turkey

W

OW! What a ride we’ve been on the past four months. THANK YOU DUDES out there so much for your compliments. I’m pretty sure DUDE is here to stay in Beaufort County and the Lowcountry, so saddle up DUDES, we’re going on nice long ride.

DUDE is evolving and it seems we’re a brand with an image that any DUDE could love. Where we end up is anybody’s guess. I guess the GOOD MAN ABOVE is the only one that really knows, meanwhile we’ve realized that DUDE IS NOT JUST ANOTHER PUBLICATION. Sure we’ll always play Old School and print copies and put them out there for you DUDES to enjoy every quarter, however we are amazed at the exposure and activity we’ve received via DUDE’S WEBSITE www.dudesc. com and our very popular FACEBOOK PAGE/POSTS. I have a strong feeling one day that we’ll have more hits on our website and friends of our facebook page than we print copies. Never fear, we’ll always print some, but with the way technology and smart phones and apps are going, INK & PAPER are doomed. Though we only started our website last summer we are ecstatic that we are now getting over 500 hits a month. We have friends of DUDE on Facebook all over the USA and world for that matter. It’s a NEW AGE and DUDE IS THE NEW WAVE! Now let’s ride into Spring in the Lowcountry DUDES! Before we ride into Spring here in Beaufort County, we must dedicate this issue to one of our favorite DUDES and induct another DUDE into the DUDE HALL OF FAME. First was THE DUKE, John Wayne, last issue it was JAMES ARNESS, Matt Dillon and this issue we welcome and dedicate this issue to CLINT EASTWOOD! CLINT IS A DUDE without a doubt. In the 60’s Clint brought us some of the best DUDE westerns that we still enjoy today. Joe Kidd, The Outlaw Josey Wells, Marshall Jed Cooper in Hang em High, The High Plains Drifter and how can we forget the series Fistful Of Dollars, For A Few Dollars More and The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. Great classics DUDES. Clint sent us one last western jewel when he gave us The Preacher in Pale Rider. If you didn’t think that qualifies Clint as a DUDE, then Clint as DIRTY HARRY surely should. Inspector Harry Callahan was a bad ass! Dirty Harry, Magnum Force, The Enforcer and Sudden Impact all pretty much proved that. Thanks CLINT, you da man this spring DUDE! This winter sucked weather wise and Spring will be most welcomed this year here in the Lowcountry. Don’t remember so many nights in the 20’s and yes, I saw it snow in Beaufort County once again. Good riddance! Outdoors is what it’s all about in the Springtime DUDE. Five DUDE DO NOT MISS EVENTS are on tap; Springfest, Winefest, St. Patrick’s Parade, Heritage and Air Show. Our beloved Heritage and The Blue Angels AIR SHOW at the MCAS Beaufort. YES! DUDE will be at all of them, so look for us and who knows, Harold, The Largemouth Bass, may very well take your picture for the Summer issue.

All of our DUDE contributors have told us of the overwhelmingly positive comments and feedback they have received from their respective articles. THE DUDE FAMILY ROCKS, no doubt! This Spring we have em all LOCKED AND LOADED to bring you all the great articles that you are learning to love. What a group of characters! LOVE ALL YOU DUDES, THANKS FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS! Let’s ride DUDES! FISHING! DUDES LOVE TO FISH and I’m pretty sure there are NO publications in Beaufort County that have you covered like we do DUDE. This past winter DUDE, joined the Hilton Head Island Sportfishing Club and it then lead to us joining the Beaufort Sportfishing Club. Thanks David Harter and Frank Gibson, you DUDES have a good thing going. See our center spread feature for all the info and fun we’ve had with these groups this past winter. Of course we have the best in the business to tell you Whazzup DUDES in the lowcountry fishing scene. Captain Jason Dubose, Oldfield River Pro takes you to the Blue Water of the Gulf Stream in search of Mahi-Mahi and WAHOO, Palmetto Dunes’ Captain Trent Malphrus talks fish, Redfish and Cobia and Quality Lakes’ Wade Bales talks fresh water spawning Bucket Mouth bass. I can’t wait to go fishing this spring DUDES! Our relationship with SCDNR, the Waddell Mariculture Center and Coastal Discovery Museum has grown immensely since our first issue and it seems they are all starting to come together with some great DUDE stuff. Our good friends Al Stokes at the Waddell Mariculture Center, SCDNR’s Dr. Al Segars and HH Sportfishing Club’s David Harter are all slated to do seminars/talks at the Coastal Discovery Museum this Spring. Check out the Coastal Discovery Museum page for

2

all the great DUDE happenings and who knows you might just learn something.

While we’re mentioning our good friend, Al Stokes, Al shares some interesting information with us about the raising of shrimp for bait as a new upcoming industry here at Waddell. See his article. Al is a hunter and obviously, so is his son, Collin.

This high school DUDE is a DUCK HUNTING MACHINE. He gives us a youthful approach to duck hunting in the marshes of the Lowcountry. Nice to have you on board young man! Hunting is for DUDES. My long time friend and fellow Tarheel, Dr. Reggie Sigmon joins the DUDE FAMILY with his great article on Pheasant Hunting in South Dakota. Got to put that on my bucket list. Big Game Chuck Mikals checks in this issue with the pursuit of the Greater Kudu. What a cool animal! Can’t hunt without guns and our GUN DUDE, James Grant checks in with Ready, Aim, FIRE and the GLOCK 20. Good for hunting those wild pigs and great for protecting your family DUDE. Don’t forget your 2nd Amendment Rights! PACK SOME HEAT DUDE! Spring means getting OUTDOORS and we got you covered with the wisdom of our NATURE DUDE, Marvin Bouknight. Marvin’s book is selling like hotcakes, so get yours before they run out. Great Photos DUDE! I think this spring, Marvin is in the swamp. Also check out the many great DUDE family outdoor programs at Coastal Discovery Museum. History Galore! Spring...Outdoors...DUDE, LET’S TEE EM UP! FORE! DUDES GOLF! Well if it is wasn’t for the great role models Arnie Palmer and Jack Nicklaus have provided us with while growing up, we probably wouldn’t be golfers. It’s time for DUDE to expand our horizons in the golf department.

First up, OUR #1 GOLF DUDE, RICK BARRY. He’s taught us a lot over the years and it seems his years of teaching have not gone unnoticed, as our boy Rick was named THE CAROLINA’S PGA’S PALMER MAPLES TEACHER OF THE YEAR! Benny and I enjoyed a great early Spring weather day with Rick in Sea Pines Resort recently. It was good to be us that day! Coming on board and joining the DUDE FAMILY this issue and forever more are two additional golfing DUDES. Our friend and fishing buddy, JON HUNDLEY, head pro at Oldfield has some great wisdom to share with us hackers. PUTT BABY PUTT! Two’s a company, three’s a charm and we’ve also added the wisdom of DEREK LAFFERTY, professional on site at our Beaufort home course, Sanctuary Golf Club on Cat Island. Thanks for all the tips DUDES! ATTENTION GOLFING DUDES: Wanna have some fun for the bragging rights of the best 4 man Captain’s Choice team in all of Beaufort County? It’s the 1st ANNUAL DUDE SHOOTOUT AT CAT ISLAND, Sunday, May 22nd. See the ad this issue. No handicaps, bring your best 4 and let’s tee em up and find out who are the real DUDES of Beaufort County. If you can get Tiger Woods to play with you, bring it! Should be more fun than a barrel of monkeys and we’ll raise some money for our local animal rescue and humane associations. All I got to say is, MY TEAM IS LOADED! Getting in shape is important now that you’ve figured out how to peel yourself off the sofa in your Mancave. MONA ain’t playin DUDES. Listen to her and lose the turkey tire. Being more active, means finding your tennis racket DUDES. Our TENNIS DUDE, Eric Wammock checks in with how to slowly get going this Spring.

Time to get the boat off the trailer DUDES. Captain Megan takes us on a nature cruise around Pickney Island. Make sure you follow all SCDNR rules and regulations out there and be GOOD STEWARDS of our GOD BLESSED COUNTY. Don’t turn a blind eye, DUDE if you see something that ain’t right, call our boys at SCDNR and they’ll take care of it. While we’re on the subject of SCDNR, please tell your favorite politician that WE DUDES DON’T APPRECIATE THEM WANTING TO PUT THEIR HANDS INTO OUR WILDLIFE JAR TO PAY FOR A BUNCH OF SWANKY PRISONS. That just ain’t right DUDE! I care a hell of alot more about a fish than a criminal in jail!

Spring means FOOD, WINE & CIGARS! FOOD...Chef Gary Williams of the Sea Shanty is all over those succulent Soft Shell Crabs and Shad Roe and the Boneman hosted his 11th DUDE SUPERBOWL BASH. What a party DUDE! WINE...Our ole friend, Julie Mussleman and her company, Hostess City Celebrations is back running WINEFEST, hooray. We’ll be there DUDE with Joe Sweigart, Our Cigartainer DUDE. Joe talks about the smokin bans going on in our county. Smile as Harold will have his camera! Long Ashes DUDE! Speaking of wine, our DAUFUSKIE DUDE, Lowcountry Joe Yocius checks in this issue with the story of Papy Burn and the Silver Dew Winery on Daufuskie. CHEERS DUDES! As always, we’ll have the LETTERS TO HAROLD, PHOTOS TO HAROLD & DUDES IN FOCUS to finish up every issue. Write a letter to a fish, send a photo to a fish or even let a fish take your picture........WELCOME TO THE LAND OF DUDE NATION! We’re glad to have you aboard DUDE! A SPECIAL DUDE THANKS TO ALL OUR ADVERTISERS! If it wasn’t for you DUDES, this nonesense would not be possible. Please support them and we’ll keep making you LEARN & LAUGH! BRAD B. MCDONALD PUBLISHER DUDE www.dudesc.com brad@dudesc.com (843) 298-3827

Spring 2011

Potential Commercialization of Bait Shrimp Production

P

lans to commercialize bait shrimp production in South Carolina may be getting significantly closer to reality as researchers at the Waddell Mariculture Center of the SCDNR and Scientific Associates, a private Florida hatchery, have developed specific-pathogen-free (SPF) Litopenaeus setiferus (Atlantic white shrimp) and Farfantepenaeus duorarum (pink shrimp) shrimp for the bait shrimp market. These shrimp are native to South Carolina and therefore can be produced commercially and sold here as bait. The development of these disease free stocks would significantly diminish potential farming industry concerns pertaining to the possible introduction of shrimp pathogens into intensive bait shrimp production systems stocked with post larvae hatched from wild adult shrimp.

With continued improvements in developing closed system bio-floc managed greenhouse raceways, bait shrimp could be grown at very high numbers to make the development of this industry financially feasible. To demonstrate the potential use of closed greenhouse production systems, using bio-floc based management techniques; biologists at the Waddell Mariculture have been growing bait at densities up to 309 shrimp per cubic meter of water. Preliminary results indicate that these shrimp can reach bait size in approximately 90 days. Our native shrimp grow much slower compared to other types of shrimp farmed for food. There is an advantage to their slow growth as they can remain small or “bait-size” for weeks.

Production costs are also lower compared to growing shrimp for food because bait shrimp do not require as much energy for heating or specially designed diets for fast growth.

Bait production research being performed at the Waddell Mariculture Center is important. There are more than 14 million saltwater fishermen in the US. Approximately 70% of these fishermen use live shrimp at some time for bait. In South Carolina, many of the more than 208,000 licensed saltwater fishermen purchase live pink shrimp for bait. As mentioned, these shrimp are native to SC but almost all of these shrimp come from Florida.

Supplies of these Florida wild caught shrimp are seasonal and therefore their availability in SC is inconsistent and prices are always subject to change. Gulf and east coast states are concerned about the large number of small shrimp being harvested for bait and some states consider this harvest unsustainable. Several states, including SC, have laws in place to protect native shrimp populations from over-harvest.

Because of the bait shrimp research being performed in SC and Florida, interest in commercial bait production as a business should receive a lot of attention in the near future.

DUDE PROFILE: Al Stokes is the manager of the Waddell

Mariculture Center. He was hired by SCDNR in 1979 and has been involved with the WMC since it’s inception. He is a Deputy Law Enforcement Officer for SCDNR and is a member of the Region IV Marine Mammal Standing Network and works closely with SCDNR’s, Dr. Al Segars to retrieve injured, stranded and dead birds, turtles, dolphins and whales. He has traveled to more than 25 countries to deliver lectures on sustainable seafood growing hatcheries and commercial farms. Al is originally from Camden and is married to his lovely wife and fellow Tarheel, Shannon and they have two children, Collin and Mattie.

Spring 2011

FRESH SOUPS DAILY *Gumbo*Seafood & Clam Chowder GREAT APPETIZERS *Fried Calamari *Conch Fritters DAILY FRESH CATCH OF THE DAY Prepared YOUR Way *Fried* Blackened*Grilled HOME OF THE SEA SHANTY COMBO

The Best Seafood Platter This Side of the Broad River

Plates Starting at

$8.95

If Gary ain’t catching it, he’s cooking it!

From the bait to the plate, it’s the best seafood you ever ate!

OPEN MONDAY thru SATURDAY LUNCH 11am - 3pm DINNER 5pm - ‘Til Hwy 170 & Argent Blvd., Okatie $FURVV IURP 2OGÀHOG 3ODQWDWLRQ

TAKE OUT AVAILABLE

843-645-0918

3

Into The Blue!

BY CAPT. JASON DuBOSE Capt. Charlie Beadon with a wahoo caught while trolling the bluewaters of the Lowcountry with Capt. Jason DuBose

W

e are in a county that is made up of as much saltwater as dry ground and you better believe that the love of fishing is deep rooted here. Not only is saltwater fishing a major pass time of locals who embrace the outdoors and the sporting way of life, but also a must on the “todo-list” of visitors who come here to soak in the Lowcountry lifestyle if only for a week out of the year.

With all the fishing that has taken place here over the years, Hilton Head and Beaufort have developed the reputation in national fishing circles as a hot spot for year-round inshore redfishing and the premiere destination on the Atlantic Coast for spring cobia fishing, however, many of our other fisheries remain relatively unknown to those outside of core groups of local die hard anglers.

One of our fisheries that has gone virtually unrecognized on a national level is our tremendous bluewater fishing opportunities.

Bluewater fishing refers to a number of methods of fishing used to target pelagic species such as tuna, dolphin (mahi-mahi), wahoo, sailfish, white and blue marlin around the offshore ledges and Gulf Stream waters off of our coast. When most people think of bluewater fishing they conjure up thoughts of destinations such as the Outer Banks of North Carolina or the Florida Keys. Now, I’ll be the first to admit that those areas

4

have a distinct advantage over the Lowcountry in terms of proximity to the fishing grounds, but in terms of fishing action we certainly hold our own.

Our distance from the Gulf Stream, approximately 70 miles, is one of the primary reasons this area has never developed the reputation as a prime bluewater fishing destination.

In decades past, sportfishing boats were much slower and burned more fuel making it far too time and cost prohibitive for most people to make frequent trips to the Gulf Stream from local ports. Today, with the popularity of faster and more fuel efficient center console boats on the rise, the door has been opened for more local anglers to take advantage of what our Gulf Stream waters have to offer.

While tactics such as vertical jigging and kite fishing are on the rise for targeting certain bluewater species, trolling remains the most popular method. When used for trolling boats become much more than a mode of transportation to get from the dock to the fishing grounds, they become tools and integral parts of the fishing strategy. The goal of trolling is to attract the attention of gamefish by creating the illusion of a school of baitfish fleeing harms way. This is done by using the boat to pull a variety of artificial lures and/ or natural baits through the water at speeds ranging from 4 knots to upwards of 15 knots depending on the target species. Outriggers and

center riggers are used to position baits well to the side of and behind the boat and downriggers and planers are used to position baits at various depths allowing trollers to cover as much of the water surface and column as possible. A well rigged, positioned and presented spread of lures and baits is irresistible to most bluewater predators.

As counter intuitive as it may seem, in many cases it may not be the lures/baits that initially grab the attention of predators such as wahoo, dolphin and marlin but rather the noise and churning water produced by the boat while trolling.

Survival in the open ocean is tough

and successful predators must key in on any chance at an easy meal.

When a school of bonita or tuna are on the attack they churn the seas into whitewater causing baitfish to flee in all directions. When other gamefish see or hear this commotion instinct causes them to investigate looking for a chance to pick off smaller predators or prey caught up in the ciaos. Many experts theorize that the sound and whitewater created by a boat on the troll may resemble a naturally occurring feeding situation. When a predator comes in to investigate, it sees the trolled lures/baits as stragglers separated from the school are “easy pickings’’.

While there are trolling opportunities most months of the year, there is no question that spring is the peak season for most blue water species. Blackfin tuna can be caught in good number along with wahoo during early March. As we move toward the later half of March and into April, the wahoo bite fires off resulting in some truly amazing action. This is also the time when we see the number of dolphin (mahi-mahi) increase dramatically.

By May, the dolphin bite is at its peak, providing plenty of action on most days. Through out the spring bluewater season, there is always a good chance of raising a sailfish or blue or white marlin. With so many pelagic species inhabiting our Gulf Stream waters during the spring months, you just never really know what the next gamefish species to pile-on one of your baits may be!

Maybe one day the angling world will come to associate Hilton Head with fishing options other than redfish and cobia, in the mean time those fishermen “in-the-know” will keep right on participating in these lesser know fisheries and lovin’ every minute of it!!

DUDE PROFILE: Capt. Jason DuBose, Head River Pro at Oldfield Club, runs inshore, nearshore and offshore fishing charters. Aside from his duties as a charter fishing captain, Jason conducts a number of monthly educational seminars at Oldfield Club covering topics ranging from fishing techniques to local navigation and boat handling skills. Capt. Jason has worked as a professional sportfishing captain, mate and angler for the better part of the last ten years and has fished extensively through out the Florida Keys, Bahamas and North and South Carolina.

To contact Capt. Jason with questions and charter request please email him at: jdubose@hamptongolfclubs.com or call him at 843-304-4834.

