Fish the Bayou

By October, the local fishing rodeo circuit is mostly slowing down.

But this month saves one of our area’s best for last – an event that provides scholarships to Louisiana high school seniors who plan to embark on a career in the blue-collar workforce.

“Fish the Bayou” is an annual fishing tournament that honors Dusty Richardel – a Larose resident who was killed in a car crash in 2010. This year’s event is the third-annual, and it will be held Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Bayou Civic Club located on 307 East 5th St. in Larose.

Those who remember Dusty recall his fun-loving personality and zest for life. The rodeo in his honor provides all of the same things, giving anglers a chance to enjoy friendship, togetherness and a weekend loaded with fish and family-oriented fun.

Proceeds go to the Dusty Richardel Memorial Foundation, a local non-profit that has awarded scholarships to 27 local high school seniors in the past two years in amounts that have totaled $35,000.

“This would be a great trip for any family or group of friends,” event organizer Shane Curole said. “If we can educate high school seniors as to the very lucrative blue-collar careers that are available, and give them the tools needed to excel in a trade, then it’s a win-win for the community and the economy. Being able to help these students in the name of a great friend is what makes it all worth it.”

The event is a “go-anywhere” fishing tournament.

That means that anglers are eligible to fish anywhere they please in Louisiana state waters to catch their fish, which are weighed among several categories.

But because of the localized feel of the event, most anglers fish local.

“Fishing the Bayou Lafourche area is encouraged,” Curole said.

The rodeo has a boat division, which crowns champions in redfish stringer speckled trout stringer, trash fish (the heaviest fish total) and three-bass stringer.

The event has kayak and youth divisions, as well. The kayaking competition is especially important, because “Fish the Bayou” is home to the fifth stop on the Lafayette Kayak Fishing Clubs’ 2015 Tournament Series.

“That competition is open to the public – not only LKFC members,” Curole said.

Those not planning to fish are in for a treat, as well.

“Fish the Bayou” is loaded with door prizes, music from start-to-finish and delicious food – a menu ranging from jambalaya, white beans and shrimp fettuccini, to a list of desserts that can feed an army.

“It’s all cooked by some of the bayou’s most well-known chefs,” Curole said.

Fishing for the rodeo begins at 12:01 a.m. Saturday morning and lasts until 5 p.m. that afternoon. Scales open at 3 p.m. and anglers must be signed in by 5 p.m. Awards will start an hour later, followed by an auction. When it’s all over, local band Gunpowder and Lead will take the stage, which will give locals a chance to dance the night away.

Event registration costs $26, and it can be done online at www.DRMemorial.org. Paid anglers eat free and also receive a T-shirt.

Shane Curole (middle) wanted to start the annual Fish the Bayou rodeo as a way to give back to the community. An event that honors the late Dusty Richardel, the event has awarded scholarships to 27 local high school seniors – an amount totaling more than $35,000.

COURTESY