Here are some photos from the Pan Fish Rodeo & Fish Fry.
Click the images for a slideshow.
Results of EASL 2016 Squirrel Rodeo
October 5, 2016 By
Results of EASL’s 2016 Squirrel Rodeo (photo of squirrel not to scale, also it’s not a real squirrel but enjoy!)
There was some discussion at the September EASL meeting as to the opening date of this year’s squirrel season. One faction contended that it opened on the third of this month and the other held to the first. Several members rose, and reminiscent of Doc Holiday at the O.K. Corral, drew their mobile phones, handily holstered on their hips, to confirm that opening day was in fact October first this year. Seems that those acting as the Clanton Boys were looking at last year’s opening date, an understandable error, and maybe even excusable. But not excusable by the State Game Wardens in a year where the first Saturday in October falls after the third of October and one is caught with squirrels in his hunting sack on the third.
For clarification, squirrel season always opens one half hour before sunrise the first full weekend in October…to simplify, the first Saturday in October. I could be partially incorrect if you bring up the Spring season. The 2017-2018 Fall season opens on Saturday, October 7, 2017.
To get to the business at hand…the rodeo was again held at Merle Gautreaux’s home. The new chairman was yours truly. Everyone was reasonably pleased with the new chair’s performance. He mostly sat in a chair, pointed his fingers and barked out orders. The past chairman graciously agreed to usher him through his first ordeal and was the only one who expressed displeasure with the new administration. The old chairman was appointed weighmaster and was called upon to weigh the bags of squirrels as they arrived. This seemed to interfere with the leisure time that he anticipated spending during his retirement as chairman.
There were seventeen hunters who participated. Fourteen weighed in squirrels. There was a total of fifty-seven squirrels weighed in. Three hunters had full limits. Most consisted of grey squirrels with a smattering of red squirrels.
The winner was Richard Gautreaux with a full limit of eight red squirrels weighing in at ten pounds even. Richard also had the largest squirrel which weighed in at one pound and five ounces. He claimed that he hunted near Opelousas in a section of woods that he had recently scouted.
Second place was Kevin Prettelt with eight squirrels totaling eight pounds three ounces; and in third place was Gary Lass with eight squirrels weighing seven pounds one ounce.
Special thanks to Perry Berteau for cooking the jambalaya and beans for the weigh-in and cleaning party. It was jam up!
Sunday’s gravy was cooked again this year by Todd Breaux. A few more squirrels were added from Saturday evening’s and Sunday morning’s hunts. Total squirrels weighed in was fifty-seven; total in the stew was around seventy-five. There was some talk about the possibility of subsidizing the stew with a couple of Merle’s laying hens in order to have enough for the crowd, but the extra squirrels gave them a reprieve.
The entire weekend was enjoyed by all, with much laughing, joking and retelling of old lies, and everyone went home with full stomachs, even the grumbling weighmaster.
There was one incident on Sunday involving a conspiracy and possible attempted theft of a chicken by one of the cooks…but then that’s another story.
— Byron Gautreau, Event Chair
2016-squirrel-rodeo-weigh-in-sheet
Terry Melancon Saltwater Challenge 2016 Results and Photos
August 8, 2016 By
The 2016 Terry Melancon Saltwater Challenge was a great time to be had by all. Goosie Guice proved once again you do not need an expensive boat, fishing guide or high tech equipment to catch a winning stringer. He fished on the side of Highway 1 between Grand Isle and Fourchon and had the winning 5 trout stringer and the largest trout. If memory serves correct 4 of the last 5 years have been won fishing from the side of the road or from the bank.
This has become a multi-state and international event. We had 58 participants on 18 registered teams. Team “Shoulda quit Drinkin” came over from South Georgia to participate for the first time. They won the trash fish category with a big jack crevalle. What is impressive about the catch was they cleaned it and took it home to eat. I guess the quality of fish meat depends on where you are from. They eat fried mullet there also.
It was a group effort to insure the success of the event. Thelma Diez, Vince Diez Jr and Charley Moore were instrumental in making sure we ate well. Jodi Singer took care of registration and recorded the weights as Barney Callahan weighed the fish for the competition. Goosie organized the clean-up crew to leave the 3 rented camps in good shape so that we can come back again next year. Marcia and Jerry Jimmerson made sure everyone had an assigned room. Mr. Percy went above and beyond the call of duty insuring the quality of the banana pudding.
