Louisiana coast: Tenacity over tears

• By WENDY BILLIOT
• Special to The Advocate
• Published: Apr 26, 2009

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Just when coastal residents thought it was safe to take a deep breath and relax, they again found themselves the victims of two destructive hurricanes — Gustav and Ike. Although coastal Louisiana suffered extensive damages from wind and water, a recent visit down La. 1 showed encouraging signs of recovery — even expansion.

On La. 1, a ribbon of road running through salt marshes, the first stop is Bobby Lynn’s, which appears almost out of nowhere on the western bank of Bayou Lafourche. With boat launches, fuel, wet and dry boat storage, and lodging, saltwater fishermen find everything necessary for a weekend getaway. Bobby Lynn’s is a prime example of determination when it comes to hurricane recovery.

“We’re all Cajuns down here. We’re resilient, and we bond together, roll up our sleeves and get things done,” said Bobby Gros, co-owner with wife, Lynn. “Leeville may not be beautiful yet, but we are up and running. You could even say the storms made us stronger.”

Lynn agreed.

“Though it seems like everyone forgot about little Leeville after Katrina and Gustav, almost all of us have repaired and rebuilt and are back in business,” she said. “Fish don‘t care about storms, and neither do the fishermen.”

Fishermen still make coastal Louisiana their choice destination, whether fishing from the roadside, motorboats or kayaks. Interest in kayak fishing has grown substantially, as evidenced by the annual spring Paddle Palooza, based at Boudreaux’s Waterfront Motel on La. 1 in Leeville.

Hosted by Bayou Coast Kayak Fishing Club, the last kayak fishing tournament boasted the largest ever, with 110 participants from coastal Texas to coastal Alabama.

Boudreaux’s Motel is in full swing, despite a severe blow from Hurricane Gustav. According to motel owner Lanny Boudreaux, two buildings were demolished, but one new building is under construction.

Boudreaux is encouraged.

“We are coming back better than ever,” he said. “Take a ride down and see!”

Adjacent to Boudreaux’s is a popular hot spot for fishing gear, Tyd’s Bait and Tackle. Touting a great deli and the largest tackle selection on the coast, owner Tommy Dupré expressed frustration at the ongoing need for coastal restoration.

“This building flooded for the first time in 29 years during Gustav, but we are up and running now,” he said. “Just tell the people to come down and see us!”

Farther south on La. 1, Kim Aucoin, manager of Port Fourchon Marina, also gave a report of hard work backed by hope. Even though Gustav severely damaged many of the rentals, the ones left standing are booked for the summer. With a boat launch and fishing docks, the marina expects to have the bait house ready and fuel available by the end of April.