Sitting at the Fontainebleau State Park in Mandeville, Louisiana, a fellow Virginian put voice to what many of us at the Kayak Fishing Boondoggle knew to be true;

"Just look around," Jeff Singleton said, motioning to the crowded campsite #74 that belonged to Holly and Stanley Jones. "This is what the Boondoggle is all about. All these people, together."

Stan and Holly's campsite is the traditional gathering spot at the bi-annual Boondoggle. And on this night, the last night, a potluck dinner had brought us together. Shenanigans ensued. But perhaps you are one of the few who've never attended one of these events. In which case you're probably wondering, "What the heck is a Boondoggle?"

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Per the website: "The Kayak Fishing Boondoggle is a four-day event, which occurs twice a year usually over the President's Day and Columbus Day weekends. The Boondoggle provides an escape for kayak fishing enthusiasts who want to relax, hangout, and fish with like-minded individuals in a new location."

The Columbus Day Weekend Boondoggle has vendors, a raffle and clinics, while the President's Day Boondoggle is a more laid-back event. This was my second Boondoggle. I'd attended two years ago in Pensacola, FL. I caught some big fish and got to hang with a lot of cool people. The Boondoggle changes location for every event, giving anglers the chance to fish new waters.

When the Louisiana Boondoggle popped up, I jumped on it. I'd never been to the bayou and I was ready for another dose of Boondoggle. The event was based out of the beautiful Fontainebleau State Park. I drove 14 hours to get there over two days.

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That first night there was a Meet and Greet at the pavilion area, and then several clinics. Jameson Redding, Jackson Kayak Pro and Yak Angler Inside and Out TV Host, gave a clinic on filming while on the water. Robert Fields of YakFish TV joined up with him to offer tips as well.

Then Adam Hayes and Mark Watanabe from YakAngler, plus Woody Calloway of Native Watercraft got up on stage for a spirited game of Ro Sham Bo with the winner taking home a Native Watercraft Slayer 13 Propel. It's a pretty fun contest!

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The next morning I joined Richie Bekolay, Old Town/ Ocean Kayak and Werner Paddle Pro, and Bart Swab, Action Kayak Adventures Guide, and headed out into Bayou Lacombe. It was a beautiful morning and many Boondogglers were up and paddling out.

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The wind picked up quick, and the skies clouded over shortly after we launched. We paddled back into the marsh. I caught my biggest fish of the day, a tiny largemouth bass. What?

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Saturday night it was back to the pavilion for great Louisiana food courtesy of the local fire department. The vendor village was lit up, there were games and the big raffle. It was a great time hanging with the tribe. Here is a shot of a AT Exodus Fishstix that we brought for the raffle. All proceeds went to benefit Heroes On The Water.

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That night the revelry picked up and I had a good time walking the campground and visiting with friends from all over the country. The next morning I awoke and decided to hit Bayou Lacombe again. I paddled back into the marsh, caught some more bass!?!? Then portaged over the beach into Lake Pontchartrain. Immediately I saw Jack Crevalles busting the surface. I cast to them, chasing them up and down the beach, but never got a solid hook up.

The Wilderness Systems ATAK did a good job getting me where I needed to go, ducking under the wind and providing a good sight casting platform.

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That Sunday night I ventured out to the cabins to hang with the YakAngler crew. I was grateful for the chance to watch the sunset over the Lake Pontchartrain causeway. It's 23.83 miles long and the longest bridge over water. I drove across it, just because.

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That night we adjourned to the aforementioned campsite #74 for the potluck. Hilarity and hi-jinks ensued, on this, the last night of the Boondoggle. It was a night of laughter, great food and more than a few beverages.

The next morning I got up at around 3:30am to meet Jameson Redding, YakAngler Inside and Out TV, John Jackson, Ram Mounts, and EJ Caughlin, Nocqua Lights, for a trip south for redfish.

On this day, we paddled out into color.

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It was the last day of the Boondoggle. We needed some quality fish. Jameson was already getting some quality filming with the magnificent sunrise. John and EJ had never caught a redfish before, so the mission was simple. Find the reds! We paddled into a cove of busting fish. The entire day we paddled a 300 yard stretch of bait busting water! I've never seen anything like it.

EJ was the first to hook up, but then lost it. Jameson hooked up right after him, on his Live Watersports SUP. The board looked pretty slick with a YakAttack BlackPak and Orion Cooler on the deck.

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I hooked up shortly after Jameson. It felt good!

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Then John's rod got bent and it was game on!

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Next it was EJ's turn! The fishing was hot!

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You want to know why kayak fishing is so special? You want to know why the Boondoggle is so special?

Look at the smiles on everyone's face. This was the coolest part of the trip and I love seeing people hook into their first species, especially when it's a redfish.

Jameson asked me on camera, "Why do you Boondoggle?"

I'm a fisherman. I love the camaraderie and community of the Boondoggle, but I really love catching good fish in beautiful new areas. This day was my Boondoggle. The air echoed with laughter and fish were busting loose everywhere. It was special.

The day finished with Jameson and John on the double hook-up.

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And with that the Boondoggle was over. Kayak anglers packed up and headed out. I decided to stick around for two more days. It paid off....

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I was standing up in my ATAK, patrolling the grass line in a deep south Louisiana marsh, when I spotted a shadow moving 30-40 yards away. It was a redfish backed up against the grass, waiting on bait to come rolling in. I quickly slung a 4"Gulp shrimp on a jig head towards the spot. It was perfect. The cast landed 2 ft. in front of the fish. I twitched the bait, and BOOM! The water erupted and the sleigh ride was on! I landed my personal best redfish at 40".

Side Note: Always be prepared. I had my GoPro with me. It started glitching out. (Found out later it needed an update) Luckily I always pack my Yak Attack X-Grip mount and was able to set my phone up for the photo. The quality is not as good, but I still got my hero shot.

I hung out one more day in the bayou. I decided to visit Delacroix, LA, a famed area for tailing reds. It did not disappoint.

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Louisiana is a magical destination. Recreating in the outdoors is paramount to my happiness. The Boondoggle afforded me the opportunity to do just that. I paddled every day I was in Louisiana, soaking in every scene, every sound and feeling every push of my blade through the water.

The Boondoggle, once again, gave me the chance to fulfill my big fish dreams. It gave me the chance to visit a unique sportsman's paradise. And I got to hang with some excellent people. Louisiana, I'll see you again.

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**Special shout out to Bayou Adventures in Lacombe, LA. They were the official ambassadors to the area and treated us like family. Thank You!