Spring 2011

Spring 2011

5

Let’s Get Ready For Spring

By Captain Trent Malphrus

T

hank God winter is finally behind us now. The last couple of winters have had a strangling hold on us fishermen. With the past winters being so cold it’s made it tough to get excited about going fishing when the boat is covered in ice every morning. The only thing that excites me about cold weather is that I have noticed the past three years that the bait has been more plentiful in spring and summer. I don’t know if this is true or I am just excited the cold weather is behind us with another great spring and summer in front of us. Let’s talk about how this spring is going to play out for the 2011 season.

Let’s get started with the water warming up and the days getting longer. As the days get longer you have more opportunities to catch fish and spend more time on the water, unlike winter when the days are short and the tides play out too early in the morning and too late in the day. This is when you have a high tide in the middle of the day. Those low tides are just too late or too early in the day. With time changing the second week of March this is truly the beginning of spending a lot of time on the water for the next eight months, with so many different types of fish to be caught. We truly live and fish in one of the best places on the east coast. I get this feeling every spring, what’s to come for the year and how many memories are going to be made with my clients! Starting in March, it’s all about catching reds and sheepshead in the creeks around Hilton Head Island. This will last about five weeks till the cobia show up in the rivers. Now let’s talk about one of the best fisheries on the east coast for cobia.

It’s hard to put into words how excited I get when I start talking about this subject. My absolute favorite way to catch cobia is sight fishing for them on the surface of the water on a slack tide. Anchoring up and chumming them to the back of the boat can be fun too, but sight fishing is where it is at for me.

On any given day you can sight fish, but the best time to do this is when the wind is light and the high tide falls in the middle of the day. This makes it easier to see the fish cruising under the water. Some days they are so high in the column of water you see their backs out of the water. This will get your heart beating pretty good. Fly fishing for these brutes is a lot of fun but throwing live bait in front of a cruising fish and watching him chase it down is pretty exciting in itself. The cobia fishing will stay good for the whole month of May. Once the cobia fishing slows down in the beginning of June it’s time to start king fishing on the front side of the beach. I’ll talk about this in next issue. So guys, let’s start getting excited about what’s to come for spring and early summer. Tight lines to the 2011 spring season!

The title of the article is Let’s Get Ready for Spring. Not only does the fishing get good in the intracoastal, so does the fishing in the Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort lagoon system. March is a very exciting time here in the resort with the days getting longer and the nights warmer, the fishing really

6

starts to heat up. The redfish bite gets really good for the month of March and into April and May. But what really gets me going is the trout bite. We have one of the best trout fisheries on the east coast by far. Once the water warms up into the 60’s and does not drop too cold at night, IT’S ON DUDE!. The month of May has to be some of the best fishing the canal has to offer. So between catching big trout in the resort and cobia fishing in the creeks, this has to be my favorite time of year to fish the Lowcountry.

That’s enough talking about fishing, let’s get out there and make new memories to last a lifetime!

Captain Trent Malphrus Palmetto Lagoon Charters 843-301-4634

DUDE PROFILE: Captain Trent Malphrus is one of the rare natives of Hilton Head Island. This has been his only home for almost forty years. Trent was born into a family that has thrived on the Low Country’s rivers and estuaries for hundreds of years. They fished, picked oysters, crabbed, shrimped and frolicked in anything that has to do with Mother Ocean and still do to this day. Trent’s dad was the most hard-core fisherman he has ever known.

Trent got the fishing fever at a very young age as he followed in his father’s footsteps. All of the fishing knowledge he has attained originate in his father’s teachings. Trent now works to perfect his skills and achieve a greater level of understanding of fish and the intricacies of fishing. Trent’s father has passed on, but would surely be proud of his son and his love of fishing.

Trent was introduced to the Palmetto Dunes lagoon system when he was about eleven years old. His father would bring him to work and drop him off to fish all day in the brackish lagoons. These lagoons are abounding with wildlife like red-tail hawks, ospreys, otters, kingfishers and an occasional alligator.

Trent now lives and works in Palmetto Dunes on Hilton Head Island. It is here, amid this familiar saltwater kingdom, that he is now raising his own sons.

Every morning when he wakes up to this great big world, Trent’s son runs to the back door. Staring out at the dock he asks his mother, “has daddy already gone to work?” Occasionally, he rises early enough to find the skiff still moored at the dock and asks if Trent has caught any fish yet. It seems another Malphrus has started down the road toward a life-long love of fishing.

Spring 2011

GET YOUR SMILE ON

DUDE!

WISHING YOU CONTINUED SUCCESS WITH

ELIZABETH W. GALLOWAY DDS GENERAL DENTISTRY

(843) 341-3900 Located Just Off Palmetto Bay Road 3 Palmetto Business Park Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Spring 2011

7

Bassin’ Time

Jeffrey Scheider with a serious chunky bass.

F

unny thing about this time of year. Fishing can be good. Real good. Or it can be absolutely lousy. The key for lake or pond fishing in the spring is water temperature. Weather conditions can affect water temperature by as much as five to eight degrees in 24 hours or less. Usually this means ‘Bite On DUDE!’ (or ‘Bite Off’...). One thing’s for sure, if it’s as cold as it was in Feb-March 2011, you can bet the little fishes will be moving slow...and the big fishes like that!

The best time to catch big bucket-mouth bass in the southeast is usually January-April. My bass DUDES in FL and LA (Lower Alabama for new DUDES) start fishing hard for the big girls in January. Around here I would wager Febearly April is best for actively feeding largemouths. Once on the bed they get tight-lipped but can be aggravated into biting but for me personally it’s exciting to get on a good pre-spawn bite.

Catching trophy bass is similar to taking a trophy whitetail. The right weather, the right lure, the right presentation, the right cast is all important.

First and foremost you have to fish where there are trophy bass. Most lakes or ponds will have a couple of mossybacks, usually old bass that may even be some of the original stocked fish. Some of these fish can be upwards of 12 years old. Winter bass can lead you to believe your population is in good shape because both the boys and girls are gaining weight for the spring spawn. An 8 pounder is a trophy for most of us, but if she’s been eating for 10+ years and only weighs 8 pounds in the spring, DUDE there’s something going on with the population dynamics that needs an overhaul if you want to produce lunkers.

Genetics, food and population density all play a large role in chunk-o-bass

production. Let’s talk about bass genetics. Genetics without a doubt plays a major role in bass growth. Northern strain, Florida strain and Northern x Florida strain largemouths, all have their own growth characteristics. Genetic surveys of bass done by SCDNR in the 90’s showed an increase in Florida strain presence or frequency in lake populations stocked with both strains as you get closer to the SC coast. So sometimes regardless of what you stock, where your lake is located and the climate appears to influence which genetic strain performs the best. Florida strain buckets do tend to grow larger than their Northern cousins. The pure Floridas have a reputation for being the most difficult variety to catch however.

One of the more popular approaches in the last 10 years or so is stocking or introducing the Northern x Florida strain largemouth, or F1s, which is the first generation cross between the two strains. These fish exhibit what’s called hybrid vigor, meaning fast growth and aggressive feeding behavior.

My fellow Auburn DUDES and fish squeezers Barry Smith and Don Keller of American Sportfish, helped pioneer this Some F1 Tiger Bass headed for a pond at Mackay Point Plantation. cross and sell their ‘Tiger Bass’ successfully for these reasons.

Because they produce great results, we stock F1s in our clients’ ponds whenever possible.

To rejuvenate an older lake, adult F1s can be added. This takes some work and planning. Regardless of what genetics your fish have, DUDE it takes enough of the right-sized food or prey or growth will suffer and your results will not be positive. Harvesting the right size and numbers of bass to make room for new F1 stockers is paramount to achieving fast growth. You will need to employ electrofishing for both population assessments and for harvesting the right fish.

So bundle up DUDES and watch the weather. Break out the Texas-rigged lizards and hit the water. When the water temperature is consistently running 60-68 degrees, it’s chow time. If you like to catch bedding bass, it’s right around the corner. Tease them with a shallow diving Rapala fished on top, follow up with a jerk bait that you let sink right into the bed. Big Momma can’t stand it.

DUDE PROFILE: Wade Bales grew up

fishing and hunting in the Lowcountry.

Prior to moving back to Bluffton in 2007, Wade worked 15 years with the SCDNR Freshwater Fisheries Section.

Wade holds a B.S. and M.S. in Fisheries Management from Auburn University and is President of Quality Lakes Inc., a full-service lake management company.

Their services include aquatic weed control, electrofishing and fisheries management, fish stocking, complete lake management and maintenance programs, bathymetric lake mapping, lake sedimentation assessments and lake design just to name a few. He can be reached by email at wadeb@qualitylakes.com or by calling 866.444.5128.

8

Spring 2011

FULL SERVICE & EXTERIOR WASHES • SOFT CLOTH SPEED WAX DETAILING • CUSTOM HAND WASHING & POLISHING LUBE CENTER (BLUFFTON ONLY) • GIFT CARDS

VOTED #1 CAR WASH IN THE ISLAND PACKET & BLUFFTON TODAY TWO LOCATIONS TO BETTER SERVE YOU HILTON HEAD ISLAND (Next to the Village at Wexford) 785-9274 Spring 2011

BLUFFTON (Kitties Crossing in front of Food Lion) 815-4666 9

YOUNG BUCKS HUNTIN DUCKS

WINGING IT IN SOUTH DAKOTA A Pheasant Paradise

BY Reggie Sigmon

T

D

uck hunting in Beaufort County offers the hunter the opportunity to harvest several different types of ducks from puddle ducks such as teal, wood ducks and mallards, to diving ducks like scaup, bufflehead and mergansers, depending on location. While saltwater hunting is rewarding, the tides and salt marshes also offer obstacles to a duck hunter. Sand bars, unseen logs, stumps and pluff mud can be hazards while hunting the marsh. Saltwater hunting also requires the diligence in cleaning equipment, since rust quickly takes its toll on guns, shotgun shells, boats, trailers and other metal equipment.

As all hunters discover, the success of the hunt is not determined by the number of birds harvested. The real success of any hunt is being able to spend time with family and friends.

A hunt actually begins the evening before. I prepare my Jon boat by loading decoys, camouflage netting with a mix of palmetto fronds, and a dry box filled with shells, gloves and flashlights. No matter where I am hunting in Beaufort County, I must be up by 3:30 am and dressed warmly to be on the water for several hours. Grabbing a quick meal on the way is a good idea, as long as my friends and I arrive at our hunting location at least one hour before sunrise. We work together to put out a string of decoys and have the camouflage in place before legal shooting time, 30 minutes before sunrise. Some of the best times spent in the blind are before the guns are raised when we see ducks flying against the sunrise.

Watching ducks fly over and come into the decoys is an amazing sight and is something we never tire of. Identifying ducks to shoot can be a challenge for any hunter. Because we can only harvest a specific number of certain ducks, we must be able to identify the ducks before we make a quick decision to pull the trigger. Many times we have been unsure of our target and did not take a shot, only to discover after it passes that it was a “good” duck.

But as all hunters discover, the real success of the hunt is determined by the time spent with family and friends. Taking some ducks home is a bonus. Good luck DUDES! DUDE PROFILE: Collin Stokes is

a senior at Hilton Head Island High School. He is on the school’s baseball team. He enjoys hunting (archery and rifle) and fishing. He volunteers helping with routine management of SCDNR Victoria Bluff Preserve and the Marine Reserve. He enjoys collecting WWII military patches and photographs.

10

his November a group of Carolina DUDES made our annual migration to Kimball, SD-destination Wings of Thunder. This is big cock country. If you’ve ever been to Mexico bird hunting, think of the same spectacle, only here pheasants blacken the sky.

Wings of Thunder is an upland hunting lodge (with sporting clays) surrounded by 4,500 acres of prime habitat (dense bird cover, CRP, uncut crops). As neighboring farmers harvest their fields, pheasants for miles literally flock to Wings of Thunder. Last year over 8,900 birds were harvested. In fact, TV shows for ESPN, OLN, WGN, TNN and USA have been filmed there. To help maintain such high bird numbers, additional breeding stock is released every spring. Because of this release you can legally shoot up to 20 birds per day.

Our group of ten DUDES started with a hot breakfast at 7:30, a safety video at 8:30 and hunting from 9:00 til 12:00. It’s back to the lodge for lunch and more shells. The afternoon hunt lasted from 1:30 til 4:30. Our bird total for one and one half days was 148. Wings of Thunder supplies guides (all courteous, some hilarious) and well-trained labs. They also clean and pack the birds for you. You are welcome to bring your own dogs (we brought three) for the learning experience.

After the hunt it is time for a shower and hot dinner. Then we relaxed in the comfortable lodge complete with satellite TV, fooz ball, pool and a large bar (BYOB). At night we hung out with the guides and a corporate group from Gerber Knives.

The easiest way to get there is to fly to Sioux Falls, SD, then drive 2 hours west on I-90. This takes you past Cabela’s in Mitchell, SD (a definite DUDE stop). At the Kimball exit off I-90 is a well stocked liquor store (another DUDE stop). Two of us even drove dogs, guns and coolers across the country---25 hours of seeing “America the Beautiful” if you’ve got the time.

For more information contact Jeri or Brad Donald (877-472-9318) or visit their website www.wingsofthunder.com.

DUDE PROFILE: Reggie Sigmon is a physician living in Hickory, NC with his wife, two sons, and German Shorthaired Pointer. For the past 15 years he’s toted his side-byside shotguns and dogs on annual hunting trips to Nebraska and South Dakota. In the spring and summer he spends time at his low country home in Wild Dunes, where he also enjoys inshore and offshore fishing.

He has started making annual golf trips to Hilton Head with high school DUDES. Other interests include all kinds of hunting (big game and waterfowl), cooking, wine and boating (wake boarding and wake surfing).

Spring 2011

Spring 2011

11

B

ack in 2005, I bagged one of my favorite mounts, the GREATER KUDU (Tragelaphus sterpsiceros), in the Limpopo region of northern South Africa. On the conservation chart this animal is marked the lowest on the scale LC (least concern), which means this animal is alive and doing well in its environment. They have a fairly narrow body with very long legs, as most antelopes do, with a magnificent coat ranging from brown/bluish-grey to reddish-brown. The KUDU possess 4 to 12 vertical white strips along their torso with a white chevron running between their eyes. Another noticeable feature is their large manes running along their throats. The males can weigh a couple hundred pounds more than the females topping out at around 600 pounds.

The KUDU’s spectacular set of horns can grow as long

as 72” and have 2 1/2 twists. Their horns have long been prized in Africa for musical instruments, honey containers and as a ritual object to native villagers.

The horns are commonly used to make Shofars, a Jewish ritual horn blown at Rosh Hashanah.

The meat is of excellent quality probably because they feed off grasses, tubers, roots and especially fond of fruits such as oranges and tangerines. Not only do the natives appreciate the meat that is donated by hunters, as it’s of great benefit to these people who are usually protein deficient, but they also are favorite fare for lions, leopards and cheetahs.

The Greater Kudus usually bear one offspring after an 8 month gestation period in the months of February and March when the grasses are highest to protect the new born. These beautiful animals have been know to live up to 20 years in captivity. Though humans have destroyed a lot of their woodland cover, man has assisted them in thriving with the set up of various artificial wells and irrigation areas.

Anyone interested in hunting Africa or Canada can contact me at chuckm@greenlineforst.com. I will be most happy to share information such as general pricing, travel information and outfitter contacts. GOOD HUNTING DUDES!

by James Grant

“Beware the man who owns only one gun, for he knows how to use it.”

–Anonymous

L

ast weekend I read that quote in some old gun rag and it got me thinking, “If I could own only one firearm, which would it be?” My mind immediately snapped to the image of my venerable old M1 Garand - reliable, powerful and accurate enough to take deer out to 300 yards with only iron sights. She was even deemed “the greatest battle implement ever devised” by General George S. Patton. I thought to myself, “This seems to fit the bill, but what about handguns?” Many hunters think of their pistol as a tool to finish off wounded game or to deal with the occasional snake. However, a powerful handgun can prove to be more than a backup weapon, especially in light of the DNR’s new night hunting regulations. Now SC hunters may hunt feral pigs at night with a belt or head lamp and a pistol. (There are more specific regulations; read more at www.dnr.sc.gov/regs/huntingregs. html ) The wheels in my mind were abuzz about the ideal “do-all” handgun. One I could hunt hogs with at night, carry on my hip in the woods and keep around the house for my family’s protection. A common hunting handgun is a revolver chambered in .44 magnum, which operates in either a double or single action

12

DUDE PROFILE: Chuck Mikals Married to Donna for 47 years 2 Children and 4 Grandchildren All boys Home Town: Chicago Illinois.

4 years in the U.S. Air Force.

Worked in the Plywood Veneer business was transferred to Toronto Canada in 1978.

Started our own plywood business in 1985.

Expanded from Canada to the U.S. and opened a Plywood Warehouse in Florida in 1998 and eventually outgrew this and decided to actually manufacture in the U.S. The Beaufort area was recommend through a friend who lived in Oldfield in Okatie. We immediately liked the area and established a manufacturing facility in Beaufort in 2005 and moved to Oldfield where we are very happy.

mode. The problems with these weapons are four-fold: cost, recoil, capacity, and weight.

The average .44 magnum revolver from a major manufacturer (i.e. Smith & Wesson, Ruger, or Colt) can run between $800 and $1000, will kick like an angry mule, weight about 3lbs and at most will hold 6 rounds. For many people dropping a grand on a handgun simply isn’t an option. Thankfully there is a far more economical alternative, the Glock model 20.

The Glock model 20, 10mm auto, was introduced in 1991 as an alternative to the steel framed offerings from Smith & Wesson and Colt. The G20’s powerful 10mm round is appropriate for medium-sized game, such as white tailed deer and feral hogs. Weighing in at a mere 2lbs, the Glock was very easy to carry, unlike my previous experiences with an S&W Model 629. Smith’s 629 proved far too heavy and bulky for a hike through the lowcountry woods. Many hunters I interviewed expressed concern about the Glock’s reliability. While nothing can compare, in terms of reliability, to a revolver, the Glock is the closest any semi-auto handgun has come. I also find the Glock’s 15+1 magazine capacity to be reassurance while stalking hogs in dried-up riverbeds; feral pigs are known to travel in packs. Another positive point about the pistol is its cartridge, the 10mm Auto. The Glock 20 is also much more affordable than a .44 magnum revolver, with an MSRP of $590; the Glock can often be found for under $500. With offerings from CCI, Hornady and Blazer, the 10mm Auto is less common than 9mm parabellum, but is easily found at any major hunting store or online ammo shop. My personal favorite “game-load”, is Hornady’s XTP 200 grain hollow-point, pushing 1000 feet per second with nearly 500 ft/lbs. of muzzle energy. This is an ideal load for the Glock 20, whose polygonal rifled barrel prefers jacketed ammunition. If you’re looking for a reliable, powerful, affordable magnum handgun, whose ballistics top those of a .357magnum, look no further than Glock’s Model 20, 10mm auto. crabpirate@gmail.com DUDE PROFILE: James Grant, Age: 26 Personal Interests: Competitive Rifle/Carbine/Handgun shooting, varmint hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, wood-working and gunsmithing.

