RISING WATERS not slowing fishing … at least not yet

Water levels are high right now in Terrebonne Parish.

They II get even higher in the coming weeks now that the Morganza Spillway is opened

But—for the past wet at feast —freshwater fishing in the parish has not slowed

Anglers around the area said they’re still having hick catching bass and other freshwater fish in Bayou Black — even with water levels that are well above normal.

“The water is high, but we’re still able to fish and catch what we’re trying to catch,” Houma native Ross Theriot said “I dart know how much longer it’s going to last but for right now. we’re having a lot of hick with bass and people are catching beautiful large fish It’s a shame were having to deal with the river flooding, because if not. this could be an amazing summer out here,”

But it’s a summer that may be inevitable cut short because of the rising water

Levels are very high throughout Bayou Black. Gibson and West Terrebonne and while areas remain fish able. some docks and launches may soon be swallowed in the coming weeks

Normally, the problem of rising prater is temporary and it reverses itself with a change in wind direction or weather pattern.

But with the Morganza Spill” way opening, water is intentionally being diverted into already-swollen areas of the Atchafalaya Basin where they will swell into West Terrebonne.

Theriot said he knows this may be a short summer at some of his spots.

“The fish will keep toting” he said. “The problem will be if we have the ability to get out there if the marinas are forced to close up.”

In Lafourche Parish, the problem of high water is not as prevalent as Terrebonne and anglers are getting out on the water and are catching gorgeous bass and perch

Golden Meadow native Andrew Billiot said he caught a string of perch in the 40-arpent canal that was as pretty as he’s seen in years.

Others have reported 2-pound toss being caught, as well as catfish and sac-au-lait

In Bayou Lafourche, the catfish have been hitting, as well as seasonal crappie.

“The perch right now are cant* miss.” Billiot said “Put a worm in the water and they’re going to bite on it. We caught enough to fill up our bucket in about 90 minutes the other day”

Out in the marshes, it’s getting hot but if anglers can stand it. there are still sizable trout in abundance

Grand Isle native Jake Besson said the trout got off to a slow start as we’ve repeated throughout the spring, but they’ve remained hot as temperatures have risen.

“The fishing is good, but the weather isn’t Besson said “It gets hot East out there. And the thing you’d want to ask for on any other day is a nice breeze, but in fishing, winds mean waves and waves mean you take a testing out there on the water. Right now, I go out as the sun is coming up. and by 9 or 10 am. Fm out erf there. It’s going to be a hot summer if it stays this dry”

In southern Terrebonne Parish, anglers have reported the same luck as in La fair erg with red fish and speckled trout being ripe for the taking when winds are down and seas are calm.

“The reds really came hack on last week.” Theriot said. “MM that there were ever really off. But we saw a lot of really big fish and people are talking about the SUCCESSES they’ve had working the marshes and toward the shore.”

With the calendar now topped to June, a new season will start for local anglers—offs bore fish-

Galliano native Robert Jackson said the weather is just about warm enough now where offshore fishing will be a consis-tent player.

The season starts once seas calm in the Gulf of Mexico. During winter and spring, seasonal cold fronts dip into the Gulf and make the water far too choppy for those boats to have a comfortable ride.

Jackson said yellowfin tuna have been hitting, as well as cobia Jackson said he even heard a story of a tarpon, which will please the rodeo-goers, because the Golden Meadow-Fourchon Tarpon Rodeo and the International Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo are both right around the corner.

“We think it’s going to be a great offshore season.” Jackson said. “If the weather stays dry. we’re going to have a Id of days to get out on the water and we know that when that happens, that’s about all we can ask for “

RISING WATERS not slowing fishing … at least not yetRISING WATERS not slowing fishing … at least not yet