Misconception of Red River
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.