I have participated in competitive shooting since 2005 and have placed in the top 3 at several carbine side matches. I enjoy collecting antique military arms and teaching new shooters about the sport. In my spare time, I hunt white tail and coyotes, with the majority of my experience being in the latter.

Spring 2011

WE LOVE OUR MARINES HERE IN BEAUFORT COUNTY! BLUE ANGELS AIR SHOW April 30th & May 1st

By Brad McDonald

W

New ground support equipment will need new maintenance and storage ell it’s now official per the Department of Defense, the 13 East Coast areas, specialized aviation armament and engine shops, a squadrons of F-35B Lightning II, Stealth, vertical take off new MAG headquarters, a training/instruction JSF’s built by Lockheed Martin will be making their simulation facility, amphibious assault ship homes here in the Carolinas. Marine Corps training facility, vertical landing pads, Air Station Beaufort aka Fightertown, modifications to current airfield, will get 3 active squadrons a cryogenics facility, many and the much coveted 2 security upgrades and of training squadrons, with course new hangars to the remaining 8 active adequately house these squadrons going to our stealthy birds of prey, friends at the MCAS are among some of Cherry Point in North the projects that will Carolina. Having the be getting underway 2 training squadrons to better service these here in Beaufort County new, $90 million a piece, will insure stability and rulers of the sky. longevity of the MCAS If you wish to get the most Beaufort for many years to in depth info on our Marines here come. in Beaufort County then check out the The huge economic benefit to our great website for THE JETSTREAM (MCAS county should start taking effect in very BFT) & THE BOOT (Parris Island recruiting Depot) short order as the base itself must undergo some www.thebootandjetstream.com For more great info you can serious destruction and construction to prepare for these awesome air space dominators. An estimated 4,400 jobs that should last at least 5 years go directly to their individual websites; Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort & is just what the doctor ordered to help jump start our sluggish local economy. Marine Corps Recruiting Depot Parris Island www.mcrdpi.usmc.mil or www.

Pilots, support staff and their families will be calling Beaufort county home as beaufort.usmc.mil OOOOORAH DUDES! SEMPER FI! the MCAS Beaufort undergoes its transformation.

The Best Fresh Local Seafood HAPPY HOUR ON THE OCEANFRONT DECK WITH THE BEST WATERFRONT VIEWS IN THE SEA ISLANDS Wed-Fri 4-7 p.m • 50 cent draught PBR $1 off house liquors • daily drink specials EARLY BIRD DINNER SPECIALS 5-7PM WED LOBSTER NIGHT * THURS STEAK NIGHT MULTIPLE FLAT SCREENS FOR SPORTS & WI-FI

Open 7 days 11am til we close,

843-838-4166 www.johnsoncreektavern.com 2141 HWY 21/SEA ISLAND PARKWAY, HARBOR ISLAND (Located between St.Helena Island and Hunting Island State Park)

Spring 2011

13

“Springtime in the Swamp ”

I

t’s been a long, cold winter, but I’m not complaining. I love the winter time, because of the many photographic opportunities for migrating waterfowl, shorebirds, eagles, otters and many other species, but with spring comes a different diversity of wildlife!

Spring ushers in warmer temperatures, longer days, no see’ums and mosquitoes (ugh!), budding plants, blooming wildflowers and wildlife courtships. Due to all of this activity, springtime becomes a treat for the ears as much as the eyes. Animals are focused on mating, so with that, the Lowcountry air is filled with a cacophony of calls, songs, screeches and caterwauling!

One habitat in the Lowcountry where all this activity seems to reach a fever pitch is the good ‘ol southern swamp. To me, there’s no better way to shake off the cabin fever of winter than to hop into a kayak or canoe and paddle the peaceful waters and towering trees associated with these wetlands. I am a self-professed “swamp dude” and there are so many seeps and swamps in our area you can explore by paddling and they host an amazing array of wildlife.

As you paddle, it’s not uncommon to see bright yellow prothonotary warblers flitting from tree to tree, brilliant red cardinal flowers pushing up from the river banks, green, feathery new cypress needles and alligators emerging to actively prowl the warming waters. A booming “who cooks for you, who cooks for you alllll” lets you know that the barred owl is alive and well and he knows EXACTLY where you are!

In my book South Carolina’s Lowcountry…Naturally, I devoted a chapter to the southern swamps and here’s an excerpt from the “Southern Swamps” chapter: “The South Carolina Lowcountry is defined by its rivers and the swamps associated with them. Swamps have earned a bad reputation over the years because they are thought to be stagnant, dirty, unclean, mosquito and snake infested. Growing up in West Columbia, SC, my uncle had farmland and bottomlands that contained black water seeps and swampy areas. It was in these areas that I saw wildlife such as flying squirrels, foxes, bobcats, snakes, colorful birds and wildflowers.”

-From South Carolina’s Lowcountry…Naturally The book is available online at www.naturenookllc.com or locally: In Beaufort: Beaufort Book Store McIntosh Book Shoppe Higher Ground Bay Street Outfitters In Bluffton and Hilton Head: The Greeters Store in Oldfield Club The Coastal Discovery Museum Barnes and Noble Wild Birds Unlimited The Tackle Box at Hampton Lakes

14

Getting out and enjoying all that spring has to offer can be exciting and rewarding, especially if you plan to paddle one of our beautiful swamps and waterways. Whether you are just a casual observer, birdwatcher, or photographer, don’t forget to keep in mind the nature “code of ethics”: • Pack it in, pack it out – You’ve heard this before, but it is sound advice and a responsibility we all share • Be invisible and observe from a distance – As a naturalist and photographer, the motto we use is “no picture is worth the risking the safety of you or your subject.” Don’t destroy, cut, or remove vegetation and don’t try to approach any wildlife too close, whether photographing or just observing.

Making wildlife feel threatened or flee unnecessarily is dangerous for you and the wildlife and removing vegetation may unnecessarily expose a den or nest site.

• Don’t pick or remove wildflowers – Many people think that it doesn’t hurt to take just one, but just like Mama and Daddy told us, “What if everybody took one?” And remember, many species cannot be transplanted, so don’t remove plants with the intention of transplanting it to your yards.

• We do not inherit the land from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children. – An American Indian proverb and no truer statement could not have An American Indian proverb and no truer statement could not have been uttered. We should strive to leave this land, including the wildlife that calls this land home, in better shape than we found it, not just for us, but for our children and our children’s children.

Springtime is coming, so get out there and safely enjoy all the beauty the Lowcountry has to offer…naturally.

DUDE PROFILE: Marvin Bouknight is a South Carolina native and has lived in the Lowcountry for over 15 years. A Clemson University graduate with a degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Management, Marvin has been a professional naturalist for over 20 years and is currently the staff naturalist at Oldfield Club. Through his company, The Nature Nook, LLC, Marvin offers a variety of programs, seminars and workshops on topics such as the local flora and fauna, attracting wildlife to your backyard and wildlife photography. He also provides services such as interpretive center design, displays and features, interpretive program development including curriculum-based and guided lesson plan development, trail design and development, wildlife surveys and documentation, nature-based consultation, etc.

He can be reached by calling (843)441-0961 or by e-mail at mbnaturenook@yahoo.com

Spring 2011

Happenings at

One of Beaufort County’s Brightest Stars!

By Brad McDonald

W

e love our DUDE relationship with our good friends at Coastal Discovery Museum, especially our good DUDE friend and DUDETTE, Robin Swift. Thanks for everything Robin we love you DUDES. If you’ve never been to the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn and you live here, shame on you. Many locals and visitors are enjoying this magnificent piece of land, as well as, they provide a learning platform second to none. Part of those learning platforms are some of the best interactive programs they provide for you DUDES out there that LOVE NATURE. This past winter we attended two great programs at the museum by our good DUDE friend and now Official DUDE WILDLIFE VET, SCDNR’s very own, AL SEGARS! There needs to be more people like AL in this world. His love and care for our friends in the wildlife are pretty special. AL and SCDNR put on two great programs about Right Whales and Horseshoe Crabs. AL KNOWS WHALES & CRABS! Right Whales are very special animals and we are fortunate enough to be able to coexist with these fabulous creatures. Trying to coexist with them is the problem however.

Seems that there are only 300 to 350 Right Whales left on our East Coast. Early whalers put a hurtin on em big time. Many of these top water baleen whales come down from northern waters to calf in our specific area; SC, GA & FL coasts. They are huge animals.

50 feet and up to 70 tons! DUDE, that’s 140,000 pounds! They only calf singularly every 3 years, so their reproduction rate does not work well with harpooners. Dem dare harpooner pirates mass killed this whale for its high blubber content, great for all kinds of oils. Now they need our help.

High speed boats and huge freighters coming into Charleston, Savannah and Jacksonville are not helping the situation. See photo of a recently hit whale seen just off Fripp Island.

The Right Whales fall in the MOST ENDANGERED SPECIES category and there are FEDERAL PROTECTIONS and ongoing monitoring programs doing all they can to help out our friends. If you spot one, mark your GPS coordinates, call SCDNR or COAST GUARD on Channel 16 and move slowly away from the whale. They actually put out warnings to freighters coming in if some are in the area. Think the FEDS are kidding about staying at least 500 feet from one, fine $55,000.00. Having so few whales coupled with today’s technology, Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies on Cape Cod ID the magnificent animals from the callosities on their heads. Propeller scares are unique to each incident and those scars are exact identifiable marks. Entanglement in crab and lobster pot lines are not usually good for these animals. They become unable to swim and feed as the lines cut into their bodies. Some have been successfully tracked for weeks with multiple attempts to cut these lines off, sometimes successfully, sometimes NOT! NOAA has ongoing grid flights every 1,000 feet from Florida, Georgia to South Carolina and this allows them to know where our friends are hanging out DUDE. The things you can learn at these programs are excellent for ALL AGES OF DUDES. I’ve seen Grandparents with their Grandchildren enjoying each others company while learning about MOTHER NATURE, some one you really shouldn’t mess with. Maybe we’ll see you at one of these fine upcoming programs. Tell AL, AL & DAVID that you saw them in DUDE.

Spring 2011

HHI Sportfishing Club President, David Harter, SCDNR’s, Dr. Al Segars, USC-B’s, Eric Montie and Coastal Discovery Museum’s, Carlos Chacon

Tuesday, MARCH 8th, AL STOKES from our very own Waddell Mariculture Center will discuss “SHRIMP BIOLOGY AND BUSINESS”. AL’s 33 years of experience being a biologist has him as “the man” when it comes to cultured shrimp. Shrimp is the number one seafood, so we need to learn how to farm this over harvested resource.

Friday, MARCH 18th, DAVID HARTER, president of HHI Sportfishing Club, tour guide at the Waddell Mariculture Center and Glidden paint expert will give you A FISHERMAN’S GUIDE TO LOCAL SEAFOOD RIGHT HERE IN THE LOWCOUNTRY. Were to buy it freshest, what restaurants are best for which seafood and even how to prepare it. Sure to be an enjoyable discussion.

Thursday, APRIL 7th, WAYNE MCFEE, research biologist at NOAA will discuss DOLPHINS, those absolutely amazing marine mammals that strand feed in our local waters with their bottle noses. Also learn about the PYGMY SPERM WHALES and the wealth of information that comes from the pathology of a stranded whale.

Friday, MAY 5th, DAVID HARTER will discuss our VERY SUCCESSFUL SOUTH CAROLINA ARTIFICIAL REEF SYSTEM. David is director of HH Reef Foundation.

Local FISHIN DUDES are so lucky to have these well thought out man made sanctuaries from our friends. Bridge debris, tanks, subway cars, barges and various other objects are providing great habitat for our friends just off our shores.

Friday, MAY 20th, DAVID HARTER will host a program on HIGH TECH FISHING RESEARCH. Amazing technologies are being used to study the health of our local fisheries. Satellite tracking, DNA and micro chip tagging are all ways being implemented to assure the health and continued success of our friends in the ocean.

Thursday, JUNE 8th, SCDNR’s AL SEGARS will discuss in depth the beloved MANATEES. They are in our area and they are forbidden to interacted with.

Come learn about one of GOD’s truly amazing creations. They are so COOL DUDES! THE COASTAL DISCOVERY MUSUEM (843) 689-6767 ext. 223 www.coastaldiscovery.org

15

SIMPLE SPRING AUTO MAINTENANCE

S

by Robert Logan

pring is just around the corner and warmer weather is on the way. What does that mean? It means the beach, sun, fun, friends and ROAD TRIPS. You’ve waited for months, toughing out the cold, looking forward to the day when you can break out the cooler and head out for a day in the sunshine.

Sure, auto maintenance is the last thing on your mind, but it will be the first thing you wish you didn’t put off if you’re on the side of the road. Spend an afternoon on some simple auto maintenance procedures and you’ll thank yourself in the end.

Remember all those leaves that fell all over your freshly raked lawn, then fell again and again... Well, some of those leaves ended up under the hood of your car. You need to pop the hood and take a look because there is a good chance that you’ve got a stash of leaves that have accumulated just under the hood, on top of the air vents that allow fresh air to enter your cabin. Over time, these leaves can really clog things up. This can cause your air conditioning to work harder, your heat to blow slow and overwork your fan. In addition, these leaves stay moist for a long period of time. This can eat away at your paint and cause rust. Most importantly these leaves can break apart into tiny little pieces that fall into the vent and end up in your heater core where they begin to decompose, smell and eventually rot. Not to mention the mold and mildew that’s circulated through your air vents.

Thankfully it is a simple preventative measure to clean off. In most cases you just raise your hood and either vacuum or hand pick the leaves off. This should be done every month or so. As you know, there always seems to be things falling from trees in our neck of the woods.

Now, replace those air filters. The one under the hood, of course and, if your car is equipped with one, the cabin air filter. This filter is usually located behind your glove box. You’d be amazed on how much junk collects in those filters.

Next, you need to check those tires. Spring traveling could mean driving in the rain. The tread on your tires should be adequate for rainy weather or you could end up in a ditch, or worse. Checking the tread depth on your tires takes

16

two minutes. While you’re at it, check the tire pressures, too.

One very important thing you need to do is flush out your coolant system.

The coolant in your vehicle breaks down over time and will start to corrode your radiator and other crucial components. Make sure you use the correct color, coolant is either green or red. Never mix the two, as it turns to sludge and that’s just as bad as not changing it at all. Another tip, you should use distilled water and mix the coolant EXACTLY as it says on the bottle. Remember to always check your coolant level before any road trip and never continue to drive if your vehicle begins to overheat. Pull over and call a tow truck.

Last, grab a buddy, your kid or your neighbor, and have them help you check all your lights. Check your headlights, low and high beams, your turn signals, marker lights, tail lights and brake lights. The last thing you want once you’ve started on your road trip is some crazy person pulling up next to you, arms flailing around trying to tell you that you’ve got something wrong with your vehicle, or worse, a ticket.

Now it’s time to wash, vacuum, wax and getting ready for warm weather, sunshine and fun! (843) 476-7775 kerimarie22@hotmail.com

DUDE PROFILE: Robert Logan is originally from Adel, Georgia and now currently resides in Beaufort, S.C. Rob is 35 years old and is married to wife Keri, they have a daughter Sarah and son Chase. Rob has been employed with Butler Chrysler/Dodge in Beaufort, SC for the past 10 years. Prior to that, his employer was the United States Marine Corps. He enjoys hunting, fishing, playing softball and spending time with family and friends.

Spring 2011

DUDE, If it can handle our wildlife, then.... it surely will handle yours

By Steve Fisher

T

he name is Fisher, STEVE FISHER and I am known to many locals as THE FLOORING DUDE. My lovely wife, Bonnie and I have been on the island for 27 years now and I’ve been in the carpet/flooring business since day 1 on Hilton Head Island.

Carpet has come a long way in our lifetimes. The materials and the properties they possess now are simply amazing DUDE. DUPONT has always been a front runner and innovator in the fiber/carpet business. Their success with their MOHAWK lines of carpets has been pretty spectacular. Well, DUPONT’s 21st century gift to the carpet world is SMARTSTRAND. SMARTSTRAND CARPET actually has built-in stain protection that never wears off!

NEVER DUDE! SmartStrand is a new wave carpet with DuPont Sorona renewably sourced polymer carpet fiber. It will stand up to WILDLIFE! They actually tested it at the Birmingham Zoo with an elephant. That’s right DUDE, and elephant got to spend a week on SmartStrand carpet. I’m sure it felt good on those dirty hooves that apply 3,000 pounds of pressure.

Did you know elephants can suck water through their trunks and spray it all over their bodies before then spreading dirt/dust all over themselves to keep them cool? Can you imagine what that carpet went through DUDE!?

Their was probably more than just water and dirt on that carpet after a week if you know what I mean! This Triexta fibered carpet is truly amazing stuff with Durability second to none and it has Built-In Stain Protection.

Earth Friendliness; 30% less energy to manufacture and 37% of it is made with corn sugars, therefore less petroleum based ingredients. A portion of the proceeds of the sell of this carpet go to help the endanger Black Rhino, which there are only 500 or so left on this earth. www.Rhinos-IRF.org Best of all, it has the Softest Feel out there.

So, if your interested in upgrading your carpet to THE BEST, stop by our new showroom on Island Drive, just off Mathews Drive, Hilton Head Island and let us show you some of this amazing carpet. I’ll be glad to come measure your place and give you a quote. If you have any carpet questions, send them to Harold’s Mailbag and I’ll try to answer a few each issue of DUDE. steve.ftg@hargray.com

Spring 2011

17

17

COME SAIL AWAY BOATING IN BEAUFORT COUNTY

M

any DUDES would argue that we have some of the most pristine coastal/marsh areas any where in the world. DUDES love the water and that means BOATIN. We are going to take a trip through Beaufort County via the intracoastal waterways.

