A few months ago, Captain Greg Dini of Flywater Expeditions in New Orleans was living the dream.
That, of course, was before the epic fail of BP’s Deepwater Horizon drilling rig on April 20, 2010.
Followed up by a lackluster response from the Obama administration, the result has been the worst environmental disaster in American history.
Right in the backyard of what has become the holy grail of big bull redfishing on the fly.
The on-the-water office that Dini calls home.
You can’t blame Capt. Dini for relocating to a place where the Cafe Du Monde’s legendary chicory-laced coffee and powdered beignets help jumpstart each day.
A place where the crawfish etouffee beckons each evening at Bon Ton Cafe.
A place where nighttime jazz, blues, or Creole music can help soothe the troubled soul.
A place that has displayed the resiliency to climb out of the deadly horrors of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 to become the reigning 2010 pigskin champs of the civilized world.
Louisiana - its people, its culture, its food, its music, its plethora of natural resources, and most especially its amazing redfish – is a place to celebrate and cherish.
And these days, Louisiana is a place to weep for.
So after you watch today’s “Monday Movie” – a tremendous video piece produced by SaltyShores.com - pause for a moment.
To reflect on what is.
To reflect on what has been.
And to reflect on – and to say a prayer for – what will be in the days to come for Capt. Dini and all of his Louisiana mates.
May their tomorrows be brighter than their today is.
And may their fly reel drags sing again soon with the sweet music of Creole redfish heading for the deep ocean blue.
