Tails From the Road: Louisiana Dogwood Lodge

We’ve just returned from our first hosted trip with The Dogwood Lodge in Hopedale, Louisiana, and let me tell you, we were welcomed with some of the best Cajun hospitality you can find. Upon arrival, we were shuttled to the lodge. We were able to stop at the local grocery store and grab any refreshments or snacks we needed for our days out on the water. From there, our drive was filled with hilarious Cajun jokes and stories, building our excitement for the fishing adventures that lay ahead.

When we arrived at the lodge, we were immediately shown to the lounge area, which featured a fully stocked, self-service bar. This became our hangout spot after each day on the water and a perfect place to unwind after enjoying delicious dinners. Tracey, the chef and the lodge staff, truly embodied Cajun hospitality.

Our first night’s meal set the tone: alligator sausage and chicken jambalaya, followed by a mouth-watering crawfish pasta, bone-in pork chops with green beans and mashed potatoes, and finally, sausage and chicken gumbo. Each meal was a delicious reflection of the region’s rich culinary traditions.

The days spent on the water were equally memorable. We embarked on boat rides that ranged from 30 minutes to an hour, taking us to some of the best fishing destinations where we targeted big bull reds, black drum, and sheepshead. Our mornings started with low light, a gentle 10mph breeze, and the promise of some exciting shots at fish. By midday, the action heated up with more fish opportunities, and the afternoons brought low-light conditions that made for exciting shots at tailing fish.

Every evening, we’d meet in the lounge/bar area to share stories from the day. We’d swap fish tales, talk about the ones that got away, and compare who had the best catch. It was a great way to relive the day's adventure and fuel the excitement for the next.

The trip had its ups and downs. The first two days were windy and a bit chilly, but we still had plenty of chances to hook into fish. By the second day, everyone had a better sense of what techniques worked and what needed improvement. Though some of us struggled, by the afternoon we were fine-tuning our skills and landing a few fish.

The last day, however, was by far the best. The wind died down, visibility improved, and while occasional clouds made things tricky, we were able to see the glowing red and orange fish tailing at the surface. These fish were easier to spot and target. For my boat, we even managed to venture offshore, searching for birds and schools of redfish. Although we didn’t find the schooling fish we were hoping for, the thrill of the hunt kept our spirits high.

But the true highlight of the trip came on my last day. It was around midday when we rounded a corner of the marsh and came upon a large, shallow pond. As we started to pole in, my heart started racing. About 100-150 yards ahead, I spotted a redfish waving its tail, practically saying, "Look at me!" We started polling closer, and each push revealed just how massive and beautiful this fish was.

I was walking myself through the hunt, staying calm, reminding myself not to mess it up. Finally, we were close enough for my first cast. It was perfect—but the fish didn’t see it. I could see it still searching for its next meal, so I cast again, waiting for the perfect moment. Sure enough, the fish turned and began tailing. I cast once more, and this time, he saw it. Boom! It was game on.

This redfish quickly took me to my backing, towing us around effortlessly. I managed to regain my fly line, but the fish wasn’t done yet. It made a run under the boat, and I had to stick my rod in the dirt to avoid getting stuck on the prop or trolling motor. It made two more runs like this before we finally got the leader and landed the fish—a beautiful beast weighing over 30 pounds!

That moment, that fish, was the cherry on top of an already amazing trip. I can’t say enough good things about our experience at Dogwood Lodge. I’m already counting down the days until next year when we can return and share the experience with another fantastic group of people.