It was a good time with friends, family and fellowship. We are looking forward to next year’s event.
Below are the winning teams:
Shoulda Quit Drinkin’: Trash fish with a Jack Crevalle (14.11#)
Chasin’ Tail: 1st place-2 largest redfish under 27″ (12.46#)
Newt’s Raiders: 1st place-largest redfish overall (23.39#)
Bama Toad Stranglers: 2nd place-5 largest trout (11.07#), 2nd place-2 largest redfish under 27″ (9.82#)
Team Margarita: 1st place-5 largest speckled trout (12.76#) & big speckled trout (3.50#)
Croaker Nuggets: 1st place-big flounder (1.59#) & Cajun Slam (11.42#)
EASL Turkey Contest Winners for 2016
July 28, 2016 By
Turkey Contest Winner 2016: Cody Braud won in the out of state category and Goosie Guice won the in-state category.
Thad Bellow (left) with Cody Braud.
EASL’s Pan Fish Rodeo Results Saturday, April 9, 2016
April 5, 2016 By
UPDATE: The EASL held its 1st Annual Pan Fish Rodeo on Saturday, April 9. According to Mike Lambert who chaired the rodeo, 10 people weighed in fish at PJ’s Landing that afternoon. The results are as follows:
1st Place- Mac Daigle with 10.44 lbs
2nd Place- Wanda Daigle with 9.43 lbs
3rd Place- Josh Savoy with 5.58 lbs
Big Fish- Mac Daigle with .85 lbs
Congratulations to the winners!
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Announcing the Pan Fish Rodeo April 9th! The East Ascension Sportsman’s League invites you to participate in its inaugural Pan Fish Rodeo to be held on Saturday, April 9, 2016. The rules are pasted below. We’d love for you join us!
EASL PAN FISH RODEO
APRIL 9, 2016
RULES
1) NO REGISTRATION NEEDED PRIOR TO FISHING. JUST FISH ANY PUBLIC WATER YOU CHOOSE STARTING AT SUNRISE ON SATURDAY, APRIL 9. REGISTRATION WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE WEIGH IN.
2) MUST USE HOOK AND LINE, LIVE OR ARTIFICIAL BAIT.
3) MUST BE AN E.A.S.L. MEMBER. FISHERMEN UNDER THE AGE OF 16 MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A MEMBER.
4) EACH PERSON WILL FISH INDIVIDUALLY, NO TEAMS, SO YOU MUST KEEP YOUR FISH SEPARATED FROM OTHERS YOU ARE FISHING WITH.
5) USE YOUR OWN JUDGMENT AND KEEP ONLY FISH THAT ARE A SIZE YOU CAN EAT.
6) RETURN TO PJ’s LANDING NO LATER THAN 2:00 P.M. WITH YOUR LIMIT OF PAN FISH FOR WEIGH IN.
7) PAN FISH WILL INCLUDE BREAM, PERCH, CRAPPIE, AND OTHER LIKE FRESH WATER FISH. NO BASS OR CATFISH WILL BE WEIGHED, BUT CAN BE DONATED TO THE FISH FRY.
8) EACH PERSON’S CATCH WILL BE WEIGHED AS A WHOLE AND RECORDED. THE WEIGHT OF YOUR BIGGEST FISH WILL ALSO BE RECORDED.
9) CASH PRIZES WILL BE PAID TO THE WINNERS WITH $25.00 FOR 1st PLACE, $15.00 FOR 2nd, $10.00 FOR 3rd, AND $10.00 FOR BIGGEST OVERALL PAN FISH.
10) ALL FISHERMEN WILL PREPARE A SHARE OF THEIR FISH TO BE COOKED AT E.A.S.L.’s NEXT GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING TO BE HELD APRIL 18, 2016 AT THE AMERICAN LEGION POST 81 OFF CORNERVIEW STREET IN GONZALES AT 7PM.
