Haunting the Bayou: A Badlands OPS Fish Story

What do you consider most valuable in life? Money? Food? Stuff? Family? Beside Jesus Christ and family, for me I would say it has to be time and friendship. Time can be well spent or lost and no matter what you do, you can’t get it back. Sorry Doc Brown. Friendship can be tested by time. A couple weeks have gone by since the Badlands Operative Pro Staff (OPS) returned from our Louisiana bowfishing adventure with Scale Damage Bowfishing. It was one of the most restful and fun trips I’ve been on with a great group of friends from all over the country. Time well spent with friends.

One of my favorite things about Badlands is the family aspect. We all come from different backgrounds, hunting styles and upbringings, but we all have a passion for helping others and the outdoors. We treat one another with respect, but we also have fun joking with one another. Family is family, right? Trust me, I may have to wear a Santa suit this Christmas if I keep growing the beard and belly, but can you imagine Santa bowfishing? That would be awesome! Everyone was there to have fun, talk gear, bowfish, and encourage one another. We did all of that and then some.

Bowfishing is something everyone should try. For me, it’s something I will have to continue to practice at because I am a terrible at bowfishing. Really, I am! Ask anyone one of the OPS members and they will nod emphatically. Out of everyone on the trip, I am sure I shot more mud than anyone, but I had fun. We saw so many fish and it was exciting watching everyone connect. You learn a lot when you try something new and I learned I need to work at this a bit. We saw some of the largest alligator gar on our last night of fishing, but we couldn’t bring one in.

Not only did we bow fish, but we also hit the open water for some rod and reel fishing. Our day on the water was full of great stories, fishing for speckled trout and catfish, and learning all about what the hurricanes did to the area. It’s amazing how people survived. Resilient people that I have the utmost respect for. For survival and for fishing! I love to fish, but truthfully, I don’t get to do it nearly enough in SoCal. The fishing in Louisiana was so much fun and speckled trout are delicious!

We also said hello to the residents of the Woodland Plantation. No, not the ghosts, but the alligators on the back lot. I am fascinated with alligators and how cool they look – when you can see them! I really don’t want to be swimming around these bad boys. The detailed scales and teeth are what make me stare in awe, but look at those claws, too! They were kind enough to chill for some glamour shots.

Overall, our 4-day trip went by entirely too fast, but our group had a wonderful time and I want to say thank you to Blake VanTussenbrook, Badlands, Josh Galt, Blane, John and the rest of the crew. Oh, I would also like to thank the plantation ghosts for not messing around with us during our stay. Next time. Our group shared incredible laughter, food, drink and unforgettable fishing throughout the few days we were in Louisiana. It was a trip I’ll not soon forget.