Gueydan, Louisiana

Posted on December 5, 2006 by J. Tackett 

Most of the time when we take a trip to shoot a WaterDog, there are one or maybe two things that really stick out in my mind. But, the trip to Gueydan, LA, last season with Ronnie Prudhomme was really special with lots of fun and unique stuff. I can't tell you exactly why. I think because I cannot put a finger on exactly why I think it's special is part of the reason why I think it's so special.

Because I have thought about a good topic and as usual I'm grasping at the last second I thought I would "report" my trip down to Gueydan.

Gueydan, LA
Gueydan is a special place with great food, great hunting, and great people... it also has G&H Seed! Don't let the name fool you. G&H is one of my all time favorite outdoor stores. If you get anywhere close... take a trip over to G&H... very good people with a unique store!

Po- Boys!
From the Republic of Kiribati up to the Katmai, then back over to East Africa I have eaten shrimp or something that looked similar in most corners of the world. Before I settled down and became a Dad I used to guide fishing trips to some very strange places. Because of these excursions I have eaten shrimp cooked on everything from a bed of palm leaves buried on the beach, to a good ol' fashioned "Fry Daddy". I have eaten shrimp or something just like it on 4 continents. Granted very few - as a matter of fact none - of those bouts with shrimp involved a fancy restaurant... but in my limited experience food tastes better away from those kinds of places. The very best place to eat a Shrimp Po-Boy is in Gueydan, LA, period.

Retrievers
Roux is a big ol' chocolate labrador and before he's through will be the most prolifically bred chocolate labrador in history. Many will say, "but Roux doesn't run trials, he'll never become a Field Champion?" I should open the eyes of many of the retriever community members... Chris Akin's Boomer has almost 1700 puppies on the ground and he doesn't have a FC either. Why?

I'll tell you why. Because there are in the neighborhood of 100,000 competitive retriever people in the country and more importantly because there are some 10 million wing shooters in this country. Roux is a good looking, big, strong, driven "feather picker upper". He has an incredible temperament, and best of all has a great personality. No, he is not the most talented marking dog in the country, nor is he the best handling dog in the country. But, he has every attribute that I or any hunter in the world would want. Just like his Daddy did, Roux has proven that he can pass these traits along to his litters. In his world of duck and goose hunting, and in a area of the country where waterfowl hunting rules... he is the "King Chocolate".

The only reason I mention this is because Roux is spending an awful lot of time with the ladies these days. Burning the candle at both ends... if you will. Yella and Roux were not on their best games on this trip. I have seen both of them perform much better, but at least Roux has an excuse. Unfortunately Yella was just out there to make sure Roux got at least one less bird than she did.

Cajun People!
I spent the first half of my life within 60 miles of the Louisiana's northern border. The folks of northern Louisiana are good people. But what about the folks below Alexandria? Those folks are different. Cajuns are different in a good way, different than any on this planet. They are the most outgoing, friendly, giving people in our great country. They wring every drop of pleasure they can out of this ride we call life. They leave no money on the table when it's time to pack up and head for that Speckle Belly blind in the sky. Ronnie Prudhomme is the Cajun Poster Boy, if you need it he'll see that you get it. He does not have a malicious bone in his body... not a hair on his head does not ooze kindness. His list of friends is long. That is the greatest compliment I can give a man.

Hunters
The fact that the only real job I've had throughout my lifetime has been that of a guide. I have run across some very good hunters and I have run across none better than Shannon Bertrand. Shannon hunts for all the right reasons. Sure, when he hunts, he appreciates a good smack down as the next guy; but he has great enthusiasm for the chase. He's there for all four quarters, not just the ones you score in. He understands that without the bad ones, the good ones aren't nearly as good. Yes, he can call a "Speck." If he really wanted to I think he could shoot a "Speck" in the Wal Mart parking lot. If they fly over, chances are they are in serious trouble.

Shooting
My shooting slump continues...