There will be a Benefit Crappie Fishing Tournament on May 1 for Dee Terry (cancer victim) and his family. The tournament will take place at Moons Landing, Lake Greenwood, Cross Hill, SC from 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. It is a 50-50, biggest fish, most weight out of ten Crappie.

The first 25 paid entries will receive a custom made (in Sunny View, NC) Spinner baits and Lures. There will be free food after the tournament.

Sponsors are Johnny Condrey, 828-817-2367, and John Holt, 828-899-0206. So please come out to fish, have fun and help Dee Terry and his family.

Last week I took my youngest daughter surfcasting out on Fire Island in NY, I think that she is hooked, so we will be going surf casting when we go to the beach this summer. We did not catch anything surf casting, but I did catch a nice 15 Brown Trout in a small lake by my sisters house, I might say I was the only one to catch anything that day.

I stopped by Laughter Pond and they were catching catfish. There had to be ten people out there enjoying the sun and fishing.

Things to remember

1) On or after May 1, 2010, any person under the age of 26 must successfully complete a NASBLA approved boating education course before operating any vessel propelled by a motor of 10 HP or greater.

2) Persons under the age of 16 are exempt from the requirements of a basic inland fishing license and trout privilege license. However, they must be accompanied by a properly licensed adult.. So this means that your child is not allowed to go fishing with his/her mother, father, grandfather, or grandmother unless that person has a fishing license for the waters that they are fishing in. So North Carolina wants your kids to watch TV and play video games!

3) Check out the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail at: www.flyfishingtrail.com.

Mountain Biking Trails

Blue Wall Passage of the Palmetto Trail (Spartanburg County)

Description:&bsp; From either the Blue Wall Preserve or the Foothills Equestrian Nature Center (FENCE) which Fence does not allow mountain biking, you will find this scenic section of the Palmetto Trail offers a lot of diversity. You will pass from old forest to the city streets of downtown Landrum. As you wander over rolling hills, you will be treated to some beautiful views of mountains, clear ponds, and some of South Carolinas finest horse farms. From the Blue Wall preserve you can go west approximately 3.4 miles to the trail head of the Poinsett Passage at Vaughns Gap.

Although this trail is listed as hiking and mountain biking, it has sections that are not for the mountain bike enthusiast because they are on streets or sidewalks. Also, FENCE is an equestrian center and does not allow bikes.

Remember to carry water and during warm weather insect repellent is advised.

For additional information from Palmetto Trail users: http://www.sctrails.net/trails/ALLTRAILS/Palmetto%20Trail/BlueWallPassage.html

Length: 14 miles.

Fees: No fee.

Directions: From Exit 1 on I 26, drive southwest on SC 14 to Landrum.

To the Blue Wall Preserve: From Landrum drive northwest on US 176 and turn left onto West Lakeshore Drive. Drive past the lake and the preserve is on the right.