Shreveport

Last Modified: September 12, 2008Recreation on the Red

Recreation on the Red
by Mark Florsheim Jr
When thinking of Shreveport Bossier, it is hard to forget what separates our two cities, the Red River. Not only does the Red River define our boundaries, but the ole river is earning its keep once again for people living near its banks. When the final lock and dams were built, the course of our future here in Shreveport Bossier changed. River boats came to town, the Port and its warehouses were constructed, and most notably, bass fishermen and water skiers began to appear all over. The rebirth of commerce on the navigable waters of the Red River has spurred new forms of recreation in our area.

In addition to new warehouses and tank yards, one of the nice benefits from commercializing the Red River has been water sports. Expensive bass boats now throw rooster tails in water where Jon boats once dared to go. Water Skiers can be seen with high-rise office buildings in the background. Even the water’s appearance has changed. The locks allow the water to settle causing it to lose some of its distinctive red color. The Red River is now a new hotspot for water sports with its sand bar beaches and lake-like appearance.
Being an avid area sportsman, Ron Boudreaux saw the need for a full functioning marina on the Red River. While the river gained in popularity, the need grew for a conveniently located boat launch and fueling dock on the Bossier side of the river. After numerous fishing trips and drives down Highway 71, Boudreaux and his partners Larry Lott and Leon Miletello discovered the perfect location at Port Lake, an oxbow off of the Red River. Port Lake has no moving water and it is an old channel giving the area great depth. These qualities make the location perfect for a marina.

Here Boudreaux and his two partners founded “Red River South Marina & Resort”, a 56 acre 7.5 million dollar facility stretching from the water up to Highway 71. Instead of selling the road front land that sits on Highway 71, the three men decided to develop it. What they came up with is “The Red River South Travel Center”. The Travel Center opened for business in October of last year, and offers Exxon gasoline, a convenience store, and a Murrell’s restaurant. At the end of this year a gaming room will open to house video poker machines.

Just over the levee the ground breaking for the marina occurred last January. It was completed and opened for business in April of this year. The Red River South Marina and Resort offers customers more than just gasoline and live bait. For just $75 a night visitors can enjoy one of the 10 new cabins including a private bedroom and bathroom, a large front porch, refrigerator and a sink. Each cabin can comfortably sleep four.

For the adventurer with a “cabin on wheels,” the marina rents RV spaces including an individual power pole with 50 amp plug and water for only $20 a day. Located next to the RV space is a large covered pavilion with seating, a barbeque pit and bathrooms. What about your boat? The marina has 52 covered boat slips for rent and an on water pay at the pump fuel island that includes both gasoline and diesel, and two BASS approved double boat ramps, which means up to four boats can be launched at the same time. Don’t have a boat? Not to worry. Reeves Marine and Red River South have teamed up to rent boats from the marina for half and full days. What else can a bass fisherman wish for?
Just last week Boudreaux and his two partners purchased the 39 acres touching the north side of the property. They have plans on adding 10 new slips for houseboats, 10 more cabins and maybe another restaurant on top of the hill over looking the water. Red River South Marina and Resort is located just 5 miles south of the Jimmie Davis Bridge on Highway 71. You can reach them at (318) 747-9594, or visit their website at www.redriversouthmarina.com.

Recreation on the Red
by Mark Florsheim Jr
When thinking of Shreveport Bossier, it is hard to forget what separates our two cities, the Red River. Not only does the Red River define our boundaries, but the ole river is earning its keep once again for people living near its banks. When the final lock and dams were built, the course of our future here in Shreveport Bossier changed. River boats came to town, the Port and its warehouses were constructed, and most notably, bass fishermen and water skiers began to appear all over. The rebirth of commerce on the navigable waters of the Red River has spurred new forms of recreation in our area.

In addition to new warehouses and tank yards, one of the nice benefits from commercializing the Red River has been water sports. Expensive bass boats now throw rooster tails in water where Jon boats once dared to go. Water Skiers can be seen with high-rise office buildings in the background. Even the water’s appearance has changed. The locks allow the water to settle causing it to lose some of its distinctive red color. The Red River is now a new hotspot for water sports with its sand bar beaches and lake-like appearance.
Being an avid area sportsman, Ron Boudreaux saw the need for a full functioning marina on the Red River. While the river gained in popularity, the need grew for a conveniently located boat launch and fueling dock on the Bossier side of the river. After numerous fishing trips and drives down Highway 71, Boudreaux and his partners Larry Lott and Leon Miletello discovered the perfect location at Port Lake, an oxbow off of the Red River. Port Lake has no moving water and it is an old channel giving the area great depth. These qualities make the location perfect for a marina.

Here Boudreaux and his two partners founded “Red River South Marina & Resort”, a 56 acre 7.5 million dollar facility stretching from the water up to Highway 71. Instead of selling the road front land that sits on Highway 71, the three men decided to develop it. What they came up with is “The Red River South Travel Center”. The Travel Center opened for business in October of last year, and offers Exxon gasoline, a convenience store, and a Murrell’s restaurant. At the end of this year a gaming room will open to house video poker machines.

Just over the levee the ground breaking for the marina occurred last January. It was completed and opened for business in April of this year. The Red River South Marina and Resort offers customers more than just gasoline and live bait. For just $75 a night visitors can enjoy one of the 10 new cabins including a private bedroom and bathroom, a large front porch, refrigerator and a sink. Each cabin can comfortably sleep four.

For the adventurer with a “cabin on wheels,” the marina rents RV spaces including an individual power pole with 50 amp plug and water for only $20 a day. Located next to the RV space is a large covered pavilion with seating, a barbeque pit and bathrooms. What about your boat? The marina has 52 covered boat slips for rent and an on water pay at the pump fuel island that includes both gasoline and diesel, and two BASS approved double boat ramps, which means up to four boats can be launched at the same time. Don’t have a boat? Not to worry. Reeves Marine and Red River South have teamed up to rent boats from the marina for half and full days. What else can a bass fisherman wish for?
Just last week Boudreaux and his two partners purchased the 39 acres touching the north side of the property. They have plans on adding 10 new slips for houseboats, 10 more cabins and maybe another restaurant on top of the hill over looking the water. Red River South Marina and Resort is located just 5 miles south of the Jimmie Davis Bridge on Highway 71. You can reach them at (318) 747-9594, or visit their website at www.redriversouthmarina.com.


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