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PAGE 2B THE BANKS COUNTY NEWS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2008 Outdoors With Skipper Morning of fishing was just the right call I t has been a while since I have had an opportunity to do some fishing with Christmas, New Year’s, and family activities taking over. This past Saturday, I decided to head up to Clarkesville as soon as the morning warmed up a bit. I figured the recent rain would have raised the water levels some, and that enough time had passed so the water wouldn’t be muddy or cloudy. Arriving at my first spot, it was still quite chilly in the shade. I moved over to an area where the sun was shining, and the instant warmth felt good. I started my pat tern of casting and had a bite. I cast out further and further, and it wasn’t too long before I had a trout. It was a stocker size around 10 inches. It is rare to catch them that small, at this location where I normally catch the two to six pounders. After about 30 minutes, I decided to vacate that spot and head to Moccasin Creek. I had the camp ground all to myself. The herring The Great Outdoors By Skipper Smith 706-677-1520 were still there in the creek, along with around six trout or so. The water was crystal clear with the noontime sun brightly shining into the water. I soon caught one fish as I watched him take the bait. Then it became more difficult. The fish would come to my bait, exam ine it, and then slowly move away. I could see the hook reflect ing in the sunlight myself along with the six pound line. I spent an hour or so just watching and observing what would happen, as I could clearly see each trout. I tried threading a worm completely on the hook to cover it, but that didn’t work either. I noticed the predatory nature of the trout, as I tried moving the bait away from them, and they would follow till they noticed something wasn’t right and then back away. One key would be to fish when the sun is not overhead, but either early in the morning or later in the afternoon. Of course, a ripple on the surface would help some too. It was like fishing in a fish bowl, but enjoyable as I tried to outsmart them. I reckon that’s why those few trout are remaining and haven’t been caught. They have kept their mouth’s closed. Maybe a lot of us adults would be better off, if we kept our mouth’s closed also. We wouldn’t get caught, and end up in a heap of trouble. Well, I think I will try two-pound test line, and find some hooks that are dull in color. I’ll let you know if I come up with any success. If you have an outdoors story, be sure and give me a call. Skipper Smith is an outdoors columnist for The Banks County News. Let him know about your hunting or fishing adventure at 706-677-1520. First and Ten... continued from page 1B In almost 15 years a community newspaper journalist, I have been fortunate to work side-by-side with some talented people. Unfortunately, the time often comes when I have to say goodbye to those talented co-workers. Such is the case at the end of this week as Allen Luton is leaving the confines of MainStreet Newspapers to begin a new chapter in his professional career. Allen, for those who aren’t familiar with our entire family of newspapers, has handled the sports coverage for the past several years for The Jackson Herald. His loss will be a great one to our newspaper family as Allen is without a doubt one of the most talented writ ers, photographers and page design ers I’ve been associated with. The awards he has won more than back up that statement. I knew Allen somewhat before I arrived at MainStreet Newspapers in 2005. The sports journalism circle is a tight one, especially at commu nity papers, and Allen and I would exchange stories and information to help each other with our respec tive sports sections. Even if I only needed a little information on a team in Jackson County, Allen would go the extra mile and send a complete story along with photos. That’s just the way he is. I’ll miss working with Allen and hated to hear that he is leaving the nest so to speak. However, I under- stand the time has come for him to move on as he looks to plan his future both at the professonal and personal levels. I’ll miss our sports talks, our cut ting up between putting out the next paper and his photo advice which certainly helped me as a true amatuer in that department. Perhaps most of all, I know the readers of his sports section will miss his award-winning work. Like the person who one day replaces Larry Munson, the next per son to sit at Allen’s desk has some big shoes to fill. Chris Bridges is sports editor of The Banks County News. Contact him at 706-367-2745 or e-mail comments to chris@mainstreetnews.com. Offered by United Community Bank in partnership with Paragon Benefits. 