Countless in St. Charles Parish went through painstaking rebuilding efforts following the destruction Hurricane Ida inflicted in 2021.
In the fishing community, it’s still an ongoing process.
On Jan. 31, the nonprofit Responsible Anglers United will hold its second annual bass restocking fundraiser at the Gheens Community Center. Tickets are $25 per person under age 21 and $50 per person for 21 or older and includes all you can eat and drink. The event begins at 6 p.m.
There will be a silent and live auction with prizes donated by event sponsors and live music from the Craig Babin Band. Jambalaya, pastalaya, white beans, fried fish, sauce piquante, gumbo, grillades, sweets and more are on the menu.
The organization formed to unite anglers, conservationists, and outdoor enthusiasts to safeguard the future of bass fishing in South Louisiana, doing so through advocacy, community education and bass restocking efforts. Last year’s event helped the organization toward raising $100,000 for the cause – $50,000 through fundraising, and an additional $50,000 through a state donation.
“All the money raised is going to release fish into the area. The more money we raise, the more fish we can purchase,” said Steve Dufrene, founder of RAU. “We release fish where it’s accessible to the public, so criteria one is where the public has access and criteria two is doing so where there’s habitat – good water quality, good vegetation where the fish can survive, thrive and reproduce. We want to release as many fish as possible.”
In October, with the help of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries the organization released 32,000 4-to-6 inch Florida strain bass in the area.
“Those fish should have a very, very high survival rate,” Dufrene said.
Dufrene called Ida “the worst fish kill we’ve ever seen.”
“It hit everywhere, everybody got hammered by it,” Dufrene said. “So our fishing, obviously, was affected. Some of these guys around here went from world class to no class. It wasn’t good.”
Inspired by Florida angler Cliff Crochet’s Every Fish Matters Foundation, which has organized several successful fish restocking fundraisers and events since Ida, Dufrene met with several local fishermen and discussed what they, too, could do.
“I figured, if they can do it, we can do it,” Dufrene said.
It’s not Dufrene’s first tournament organizing effort. He put together several fishing tournaments in memory of his friend Tony Waguespack of Bayou Gauche, an avid outdoorsman who tragically passed away due to a heart attack while on a hunting trip at the age of 45.
Still, last year’s initial RAU fundraiser brought some pressure with it. The hope was to make it an annual event toward the cause.
“But I knew if we didn’t have a big impact year one, there probably wouldn’t be a year two,” Dufrene said. “After Ida, (the fish population) just never recovered, not even close. And the way I saw it, we’re all here wishing, waiting and complaining.”
He got in touch with Crochet, who gave him a few pointers.
One year later, they are indeed preparing for their second event.
The organization is partnered with LDWF on a long-term initiative to enhance the bass population in local waterways. The overall goal is to increase the Florida-strain genetics within the native bass population, creating stronger, healthier fish that will grow to trophy sizes and strengthen the ecosystem for years to come.
Those interested in sponsoring or attending the event may contact Steve Dufrene at (985) 859-6458 or Tyler Rivet at (985) 855-7651.