WE HOPE ALL WILL COME OUT FOR A FUN DAY OF FISHING AND WILL JOIN WITH FELLOW MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES FOR A FISH FRY AT THE APRIL MEETING. WE HOPE FOR A BIG TURN OUT. WE HOPE TO MAKE THIS A YEARLY EVENT WITH YOUR PARTICIPATION. FOR MORE DETAILS OR INFORMATION: CALL MIKE LAMBERT at 225 644 3804.
Ashlee Fink Wins First Place in EASL Squirrel Rodeo
November 5, 2015 By
EASL’s 2015 Squirrel Rodeo on Saturday, October 3rd had 19 hunters this year. First Place: Ashlee Fink, with a limit that weighed 8.7 lbs. Second Place: Mike Brown, with 7 that weighed 8.1 lbs, and also tied for biggest squirrel. Third Place was Gary Lass with 8 at 7.1 lbs. Hunters enjoyed a jambalaya cooked by Perry Berteau. On Sunday, EASL members enjoyed a tasty squirrel gravy cooked by Todd Breaux at Merle’s place. Thanks to our cooks, Dwain Gautreaux for chairing this annual event and Merle Gautreaux for hosting.
EASL’s 2015 Sweepstakes a Success!
August 17, 2015 By
Fellow Sportsman Leaguers,
The EASL Board of Directors is pleased to announce the winners of the 2015 Sportsman’s Sweepstakes giveaway held on June 15th of this year. Thanks to the huge outpouring of support, we have clearly exceeded our expectations in securing this year’s financial budget needs. This effort would never have been possible without YOU and the board would like to congratulate everyone who participated in making this possible!
Additionally, we would like to recognize the many Corporate Sponsors or Individuals who donated either monetary support or prizes used in the sweepstakes package. We urge everyone to acknowledge these supporters in whatever way to express our club’s grateful appreciation.
Sincerely, Barney Callahan
On behalf of The Board of Directors
Sweepstakes Winners:
Ruger 1022/ .22 Cal. Rifle – Forrest Broussard
Lake Bruin Fishing Trip – Mark Shurtz
H20 Max Bait Cast Combo – Jodi Daigle
H20 Max Spin Cast Combo – Greg Cedotal
32 X 22 Matted/Framed Wildlife Print – David Cliburn
Matted/Framed Tensas Basin Print – Clay Schexnayder
Taxidermy Duck Mount – Jimmy Villar
Custom Aluminum Boiling Pot – Karl Brumfield
152 QT “MAXCOLD” Igloo Ice Chest – Gonzales Hardware Inc.
Crystal Vase & Neiman Marcus Platter – Michael LeBon
$50 Ralph’s Market Gift Certificate – Lynda Lambert
2 Framed Wildlife watercolor paintings – AMKO Fence & Security
2 Framed Wildlife watercolor paintings – Lana Taylor
2 Alex Painter Matted/framed prints – Cody Braud
2 Alex Painter Matted/framed prints – Landry’s Pharmacy
9qt Dutch Oven – Nicholas Murphy
Cypress Bat House – Buzzy Landry
1 pair Hip Boots – Greg Cedotal
Sponsor/ Donors:
Coast Machinery
ProServe Inc.
AMKO Fence & Security
S&S Machinery
Hutch’s Hardware
David Wilcox Insurance Agency
Gonzales Hardware
Bayou Metal Works
Carmen Duplessis/Mike LeBlanc
Mike and Lynda Lambert
Krazy Kajan Cookware/Shane Martinez
Nooley’s Po-Boys, Prairieville
United Community Bank
Fins to Feathers Taxidermy
Ronnie Braud Trucking
Representative Clay Schexnayder
Diez Signs Inc.
Harry Robert Insurance Agency
Diez Auto Parts
Jim and Warren Hebert
Rebecca Triche/Purvis Hebert
Jerry & Marcia Jimmerson
Artist, Alex Painter
Results, Article for EASL’s 55th Kids Fishing Rodeo
August 10, 2015 By
Check out great photos from EASL’s 55th Kids Fishing Rodeo in The Advocate’s article:
http://theadvocate.com/news/ascension/13051440-123/rodeo-offers-some-reel-quality
WINNERS:
Biggest Fish Overall: Seth Baye, 3.3 pounds
Most Fish Caught, Girls: Elizabeth Kennison, 48
Most Fish Caught, Boys: Ayden Fatheree, 58
Age 2-4
Most Fish, Girls: Sophie Bordelon, 17
Most Fish, Boys: Leighton Fatheree, 17
Biggest Fish: Miles Bowman, .47 lbs.
