Chalmette, Louisiana

HOST:	HOST HOTEL:	HOST MARINA:
St. Bernard Parish Government Office of Tourism 8201 W. Judge Perez Drive Chalmette, LA 70043 Contact: Elizabeth McDougall Tourism Director (504)278-4242 888-278-2054 www.VisitStBernard.com	Marina Motel (formerly Econo Lodge) 5353 Paris Road Chalmette, LA 70043 (504)277-5353	Breton Sound Marina Hwy. 624 Hopedale, LA (504)473-2008 www.bretonsoundmarina.com

The last time the Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup visited Chalmette, La., Katrina was just the name of another pretty girl. During that 2005 visit, local supporters gathered at the venue in droves as their Cup friends and neighbors displayed the fruits of their angling handiwork in nearby bayous.

But within a few months of that last weigh-in, this St. Bernard Parish community, most often associated with American victory during 1815's Battle of New Orleans, would be changed forever. And even today, over two years since the hurricane, some residents still shudder at the mere mention of her wrathful name.

Although one of the worst natural disasters in American history ravaged the Gulf Coast from Louisiana to Mississippi over the course of Labor Day weekend in 2005, the devastation in Chalmette was particularly brutal. Extreme flooding devastated the community and the chemicals from the area's many industrial plants combined with oil spills, becoming a toxic and dangerous stew.

But today, Chalmette is coming back. And one reason the 2008 Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup is making its third stop on the tournament circuit there in August.

"The last time we visited Chalmette, it was a huge tournament with a great turnout," said Louisiana native and Redfish Cup angler Shane Pescay. "I know the parish will come out to support the tournament again this year. They're really looking to the sport of fishing to take away from the everyday."

The Texas duo of Cantrell and Beonigk took the title in Chalmette back in 2005 with a whopping 49.37 pound, three-day total. But South Carolina residents Ben Alderman and Ronnie Pitts fared well too, coming in third place at the tournament. Merrily Dunn and ex-partner, Terry Simmons, finished fourth, while local favorites Mike and Michael Frenette of nearby Marrero, La. rounded out the top five.

In 2008, while the community of Chalmette keeps rebuilding, it is proud to put its natural resources at the forefront of its effort: Redfish are thriving again as bayous once destroyed by the storm have begun to recover.

"The fishing around Chalmette is as good or better for speckled trout and redfish than before the storm," Pescay said. "The water quality has improved and anyone who likes to sight fish will really enjoy the conditions down there."

With legendary redfish mecca Venice just miles away, anglers at this year's event will find themselves with hefty stringers yet again and roaring crowds supporting them every step along the way.

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