[ In Fishing ]
The Southern Fishing Report - July 3, 2009
Bass fishing is holding steady with anglers weighing in around 8 to 10 pounds of fish on average during the night tournaments. There is a good bite occurring between 5:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. with the best bite occurring during the same times in the evening.

[ In Toccoa ]
Tugaloo River History Tour
On Saturday, July 11, the Stephens County Foundation will be sponsoring a canoe/kayak river history tour of the Tugaloo Corridor.

[ In Corps of Engineers ]
Army Corps of Engineers to waive recreation fees August 1-9, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C.– The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today it will waive all day use fees from Aug. 1-9, 2009 at its more than 2,400 Corps-operated recreation sites nationwide. This will include Corps-operated sites at Lakes Thurmond and Hartwell in the upper Savannah River Basin.

[ In Boating ]
Stay Safe 4th of July Holiday Weekend
So far this year in Georgia, there have been 58 boating incidents resulting in 40 injuries and 5 boating incident-related fatalities. Additionally, there have been 21 drownings on public waters. Conservation Rangers have issued 69 boating under the influence (BUI) citations statewide.

[ In Fishing ]
Hartwell DHEC Fish Advisory
On Tuesday, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control placed Hartwell, Jocassee, Russell and Thurmond lakes under advisories for various species of game fish.

[ In Fishing ]
The Southern Fishing Report - June 26, 2009
Bass fishing remains pretty good, despite all the warm weather

[ In GEORGIA ]
Georgia Blueberries
Fortunately, blueberry fans all over Georgia can expect a bumper crop from the rabbiteye variety. “It will be the largest crop of rabbiteye blueberries we’ve had in several years,”

[ In Boating ]
Jet-Skis For Rent
Monday's Marine - Hartwell, GA
On water boat service - Jetski rental & repair
Cell (706) 436-0474     Home (706) 377-3735

[ In To Do ]
Oconee Conservatory of Fine Arts Summer Programs
Summer Arts Camps for Kids are listed In the Arts Calendar at http://www.ocfasc.org/conservatory_calendar.htm

[ In Wildlife ]
Feeding Summer Hummingbirds
"Hummingbirds are as fascinating to study as they are beautiful to watch," said Laurel Barnhill, bird conservation coordinator with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in Columbia. Barnhill encourages South Carolina residents to landscape with flowers, hang out a feeder and invite hummingbirds to lunch: "In return, they'll entertain you with their antics and add a little color to your life."

[ In ANDERSON ]
OCONEE, PICKENS AND ANDERSON COUNTIES FORGE PARTNERSHIP
ANDERSON COUNTY –- On Friday, June 19^th, leaders from the Tri-County area met to discuss the effects of the economic downturn on our region and to forge a partnership focused on mutually beneficial collaboration and joint economic development. Council Chairmen from Oconee, Pickens and Anderson Counties met with Tri-County Technical College President Ronnie Booth and Tri-County Vice President for Economic Development John Lummus with the mission to form a cohesive vision for the economic advancement of the Tri-County region and to work toward resolution of issues dealing with the Tri-county Landfill.

[ In SOUTH CAROLINA ]
Upstate SC Tourism Action Plan Unveiled
Tourism in the Upstate of South Carolina generated $1.5 billion in 2007 from between 4 and 5 million visitors, around 15% of the states total. It supports approximately 15,000 jobs and provides nearlt $100 million in taxes.

[ In GEORGIA ]
$1 Million available for Specialty Crops
Irvin says $909,576.44 in U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) funds will be awarded on a competitive basis for developmental projects that support and enhance the competitiveness of Georgia Specialty Crops. Awards will be presented for projects that can successfully measure the greatest return on investment of the federal dollars. Grants of $10,000 up to $150,000 will be awarded for up to three years.

[ In Toccoa ]
Hotels Have Come A Long Way Since The Days Of Stagecoach Travel
Interesting story about Travelers Rest in Toccoa

[ In Fishing ]
The Southern Fishing Report - June 19, 2009
Bass fishing has slowed down some due to the increasing heat and heavy boat traffic. This is normal for June, July and August. Getting out on the water really early or night fishing will increase your odds on quality bass this week.

[ In ANDERSON ]
Anderson County 4-H to offer 4-H2O water-quality program for ages 9-13
Hartwell Lake serves as the classroom, while pontoon boats allow the participants to leave the shoreline. The goal of the program is to educate youths about water quality, conservation and stewardship through a variety of hands-on activities. The cost of the program is $45, which includes a notebook, T-shirt, materials and snacks.

[ In Hartwell ]
Sacred Heart Catholic Church seeking Artists & Craftsmen
The church is seeking artists and craftsmen who wish to display and sell their items at reserved table spaces for $25 each. Please contact Judy Earle at 706-376-3476 or e-mail jandjearle@hartcom.net for more information and a reservation form

[ In Department of Natural Resources ]
Remember Safety First When Boating, Swimming

[ In Hartwell ]
Pre-4th Extravaganza - Hartwell, GA
June 26 - June 27

[ In Wildlife ]
Bears in the Back Yard

This time of year, young male black bears are roaming and often stumbling into what is considered non-traditional bear range, including urbanized areas and suburbs.

A black bear sighting in an urban area, even in metro Atlanta, is not altogether unusual, especially during the springtime. That’s because during the spring and summer, young male bears on their own for the first time are experiencing territorial competition with other adult male bears.

[ In GEORGIA ]
Georgia emerges from three-year drought
Thanks to one of the wettest springs in Georgia’s history, the drought that has gripped the state for three years has ended.
 

[ In Lake Hartwell ]
Barriers slow plan to heal Hartwell

[ In OCONEE ]
USA Today's list of FREE things to do this summer
USA Today put out a list of at least on thing, of extreme interest, to do in each of the 50 states that was FREE.  SC’s “thing to do” was Stumphouse Mountain and Issaquenna Falls. 

[ In PICKENS ]
$135,000 Floating Restroom on Keowee
An article in "Greenville On-Line" reports that Pickens County and Duke Energy officials want to build a floating restroom on Lake Keowee as a convenience for boaters. “Instead of having to come into a marina or to a docking area to use a restroom, they can actually use this floating restroom.”

[ In Fishing ]
The Southern Fishing Report - June 12, 2009
Bass fishing is fair. Lake levels are only about two and a half feet below full pool and this time last year the lake was over fourteen feet down. The water warms up fast as the heat pounds down and the hot summer pattern is almost in full swing.