Reel in the big one! - 100+ things to do

They don't call it Sportsman's Paradise for nothin'!   In just a 20 mile radius from Woodridge B&B there are over 10 public boat ramps, ramps to fresh water rivers as well as brackish water lakes which leads you to the wide open Gulf of Mexico.
Not planning to bring a boat?  Reel them in from the local fishing peer which will be attracting even more fish once the new reef is complete (see here: Story about new reef)  or the banks of the rivers nearby.
Another option is to hire a Charter with expert Captains to lead you to some of the best fishing around, like Captain Dudley Vandenborre who is known for this Deadly Dudley fishing lures. Fishing Tournaments by the dozens are held in this area as well.  Many start at Rigolets Marina in the south east point of Slidell and considered one of the best areas to head out on your water adventure.



B&B's are a better way to stay, so while visiting Southeastern Louisiana, stay at Woodridge Bed and Breakfast - play hard, sleep well! Debbi & Tim Keepers of the Inn and Concierge to your perfect getaway!

Life in the Swamp -

Ever wondered what it's like living in the swamp? Well the producers of "Swamp People" which airs on the History Channel, thought just that! They traveled down to the bayous of Louisiana to find people who live such a life. One of this year's Swamp People is Terral Evans who lives in Pearl River, Louisiana and works the river of the same name. There have been many other movies filmed in this area all due to the beauty they find in the river and on its banks.
In these parts, the river is known as the Honey Island Swamp, filled with gators, wild boars, black bear, deer, an array of fowl and of course some creepy crawly critters and slithery snakes. Now I grew up near another well known swamp and never thought of them as something I wanted to spend much time around, much less in, but I have a new found love of the swamp and the wildlife that inhabits its parts. And given a trained eye there is no telling what you may find when touring this wonderful area. So how do you get a trained eye for this? Well the best way is to find a local to run you down the river... and I admit Capt. Jack is one of the best eyes around. He can be found at Honey Island Swamp Tours in Slidell along with several other great guides. Or bring your own boat and make an adventure of it all, there are several area landings where boaters can set off and by the way, there is some mighty good fishing in this water too!

The summer is the best time to view gators of course while the winter is best for fowl with the bare trees. Winter also brings in many migratory birds not thought to be found in these parts of the country. The Honey Island Swamp is just a couple of blocks (as the crow flies) from Woodridge Bed and Breakfast where you will find ample parking for your boat and the tour offers a discount for registered guests when booked by the innkeeper.


Posted by Debbi owner & Innkeeper, Woodridge B&B

Big Branch National Wildlife Refuge - Trails & More

Just west of Slidell, Louisiana and on the banks of Lake Pontchartrain lies a march area known as Big Branch. The National Wildlife Refuge maintains this 17 thousand acre area to protect nature from the population encroaching these nature resting areas.

The Boy Scout Trail of 4.5 miles takes you through several habitats and to the banks of Bayou Lacombe. This trail is a gravel meandering around swamp and marsh areas where waterfowl, shorebirds, wading fowl, and neotropical migrants find peaceful refuge. Some colonies include the Red Cockaded Woodpecker colonies, Bald Eagle nests, and Osprey nests. A short quarter mile raised boardwalk trail leads hikers to a cypress slough near the banks of Bayou Lacombe.

The NWR sponsors 'Wild Things' each October, the Saturday after Columbus Day, which is during the National Wildlife Refuge Week. "Wild Things" has presentations, demonstrations, live animals, live music, and tours. While in April, the refuge celebrates The Great Louisiana Bird Fest which will be highlighted in a future article. This is free and open to all visitors.

The Big Branch NWR is also a great place for canoeing, biking, wildlife observation and photography as well as fishing* and hunting*. Each Saturday, the park has guided walking and canoe tours for visitors. No charge for this service. *You must obtain a license to hunt or fish.

Big Branch NWR is located in Lacombe, LA. Take I-12 to exit 74, turn south onto Hwy 434. The offices (signs state Bayou Lacombe Center) are located on Hwy 434 near the junction of US 190.
Big Branch is aprox. 20 minutes from Woodridge Bed and Breakfast Slidell - Pearl River, Louisiana and about 1 hour from New Orleans.

Trails for the Nature Lover in You - Hide & Seek

Well there is a new craze taking the world by storm, Geocaching! Have you heard of it? Adding a fun game to your hiking experience, can make you day even more exciting. Some choose to do the seek and find - the person collecting the largest variety of tree leaves gets a prize or track the list of bird species found.

Well now there is Geocaching! A hide and seek game where a treasure of sorts is hidden in a location, usually along trails, river banks and such. A fun game for adults and families. Once a geocache is hidden, the coordinates are downloaded on to and are then made available for geocachers around the world to seek the treasure. Using a GPS devise, plug in the coordinates and search away, there will be clues to assist you as well. When you find the treasure, you usually take a piece and replace it with another item. To become a member and learn the coordinates, go to the website and become a member.

Now why am I telling you all about this? Louisiana's State Parks and historical sites have just joined with Geocaching.com in a special treasure hunt. Anyone finding all 41 can win a silver "geocoin" minted for the campaign. Prizes include a set of three such coins — one silver, one bronze and one black alloy — and a weekend stay at a state park. To become a member and learn the coordinates, go to the Geocaching website. For additional information go to

With many of Louisiana's historical sites and one state park near by, why not make it a weekend packed with adventure, fun while enjoying a peaceful rest at Woodridge Bed and Breakfast. just 30 minutes from New Orleans.

Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge - trails

The Bogue Chitto (Choctaw for "large stream) National Wildlife Reserve follows the banks of the Pearl River, West Pearl Rivers and Bogue Chitto River and the great river basin. This NWR covers over 36 thousand acres filled with natures wonders.

Visitors may see a variety of endangered or highly guarded wildlife that call this area home among them: Ringed-sawback turtle, American alligator, gopher tortoise, inflated heel-splitter mussel and the Gulf sturgeon. The swallow-tailed kite is a species of special concern on Bogue Chitto NWR. The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) was de-listed as a threatened species in 2007. Bald eagles visit the refuge each year. Other Wildlife Species: White-tailed Deer, turkey, neo-tropical birds, rabbit, raccoon, wild hogs, a variety of snakes, mink, skunks, wading birds and waterfowl.

A vast range of forest encompasses this area from pine woods to stands of bald cypress and tupelo gum in the sloughs. Most of the refuge is defined as bottomland hardwood forest, laced with wetlands. This refuge is commonly inundated with flood waters from the rivers.

Most of these areas are only accessible by boat from the three locks off of Hwy 41, north of Slidell but they have added a new hiking trail not far from the most southern point of the refuge. To get to Holmes Bayou Trail, take I-59 exit 11 "Pearl River turnaround" and turn west.

Additionally, Bogue Chitto State Park has just opened in Washington Parish. Seven miles of hiking trails, 14 miles of horse trails and a canoe and boat launch into the river. Wat to fish while there? Several ponds stocked with bass await your bait!

The Bogue Chitto Holmes Bayou Trail is only 10 minutes from Woodridge Bed and Breakfast. To see more of the refuge, bring your boat, Lock 1 only a 15 mile trip through the Town of Pearl River. Or for a day trip, you can launch in the Pearl at exit 5 or 11 and travel up river. Woodridge is only 30 minutes north of New Orleans - so make your adventure complete - city, country, wild life all packed in a great getaway.

SE Louisiana - Fisherman's Paradise

Well I love her….but I love to fish! For many fishermen this song is not far from the truth. Well for all the Brad Paisley’s out there, we have a solution to all your worries. But first lets take care of the important stuff.
So you love to fish, well you have come to the right place, bring plenty of ice chests because the waters south Louisiana are abound with fish. Never mind your experience, the fish of saltwater lakes - Pontchartrain, Catherine and Borgne and the fresh fish in the waters of the Pearl River are just waiting for your pole to hit the water. The saltwater lakes are well known for Speckled Trout and Redfish year round.

The Rigolets Marina is a great place to launch and then during the summer head over to the Seabrook Bridge area, in the spring and winter just hover around the trestles near Slidell for Trout or near the marshy banks of the Pearl or Bayou Bonfouca for the reds. The marina will have plenty of live shrimp for bait through late fall, and during the winter you can rely on the Deadly Dudley’s to reel in the catch. If you want an expert guide, Capt. Dudley Vandenborre is the best around and fun to know as well. There are plenty of places to just drop a line off the banks or docks as well…great during the summer when the use of a sliding cork line will lure the trout when they are closer to the top of the water.

If fresh water is more your liking you will love the fishing in the Pearl River near Slidell as it breaks into numerous branches as it flows toward its mouth. Middle, eastern and western tributaries are areas with winding curves and lily pad flats where it is known to have large bass just waiting for you. The Pearl is also known for good river cat and perch. There are several landings up river to launch as well as the Rigolets at the base. For Bayou fishing, you can launch at Heritage park and ride along the banks of the Bonfouca.

No matter where you fish, you will not need to come up with a story of how the big one got away…it will be right there in your catch box.

Now that I have caught your attention and you have packed your rod and reel ready for your trip, lets get to the part of how to make this trip one of fun AND romance. Well I have never thought the words romance and fish belong in the same sentence much less the same weekend, but in South Louisiana anything can happen! Select the Woodridge B&B ‘I love to fish’ package when you book on line and we will arrange everything to keep the romance going while you enjoy the sport you love…
Arrive to a lovely dimly lit room with fresh flowers and a nice fruit and cheese tray. She will hardly budge when you slip out in the wee hours to catch the big one…but don’t forget the boxed goodies we have packed for your adventure. While you are out enjoying the water, she will rest in peace awaking to freshly made coffee on the balcony while listening to the morning bird songs, then joining other guests in conversation over a wonderful gourmet breakfast, followed by an hour massage to lift the stress from her shoulders. By the time you come back she will be welcoming you with a warm rested smile. A little time for you to rest then it is off to a scrumptious dinner at one of the areas best restaurants, arriving back to a nice bottle of bubbly before another wonderful night’s rest. By the time you are packing your bags to go home, she will be asking when you plan to go fishin’ again.

Thank you for Shootin’ the breeze with me - Debbi
http://www.woodridgebb.com
Woodridge Bed and Breakfast Inn Louisiana

Located just outside of the Honey Island Swamp and minutes to the area launches. Providing guests with the ultimate in relaxation and romance.