 

While a voluntary deferred bill can be reintroduced, it's extremely rare that it does. Rep. Orgeron also stated after the testimony that he would like to meet with interested parties in the future for alternative solutions to giving the major saltwater tournaments a means to again having a redfish division.

Registration now open for 2025 Gulf Coast Classic

3rd annual Gulf Coast Classic fly fishing festival
Friday & Saturday, May 2-3, 2025
Gulf State Park
20249A State Park Rd, Gulf Shores, AL
www.ffigulfcoastclassic.com

Click on the image for full size poster

Registration is now open for the 3rd annual Gulf Coast Classic on Friday May 2nd and Saturday May 3rd at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, AL.  The Classic is the largest fly fishing event on the Gulf Coast, and features seminars, fly tying demonstrations, casting and tying workshops, a fishing contest, a film festival, and much more!  Many of the tiers are nationally-recognized and some are even professional tiers. Several of the tiers will be leading workshops as well.

Hosted by the Gulf Coast Council (GCC) of Fly Fishers International (FFI), it's a fundraiser and community gathering for the council.  The GCC consists of clubs and members in Louisiana, Mississippi, south Alabama, and northwest Florida.  

On the registration pages, you can pay for admission, signup for a workshop, purchase film festival tickets, and even procure inexpensive onsite lodging on the campus. Or you can register for the Classic now, and register for the workshops later.  But don't wait too long...  workshops and lodging can book up in advance of the event!

Fly tier bios are currently available, and later this week schedules, seminar descriptions, and speaker bios will be posted. Seminar topics cover a wide range of fishing opportunities, from bluegill and bass to tarpon and speckled trout to Louisiana redfish and more.  In addition, there are speakers on conservation topics, including the Director of Alabama's Marine Fisheries Division, and Friday Keynote Speaker, William Strickland of Mobile Baykeepers.

There's also an incredible array of raffle and silent auction items courtesy of our amazing sponsors.  And our always popular "Mixed Bag" fishing contest - it's FREE entry with registration!

Again, to learn more about the Classic, and links to registration and workshops, go to: www.ffigulfcoastclassic.com. 

Red Stick Day coming March 8th

30th annual Red Stick Day
Saturday, March 8th, 2025
8:30am to 3:00pm
LDWF Waddill Outdoor Education Center
4141 North Flannery Rd, Baton Rouge, LA

RSD is one of the longest-running fly fishing festivals in the South. There’s seminars by local and regional experts, fly tying demos by several of the top fly tiers on the northern Gulf Coast, casting instruction, food, loads of raffle items, and more. And best of all, admission is free!

The ponds on the premises at the Waddill Education Center are full of bass and bluegill. In addition, Masseys Outfitters of Baton Rouge will be on hand with a variety of kayaks from Hobie, Native and other brands for folks to test paddle/pedal.

Details about the event, including speaker and tier bios, schedule of activities, and more can be found by clicking on the “Red Stick Day” at the Red Stick Fly Fishers website at www.rsff.org.

 

LDWF gives statement on fish kills

The Great Blizzard of January 20-21, 2025 gave us record low temperatures and record snowfalls up to 13 inches across most of southern Louisiana, and a winter playground wonderland.  But it came at a high cost for our inland coastal fisheries.

Almost immediately after the cold snap, reports began to surface on social media of fish kills across the coast, mostly mullet, speckled trout, black drum, and redfish. Now the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has released their own assessment.

Once travel advisories were lifted, LDWF field biologists began investigating coastal areas for dead fish resulting from the historically cold weather and continue with those field efforts.  Water temperatures in a large portion of the state's coastal areas fell below critical temperatures (40 degrees F) for saltwater species such as Spotted Seatrout and Red Drum for several days.

LDWF has investigated 71 fish kills statewide while documenting coastwide observations in each major basin.  The collected data indicates fish mortality occurred coastwide with concentrations of kills occurring in some areas where fish likely did not have time to leave shallower areas or have access to deep enough, and slightly warmer, water in which to take refuge.  