2025 Homer Road Commerce, GA 706-423-9300 ucbi.com Member FDIC Health Savings Accounts (HSA) must be used in conjunction with a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). HDHPs typically offer cost effective insurance premiums compared to traditional insurance plans. Is a Health Savings Account right for me? Whether you're a business owner searching for affordable health care options for your employees or a person who would like more control over their family's health care spending - a tax-free HSA can benefit you with: » Long-term savings » Substantial tax savings » Interest earnings » Stays with you - fully portable » HSA checks and debit card Contact us for more information and current rates/fees. You may also contact our HSA Customer Support toll free at 866-719-6039. United Community Bank. The Bank That SERVICE Built." u High School Basketball Leopards run into buzzsaw at Rabun County BY CHRIS BRIDGES Veteran Banks County High School basketball coach Mike Ruth has thought about last Friday’s contest at Rabun County and has concluded there simply wasn’t much positive to take away from the contest. The Leopards took it on the chin by a 91-62 count as host Rabun County used a three-point shooting arsenal to pound the Leopards into submission. A 28-point night from senior Dustin Worley was one of the few bright spots for BCHS who fell to 0-2 in subregion play. “We went up there and they wore us out,” Ruth said. “We tried to use our press on them but we weren’t getting good rotation in terms of get ting out on their shooters.” The BCHS coach said even after breaking the game down on tape it was tough to watch Rabun County successfully convert 12 baskets from 3-point range. The Wildcats jumped out to a 21-7 lead after the first quarter and continued to hold a 32-21 advantage at halftime. Ruth said some might wonder why he didn’t call off his press since it wasn’t effective, but the coach said he wanted his team to learn from the experience rather than simply drop ping back into a zone defense. “We are working on our rotations and game situations,” the coach said. “It was a night where we weren’t ready to play when we got there.” Things didn’t go well for the Leopards at the free throw line in the contest as they were 15-of-29 overall. In the first half, BCHS was just 4-of-19. Trying to make baskets from the field was also a struggle for Ruth’s team as the Leopards were only 7-of-22 from the paint in the game’s first 16 minutes. Kane Duncan added 11 points for Ruth’s team but nine came in the final quarter. BCHS went back to work with a Sunday afternoon practice to pre pare for its two subregion contests this week. “We will keep working and mak ing some adjustments,” Ruth said. “Defensively, we have been falling back in a man-to-man defense, but we aren’t getting the job done.” The coach said he is concerned with how his team’s last two oppo nents have converted so many bas kets from beyond the 3-point line. Rabun County made 12 Friday night while Dawson County was success ful on 10 3-pointers in the game before that against the Leopards. BCHS will host Fannin County Friday in another subregion contest at 8:30 p.m. Recreation dept. hosting baseball, softball registration The Banks County Parks and Recreation Department will host baseball and softball registration beginning Monday and continuing through Friday, Feb. 15. Registration fee for both sports is $40. Age control is May 1 for baseball and Jan. 1 for softball. For additonal information, contact the recreation department office on Thompson Street in Homer at 706-677-4407. Information is also available at www.bankscounty. recware.com. BCHS girls... continued from page 1B “I felt we should have had an advantage on the boards,” King said. BCHS also hurt itself with a poor night at the free throw line. “You have to be able to make your layups and free throws,” the coach said. “Those two areas were weak nesses for us Friday.” The Lady Leopards are scheduled to host Fannin County High School in another subregion contest Friday beginning at 7 p.m. Appeal... continued from page 1B The BCHS principal said members of Region 8-AA argued that the GHSA set up standards and rules and members should follow them. “We felt the committees did a good job in establishing the regions and didn’t see a need for them to change,” Wheaton said. “Adding more teams to 8-AA would have prevented us from playing a com plete region schedule.” While last week’s appeal by Buford ends the ordeal for the next two years, Wheaton said he predicts the Gwinnett County school will try again in two years. Members of Region 8-AA were scheduled to meet Tuesday morning to finalize the 2008 football sched ules now that Buford’s appeal was denied. The BCHS varsity Leopards are scheduled to play one non-region football game next fall against Washington-Wilkes with the remain ing nine contests against Region 8-AA opponents. Cellular Center, a Verizon Wireless premium retailer is the place to go. You get knowledgeable sales people, a great shopping experience, and free phones after rebate and new 2-year contract. Motorola W3B5 I teo Wtlh INSTANT REBATE i*i rew 2-yBer agrueti lent rale ptana 539.9ft and up’ LGVX 8350 Free wilh M.’- ; -m Repute on new ft-ye,ir agreement taim mans Saa.sa and up" VGA Gamma Riuetooib GarwWe Cfiapcnono PsannVCmtd Got il Now VZ Naviyiito' CflpaUo 1.3 Megapixel Ganiona Hluatooifi Capable diauafDnE* Parefil/Cndd V Gaat Muse J1 Vidian Gppnbte V7. 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