A New Year. New Direction.
Every so often you come across a photo or copy that stops you in your tracks. This happened to me when I picked up a magazine that I subscribe to called AFAR. In an ad for AETHER that appeared in the February 2021 issue, I came across a very timely headline and copy that was so beautifully executed it took my breath away -- kudos to the ad agency’s creative team that came up with this poignant message (see below).
YOU ONLY GET ONE SPIN
Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock goes the clock. It’s so rhythmic it’s almost soothing. It lulls you into a false sense of security. Tick another coffee. Tock another meeting. Tick another lunch. Tock another quiet night in.
And before you know it, you’re so numb from the comfort of routine that you didn’t feel a thing when that great adventure called life slipped away like sand between your fingers.
But fear not, adventure has other plans. Roll with them. Embrace adventure. Grasp it with both hands until your knuckles turn pale. Don’t let comfort take you down. Rise above routine and monotony. Ride shotgun with fear and the unknown. Don the uniform of the restless. Get uncomfortable being comfortable.
And here’s the reward for the discomfort. Your heart will be fuller, your compassion deeper, your HORIZONS WIDER and your memoir way, way better. Before you die, make sure you have lived. And never forget, you only get one spin.
SO LET’S BROADEN OUR HORIZONS
For Rathbone’s blogs I usually focus on where to eat and what to see – but now I decided on a subject I’ve never written about before: going FISHING in New Orleans. I used go fishing for trout in British Columbia, Canada with my Dad when I was very young and I thought it was a lot of fun.
Heading out on a New Orleans fishing trip is right up there with one of the best things you can do. Freshwater, saltwater and brackish waters surround the city on all sides. Plus over half of New Orleans’ surface is made up of shallow bayous, marshes and estuaries as well as lakes and rivers.
FOUR TYPES OF FISH: TAKE A LOOK
ONE: The freshwater LARGEMOUTH BASS are very smart. Yes, you read that correctly. They remember and avoid a type of bait once it’s been offered to them! So bring a variety of plastic lures, crank baits and jigs. If you use live bait, small minnows or crawfish work well.
TWO: You’ll find REDFISH in abundance here. Your best bet for finding them is heading into the areas where the Gulf of Mexico’s waters meet the inland rivers and lakes. Their weight ranges from four-to-sixty pounds. They’ll reward you with their tasty flesh, but they’ll also put up a great fight.
THREE: This is a favorite of mine – SPECKLED TROUT – a really delicious fish. Local anglers call them “Specks” and they’re one of the most popular fish to catch in NoLA. They range from one-to-four pounds. In the summer, trout head into saltier waters to spawn.
FOUR: These guys give a great fight and are really delicious. You’ll find that the popular FLOUNDER is considered a staple here. They respond well to flies, so if you’re up for fly-fishing be sure to keep an eye out for these tasty flatfish.
FOUR TYPES OF BOAT FISHING
#1 Charter Boat Fishing: a trip aboard a charter boat is a surefire way to stock the cooler. Best of all, you’ll have a local and experienced captain with you who will take care of all the technical details.
#2 Party Boat Fishing: This is a very popular way of getting out on the water in New Orleans. You won’t have as much one-on-one attention from your captain – so you should know how to hook your own bait if possible.
#3 Pier Fishing: Bass, Catfish, Bluegill and Perch are just some of the fish you can expect to hook from our local piers.
#4 Shore Fishing: When things are right, nothing beats finding a spot along the bank and casting a line. Locals do this to catch Redfish.
BEST PLACES TO FISH
Kids love to fish! And the crown jewel of family fishing in New Orleans is City Park. It has over 11 miles of lagoons where you can catch anything from Bass, Bluegill, Bream or Catfish. City Park is home to the “Big Bass Rodeo” where in 2012 the winner won first place with a 4.72 lb. Bass.
Other spots to fish in New Orleans are: Lake Pontchartrain (from boat or bank); Lake Cataouatche (best place for Largemouth Bass); South Pass (roughly 100 miles south of the city and one of the best spots for world-class game fishing); Delacroix Island (southeast of New Orleans – a great spot for both beginners and experienced anglers) and again, City Park which is a 1,300-acre park that’s been around since the 19th century. You can’t beat that!
PLEASE PHONE, USE EMAIL OR CHECK THE WEB for the current status of whatever you choose to do.
WHY RATHBONE MANSIONS? Now, aside from fishing, what else do you like to do? Go swimming, dancing or bowling? We have a pool and hot tub at Rathbone plus you can call a cab and enjoy eating, drinking, bowling and dancing to Zydeco music at our famous Rock ‘n’ Bowl.
REMEMBER: FEBRUARY is Black History Month in the United States and Canada. It dates back to 1926 when an African-American historian named Carter Woodson founded a week that focused on celebrating the accomplishments of African Americans. In 1976 it became a month-long event.
Shaun Nelson-Henrick