HDV film Interview with Louby J. Ledet

Interview filmed while fishing in Bayou- caught redfish and trout (didn't want them to be filmed)
Eighty six years old
Coming to Isle de Jean Charles his whole life
Point Farm- Salt Coast(?) farmed sugar cane on ridge- sold to State- now Wildlife preserve area
Hogs, deer, muskrat, nutria, raccoons, mink, opossums
Trap when I was a young boy behind my house- mostly fished
redfish, speckled trout, black drum right here in bayou- I don't eat the salt catfish
Lives on family land- Laise Ledet (sister) taught in Chauvin for Archdiocese had Masters in French Education- wrote a book ("They Came, They Stayed") on Point Aux Chene ancestry.
Had to push pole to get to Island from Point Farm ridge to here- down this natural bayou- was fresh- salt water enters through pipelines now
People walked all over the Island before, main way to Point aux Chene through Canal- another canal through where trappers would run
Cocahoe minnows- "larsch" in French
Failed first grade- teachers spoke English- passed second time- completed ninth grade at Terrebonne High- WW2- 17 years old in September- no recruiting station in Houma, so went to Houma. They want them to join as Marines, three agreed to join together, Ledet joined Navy as apprentice Seaman. 3 months Great Lakes, Illinois for basic. Farthest from home ever been. After 4 years enlisted, he ended as First Class Boatswain's Mate. Finished high school after war, got diploma.
20 years with Texaco- built house right after started working there. Not big house- but doors and a roof.
19 inches of water on Island Road for hurricanes- coast to complete road might be $3 million
Canal that follows Island on East side dug to shore up the land, but left it open
Canal ahead of him in pipeline dug to tie into the main in LaFourche- but left open. His opinion is that it should have bene backfilled for the marsh to grow back. Island residents enjoy the canal but it leaves it open to the lakes- so when storm surges happen, the water goes over the Island
This area once had farms- raised great watermelons- now can only raise fish
Casse Banan- fruit is two feet long, four or five inches in diameter, grows on vines- cousin might grow- might be called "Brazil" in Cajun French
Went to traiteurs as kid for stomach ache- thinks mostly mental- don't believe that much any more- too many doctors
Youngest son moved to Ohio- gave boat to him- built camp at Lake Felicity on East side with brother in laws- spent more time there than at home- wife didn't like much because she couldn't swim