While kills were spread throughout the coast, not all coastal areas were affected and not all to the same level.  It appears the highest levels of speckled trout and black drum mortalities were in the Terrebonne/Timbalier Basin, and the highest redfish and sheepshead mortalities were in the Barataria Basin.  In general, the highest overall mortalities of all species occurred in the marshes between the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers. One exception was striped mullet, which had high mortality east of the Mississippi River.

When compared to the freeze of late December 1989, where water temperatures remained near freezing for about 100 hours near Grand Isle, LA, this freeze was not as long in duration. Based on some social media reports, it appears the scope of the kill was not nearly as bad as 1989, but still significant enough to impact fishing for the next couple of years. LDWF biologists will continue to document dead fish encountered and investigate fish kills relayed to them by the public.

At this time, LDWF is not anticipating the need for any management or regulatory changes as a result of this event. However, several groups such as the Fly Fishers International (FFI) Gulf Coast Council are encouraging all anglers to practice catch-and-release. And if they must keep fish, keep only what they need and release the rest.  

LDWF is encouraging the public to notify of any fish kills by calling 1-800-442-2511.  For more information about fish kills, visit https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/fish-kills.

Evolution of the Fluff Butt

If you're a novice fly tier, I've got good news for you! One of the easiest flies to tie is also one of the most effective for a wide range of freshwater species. In fact, nearly half the total flies I tie each year are this type. I'm talking microjigs, and in particular, Fluff Butts.

Winter is a time of year when microjigs are most effective on warmwater species due to fewer food options. These flies imitate small baitfish which make up the bulk of available organisms. 

In fly fishing, a microjig is any fly that meets both these requirements:

• has a round metal eye integrated  into the hook (metallized head), or a metal bead inserted to the front of the hook
• uses a type of hook, or a particular method, to force the fly to swim hook point up.

Microjigs are productive because they can be fished shallow or deep, ride hook up to lessen possible snags, and maintain a somewhat-horizontal orientation even when at rest.  That last factor is critical to giving a more natural presentation.
 
There are many types of microjigs. My favorites are "Fluff Butts".  It’s not a specific fly, but a group of flies that have a marabou tail and a chenille body (chenille, vernille, ice chenille, etc.) and tied on a hook with either a 90 or 60 degree bend near the eye.

Although the origin of Fluff Butts are ubiquitous, the term originiated in 1991 when Mark Hester wrote an article in the Red Stick Fly Fishers club newsletter, "The Red Letter". He beseeched fly anglers to accept “Fluff Butts” as flies, and then gave reasons why they are so effective. In 1995, I started the Louisiana Fly Fishing website and later that year, started the RSFF website. At this point, the internet took control and the term "Fluff Butt" spread to all corners of the Earth!

No fish can resist

Fluff Butts are fine imitations of minnows, of which there are over 2,000 species.  Since everything eats minnows, everything eats a Fluff Butt.   I’ve caught everything from cutthroat trout in Wyoming to white perch in Maine to peacock bass in Florida.  On this fly, I’ve caught tons of sunfish, and even bass over 6 pounds!

The marabou tail provides lots of movement. I pool test nearly every fly, and it's amazing how this material can have tiny undulations even when at rest and with no apparent water movement.

In his article, Hester pointed out that Fluff Butts are easy to tie because they're basically a woolybugger without the hackle.

Beadhead Butts

Back in 1991, Fluff Butts were tied on metallized hooks, sold in either 1/80, 1/100, 1/124 ounce sizes, with hook sizes 8 through 12. Beads were just becoming popular in Europe thanks to tier and author Roman Moser - and the success of European competitive anglers with bead flies. An article in 1995 in Fly Fisherman magazine is credited with the rise of bead flies in America.

However a year before the Fly Fisherman article came out, Gary Peterson, a close friend of Hester and fellow member of RSFF, demonstrated a Fluff Butt tied with a bead. His inspiration was an article in a British magazine, Stillwater Trout Angler, which had just published an article on the "Bead Revolution" sweeping Europe.
 