Starting from the North-Northeast and working our way from Beaufort to Hilton Head Island, South-Southwest.

DUDES will want to refer to CHART # s 11519 & 11516 for more details and specifics related to markers and depths. Please remember that tides are pretty extreme throughout our area. Local knowledge and caution are strongly advised.

WINDMILL HARBOR • 843-681-9235 As you cruise underneath the Hilton Head Island bridge, immediately on your port is this beautiful harbor/marina. One of the very few working lock systems in SC, this tide free harbor is plush. Home of the South Carolina Yacht Club, gas and diesel are available as well as some marine supplies, ice and snacks. Laundry, Showers, Pool and Pumping all available with 110 and 220 V. The SC Yacht Club also hosts some of the areas best in SAILING CLASSES and LESSONS for people of all ages.

DATAW ISLAND MARINA • 843-838-8410 Accessed through the St. Helena Sound at the Morgan River. On your starboard side you’ll find Morgan Island and then Coosaw Island. On your port is this neat little stop, Dataw Island, a full blown residential community with club and golf. Floating docks, gas and diesel with 110 V & 220V available. Nearby restaurant available for food and drinks. Laundry and Showers also available, as well as pumping services.

PALMETTO BAY MARINA • 843-785-3910 This beautiful spot has a couple DUDE 5 STAR STOPS; The Black Marlin/Hurricane Bar and Captain Woody’s. Many locals find this a great watering hole. See Captain Megan’s Island Tour’s article for more information. Gas, Diesel, Laundry and Showers are all available with floating docks. Please observe the Broad Creek’s NO WAKE ZONES. All kinds of groceries, supplies, ice and snacks are available with 110 and 220V access.

LADY’S ISLAND MARINA • 843-522-0430 Accessed via the Coosaw River, heading south is the beautiful Beaufort River. On your port side you’ll find this fun little stop. There you’ll find Grouper’s for some seafood and suds. Marine supplies, ice and snacks available, however no fuel is available. Laundry, Showers and Pumping all available.

WEXFORD PLANTATION YACHT HARBOR • 843-686-8813 As you head down Broad Creek, on your starboard side is this ultra-private facility that houses yet another tide free harbor with fully functioning lock system. If you are fortunate enough to have a house and yacht in Wexford, then you already know what this awesome place has to offer.

DOWNTOWN MARINA BEAUFORT • 843-524-4422 ICW Marker #239. Arguably the nicest of the previously mentioned. As you sail underneath the Lady’s Island swing bridge you’ll find on your starboard side this very popular marina located in the heart of downtown Beaufort. Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, home of many festivals, including the Beaufort Water Festival in July. Floating docks with gas and diesel available. Access to all kinds of supplies, shops and restaurants, as well as walking distant to many bed and breakfast spots. Laundry, Showers, Pumping with both 110 and 220 V available. DUDE 5 STAR STOP!

BROAD CREEK MARINA • 843-681-6325 Located on your port side as you pass by Wexford Plantation/starboard, is this quaint little stop that offers quite a bit. Gas, Diesel, Laundry, Showers, Pumping with 110 and 220V, as well as wet slips and dry storage. A great spot to stop in and get refreshed before heading back out on the water is the Up The Creek Pub & Grill.

PORT ROYAL LANDING MARINA • 843-525-6664/800-326-7678 Heading south down the Beaufort River, right as you approach the New Lady’s Island Bridge on your starboard side you’ll find this convenient stop. Floating docks with gas and diesel. Groceries, Marine Supplies and Snacks available with Laundry, Shower and Pumping. 110 and 220V availability.

As you sail south out of the Beaufort River, you’ll cross the entrance to Port Royal Sound and the Broad River. On your starboard you will see the entrance to the Chessessee River, which turns into the Colleton River and then Okatie Creek.

Along this scenic waterway you will find private community accesses of Spring Island, Callawassie Island, Colleton River Plantation, Belfair, Oldfield and Berkeley Hall. Definitely worth the trip, however be extremely cautious around low tides and understand that there is no public marinas or services up this entire river.

SKULL CREEK MARINA • 843-681-8436 Straight across the Broad RIver you will see Hilton Head Island to your port side.

This very functional marina is the first stop coming through Skull Creek. Floating docks, gas and diesel are available. Laundry, Showers, Pumping and limited supplies, including ice are available. 110 and 220V available. Tell Captain Tom Petersen we said, DUH HUH! HILTON HEAD BOATHOUSE • 843-681-2628 Next up on your port side is this great stop. Be careful as you access, it is very shallow at low tide, going in and coming out. Floating docks with gas only. No electrical, no laundry but showers are available. Then why is this place a DUDE 5 STAR STOP? It’s the home of SKULLCREEK BOATHOUSE RESTAURANT. Outdoor cocktails and dining available with some awesome sunsets. Recently taken over by our friends at the SERG group who have stepped this place up and notch. Go see for yourself by sea or land! Marker 13.

HILTON HEAD HARBOUR • 843-681-3256 Just up the intracoastal waterway on your port side is a very convenient stop, especially for gas or diesel. Easy in and out access. This place also seconds as an RV resort so it has Laundry, Showers and Pool available. A pretty fair selection of supplies and sundries also available. Also the home of our friends Linda and Hugh’s Sunset Grill. Another great place you can dine via the water.

18

SHELTER COVE HARBOR & MARINA • 843-842-7001 Located at the end of Broad Creek is one of Hilton Head Island’s true jewels and home of many DUDE 5 STAR STOPS. Gas, Diesel, Laundry, Showers and Pumping all available. Ice, Marine Supplies and Snacks are always available at the Ship’s Store. Dave Harris and Tommy Perkins are at the helm to see that your every need is taken care of dockside including many types of fishing charters and sight seeing tours. Our very own Captain Trent Malphrus charters from here. San Miguel’s, Parrot Cove and The Kingfisher are all great dining spots where you can always find friendly faces, great food and live entertainment. Floating docks with 110 and 220V are available for docking. See Captain Megan’s article for more information on this great place located in the heart of Hilton Head Island.

HARBOUR TOWN YACHT BASIN • 843-671-2704 As you sail out of Broad Creek and head south, you will soon be captivated by the sight of the famed candy stripped lighthouse. This is without question a DUDE 5 STAR STOP. Gas and Diesel are available at the floating dock as well as Ice, Marine Supplies and Snacks. Laundry, Showers and Pumping are available as well. 110 and 220V access as is many great shops and restaurants. The Quarterdeck and Crazy Crab are the “do not miss‘’ spots while you visit this signature spot on the south end of Hilton Head Island.

SOUTH BEACH MARINA • 843-671-6699 At the end of Hilton Head Island lies this tucked away New England style marina on your port side. This closet marina to the ocean offers private and transient dockage. Home of the Salty Dog Cafe and The Wreck, boaters can enjoy marina side dining and cocktails as well as some live entertainment. Boat rentals, water sports, dolphin watch kayak tours are all available as well as fishing charters.

MELROSE LANDING at DAUFUSKIE ISLAND • 843-341-9340 Heading toward Savannah across Calibogue Sound and down the Cooper River is this final stop in Beaufort County. Gas, Diesel, Marine Supplies, Groceries, Ice, Snacks all available with 110 and 220V. MARSHSIDE MAMA’S • 843-785-4755 Not a marina, just a great little hangout just down the river towards Savannah.

Located portside at the county dock is a floating dock you can tie up to and go get you some of their awesome Daufuskie Crab Cakes & other fresh local seafood specialties. You will feel like you’re down in de Carribean mon! IRIE!

Spring 2011

Fun Times on Island Time

by Captain Megan

Aboard! I am Captain W elcome Megan, your private Charter

Captain, as we travel around beautiful Hilton Head Island aboard Island Time Charters to take in breathtaking views and new experiences, as well as making some stops along the way to enjoy all there is that makes our Island so special and why we call it home.

For this issue, we will set off from Broad Creek and cruise around beautiful Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge. For all of you DUDE Magazine outdoor enthusiasts, this is the cruise for you! This relaxing, well-marked waterway called Mackay Creek, winds between Pinckney Island, Corn Island, Big and Little Harry Islands and Buzzard Island. Now, before we embark on our adventure, I would like to share with you a little bit of the rich historical information regarding this 4,053-acre refuge.

According to a number of Internet sources, Pinckney Island is the largest of the aforementioned Islands and the only one open to the public. Close to 70 percent or 2,700 acres of this National Wildlife Refuge is uncharted territory covered in salt marshes and tidal creeks, the perfect habitat for a diverse array of animal life. Pinckney Island NWR was officially established December 4, 1975. In 1736-1936, this land was owned by the Charles Cotesworth Pinckney family and was a cotton plantation. Ancient artifacts from this time period can still be found here today. From 1937-1975, this farmland/plantation was managed as a game preserve. In 1975, this land was donated to the Fish and Wildlife Service. Not only are there numerous types of waterfowl, raptors, deer and alligators, there are also numerous land types such as freshwater ponds, forestland and of course, the beautiful low country salt marshes. If you are a bird watcher, Pinckney Island also has a large concentration of egrets, herons and even the endangered white ibis. Many of my passengers bring their binoculars and cameras to take in this wonderfully beautiful natural wonderland.

I couldn’t be more excited to depart with you on this cruise because it is definitely one of my favorites for wildlife and natural beauty! As we exit Broad Creek, we will take in the beautiful homes of Spanish Wells Plantation and pass the entrance to the May River. You are right—not a bad way to start a cruise! As we approach the bridges, we want to take a left (turn port side) at the split, leaving Pinckney Island on our right. (If you read last month’s DUDE Magazine, you will notice that in the last issue we actually continued straight into Skull Creek and enjoyed the Intracoastal Waterway.) We have now entered Mackay Creek. As we wind around the beautiful islands included in the National Wildlife Refuge, get out your binoculars and cameras, as you are about to see the most beautiful scenery the low country has to offer!

While these islands are surrounded by marsh grass, there are also gorgeous landscapes of white sandy beaches and palm trees, perfect for a soft boat landing. So let’s stop for a while and enjoy some island exploring, catching crabs and the peaceful serenity away from the hustle and bustle of Hilton Head Island. Warning: take caution of the occasional 12-foot plus alligators sunning themselves on those beautiful sandy beaches. Don’t say I didn’t tell you so, (ha ha)! Now as we shove off after an exciting stay on Pickney Island, we will once again enter into Mackay Creek.

Spring 2011

For you water enthusiasts, Mackay Creek is also a great protected spot for your favorite water sports. Enjoy wake boarding, water skiing, tubing and more while you are surrounded by the most spectacular views that Mother Nature has to offer. Then as we continue to the end of Mackay Creek, north bound, you will find yourself coming out into the Port Royal Sound. If you look to the left (port side), you will see in the distance, the entrance to the Colleton River and if you look to the right (starboard side), you will see the north tip of Pinckney Island and in the distance Hilton Head Island. (There are also many beautiful islands in the Port Royal Sound, if you are not finished treasure hunting and island exploring when you leave Pickney Island).

As we complete this nice relaxing nature cruise, we are going to head towards Hilton Head Island and let the Intercoastal Waterway take us back to Skull Creek where we can enjoy a boat drink or two and take in a beautiful sunset at the “Buoy Bar.” But, as I leave you with your feet up and favorite concoction in hand, enjoying a little island music, I encourage you to keep enjoying life and exploring. After all, we have only just begun to take in the sights and sounds of our boating paradise, I guarantee that once you have seen The Island from the water, it will forever change your perspective of the beautiful Low Country. So, let me, Captain Megan and Island Time Charters entertain your senses and take you on the adventure of your choice. We specialize in customized experiences, perfect for friends, families, couples and celebrations and provide the only Charter “Red Carpet Treatment” on the Island. Thus, the only thing you will have to worry about is how much fun you are going to have. What are you waiting for, boating paradise is calling and I look forward to having you aboard!

(Be sure to pick up the next issue of DUDE where Captain Megan will take you on board to travel to another one of her favorite parts of Hilton Head Island and share some of her favorite spots with you.)

For more information please contact Megan at (816) 261-2410, CaptainMegan@IslandTimeChartersHHI.com DUDE PROFILE: Captain Megan (a/k/a Megan McLaughlin) is a United States Coast Guard Licensed 100 Gross Ton Master Captain. She is the owner and Captain of Island Time Charters and definitely loves the outdoor lifestyle! Captain Megan started Island Time Charters because she knows firsthand just how very valuable your time with family and friends can be. With the area having so much to offer, especially from the water, she will be sharing with you many of the Low Country pleasures that can only be experienced on the water and with the intimacy of a private charter.Captain Megan and Island Time Charters is available daily and offers a variety of onthe-water experiences designed to satisfy everyone’s personal desires. Her motto is “Your Day, Your Way!” It is more than just a slogan—your complete enjoyment and safety are her number one priority.

19

FISH BEAUFORT O

President David Harter does a fantastic job of ne thing that makes Beaufort organizing these great monthly get togethers.

County such a great place to live is DUDE, they cover some great fishing topics. the SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY and Over the past months we had the pleasure of DUDE has been shown this by being invited meeting some great DUDES and one is, Jim Pelli to join both great fishing clubs we have right who is without a doubt one of Beaufort County’s here in our own little sea island estuarine best flounder giggers. To say this man is an county. David Harter does a fantastic job every expert Flounder striker is an understatement. month of giving local fishermen and DUDES Jim is a one man show and he showed us how of interest a great way to spend an evening to scan the pluff mud banks at low every second Tuesday of every month with tide and look for the subtle outline and the Hilton Head Island Sportfishing Club and raised mud to spot the target. “Hit Bo Von Harten and Frank Gibson do likewise em right behind the head so you don’t for another great group of locals with Beaufort mess up all the meat!”, exclaims Jim, Sportfishing and Diving Club. We’ll now keep as he showed us one he gigged the you posted each issue of all their previously night before with a perfect strike. A held meetings and what they were about. spot light, SC Saltwater fishing license, You’re sure to learn a lot and if you’re not a small boat, gig and a bucket is all you member, after seeing what great programs need DUDE to bring home some sweet they have, I’m sure you’ll want to join in all the daddy whole flounder to grace your DUDE fun with us. dinner table. Whole fried flounder is Before we look at all the great fun we had HHISC President, David Harter with SCDNR’s, Al Martore hard to beat DUDE. Thanks for all the with both groups over the past few months, great tips Jim, can’t wait to try them out DUDE would like to bring something very this year.

Also at this particular meeting was our good friend, Al Stokes, disturbing to your attention. It has come to our attention that the state legislature SCDNR Agent and manager of our precious Waddell Mariculture Center. of South Carolina has proposed a bill to allow them to access 10% of the fishing Al talked about the very worth while Red Drum restocking program that is license fees for shortfalls in other programs such as jails, entitlements etc. DUDE, ongoing at the mariculture center. These great battlers need our help a lot when you come out and say, buy a SC fishing license because ALL the money more than a bunch of locked goes directly to SCDNR, who is constantly getting their budget cut, many DUDES up criminals, that’s for damn will buy a license whether they even fish or not, knowing they are directly helping sure. The economic impact out our friends at SCDNR and to hear our state government, who continues to of redfishing in our state is chop at our Natural Resource’s budget, wants to put their hand in the cookie jar.... hugh to say the least. Thanks well, THIS JUST AIN’T RIGHT DUDE. Please if you feel the way DUDE and many, for all you guys are doing Al, if not all of the local fishermen of the Lowcountry feel, call, email, personally it is much appreciated every visit or do whatever you have to do to let our local rep. Tom Davis know that this Overall time one of those DUDES bill needs to be killed and not ever brought up again. DUDES care a lot more Youth An take off trying to burn up our about our natural resources than a bunch of criminals in jail. Try helping out drags. our precious wildlife and resources first and cut back on all the country club Another fun meeting we amenities at the jail house. It makes us sick to see jails with internet, TV, state of attended this past winter was the art work out facilities, libraries etc. Cut THEIR budget by taking all that away one where we met, Captain Bill Parker and give them bologna, tang, a piece of bread and a jump rope! who is an old salt who runs a charter, Now let’s get back to all the DUDE fun. First up, the Hilton Head Island “RUNAWAY” off the north end of Hilton Sportfishing Club. What a great group of DUDES we’ve met that gather the second Head. Capt. Bill showed us in detail many Tuesday of every month at the HH Yacht Club down at Palmetto Bay Marina. of the great reef sites and structures we have right off our coast that hold those delicious Sheepshead. Bill schooled us on the correct technique and tackel for catching these crafty little devils. Bake Capt. Bill Parker, Sheepshead Master em whole DUDE, with some Old Bay, garlic, lemon butter and you may very well have to go slap your mama! Oooooowwweee, I garontee they be good DUDE. Also, during this meeting we met Bob Martore from SCDNR and he gave us a kick ass guide to South Carolina’s Marine Artificial Reefs. Thank you SCDNR, money well spent! GPS coordinates of all the great artificial reefs that we are fortunate to have for our friends out there in the ocean. Complete with photos of what the actual structures are; from old barges, remains of the old Broad river bridge, retired military equipment, such as tanks and APC’s and even some subway cars from New York. According to Bob, these seem to have made for the best artificial reefs, as they provide great habitat allowing the fish to swim freely in and out the window areas, while still providing cover from predators.

HING T COUNTY Our first meeting with the Beaufort Sportfishing and Diving Club was a blast to say the least. It seems we hit it just right when Frank Gibson met us at the HHI club and invited us over to the north side of the river for their annual Oyster Roast and Awards ceremony for best anglers of the year. The Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club on the Beaufort River on Lady’s Island is simply one of the most spectacular settings in all of Beaufort County. WOW! See photo of the majestical sunset we were treated to right before the local steamed oyster started hitting the table. We ran in to many old friends we haven’t seen in a while and met many new DUDES that I’m sure we’ll be having fun with in the years to come. A tip of the hat to Port

DUDES enjoying Fresh Lowcountry Steamed Oysters

rall winners from left to right: Certificate winner 10 and under Angler Duncan Gibson. h Angler 16 and under Zack Brown. Female Angler Carol Currin. Male Angler Captain Frank Gibson. Best Recreational Boat, Frog Daddy owned by Bob Currin.

Best Commercial Boat Sea Wolf VI owned by Captain Wally Phinney.

