By MARK TAYLOR
THE ROANOKE TIMES

Archives Reprint

    After releasing a pending state record smallmouth bass, Donnie Eaton of Pembroke said he hoped someone else caught the fish.

    That apparently happened, and sooner than anyone expected.

    Early this week 13-year-old Russ Moser of Pembroke pulled a giant smallmouth bass from the New River in Giles County. He hauled the fish to the Pembroke Stop & Save to have it weighed. The bass registered 8 pounds, 1 ounce, on the store's scales, just a half-ounce less than Eaton's fish.

    The store's Tony Boggess said the big fish clearly was the same bass Eaton caught 10 days prior.

    "It was caught in the same place, was the same length, and almost the exact same girth," as Eaton's fish, Boggess said.

    The fish also had a couple of a unique markings on its side that matched markings on Eaton's trophy, which the men had time to study while waiting for a state biologist to officially weigh the fish.

    For releasing the fish, Eaton has drawn gushing praise from many anglers. That same fate likely will now befall Moser, who carted the big bass back to the river and set it free once again - although in a different location.

    "He said he wanted to get it mounted, but once we told him about a fiberglass reproduction mount, he was happy with that," Boggess said. "If Donnie hadn't released that fish, Russ would have never caught it."

Flooding closes ramps, campgrounds at Kerr

    High water has force the closure of some camping areas and many public boat ramps at Kerr Reservoir.

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers closed Rudds Creek Campground on Wednesday because most of the area's campsites are under water. The area also doesn't have water service in most areas because electricity to well pumps had to be disconnected because of flooding.

    The lake's other public camping areas remain open, although many have some campsites under water. Campers should call ahead to ensure availability. The number for the Corps' North Bend Park is (434)738-0059 and its Longwood Park is (434)374-2711. North Carolina State Parks information is available by calling (252)438-7791 or, for Occoneechee State Park, (252)374-2210.

    Only five public ramps are currently open. They are at Island Creek, the old marina ramp at North Bend Park, Bullocksville, the new ramp at Occoneechee and at Staunton River State Park.

    Detailed information, including the lake's current water level, may be viewed on the Internet at http://epec.saw.usace.army.mil/roankerr.htm. Phone information is available at (434)738-6633 ext. 275.

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