Age 5-7
Most Fish, Girls: Braylee Lambert, 29
Most Fish, Boys: Nikolaus Kahn, 34
Biggest Fish: Keenan Wilson, .63 lbs.
Age 8-10
Most Fish, Girls: Kaylyn Carter, 47
Most Fish, Boys: Wesley Robinson, 41
Biggest Fish: D’Shawn Hunt, 2.80 lbs.
Age 11-14
Most Fish, Girls: Sadie Bourgeois and Karlie Delhommer, 12
Most Fish, Boys: Kanaan Watts, 27
Biggest Fish: Rosa Rodriguez, .60 lbs.
Louisiana Hunting Heritage Program
June 3, 2015 By
THE LOUISIANA HUNTING HERITAGE PROGRAM: CONTINUING THE TRADITION
article submitted by John Sturgis, LDWF
The Louisiana Hunting Heritage Program (LHHP) is a new program that focuses on reducing the obstacles that prospective hunters in today’s society face. In the past, people learned to hunt from their family or close friends, and access to land was readily available. Today, a person who has an interest in hunting may not have the family or social network to help them get started. As a result, many people with an interest in hunting never give it a try or simply give up when faced with the challenges of being a hunter in today’s world. The LHHP is not limited to any age or demographic group, but welcomes anyone who wants to learn to hunt and anyone who has a desire to help others learn about hunting. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) sponsors the LHHP and works to create a network of hunting mentors that are willing to teach others about hunting and help their apprentices become skilled and independent hunters.
Getting Involved As a Mentor…
You will be matched with an apprentice hunter and asked to guide them along their journey to becoming an independent hunter. Activities should include participation in a hunter education class, shooting range visits, scouting trips, game care experiences and others tailored to the skill level and interests of the apprentice hunter. Of course, you will also take them hunting. Hunting can occur on either public or private land and can include any game animals that you and the apprentice desire to hunt.
You will receive training, support, and liability insurance coverage from LDWF and its partners. However, it is your experience and involvement that will help your apprentice become a self-sufficient and independent hunter. This is an excellent opportunity for experienced hunters to share their passion for the outdoors and help secure the future of hunting.
Getting Involved as an Apprentice…
You will be paired with an experienced hunter who will serve as your hunting mentor. You and your mentor will take part in a variety of activities that will prepare you to become an independent hunter. You will learn about the various aspects of hunting including safety, woods skills, game care, equipment needs, and finding a place to hunt. You and your mentor will put these skills to use on actual hunts so you will become familiar and comfortable with the total hunting experience.
Your mentor will be an experienced hunter who has volunteered their time and resources to help you learn to hunt. You will be paired with a mentor based on your level of experience, location and game you desire to hunt. Any person 10 years of age or older is welcome to be an apprentice – youth to senior citizens are encouraged to become involved and learn about a new way to experience the outdoors.
Getting Started…
Mentor applicants should complete and return the mentor application/questionnaire.
Apprentice applicants should complete and return the apprentice application. Mentors will attend a brief training meeting and be paired with an apprentice in the spring or early summer. Applications and answers to frequently asked questions can be downloaded from this web page. For more information visit our web page HERITAGE.WLF.LA.GOV or contact:
John Sturgis
jsturgis@wlf.la.gov
337-948-0255
Another Successful EASL Kids Fishing Rodeo for 2014
February 16, 2015 By
EASL’s 54th Annual Kids Fishing Rodeo
By: Dane Bourgeois
On Saturday, August 2, 2014, 175 kids showed up for the “54th Annual EASL Kids Fishing Rodeo.” It was a big success! Once again it was held at Twin Lakes Mobile Estates in Dutchtown. Thanks to Mr. Bobby and Mr. Virgil for their hospitality and hard work in preparing the grounds so that the kids had easy access to the lakes.