Royal Landing Marina and Beaufort Boat and Dock Supply for helping sell tickets for this great Lowcountry outdoor event. The temperatures and the beer were cold but the oysters and fellowship were as warm as could be. Good eatin DUDES! Once everyone had their fill of fresh local steamed oysters, we all headed inside to meet the anglers of the year for their great “Year Round” ongoing fishing tournament. See the photo of the great mixture of DUDES and DUDETTES that brought home the hardware. Young, old, male, female....that’s what makes fishing so great DUDES! So the next time you’re sitting around wondering what something new and fun you can do every month, check out the great websites of our friends at the Hilton Head Island Sportsfishing Club (www.hhsfc.com) and the Beaufort Sportfishing and Diving Club (www.beaufortfishingclub.com) and come join in all the great DUDE fun. For the Hilton Head club you can contact, our friend David Harter at 843-785-4106/dave@hargray.com and for the Beaufort club contact our friend and club president, Bo Von Harten at 843-812-1722 or Captain Frank Gibson at 843522-2020. Heck, you don’t really even have to fish, just come join in the fun and meet some of the great local DUDES that make this the greatest place to live in the world.

NOW LET’S GO BEND OUR RODS!

The Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club’s Spectacular sunset view

HILTON HEAD REEF FOUNDATION The Hilton Head Reef Foundation fisheries research programs are dedicated to expanding the scientific knowledge of marine species that play significant roles in the socioeconomics of recreational fishing. Its emphases are on studies that are not being conducted by state or federal agencies but are determined to have a direct impact on the success and sustainability of coastal recreational fishing.

Current projects include satellite tagging of Atlantic Coast dolphin fish and cobia and DNA and tagging research for Port Royal Sound cobia and adult red drum. The Foundation also supports and augments red drum and cobia research and stock enhancement projects at the South Carolina Department of Natural Resource’s Waddell Mariculture Center.

Tax deductible donations to the “Friends of Waddell” and local fisheries research can be made through the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry. www.cf-lowcountry.org.

IMPROVE YOUR GAME...

GET CUSTOM FIT

BY RICK BARRY

F

or some, winter is fun, but being a golf pro I only play in the low 70’s and won’t play if it gets any colder. The farmers once said that the end of winter is the last full moon in February, is it here yet?

What is a golf pro to do in the winter?

It is true we go to Florida and it was over 70 degrees and beautiful.

Sad to say it was not all fun and games, but work. I would like to tell you the PGA has a week of the year for our trade show. Everyone that has any interest in golf gets together and tries to sell you what is new for the coming year.

The first day is the best I think, that is demo day. Very much like the one at your club or on Hilton Head at Sea Pines during the Heritage every year, but on steroids. It is at the Orange county range and you can try out every club known to man. You can try every ball, some you’ve never heard of. What I can tell you, is to play good golf, now more than ever, you need to get fitted with the right clubs. I had my driver 910 Titliest fitted for the first time and never has it worked so well. I have not had my wedges or putter done yet, but will soon. After seeing what is being done to help golfers now, it is a must do. After 38 years of being a pro, I’m blown away by the improvement. It is like they just invented a bullet that can’t miss.

Day 2 is inside and you walk for 8 hours, looking at what area that you want to know about. Teaching is my interest and I found the latest in computer, laser and teaching aids. Let me tell you one thing I found, when you go to play golf you connect this device to your cart. It can record everything you say and video everything you look at and record you doing it. It is on a small chip and can be sent anywhere at real time, so if you are having a bad day on the course, your golf pro can correct your swing no matter where you are. It can be activated by cussing into the camera, just kidding.

I will say this, the golf world is not up to speed yet but by what I saw at the show, it will be soon. If your game needs an up to date fix or new equipment fitting, you will find it as helpful as I did. Call me, I can steer you in the right direction.

CONGRATULATIONS RICK!

FROM ALL OF US HERE AT DUDE! THE CAROLINAS PGA PALMER MAPLES, TEACHER OF THE YEAR!

DUDE PROFILE: Rick Barry Head Instructor for The Sea Pines Resort On Hilton Head Isl. for 20 years. PGA Member for over 30 years and a life member of the PGA. Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher 5 years in a row. Top 10 instructor for Golf Digest for the Section for 1O years.

Has appeared on the Golf Channel for several shows.

This year The “Turn”. All About Golf. Tips from the Pros. Conway Golf Info commercial.

Written articles in the Golf Magazine January and May of 2008.

My teaching brings me in contact with golfers of all skill levels and backgrounds. To grow the game my goal is to get people playing and having fun with the game. The learning can be hard for some and with an easy to do and even more fun doing, program, you can have a game for a life time.

I give over 24 hundred lessons a year and see 17 thousand swings on film, so you can say I have seen it all. If your Kevin Costner in Tin Cup or a brand new golfer, DUDE, I can help you. Contact me, Rick Barry: golfhhi@aol.com Sea Pines Resort/Golf (843) 842-8484

Alabama Legend

GOES TO AUBURN AND KICKS ASS! SOUTHPAW FRANK ROLAND GETS R’ DONE DUDE!

C

By Brad McDonald

heck this story out DUDE. DUDE friend and Oldfield neighbor, Frank Roland, one day back in 1956, took his Alabama Crimson tide baseball team to Thomas field and played Auburn and did something pretty amazing DUDE! Seems our boy Frank was ACE pitcher for the TIDE. His record that year at the time of this story was a pretty strong 10-0. Frank is quick to credit his teammates for this perfect record. DUDES only care about the stats, so check my boy Frank’s BAMA records/stats; Single season record of 12 victories, 2 time ALL SEC ’56 & ’57, most complete games in a season 10, best won loss percentage in a season 100% in ’56, this one is my favorite, best won loss pitching percentage in a career 95.5%, Frank went 21-1 between ’55 and ’57, he pitched 61.1 innings in a single season, ERA in ‘56 was 2.35 record, broke it the next year with a sweet ERA of 1.76, Frank also got the most K’s in ’56 with 72 “take a seat son’s”. Frank was an ALL AMERICAN in ’57 and was elected to the Alabama Baseball Team of the Century in ’93.

How does a DUDE do it, you ask? “Walk softly and throw an overpowering fastball!” Frank’s motto and play made him the TIDE’s bread and butter, go to guy for three years. Frank is a lefty and he had a pretty mean curve ball to compliment his fast heat. Frank grew up in Memphis and always wanted to play for the St.Louis Cardinals, with Stan The Man Musial as his hero.

Frank told his coach when the TIDE was heading into a series with Auburn, that he’d rather pitch both games of the double header, than pitch the night

22

before and relieve in one of the two games the next day. The coach, Happy Campbell, allowed BAMA’s ACE to pitch both games of the double header against Auburn and he won them both. First game 6-1 with 6 hits and the second game 4-2 with only 6 hits again. At the end of the day, Frank was 12-0 and when he woke up that morning he was 10-0. Pretty sweet INDEED DUDE! At the end of this great sporting feat, Frank was interviewed by a sports reporter and uttered those words that will live in college baseball infamy, when asked how he felt after such a great pitching expedition, “I’M KIND OF TIRED!” Well said DUDE! Frank, now a retired Sr.VP, lives with his wife Cathy and they have 5 children and 11 grand children which keeps them busy along with all the activities at Oldfield.

Frank has been on top of the world since Alabama won the national championship in college football in 2010, however he kind of looks at me funny now that Auburn had its amazing CAMback against them and then proceeded to get their very own national championship this year. WAR EAGLE IN 2011 DUDE! Sorry bout dat Tideboy! Don’t worry DUDE, the Championship has just moved down the road a bit, it’s still in Sweet Home Alabama!

Spring 2011

Around the Green Philosophy

BY Jon Hundley

M

any people do not realize this, but the tour average for greens hit in regulation is about 65%.

That means about 35% of the time, tour players are trying to get their ball up and down to save par. If you view this on T.V., you might notice that a lofted club is used.

The reason they are using a lofted club is because they are playing a course that has high rough or elevated greens that are extremely fast with a lot of undulation.

They are trying to extract their ball from high grass, land it soft and hope it finds its home somewhere near the hole. This is not the case if you are watching The British Open. There are times when you may witness a player putting his ball from 10-30 yards from the green. A bad putt is usually going to be better than a good chip, especially for the average player who plays once a week and never practices.

the green. It is not difficult to control your distance with a little practice. You want your stroke to move back and through at the same speed.

When chipping the ball, position the ball back of center of your stance with your weight forward. By moving the ball back in your stance and having your weight forward should promote good club to ball contact. If your pace is good in your chip shot, a miss hit chip should not be too far away from the hole.

When pitching the ball over a bunker or over high grass put the ball in the middle of your stance. Use a lofted club and let the loft of the club do the work for you and do not try and help the ball into the air. It is important to open the THE MAGNIFICENT 12th GREEN AT OLDFIELD face before taking your grip and turning your body through the shot. Remember, it is important to look good in this game so finish your pitch shot with style.

If you follow these simple rules, you may shave a few strokes off your game: 1. Putt when you can 2. Chip when you cannot putt 3. Pitch only when you have to When putting from off the green, you may want to try and play the ball back in your stance. By playing the ball back in your stance, the ball will usually hop and bounce over the grass and smooth out by the time it reaches

Spring 2011

DUDE PROFILE: Jon Hundley is A PGA professional, started swinging a Club at age five and hasn’t stopped playing since.

He first discovered his love of golf in his hometown of Danville, VA. He discovered his love of the South Carolina Lowcountry in 1989 and has never left here. In his over 20 years in the field, Jon has served as assistant at Port Royal Golf Club and head golf professional at Wexford Plantation and golf instructor at The Golf Academy of Hilton Head in Sea Pines. He is the founder of the Hilton Head Golf Tour and a 2003 nominee for the Carolina’s Section Professional of the Year Award.

23

The Importance of the Setup

BY Derek Lafferty

I

believe having a correct setup position will lead to great golf shots. We are going to start with ball position. Having the ball positioned in the middle of the stance for irons 5-SW will ensure that when swinging the club, the club will bottom out and impact the ball in the sweet spot of the club. Starting with the club resting on the ground with the center of the bottom of the club resting on the ground. This is having the club soled properly. Position your body in such a way, keeping the club soled and the ball positioned in the middle of your stance for iron shots. Golfers without proper setup will now be taller in their posture over the ball and more of the club face will be involved through impact resulting in shots striking the sweet spot. Striking the sweet spot is ultimately the goal of each shot.

Proper posture and setup is the key to playing your best golf. The next time you are watching golf on television, check to see if the pros are maintaining a sound address position. Practice these tips and visit your local PGA Golf Professional for lessons.

Nice shootin Derek,

6th place overall ranking 2010 Hilton Head Island PGA Player of the Year Points DUDE PROFILE: Derek Lafferty is a PGA Apprentice Golf Professional at the Sanctuary Golf Club. My golf instruction approach comes from being trained in the Professional Golf Management program. I have over ten years experience and I am scheduled for Class A membership in the spring of 2011.

Hometown: Huntington, WV School: Marshall University 1995 B.A. Hobbies: Golf, Extended vacations with my girlfriend Family: Single, Mother and Father live in Huntington, WV - Brother lives in Albuquerque, N.M.

24

1ST ANNUAL SHOOTOUT

at SANCTUARY GOLF CLUB on CAT ISLAND

SUNDAY, MAY 22ND 1PM SHOTGUN

4 DUDES CAPTAIN’S CHOICE (NO HANDICAPS)

“Let’s find out WHO’S DA DUDES are in Beaufort County!”

We’ll have ample brewskis and a cook out afterwards at the Cat Island Grill

LOCK & LOAD DUDES! This for the bragging rights for one year! $75 per man

Includes Golf, Cart Fees and Cook Out afterwards

COME JOIN IN ALL THE FUN AND HELP US RAISE SOME MONEY FOR THE ANIMAL RESCUE AND HUMANE ASSOCIATIONS IN OUR AREA CALL OR EMAIL BRAD MCDONALD TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY! (843) 298-3827 brad@dudesc.com This tournament is limited to 18 teams, first come first serve.

Spring 2011

6OMFBTI ZPVS .64$-&

By Mona Ward

)

A!, got you again (you guys are so easy!)

I’m talking about that mental muscle - the one you should be using to think with.

Every muscle we own needs a fitness routine and the brain is no different.

In fact, in order to get your body muscles fit, you may just need to start with your brain.

Our mind is a powerful tool. We are pretty much guided by our minds.

We can think it, re-think it and make decisions based on those thoughts. We can analyze, rationalize and prioritize.

But what we need to do is get our heads in the game.

If you are lacking in motivation to work out, it may be more about the brain then any other excuse.

It’s time to train the brain.

First let’s get in touch with the body. Quiet the brain and just listen. What is your body telling you? Is it tired, achy, sore? Do you have health issues, bad back or knees? Tackle your first step and make a mental list of where you are physically.

That leads to my second point; get rid of the negatives.

For someone who has bad knees, it would be important to strengthen the quads, glutes and the upper body. This will help take the strain off the knees. Having negative thoughts like “I can’t workout because my knees are in poor shape” only defeats the real need and possible fix for those knees. Visualize what your workout can be and spend a few minutes guiding your mind through the exercises. Keep

positive mental mantras going and by the time you start the exercises it will be as if you already did the workout.

Don’t give yourself choices. It is either do it or don’t! Don’t waffle. When you become indecisive, going back and forth whether you are going to hit the treadmill or not, you build up anxiety and stress and waste time. When you say yes, say YES, when you say no, that’s that!

Schedule yourself in. We put so much effort in getting the appointment to change the oil in the car or an appointment for a haircut but very little effort in our own physical calendar. Make yourself as important as your car!

Lastly, (and you knew I was going to eventually get around to this) think about sex!

Fitness and sex have a definite correlation but not in the way you’re thinking.

It’s more about body image and self-image. When you work out you feel better, you start to look better and that transfers to your confidence. If you feel better, you’re going to have more sex. And talk about endorphins. Working out reduces stress and produces those feel good hormones. That will spill over to the bedroom where you can be stress free with all this newfound confidence.

Don’t forget about the increased energy and stamina from your new fitness routine. The bedroom can be a very aerobic DUDE PROFILE: Ramona Ward playground. Your endurance and stamina Married 23 years to Freddie Ward will have increased and quite possibly your Living in the low-country for 30 years, flexibility. Those workouts will be handy in Bluffton resident 12 years, 3 dogs (all keeping you injury free. adopted and overly adored) So guys, if you are looking for Sports Club Director, Oldfield Club motivation to start a workout program, Personal Trainer and Fitness instructor look no further then the bedroom. People through AFPA who work out have better sex. Those that Enjoys skiing, wakeboarding, cooking, don’t, are out of shape, have a lower sex (eating, Duh!) hopping on the big bike drive and tend to tire out. So next time, and getting out of town. All forms of you look at that treadmill in the corner of crazy activities.

Personal motto- It’s more fun to color your bedroom, think about stimulating outside the lines!!! your MUSCLE(S).

GAME...SET...MATCH! SPRING TIPS

S

By ERIC WAMMOCK

pring is here bringing perfect weather for tennis and it is the time to get back on the courts. You need a plan for restarting your tennis game after a winter break.

The following tips will help you get back into tennis shape both physically and mentally to be better prepared for the season.

As I mention in each article, we DUDES are notorious for turning everything into competition, but we need to be careful not to play matches right away, so we can hone our skills and more importantly, prevent injury. For your first few times back on the courts, schedule a light hit with a friend or tennis pro for no more than an hour. Be sure that this hour includes at least a half-hour of warming up each stroke (for tips on warming up, see my first article in DUDE/Summer 2010). Use the second half of the hour to practice some live-ball placement drills - cross court, down the line, etc. - but be careful to increase the intensity of the workouts slowly, so that you can acclimate your body to new stresses. Practicing patterns of play is key because when you begin to compete, these patterns will show up time and again, but in random bursts. Your improvement in these patterns over a steady practice will prepare you much better than trying to figure them out in a match, when they aren’t seen repetitively.

On the subject of stretching: for the half-percent of DUDES who do stretch, do

not stretch before warming up slowly. You need a sweat going before stretching is safe. In fact, a stretch after the workout is often most effective.

Once you have worked out a few times, you should have built up some strength, stamina and confidence with your game.

One of the most overlooked areas of practicing before you play is increasing confidence in your game! It’s time to play some matches now. When you play your matches, start to take a mental inventory of what is happening during the match. How are you getting your points? Is it because you are playing great or is your opponent making lots of errors. How is your opponent getting his points? Is it because he is making better shots or are you making a load of mistakes. This will not only help you adjust a game plan during the match, but it will also help you know what to practice in between competitions. There is nothing worse than walking off the court after a match and not knowing what happened. For example, if your backhand cross court is letting you down, set up a time with that practice partner and work on it.

Of course, if practice isn’t solving your issues, call me. I can help!

See you DUDES on the courts!

(843) 301-2113 Eric@HiltonHeadIslandTennis.net

DUDE PROFILE: Eric Wammock, USPTA and founder of Hilton Head Island Tennis and Director of Tennis at the Hilton Head Island Beach

and Tennis Resort, has more than 25 years experience in the tennis industry. He was most recently the Head Tennis Professional and Club Manager at the top ranked Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island, where he worked for nearly 17 years. Eric has worked extensively with all age levels and abilities during his professional career, from giving countless people their very first tennis lesson to coaching nationally ranked players. In addition to being the USPTA South Carolina Pro of the Year, Eric has served on the USPTA’s National Education Committee and has a specialist degree in Facility Management, having helped develop the program’s curriculum. As a player, Eric was a college All-American and ITF Satellite Tour player. Eric has played exhibitions with Stan Smith, Tom Gullikson, Brian Gottfried, Johann Kriek, Mikael Pernfors and many more. Eric’s wife, Sheri, of nearly 20 years is the mother of their 3 beautiful daughters, Samantha, Alex and Erica.

Spring 2011

25

FROM THE BAIT

To The Plate BY

BY Chef Chef Gary Gary Williams Williams

I

can’t tell you the excitement I feel welcoming you to edition number three of DUDE magazine. This is so exciting for several reasons. One being the success of the first two editions. Ole Harold and all the DUDE crew have done such an inspiring job with the first and second issues and I know number three is going to knock your bait right off the hook.

