FLW Forrest Wood Cup Shreveport Louisiana Run

FLW Forrest Wood Cup Shreveport Louisiana Run

Last month I was in Shreveport Louisiana for the FLW Forrest Wood Cup.  This is the Superbowl of the FLW bass fishing tour.  After a year of fishing various rivers and lakes throughout the country, the whole season culminates at this event.  Its really a good time and well attended.  I was there with Okuma and Savage Gear displaying all of our fun new stuff in our booth.
Here is a shot of our booth at the show.

 After each day of the show, I would squeeze out a little time to get a run in.  It was actually a fantastic, 3.5 mile jaunt that ran over, and around the Red River and into Bossier city. 
I would start at my hotel, Sams Town.  From there I would head up to the main street, then over to Texas Street which is the street with the bridge.

There is a nice wide, guarded walkway that leads you up and over the Red River.  From what I can tell, it was about a 1/2 mile up and over.  Once you hit the top, you have a spectacular view of the surrounding area.
Here is a look at the actual iron structure of the bridge. 

 

Looking down to the river, you can see for miles.

Once you hit the top and start your way into Bossier City, you can start to see the Louisiana Riverwalk shopping area.

Once I cross the bridge, I would make a quick right and head on over to the Riverwalk area.  In the shot above, you can see a few of the running areas. The shops and restaurants go on for about a half mile on each side of the bridge.
The Riverwalk is a nice little area with lots of restaurants, bars, and entertainment.  And as the name states, it also have a Riverwalk that you can run along.
Here is a shot looking back up at the bridge that we just crossed.

Of course being in Louisiana, all of the casinos have to be on water.  Here is a look over to the Sams Town hotel and Casino.  You can see the riverboat in front.  The riverboats up and down the river are all permanent fixtures and don't do too much river boating.

And one more looking back at the bridge from farther down the Riverwalk.

One of my favorite parts about Bossier is the Bass Pro Shops.  At the midpoint of my run, I come across the Bossier City Bass Pro Shops.  Of course, being in Louisiana, the Bass Pro Shops down here has Gators in front.  Big suckers too!

From the Bass Pro Shops, it pretty much a wind your way back sort of thing.  Back through the Louisiana Riverwalk, and up and over the Bridge.  Its a fun little run for a good 3.5 miles.  It was in the mid 90's that week and HUMID.  Probably typical for that time of year, but a little miserable for a California boy.
As I usually do, I like to follow up a run with a meal that I probably should be eating.  Being Vegan, I always try to at least make the most appropriate selections, but when in Rome!
One of my favorite places to eat when in Shreveport is The Blind Tiger. 

Good Cajun food, and the beer is always cold!

 A southern favorite, fried dill pickles!!!  These were very good, and probably not totally vegan.  Oh well.  They were awesome with the cajun honey mustard.  One of the other nights I opted for the faux turkey veggie po' boy.  It was actually very good too. 

Keep on runnin!
Dave

#running #Louisiana #Shreveport #vegan #therunningfisherman #okuma #okumafishing #blindtiger

Cocodrie Louisiana

Just got back from a quick little "business" trip down to Cocodrie Louisiana.  We fished with the boys from Top Water Lodge.  This is a real class operation.   They have two nice lodges right on the water, with a nice little fleet of boats.
We had two days of fishing and got into some fantastic Bull Red, Sail Cat, and Black Drum fishing.  Here are a few shots from the trip.  Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to sneak in a run down there.  Next time.
Our mornings would start off down at the dock getting the boats/bait/rods all prepared.

Once on the boats, you we take a nice stroll through the bayou, at roughly 40-50mph.  We did stop at a few places to soak in some scenery.

Once the sun actually comes up, you can really open the boats up. 

Pretty little sunrise over the bayou.

Some spots the Gaff Top Sail Cats were just plain thick.  You couldn't get your bait down fast enough to get into the redfish or drum.  Here is one of the larger models that we got into.

We also managed to get into some big Reds.

And another nice little red.  This guy was pretty torn up, so I had to crop the picture as to not see his tail.  They like to roll around the oyster beds.

This was a fun trip, and if you are looking for a place that will work hard to get you into some fish, look up Top Water Lodge.  Good times!

Dave