Rivers can provide nice respite from big-water fishing

Weather might keep you off the big water, but that shouldn't make your weekend a total loss.

In fact, when conditions are unfavorable on saltwater, I often retreat to the backwaters of area rivers to try my luck in freshwater. The brackish waters of the Combahee, Edisto and Ashepoo became my haven during such times, and with closer banks, I had more chance for cover if the weather turned angry.

You can fish these rivers easily from a canoe, kayak or small jon boat outfitted with a trolling motor, and your chances of finding fish are greatly increased by conversation with folks you meet on your journey. Even without a full creel, time on a slow-moving river, minus all the bells and whistles of big boats and expensive tackle, has a way of soothing the soul.

Slow things down once in a while, and I guarantee you will return to big water with renewed vigor.

FREE LESSONS OCT. 4

National Hunting and Fishing Day is Oct. 4, and the S.C. Wildlife Federation is conducting an "Outdoor Family Adventure" designed to introduce fly fishing, bass fishing, archery or hunter safety.

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cohen Campbell Fish Hatchery near Columbia and is free of charge, thanks to the sponsorship of the Weatherby Foundation, Harry Hampton Wildlife Fund, Sierra Club the S.C. Department of Natural Resources and the S.C. Wildlife Federation.

Call the S.C. Wildlife Federation office at 803-256-0670 for details.

SIFF PLANS EVENT

The next monthly meeting of the Sea Island Fly Fishers will be held Oct. 8 at the Islands of Beaufort clubhouse. This meeting will consist of three contests to test your casting skill. You can bring your own rods or you can use demo rods provided by Bay Street Outfitters.

Casting instructors will be on hand to instruct both beginners and experienced casters, free of charge. There will be contests for distance, accuracy with distance to be determined and the tightest loop at 40 yards.

The meeting starts at 6 p.m. and will entail an hour of casting. Complementary refreshments will be available, and guests are welcome. Gate codes are needed for entry to the island, so call Jerry Wadley or Allen Dechovitz at 843-476-7208 before attending.

RED DRUM RECORD SET

Michael Jenkins, 50, of Little River, has broken a 23-year-old state record for the largest red drum with a 31-pound specimen, which out-weighed the previous record fish by 14 ounces.

Fishing aboard "Fish Screamer lll," captain Danny Juel, Jenkins and his son, Thomas, were among those on board when anchor was dropped 50 miles offshore in 100 feet of water to try a bit of bottom fishing. Jenkins' record had a fork length of 36 1/4 inches and was verified by S.C. Department of Natural Resources biologist Amy Dukes.

LOCAL TRENDS

Trout and spottail bass are active. When the days are cool and slightly overcast, the time is right for both species. Although trout may be a bit harder to locate, many schools will hold large trout ready for the hook.

Fishing the grass edges for both species will give you an advantage. The closer to the grass, the clearer the water. Grass banks act as filters and clear muddy water more efficiently than sandy bottom reaches. In your pursuit, be sure to include small topwater lures in solid white because trout and spottail often feed on smaller gamefish that cover the surface of shallow waters.

Once a school is located, don't cast directly to the group. Instead, work the edges of the school and follow their pattern of movement.

BEAUFORT FISHING TOURNAMENT STANDINGS

Standings for the Beaufort Fishing Tournament, with species, boat, angler and weight in pounds:

