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Beer flight at Red River Brewing Company. Sportsman’s Paradise is defined by its waterways. The Red River divides Louisiana’s third largest city, Shreveport, from neighboring Bossier City. Between the two you’ll find casinos, breweries, a massive outlet mall and restaurants galore. Find the museums and antique stores of Monroe and West Monroe near the banks of the Ouachita River, perfect peaches in Ruston and parks and refuges lining the Mississippi River. Fishing ©Jim Hudelson. Wine Country Bistro seared tuna ©Jim Noetzel Award-winning angler and fishing guide Homer Humphreys knows his way around north Louisiana’s scenic waterways and the cities between them. He’s our guide to Sportsman’s Paradise. Homer Humphreys ©Martin Creative, Inc. Zydeco musicians at the Let the Good Times Roll Festival – courtesy of Shreveport-Bossier CTB Fresh herbs ©Shreveport Farmers’ Market MEET YOUR GUIDE You’ve ever wanted to quit your day job to follow your passion, Homer Humphreys is an inspiring man to talk with. The Minden resident quit his corporate career decades ago to compete in fishing competitions, eventually doing well enough to go pro. That led him to open a string of local businesses. Asked how he became a self-made Renaissance Man, Humphreys says humbly, “I just like making things happen that have never happened before.” Humphreys loves to brag about all the visitors he lures to north Louisiana. Switzerland, Zimbabwe, Japan—his guide service welcomes travelers from around the world—and the former Webster Parish Ambassador of the Year says that hometown pride is one of his main reason for bringing them there. SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER CITY AREA Festivals also rank high on Humphreys’ list of things to do in north Louisiana. Shreveport area shoutouts include the State Fair of Louisiana (OctoberNovember) and the Let the Good Times Roll Festival (June), as well as the Shreveport Farmers’ Market, held throughout the summer in Festival Plaza, and Ed Lester Farms in Coushatta. “They’ve got fruit pies, jellies, all that stu.—the parking lot there is full all the time.” November’s Main to Main festival rolls through his hometown and other towns including Sarepta and Springhill, with local crafts, live music and other cultural attractions. Wine Country Bistro seared tuna ©Jim Noetzel Antique Coke truck ©Biedenharn Museum & Gardens Camping at Lake D’Arbonne State Park. Pink Flamingo Cocktail at Herby K’s ©Jim Noetzel Antique Alley ©Matthew Thibodeaux Germantown Colony Museum Experience north Louisiana’s soul food culture at Minden restaurants Crawfish Hole #2 and Dorcheat Seafood & Grill (named for nearby Bayou Dorcheat, a freshwater paddler’s paradise). In Shreveport’s diverse dining scene, Humphreys says, “You can go from eating neck bones to Chateaubriand steak.” Blue Southern Comfort Food and Herby K’s are two spots that locals recommend. IF YOU HAVE MORE TIME… • Shop at the dozens of waterfront stores at Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets in Bossier City • Visit the Germantown Colony Museum in Minden • Indulge in a pulled pork sandwich at Real BBQ and More in Shreveport MONROE-RUSTON AREA As one of the state’s most outspoken fishing guides, Humphreys will tell you where the big ones are biting. “We’ve probably got 15 lakes within an hour-and-twenty-minutes from here,” he says. Lake Claiborne and Lake D’Arbonne State Parks are two worth seeking out. For those looking to tee up in the area, Humphreys says, “Squire Creek Country Club is number one.” Find this gem of north Louisiana’s golf scene in Choudrant. Ruston is perhaps best known for its peaches, celebrated every summer at the Louisiana Peach Festival (June). That’s not the only famous festival in the neighborhood, however. The Louisiana Watermelon Festival (July) in Farmerville features contests, pageants, concerts and plenty of melons to help keep you cool in the summer heat. FACEBOOK.COM/LOUISIANATRAVEL @maydaybymidnight has us star-struck in #Celebrity- Lounge!! If you’re not here, you’re missing out! Disco down and party with us tonight! #EldoradoShreveport #ShreveportNightlife #ShreveportBossier #OnlyLouisiana –eldoradoshreveport Homer Humphreys fishes at Bayou Dorcheat. Louisiana Peach Festival. Great Raft Brewery ©Jim Mueller. ©Landry Vineyards & Winery, (SIDEBAR) Soda Jerk ©Biedenharn Museum & Gardens Monroe and neighboring West Monroe are charming towns with plenty of hidden treasures. Check out Antique Alley and the Duck Commander Warehouse (made famous by the reality TV show Duck Dynasty) in West Monroe, and cultural attractions Chennault Aviation & Military Museum and the Masur Museum of Art in Monroe. IF YOU HAVE MORE TIME… • Tour the Eddie G. Robinson Museum in Grambling • See how Louisiana wine is made at Landry Vineyards & Winery in West Monroe • Let kids’ imagination run wild at Northeast Louisiana Children’s Museum in Monroe SPORTMAN’S PARADISE BUCKET LIST LEARN THE HISTORY OF AN AMERICAN ICON Biedenharn Museum & Gardens in Monroe is home to a huge collection of Coca-Cola® memorabilia and lush botanical gardens. SIP A LOUISIANA MICROBREW Experience Louisiana by the pint at Great Raft Brewing and Red River Brewing Company’s taprooms in Shreveport, and at Flying Heart Brewing’s bar in Bossier City. GET YOUR PHOTO TAKEN WITH ELVIS PRESLEY Find Elvis (or a statue of him, anyway) outside the entrance to Shreveport Municipal Auditorium, a venue that’s hosted some of music’s biggest names since the 1920s. EAT THE MUFFY Fertitta’s Delicatessen is a Shreveport institution, famous in part for its muffuletta sandwich. Piled high with meat, cheese and an olive mix, it’s a meal worth writing home about.
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