Redfish Retreat | 2025

Overview

Redfish, Grits & Girlfriends: A Women’s Fly Fishing Adventure in Louisiana when six women from four states took on the mighty redfish of the Mississippi Delta—and found laughter, friendship, and a little Southern magic.

From Far and Wide to the Bayou

Six adventurous women from Alaska, Kansas, Wisconsin, and North Carolina converged on the historic Woodlands Plantation in Louisiana—a grand estate straight out of a Southern Comfort dream. The air was warm, and the promise of adventure hung as thick as the humidity.

Inside, we were welcomed with true Southern hospitality—and five-course dinners that would’ve made any Cajun grandmother proud. Steak, fish, and fresh oysters graced our plates nightly, followed by desserts that required zero guilt after a full day on the water. And every morning, without fail, the kitchen gifted us a breakfast sure to include grits—the perfect fuel for casting, laughing, and exploring the marsh.

Our mission? To catch the mighty redfish of the Mississippi Delta on the fly. Our weapons of choice? 8- and 10-weight fly rods, a sense of humor, and enough sunscreen to protect a small army.

Crabs, Casts, and Chartreuse Magic

The delta marsh was a living postcard—herons stalking the shallows, pelicans gliding low, roseate spoonbills flashing pink, and, somewhere out there, the rumored flick of an alligator tail.

We fished the marinas up and down Highway 23, a scenic route decorated with shrimp boats, bayou vistas, and, amusingly, a near-constant stream of Dollar Generals—our unofficial landmarks between fishing spots.

Each day began early, with two anglers per boat and an experienced guide perched high on a platform, poling us quietly through the glassy marsh. The trick was finding the fish for sight-casting—we needed clean water, sunshine, and calm winds. When all three lined up, it was pure magic.

On my boat, a weighted chartreuse fly proved irresistible. The redfish didn’t seem too picky—when they saw it, they charged like torpedoes. Lines sang, reels screamed, and laughter echoed across the marsh as we celebrated every hook-up like a home run.

Between casts, we marveled at the life all around us—crabs scuttling in the water, egrets dancing in the shallows, and the occasional shrimp skipping across the surface like a skipping stone. Every moment felt alive, wild, and drenched in sunlight.

Storms, Songs, and Friendships

By the third day, the weather gods decided to test our spirits. A major thunderstorm rolled across the bayou, drenching our plans in gray skies, muddy water and wind. But we weren’t about to let that ruin our fun.

“Lemons into lemonade,” one of our guides grinned—and he meant it. He invited all six of us onto his big boat for an impromptu afternoon of spinning rod fishing. We piled in, still laughing, still singing the silly songs we’d made up about the trip—and even one dedicated to our favorite guide.

That day, the sisterhood shone brightest. We cheered one another on, swapped rods, and shared snacks, determined to make the best of it. And wouldn’t you know—it turned into our most successful day yet! Despite the less-than-perfect conditions, we landed the biggest fish of the trip, proving that attitude matters as much as technique.

By the end of the trip, we’d caught fish, yes—but we’d also caught something far more lasting: friendship, laughter, and a shared story we’ll tell for years.

For me, this trip fulfilled a lifelong dream—to visit New Orleans, to cast a fly into the delta’s shimmering waters, and to feel the pull of a redfish on the line. But the real magic wasn’t just in the catch—it was in the camaraderie of six women who showed up for adventure and left with memories stitched forever into our hearts.

So here’s to the next one!
Join Women’s Fly Fishing in 2026 for your very own trip of a lifetime—complete with grits, giggles, and maybe even a redfish or two.

Hosted by Jolynne Howard | October 23 - 27, 2025