Nov 28, 2011

As the headline indicates, the season is underway and wow have the ducks been plentiful this season.  We have experienced some really good duck hunting so far this season and maybe some of the best duck hunting in Southwest Louisiana in several years or even the best in the last decade.  It seems as if the reports of a great hatch this year may have some basis in truth for once as the ducks are plentiful and we are seeing tons of young birds. 

With ample fresh water pumped on our lands, our success is primarily location related as we maintain excellent hunting properties.  However, some of our success may also be a result in part from the terrible drought conditions that have gripped the region for the last year.  It seems as if you have water in you fields or marsh, you have plenty of ducks...and this year they are sticking around. 

The goose migration appeared off to a good start in late October but slowed to a trickle for the early part of November as unseasonably warm weather seemed to have a hold on the area.  Temperatures in the 80's several days in the first week or so of the season seem to be the culprit.  Dark goose numbers have been a bit down from normal and the snow population has been severely lacking.  However, the last couple of days we are seeing good flights of geese, both light and dark that have been arriving with this cooler weather along with a whole new crop of ducks...lots with green heads, a sure sign cooler weather may be here to stay.

We are expecting to continue the solid success we have experienced in the blinds for the rest of the first split and the late arriving birds should offer excellent hunting well into January.  It has really been exciting to see so many ducks after several spotty season for them.  The late arriving geese may also be just what we needed for a super strong second split, we have some catching up to do with them.  We still have some available dates for the second split, call now to secure your spot.

On the water the fish have been cooperative on most every outing making our cast and blast trips a huge success.  There has been a variety of opportunities for the last several weeks as the flounder run has been red hot, the redfish have been very reliable and when the winds have been cooperative the specks are still available in good numbers.  While the flounder will be cooling off in the coming weeks, the reds should be heating up for big catches.  Trout fishing will be really dependent on the weather as sudden cold fronts may slow their bite for a day or so but they will turn it back on when the weather stabilizes.

Calcasieu Lake is still in fantastic shape with clean, salty water and loads of baitfish being present in the majority of the estuary. In addition, there is a wide distribution of speckled trout and redfish throughout the entire system. We expect to maintain good catches into mid January when the water temperatures will really slow things down a bit.  The excellent distribution of fish throughout the system will allow our boats to find fishable waters in most any conditions. As winter tightens its grip on the area we expect that redfish will be an increasing part of our daily catches. 

If you are a weekend fisherman and want to make a trip this year, you better hurry as our weekends are going fast. If you want a short notice trip when you see a good weather window, give us a call as we might have a spot open and we stand ready. We sill ave a few open dates during the hunting split Dec 5-16, give us a call to et something up.  Also, don't forget that our gift certificates make great Christmas gifts!!! 

For those of you wanting to enjoy some great fishing or excellent mixed bag hunting, excellent food and a fun, family friendly lodge atmosphere, we are the answer. Whether you are entertaining clients, gathering with friends or getting the family together for that once a year fling, get on the phone now, the fish are biting and the birds are on the way. Now is the time to make some reservations and get your crew down to Calcasieu Lake for a good time you won't soon forget.

For fishing, our 240 LTS Triton Boats with 225/250 HP Mercury Optimax motors are pure fishing machines. They easily and safely get you to the fish and back in all conditions. We provide excellent fishing equipment, both casting and spinning gear, just in case you don't have your own or don't want the hassle of lugging it along. Our staff of experienced, personable and hard working guides enjoy their jobs and do their best to put your group on fish. Whether you're a novice or avid fisherman you will enjoy their efforts to put YOU on the fish. Hunters will be happy to be chauffered to a dry, comfortable pit blind surrounded by excellent spreads of duck and goose decoys and skies full of birds. Decoying action on ducks and specklebelly geese is our specialty and we are pretty good at it, hope your shooting can match! Our cast and blast packages give a taste of both the hunts and fishing trips and are an excellent and popular choice with our customers. Our lodging facilty is also an exceptional asset and is available for our excellent full service packages or do it yourself groups up to 20 persons.

Book Now For Great Hunting and Fishing!!!

Erik and Tina Rue

Staff of Calcasieu Charter Service