Catahoula Waterfowl Corral
By: Christopher LeCoq
Catahoula Lake. Hunters shoot from large brush blinds floating amongst the decoys. Photo: Christoper LeCoq.
In Louisiana, waterfowl hunters have seen a continued decline in recent years. The cause? Well, that’s a topic for another conversation where opinions vary from state-to-state, and from top-to-bottom of the Mississippi Flyway. But for hunters seeking a variety of birds, one area of Central Louisiana is a regular stopping point for some of the most diverse mix of waterfowl species along the flyway. That area is Catahoula Lake.
“Catahoula Lake is one of those places that’s special. The good Lord put it here for ducks to come here,” boasts Blake Soileau, owner of Full Strap & Stringer Outfitter and Guide Service. “Every type puddle and diving duck passes through this area. It’s not uncommon to see geese, from snow geese, blue geese, & ross’s geese, speckled bellied and Canadian geese. Pretty much every species of waterfowl of the Mississippi & Central Flyways will stop here.”
Waterfowling on Catahoula Lake provides for a variety of birds. Photo: Christopher LeCoq.
Blake, and his sons Hunter & Bucky, manage 3 lodges and can accommodate up to 40 hunters per day for waterfowl hunts. While their operation is based in Louisiana, they also offer hunting & fishing trips in bordering Mississippi and distant Alberta, Canada. “Full Strap & Stringer is family owned & operated. It only makes it because of the effort of my sons and the employees we have working with us,” Blake expresses, “I also can’t say enough about my wife. She keeps us all grounded. We relish in the fact that we rely on one another, and we refuse to fail. We look forward to every person that travels to visit us here in Louisiana.”
A waterfowl hunt on the open waters of Catahoula is unlike that of typical Louisiana duck hunting. Large, brushed blinds float in open water and are made to look like large patches of reeds & grass. Surrounding the blind can be massive decoy spreads. Sometimes upwards of 2000-3000 decoy at a time swarming every side of the blind. Hunters of this area can also find themselves away from the open waters of the lake, and in flooded fields, or cypress breaks displaying a mix of the most scenic areas Louisiana has to offer to enjoy during a hunt.
Working dogs are an essential part of waterfowling. Photo Christopher LeCoq.
And while waterfowl hunting, “the strap” is limited to a short season, “the stringer” of Full Strap & Stringer’s namesake can be enjoyed 12 months out of the year. “We catch crappie (or sac-au-lait if you’re from South Louisiana) in deep water during the summer & fall months, normally using jigs or live shiners. But, after the transition to the spawn & post-spawn we use a technique here called ‘spider-rigging’ and we’ll catch big numbers of fish in the spring & summer.
Hunts on Catahoula Lake with Full Strap & Stringer Outfitters is always memorable and enjoyable. Photo: Christoper LeCoq
A sign hanging in the dining room of the lodge at Full Strap & Stringer Outfitters reads, “Stay awhile”. For outdoorsmen & women who have spent time there, you quickly understand how it is very easy to do just that, stay awhile.
To book your trip visit fullstrapandstringer.com
They can also be found at ‘Full Strap & Stringer’ on Facebook & Instagram
Christopher LeCoq is an outdoor video producer, photographer, and member of the Louisiana Outdoor Writers’ Association. He is a producer and director for the award-winning Bayou Wild TV. Follow Bayou Wild TV on Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube for many more stories of adventure, sportsmanship, and heritage of the great outdoors.
