2023 Edisto Billfish - Sweet Spot Wins; Trash Man Takes Series

As published in the August Issue of Trilogy Outdoors (Click Pic for Larger Image)

Trash Man was the overall points leader for the 2023 S.C. Governor's Cup Billfishing Series coming into the  Edisto Tourney, and they maintained that lead through Saturday July 22 to earn the title of 2023 Best Billfish Boat. Second place in the Series goes to Sportin' Life. This was the 35th Anniversary of the Series! Day One fishing on Thursday saw the 38-boat fleet release 80 sailfish and one blue marlin - and new daily record for Edisto!! 

Angler Hal Turner from Pistol,
with heaviest HOO from Thursday

Sweet Spot fished back-to-back days on Thursday and Friday, and eeked out the win at Edisto despite some fierce completion amidst a HOT sailfish bite. Second place at Edisto goes to Benchmark, and third place goes to Sportin' Life. Did you know that these two boats were actually tied regarding release points, but the standings were decided by the actual 'time of release' of those billfish, per Gov Cup rules.

Benchmark on Thursday with
Eleven Sailfish Release Flags

Unbelievably, the heaviest Mahi and heaviest Wahoo were caught on different days from the same boat - Pistol, and each were reeled in by the same angler! Furthermore, their bull dolphin caught in late July off of Edisto is a rare bird!! Consider no other mahi at this tourney weighed more than 20-pounds, and then there was only a handful caught. In comparison, lots of wahoo and blackfin tuna were brought to the scales, as they are more prevalent in late July.

To view past blog entries from Edisto Billfish click on 2022 -  2021- 2019- 2018- 2017- 2016- 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 

2023 Hooked On Miracles - King Mackerel Tourney

Congrats to all the Anglers on the Final Leaderboard

The Hooked on Miracles Tourney is a King Mackerel Fishing Tournament that benefits the MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital. Congrats to Mas Pescado, owned by Billy Freeman, for taking First Place with their 40.6-pound smoker king! While several fishing teams utilize a Freeman Boatworks Design to fish from, credit is due to Billy Freeman for showing up consistently at the docks with a winning king! AND they donated back their $20K First Prize earnings to the KIDS!!

This donation revealed at the Sponsor Party,
and it went up after the Final Day!

Special Shout Out to Bird Bird fishing for their third place in the Lady Angler division. Fishing For Miracles Board Member Englis Glover with Trilogy Outdoors rides with this team from Murrell's Inlet. They rode from Ripley Light to the Belkie Bear Hole off of Georgetown (and back) to make a dent in the leaderboard! What's a little fuel when you're trying to WIN one for the KIDS!!

When it comes to raising money, the tournament director shared that the word is out now, that this tourney's proceeds are 100% for the KIDS. More sponsors came forward in 2023 than last year, and some of them increased their stake in this proven tourney, that conjures the past 'Fishing For Miracles' tourney that ran for 25 years. Looking Forward to the 2024 edition of Hooked on Miracles and hearing more about the success stories that are paying dividends!

Key West Boats is a Sponsor.
Ripley Light Marina is the Host.

2023 Trophies

To view past blog entries from Fishing For Miracles click 2016 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009

To view past articles from CCA's Tide magazine click  2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009

2023 60th Coon Dog Day - Saluda, N.C.

Coon Up A Tree float

July 8, 2023 marked the 60th Annual Saluda Coon Dog Day, and while many of the traditions have varied, it remains a small mountain town celebration of the ultimate hunting hound. The 5K Fun Run began the day at 8 a.m. by the Railroad tracks of the famous Saluda Grade in historic downtown Saluda. Vendors selling trinkets and representing hound rescue groups set up their tents in the early morning hours, because by the time the 11 a.m. Coon Dog Day parade rolls around, the street is crowded with people hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite float and catch some candy. 

