Water News

    Expo! Expo! Read All about It! The 2012 Lake D’Arbonne Country Sportsman’s Expo is Sept. 15

    By: ActionHub Reporters
    - Posted: August 27, 2012

    Back on Track to be the biggest and best yet!! The 2012 Lake D’Arbonne Country Sportsman’s Expo, organized by Union Parish Chamber of Commerce, will be held Saturday, Sept. 15 at the Willie Davis Jr. Recreation Center in Farmerville. LA

    As a guest speaker last year I met a lot of wonderful people, and learned a lot of new things, such as how to Kayak with some women on the beautiful Lake D’Arbonne!

    All aboard and ready for take-off!. The local Kayak Club, spearheaded by the local Librarian, Stephanie Herrmann, gathered some members and invited Becky Lou Lacock for her first Kayak Cruise. Pictured here shortly before they paddled across the beautiful Lake Darbonne. There are many outdoor activities available, fabulous sights to see, and beautiful people to meet in Union Parish, Louisiana.

    This was my first trip to this area and, even as a Louisiana native, I was amazed at the beautiful scenery. This area seemed to have been a well kept secret, but it is being revealed, and the people of Union Parish are welcoming the world with open arms!

    In north central Louisiana,  Lake D’Arbonne is where fishermen reel in catfish, bass, crappie and bream by the bucketful. Surrounding it are miles of rolling land, a landscape of pine forests and lots of green pastures. With year-round pleasant weather it draws nature-lovers to the lake and the Five Scenic Waterways: Bayou d’Loutre, Corney Creek Bayou, Little Fork D’Arbonne, Bayou D’Arbonne, and the Upper Ouachita River.

    The entire state of Louisiana is known for its avid sportsmen, sportswomen and sports-children. With all the wildlife available, hunting and fishing is a common family tradition, and I might add, a very good one! It’s no wonder that the outdoorsman are in a very high percentage per capita in this self proclaimed “Sportsman’s Paradise” state, as it offers some of the best hunting & fishing you can find in the country within its very own borders.  There are many critters to hunt, including alligator, whitetail, hog, turkey, squirrels and frogs! You can also fish in the fresh and salt water lakes and marshes, or hop a boat and take off into the deep blue Gulf for some deep sea fishing, all without crossing the line, (the state line that is.)

    Although the area has pleasant weather most of the time, this is a great time of the year with temperatures slowly falling. There are many cabins, and houses on the lake that are available for rentals, and if you plan ahead you could make a weekend of it, and I am certain you will be happy you did. I stayed in a beautiful cabin right on the lake, and the sunrise each morning was breathtaking! Just contact Union Parish Chamber 318.368.3947, for information to check for price and availability.

    A beautiful sunrise from one of the many houses and cabins on Lake D’Arbonne that are available for rental. Contact Union Parish Chamber of Commerce for leasing agencies in the area 318.368.3947

    I was very impressed last year with the extra focus this organization has on entertaining and educating women and children, so you can feel sure that it will have something for everyone! There will be various “Hands On”  demonstrations such as whitetail hunting techniques, expert fishing tips, falconry, kayaking, martial arts, retriever training, deer scoring, and much more. The youth will also have a blast with the

    4-H Archery range and NWTF Airgun shooting gallery. Be sure to bring everyone and plan to have some quality family time!

    The Photo contest was one of my favorite exhibits last year, with many amateur photographers displaying their works of art, with some bringing home bragging rights for winning ribbons in the different categories! You may have a special picture to enter! The trophy wall is absolutely amazing, with mounts and details of bucks taken in the area, you will be tempted to return during hunting season for a chance at one of those big boys!

    You will love the FOOD! There will be several vendors with some good country down home cooking, at reasonable down home prices. So plan to treat the bunch to lunch while you are there! You could easily make a full day of this with all the activities they have planned, so it is worth the beautiful drive.

    Becky Lou of Commando Hunting Products and Jerry Antley of Cedar Hill Game Calls. Although with two competitive call companies, using different tools to “Command the Wild” they both love people and hunting so Lake D’Arbonne Country Sportsmans Expo is the perfect place!

    Speakers:

    • Kevin Burleson, of Pursuit Channel “Mossy Oak Deer T.H.U.G.S.”.
    • Kim Porras, falconer, with two hawks on site!
    • D’Arbonne Kayak Club showing the latest and greatest equipment  and techniques,
    • Todd Smith with D’Arbonne Martial Arts
    • DeLoutre Labs.

    Check out Union Parish Chamber of Commerce for updates and information.

    Details:

    Willie Davis Recreation Center
    116 Cox Ferry Rd., Farmerville, LA 71241
    Phone: 318-368-3947

    Saturday, Sept. 159:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

    Ticket Pricing: $5 for ages 12+, 11 and under FREE!

    Parking: Parking on-site

    Directions:

    From I-20 in Ruston: Drive north on Hwy. 33 towards Farmerville. After crossing Lake D’Arbonne, turn right on Barron Road drive up the hill to Recreation Center.

    From Monroe/Sterlington, LA: Drive west on Hwy. 2 to Farmerville. At courthouse (downtown), turn left at light and drive south .7 mile | turn left on Barron Road | drive up hill to Recreation Center.

    Images copyright Becky Lou Outdoors