FISHING - COYOTES RETURN TO SOUTH PADRE

THE WINDS OF APRIL
By Jim Foster

“Beware of the ides of March”, is the quote from Julius Caesar.

If March comes in like a lion then the winds of April will come in like a Coyote’s howl. And, that’s exactly what they did.

Regular readers of this column and blog know each spring there is a gathering of kindred souls who call themselves the “Fishing Coyotes”. At one time they (except me) were neighbors in San Antonio and started making fishing safaris to the coast. When O. L. Tripp was called to his reward I was asked to join. It has been a pleasure each year to involve myself in their lives and share three days on the bay with them.

For the last 29 years the “Fishing Coyotes” fishing group has gathered on the waters of the Laguna Madre for 3 days of fishing, food, and fun. This year the five gathered with guest Bill Mead from Salmon, Idaho to test their angling skills and the guiding of Capt. Herbert Bode and his able sidekick running the second boat. Capt. Bode takes his job seriously and works harder than any Texas guide I know to please his customers.

What none had taken into consideration for 2009 was how the wind will blow and the waters will roil. The wind blew each of the 3 days of fishing. Not to mention the winds would blow for several more as I left the Valley headed for the mountains of Arizona.

So, to say the fishing was a bit slow would be honest, but to say it was “bad” would be a total untruth. The Coyotes caught fish enough to take a mess to the Sea Ranch Restaurant for a great "fresh" fish dinner, and the guys take enough home for a few fish fries each.

On my first day out I drew Neil Haggar and Bob Bordelon to fish with on Capt. Bode’s yellow BayMaster boat. The morning started at 6:30 with the expected run north and an unexpected southwest wind blowing just short of needing a name. At about 9 Bob’s line went taught and his rod bent.

Walking up beside Bob we were about to come to the conclusion that he had hooked the bottom, when the bottom moved and shook it’s head. That was the beginning of a battle that lasted 15 minutes and took him around the boat several times. Saying this fish had shoulders would not be an understatement. Bob worked the large redfish like a professional giving line when needed and getting back line when he could.

Pumping the rod to regain line seemed like he was fighting a different species – but it was a red drum and slowly but surely it was wearing out and swimming closer to the awaiting net.

Then it was over - time for the congratulations, photos, and for Bob to rest his arms and cramping hands. It went over 31 inches and had a multitude of spots. This fish will be headed to the taxidermist when Bob returns to San Antonio.

After 3 days of hard fishing the class of 2009 was dismissed until 2010 when the 30th gathering will take place and the howling won't be the wind - we hope.

If you have comments or news for Jim Foster please email him at: jim@jimfosteroutdoors.com

HISTORY - THE PAST REVISITED

MORE HISTORY PASSED BY – TILL NOW
By Jim Foster

In a time before seat belts I can remember lying on the rear window ledge of my parents Chevy watching the scenery and the highway lines fly by behind the auto, which I believe was a 1951 Chevrolet. Of course my brother and I didn’t wear helmets while riding our bikes either.

We would make the drive between Houston and Waco quite often to visit relatives – my aunts, uncles, cousins, and of course our grandmother. The trip usually would include a stop in the rural town of Riesel on Texas Highway 6 where an aunt and two uncles lived. During this visit, and to the chagrin of our mother we would climb around in the old barn, get dirty, and usually step in something the cattle left.

However in our eagerness to play and explore new areas we failed to notice the old bridge across the Brazos River just north of downtown Waco. A bridge with lots of history - the Waco Suspension Bridge.

One morning a few weeks ago while visiting Waco I ventured out to see the bridge and see what I had missed all these years. I was both impressed and very glad I took the time. It was a foggy morning along the river.

The Waco Suspension Bridge is a single-span suspension bridge with a main span of 475 feet (145 m). Opening in 1869, it contains nearly 3 million bricks.

Before 1869, crossing the Brazos River was a time-consuming and sometimes dangerous ordeal. The only way to cross the river was via ferry, and due to the location of Waco on the growing Chisholm Trail, local businessmen knew that a bridge was needed.

A charter was received from the state in 1866, with John A. Roebling and Son chosen to design and build the bridge with the construction supervised by Thomas M. Griffith.

It is known today that the experience and skills John A. Roebling learned building the Waco bridge helped him greatly when he built the famous the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City.

However - there was a problem. The Waco area lacked the required machine shops and the nearest railroad was 100 miles (160 km) away, and the closest town with artisans with the skills needed was Galveston, over 212 miles from Waco. The machined goods were made and then transported by steamer from Galveston to Bryan.

Then they were loaded onto wagons pulled by oxen. This had to be a trip that tested the stamina of both men and animals. Remember these were roads of 1800s standards and had more potholes than smooth stretches, after all dirt roads are dirt roads even today.

The twin double-towers anchoring the bridge were considered to be a marvel of engineering at the time and contained nearly 3 million bricks. These bricks didn’t need the ox-teams because they were produced locally.