The parade route full of participants

The parade began with a patriotic color guard that was followed by the local Fire Department trucks. A large cadre of Hillbilly vintage cars came through next, and are one of the mainstays of this parade. There were no bagpipers this year, or campers from nearby summer camps, but the parade goes on. The home made floats with original ideas are dwindling some, but these can often be the highlight of the day. New for 2023 was the Oscar Meyer Weiner Mobile, and the many inspired volunteers that walked with it in food costumes. 

60th Annual T-Shirt

Some Coon Dog contests are runs during the day including a Bench Show and Treeing Contest, and a band plays a street party later that evening. A fairly steady rain storm that evening kept my crew from attending the dance, and I'm sure it had a diminished draw this year too, since there was NO square dance scheduled! But you can't please them all, and if this 60th edition was the final Coon Dog Day, everyone who attended will have fond memories to recall.

Redbone, Treeing Walker and Black & Tan Coon Hounds

For past blog entries from Coon Dog Day click 2022 -  2018 -  2016 - 2013 - 2012 

2023 Edisto Beach - Fourth of July Parade

Feeling very Patriotic on the 4th!!

Myrtle St. and Mikell St. Start Line

The Edisto Beach Fourth of July Parade consists of almost 200 gold carts and assorted bicycle riders. The 10 a.m. start time makes it more of a family outing, and with Palmetto Blvd. being full of beach traffic, the parade runs on Myrtle Street, starting at Mikell Street. The freedom to watch a parade is very popular at Edisto with many spectators lining the route, despite the summer heat of a sunny day. The parade was followed by the Stature To The Shore patriotic jet plane fly by at 1 p.m. along the coastline. 

The more Flags the Better on the 4th of July

Uncle Sam and Friends!

To view past parades click on 2021 Edisto Christmas Parade - 2022 Saluda Coon Dog Day - 2009 Pawley's Island 4th of July 

Silver King Makes Splash at Newly Reopened Folly Pier

Published in the July Issue of Trilogy Outdoors (click on Pic for Larger Image)

 To view past blog entries from Trilogy Outdoors click S.C. Mahi Series - 2023 Yawkey Wildlife Center - 2023 Hammock Coast Birding Festival - 2023 Lowcountry Oyster Festival - 2022 Sea Turtle Season - Navigating an S.C. Public Draw Deer Hunt - Crappie Camp - Blessings of a Sporting Father

To view past blog entries for S.C. Tarpon click on 2022 Tarpon bluff Invitational -  S.C. Tarpon Law - Ultimate Tarpon Book - DOA Writer's Event - Tide magazine/ CCA article - My First Tarpon / 2010

2023 Birding Journal Observations - May / June

Red-bellied woodpecker, 
female summer tanager and cardinal

The month of May brought cooler than normal conditions, and the month of June brought wetter than normal conditions, before returning to hot summer weather just before July. The net effect on bird sightings was negligible, meaning the birds have followed their usual patterns of migration and nesting. Plenty of bluebirds, Carolina wrens, cardinals, mockingbirds and more have reproduced this Spring. The neotropical migratory birds that stick around during the summer are no doubt doing the same, albeit in a bit more secretive way, including ruby-throated hummingbird, painted bunting, summer tanager and blue grosbeak.

All manner of woodpecker can be observed during late Spring including red-headed woodpecker, downy woodpecker, hairy woodpecker, red-bellied woodpecker and even Northern flicker. The swallow-tailed kites and Mississippi kites have appeared on their regular timetable, making casual observers gaze in awe at their special type of flight pattern known as Kiting! Big raptors like osprey and owls are also reproducing and photographers on the water or in the woodlands document these special top-tier predators. 

Male painted bunting and red-headed woodpecker

To view the latest Birding Journal Observations click on March / April 2023

To view past Birding Journal Observations for May / June click on 2021 - 2018- 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009

To view 2023 Birding Trips click on Sea Island Shorebird Festival - Beidler Forest - Harbor Island -  Kiawah Island -  Webb Wildlife Center - Whooping Crane Pond - Jarvis Creek Park - Caw Caw Bio Blitz -  Botany Bay WMA - Pinckney Island NWR - ACE Basin NWR Combahee Unit