As an outdoor writer, my paths cross with interesting people. Some are adept at fishing; some at hunting; some that are just flat-out interesting.
A couple of years ago, I met just such a person in Anna Ribbeck. She lives in Baton Rouge, works at LSU AgCenter and just received her graduate degree in plant science including her thesis on invasive aquatic plants.
There are lots of folks who have done what she’s done scholastically, but it’s here where Anna Ribbeck sets herself apart from others, especially young attractive women. Meet Anna the Archer, someone who got hooked on archery and is carrying her knowledge and expertise to a pretty high level.
Introduced to archery at the beginning of her years as a student at LSU, she is accumulating a reputation, not only as being deadly on the archery target range but in carrying it another step. She is a serious bow hunter, having already taken several deer with her bow.
From hunting deer, she became interested in using her bow to try and put a dent in the burgeoning population of nutria, the orange-toothed rodents that are decimating the coastline habitat by uprooting and foraging on the valuable plants that hold the marshland together.
Upon learning that she would take her introducing women to archery to the Claiborne Parish Library a couple of years ago to present a seminar, I contacted her for material for my columns and for my radio program.
“I want to educate the public, especially women, on archery. I do a lot of You Tube videos on social media under the name, Anna the Archer and I visit bow shops to teach women about archery. I also participate in competitive archery and that has not only been lots of fun but getting to hang out with others in the sport has been a big help in developing my skills and my love for the sport,” she told me during our interview.
Her love for the sport has attracted another entity that may seem like something females would have little interest in, alligator hunting. She is now a vital part of the popular television series, Swamp People, aired every Thursday night at 7:00 on the History Channel.
“To get to do this with these well-known alligator hunters, like star of the show, Troy Landry, and to do it with my bow is like nothing else,” Ribbeck said.
She is a member of an all-girl team featured in the show. Her partner, Ashley Jones joins her to form the Double A team.
“I’ve lost count of how many alligators Ashley and I have taken. It’s in the hundreds, I’m sure,” she added.
Ribbeck is also involved in another venture that is featured on the show. Landry assisted her in starting the Swamp Mysteries portion of the show where she chases down and dispatches feral pigs with her bow.
“We have so many hogs on the landscape that are harming the environment down here, much like you have in north Louisiana. We go after them with bows, with guns and even hunting them from helicopters,” she said.
I have had the privilege of interviewing a wide variety of individuals over the years but have found few as interesting as Anna the Archer.
Visit her site on Facebook, Anna the Archer, for a veritable plethora of stories, photos and video clips of her chasing nutria, alligators and feral hogs. Mark your calendar to watch her in action Thursday nights at 7:00 on the History Channel. You won’t be disappointed.
FISHING REPORT
BLACK BAYOU – No report. Water is low. Contact Honey Hole Tackle Shop 323-8707 for latest information.
BUSSEY BRAKE – The crappie have moved deep with some good fish caught on shiners and jigs. Bass are fair flipping jigs or slow rolling spinners around the trees. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole at 323-8707.
OUACHITA RIVER – Crappie have been best fishing jigs or shiners around submerged tops in the river. Bass are best in the cuts and in the back water fishing shad imitation lures. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE D’ARBONNE –The crappie fishing continues to be good in the channels and channel edges in 14-18 foot water on shiners or jigs. Bass are moving to the secondary points and soft plastics are picking up some nice fish. Catfish continue to be caught fishing cold worms and night crawlers off the banks. For latest information, call Anderson Sport Center at 368-9669 or Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE CLAIBORNE – The lake is down some seven feet as the result of the drawdown. Crappie are along the tree lines and are moving to the deep water out from the dam with shiners or jigs picking up some nice slabs. A good many barfish are being caught along with the crappie. Bass fishing has fair this week as they too are starting to move deep. Boats can still be launched at the State Park launch and at Pleasure Point. For latest information, call Kel’s Cove at 927-2264 or Terzia Tackle at 278-4498.
CANEY LAKE – Bass are moving to deeper water with best catches made on jigs, spoons and soft plastics as well as on the secondary points with deep diving crank baits. Crappie have been best around the deeper tops on shiners or jigs and they are headed for deeper water out from the dam as temperatures drop. For information contact Caney Lake Landing at 259-6649, Hooks Marina at 249-2347, Terzia Tackle at 278-4498 or the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE POVERTY POINT – Crappie fishing is improving both on the south end and around the boat slips on shiners or jigs. No report on bass or catfish. For latest reports, call Poverty Point Marina at 318/878-0101.
LAKE YUCATAN – The water is low and fishing is quite slow this week. A few crappie and catfish have been caught. Commercial fishermen are catching lots of buffalo in their nets. For information, call Surplus City Landing at 318/4672259.