That being said, this third copy comes at such a great time of year and season. The spot tail bass and river trout are a little more elusive, which makes it a more challenging catch. Although the water temperature is a little too cold to go skiing, the soft shell crab don’t know it yet nor do the shad from the Savannah River. Those two delicacies are two of my favorite for this time of year.

Following a little history and information on both, I’m going to share a great recipe that is sure to impress anyone at the dinner table lucky enough to be served this savory gift from the sea.

Let’s start with the soft shell crab. The soft shell crab is not an everyday luxury that is its own species, it is a regular blue crab that’s time has come to molt so it can grow a little larger from its original size. This occurs on the individual crab a couple times a year. One being during the beginning of spring around March. Fortunately they are now able to process these crabs in hatcheries or farms. To do so, it takes patience because the crab known as “the peeler” begins to molt after removing it from its environment. It is then sold for consumption. It must be consumed within the first two to three days

Fried Soft Shell Crab 1 med. to large crab (cleaned) 1 TBS old bay seasoning ¼ tsp ground white pepper ¼ cup yellow corn meal 2 whole medium eggs (raw)

Ingredients:

1 ½ cup olive oil ½ tsp granulated garlic ½ cup all purpose flour 1 tsp. table salt ¼ cup milk or half and half

Side Note: The above ingredients can be applied to 4-6 crabs.

Method of Cooking: Combine all dry ingredients in a medium bowl. Pre heat olive oil in a medium size sauté pan at 325 degrees. Combine eggs with milk and whisk until thickened. Place crab in egg batter then in dried mix, place in oil; brown first side for 45-60 seconds. Flip over and do the same to the other side. Turn oil down to 200 degrees and rotate crab another two minutes. Should be nice and brown and crispy. Either place on burger roll with lettuce tomato and onion with tarter sauce or remloude and enjoy!

26

in order for it to be soft enough to eat the whole crab. After a few days the new shell will harden and it then goes back to being a normal blue crab. As a young man I remember catching my first one in a net, when I brought it to the shore, I noticed it was soft and thought it was sick and threw it back. I think you would call that having a Harold moment. Later on, I found out about them and I tried my first one fried on a roll with tarter sauce, lettuce, tomato and onion. Well from that point the rest was history. I’ve since cooked them everyway known to man, what a delight. So the fried soft shell will be the recipe of choice.

Secondly is the shad roe. OMG what a great discovery that item is.

The shad is a very oily and boney fish, however its roe sack is awesome, if prepared properly. The sack is very similar in appearance to a sweetbread, but it is full of zesty little caviar that practically pop in your mouth while eating them. As a chef, I often wonder at times who came up with the idea to throw the first oyster in their mouth, let alone a roe sack from a fish, but all I can say is if a pig can root out a fifty dollar truffle and we can eat that then, the sky is the limit on everything else…(I guess). Anyway I could go on forever about the great gifts of the sea but I’m going to have to space them out copy by copy or else you’ll wind up being as big around as old chef Gary. So I’ll close with these two great ideas for your spring palate and start finding other goodies for the next issue. Remember, keep it fresh from the bait to the plate.

DUDE PROFILE: Gary Williams, Being raised in Beaufort, SC until the age of seventeen, after finishing high school at night and working at my fathers restuarant during the day, I went into the United States Marine Corps in 1977 and finished in 1983, honorably discharged. I grew up on the river in Gray’s Hill just below Seabrook in Beaufort, fishing and shrimping. When I wasn’t cooking at my father’s restuarant, I found that there could be no greater love than my family. After the Marine Corps, I returned to the life of food and beverage starting at the Hotel Continential on Hilton Head for almost four years as Chef Garder Manger. I then became excutive chef of Long Cove Club for almost three years.

On Hilton Head, I opened several other restaurants for other people and then decided I would change my style from being a five star chef in hotels, country clubs and various restaurants, to paper plates, plastic cups, self service and open kitchen. Bingo! The ex-president of the chef’s association no longer wore a tall white hat, but changed it for a ball cap and rubber boots in a fish market at Captain’s Seafood. Running that restaurant set the pace for my future. I enjoyed it greatly because it invovled my wife and young children. Having an open kitchen gave me the opportunity to be able to get to know my customers better. After five and a half years, I opened the Sea Shack.

Having the following that I had, it was an instant success to the point of doing the Rachel Ray Show. After seven years, I moved off Hilton Head and now have the Sea Shanty with my wife and middle daughter, Haley. Hopefully my other two daughters Chelsey and Kaylynn will have their own in the future. When they’re settled into theirs, I think I’ll go fishing to finish my days. What could be better than that!?

Spring 2011

P

reseason, sixteen regular season games, the play-offs, and then what do we have? SUPERBOWL PARTY AT THE BONEYARD! For the eleventh year we celebrated this glorious event with friends, fun and fantastic food. Seventy or so of our friends and family joined my sweetheart wife Ginger and me for an evening to remember.

This year’s party was special. I lost my job back in November. Ginger and I didn’t know if we could pull off this event with the usual flair. Then, by the grace of God, wonderful things happened. I got a great job, the neighborhood football pool donated their entire year end party fund and all of the attendees brought a side dish. DUDE, all things happen for a reason.

Roasted May River oysters, pecan and hickory smoked pork butts and Boneyard Brunswick stew were the main courses.

Our good friend Robert Mosley, a master welder, brought over his hand crafted smoker, nicknamed, ‘Ole Rusty. This smoker has been to Arkansas and back. It’s a good’en.

Starting at daybreak, Robert and I commenced to smoking meat and cooking stew. Let it be known that Super Bowl parties at THE BONEYARD don’t start at kick-off. Hiccup!

Around 3:00 close neighbors arrived for the early kick-off. This is traditionally when we put the finishing touches on preparation and setup.

Sometimes some of us are almost finished before we get started! DUDE you got to know what I mean. Washing four bushels of oysters took a little longer than usual. Super DUDES Matt Miller and Bill Ludwig stepped up to the

plate and finished washing those mudders like pros with a new contract.

We were gifted with seasonal weather. I had fretted for days that I may run out of firewood. We DUDES have to keep the Dudettes warm. When they ain’t happy, then nobody enjoys the game.

Kudos go out to Dudettes Kathleen Heslin, Reenie Mosley, Natalie Miller and Stephanie Ludwig for their wonderful assistance.

With guests arriving faster than the California gold rush at 5:00, it was game on. Terry Deery, the keeper of the gaming boards hadn’t even arrived. When he did show up, you would have never known that we are in a recession!

When the National Anthem was sung (and I use that word loosely) it was a sight to behold. Seventy-five partiers quiet, except for a few that could remember the words better than Christina Aguilera. DUDE! With an even division of fans, the screams and cheers of elation and disappointment were nonstop. All of the vocalization was not game related.

As usual, jokes, gossip, lies and all American BS filled the air.

When someone mentioned to me Black-eyed Peas at halftime, I was sorry to tell them that traditionally I cook them on New Year’s Day. What’s this world coming to?

What a great party. What a great game! I hope your team won. The main ingredient for great parties at THE BONEYARD is good friends. Thanks go to them. Super Bowl LXV was one to remember. boneysbbq@yahoo.com

DUDE PROFILE: Steve Boney is from Blythewood S.C. where he was born and reared. Steve is a well known long time local and lives in Bluffton, SC with his family; wife Ginger and children, Charlotte and Charner.

He is a senior judge with the South Carolina Barbecue Association and can be found judging many of our local cooking festivals. Steve Boney is employed by Grayco of Bluffton. He sells windows, doors and custom millwork.

Spring 2011

27

SILVER DEW WINERY 1953

By Lowcountry Joe

“T

he beach road began about a quarter of a mile from the school. It was a dark and brooding part of the Island, very wild and uninhabited.

Purple and yellow wildflowers grew in profusion. The first time I walked the road I was shocked to find two oddlooking brick structures on a curve in the road. There was a sign on one of the buildings that read SILVER DEW WINERY 1953.” from Pat Conroy’s, The Water is Wide.

You didn’t know Daufuskie Island had a winery….imagine that!….But neither did Pat Conroy as he was taking a walk one day to get a little private time away from the kids. Now if he would have been there just a few years prior, he may have made another entry into his book that may have read something like this.

“Upon approaching the building I was surprised to meet a fine gentleman by the name of Papy Burn. He was a welcoming sort of character with a spirited twinkle in his eye. He offered me a taste of his scuppernong wine and before long I forgot why I was taking a walk in the first place”.

Yes folks…Daufuskie Island has a winery and it just happens to be the first licensed winery in the state of South Carolina. Papy Burn, Keeper of the Bloody Point Lighthouse, had long passed by the time of Conroy’s visit but surely would have been the topic in a chapter of his book. You see….

Papy made wine from anything that would ferment and gave it away to his friends. Why he licensed the winery with the state is still in question but it DUDE PROFILE: Lowcountry Joe Once characterized by Tiger Woods former coach Hank Haney as a “local legend”, Joe Yocius, aka LowCountry Joe, seems to always fit the bill. Truely one of the Lowcountry’s “unique” people, it’s hard to find a dull moment with this guy around. Whether it be “sitting in” at a Hilton Head juke joint blowin’ the blues on his harmonica, offering “tastes” at the historic Silver Dew Winery, or relating personal ghost experiences on his Bloody Point Ghost Tours, LCJoe is the epitomy of a “Daufuskie Dude”. Joe and his lovely Bride Mary of thirty seven (37) years are Owner/Keepers of the CIRCA 1883 Bloody Point Lighthouse.

28

may have been due to the fact he was also the Island’s magistrate and close friends with frequent visitor Strom Thurmond.

Anyone that has ever taken a tour of Daufuskie probably has captured a picture of this fine unique brick structure. It seems to call to you like many National Register of Historic Places Properties do. “The Winery” building was built in 1883 as the base of a tall standing metal lighthouse structure. The Bloody Point Lighthouse three quarters (¾) of a mile out to sea performed as a front light and the Winery building served as a back light. The lights were aligned by mariners and assisted them in entering the Savannah River. The other building mentioned by Conroy was the oil house. Its thick brick walls and dark confines provided a fine place for Papy to age his wine. Pencil markings are still visible to this day.

After purchasing the Bloody Point Lighthouse in 1999, I was approached by Papy’s grandson to purchase the adjacent winery buildings as well. At the time it put a strain on my budget, but I just knew I was destined to own those buildings. That became evident when restoration of the building began and the entire roof structure was found to be beyond repair. Only with high school Shop 101 as a guide, an entire blistering hot Summer was spent on that roof.

Huge timbers from North Carolina were hand cut and pegged. Miraculously, the SILVER DEW WINERY was back to its original 1883 splendor and historic charm.

So now I have a winery building with no wine. That was taken care of in short order as a marketing plan was developed, labels designed and South Carolina wine take out license and Federal trademark obtained. I then contacted Bob Sabatini at Ben Arnold Sunbelt. We chose a fine wine from California that would be labeled “Silver Dew Winery” under my specifications and marketed as a “Commemorative Wine” in honor of Papy. Bob’s professional choice proved “right on” and Silver Medals from Hilton Head’s past Winefest celebrations hang proudly in the winery as a result.

So the next time you are on Daufuskie, search out those two brick structures noted by Conroy “on a curve in the road” and sit a spell. We will spin a few yarns and maybe….just maybe, I will break out my harmonica and blow a few tunes. But one thing is for sure….. prior to your departure we will lift our glasses and give a cordial toast “To Papy”.

(843) 684-4445 joe@lowcountryjoe.com

Spring 2011

HAROLD,

THE LARGEMOUTH BASS would like to THANK his friends at

BLUE WATER SEAFOOD MARKET Hwy 170 in Okatie for all those DELICIOUS FRESH SHRIMP he’s been chowin down on Spring 2011

29

‘Ya Got Trouble. Right Here In…’

By Joe Sweigart

D

o you remember the words sung

by Robert Preston portraying Professor Harold Hill in the 1962 film, ‘The Music Man’?

The professor was a flim-flam man who was trying to swindle the local citizens out of their cash by convincing them they had a big problem that only he could solve.

The problem? Their boys were playing pool.

Instead, he insisted, they should be playing band instruments, which he would supply at a cost, of course. He would also sell them musical instruction and band uniforms.

He never intended to deliver.

It’s similar to what’s going on today with the ‘second-hand smoke’ alarm. Which do you think is more dangerous, secondhand smoke or the smoke from a welder’s torch? I’m guessing most of you will select the welder’s smoke. Yet why is welding not banned?

It’s not banned because the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has set air quality standards, which regulates the safety of the air surrounding a welder’s torch. Lawmakers allow OSHA to do its job rather than ban welding. But when it comes to smoking, only complete bans will suffice for many of the activists.

According to Marcus Aurelius of Minnesota, a non-smoker, secondhand smoke has been proven to be 15 to 25,000 times SAFER than OSHA workplace air quality regulations. Why the double standard? Aurelius suggests that well-financed special interest groups are behind the smoking bans.

Who might that be? Follow the money. Who gains financially? How about the pharmaceutical companies that produce aids to help people stop smoking? You can read Aurelius’ research (there’s a lot of it) on his blog, http://cleanairquality.blogspot.com Of course, big corporations like Johnson & Johnson have highly paid lobbyists. They are very effective. In South Carolina there were four counties and 22 cities with smoke-free laws in 2009 including Beaufort County and the city of Beaufort.

In the current legislative session in Columbia, Rep. Todd Rutherford (D-Columbia) has introduced H.3033, which would implement a statewide smoking ban in public places. The bill allows for exemptions in private homes, cigar stores & manufacturers and private clubs. But that is not the case in some other states. Will SC follow with a total ban?

Places of Refuge

DUDE Publisher Brad McDonald and I recently visited three cigar shops and discussed this issue with them. Mickey Fulton of Tobacco Road, Don Karell of Carolina Cigars and Peaceful Henry are particularly frustrated because premium cigars and pipe tobacco are lumped together with cigarettes.

DUDE PROFILE: Joe ‘the Cigartainer’ Sweigart is the author of the popular book Long Ashes, Baby. Has been in the luxury tobacco industry since 1993. Joe is a Certified Sales Tobacconist by Tobacconist University and an Ambassador for Cigar Rights of America. His company specializes in private label premium cigars and cigar rolling events. You can contact Joe via cell phone 404-441-4438 or email joe@longashesbaby.com

30

These tobacconists and others like them in the county know that while all tobacco contains nicotine, that’s where the similarity stops.

Cigarette smoke is acidic and meant to be inhaled into the lungs where it is absorbed in large quantities.

Alternatively, cigar and pipe smoke are alkaline and not intended to be inhaled into the lungs.

This is the reason why the overwhelming majority of cigar and pipe smokers do not get addicted. There are other major differences between cigarettes and cigars including the sensory responses such as taste, touch and smell.

To learn more about the many nuances of luxury tobacco, I suggest you check out tobacconistuniversity. com. It is a free encyclopedia of information. I further suggest you talk to your local tobacconist who is a tremendous resource.

At your favorite local cigar shop you can ‘smoke the humidor.’ By that I mean you can enjoy one cigar at a time. Try a different Dominican occasionally. On your next visit ask the tobacconist to recommend a Honduran or a Nicaraguan. This will broaden your palette and provide an excellent opportunity to discuss the various taste differences with your fellow aficionados.

Protect Your Freedom to Enjoy Cigars

Until recently, there has been very little organized opposition to the antitobacco movement. Our individual liberties have been slowly eroding. But there is a new sheriff in town, so-to-speak. Cigar Rights of America is a grass-roots organization working with cigar storeowners and their customers to stem the tide.

I encourage you to join the fight by registering at www.cigarrrights.org.

Also please encourage your tobacconist to become a ‘Great American Cigar Shop’ with a Platinum Membership. Together we can continue to enjoy the liberty and pursue our individual happiness by enjoying Long Ashes, Baby!!!

Who would have the guts to tell President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill they can not enjoy their smokes?

FIVE TIPS FOR DUDE’S TO CHOOSE THE PERFECT CIGAR THE LOOK. You don’t want to see heavy veins. Light, thinner veins mean a higher- quality cigar.

THE FEEL. Slightly pinch the cigar with the tips of your fingers and your thumb all the way up and down the entire shaft to make sure there are no hard or soft spots. The cigar should be consistent and slightly spongy.

THE DRAW. After you open and begin to light the cigar, it should draw easily.

THE BURN. If you light the foot 100 percent, it should burn evenly throughout the entire smoke.

THE LONG ASH. It should develop a long ash as your smoke progresses.

LONG ASHES BABY! JOE SWEIGART Joe@cigartainment.com 404-441-4438

Spring 2011

FIRST SATURDAYS

LOW COST PET VACCINE CLINIC EVERY FIRST SATURDAY IN APRIL 2nd & MAY 7th 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

LOCATED IN THE KMART/BI-LO PARKING LOT Beaufort, South Carolina *Rabies *Dog & Cat Booster *Distemper *Bordetella *Microchips

PET ADOPTIONS by MARANATHA FARMS & JASPER ANIMAL RESCUE MISSION Alliance Bloodmobile, Beaufort Memorial Mobile Wellness Center, Demonstrations from Abby Bird & Dog Training Academy

For more information: info@snac1.com or contact; Jean Brown, jean@303associates.com (843) 521-9000

Spring 2011

31

D

THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT & DUDE WATERING HOLE GUIDE

UDES love LIVE ENTERTAINMENT and here you’ll find it every issue.

First up, we’ll look at regional venues and let you know where and when the big names are jammin LIVE. Next, we will have an up to date comprehensive entertainment directory of where you can find it LIVE in Beaufort County. We will break it down for you by geographic areas; Hilton Head Island, Bluffton and Beaufort. If you see something or someplace we’ve left out, please send us an email or give us a call and we’ll get it in the next issue.

Located no more than a couple hours up the road is the NORTH CHARLESTON COLISEUM & THE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER. These great venues have a nice variety of live events this Spring. Friday, March 11th, 7:30pm Wha.O Wha.O, it’s BRIAN TROCH country duo sensation, SUGARLAND. Thursday - Sunday, March 12th-15th, 2 shows per day, it’s the Algerian CIRQUE DU SOLEIL. Saturday, April 2nd, 7:30pm, Deadheads rise up, it’s FURTHER with PHIL LESH & BOB WEIR. Thursday, April 21st, it’s the ever popular family favorite, TRANS SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA and finally at the PAC on Tuesday, April 19th, THE STEVE MILLER BAND with GREG ALLMAN. Hopefully Greg won’t be too hammered to perform like the last time we saw him with Skynyrd in Savannah.

