Burn ban in effect across south La.
July 1, 2009
Brenda Guidry Dantin
July 6, 2009
The Terrebonne Sportsman’s 59th annual International Fishing Rodeo returns in July bringing a variety of fishing, prizes and other treats to the East Park Recreation Center in Houma.
The tournament begins Friday, July 31, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 2.
Event chairman Larry Jordan said the rodeo has become somewhat of a tradition to those who have participated in it.
Given that the rodeo spans over a half-century, a number of those who fish it today have relatives that participated in early Terrebonne Sportsman rodeos.
“We have people who fish (the rodeo) whose grandparents fished it,” Jordan explained. “It’s something that has been carried on for generation after generation.”
And the talent the rodeo draws is top-notch, he said of the rodeo’s lure. “You are fishing against the best. That makes people want to fish because they want to come out on top,” he said.
The rodeo’s diverse variety of fishing categories – freshwater, shoreline, offshore, blue water, scuba, tag-and-release and fly-fishing – also helps draw anglers.
According to Jordan, that’s what’s helped the rodeo last as long as it has.
“We are one of the biggest rodeos in terms of categories we have for people to fish,” he said. “I believe right now we are second only to Grand Isle in that respect.”
The winner of each division receives a variety of possible prizes.
The rodeo is open to the general public and to all ages. Tickets to the event are $15 and are available at Bayouside Seafood, Southern Outdoors, Songy’s Sporting Goods and places that normally sell rodeo tickets.
Weigh-in for scuba is 2 p.m. on Sunday at the East Park Recreation Center and 4 p.m. for all rod and reels. An auction is also being held on Sunday.
