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THE BANKS COUNTY NEWS
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2008
Outdoors With Skipper
A memorable Father's Day present
M y eighty-nine-year-
old dad from Tampa,
Florida has been up
here visiting with us for a cou
ple of weeks.
Dad loves to fish and naturally
I inherited that desire from him
taking me fishing as a youngster.
We had gone to Lake Lanier to
fish on Lance Herrin’s pontoon
boat, and had a great time of
visiting and sharing stories, but
not a single fish was caught
while trolling.
I mentioned this to David
Martin, and he said “Why don’t
you bring him to my pond and
we will put him onto some cat
fish?”
Sounded like a good idea to
me as well as to dad. Heading
over to David’s one evening
last week, we helped dad get
onto the dock and into a fold-
ing chair. It
wasn’t too
long before
he had one
on. It turned
out to be
around a two
pounder.
The next
few casts
brought the
same results,
three more
two pound fish. David said he
had seen some around fifteen
pounds or so. I was hoping for
a big one for dad and so was
David.
Then it happened, when the
hook was set, a big one came to
the surface way out in the pond.
This was no two pounder. It was
a ‘big ‘un.’ Dad was fighting it
as he brought it closer and clos-
er to the dock. As we figured
might happen, it wrapped the
line around a piling.
Without hesitation, David’s
teenage son Winford, took off
his shoes, emptied his pockets,
and headed into the water.
Carefully moving the rod and
reel around the piling, Winford
was able to free up the big fish.
Knowing that an attempt to lift
it up to the dock would result
in losing the fish, it was worked
toward the shore.
The estimated 11-pounder
was secured, and a couple of
pictures taken. David suggested
I hold the fish to feel about the
weight, as I stuck my thumb in
his mouth, he decided to clamp
down. That didn’t feel too good.
First time I have been bitten by
a catfish.
I wondered about those fellows
that go “ noodling,” catching the
big ones with their bare hands.
Dad was tickled with the entire
outing and all that took place.
My wife had suggested that
we have his picture made into
an 8x10 and give it to him for
Father’s day in a nice frame.
On Saturday, Dad asked how
you blow up a picture, I told
him, but couldn’t let on that we
had already done it.
Handing the picture to him on
Father’s day, he was all smiles.
Now, he has a great picture to
take back home and share with
his friends.
Another great memory to cher
ish, and thanks to David for
helping it happen. If you have
an outdoors story, give me a
call.
Skipper Smith is an outdoors
columnist for The Banks County
News. His column appears
weekly. Let him know about your
hunting or fishing adventure at
706-677-1520.
A PRIZE CATCH
Skipper Smith's dad, left, along with David Martin show off this
prize catfish from a recent outing.
lj
skipper
smith
Diamond Leopards honored
SUCCESSFUL SPRING
The Banks County High School varsity baseball team returned to the state playoffs for the first
time since 2001 this season. Players were honored for their accomplishments at a recent ban
quet. Earning awards were, seated, from left, Jeff Smith, Zack Dale and Tyler Hulsey; standing,
from left, Alex Gailey, Justin Gibbs, Kasey Hudgins, Tyler McEntire and Chris Porter.
Photos by Chris Bridges
JUNIOR VARSITY LEOPARDS
Jessy Hudgins, Jason Sexton and Andrew Berry, from left, each received awards during the
recent Banks County High School baseball banquet. The three players were standouts for coach
Brent Howell's junior varsity team this spring.
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