A Tribute to ‘Cajun Phil’

 

 

THE OUTDOOR WORLD has lost an icon. Legendary outdoors television host and personality “Cajun Phil” Broussard has passed away.
Phil wasn’t just a fisherman or a hunter. He was a voice for the outdoors culture and a man who lived every day in tune with the marshes and waters of his home state and beyond.

Born in 1943, Phil grew up in southwest Louisiana where hunting, fishing, and family traditions went hand in hand. From chasing ducks at first light to wading after speckled trout and redfish, he learned early that the outdoors was more than recreation.
It was a way of life.
In 1968, he launched Outdoors & Fishin’. For the next 57 years, often with his son Capt. Kevin by his side, Phil brought the Cajun lifestyle to living rooms across the country. It wasn’t just a TV show. It was teaching, storytelling, and passing down traditions.

Broussard (left) and his son, Kevin were one of the most successful redfish tournament teams on the Gulf Coast.

(Photo: CHESTER MOORE)

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And on the tournament trail, Phil and Kevin became one of the most successful redfish teams the Gulf Coast has ever seen. They fished side by side, carving out a reputation built on skill, consistency, and the bond between father and son. When Kevin started his guide business, Phil remained a big part of it by helping clients, sharing stories, and keeping that same passion alive.
But Phil wasn’t only about fishing. He loved hunting just as much. He taught as many people about deer and ducks as he did about tides and tackle. Both deserved respect. Both demanded patience and knowledge.
What made Phil different was how naturally he blended all of this with the Louisiana lifestyle. He didn’t just teach people how to catch fish or call ducks. He laughed, cooked, and told stories the Cajun way. His catchphrase, “Come on Funny Feeling,” summed up the excitement he carried into every trip.
That’s why people listened. He wasn’t just talking about the outdoors. He was sharing who he was: a fun-loving, kind, and gracious man.
Phil leaves behind children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who carry forward his legacy. And he leaves behind countless friends and fans who learned from him, whether in person, on the water, or through a television screen.
There will never be another “Cajun Phil.”
He was one of a kind: a fisherman, a hunter, an outdoors media star, and above all, a man who lived his life with heart. His voice and spirit will echo across Louisiana’s marshes and waters for generations to come.

—by CHESTER MOORE

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Zebra Mussels Found in Fort Phantom Hill

TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT (TPWD) has designated Fort Phantom Hill Lake, near Abilene, as “positive” for invasive zebra mussels.

This designation signifies there have been multiple detections of the mussel, though TPWD will need additional evidence to determine if the species is fully established.

In late August, TPWD received a report of a single adult zebra mussel next to a dock. Additionally, analysis of the most recent routine plankton samples from the lake found two confirmed microscopic zebra mussel veliger larvae from a sample taken near the site of the adult zebra mussel.

However, an extensive survey of the shoreline and associated infrastructure found no additional settled mussels and zebra mussel larvae were not detected in samples taken from other locations within the lake. This new invasion appears to be recent and in the early stages. Multiple methods will continue to be used to monitor for signs an established, reproducing population has developed.

“With the detection of zebra mussels, the City of Abilene will begin increased inspection and monitoring of our water intake structures,” said Mathew Dane, City of Abilene water utilities director. “These proactive steps will allow us to detect any presence early and prepare targeted protective measures before an infestation can impact our infrastructure.”

—from STAFF REPORTS