There was a bead shop just two blocks from my house. I tied up a couple of Butts with a bead on a Mustad 9672 hook. When pool testing, the fly didn't ride hook up as hoped. No problemento... the next one I tied I first put a 60 degree bend in the very upper section of the hook. That's one great thing about Mustad hooks - they can be bended without breaking. Putting a bend did the trick. The fly now had a balanced presentation and the hook rode point up.

Hooks

Nowadays, it's no longer necessary to bend straight hooks. Jig hooks are as common as Dollar General stores. I prefer a barbless 60 degree hook, 2x or 3x long, black finish, Aberdeen style (less tail fouling), and light wire, certainly not heavier than 2x strong.  Light wire hooks are important because, if you get snagged deep, with enough pressure sometimes the hook bends enough to release the fly.

There are five hook models I recommend.  Primary are: Mustad Heritage J60, Partridge SUJ, Kumoto KJ2322.  For a wider gap, I use the Fulling Mill Jig Force 5130 and Saber 5220. The Umpqua U555 is a good economical choice with a 50 pack for about $8.

Hook size is usually 10 and 12 for bluegill, redears, trout, cichlids and true perch, and 8 and 10 for crappie and white bass.  For smallmouth and spotted bass, I do go to a size 6 but not any larger.

The choice of beads depends on the hook size, and what color/weight bead you desire.  Tungsten seems to be the choice of most for this fly, but I find that brass is better for use under tiny indicators as they don't sink the float.

For many years, tying Fluff Butts using beads on a hook had two advantages over tying them on metal jigheads. First, metallized hooks per unit are typically more expensive than a hook and a bead.  Second, any fish caught on flies with metal jigheads were disqualified for entry into the Louisiana State Fly Rod Records (aka, the "Pete Cooper Rule").   Fortunately, that rule no longer exists.
 
With the advent of Etsy, tiers can now find some very economical options for metallized jigs - as low as 30 cents each.  My favorite source is www.illbejigged.com. The owner will even make the jigheads to your specifications (hook size, painted color, black or red or bronze finish, hook type, etc.)

Balanced Fluff Butt

Around 2012, Phil Rowley introduced the Balanced Leech Minnow, an innovation he credited to Jerry McBride of Spokane, Washington. The concept is simple: while a jig hook provides a more horizontal orientation, when at rest, it still sits at a 15 degree or higher angle to the horizon.  Ideally if the hook eye was placed closer to the fly’s center of mass,  the fly would sit perfectly horizontal.

If you're on one of the major fly tying groups on Facebook, you've likely seen Curtis Kauer's balanced minnows. Curtis loves exploring the many possibilities that balancing technique offers, and based on his posts, it certainly catches fish!

The only change to making a Fluff Butt "balanced" is to add a sequin pin. The bead is inserted onto the pin and the pin is then secured to the hook shank with thread. All other steps remain the same.

Characteristics
 
I prefer hook sizes 12 for bluegill and redears, sizes 8 and 10 for crappie, and sizes 6 and 8 for spotted, largemouth and smallmouth bass.  I use barbless, black finish hooks whenever possible.

Best colors for body/tail are: olive/olive, black/chartreuse, gray/gray (aka, the "Gray Ghost"), and blue/white.  Crappie also sometimes like pink on flies. A hardcore crappie angler on my home lake showed me his own tied jigs where he simply added a layer of pink thread behind the head.  This seems to work on occasion, especially if excessive rainfall has left the water a bit milky.

I prefer the tail not be much longer than the entire hook.  Also, the tail should not be too thick, and with a minimum of feathers with barbules.
 
Technique

I fish Fluff Butts in two ways.  Method one, cast out the fly and let it go deep.  Then strip it in slowly (vertical retrieve).  Often the strike comes as tension on the line.

Method 2 is when I’m fishing bream beds or crappie near structure.  I use a strike indicator set up about 3 feet or more above the Fluff Butt. The goal is to suspend the fly and keep it close to the strike zone as long as possible.  Move the indicator about an inch or two every few seconds. This imparts a minor jigging motion to the fly, just enough to make the tail flutter and make the fly seem alive.   The indicator also tells when the fish has struck.

As Hester once stated, whether you accept Fluff Butts as flies is your prerogative. But the fish don't care, and they love them. And in the end, that's all what counts!