"This one's mine…let me show you how it's done." Louisiana fly fishing Capt. Danny Ayo skillfully presented his small crab fly pattern to a big cruising redfish, or what might be called a poisson rouge in Louisiana country where Ayo fishes. The Red studied the fly for a moment, and Ayo prayed aloud: "Lord, please let me catch this fish." The entreaty was a refreshing change from the sort of language we too often hear on fishing boats. As his request reached the heavens, the Redfish very deliberately tipped up and sipped the imitation crab.

Saltwater Fly Fishing magazine   August/September
full article

"SHALLOW IDEA "
BORED BY TRADITIONAL FISHING METHODS, Danny Ayo became hooked on sight fishing. 'You're not just blind casting, you're seeing your game —you're hunting, not fishing.' Louisiana fly fishing at it's best!

The New Orleans Times-Picayune Newspaper   November 1996
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"Part of this revolution originated here in Louisiana. Danny Ayo of Houma is a nationally-renown fly fishing guide who pioneered many light-tackle techniques for redfish. When I say light, I mean that Ayo has taken reds up to 17 pounds on a 1-weight rod using 2-pound tippet!

Ayo gives programs across the country, dispelling many of the myths about fly rodding for redfish. One of those myths is that you need to be able to boom long casts in order to be productive.

Ayo loves to tell of the time he hosted Jason Borger, the great caster who doubled for Brad Pitt in the movie A River Runs Through It. According to Ayo, he and Borger had just gotten started in a patch of marsh, when Borger told him not to worry about getting too close to the fish. I can cast 120 feet, said Borger. OK, Cuz. If I see one, I'll be sure to back up for you, replied Ayo."

He may have sounded cynical, but Ayo was making a point. You can't cast to what you can't see. Being able to see a red sometimes means getting in close and tight. That requires a good set of polarized sunglasses, a long brim hat, and the ability to limit your movement when the moment arrives."

Louisiana Sportsman's Magazine   June 2001
full article

"Capt. Danny Ayo of Thibodaux, Louisiana, finds that in Louisiana marshes, as long as the fly gets close to the fish's head - within 6 inches or so - it'll take it. While fishing those marshes, I had to unlearn my usual techniques. "Forget what people say about the fly approaching the fish and scaring it away," says Ayo. "If you get it in their face, they're gonna eat - if you don't, they won't." How the fly gets into their face doesn't seem to matter, and since Ayo's redfish seldom see fishermen, his technique works well.

Fly Fishing in Salt Waters magazine   Feb/2000
full story

Quoting from page 106 the author writes;
"-Capt. Danny Ayo, (985)855-1381. Danny lives in Thibodaux, about an hour's drive southwest of New Orleans, and fishes the surrounding marshes. I've fished with him - he's good."

The book, Flyfishing for REDFISH, was written by Captain John Kumiski and published in 1997.
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