Speaking of the Savannah Civic Center, they struggle to get big names as most big names choose Charleston or Jacksonville, however on Palm Sunday, April 17th it’s country stud, TIM McGRAW with LUKE BYRAN. Located a few hours down the road is JACKSONVILLE VETERANS MEMORIAL ARENA. This Spring they are delivering some great shows; Ash Wednesday, March 9th at 7pm, it’s bad boy, KID ROCK with his “BORN FREE” tour and special guest JAMEY JOHNSON. Saturday, March 12, 7:30pm, Wha.O Wha.O again, it’s SUGARLAND. Thursday, May 19th, 7pm, THIRD DAY rocks the house and finally, country girls get ready on Friday, June 17th it’s pretty boy, KEITH URBAN with cowstud, JAKE OWEN. DUDE, if you want to see some beautiful country girls, I would suggest making that show.

The COLONIAL LIFE ARENA on the campus of the University of South Carolina has a few shows worth mentioning; Friday, April 29th, 8pm, PATTI LABELLE & KENNY G, Sunday, May 1st, it’s da man that may be able to dance better than Michael Jackson, USHER IS IN THE HOUSE and finally, Thursday, May 19th, 7pm, country boy KENNY CHESNEY will be jammin mon.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND SEA PINES RESORT THE QUARTERDECK (843) 671-2224 Located under the candy stripped lighthouse in Harbor Town Yacht Basin. Live entertainment around one of the best sunsets on the island.

HARBOURSIDE CAFE (843) 842-1444 Located just outside the Crazy Crab, this cool little outdoor spot is a great place to chill and enjoy some live local entertainers.

THE SALTY DOG CAFE (843) 671-2233 Located in South Beach Marina. Great for outdoor evening cocktails and local live guitarists, Dave Kemmerly and Bruce Crichton playing most nights.

COLIGNY BEACH AREA POOL BAR JIM’S (843) 842-3932 www.poolbarjims.com Located oceanside at The Marriot’s Grand Ocean Resort. Long time local and friend Jim Lisenby makes simply the best fresh fruit frozen drinks in Beaufort County.

HINCHEY’S CHICAGO BAR & GRILL (843) 6868-5959 New location in the Metropolitan Hotel on South Forest Beach Drive. Great line up on entertainment!

Check them out on Facebook.

THE TIKI HUT (843) 785-5126 Located at the Holiday Inn Oceanfront, South Forest Beach Drive. Beachside cold beverages, cool live local tunes, beach volleyball and plenty of hot bikini babes.

32

THE BEACH MARKET DANIEL’S (843) 341-9379 A very cool new spot. Great new upscale feel with a great wine bar, outdoor seatings with some cool eurotech tunes.

COLIGNY PLAZA BY THE SEA The BIG BAMBOO CAFE (843) 686-3443 Our friend, Tristan usually has a pretty good line up of live tunes; Live Reggae by Patwa, The Beagles (Beatles tribute band) and locals Jack Jones and Angie Aparo jammin in to the wee hours.

STEAMERS SEAFOOD (843) 785-2070 They usually have someone playing guitar on the outdoor patio most evenings in the summer.

SKILLETS CAFE (843) 785-3131 Our long time friend, Amie has local talent such as David Wingo & Tim Malchak playing on weekends and a great Sunday Brunch.

THE FROSTY FROG (843) 686-FROG A GREAT daiquiri bar DUDES. They always have cool tunes playing.

JAVA JOE’S (843) 686-5282 Great fresh beans and Wednesday Local artists jam “Open Mic” night is a late night blast. Get all jacked up and enjoy some of the island’s best talent.

POPE AVENUE MURPHY’S IRISH PUB (843) 842-3448 Serving from 2pm...Brilliant!

AUNT CHILADA’S EASY STREET CAFE (843) 785-7700 Long time friend and islander, David Reilley has a great restaurant bar that has a most comfortable feel to it. A great local watering hole.

THE WILD WING CAFE (843) 785-9464 Located in the Bi-Lo Center. Diane and Cecil Crowley started this great regional chain hangout right here on the island. Their promotions say it all, Cold Beer, Hot Wings and Good Times. Great Live entertainment spot.

L WOOD’S Local Pub and Eatery (843) 785-3669 New location beside Aunt Chilada’s.

Good food, great BBQ, Cold brews and locals hangout!

HILTON HEAD PLAZA, aka “THE BARMUDA TRIANGLE” JUMP AND PHIL’S BAR & GRILL (843) 785-9070 Long time friends and islanders, Jumpy and Phil have one of the great local islander watering holes. Green Bay Packers headquarters DUDES! REILLEY’S (843) 842-4414 One of the island’s original bars. Reilley’s is the epitome of the Irish Pub. THE LODGE BEER & GROWLER BAR (843) 842-8966 Your premier BEER BAR with 36 rotating craft taps (available to go) and more than 100 bottled beers. Pool Tables & Darts! Burgers, dogs and fries available.

ONE HOT MAMA’S AMERICAN GRILL (843) 682-6262 BBQ at its finest. DJ rocks MAMA’S every Friday and Saturday nights.

CORKS WINE CO. (843) 815-5168 Publix Center next to Staples. Neighborhood Wine Bar. Monday-Saturday Open at 4pm. Occasional LIVE MUSIC on the weekends. Good eats, Great wine!

(LOCATED BEHIND CVS @ POPE AVE) THE DRYDOCK (843) 842-9775 long time friends Rob, Rich, Pete and John have a great, stop in any time for a cold one place. Live Entertainment most weekends, so check with them to see who’s jammin the deck at the dock. Sundays BBQ & Band starts around 3 pm. See ad this issue.

PARK PLAZA KANALEY’S PUB (843) 683-0194 Just before the entrance to Sea Pines Resort with a great Irish flare & great music, big band Saturdays and karaoke.

THE MELLOW MUSHROOM (843) 686-2474 Great bar, great fresh pizza and usually some cool tunes playing.

THE ELECTRIC PIANO (843) 785-KEYS Late evening, piano bar with great drinks and great pianists playing requests. Every Friday is Ladies Night, with our homeboys, THE SIMPSON BROTHERS. Every Saturday night come jam with THE GROOVETONES! NEW ORLEANS ROAD BISTRO MEZZALUNA (843) 842-5011 Located in Fountain Center behind McDonald’s.

They are hosting some great Live Dance music from local bands such as TARGET. Tapas & Wine Bar. Now open on Sundays CALLAHAN’S SPORTS BAR & DELUXE GRILL (843) 686-POOL CASEY’S SPORTS BAR & GRILL (843) 785-2255 Say hello to our good friend, Valenda Fisher as she’s one of Woody’s finest assests.

Spring 2011

LOCAL ROCKER, BRIAN TROCH AND SHOOTING HEMLOCK MAKE THEIR MARK THE BIG GREEN MONSTER IS ALIVE!

By Brad McDonald

W

Bass player Jimmy Puma to make the e have always been amazed song writing process easier. While at the local talent we have Brian lived there he got a lead roll in right here in Beaufort County, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR playing so we thought we’d add a new piece the part of ANAS. Well, SHOOTING to our THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT HEMLOCK had come in to being. As section and it will feature a DUDE or the playing live gigs ran there course, DUDETTE that is worthy of our DUDE the guys stayed in touch and the new pages. If you know of someone you age of music was upon them. think is DUDE worthy, please give us SHOOTING HEMLOCK’s studio a call or email and we will consider collaboration the BIG GREEN MONSTER them for future issues of DUDE. is a great piece of progressive metal Now let’s meet one ROCKING DUDE, rock. Not for you laid back DUDES, but BRIAN TROCH. for those that like to rock, they salute DUDE met Brain when ISLAND you with this great collaborative studio CAR WASH came on board as a piece. BIG GREEN MONSTER was DUDE advertiser last issue. Brian’s recorded at ROOM 9 FROM OUTER family owns Bell Fuels, which owns SPACE in south Boston. Soon to Island Car Wash. The new spectacular follow is the release COLOR SPACKLED one on the south end of Hilton Head EMPTY, which is already in the can and Island and the one in front of Katie will be available in the very near future.

O’Donald’s and Food Lion in Bluffton.

Brian Troch, Joe Stump, Jeff Tortora & Jimmy Puma Right now the band is working on the Great places to get your vehicle looking third release with a working title of WELCOME good DUDE. The one on Hilton Head Island is TO MY MIND. Now that they all live in different 22 years in business and the one in Bluffton is parts of the country the recording process has 12 years in business, so they must know what changed and they are able to record their tracks they are doing DUDE. Check out their ad every separately and shuttle them back and forth. The issue and give them a try if you’re not already a new stuff is a little more main stream but still satisfied customer. You’ll always be able to find rockin and after listening to it, I realized that I a printed copy of DUDE in their waiting areas. was old and it was truly amazing that all of the Brian, now married to Tammy Smith Troch pre production work was done by sending parts with three children; Cassie, Michael and Parker. to each other, as well as all the final tracking, He started rockin when he was 14 years old back each cutting his part and adding it and Tah Dah, in Chicago at the infamous Thirsty Whale. Seems there you have it, a band with a CD that doesn’t this DUDE has some serious pipes and can sing really get together and play. Pretty cool stuff and hit those hard rock, metal, progressive rock DUDE.!!!!!!!!!!!! notes. He grew up in the days of vinyl and really How can this work one would imagine, well dug soul and blues, which is surprising for a it’s through the brilliance and vision of Brian young white DUDE in those days. Somehow or Troch himself and Lloyd Freeze, Jeffery Swanson another, he was always approached by hard rock of DARK STAR RECORDS. Enter Munsee of bands and in the mid 80’s he joined a band called Skateboard Marketing out of New York City, HAMMERON. They put out the EP “Nothin To Do providing the vital marketing needed for this But Rock! Some of you older DUDES out there type of campaign. Munsee states that, “The CD remember the 80’s and it was a great decade for is being played by stations that lean more mainstream and those that lean heavy, music in general. Rock and roll was alive and well and Brian was starting to find so it has great crossover capabilities.” The CD/Download is available at WWW. his nitch in the market. As his talents and maturity grew, he joined a new band ITUNES.COM and at WWW.DARKSTARRECORDS.COM. You can get a physical in the 90’s called CYCLONE TEMPLE. Soon they got a record deal with Sony CD OR DOWNLOAD at WWW.AMAZON.COM and about 450 download points Records and appeared on MTV’s Headbangers Ball with the MTV video “Words WORLDWIDE!!! and if you really want to enjoy some great video then check out Are Just Words”. Brian grins when he says “You can see some of our old stuff SHOOTING HEMLOCK at WWW.MYPSACE.COM/SHOOTINHEMLOCK. Very soon, now on You Tube.”

SHOOTING HEMLOCK WILL BE OPENING THEIR ONLINE MERCHANDISE STORE Well by now, Brian knew he was for sure a rocker and that it was time to WHICH WILL BE AVAILABLE ON WWW.DARKSTARRECORDS.COM take it to the next level. Brian then got a phone call from music attorney and Our new DUDE friend, Brian wanted us to know that the BIG GREEN MONSTER manager Brad Keene from Boston, it seemed that Brain’s reputation had earned debuted at #30 in the Top 100 on the CMJ CHART, the national college music the recognition of one Dave Chastain, a guitar virtuoso and record label owner. network. The nationwide push on the mainstream rock stations began on FEB. 14, It was he who brought Brian to the attention of Mr. Keene, after the feelers were so all you DUDES CAN HELP BY REQUESTING SHOOTING HEMLOCK ON 106.1 put out to replace Joey Belladonna, the former front man of ANTHRAX. So Brian AND 106.9, as well as all of the COLLEGE STATIONS IN OUR AREA. Those young was flown to Boston for a tryout and it was an instant fit. This is where Brian head bangers must like what they are hearing as the BIG GREEN MONSTER is now met, Joe Stump, Jim Puma and Jeff Tortora, who plays now with the BLUE MAN up to #6. We particularly like...LOOKING FOR A LITTLE PAYBACK! (my personal GROUP in Vegas. They hooked up and did some rehearsals for about 4 months favorite). Check em out DUDES and remember when your car or truck is looking (Brian flew back and forth from Chicago to Boston, all expenses paid of course!!) less than DUDE worthy, swing in to one of the two ISLAND CAR WASH locations Brian then realized he had to move to Boston and it was then that they went into and get your vehicle tightened up. If you happen to stop by the Bluffton location, the recording studio. The magic was obvious and they went on to play big gigs ask for Brian and he’ll hook you up with a copy of the BIG GREEN MONSTER, in the late 90’s (all 5 to 6 thousand seat venues!). Brain laughs when he says, the first of many to come collaborations from SHOOTING HEMLOCK. ROCK ON “Can you believe we used to play to crowds of 5,000 headbangers?” Brian then DUDES! moved to Syracuse, NY, to be in the same hometown as drummer Jeff Tortora and

Spring 2011

33

HILTON HEAD ISLAND NORTH-END CHEAP SEATS TAVERN (843) 689-2202 New spot on Mathews Drive. Rob and Brian Hummel’s brain child run by Jake Veldran and Pat Delello. 10 flat screens.

STREET MEET TAVERN (843) 842-2570 Located in Port Royal Plaza beside Reilley’s North. This is Cleveland Brownie and OSU Buckeye headquarters. Best Hot Dog Award and a Fish Fry every Friday night.

REILLEY’S NORTH (843) 681-4153 The legendary island’s favorite Irish Pubs north end version.

HILTON HEAD COMEDY CLUB (843) 681-7757 Pineland Shopping Center.

Showtimes Tuesday-Sunday 8pm.

THE GROOVETONES

HINOKI JAPANESE RESTAURANT & SUSHI BAR (843) 785-9800 The BEST sushi bar in all of Beaufort County.

CHARLIE’S L’ETOILE VERTE (843) 785-9277 DUDES, our long time friend and HHI legend, Jeff Mix is now behind the bar, so go in and eat in bar and let Jeff serve you up some of the Island’s best French cuisine. If you’ve never been to Charlie’s you don’t know what you’re missing.

THE VILLAGE AT WEXFORD THE JAZZ CORNER (843) 842-8620 Live Jazz is hard to beat and they serve it up 7 days a week. Locals Earl Williams and Lavon Stevens frequent this hot spot with world class jazz artists.

BRITISH OPEN PUB (843) 686-6736 Long time friend and islander, Damian Hayes has one sweet British Open Golf Pub. A great DUDE watering hole along with wonderful prime rib and lobstahs!

WINE TIMES IV (843) 341-9463 Wine by the taste, 1/2 glass, full glass or bottle. Tapas and more!

SHELTER COVE & PALMETTO DUNES SANTE FE CAFE (843) 785-3838 Fantastic southwestern style cantina. Located upstairs is one of the coolest outdoor bars on the island. Great wine selection. They usually have a live guitar playing on the deck.

XO LOUNGE (843) 341-8080 Located in Palmetto Dunes inside the Hilton Oceanfront Resort, a new upper scale lounge with live entertainment most evenings.

SHELTER COVE HARBOUR SAN MIGUEL’S (843) 842-4555 Mexican On The Marina. Fabulous outdoor harbor side bar with live entertainment most evenings. Our long time friends, Maryann and Scott with help from Hot Mama Kim do a great job! The Islands BEST MARGARITAS! PARROT COVE GRILL & BAR (843) 341-3500 Located in Harbourside II. If you’re a Parrothead, never fear, Jimmy always has Jimmy Buffet playing, suck down some cold brews and see how many pounds of crab legs you can eat. The covered outdoor seating is most enjoyable in the warm spring months and Jimmy has it LIVE, 7 nights a week. See ad this issue.

PALMETTO BAY ROAD THEE DIAMOND CLUB (843) 842-2999 Located on Dunnagans Alley behind Island Tire is Beaufort County’s only T-bar. DUDES there is no substitute for skin and poles!

BEACH BREAK GRILL (843) 785-2466. This cool little spot is run by long time local, Stefan. The quaint atmosphere is great at this little untamed seafood. They serve up live music most evenings on the weekends.

SMOKEHOUSE (843) 842-4227 Award winning smoked BBQ and they have a nice stage set up in the bar for live music Thursday-Saturday starting at 9:30pm. 15 TV’s.

THE NEW REMY’S BAR & GRILL (Just down Arrow Road) (843) 842-3800 www. remysbarandgrill.com and Remy’s Bar on Facebook. Located in the old Palm Club. Not many people deliver LIVE MUSIC 7 NIGHTS A WEEK! This new location is awesome DUDES! Roy will always be serving up his famous “Meat and 3” homecooked lunches.

OH! and BIG DUDE CONGRATULATIONS to BECKY & ROY who are tying the knot this Spring in Paris!

PALMETTO BAY MARINA BLACK MARLIN HURRICANE BAR (843) 785-4950 is a waterside bar that has very comfortable outdoor seating with fantastic cuisine in a Key West type atmosphere. Weekend Brunch.

CAPTAIN WOODY’S BAR & GRILL (843) 785-2400 Many locals find this place for Happy Hour. Russell & Shannon Wright have great outdoor seating mingled in with the Hurricane Bar.

34

MAIN STREET FRANKIE BONES RESTAURANT & LOUNGE (843) 682-4455 Tiki Drink Menu.

DUDES, 3 words...THE VOLCANO BOWL. Order one and then call a cab. Great martinis as well.

WISEGUYS (843) 842-8866 Located next to each other are these two great SERG places for fine wine and cuisine.

MAINSTREET CAFE & PUB (843) 689-3999 One of our favorite DUDES on the island, the infamous “ BIG MURPH” runs the bar and not only will you find a great dining menu, you’ll find some great live entertainment most weekends. Tell John and Bill we said hello and jump on some of those ALL YOU CAN EAT CRABLEGS! DOWN SQUIRE POPE ROAD SKULL CREEK BOATHOUSE (843) 681-3663 One of HHI’s true gems for DUDES to dine inside or outside and enjoy their spectacular sunset views. They occasionally have live entertainment on the outdoor deck. If it’s fresh seafood and sunset you crave, DUDE this is the place! Look for BIG STEVE FLANNERY directing traffic. He’s a DUDE!

