Met up with my dad this week for a trip I have been looking forward to for the last 3 months. After the first night at the plantation we woke up to thick fog.


Took our time with breakfast and visited the neighborhood gators.


As the fog started to burn off, we headed out with our guide. Had about a 20 min ride to the launch.



I haven't spent much time in the LA marsh, but it was beautiful. Waterfowl everywhere, spoonbills, pelicans, peregrine falcons, marsh hawks, gulls, and several types of ducks.



After a quick lesson in what to look for, we started hunting.


Saw my first fish soon, and 3rd cast resulted in this. Absolutely incredible seeing the fish turn on my fly and crush it.


We got into the grove of things and ended up with a few more through out the day.






Day one ended much too soon, but we had one more.



Continued...

perfect...

Woke up to a beautiful clear morning for day 2. The main house is actually the same one featured on the Southern Comfort bottle.



Had a big breakfast at the converted church/dining hall.



After one fish and a few missed shots, the action slowed down due to a high tide and the rapidly approaching cold front.


Our guide suggested we look for some black drum, which sounded like a good time. The first one I saw looked like a golden retriever swimming towards the boat. Put a serious bend in the 8wt.


Ten or so minute tug of war resulted in a nice chunk.


My dad hooked and fought one a bit bigger, and I was up again. The next fish we saw looked more like a manatee. After a few long casts, it buried its face on my fly. Not sure exactly how long it took, but I think my dad took a nap. This ugly sob went 38#, is certainly my biggest fish on the fly.



Had one more small red to round out the end of the trip. Absolutely gorgeous place with some of the most exciting fishing I have gotten to experience. I cant say enough about how great the staff and food at the plantation was. Also we had a fantastic guide. Cant wait to go back!

Nice!I guess that will help the hurt a bit from Thursday night.

Looks like a great trip to get to spend with your dad. Glad y'all found some fish to add to the fun.

You did it!!!!

So, Scooter, did you get that black drum on one of those size 22 Parachute Adams flies you were advocating on the tying forum?

Tell ya what, I would have loved to see that big ol bastard come up top and sip a dry fly. Im not sure the light wire would have held up well during a 30+ min fight though.

It did take a little crab pattern, was actually alot like hooking a carp. I saw him put his head down where my fly was, but never felt the take. I was more like getting hung up on the bottom, then the fish decided to swim around awhile, then it got really angry, bulldogged me for awhile and had the last laugh by pooping all over the boat.

Derik, it did make for a good week even with how miserably the ags played.

Bob, you need to come with us next time for sure.

for the record i can't tie a 22 adams to save my life but have found myself in the middle of beavers bend wishing i had