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July 11, 2019
MAKE BASEBALL – GREAT AGAIN-
July 11, 2019
we had some, so that definitely got people talking.”
This year’s Admiral, local dermatologist and outdoorsman Dr. Lee Grafton agreed and said seeing tarpon at the weigh station was great. He also said that new red snapper regulations and seasons in Louisiana have helped to boost the event.
“Look at the snapper — it’s great. People are catching a lot of them,” Grafton said. “There are a lot of boats out there bringing them in. There are beautiful fish on the board.”
But aside from the big tarpon and the traditional categories, the story of the 2019 version of the rodeo is how inclusive it is for local anglers and folks who just love to pass a good time.
In addition to the usual species, the rodeo also features children’s divisions where the next generation of anglers are able to come out and support the event.
There are also spearfishing and kayaking divisions.
Don’t want to fish? Can’t handle the heat?
The air conditioned tent is massive and chilly.
Nonc Nu and da Wild Matous pumped Cajun music throughout the afternoon and many locals shook a leg and passed a good time.
In a corner of the tent were games for children and many youngsters played on their own while their moms and dads sat and enjoyed their boiled shrimp dinners.
“The tent is a game-changer for us,” Callais said. “It’s hot out there. And this gives us the chance to come in, stay comfortable and cool off.”
“It’s crazy,” Boucvalt said. “There are more people here than at the Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo. The growth this event has seen is tremendous. It really is a true community event.”
And the kicker is the cause.
Proceeds for the event go to local children in the form of scholarships.
In the past several years, the rodeo has given back tens of thousands of dollars to local students — helping them secure their educational futures.
Callais said it warms his heart to see local students get money to continue their academic careers. He pointed to the children’s leaderboard and said that some of the children fishing this weekend may someday get scholarships from the event.
Grafton agreed and said the best part of being the Admiral of the event was seeing all of the good that the rodeo did for the community.
“To have people come up to you and tell you thanks for the word that you’ve done and the money you’ve raised, it’s just a wonderful feeling,” Grafton said. “It takes a lot of time and effort to put on an event this size, but when you look at it with a big-picture view, you see all of the good being done and realize that, ‘Hey, it’s all worth it.'”