LARGEST SPECIES RESULTS

Amber jack: C-Spoon, Todd Bradley, 66.78

Barracuda: Sea Wolf VI, Joshua Price, 25.26

Black drum: Roll-N, Karsten Dutton, 10.58

Blackfin tuna: Artemis, Ted MaMunes, 11.00

Black sea bass: Mikes Marine, Mike Spade, 4.72

Bluefish: TopGun5, Taylor Taylor, 11.62

Cobia: Happy Dog, Tennant Houston, 50.44

Croaker: My Time Out Jr, Frank Gibson, .68

Dolphin (dorado): Tortteaser, Lovick Hornsby, 50.32

Founder: Roeme, Scott Willard, 6.82

Grouper: No Worries, Steve Roll, 15.68

Jack crevalle: Sea Wolf VI, Matthew Moore, 2.18

King mackerel: Marvs Outboard, Bernie Vinoski, 41.94

Ladyfish: 3 Capt's, Swanton Anderson, 2.62

Little tunny: TopGun5, Tom Thomas, 14.78

Red drum: No Name, Ashby West, 5.10

Red snapper: Mikes Marine, Mike Spade, 18.00

Sea trout:Mikes Marine, Mark Clifford, 4.3

Sheepshead: Miss Fripp, Frank Gibson, 8.82

Spadefish: TopGun5, Tom Thomas, 8.20

Spanish mackerel: Marvs Outboard, Sibet Copeland, 6.2

Spotted seatrout: Roeme, Scott Willard, 5.24

Spot: Sea Wolf VI, Nick Polowy, 1.32

Toad fish: Mikes Marine, Frank Gibson, 3.14

Triggerfish: No Worries, Larry Andrews, 9.11

Vermillion snapper: No Worries, Seth Andrews, 3.02

Wahoo: No Worries, Steve Roll, 53.16

Weakfish: A+B, Ben Vegar, 1.04

Whiting: Reel Control, Joe Marshall, 1.24

FEMALE ANGLER

Amber jack: Hold-N-On, Melanie McCaffree, 28.90

Barracuda: Miss Fripp, Phyllis Gibson, 14.30

Black sea bass: My Time Out III, Phyllis Gibson, 2.10

Bluefish: Sea Wolf VI, Katie Gambla, 1.96

Cobia: Foreclosure, Cindy Reid, 22.56

Dolphin (dorado): Artemis, Pam Roy, 9.18

Flounder: Artemis, Pam Roy, 4.10

Grouper: Artemis, Pam Roy, 13.36

King mackerel: Dr Hook, Marsha Vinoski, 27.56

Ladyfish: Miss Fripp, Phyllis Gibson, 1.50

Little tunny: Sea Wolf, Chris Odioso, 12.7

Red drum: Mikes Marine, Bobbie Spade, 4.14

Red snapper: Mikes Marine, Sarah Florez, 6.44

Sea trout: Froggy Daddy, Carol Curren, 2.68

Sheepshead: Sea Wolf VI, Shelbia Sasse, 2.88

Spanish mackerel: Marvs Outboard, Sibet Copeland, 6.2

Spots: Lil Looer, Holly Carslake, 0.18

Toad fish: Artemis, Pam Roy, 1.96

Triggerfish: Artemis, Crissy Hinson, 4.60

Vermillion snapper: Mikes Marine, Sarah Florez, 2.07

Whiting: Froggy Daddy, Carol Curren, 1.14

10X10 YOUTH

Bluefish: White Whale, Peter Trask, 1.84

Croaker: White Whale, Peter Trask, .12

Jack crevalle: Sea Wolf VI, Matthew Moore, 2.18

Ladyfish: Miss Fripp, Kane Thorp, 2.0

Spotted sea trout: Just Because, Zach Wilson, 1.2

Spanish mackerel: Reel Hot, Mason Coner, 4.20

Whiting: Just Because, Zach Wilson, .88

YOUTH

Amber jack: My Time Out III, Kane Thorp, 16.30

Barracuda: Mikes Marine, Brice Spade, 17.04

Black drum: Prez, Andrew Carr, 2.46

Black sea bass: Mikes Marine, Brice Spade, 3.30

Bluefish: Sea Wolf, Taylor Poole, 2.46

Cobia: Sea Hawk III, Wes Chesnutt, 42.66

Croaker: White Whale, Peter Trask, .12

Flounder: Sea Buyyou, Tommy Buskirk, 4.56

Grouper: Mikes Marine, Brice Spade, 10.86

Jack crevalle: Sea Wolf VI, Matthew Moore, 2.18

King mackerel: TopGun5, Zach Brown, 23.4

Ladyfish: Sea Wolf, Taylor Poole, 2.46

Red drum: Reel Chance, Billy Amick, 4.86

Red snapper: Mikes Marine, Brice Spade, 14.32

Sheepshead: Sea Wolf, Shelbi Sasse, 2.88

Spadefish: Mikes Marine, Brice Spade, 6.16

Spanish mackerel: Sea Wolf, Hunter Pylant, 4.60

Spotted sea trout: Mikes Marine, Brice Spade, 3.34

Toad fish: Mikes Marine, Brice Spade, 1.01

Triggerfish: Mikes Marine, Brice Spade, 3.62

Vermillion snapper: No Worries, Seth Andrews, 3.02

Whiting: Reel Control, Megan Craig, .54