BLUFFTON BRITISH OPEN PUB (New Location) Sheridan Park beside Sonic (843) 705-4005 KATIE O’DONALD’S (843) 815-5555 Bluffton does have a great Irish Pub and this is it DUDES. Our long time friend “Big Don” runs the show and many locals find it as a great watering hole. Fantastic place for lunch and dinner in Kitties Crossing.......one word DUDES....GUINNESS! See ad this issue.

WILD WING CAFE (843) 837-9453 Located beside Golden Corral. Pretty much the same deal as the HHI wing, just a bit newer. Good variety of live entertainment most weekends.

PEPPER’S PORCH (843) 757-2295 Located on May River Road, Dining indoors with a great outdoor party spot complete with an outdoor bar. Voted 2009 Best Top Ten Beer Gardens.

POUR RICHARD’S (843) 757-1999 Buckwalter Parkway. Our long time friend, Richard has opened his own place. Tuesday -Sunday Opens at 3pm.

MONTANA’S RESTAURANT & GRIZZLY BAR (843)-815-BEAR Great beautiful bar with multiple TV’s. Great steaks, ribs and a killer Sunday Brunch.

CAPTAIN WOODY’S (843) 757-6222 Located in the promenade, Russell & Shannon Wright’s second Capt. Woody’s. Great bar inside and an upstairs with an outdoor deck.

Live entertainment upstairs on the deck. Tim Malchak and our homie, Jim Davidson.

OLD TOWN DISPENSARY (843) 837-1893 Cool new spot at 15 Captain’s Cove.

Monday-Saturday Open at noon. Tapas at 5pm.

9 PROMENADE (843) Bluffton’s Hottest Martini Lounge & Bar. Tuesday-Saturday.

Opens at 4pm. Tell Freddie we said hello!

CORKS WINE CO. (843) 815-5168 Located in the Promenade. Monday-Saturday Open at 4pm. Good food, Great wine!

JOCK’S SPORTS BAR & GRILLE (843) 815-7474 Located on Baylor Dr. in the Publix center behind the Island Packet, where DUDE is proudly printed by the way.

OKATIE BRITISH OPEN PUB II (843) 705-4005 Our long time friend, Damian Hayes’ second BOP. Located inside the gates of Sun City. A great DUDE watering hole along with wonderful prime rib and lobstahs! Sun City DUDES can go there in their golf carts. Live Entertainment on weekends.

OKATIE ALE HOUSE (843) 706-2537 Located outside the back gate to Sun City. Nice indoor and outdoor bars. Live entertainment on weekends on the back deck.

FULL MOON SALOON/SUNSET PIZZERIA (843) 987-1600 Located on Hwy 170.

Great bar with great fresh made pies! Been know to have Karaoke on occasion.

DIANE’S PUB and GRILL (843) 645-BEER Located at the end of Argent Road behind Wal-Mart. A place where everyone knows your name. Great food and Friday Karaoke that is a HOOT! THE SEA SHANTY (843) 645-0918 Located next to the Shell station across from Oldfield. It’s simple, local friend Chef Gary Williams cranks out the best fresh seafood you ever ate on any plate. Tell Kelly, Katlynn, Chelsea and owner Haley that Harold sent you. COLD BEER is available DUDES.

Spring 2011

THE BACK PORCH GRILL (843) 525-9824 Landing Drive, Port Royal Marina.

Great Marina watering hole.

DOCKSIDE (843) 524-7443 Located at the end of 11 Street in the town of Port Royal.

This active Seafood Market, with a fleet of local Shrimp boats, is one of the little hidden gems in Beaufort county.

GREAT FRESH LOCAL SEAFOOD DUDES, need we say more. They have a great watering hole bar with a fantastic shrimp boat, waterfront marsh view to boot!

CAROLINA WINGS (843) 379-5959 Located in plaza at Port Royal light. Great sport bar environment. Many TV’s, great saddle up bar and obviously AWESOME WINGS DUDE!

Lavon Stevens, Chris Russell, Earl Williams & Co. play a tribute to the loss of our good friend ZSA ZSA on the outdoor deck at Sante Fe

BEAUFORT Across the Broad River is HISTORIC BEAUFORT and a lot of the entertainment on this side comes in the form of festivals, concert series, etc. A schedule compliments the great www.beaufortchamber.org is where you can see the local calendar of events. Contact THE BOOGIEMAN if we need to correct, change or add anything.

DOWNTOWN BEAUFORT LUTHER’S RARE & WELL DONE (843) 521-1888 Michael Stavac/Proprietor 910 Bay Street Overlooking Waterfront Park, great for burger and beers.

LIVE MUSIC Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

NIPPY’S (843) 379-8555 310 West Street, LIVE MUSIC every Thursday and Friday night 6-8:30 pm PLUMS (843) 525-1946 904 Bay Street Overlooking Waterfront Park LIVE MUSIC some Thursdays, but every Friday and Saturday.

SALTUS (843) 379-3474 802 Bay Street Overlooking Waterfront Park Friday Night LIVE – LIVE MUSIC beginning at 8:30pm.

PANINI’S (843) 379-0300 926 Bay Street LIVE MUSIC Saturdays.

WRENS (843) 524-9463 210 Carteret Street Occasional entertainment.

BREAKWATER RESTAURANT & BAR (843) 379-0052 203 Carteret Street

Spring 2011

HEMINGWAY’S (843) 521-4480 920 Bay Street Just simply one of the coolest DUDE watering holes around. DUDE, finding it is half the fun!

EMILY’S TAPAS BAR (843) 522-1866 906 Port Republic St. ROBERT SMALLS PARKWAY SAND BAR & GRILL (843) 524-FOOD (3663) This is a COOL NEW SPOT DUDE, located next to the movie theatre in Beaufort Plaza. Great friendly staff. Great Village Inn style Pizzas, Burgers, Wings and Beer!

Before or after the movie. $1 OFF during HAPPY HOUR Monday-Friday 4-7pm BOUNDARY STREET ROSIE O’GRADY’S (843) 379-7676 2127 Boundary Street/Beaufort Town Center DUDE friends, Michael & Leslie Pressley have one of the coolest watering holes. KARAOKE Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays, if there is not a live band playing most Saturdays. The best buffalo shrimp and fried chicken livers this side of the Broad river. See ad this issue.

RIBAUT ROAD TO PORT ROYAL AMF RIBAUT LANES (843) 524-3111 1140 Ribaut Road The DUDE has got to drink beer and bowl.

Not sure if they have white russians or not DUDE. KEITH’S PLACE (843) 521-9345 1340 Ribaut Road, Port Royal COLD BEER & POOL DUDES! COWBOYS & INDIANS (843) 322-9957 1351 B Ribaut Road, Port Royal Country Music and Pool.

LADY’S & ST. HELENA ISLANDS THE FILLIN STATION (843) 522-0230 Sea Island Parkway It is what it is, a DUDE watering hole.

SANCTUARY GOLF CLUB, CAT ISLAND GRILL & PUB 843-524-4653 See longtime friend Chef Tom for fantastic burgers, sandwiches and your favorite DUDE cocktails after golf or tennis, as you overlook the 18th hole!

Sunday Brunch is a MUST! See ad this issue.

STEAMER OYSTER & STEAKHOUSE (843) 522-0210 Sea Island Parkway just through the first light on Lady’s Island.

WEEZIE’S CRAB SHACK (843) 838-2197 1634 Sea Island Parkway, St.Helena Island Open Mic on Wednesday and LIVE ON FRIDAYS. FOOLISH FROG (843) 838-9300 846 Sea Island Parkway, St Helena Island Entertainment/Jam sessions on Tuesdays.

BOONDOCKS (843) 838-0821 Sea Island Parkway, St. Helena Island Occasional LIVE MUSIC on Fridays and Saturdays.

Joshua Foxx has been spotted jamming there.

JOHNSON CREEK TAVERN (843) 838-4166 Our long time friend, Jay Lloyd is the owner of the GREAT BAR & EATERY! Sea Island Parkway..way out towards Fripp Island, on the left just before the bridge..

COOL sea island watering hole with GREAT VIEW and the freshest seafood around.

Make sure you say hello to our friend, Captain E. Normus Johnson!

ROCK ON BEAUFORT COUNTY! If we’ve left some place out or have some wrong information please contact BRAD at brad@dudesc.com for Hilton Head Island and Bluffton and contact THE BOOGIEMAN for Beaufort at realestate1john@aol.com 35

Dear Harold, Have you ever wondered why DUDES prefer Guns over Women? To prove my point here are the Top 10 reasons why; #10 You can trade an old 44 for a new 22. #9 You can keep one gun at home and have another for when you’re on the road. #8 If you admire a friend’s gun tell him so, he will probably let you try it out a few times. #7 Your primary gun doesn’t mind if you keep another gun for a backup. #6 Your gun will stay with you even if you run out of ammo. #5 A gun doesn’t take up a lot of closet space. #4 Guns function normally every day of the month. #3 A gun doesn’t ask, “Do these new grips make me look fat?” #2 A gun doesn’t mind if you go to sleep after you use it. AND the #1 reason why DUDES prefer Guns over Women...You can buy a silencer for a gun!

Signed Colt Winchester Dear CW, Some very good points indeed. I do know a few DUDES however that have traded their 44 year old woman in for a 22 year old woman. Well I guess if you have a gun, technically, YOU DO HAVE A SILENCER FOR A WOMAN! Just kidding of course, DUDES couldn’t survive without DUDETTES. Harold Dear Harold, Did you know that Benjamin Franklin was the first person to fry a turkey?

Ole Ben was considered to be “a culinary pioneer of fried turkey.” I guess not only did he invent/discover electricity but he brought us Southerners/Rednecks/ DUDES a great way to cook a turkey. No wonder he wanted the Wild Turkey to be our National Bird! It’s hard to beat a deep fried turkey DUDE! Signed, Bob Mahonker Dear BM, Ben Franklin was a DUDE for sure. DUDES back in those days knew how to party. I recall from reading a book about Ben that he and his Free Mason buddies used to have “parties of pleasure” if you know what I mean, down on the banks of the river.

As Ben and the boys got tightened up ready for the DUDETTES to come rolling in, they would kill the turkeys by electrical shock via some batteries they had linked up and then fried em up! Ben and his DUDES noted that this process made the turkeys, “UNCOMMONLY TENDER!” There were accounts of Ben actually getting knocked damn near unconscious by administering the deadly electrical shock to the turkeys. Talk about getting all jacked up DUDE! Go ahead Ben! Harold Dear Harold, Do you know what a Piedmont Papermouth is? This is a test to prove whether you are a fish or not. I’m not sure I believe a Largemouth Bass can actually type out letters and be an editor of a paper. Who are you....really?

Signed Curious George Dear CG, Believe what you want you monkeyboy! Of course I know what a Piedmont Papermouth is, it is a common term for a midstate Carolina Crappie. Since you don’t believe I’m a fish, let me prove it to you. My friends the Crappies get all charged up in the upcoming months of March, April and May. Some are black and some are white and it doesn’t matter on your appetite they are all good eatin DUDE. There is a difference in the two however. These upcoming months the Crappies start to spawn and that’s when they are protective of nests and very hungry for all the action they are getting. Watch the water temps as they are the triggers. White crappies start their spawn when water temps hit 58 to 64 degrees. The blackies start their spawn when water temps hit 60 to 68, so you may catch whitey first. Black females produce quite a bit more eggs than the whites. Blacks 11,000 to 188,000 and whites 2,900 to 91,700 eggs, so you’ll generally find more blacks than whites. If you are having trouble telling which is which, check the dorsal fins; blacks have 7 to 8 fin spines and the whites will have only 5 to 6. Some crappie turn out to be SLABS. The NC records are 4lb.15oz. for a black and 3lb.12oz. for a white.

Though jigs work well once you find them, you simply can not beat using live minnows. Now do I sound like a fish or what?

Harold

Dear Harold, As usual, the most recent issue of DUDE did not disappoint and we especially enjoyed Joe Sweigart’s opinion of cigars from Cuba aka Puros. We hope Joe didn’t sample the “Cohiba” cigar as pictured in the forming of his opinion, for it was a counterfeit item. Probably a good smoke, but not as good as the real item.

The label gives it away with several imperfections. For example, the white square above “Cohiba”, the authentic label has three full rows of white squares in that location. Cuban cigars that are sold in the official stores are perfect in appearance including the label, tobacco content and presentation within the boxes, but as surmised by Joe, the cigars are not perfect in smoke.

Thanks again for a good read!

Captain A.J. Salute Captain AJ, First of all, thank you for your service to our GOD blessed country. Oooorah to all you Marines! Very interesting observation on the Cohiba label. Joe knows cigars, so we won’t mention anything about where that Cuban cigar came from or where it didn’t come from for that matter. We’d like to meet you and let you sample one of our DUDE CIGARS Joe and Jorge have created for us. They are hand rolled in the Cuban style by Jorge with the freshest Dominican leaf. Many DUDES in Beaufort County have been able to try them and most love the smooth smoke it provides. Let’s meet in Beaufort for a few cold ones and we’ll bring you and your Marines buddies a couple stogies to burn down and make, as Joe always says, “LONG ASHES BABY!” Thanks for the nice compliments DUDE and hope you enjoy our new Spring issue. See you at the Air Show!

Harold Dear Harold, Here’s a good one for you. One Saturday evening this past winter while fishing from my dock, I broke a nice fish off on one of those popping corks.

Sunday morning, I put the boat in and watched this popping cork swim around in a 100 yard area for 2 hours just out of casting reach. When the tide changed, we drifted towards the cork and casted a Zara Spook about a dozen times until I snagged the cork. After about a nice 10 minute battle, I landed a nice 24.5” spot tail bass, just outside the slot. We’re good stewards and sportsmen, so we put him/her back and sent it on its way.

Signed, Wayne Wicker Dear WW, I’ve heard some fish stories as you can imagine, so this ain’t my first rodeo cowboy. Fishermen will lie! It’s just the way they roll. When they catch some of my friends, it seems they magically grow several inches and pounds. Now for some reason, I actually believe you and want to thank you for setting my friend free. Who knows she may just end up making even more redfish for you to catch in the future and hopefully they won’t be that big and you can throw some blackening season to em and throw em in the cast iron skillet. Dang that must hurt! Thanks for writing DUDE! Harold TO DUDE/HAROLD, (In regards to Big Game Hunting wIth Chuck Mikals) How sad a beautiful animal and the 3 stooges with grins on their faces. The animal is fantastic. I’m sure they must feel good. How easy to kill loads of that animal that lived not hurting their family. Do you think they will mount it?

Margaret H. Dear MH, Let me guess....you’re not a hunter and you’re a vegetarian. DUDES have been hunting animals and eating them for tens of thousands of years. I’m not sure there were many animal rights activists like yourself when the cave man was trying to feed his fellow man. Good thing they did, or you wouldn’t be writing us this letter. Just so you’ll know, the license and hunting guide fees go a long way to help these African villagers out with their infrastructure needs.

And when our good friend Chuck gave this village 2,000 pounds of Eland meat to feed their hungry, he was treated like a king not a killer, so lighten up and go eat a salad. Nice to know DUDETTES like you are reading our publication...

THANKS! HAROLD OH! and Yeah, he mounted it and it is in his MANCAVE!

Send emails and photos to harold@dudesc.com 36

DUDE is a seasonal publication of Mallard Productions covering ALL of Beaufort County; Hilton Head Island, Bluffton & Beaufort.

DUDE exerts every effort to ensure accuracy, however, information and prices may change without notice.

Neither DUDE nor Mallard Prouductions accepts liability for errors or omissions.

The concept, design and contents of DUDE are copyrighted and may not be reproduced in whole or in part, in any manner without the publisher’s permission. ©2011 DUDE/Mallard Prouductions PUBLISHER DUDE Brad B. McDonald EDITOR Harold, The Largemouth Bass ASSISTANT EDITOR Sarah Ham GRAPHIC DESIGN Kim Bowen SALES DUDES Brad McDonald (843) 298-3827 Benny Bessinger (843) 263-6714 CONTRIBUTING DUDES Al Stokes • Jason Dubose • Trent Malphrus Megan McLaughlin • Marvin Bouknight• Collin Stokes Robin Swift • Rob Logan • Rick Barry • Eric Wammock Mona Ward • Gary Williams • Steve Boney • Wade Bales Lowcountry Joe Yocius • Joe Sweigart • Chuck Mikals James Grant • John Hundley • Derek Lafferty Steve Fisher • Brad McDonald COVER PHOTOGRAPHY

By Wink Gaines Wink took this great close up shot on her family’s farm in Hickory, NC. AMERICAN WILD TURKEY, Meleagris gallopavo, is native to most forests in North America.

Some species, now extinct dating back 23 million years ago. They are relatives of the subfamily Tetraonidae, better known as grouse. Turkeys have a distinctive fleshy WATTLE that hangs from the underside of the beak and a fleshy protuberance that hangs from the top of its beak called a SNOOD. By far the largest birds in the open forests with wingspans up to 6 feet. The first domestic turkey was sent from England to Jamestown, Virginia for Christmas fare in 1607.

DUDE C/O MALLARD PRODUCTIONS 21 Mallard Street, Hitlon Head Island, S.C. 29928 843-298-3827 www.dudesc.com brad@dudesc.com

Spring 2011

PHOTOS TO HAROLD (send your high res photos to harold@dudesc.com)

PHOTOGRAPHY BY WINK GAINES

FIGHTING ELK PHOTOGRAPHY BY TOM OGLE COLLIN STOKES WITH BIG BLACK DRUM

CAMERON “BUCK” STRICKLAND 8 YEARS OLD WITH HIS FIRST 8 POINT

NESTING EGRET PHOTOGRAPHY BY ED LANE

GRAND CANYON PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN ROBERTS

GREEN BACK HERON PHOTOGRAPHY BY ED LANE

RED SNAPPERS FISHWITHGUMBO.COM

Spring 2011

BIG DON’S WAHOO PHOTOGRAPHY BY COLLINS DOUGHTIE

37

38

Spring 2011

DUDES IN F CUS BLUFFTON CHRISTMAS PARADE

IN FOCUS JP BOOGIES REUNION

MAINSTREET BEAUFORT’S “A NIGHT ON THE TOWN!”

Spring 2011

39