Carroll County Claybusters On Target In SCTP Competition

In May the Carroll County Claybusters of Huntingdon, Tennessee attended their annual Regional Trapshooting competition at Southgate Gun Club in Lavinia, Tenn. The Junior Varsity team earned the Region 1 championship which secured the team a spot at the 2010 State Shoot. Individual honors went to Cody Thorne as the high over all male junior varsity shooter in the region.

On June 5-6, 2010, the CCCB attended the annual Tennessee SCTP State Shoot at the Montgomery County Shooting Complex near Clarksville, Tenn. The Junior Varsity team shot an outstanding team score of 917/1000. This score earned the Junior Varsity team their second consecutive state championship. Individual State honors went to Cory Mathis as the high over all male junior varsity shooter. The CCCB Junior Varsity team is made up of Wil Espey, Cory Mathis, Peyton Turner, Cody Thorne & Brett Jackson.

At press time the Carroll County Claybusters were slated to compete in the SCTP Grand American in Sparta, Illinois on July 23-24, 2010.

Henderson stepping down as AGFC director; Hitchcock to become interim director

LITTLE ROCK - Commissioners from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission today announced that Scott Henderson will step down as the agency’s director Sept. 1. Henderson has been the agency director since 2003. He has worked for the AGFC since 1972.

Beginning Sept. 1, current Deputy Director Loren Hitchcock will serve as the interim director. Hitchcock will serve in that capacity while a search both national and intra-agency is completed for a permanent director.

Henderson will take over as the AGFC’s Commission Special Liaison. He will work on major projects and assignments as requested by the Commission and Interim Director Hitchcock.

Commission Chairman Craig Campbell, speaking on behalf of all of his colleagues, asked Henderson to reconsider his decision to change hats, but respected his decision. “Each and every matter that we’re asking you to take the lead on is a legacy project in and of itself,” Campbell said. “Together, they will represent a fitting crown on top of an already long list of lifetime achievements,” he added.

Campbell also recognized that the most valuable resource in the Commission’s portfolio is the team of talented and experienced folks that have worked so well under the current leadership. “The transition plan we have outlined offers the smoothest and most constructive path to a successful future for the agency and its employees. The entire Commission is dedicated to that purpose,” Campbell stated.

Commission Vice Chairman George Dunklin Jr. called Henderson a true gentleman who did an amazing job of managing the agency over the last eight years. “Being the director of the AGFC is a very complex and difficult job, but Scott was able to balance the everyday challenges with grace and dignity. Whoever is the next director will have some mighty big shoes to fill,” Dunklin said.

The Commission has unanimously affirmed its full faith and confidence in the agency’s entire leadership team. The AGFC’s remarkably talented and dedicated staff has been instrumental in the development of the agency’s strategic plan, embracing the challenges and opportunities of the department’s almost 100 years of service to the stakeholders and resources of The Natural State. The AGFC will continue its good work under the new leadership.

Louisiana Redfish Alert!

Captain Mike Helmer of Robichaux Guide Service in LaFitte has been keeping MSHFN updated of the fishing in the Barataria Bay area of the Gulf Coast. This area is now 90% open and clients can expect limits of these strong fighters. Speckled trout are also biting for those who want lots of action. The area around Grand Isle is also open for sport fishing. Captain Mike reports the oil slick never reached his area but came within 15 miles. It appeared to push more reds into the waters where his boats fish. The fishing is great now and will continue for several months. Check their website or call 504-689-2006 to book your trip today.

In other Louisiana fishing news, check out this release from the state’s department of tourism:

BATON ROUGE, La. — Whether fly fishing in shallow water marshes or deep sea fishing off the coast, sport fishermen are still sure to catch their limits this summer on Louisiana waters.

There are ample places to catch fish off Louisiana’s coast in spite of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Nevertheless, the sport fishing industry has been dealt a serious blow due to water closures and wide-spread misperceptions about water quality. Some precautionary closures of recreational and commercial fishing have been issued by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (WLF) based on the best information from field biologists, WLF staff and trajectory models from NOAA. However, the majority of Louisiana’s coastline is still clean, safe and open.

“Fishermen seeking to take advantage of some of the best fishing waters in the world can still come to Louisiana and have an amazing experience,” said Assistant Secretary of Tourism Jim Hutchinson. “Some of our waters have been affected, but Louisiana has 7,700 miles of tidal coastline, more than three times the tidal coastline of Florida, and 70 percent of it is still open for fishing.”

“We’ve caught quite a few speckle trout, several reds and a couple big flounder,” said Captain Sammie Faulk from the deck of his boat off the coast of Lake Charles, Louisiana. “Everything is open where I am. The water is pretty - it’s clean and clear. Right now is a good time for fishing. It’s a little warm, but the fishing is outstanding,” said Captain Faulk.

Further east, Captain Bill Lake and the groups he is guiding are catching red fish by the dozen. However, his bookings suffered as a result of the spill, “About 80 percent of my business has been affected since May 1. In April I had 27 groups booked for July, now all but six have cancelled. This is the worst season in 16 years,” said Captain Lake. “From where I fish to the west the waters are safe and just as plentiful as they have always been.”

Though Captain Lake has not seen oil in areas where he fishes, the closures have had an impact. He is no longer able to take groups deep sea fishing in federal waters, but he is guiding tours near the coast to catch red fish with great success.

Charter tours further east on the front line of the tragedy in Plaquemines Parish are facing similar difficulties. “Many fisherman aren’t visiting because of the perception that fishing in the delta is shut down. In reality, a majority of the delta is still open and producing excellent days out on the water,” said Foster Creppel, Innkeeper at Woodland Plantation & Spirits Hall, which offers guided fishing and birding tours year round. “Many of our guides have gone on to work with the Vessels of Opportunity program, but many of them are still fishing and need the support of people who have enjoyed fishing here in the past.”

In New Orleans spirits are high, though some tar balls have entered Lake Pontchartrain. “I’ve been fishing on the lake my whole life, and I’m still out there most days,” said Justin Duncan, a 20-year-old tournament champion and host of the local radio show Hooked Up with Justin Duncan. “There is no oil on the east side of the lake where I fish, and I’m still banking on catching the big one.”

Louisiana has long been known as the “Sportsman’s Paradise.” Not necessarily a beach destination for tourists, the state’s marshy coast plays host to an abundance of life, including more than 70 rare, threatened and endangered species. In fact, 95 percent all the marine life in the Gulf of Mexico spends all or part of its life cycle in Louisiana’s estuaries.

To find fishing spots across the state and other information about the unique opportunities Louisiana offers visitors, visit www.LouisianaTravel.com.

Available fishing areas are updated daily and can be found at http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/oilspill/.