Made a trip out of BSM Saturday. BSM is working hard to clean up and make everything functional. They have a bait tank working with live shrimp now, and should have ice Sunday. The plan for this Fall is to get the western-side bait facility working. Karen is working out a car and already has some supplies for sale, but will have a new trailer soon, the old trailer is pulled out, and Glen says you will see a dramatic improvement by next weekend.

I also made a pass by Campo's, and it looks like they were putting new pilings in and also had cleaned up. The Campo's and BSM don't mess around!

The damage at ground level has similarities to Katrina, but not as widespread. Scattered boats, cars, and trailers, gutted low-level buildings, some wind damage. An oyster boat drifted next to the bridge and is wedged between the pilings, that will be a challenge to remove. Lots of dried mud everywhere. Its drivable, but you have to take it slow for now.

As for fishing, it was another hot summer day, with water temperatures in the mid to upper 80s. This usually has the reds sluggish, and they were, plus there was no water movement. I started the back of Pete's Lagoon and went west to Lake Borgne, picking off reds in the ponds with dead shrimp. Also had storms minnows, cocohoes, and pot bellies but not much luck on those. On the way in, the tide started falling, and fished the mouth of a bayou in Loutre which had a school of reds, mostly throwbacks but two nice ones (already had limit, catch and release). Also picked off one keeper trout, flounder, and drum. Usually this time of year you start bumping into trout with the reds, but not yet. The first good front comes in tonight, fall fishing should really start cranking. Also, DWLF is out checking, made a pas by the boat, all legal.

The marsh looked fine except along Lake Borgne. The marsh is denuded in spots, with mats of dead marsh and wrack sitting in the middle of Cutoff Bayou. When the water gets lower I'll check again, but it looks like the Borgne shoreline took a hit.

I believe I saw quite a few teal. Not a hunter, so can't be sure, so take that for what's its worth.

Put out some Amdro at my highway minnow spot to allay the fire ant infestation, and went home with a cold front blowing. Things are getting better now, we survived another hot summer and another hurricane.