April is the time of year to visit Louisiana, the weather is beautiful and the crawfish are just right, not to big. This information comes from our friends Jerry and Patty Rauch, lifetime Louisianans. I know Jerry from the “All Biddness” days. My impression of Louisiana is that it is sinking, there is water everywhere, it’s brackish , the color of mud, and it is teeming with life. We watched a guy almost land a huge Redfish at Grand Isle on the Gulf of Mexico a chrome bright fish looks strangely out of place slashing through the brown surf. I talked to some gentlemen fishing for catfish off a bridge deep in Tabasco country, I wondered how the fish could find their bait: their secret is stink-bait. I did get the recipe for their stink-bait, this is the kind of thing I do on vacation. That and eat.

Here’s the way to eat your way through Louisiana; Boiled crawfish, crawfish Etoufee’ , Shrimp Creole, crab cakes, seafood gumbo, chicken /sausage gumbo, crab gumbo, shrimp Po Boy’s, catfish, fried shrimp, fried oysters. This is simple food beautifully prepared. Patty says once you can make a roux the rest is easy, that and really great local ingredients.

Another really fine idea they have are the drive up Daiquiri stands, just pull up and get a daiquiri in a go cup, ready for the commute home. The fact that they have daiquiri drive through and we have Espresso says a lot about a lot of things. Life is pretty laid back, people are relaxed and I didn’t see one billboard lawyer eyeballing me.

I know what your thinking, what does all this have to do with fly fishing? Well, man does not live by hunt and fish alone and every so often we need to leave our gear at home and get out and feel the pulse of this fabulous country. The next time I get a crack at this column I promise to let ya’ll in on some real secret fly fishing tips. You bet.