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About the Owner.
Growing up in Plaquemines
Parish, Louisiana has allowed owner Kirk Prest a lifetime full of
countless fishing and hunting excursions in the beautiful lower
Mississippi River Delta. As a lifelong resident of Empire, and on
the water at the age of 3 years, few folks have a greater knowledge
and appreciation for the waters and wetlands in south Plaquemines
Parish. "Growing up in Sportsman's Paradise gave me the opportunity
of a lifetime to live this great wonder, so in order to allow other
folks opportunities to experience this natural fishing and hunting
mecca in a cozy home-away-from-home-- Fin & Feather was
born(2003).After graduating in Buras from high school, Kirk pursued
his college degree graduating from Southeastern Louisiana University
in Hammond, La. in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business.
Soon after graduating, he married his lovely wife Denise and
returned home to Empire to manage a family-owned marine business.
After 7 years in the business, things did not go as planned as he
found himself always working on boats instead of fishing from them.
During his college days and on weekends Kirk worked in the
construction industry for a family friend remodeling and building
new houses. In 1998 he decided to put his education and construction
experience to work, and continued this business full time. In an
attempt to get back to the fishing and hunting he so loved, Kirk
purchased 8 acres of property from
his grandfather, who owned the property for more than 35 years.
Kirk is a 4th generation native of Plaquemines Parish as this
particular grandfather was born in Ostrica(a small community on
the east side of the river across from Buras. His grandfather
was in the tug boat and oyster businesses and later moved to
Buras where he resided his entire life. Kirk's grandmother on
his father's side of the family actually was one of two first
families to settle in Empire. His deep roots, hard work &
determination, business sense, and great customer service are
the major reasons for the success and unmatched qualities Fin &
Feather Resort offers its customers. In 2003 Kirk and his father
started construction of Fin & Feather; Kirk, literally working 7
days a week earning a regular paycheck, and building his
business at the same time. Fin & Feather is the "original, and
only native-owned" area business of its kind, and as such was in
existence prior to Hurricanes Ivan and Katrina. Hurricane Ivan
hit south Plaquemines the year prior to Katrina and damaged the
business. Kirk immediately went to work and started repairing
the damages. Then upon nearing completion from Ivan's damages
Hurricane Katrina hits the very next year, obliterating the
whole south end of the peninsula. Following the mass of
destruction Katrina left behind, again Kirk had little choice
but to put the business back together. Piece by piece and a
great deal of hard work, Kirk re-constructed his cabins and boat
storage facilities back and nicer than ever. We continue to
improve the business by adding amenities for our customers'
comfort and conveniences. Today, Kirk and his wife Denise enjoy
their lovely 8 year old son, and after all the hard times are
finally getting to really enjoy the waters once again. He and
his family hit the waters regularly and enjoy the awesome
fishing and duck hunting, with their black labrador retriever
bringing in the ducks on those great hunting adventures.
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