By Max Salzburg

Louisiana Redfish on the Fly with Simon Gawesworth & Meredith McCord

October 14 - 19, 2024

Le Beau Soleil, Louisiana

Join Far Bank's Education and Engagement Manager Simon Gawesworth and professional fly angler Meredith McCord for a highly educational, in-depth coastal saltwater fishing school at Le Beau Soleil in the marshes of Southern Louisiana.

Whether you are a seasoned saltwater angler or new to the sport, this trip to the Louisiana marsh with Simon Gawesworth and Meredith McCord is sure to be an exciting and educational adventure. Simon will be traveling with the latest Sage fly rods and RIO fly lines perfectly matched for the Southern Louisiana marsh. Students will learn in the classroom on select mornings and evenings and spend the first day on the property learning to cast with Simon and certified instructors Captain Collin Huff and Meredith McCord of La Beau Soleil. The second day of the course is designed to take you from basic casting skills, to learning more advanced saltwater specific skills, such as casting in the wind, double haul, casting from a skiff, the "clock face", accuracy and presentation skills, casting at moving targets, and line management on a skiff. The remaining two days concentrate on putting into practice the skills learned with two days of guided fishing with top redfish guides. This course is designed to give you all the tools you need to enjoy and maximize the wonderful fun that is fly fishing for redfish. You will learn the various casts needed, a wide range of fishing techniques, and build up an understanding and knowledge of the wide variety of gear used when fishing with saltwater outfits. In short, if you are even slightly interested in getting into the redfish game, this course will put you firmly on the right road.

Far Bank Fly Fishing Schools are designed so that students leave the course with all the knowledge and skills needed for a lifetime of enjoyment in fly fishing. We do this by keeping the instructor to student ratio to an absolute minimum. On group lesson days there will be a maximum of 3 students per instructor, and on the putting-into-practice fishing days, only two guests per professional guide.

The Lodging and Meals:

Le Beau Soleil (The Beautiful Sunshine) was opened in the fall of 2023 by angler and travel hostess, Meridith McCord. It is made up of two lodging options: The Boat Barn and the Lux Trailer.

The Boat Barn has two large en suite bedrooms each with a split king and one extra long twin beds and can comfortably sleep up to 4 guests.

The Lux Trailer has one queen bedroom and one extra long twin bed single room. The Lux Trailer will be perfect for a traveling couple or two single guests.

All meals will be catered by a local caterer and will be centered around a Southern and Cajun menu.

Group Size: 6 students

Itinerary:

· October 14: Arrive New Orleans, LA. Transfer to Le Beau Soleil. Welcome dinner with Simon and Meredith.

· October 15: Classroom and casting sessions with Simon and certified instructors Collin Huff and Meredith McCord.

· October 16: Morning classroom session, followed by three groups, rotating between Simon, Meredith and Collin, focusing on more technical and essential saltwater casting and boat skills.

· October 17: Full day of guided saltwater marsh fishing.

· October 18: Full day of guided saltwater marsh fishing.

· October 19: Depart lodge.

Rate: $3,700 per person based on double occupancy for a 5 night/ 4 day school (no single rooms available)

Included: Sage, Redington, and RIO demo gear, acommodations, all meals at the lodge, fishing instruction, guided fishing, all terminal tackle and flies,tax

Not Included: Airfare, transportation to/from the lodge, alcohol, fishing license, gratuities

Meet Simon Gawesworth

Simon Gawesworth’s impact and contribution to the world of fly fishing is legendary. His prolific career spans some 35 years. For those who have had a chance to learn from and fish with Simon, they will tell you that his humble, charming, and naturally delivered expertise is unmatched in the world of fly fishing.

Meet Meredith McCord

While Meredith is based in Houston, Texas, she travels the world hosting fly fishing trips for adventure- seeking anglers of all ages and skill levels. Meredith is an honest, engaging, and sought-after speaker on fly fishing, inspiration, faith, and family. Always ready to explore and connect, Meredith lives life as the adventure it is – always ready for one more cast.

MEREDITH’S MISSION: To Inspire, educate and empower others to be the best Angler that they can be, all while having fun, making new friends and catching fish in beautiful places.

Suggested Southern Louisiana Marsh Gear

Perfectly Matched Tackle from Sage and RIO Products is Provided and Included on the Trip

In addition to finding the right water, having the right gear can help make any day that much better. For over 20 years Fly Water Travel has been fly fishing's most trusted and respected source for finding the right water. Now, along with Sage, RIO Products, and Redington, Fly Water Travel is a proud member of the Far Bank Family. As part of this larger team, we are able to access decades worth of manufacturing passion and knowledge enabling us to expand our role to include in-depth advice on the world's best rods, reels, lines, and flies.

Rather than buy the wrong gear, you are welcome to use the equipment provided by the lodge and school, which will all be perfectly matched and balanced for each class and situation. A big part of the course is designed to give you the knowledge needed to go out and purchase the right equipment for you and your future saltwater journey. If you would like to bring your own equipment, the following is a good guideline of gear that will be most applicable to the trip.

Louisiana Saltwater Marsh Far Bank Perfect Set-ups

Sage R8 Salt 990-4
Sage Enforcer 9/10 RIO Elite Predator
RIO Hopedale Crab