Remembering a Special Dad

Looking through the thousands of photos on my computer, I ran across one of my dad, and that put me in the frame of mind to share just what a special man he was to me.

Thomas Ernest “Doc” Harris was born in the hamlet of Friendship, LA, on March 5, 1909. His mom was Edna Strain; his dad was William Austin Harris, older brother to the well-known long-time state Superintendent of Education, T.H. Harris.

My grandfather was a hill farmer who eventually moved the family to Goldonna, another community about the size of Friendship.

In his growing up years, dad was sometimes described as a “rounder”, getting involved in all the stuff kids did back in those days. He was a good athlete, especially in track and field, where pole vaulting was an event to which he excelled.

After high school, dad wanted to see the world, so he joined the U.S. Navy and upon returning home, he was attracted to LeMee Meek, a young lady in the neighboring town of Readhimer. They married, built a house in Goldonna, and were parents to three children. I was the first to come along followed by my brother Tom, and eventually to a sister, Linda.

I remember tagging along with him when one of his first jobs was going around the countryside selling Watkins Products. Later, he worked for the highway department and eventually landed a job with the LA Department of Wildlife and Fisheries as a state trapper and eventually being promoted to Supervisor of Predator Control for the Department. It was during his 30-year career that my memories are most special.

I was the envy of kids back in school when they learned that my dad made his living trapping wolves and bobcats, creatures that were creating havoc among folks who had cattle, hogs, and chickens. Among my most special memories was when I got to go with him early summer mornings to run his traps. Watching how he carefully set his traps and returning the next day to find a wolf, bobcat, or fox in a trap I watched him set was especially exciting for a 10-year-old boy.

There was a report of a cougar hanging around a portion of rural Natchitoches Parish, with Dad’s assignment to trap it. He didn’t catch it, but he came close as the cougar stepped in his trap on a day when rain the night before had allowed sand to filter beneath the pan of the trap, and when the cat stepped on it, it failed to trip. I have in my office today a concrete print of the cougar track dad poured of that cat he came close to trapping.

Over the course of his career, it became evident that the red wolves he had been trapping were starting to fade out. Coyotes had moved into the state from Texas and began interbreeding with the wolves, rendering offspring that were no longer pure red wolves. His efforts changed from trapping them to trying to help preserve their fading numbers.

Today, except for a remnant of pure red wolves in a protected area in the Carolinas, they no longer roam the hills of our state, and that’s a shame. Getting to hear the mournful howl of these animals at night on a Winn Parish hillside is a memory I cherish.

Dad had been gone to his Heavenly reward for almost 50 years. I feel blessed to have been the son of a special man who taught me how to hunt squirrels, sneak up on wood ducks, and catch a bass, and do it all in an ethical way

He would be thrilled to know that his son took so much of what he taught me and turned it into becoming an outdoors writer, which is how I make my living today.

FISHING REPORT

CANEY LAKE – Bass fishing has been best fishing jigs around the boat docks with some caught early morning around the grass on topwater lures. Square billed crank baits are picking up some as well. Crappie are best around submerged tops in 16-18 foot water with shiners and jigs taking some nice fish. Bream are fair. 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.
BUSSEY BRAKE – Bass fishing has been best fishing topwater lures early and pitching jigs around brush later. Crappie are suspended over flats with jigs and shiners picking up some fish. For best.information, contact the Honey Hole at 323-8707.
OUACHITA RIVER – The water is still quite low because of lock and dam problems down stream. Bass are best fishing shad imitation lures in the cuts and run-outs with current. Crappie are around the tops in the river and fair to good on shiners and jigs. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE D’ARBONNE – Bass are best early mornings on topwater lures. Later in the day, look for them over deeper water. Jigs and crank baits are picking up some. Crappie are best on jigs and shiners as they are suspended over deeper water. Bream are fair. Catfish are good fishing off the banks. For latest information, call Anderson Sport Center at 368-9669 or Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE CLAIBORNE – Crappie fishing has improved on jigs and shiners suspended over deeper water. Bass are around the banks and hitting topwaters early while later hitting crank baits and soft plastics in deeper water. Bream are scattered. For latest information, call Kel’s Cove at 927-2264 or Terzia Tackle at 278-4498.
LAKE POVERTY POINT – Catfish are good while crappie are fair fishing around the boat slips. Some are also hitting jigs and shiners on the south end. Bass are slow. For information, contact the marina at 318/878-0101.
LAKE YUCATAN – The lake level is low. Catfishing is good while bass and crappie are slow. For info call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.