Auldbrass Plantation hosts YRC on March 6

The Yemassee Revitalization Committee (YRC) remains on track to raise funds and awareness about improvement projects in their rural town, such as restoring the old but still functioning Amtrak station. On Saturday March 6th from 3 until 8 p.m. the YRC conducted a fundraiser at Auldbrass Plantation. Auldbrass Plantation has a famous pedigree in that renowned Frank Lloyd Wright designed its lodges and 'crooked' fences. Guests at the YRC affair titled 'Yemassee on the Wright Track' were invited to tour the home, stroll the grounds and party on the piazza. Heavy hors d'oeuvres and libations will preceeded the auction with several one of a kind items involving recreational opportunities on other properties in the ACE Basin. Jazz pianist Lavon Stevens played for the guests before and after the auction, with funds raised dedicated to restoring and beautifying downtown Yemassee. For more information visit www.yemassee-sc.org.

To view more blog coverage about the YRT click here.

To view a video about Auldbrass click on CBS.

To read an article on Auldbrass click on New York Times.

PhotosByJeffDennis: Comer Morrison is a YRC board member and welcomes Susie O'Brien to the piazza overlooking the cypress pond at magical Auldbrass; Jimmy Fitts catering from Hendersonville served up beef tenderloin and creek shrimp for the YRC patrons; items on the silent auction that were uniquely Yemassee included deer hunts, a weekend at the Sloman House downtown and a kayak tour of the Izard's Creek on the Combahee River; Will and Paula Verity came from Beaufort to support the YRC and to talk about fly-fishing pursuits

Charleston Angler Spring Fling 10th Anniversary

The Charleston Angler celebrated its tenth year with a Spring Fling of seminars and tackle tests at each of its stores in West Ashley, Mount Pleasant and Summerville. Anglers came to the stores at 9 a.m. for fishing school classes and special drawings that would last all day. Captain John Irwin of Fly Right Charters began the day with his redfish and inshore fishing seminar. Sea Tow of Charleston came to the West Ashley location with coffee and doughnuts, plus a special offer for new members who signed up at the Spring Fling. Sea Tow general manager Anthony Noury said, "I am here because even if people aren't out fishing we promote that being active in the outdoors and out on the water is a good thing." Captain Stephen Fields is sponsored by Big Bite Baits and he brought his Ranger 184 Ghost with him, and also taught a class about using their Bio Baits soft plastics. Fields finished in sixth place in the recent IFA Redfish Cup fished in Jacksonville, Florida. 

PhotosByJeffDennis: Captain Stephen Fields is based out of the upstate; Anthony Noury of Sea Tow stands with Chris Ulmer - manager of the West Ashley location of The Charleston Angler; Captain John Irwin's fishing seminars draw a crowd every time 

2010 S.C. Duck Calling Contest

The S.C. State duck Calling contest was held on February 27 in Georgetown. Thirteen competitors went through three rounds of judging before Zach Peavy was awarded the duck calling title. This was a repeat from last year in that Peavy won it and John Breeden finished in second. Third place was award to Hugh McLaurin after a 'call-off' in the final round.

PhotosByJeffDennis: East Bay Park in Georgetown is the home place for the calling contest which is considered a part of the Winyah Bay Heritage Festival; John Breeden, Zach Peavy and Hugh McLaurin smile with their awards; Swamp Thing Mallard Call founder Marc Ackerman is the host for the calling contest.

VideoByJeffDennis: Zach Peavy blows his Echo Boss duck call during the final round of competition

Fly Fishing Film Tour visits Charleston

Costa Del Mar and MayFly Media brought the Fly Fishing Film Tour to the Terrace Theatre. The film tour is in its fifth year of existence and has become known as one of the best fishing-themed events of the year. The film tour will come to over 40 cities in 2010 and is currently on a Southeast swing with sold out shows in Nashville, Atlanta and Charleston. Independent outdoor filmmakers contribute their short films to the film tour in order to energize and inspire similar efforts among anglers. The website at www.flyfishingfilmtour.com offers in depth information about the tour's sponsors and even has an online store for fishing hats, t-shirts and of course DVD's of the great film footage. Film Tour footage included destinations like the Snake River in Wyoming; the Aleutian Islands in Alaska, Patagonia in Argentina, Mexico flats fishing and one very special entry entitled 'Carolina Reds' that was filmed in Charleston and stars local boys Mike Benson, John Hill and Chad Fuller.

PhotosByJeffDennis: Captain Mark Phelps joins Amanda McLenon and Captain John Irwin at the Fly Fish Film Tour; Captain Peter Brown and Anne Chandler Pastore join Alton Brown at the Terrace; Brian Gainey and Keith Cloud represent the Saluda Chapter of Trout Unlimited; Captain Tucker Blythe and Captain Graham Hegamyer mug for the camera

VideoByJeffDennis: Jay Johnson, Thad Robison and Mark Crapo of Fly Fish Film Tour also star in their own film entitled 'MetalHead' which documents their four-month visit to British Columbia in pursuit of steelhead

Bonneau Ferry WMA - Open to fishing

The sixth year of adult-youth fishing season at the Wildlife Management Area (WMA) located near Cordesville in Berkeley County gets underway today. The fishing is allowed on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays during daylight hours only from March 3 through October 31, with only one exception when the WMA will be closed until 11 a.m. during the Saturday's in April to allow for youth turkey hunts. The S.C. Department of Natural Resources is promoting this rural property as a good place for youth accompanied by adults to get into the outdoors, while catching some fish. Creel limits are per person per day as follows: two largemouth bass, and 10 panfish (crappie, bluegill, redear, pumpkinseed or redbreast) with no size restrictions. A youth is defined as 17 years old or younger, and adults are not allowed to fish unless accompanied by a youth. Boats are allowed but with the restriction that they are powered by electric motors only, and Quarterman Lake (100 acres), Nimitz pond and Rice Hope Pond can offer plenty of fishing adventures. Bonneau Ferry WMA is 10,700 acres and was acquired from MeadWestvaco in 2004.

PhotosByJeffDennis: Pan fish season is open at Bonneau Ferry WMA

Seminar Tactics to remember - Salt Column

PhotoByJeffDennis: Captain Todd Stamps with a smallish spotted seatrout

Mark Pruhomme wins NWTF calling title

Mark Prudhomme of Georgetown successfully defended his 2009 title of turkey calling Champion of Champions at the recent National Wild Turkey Federation national convention. Prudhomme is now a two-time winner of the calling competition that pits the best of the best against each other in a contest that requires each contestant to use five different instruments to make their best calls. They use diaphragms, box calls, tube calls, wingbones and slate calls - and only a very few callers are proficient enough on all of these calls to stand a fighting purr of a chance. Prudhomme uses a Knight and Hale signature call and is a regular on their hunting television program. The wild turkeys of the Lowcountry better hope that they don't fly down anywhere near Prudhomme, who works as a hunting guide during the season, because he can raise his game to fool the big gobblers with the thick beards and the long spurs - proving why he was awarded the Wild Turkey bourbon title of 'Rare Breed.'

PhotoByNWTF: Prudhomme hoists the 2010 Champion of Champions trophy