Golden Meadow FD fishes for a cause

Carol Pitre remembers the days when the Golden Meadow Volunteer Fire Department struggled to raise money for its fishing rodeo.

“We held cake bingo (games) and garage sales on a bunch of weekends,” she explained. “When you put on a rodeo, you need money for prizes, food for concessions and a band. And if you have a band, you also need money for beer. That’s how it is on the bayou.” The department finally collected enough funds to launch the Golden Meadow Volunteer Fire Department Family Fishing Rodeo in 1991. Since then, the rodeo has attracted a loyal following who are lured to Oakridge Community Park in Golden Meadow for good food, good entertainment and, of course, good angling.

The script is expected to remain the same for the 16th edition of the rodeo, which is set to run Sept. 22 and 23.

“We’ll probably get 60 to 70 people to buy tickets to fish,” said Pitre, who now works as the secretary and treasurer of the tournament. “And we should have anywhere from 200 to 300 people show up for the festivities on Saturday.”

Those festivities will include musical entertainment, the crowning of the rodeo king and queen, beauty pageants (which include a ‘womanless’ division) and the Fourth Annual Antique and Classic Car Show.

But the main lure is the fishing.

An adult saltwater division includes categories in Red Fish, Bull Red (over 27 inch), Speckled Trout, White Trout, Drum, Bull Drum (over 27 inch), Sheephead and Flounder.

The freshwater division includes a Largemouth Bass category.

A largest non-category species division (stingrays, sharks, etc.), and a children’s 12-and-under division (Catfish, Perch, Redfish, Speckled Trout) will also be made available to the public.

First, second and third-place winners in the past received Igloo ice chests, but Pitre said the best anglers at this year’s tournament will probably receive gift cards.

“That way, you can buy whatever you want,” she said.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children 10-and-under.

For more information, call Pitre at (985) 632-3800 or (985) 475-5610.