The Jack Up boat converted to a fishing lodge arrived at Curlew Island Friday and was welcomed with slack tides but plenty nice size trout. My friend Dave and I were on the maiden voyage.
Yesterday they moved to Breton as the trout are there too and cell phone communications are good.
I'm headed back out Thursday to give Breton a try.
Their web site is chandeleur-islander.com and Facebook page is chandeleur-islander lodge. This is a one of a kind facility. This is the same family that operated the houseboat Chandeleur Islander at Breton back in the 90's.

Here in Slidell LA we can feel the agony of tearing out and rebuilding as we went thru Katrina in 2005. But need to share the info that since the storms have passed...the trout have really turned on at the Chandeleur Islands. Limits of 25 in the 18-20 inch class hitting anything you throw at them. 21 boats and many wade fisherman around Breton Island this morning and all limiting out. The islands have naturally rebuilt themselves since Katrina and the fishing is better than ever.
Many TX anglers had to postpone their fishing trip plans but we hope to see you again once your disaster subsides. Our prayers to you.
Bruce

The jack up fishing lodge at Breton Island has now put into effect new seasonal rates for lodging and meals. It's now $ 200 per night per person all inclusive except booze. The trout bite is on and expected to continue until about Christmas. In October the Tarpon migrate thru and they surround Gosier and Curlew Islands. Can check out their web site at www.chandeleur-islander.com

The Chandeleur Islands took a bit of a beating due to Hurricane Nate but as the high tides recede we'll find out more.
The Chandeleur Islander fishing lodge rode it out at Breton Island as the eye passed directly over it unscathed except loosing the floating dock which will be quickly replaced. Fishing will resume today as guests are heading out. Please check their Facebook page at Chandeleur-Islander Lodge.

Winter reds.....What to do when there are too many winter redfish at the Chandeleur Islands. TAKE OFF the HOOKS!!
https://youtu.be/cCGE5dX1v7o

Please check out Facebook for the latest photos of Breton Island post hurricane Nate and a brief tour of the lodging facility. FB..chandeleur-islander lodge
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1ma9-scnrU&sns=em

Had the opportunity to make the trip to Breton Island and spend a long weekend aboard the " fishing lodge in the sky " ( the jack up lodge ...Chandelerur Islander ). Friday's fishing took place at the islands west end to gentle winds and hungry redfish out hustling the specs. Ten of us wade fishing and couldn't get away from the reds. Easy limits of five but kept just enough for dinner. Then Friday night a strong cold front came thru and Sat the remaining 5 of us worked the inside pocket in the lee shore fighting 35mph winds. The specs were somewhat lazy but still managed to land 40+ in the afternoon when the sun came out. The lodge is repositioning soon to Pass A Loutre off the MS river next to the public Fed/State management areas for the rest of the spec inside fishing season and the opening of the duck hunting season November 11. More info on their FB page chandler-islander lodge and the FB page of Wanda Stewart ( the fishing lady that has taken her fishing passion to the next level )

The "Lodge in the Sky" Chandeleur- Islander is on the way to Pass a Loutre at the end of the MS flyway to accommodate up to 22 guests for the LA duck season. It will be centrally located near the Federal and State management areas. The last day of Breton Island fishing yesterday netted 2 limits of big trout. Hate to leave them biting but the ducks are quacking.

Great fishing down there.

The Jack up boat "Chandeleur Islander" will be heading out next month ( January ) to the North Island area in the Chandeleurs for the on going red fishing season and the beginning of the speckled trout season. Many fly fisherman are requesting out initial location to the north part of the Chandeleur Island chain. Therefore we will follow the fish.
Please check the web site chandeleur-islander.com and FB chandeleur-islander lodge for info and updates.

The "Islander" will be heading back out to the Chandeleurs at the end of Feburary or early March depending on bookings and weather. Needless to say this crazy winter weather has delayed planned mods before departure.
Many past and future guests voiced their preference not to have to carry bottles of booze out with them.
When they did bring their own and ran out...they always had more to accommodate. However in the future the good brand stuff will be on hand with an open bar and no extra charge... and beer on tap like the old days.
The big trout are now biting at Freemason Island and Curlew if you can pick your days. Please check out the web site
www.chandeleur-islander.com and FB page chandeleur-islander lodge. In the past 60% of the bookings were from Texas and they are looking forward to the Texas Invasion.

Jp Morel
February 16 at 8:13am �
Coming soon, hosted fly fishing wade trips to the Chandeleur Islands. Details being worked out but will include transportation to the island, meals, and lodging aboard a jack up barge. Due to transportation logistics and bedroom layout we are looking at bringing groups in multiples of 4 or 5 and can accommodate up to 4 groups at one time. There will be a 2 night minimum for all groups. More details and pricing will be coming in the next couple of weeks. We are also working on having a beginner salt water fly fishing school at the island with the emphasis on fishing and will be done with Olde Town Fly Shop in Slidell.
The " Lodge in the Sky " is gearing up for a Spring fishing season at the Chandeleur Islands off the LA/MS Coast.
Please check out www.chandeleur-islander.com and FB page as well as www.scoutfittersllc.com and their FB page Capt JP Morel.

The New Chandeleur Islander Fishing Lodge has reached it's intended destination at the Main Chandeleur island.
The crew has been getting everything prepared for guests arriving from all over the country. Many Texans have made plans to visit. Our friends and guides have been having plenty success on big trout with topwater baits...all near the jacked up location. The weather has been mostly windy but hopefully it will begin to calm down for daily limits. We have chosen a location where the bottom contour drops off quickly and you can wade from the end of the dock to miles and miles of flats and cuts leading to the gulf side. It looks like a paradise out there. Check the FB site chandeleur-islander lodge for the coordinates and a few fresh photos. Much more to come in the near future.

Jp Morel
April 4 at 3:52pm �
Okay all, sometime back I posted about hosted wade fly trips to the Chandeleur Islands using the Chandeler Islander jack up barge as the lodging. Details are as follows: Need a minimum of 4 people with a 2 night minimum stay. Rates are $200 per night per person and that includes meals. Transportation to and from is $200 per person leaving from Pass Christian, MS. Once you are on the barge a pontoon boat will drop you off close to the island and the fishing begins. It's hard sand with grass and species include red fish, speckled trout, drum, and jacks being the top four. The usual salt water fly gear is all you need with 8 and 9wt's covering most everything that swims out there. I use Hodgman wading boots but tennis shoes work as well. Typical clouser style flies with a few poppers will cover the fly selection. Call me with any questions, 985-768-6933 and check out the website www.chandeleur-islander.com.
Hands on fly fishing school coming soon. This will be an on the water school with the opportunity to actually cast to fish instead of sitting in a classroom and casting at grass.

Chandleur Islander Fishing Lodge
Full service meal and lodging accomodations on a jacked-up platform located in the Chandeleur Island chain. Day and nighttime surf fishing, kayaking, gigging.
CHANDELEUR-ISLANDER.COM
Like
Show more reactions

The trout fishing at the Chandeleur's has been red hot on some days then slow later on the same day. Not everyone limiting out on the 25 day limit but common for the fish to be running from 18" to 24 ".
Live croakers now working best but topwater action is still plentiful.
One gentleman released a 28", 29", and 31" within 20 minutes of fishing on top water.
We have been catching enough for fresh trout and redfish every night for dinner and still have departing guests taking limits or near limits home after they share their catch with the grill.
Check out the FB page for updates... Chandeleur islander lodge.