The first bridge toll was collected on January 1, 1870. The bridge was wide enough for stagecoaches to pass each other, or for cattle to cross one side of the bridge, and humans to cross the other side. Being the only bridge to cross the Brazos at the time, the cost of building the bridge, which was estimated to be $141,000, was quickly paid back. Tolls were 5 cents per head of cattle crossing, along with a charge for pedestrian traffic.

In 1889, the bridge was sold to McLennan County, which removed all tolls. In 1913-1914, major reconstruction occurred on the bridge, replacing the older steel with higher gauge, and trusses were added to accommodate the span to carry heavier weights. This doubled as a new pedestrian walkway.

By 1971, the bridge had seen over 100 years of traffic. What started out as a Cattle Bridge had become a vehicular bridge, and the state historical committee decided that it was time to be retired, with larger and arguably safer bridges being built since the inception of the Waco Suspension Bridge.

The bridge, by all accounts, helped to transform Waco from a small frontier town to a major commercial center. Today, the bridge is open to foot traffic only, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The area is a favorite for walkers and offers a green area near downtown.

If you are traveling on Interstate 35 either north or south take a moment and enjoy the history as you cross the Brazos on the old bridge. One warning, watch out for roosting pigeons.

If you have comments or news for Jim Foster please email him at: jim@jimfosteroutdoors.com

BIRDING - VALLEY LAND FUND

OVERLOOKING NATURE
By Jim Foster

Never being one to shy away from an oversight I was introduced to another birding location I had driven by many times. To correct the problem I try to visit there as often as I am in the area.

The area of which I am referring is The South Padre Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary, a project of the Valley Land Fund (VLF). After competing one year, and winning a first place, I am happy to see the usage of the funds being used in this way.

The Valley Land Fund protects wildlife by preserving their natural habitats with conservation easements. Conservation easements can assist landowners in protecting their land with a legal agreement that ensures a property will be managed according to the landowners' wishes for years into the future. Valley Land Fund holds several conservation easements to help private landowners protect the special qualities of their property.

South Padre Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary consists of six residential lots on the island in 1999 for the feeding and resting of neotropicals. In addition to offering habitat protection for migrants, these lots have become a showplace to educate Island residents and visitors in techniques for making their privately owned land "bird friendly" by using native plants and water to attract wildlife.

The photos with this article were all taken on April 8, 2008. I stopped for a short visit and ended up spending several hours watching and photographing the resident birds. I must add that using my Alpen 10x50 binoculars helped greatly in spotting the birds in the thick brush near the water features. After spotting the bird I can move or focus my camera on the bird.

I should mention that although I didn’t get their names I met a lovely couple from Missouri who were visiting for the first time and enjoying watching the birds and adding several to their life lists.

Get out and enjoy some of South Texas’ quality birding. I will be heading back to Salmon, Idaho after a bit of fishing with my old friends, The Fishing Coyotes.

If you have comments or news for Jim Foster please email him at: jim@jimfosteroutdoors.com

TRAVEL - LOUISIANA "THE NORTH" ( Part #2)

A TRAIL MUCH LESS FOLLOWED
By Jim Foster

After a short walk from my B&B I found myself across the street from the house where the movie “Steel Magnolias” was filmed, called the Steel Magnolias House. The house is now a bed and breakfast. I was told the entire movie was filmed in and around Natchitoches. (Pronounced like "Natch a tish") not the Texas version.

Natchitoches is Louisiana's oldest town, established 1714. Described as a quaint and historic town. Visitors will feel the charm of the original French colony in Louisiana.

Strolling through the Natchitoches Historic District visitors will find shopping, dining, and attractions plus historic fort sites, museums, and year around cultural events and festivals. One of my favorites was the old Kaffie-Frederick General Mercantile Store hardware store, Louisiana’s oldest general store. The stock and the antique cash register are worth a walk through the store.

Natchitoches is also recognized as the Bed & Breakfast Capital of Louisiana and home to the Cane River Creole National Historical Park at Oakland & Magnolia Plantations. The National Trust named our town one of the 2005 "Dozen Distinctive Destinations" for Historic Preservation.

Returning to my B&B at the spacious The Jefferson House, I was met by the owners Arleen and Herman Mayeux. With my coffee cup refilled I sat with them on the patio overlooking the river. The sounds of birds filled the air as well as a plethora of spring pollen that seemed to settle on everything including my northern sinuses. My room, just off the patio was not only very comfortable but also handy to all the amenities.

Shortly after my arrival I was greeted by “Rue”, a very friendly dashhound who guards the outer areas and is the reason for the “Weine Dog Crossing” sign on the driveway.

From Natchitoches the road led to Forest Hill, LA and the 24th Louisiana Nursery Festival. We had time to wander around the 50 some odd booths and venders selling plants, bushes, and other festival sellers including rides and plenty of food establishments.

