When Kay and I were dating, a snake may have figured into her decision to marry me.
She and daughter, Melissa were visiting me in my mobile home when she looked out the window and there was a big snake in the yard. Summoning me, I reached in the closet, picked up my .22 rifle, opened the window and put a bullet into the serpent’s head. She told me later that my heroic action regarding the snake prompted her decision to want to marry me, which she did.

Thirty-nine years of wedded bliss later, another snake incident occurred that validated her decision that she’d married the fellow who would take care of her, at least as far as protecting her from snakes was concerned. Sunday afternoon,

I was gathering household garbage to take to the dumpster, she was checking her flower beds out front when she called my attention to a snake, not just any snake but a deadly coral snake crawling through her flower beds.

My machete was in the corner in the garage, I retrieved it and I walked over to where she was pointing and sure enough, I immediately recognized a coral snake crawling along. A couple of quick whacks and the deed was done.

A few days earlier, a friend had reported on social media of an encounter his six year old daughter had with a coral snake. He reported that she had found the brightly colored snake in the front yard, picked it up to bring to show him where he was sitting on the back porch. She told him it bit her finger, he immediately identified it as a coral snake and headed with her to the doctor.

A helicopter ride to the hospital followed, and thankfully, the snake had apparently not been able to release much venom. She recovered nicely but leaving her and her dad with quite a story to tell. Not many people are bitten by a coral snake are so fortunate.

After I posted a photo on Facebook of the snake in our yard, there was a flood of
responses that varied from a couple who were not in favor of killing any snake to upwards of 80 who were relieved that I had put this poisonous snake out of its misery.

Most respondents had never seen a coral snake with a few reporting encounters a time or two; finding coral snakes are relatively rare occurrences.

Okay, so just what is a coral snake and why are most people so interested in them?

I did a Google search on coral snakes and confirmed much of what I already knew. The number one criteria in identifying a coral snake from other similar species is the little rhyme that says…”Red and yellow, kill a fellow; red and black, venom is lack.”

The one in our yard had the telltale markings where the narrow band of yellow was touching the wider band of red. There was no doubt about this snake’s identity; it was a coral snake and at about 30 inches long, a mature one at that.

Unlike other poisonous snakes which are pit vipers, coral snake venom is neurotoxic
which affects the way the brain communicates with muscles, slurring speech, affecting movement and ultimately ceasing cardiac or respiratory function. Coral snakes are related to mambas, cobras and sea snakes.

Differing from pit vipers, coral snakes do not strike but because of such small mouths, they latch on and chew, releasing the toxic venom. Fortunately, no deaths have been reported since 1967 when antivenin was developed.

I love living in the country. I love to watch the deer over in the pasture, see an occasional fox and turkey. But coral snakes? No thank you, even if dispatching one affirms the fact that Kay married the right guy, at least as far as protecting her from snakes is concerned.

FISHING REPORT

CANEY LAKE – Bass fishing has been best at night with Carolina rigs and deep diving crank baits along with soft plastics picking up some fish in the 7-8 pound range. Crappie are fair around the deep brush on shiners or jigs. The bream bite is slowing as the spawn is about over and they’ve moving from the shallow spawning areas. No report on catfish. 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.
BLACK BAYOU – Crappie fishing has been good around the trees on shiners or jigs. Bream are fair to good. Bass best on spinners. Contact Honey Hole Tackle Shop 323-8707 for latest information.
BUSSEY BRAKE –Big bass continue to be caught on a variety of lures including the Bellows Shad lures, Bandit crank baits around the trees and brush. The crappie are scattered around the brush. Bream have slowed. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole at 323-8707.
OUACHITA RIVER – Bass are best fishing in the cuts where there is a bit of current. Topwater lures, crank baits and spinners best. Crappie are best fishing shiners or jigs in the river lakes. Bream are fair. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE D’ARBONNE – Crappie fishing has been best fishing the flats in 8-12 foot water and around the Hwy 33 bridge in 12-14 foot water on jigs and shiners. Bass fishing has been good early mornings fishing topwater lures around the grass. Later in the day, look for them in deeper water where Carolina-rigs, crank baits and spinners are working best. Bream are on starting to slow down off the beds on hitting worms and crickets. 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 – Night fishing has been best for crappie fishing shiners under the lights around the piers and boat houses. Bass fishing has been fair to good fishing soft plastics or spinners around the piers. Some stripers are beginning to show up in the coves and hitting shad imitation lures. Bream are fair. Some nice catfish have been caught on noodles baited with live bream. For latest information, call Kel’s Cove at 927-2264 or Terzia Tackle at 278-4498.
LAKE POVERTY POINT – Catfish and bream are biting. Bass are slow to fair. Crappie are best on the south end on shiners or jigs. For latest reports, call Poverty Point Marina at 318/878-0101. For information, call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.
LAKE YUCATAN – The water is on a slight rise with lots of catfish and some slab crappie being caught. For information, call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.