Hook'n Up & Track'n Down

I cant' help but wonder what has happened to our area lakes and rivers. Just 10 years ago, we did not have the issue of too much aquatic vegetation on any of our area lakes. Boy what a difference a few years can make. Now, we're on the verge of losing some of our best fishing and hunting holes due to aquatic vegetation. What is going to be done about it? Probably not much since the LDWF does not have the money to really attack the problem the way it needs to. Unless the State gets involved really soon and dedicates more finances to the problem, some of these lakes and river systems are going to be un-navigable. I would hate to be a business or marina owner anywhere around a lake or river system in Louisiana. 

A comment has been made by a state game warden that until we get rid of the birds, we will never control the vegetation. How stupid does that sound? We all know you can't get rid of or control the bird population.  At a meeting on Lake Bistineau this week , another mind blowing comment was made. When asked about where the money is going to come from to attack the Silvania problem. They were told by a State official that the money would come from license fees and gas tax when you fill up your boat. WHAT? Fill up my boat!!!!!! How does the State know if I am putting gas in my boat or my truck.? What are they thinking when they answer these questions in this manner. All this does is enrage the public and make matters worse. All the State officials need to get together and educate the guys in the field on how to answer these questions. I want to hear a plan of action and when it will go into affect. Are you going to spray, introduce grass carp, or drop an atomic bomb.  Whatever your sloution is, please tell me something other than "Well, until we can get rid of the birds ...." I am tired of the lack of response or concern about a problem that is going to cost property owners and businesses a lot of money. If you thought the low water problems at Toledo Bend was a major issue, this will be a lot worse because that will affect all of our lakes and rivers; not just one lake.

Posted by Steve Graf at 05:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

To all those people who have not been on Red River yet, shame on you!!! You are missing out on the best fishery to hit this area since the hay days of Toledo Bend. I talk to people every week that act surprised when I tell them about Red RIver and how good the fishing is. They respond with "You fish there?" Folks I understand that river systems can be intimidating but, it is just like any other body of water that you fish for the first time. You have to be careful until you learn the boat roads and how to get around. The main thing to understand about the little ol Red is while you're running the main channel, stay between the bouys. If you're running north, the red bouys should be on your right and the greens on your left. If your running south, red bouys on your left and greens on your right. I cannot tell you how many times I see anglers who are not from this area scouting for a tournament, cutting corners and channel bends where underwater rock jetties lie in wait. But if they would just stay between the bouys and use a little common sence, they would not be knocking their lower units off their motors and cracking hulls. Gel-coat (fiberglass) and rocks do not mix; the rocks will win every time. 

Now let me tell you where you can go fishing on the Red River and never have to venture out on the main river itself. There are several launches that are located in backwater areas. Lets start in Pool 5 (Shreveport/Bossier). Clark's Marina just south of Bossier City off Hwy 71 is a great place to go fishing. There are 100's of acres avaiable in some of the best bass waters anywhere. Pool 4 (Coushatta), Red Oak public launch ramp is located about 10 miles south of Coushatta on the Old Campti Hwy. Pool 3 (Natchitoches) has 3 ramps in backwater areas. One is located at the Natchitoches Grand Ecore Public Ramp on Bayou Pierre. You can fish the Bayou itself which is very similar to fishing Cane River. The best facility in Pool 3 is located in the St. Maurice oxbow just north of Montgomery off Hwy 71. Midway Marina is an outstanding place with some of the best fishing on the Red River. You can launch here and never leave this oxbow and catch some great fish!!!! You also have access to miles of Saline Bayou which feeds this oxbow.

What's my point to all this? Folks don't be affraid of the big bad Red. It's a great place not only to go fishing but it's a wonderful place for taking your family and pleasure boating. A lot of people are actually cruising the Red River and docking up on sand bars and setting up camp for the night or day and just relaxing. You can even tube or ski anytime you want. Under normal conditions and the river is stable, with the lock and dam system, the river is nothing more than a very slow drift. Sometimes you can't even tell if the water is moving at all. So get out and learn this great waterway right here in your own backyard and take advantage of a river that has soooo much to offer.

Posted by Steve Graf at 04:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The wife and I went to the Hunter's Expo in Shreveport last weekend to check out new products, pick up some business cards, and hopefully be inspired by some new idea(doesn't take much to inspire this Ashland boy). Was very pleased to see a plethora of vendors from not only all over our great state but from abroad as well. If I'm not badly mistaken, we met some folks from Canada and a very nice Aussie couple as well. Plenty of new products to gaze at(from vinyl siding to turkey calls) as well as many hunting ranches and other various organizations to chat with. There seemed to be quite a few folks there while the wife and I were in attendance, however, many of them were grumbling and some were fighting mad about the some of the problems with the new convention center. Was told afterwards that people had to bring in their parking garage ticket inside the convention center with them so they could them purchase a card(for $3) that would grant them exit from the parking garage. When I was told of this, I thought it was somewhat goofy, but hey that's how things are in the city and let's face it, $3 for parking is a bargain at most venues. The problem apparently did not lie within that scheme itself, the problem was that none of the attendants at the parking garage or in the convention center felt it was necessary to tell any of the patrons about the parking arrangement. As you can imagine, there were some mad folks. The wife and I did not have that problem because I couldn't even find the parking garage to the convention center as the directions from the signs in the downtown area were somewhat ambiguous. I'm not saying that it was a nightmare to find the place and get adequate parking, but the whole process was quite annoying, and I don't on planning another event at the convention center until the good folks there get their collective act together. I know that some of the vendors from the boat show(held earlier in the year) were quite unhappy with the turnout at the new convention center for their event and it was largely blamed on the fact that people didn't want to go thru the hassle. Hopefully a new venue will be found for events such as the Hunter's Expo and The Boat Show until the convention center braintrust can make it an easier and better experience for the vendors and their patrons. In my opinion(and that's what this article is about), the Bossier City Convention Center would be a perfect place for these events as it is somewhat easy to get in and out of, there is other attractions(Pierre Bossier Mall) close to attract other patrons, and you don't have to worry about crime as much as you're right next door to the Bossier City police department. I may not get my wish, but I do have a feeling that the Shreveport Convention Center is going to have to try and shake some things up before event coordinators bring their attractions there.

Random thoughts of the day:

Two sisters from Vivian(can't remember the name of their business) were selling some kind of sauce that is out of this world good. The Sopping Sauce that they were peddling is quite unique and it tempts the palate with its Arby's like consistency and distinctive kick that isn't overpowering. I always wanted to be a food critic, I wonder if other fat guys have thought the same.

Did you know that the Great Horned Owl(which stands about 4 feet high) hoots five times as opposed to the Barred Owl(commonly referred to as the Hoot Owl) which hoots 8 times.

What ever happened to the whippoorwills? Used to hear them all the time as a kid, but rarely hear them now. Are they migrating to other areas of the country or has the timber industry run them off? Or is there another explanation?

Posted by Chris Boyd at 10:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)