Calendar of Events for Outdoorsmen

Saturday, March 29th was a good day on the river. We got a late start and didn't hit the water until 10:00 a.m. Nymphing was slow and then the fish started rising. I had only caught one 11" rainbow and then hit a period of activity around noon. I picked up one more rainbow, one brook trout and three browns. One of the browns was 13".

It was a good day on the North Mills River. Nothing great, but a lot of fun and some action. My buddy caught 5 trout also.



   

Gene Cunningham playing trout

13" brown trout caught by L. Ross

 

Upcoming outdoor events

 

Apr. 11 - Ducks Unlimited Oyster Roast and BBQ Banquet at Anderson South Carolina Farmer's Market at 6:00 p.m. Call Oscar McCurry at 864-225-8704 for ticket information or purchase online at www.ducks.org/SouthCarolina/events. Cost $40/single. Music by Eric Scott Band.

Apr. 20 - ABA American Fishing Tour, division 25, Lake  Russell, State Park ramp . For details call 404-392-0034, 770-900-5034 or 706-202-5541.

Apr. 21 - - ABA American Fishing Tour, division 25, Lake Hartwell mega ramp (Old Gum Branch old 29 ramp) . For details call 404-392-0034, 770-900-5034 or 706-202-5541.

Apr. 25-28 - 14th Annual Flintknapping and Primitive Arts Festival, Cartersville, GA. Open daily 8:00 a.m. Free admission and parking.

May 17-18 - Southeastern Fly Fishing Festival at the Ramsey Center Arena at Western Carolina University, located in Jackson County, home of the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail. Complete details and registration information at www.SoutheastFFF.org.

June 8 - Upstate 3-Gun competition at Clinton House, Clinton, SC. Cost is $75 per shooter. Presented by Palmetto State Armory. For details call Mike at 864-833-0274.

July 18-21 - National QDMA Convention in Athens, GA. Call (800) 209-3337 for details.

< Contact Ross at lross3871@charter.net or (864) 238-1944 with outdoor news or calendar events.

 

Calendar of Events

The outdoorsman never lacks for engrossing activities. Here are a few that you might wish to enjoy. I will post the calenday periodically for your information. Please feel free to contact me with items that you feel merit inclusion. I will post at my discretion.

Good luck in all your outdoor endevors.

L. Woodrow Ross

Mar. 16 - Foothills Trail Conference hosts Bell Fest, tours of Oconee Belle Trail, 10-4 p.m. Call Devil's Fork for details at (864) 944-2639.

Mar. 16 - ABA American Fishing Tour, division 25, Lake  Russell, State Park ramp . For details call 404-392-0034, 770-900-5034 or 706-202-5541.

Mar. 16-17 - Columbia Gun and Knife Show at SC State Fair Ground, 1200 Rosewood Drive, Columbia, SC 29202 (9-5 Friday, 10-4 Sunday).

Mar. 17 - ABA American Fishing Tour, division 25, Lake Hartwell mega ramp (Old Gum Branch old 29 ramp) . For details call 404-392-0034, 770-900-5034 or 706-202-5541.

Mar. 22-24 -  29th Annual Palmetto Sportsman's Classic at SC State Fairgrounds, 1200 Rosewood Drive, Columbia, SC 29201.

Mar. 23 - Artifact Identification Day at Laurens County Public Library by Tommy Charles and Dr. Christopher Moore, 9:30 - 1:00.

Mar. 23 - Primitive Craft/Survival Skills Seminar by L. Woodrow Ross at Saluda River Archery, 521 McNeely Road, Piedmont, SC 29673. Contact lross3871@charter.net or 864-238-1944 for details or registration.

Mar. 29 - NWTF Foothills Chapter annual fundraising banquet at Anderson Civic Center, doors open 6:00 p.m. For details call (864) 444-5601.

Mar. 29 - B & T Good Friday Open Tournament at Broyles Ramp, Lake Hartwell, safe light to 3:00 p.m. Entry fee $60 per boat (includes big fish pot). Pays one place for  every 7 boats. Information at 864-221-2081.

Apr. 20 - ABA American Fishing Tour, division 25, Lake  Russell, State Park ramp . For details call 404-392-0034, 770-900-5034 or 706-202-5541.

Apr. 21 - - ABA American Fishing Tour, division 25, Lake Hartwell mega ramp (Old Gum Branch old 29 ramp) . For details call 404-392-0034, 770-900-5034 or 706-202-5541.

Apr. 25-28 - 14th Annual Flintknapping and Primitive Arts Festival, Cartersville, GA. Open daily 8:00 a.m. Free admission and parking.

July 18-21 - National QDMA Convention in Athens, GA. Call (800) 209-3337 for details.

< Contact Ross at lross3871@charter.net or (864) 238-1944 with outdoor news or calendar events.

 

Winter Camping

   

 



Winter camping is always fun, but a combination camping trip and scouting for turkeys is even better. It was the last week before spring and with a few sunny days for a change, it was a chance to get to the woods and enjoy a few days.

 

Prior to this trip, I was reading J. Wayne Fears books about building cabins and outdoor cooking and he mentioned using a reflector oven. Not having any first-hand experience with them, I went online and did some research. I had some aluminum flashing and put together a crude oven with pop rivits, threaded rods and some stove bolts. I made a trial run in the back yard at home prior to the trip. I cooked a pan of biscuits and the results were amazing.

 

During our camping trip, we cooked biscuits and blueberry muffins and they were great. I would recommend anyone that is interested in outdoor cooking look into a reflector oven. Finished ovens are available from several suppliers, but half the fun is building your own. Flashing is a little flimsy and had to be re-inforced, but works okay.

 

I plan to build another with more rigid  aluminum sheeting and hinge the pieces so that is may be folded and packed for easier transport.

 

About the turkeys, we staked out a few likely locations and we'll see how that works out in April. I'm sure the reflector oven will accompany us on any combination camping/turkey hunting ventures.