Bait and Fish: Launch puts spotlight back on fishing town

Fisherman hoping to test Leeville’s fruitful waters now have the free public boat launch that they’ve been wanting for years.

Businesses in the area are exhaling a sigh of relief because the launch means much-needed dollars are being brought back into the small coastal town’s struggling economy.

Businesses and elected officials tout their pleasure with the $1.1 million boat launch project, which is located where the old Leeville lift bridge used to sit. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Dec. 1 to commemorate the highly anticipated structure’s opening. The newly built public facility also includes a kayak launch and a fishing pier, making it the only free launch in the town, as well as a multi-purpose facility, according to Port Fourchon Executive Director Chett Chiasson.

“(It’s about) attracting people to the town of Leeville to be there and utilize the businesses and bring them in to enjoy the environment that we have in south Lafourche,” Chiasson said. “Be able to catch some fish, have a good time, enjoy it with your family and then have a little benefit for the town of Leeville – buy some bait, eat at the Leeville Restaurant – just to provide a little bit more economic impact to the Leeville area.”

The economic boost to Leeville is a much-needed shot in the arm after some of the events that have pulled people away from the south Lafourche Parish town in years past.

Historically, Leeville has had a nice line of bait shops, convenience stores and other fishing-related businesses because of the town’s fish-filled waters. Add those factors to the town’s location, and it made Leeville a well-known place locally, mostly because it was mandatory that drivers peruse through it on their way to Grand Isle – a one-way trek through La. Highway 1.

But when legislators scrounged together the money to build the La. 1 Expressway in Dec. 2011 for hurricane evacuation purposes, drivers were able to get from extreme south Golden Meadow to Port Fourchon and Grand Isle without ever having to go through Leeville.

This infrastructure hurt Leeville’s economy, taking a lion’s share of its automobile traffic away, and severely hurting its business imprint within the parish.

Fisherman Joe Reid said he fishes the coast of Louisiana – all the way from Venice to the east and Lake Charles to the west. He said after the bridge’s opening, it was like “night and day” the difference in the town.

“There was a lot less traffic – it was like night and day,” Reid said. “I don’t think they were doing anything malicious to hurt the people here. I think it was just an unfortunate thing that happened when the bridge got built. But it definitely changed what I saw, for sure.”

A local business owner in Leeville agreed. Not wanting to be named out of fear that it would paint he or his business as “hurting,” a Leeville businessman said that times were rough in the past few years. But he added that the public boat launch is a blessing, and that things could be better in 2015.

“It wasn’t easy,” the businessman said. “You saw a lot of people end up having to close up shop. We fought for this so that we could have something – anything – to hang our hats on to get people excited about. And since it’s been open, it’s been nice. It’s not what it used to be, but it’s been nice.”

So now that the launch is open for business, the focus is on taking this project, seeing it flourish and trying to help restore a bit of normalcy into Leeville’s economy.

Lafourche Parish Council Chairman Daniel Lorraine represents Leeville in his district. He was one of many local leaders who worked to bring the launch to the community.

He said that contractors did “a really good job” getting the facility in place and in working order. He added that he’d like to now see lights set up to establish night fishing and to enhance safety.

But Lorraine said the desire to have lights are just a small gripe, and that it’s good to be talking about Leeville again for all of the right reasons.

“It’s going to help out the businesses that were hurt with the opening of the La. 1 Bridge,” Lorraine said. “It cut them out completely. Believe it or not, this is bringing in business to these people, and they’re real excited about it. … It’s bringing in tourism. It’s bringing in economic development.”

“That’s why that idea came about was really to look at getting more people brought down there because there are certainly other boat launches, but they’re private,” Chiasson added. “Which is fine, but having a public boat launch that anybody can use, a kayak launch, an area people can drive-in and fish and is open to the public is important.

“That typically attracts people.”

A fleet of local lawmakers and business leaders look on as Lafourche Parish President Charlotte Randolph (center) cuts a ribbon to officially declare Leeville’s public boat launch open. The free launch is bringing much-needed money to Leeville.

COURTESY PHOTO