Alligator Snapping Turtle Dock of Alligator Bayou

(click link for map)

Located off the side of Hwy 65 about 9 miles, as the crow flies, south of Tallulah, La, is Alligator Bayou. This is home to a variety of swampy wildlife like the American alligator but also Alligator snapping turtles.

(google stock photos - will be replaced with personal images once taken)

This location was about to have a huge addition...

Hi my name is Emily Sevier Stokes. This blog is dedicated to the Alligator Snapping Turtle fishing dock my dad Marshall Sevier built several years ago after a simple request made by my mom Sharon for a fishing dock. She just wanted a place to take their grandkids and after close to 50 years of marriage, her wish was his command...

Now if you know my dad, you'll know he doesn't do things...conventionally. He is very creative and unorthodox in most of what he does. He is an out of the box thinker, so a traditional fishing dock was the furthest thing from his mind.

But why an alligator snapping turtle, you ask? Well that’s a nod to the location itself.

Our family owns property that connects to Alligator Bayou. It's a perfect fishing spot with a slope to the water where many a boat have been launched.

This would become the home for our unique fishing structure.

My dad consulted with a local Metal and woodworking artisan and life long friend, Bruce Wallace. Bruce and my dad had a successful pest alligator removal business back in the 80's, so their friendship goes way back.

They came up with the plans and got to work.

The Shell

The "shell" was made by bending galvanized fence railing in the desired shape with

measurements of 30' x 24' x 10'.

Plywood was added to the railing then and covered with HWY concrete mesh (not plastic) and secured with staples.

The next layer to the shell was 15 gallons of Henry DuraBrite elastic roof coating and finally it was all painted and ready for the next steps.

The Head

The Turtle's head was constructed from a 2" x 6" boards and chain link top rail. Once the frame was complete, cloth was stretch over the top and stapled to wooden frame. Lastly Henry DuraBrite elastic roof coating was applied then painted with a sponge.

It is complete with the Alligator Snapping turtle's signature "lure" inside the mouth. It is made from a red pool noodle. At night you can even see the solar powered eyes light up!

The Launching

It’s floats on 34 55 gallon barrels. Seen here is my dad and nephew Andrew after launching.