Following Careers of Two Entrpreneurs
How long ago was it? Thirty years, maybe longer? I was doing some work writing material for timber company giant, Willamette Industries, when our paths first crossed.
It was back then that a couple of ambitious young guys from the Ruston area, John Brown and Rex Moncrief, embarked on a television adventure. Neither knew much about what they were getting into but they dived into the project headfirst, producing a television program, “The Outdoor News”, that ran on Monroe stations for a few years.
One of their sponsors was Willamette Industries and John and Rex had Willamette’s biologist, Luke Lewis, and me on their programs a few times.
After The Outdoor News ran its course, both John and Rex moved on to other more lucrative ventures. Because of his expertise behind a camera, John hired on as producer of several outdoors related programs, eventually being named Executive Producer at the National Wild Turkey Federation where he worked, shooting and producing film of turkey hunts around the nation.
Rex, on the other hand, put his cerebral knowledge of computers to work, eventually forming his own company, “Smarter Geek”, from his headquarters in Bossier City where he spends most of his time selling computers and working with both small businesses and home users who need help with understanding how computers work and how to fix them when they don’t.
I have been the recipient of Rex’s expertise a number of times because I am one of those folks who depend on a computer to produce my work but know diddly squat about how they work or what to do when I encounter a problem, which I frequently do. I have Rex’s number on speed dial and probably bother him more than I should in getting him to fix what I can’t.
Back to John Brown. After retirement, he moved back to this area and uses his expertise not only in making video cameras work but in sitting down in front of his computer, that Rex probably sold him, and writing stories for outdoors publications.
I was turned on to this idea of writing about my two friends when the March issue of Louisiana Sportsman magazine landed in my mailbox. I stopped in my tracks when I saw the feature cover photo. It was Rex Moncrief holding up a big bass he had caught.
Flipping the pages of the magazine until I found the article that corresponded to the cover photo, I was surprised and pleased to see that the article had been written by the other half of “The Outdoor News” combo, John Brown.
His article entitled “The Fantastic Five” featured catching spring bass on North Louisiana lakes. One of the lakes featured was Lake Claiborne and the angler he interviewed for the story was none other than his friend, Rex Moncrief.
Rex has transitioned to his own venture, other than working on computers, by creating a web site borrowing the name that he and John started 30 years ago, “The Outdoor News”. He produces a multi-media platform, delivering high quality hunting and fishing content across various digital channels. He often shows up on social media talking about and showing how and where he’s catching bass.
It has been especially gratifying to me to have kept up with these two fellows over the years and to have watched them do what they do today, realizing that their little TV venture years ago triggered something in them that continues to entertain and educate today.
FISHING REPORT
CANEY LAKE – Bass are moving up to spawning areas and lipless crank baits and spinners are starting to produce. Crappie have moved up in response to warmer temps and most are on spawning beds. Jigs and shiners are taking some nice fish. 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 –Crappie have moved up and are spawning. Lots of nice ones are being caught on shiners and jigs. Bass are also moving up in the timber and flipping jigs is picking up some fish. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
OUACHITA RIVER – The water is still quite low because of lock and dam problems down stream. Fishing overall is slow for bass and crappie. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE D’ARBONNE – Bass are starting to move up to more shallow areas preparing for the spawn. Jigs and crank baits are picking up some. Crappie are moving up around brush and timber to spawn and lots are being caught on shiners and jigs. For latest information, call Anderson Sport Center at 368-9669 or Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE CLAIBORNE – Crappie are still scattered but have started moving up the back of the creeks to prepare for the spring spawn. Jigs and shiners are picking up some. Bass are hitting crank baits, spinners and soft plastics around shallow brush. Lots of males in the shallows. 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 starting to respond in shallow water on jigs and shiners. Bass fishing has improved for spawning fish with crank baits, jigs and spinners picking up some nice fish. Plenty of catfish are being caught as well. For information, call the marina at 318/878-0101.
LAKE YUCATAN – The lake level is on a rise bringing in river water which will bring new fish into the lake. Water temp too cold just yet for crappie and bass. Buffalo and catfish are being caught in nets. For info call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.