It was easy to see that some were having a hard time deciding from all the beautiful plants that strategically line the outer perimeter of the grounds. All types of shrubs and trees, most abundant with blooms, are available in a variety of sizes. Rose bushes, especially the new disease resistant Knock-Out Rose, are offered in a host of colors. It was an interesting couple of hours. Then it was off to another location where the plants were much larger, the long leaf pine.

The sign on the post office said Long Leaf, LA. This was the town where for several decades the logging and lumber industry thrived. When the available timber became harder to access the company closed the plant and just walked away leaving buildings, railroad side tracks, saws, machinery, and hand tools right where the workers laid them when they left. The plant now is the Southern Forest Heritage Museum.

Our last stop for the evening was the Loyd Hall Plantation and Bed and Breakfast. The grand old house has been restored and I was given a verbal history of the still working plantation and was advised of a specter that has been seen walking the halls. It was a restful evening and with the morning the trip through northern Louisiana was complete. I departed with a new insight of the trail much less traveled.

For more information go to; http://www.natchitoches.net
http://www.forestheritagemuseum.org/
http://www.jeffersonhousebandb.com/
http://www.louisiananurseryfestival.com/
http://www.loydhall.com/
And for general Louisiana travel information go to; http://www.louisianatravel.com/

If you have comments or news for Jim Foster please email him at: jim@jimfosteroutdoors.com

TRAVEL - LOUISIANA "THE NORTH" ( Part #1)

A TRAIL MUCH LESS FOLLOWED
By Jim Foster

Leaving Caddo Lake, it appeared the tall pines of East Texas would obstruct the sun completely as they closed in from both sides of the highway. Rays of sun darted through the needles forming patterns on the highway.

Sipping hot coffee as I followed directions from my dashboard GPS leading me east away from Texas’ only natural lake. A brief time later I crossed the border separating Texas from Louisiana. Shreveport was in the distance and exploring some untraveled places (for me) was the quest.

Our first stop on this trip was the Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge. My time here was very short and the area offered much more than 25 minutes in a photo blind could produce – especially during the noon hour. In that short time I did photograph several Pie-Billed grebes and of course an American alligator – as a matter of fact several of these large lizards. This would be a place where I could spend more time.

Later that afternoon we spent some time at the Poverty Point State Historic Site learning about the people who built the mounds between 1650 and 700 BC. We spent that evening in the state parks cabins built out over the water – a fisherman’s dream.

One of our sideline trips was to visit the Bonnie & Clyde Ambush Museum in Arcadia, LA where the story of the demise of the dirty duo took place and is retold by descendants of the machine-gun wielding heroes who were hiding in the bushes. I guess the law was a bit peeved because these mental midgets had captured Bonnie and Clyde several time and let them escape. Oh well, them was different times. Weren’t they? Oh Yes, there was that "thing" in Waco.

There was some sad news during the trip. Our group was scheduled to spend the night at the Fairfield Place Bed and Breakfast, however the night before our arrival a fire damaged some of the property causing us to use the hospitality of the Holiday Inn in Shreveport. I do hope the repairs are fast and they reopen soon.

At the next stop I met one of the most interesting people on this and several other trips. A true Creole and a real Lady, Miss Panderina D. Soumas. Panderina a true diamond in the rough located in the river town of Bossier City, Louisiana. Her little shop is a place visitors just don’t want to miss and meeting her was more than delightful.

Her voice was a smooth as a velvet cloth and her stories about her family were interesting, intriguing, and opened new insights into the Creole Culture for this writer.

“I am committed to preserving my family’s history as well as Louisiana’s many contributions from African slavery from the many French and Irish owned plantations, which produced most of the Creole culture and heritage in Louisiana. I have accomplished this by developing a business that respects the many myths and remembrances of my ancestral background in Louisiana’s history past and present.”

Her shop and web site sales offer products, gifts and services, which accurately focus on the Creole culture of Louisiana as well as her family history. This is related on every page of her cookbook titled “SOUMAS HERITAGE CRELOE COOKBOOK”. The book also relates stories of slavery and her family whose photos line the walls of her shop.

“I DO NOT believe in discrimination of ANY kind, thus I do not believe that those persons that disagree with any of the historical written expressions in this cookbook should be denied their constitutional rights to view and express differently.” States Soumas.

My time with her in her shop was cut short by pending appointments but I know I will find my way back to her shop – OH YES, she did brew us a pot of some Creole coffee that was fantastic. Check her out on the Internet at, http://soumascreole.com/mission.htm

Our evening was spent at the comfortable cabins over the water at Poverty Point State Park and a excellent dinner at the
More about Nothern Louisiana in the next installment. Here are a few web sites to keep you busy.

Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge: http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=42652
Poverty Point State Park: http://www.stateparks.com/poverty_point.html

If you have comments or news for Jim Foster please email him at: jim@jimfosteroutdoors.com