Help Me Identify a Good NOLA Redfish Guide

[Zach Matthews]

Hey guys –

My experience with Gulf Coast guides has been poor to terrible so far. On my bachelor party, we had a set of local guides placed by the New Orleans fly shop who were a long way from acceptable. My guide was fine and had nice equipment, but some of the other guys got stuck with some real questionable characters–one of them actually tried to drop his clients off on the edge of NOLA where they could take a taxi the rest of the way. It was shady.

While there, we figured out that there is a better class of guides coming over from Florida, Apalachicola area I think, who hit the Louisiana marsh during prime fall season. I am looking for some of those guys for a trip my friend is planning in October for his own bachelor party.

I am not exactly sugar coating it here I know, but I have had at least three separate bad experiences with Gulf Coast guides, versus nothing but good experiences elsewhere. I just don’t think the standards are that high, and they have only themselves to blame for that. Hopefully some of those Florida tarpon guys moonlighting on Louisiana can put on a better show.

Thanks,
Zach

[Wayne J.]

Zach,

Several years ago, we had a great experience with Capt. Tristan Daire – Higher Education Guide Service – (985) 630 3892. Well spoken, professional and shared a lot of information about the area/fishing.

The following year, he was already booked and we went with someone else. Not very positive experience. I’m pretty sure the guide came right from the bar and met us at the boat at 6 AM….

We caught fish both years but going with a good guide makes the trip a much different experience.

Wayne

[tim sanders]

Zach:

Try Shallow Water Expeditions. They guide as far east as Apalach and Carrabelle but are based in Panama City. They fish the winter season over in LA and have a good reputation. Have not fished with personally but know folks who have.

Tim

[Phil Brna]

There are plenty of good NOLA area guides, but getting on their schedules is another matter. Most have repeat clients who get the prime spots. I fish with Rich Waldner and I have one of the prime spots. I do not think he takes many new clients. He is the only one I have ever fished with but I have heard great things about Tristan. My buddy who fishes with Rich with me has been fishing with another guide he really likes. When I talk with him I will let you know.

[Kent Edmonds]

Zach, I’d second Shallow Water Expeditions – I’m sending you an email with contact for my old striper partner, Jason Stacy.

I don’t know Rich but have heard only good things. `Met him years back and spent some fly tying time at an FFF conclave. His Mardi-Gras Mama is wilder & gaudier than the stealth bomber so I loved it (and have caught many SC reds with it).

Kent - FlyFishGA

[Tim Pommer]

The thing about Louisiana is EVERYONE fishes and so you have ‘guides’ and then you have the real deal. These are three outfits that I know are top notch.

Nick Sassic and Scott MacCalla of Mosquito Lagoon set up a camp in Empire for the winter and guide out of there. I’ve personally fished with both and had my best days ever on the marsh with them.

Ron Ratliff – (he was guiding on the side, now I believe he’s guiding full time). I’ve fished with Ron before, good guy. Mostly fishes west of the Mississippi (or at did when I went with him).

Hopedale area: Greg Dini – http://www.louisianaflyfishing.com/

I’ve also heard nothing but top notch reports out of here: http://www.woodlandplantation.com/

[Jay Malyon]

These are the guys we ran into at Pennys with the fancy rigs
http://www.louisianaflyfishing.com/

and these dudes are the real deal too

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