History of the Rodeo

Paul Kalman spent many hours of his childhood fishing the tree-framed waters of City Park. For Paul, and many others, it was an angler's urban heaven. The only requirements were a hook, line, length of cane and a lazy summer afternoon.

The Park's waters took on a special meaning for Paul as he often was accompanied by his mother, who was widowed.

After serving and being injured in World War II, Paul conceived the idea of an annual fishing rodeo, planting the seeds of what would become City Park's Big Bass Rodeo. A reporter for the New Orleans Item at the time, he persuaded his bosses to sponsor the inaugural event. So armed with a meat scale borrowed from John Schwegmann's original grocery store, the Rodeo was launched in 1946.

Under his guidance, the rodeo grew to where it drew as many as 1,000 participants. Although he passed away in 1987, shortly after the Rodeo's 40th anniversary, his legacy lives on today with the Paul Kalman award presented to the angler less than 12 years old who lands the largest bass.

The year 2005 was a turning point in many ways. Making its debut as the Rodeo celebrated its 60th anniversary was the Fishtival, which brought a festival atmosphere to the event and included exhibits, raffles, silent auction, food and. music The Rodeo attracted 538 anglers and everyone enjoyed a birthday cake to commemorate the event and warm greetings from our lady in the BASS costume.

However, on Aug. 29 of that year the Park's fishing environment was forever altered when the city's levees failed during Hurricane Katrina, leaving the Park flooded in up to eight feet of water in some spots. The devastation forced a two-year hiatus of the Rodeo, but as noted by Mark Schexnayder with LSU AgCenter/SeaGrant numerous actions have been taken to restore the lagoons and fishing.

Last year, the Rodeo returned and reclaimed its rightful spot as the country's oldest freshwater fishing tournament.

"To be able to bring the Rodeo back was a tremendous accomplishment for the Park and was due to the dedication of the Committee, which never wavered its commitment to return," Rodeo Chairperson Kaye Florane said. "It was a proud moment for the Park, the committee and the city, and we eagerly await an even brighter future."

That future begins this year with an expanded Fishtival, a special Redfish category and a renewed commitment to make the Rodeo one of the area's premier fishing events.