As always, there were several kids in line to register before our team of EASL members and volunteers were set up to sign them up. But it didn’t take long to get everything lined out. In just a short while, kids were getting signed up and donuts were being handed out. It seems everything was lined out.
Wait, not so fast. Did I say that “everything was lined out?” Everything but the crickets, that is. It seems like no one thought about getting cups to put the crickets in. I told a couple kids if they could carry a couple crickets in their hands, they would catch more fish. They weren’t buying it. These kids were young, but not all that gullible. We needed to do something, and do something quick! So I jumped into my truck and was off to EASL’s storage shed. Within a couple of minutes I had the cups and lids and was headed back toward Twin Lakes. As I approached the lakes I could hear everyone cheering… “Here he comes to save the day!” Not really. I don’t know if anyone even knew that I went to pick them up. What’s important is that shortly after the cups arrival, there were crickets all around the lakes and at 7:00 sharp a horn was blown to signal that it was time to fish.
There was a big chance of rain early in the day. But as the morning played out the weather gods shined on us. The sun never poked out from behind the clouds, so the temperatures stayed a little cooler than normal which was a blessing. There was a lite sprinkle for a few minutes, but didn’t discourage any of the kids, or should I say “the fishermen”. It actually felt good.
Well as always before you knew it, two hours had passed by and the horn sounded once again. It was time to stop fishing and start counting and weighing fish.
While the fish were being counted, a delicious jambalaya cooked by Mr. Pete and Jeff Bourque and Mr. Barrett Jenkins was being served, as well as all the hotdogs and cool-aid one could want. Thanks to some fast counting & weighing, it was time to announce the winners.
There were 175 kids that participated – 116 boys and 59 girls. The results are as follows:
Overall Winners:
Biggest Fish – Caden Hughes with a 2.7 lb. catfish
Most Fish (Girls) – Mikaylah Bordelon with 54
Most Fish (Boys) – Ayden Fatherree with 48
Age Group 2-4:
Biggest Fish – Miles Bowman with .33 lb.
Most Fish (Girls) – Abbygail Lambert with 9
Most Fish (Boys) – Phoenix Townsend with 21
Age Group 5-7:
Biggest Fish – Cleore Billiot with .59 lb.
Most Fish (Girls) – Lillian McClure with 53
Most Fish (Boys) – Kace Poche with 40
Age Group 8-10:
Biggest Fish – DeShawn Hunt with 1.05 lb.
Most Fish (Girls) – Emilee Kennison with 43
Most Fish (Boys) – Caleb Gautreau with 41
Age Group 11-14:
Biggest Fish – Garrett Leeper with .73 lb.
Most Fish (Girls) – Elizabeth Kennison with 31
Most Fish (Boys) – Garrett Leeper with 29
Bike Winners:
Girls – Olivia Hutchinson and Tiffany McCormick
Boys – Carson Dabadie and Jackson Peltier
After the rodeo and bike winners were announced, all kids registered were awarded a pickup truck full of door prizes. Thanks to the following sponsors & contributors who helped make this possible:
-Twin Lakes Mobile Estates
– American Sportsmen Against Poachers
-Benton Equipment Co.
-Shell Pipeline Company LP
-Bayou Metal Works
-Motiva Rec Club
-Parish President Tommy Martinez
-Pure Fishing
-Fluker’s Cricket Farm
– St. John Knights of Columbus council 8342
-Cabela’s
-Jumonville’s Bakery
-Riverside Barber Shop
-Canal Bank
-Acadian Ambulance
– Diversified Materials & Consulting
-Industrial Consulting & Supply Corp.
-Robert Taylor Enterprises
-Harry Robert Insurance
-Diez Sign Co.
-Hutch’s Ace Hardware
-Ryan Shilling
-Mike & Carrie Brown
-any others I may have failed to mention
All the kids were on their way home by 11:00a.m. I tip my hat to all EASL members who helped put this together and made it such a success. We will need a rodeo chairman for next year. There is a list of things that need to be in place prior to the weekend of the rodeo and it’s the chairman’s duty to see that these things are being taken care of. I ask that someone consider stepping up and volunteering to chair this outstanding event. I promise it will be a rewarding experience.
