Happy Mardi Gras! Lets Talk Fly Fishing in Louisiana – The Legacy of Grand Isle and Beyond

The Fly Box LLC
Mar 4, 2025
5 min read

Happy Mardi Gras, Everyone!

Welcome to today’s special edition of Casts That Care! While most people think of parades, music, and beads when they hear Mardi Gras, Louisiana is also home to some of the best fly fishing in the country.

This is free news as part of Casts That Care, our daily fly fishing publication dedicated to exploring the lesser-known stories, deep dives, and history of the sport. Every morning at 8 AM, we bring you a new article on all things fly fishing, and 50% of all proceeds go directly to fly fishing charities. Subscribe Here

Read on and celebrate the unique blend of culture, conservation, and incredible fly fishing that Louisiana has to offer!

Introduction

Louisiana is known for its deep-rooted fishing culture, with fly fishing playing an integral role in its marshes, bayous, and coastal waters. While most people associate the state with Mardi Gras, Cajun cuisine, and world-class offshore fishing, its fly fishing history is just as rich, especially when it comes to targeting redfish, speckled trout, and other inshore species.

While New Orleans has its own fly fishing community, the true heart of Louisiana fly fishing lies farther south, in the expansive marshes of Grand Isle. This small coastal town has become a world-renowned destination for fly anglers, offering some of the best shallow-water redfish fishing on the planet.

This article explores Louisiana’s fly fishing history, unique events, and why Grand Isle is the ultimate spot for redfish on the fly.

New Orleans’ Fly Fishing History and Culture

New Orleans may be best known for jazz, Creole cuisine, and its famous festivals, but the city also has a long-standing fly fishing community.

Yes, this is their real logo...

The New Orleans Fly Fishers Club,

founded in 1984, is one of the longest-running fly fishing organizations in the region.
The club hosts regular casting clinics, fly tying meetups, and educational seminars for anglers of all skill levels.
Each year, they organize the Rio Grande Fly Fishing Rodeo, one of the most unique fly fishing tournaments in the U.S. Anglers target Rio Grande cichlids, an exotic species that thrives in the city's urban waters.

Aside from the club, New Orleans provides easy access to incredible saltwater fly fishing just outside the city, with anglers regularly targeting redfish, black drum, and speckled trout in the surrounding marshes.

But for fly anglers looking for the best of the best, a drive down to Grand Isle is well worth it.

Grand Isle – The Ultimate Destination for Redfish on the Fly

Grand Isle is located at the southernmost tip of Louisiana, where the Gulf of Mexico meets a vast network of marshes, bays, and tidal flats. It is often called the "Redfish Capital of the World," and for good reason. The waters surrounding Grand Isle are home to some of the largest and most aggressive redfish found anywhere.

Why Grand Isle is Perfect for Fly Fishing

Year-Round Redfish Action – Unlike many fisheries, the redfish population around Grand Isle is strong year-round, with peak sight-fishing opportunities in fall and winter when water clarity is best.
Expansive Marshes – The shallow-water marshes and tidal creeks provide perfect habitat for tailing redfish, allowing fly anglers to stalk fish in just inches of water.
Incredible Sight-Fishing – Grand Isle is one of the few places where you can see redfish feeding aggressively on baitfish, crabs, and shrimp, making for thrilling visual takes on the fly.
World-Class Guides – Dozens of fly fishing guides operate in the Grand Isle area, providing expert knowledge on how to navigate the marshes and locate the biggest fish.

More Than Just Redfish – Other Fly Fishing Targets in Grand Isle

While redfish are the main attraction, Grand Isle’s waters hold a variety of species that can be targeted on the fly:

Speckled Trout – Found near oyster beds and grass flats, they provide aggressive topwater eats.

Black Drum – Known as the “cousin” of redfish, they are often seen tailing in the shallows.

Sheepshead – Nicknamed the “permit of the marsh,” these fish are incredibly challenging on the fly.

With its untouched marshes, abundant fish populations, and stunning landscapes, Grand Isle is a must-visit destination for any fly angler.

Unique Fly Fishing Events and Festivals in Louisiana

Beyond day-to-day fishing, Louisiana is home to some of the most fun and unique fly fishing events in the country. Here are a few standout gatherings that bring together anglers from all over:

1. The Rio Grande Fly Fishing Rodeo (New Orleans)

This quirky event, hosted by the New Orleans Fly Fishers Club, is one of the only fly fishing tournaments dedicated to targeting Rio Grande cichlids. These fish, originally from Central America, have established populations in Louisiana’s warmer waterways. The tournament is open to all skill levels, making it a fun and educational experience for the local fly fishing community.

2. Ride the Bull Kayak Fishing Tournament (Grand Isle)

While not a fly fishing event specifically, Ride the Bull is the largest kayak fishing tournament in the world, held annually in Grand Isle. Anglers compete to catch huge bull redfish from kayaks, creating an exciting and fast-paced challenge. Fly anglers often participate, using big flies to entice the massive reds that roam the area.

3. Redfish on the Fly Tournament (Venice, LA)

Venice, located just east of Grand Isle, hosts this fly-only redfish tournament, attracting some of the best fly anglers in the Gulf region. It’s a catch-and-release event designed to promote sustainable fishing practices and raise awareness about conservation in Louisiana’s coastal marshes.

These events celebrate the culture of fly fishing in Louisiana, bringing anglers together to share knowledge, techniques, and stories from the water.

The Importance of Conservation – Protecting Louisiana’s Marshes

One of the biggest challenges facing Louisiana’s fly fishing future is coastal erosion. The state is losing land at an alarming rate, threatening the very marshes that make places like Grand Isle so special.

Organizations such as the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA), and local groups are working to protect critical habitat areas, restore oyster beds, and maintain the delicate balance of the ecosystem.

As fly anglers, supporting conservation efforts and practicing catch-and-release can help ensure that Louisiana’s redfish, trout, and drum populations remain strong for generations to come.

Conclusion – Grand Isle’s Place in Fly Fishing History

Louisiana is more than just a great place to eat Cajun food and celebrate Mardi Gras—it’s also home to some of the best saltwater fly fishing in the world. From the tight-knit fly fishing community in New Orleans to the untouched marshes of Grand Isle, the state has something to offer every fly angler.

Grand Isle, in particular, stands as a bucket-list destination, offering world-class redfish fly fishing, incredible sight-fishing opportunities, and an angling culture like no other. Whether you’re looking to target bull reds in the marsh, chase sheepshead along the flats, or take part in one of Louisiana’s unique fly fishing events, this coastal town has it all.

For those who love fly fishing, Louisiana’s waters are as rich in history as they are in fish, and Grand Isle remains at the heart of it all.