The Louisiana Outdoors Writers Association recently named my state record pompano as the 2022 Fly Fish of the Year. The fish was caught on a size 1 tan/white marbled sandflea. At 3.01 lbs. it is not my personal best pompano caught in Louisiana (my heaviest was 5 lbs. +) but since the fish had swallowed the fly and likely not to survive I decided to keep it knowing it was likely to be the new record. I have caught around 10 fish that were likely heavier than the fish I submitted. It was very nice to be recognized for this fish but I hope more can be done to preserve our pompano fishery. Unfortunately pompano commercial fisherman have been laying their nets in areas they are not allowed i.e. national wildlife refuges and wiping out large numbers of these fish. If you see this happening please document what you see by taking pictures and video and send them to WLF.