Beautiful Louisiana Black Drum

If Black Drum could be runway models, this girl would make top dollar

Corbett Davis, Jr. of Pensacola, Fl. took this beautiful Louisiana Black Drum on the fly rod. I have photographed and seen many images of Black Drum, but I have never seen a more beautiful picture of a Black Drum.

It takes great skill to catch a large Black Drum like this one. She was sighted in less than 2 foot of water on a very low tide. Fly presentation is an absolute necessity and attention to minor details is vital. The ability to read the most subtle hints of the fish's body language can often be the difference between victory and defeat.

Most large Black Drum don't run very fast once hooked. It often feels more like attaching your fly line to a pickup truck and having the driver idle away. They generally move off slow, but they can be impossible to stop. Although I have seen extreme exceptions on rare occasions. Once, an energetic Drum actually stripped the line off the spool! The longest Black Drum fight I have witnessed took 57 minutes to boat. These fish are very hardy. I have never failed to successfully released any Black Drum.

My most productive flies are the Spoon Fly, Crab Fly, and the Clouser Minnow, in that order.

For interested photographers

I love this image and find no faults with it. As I study the image there are details revealed that attribute to the whole of the success.

• Since it is mainly a picture of a Black Drum, the fish has predominance in the image. Corbett is slightly subdued and everything else resides in the background. Camera depth of field is important.
• The fish is very sharp, it appears almost laser cut into the sky. There is a lot of concentrated focus towards the head outline, the mouth, and the eye.
• Large Black Drum are covered with a protective mucous. Photoshop was used to make slight edits.
• Notice the way Corbett gently supports the fish in an uplifted and secure position. The fish is held in such a way as to not deform the fins. I especially enjoy the natural arch of the fish in Corbett's pose.
• Corbett loves this fish! And his facial expression communicates that. NOTE: Charlie Modica and myself had to continuously pull Corbett away from the fish. He kept wanting to kiss her. :<)
• Corbett had a big hole in the crouch of his pants so we place the reel there to hide it. JUST KIDDING !
• The dreary winter sky helped to subdue the boat and our surroundings.

I have no official training in photography, or anything else for that matter. But I know what I like. If you have any opinions or comments that may add to the observations above, I'd like to know. Please send via e-mail

I enjoyed writing this and hope you enjoyed reading it as well.

Capt. Dan

Capt. Dan Ayo
E-mail    -  flyfisher@flyfishlouisiana.com
Website - Shallow Minded Guide Service
(985) 855-1381 before 8 PM Central Time