Outdoors

Steve and Stephen Brewer of Houston, Texas bought the Lost Frontier RV Park from Chase Collins recently, and have plans for expanding several areas of the park. From their first visit they fell in love with the park, and really appreciated Chase’s ideals of retaining the natural beauty of the area when making the vast improvements that he made to the park. The Brewer’s plan to maintain those same ideals as they make their own expansions and improvements.

The Sealy Outdoors Big Bass Splash tournament was held on Toledo Bend May 20, 21 and 22. Anglers from several states battled it out to see who could catch the biggest and heaviest bass the lake had to offer. The top five winners were (pictured above from left to right) 5th place winner Rand Castle of Zwolle, LA with 8.62 pounds and a check for $2,500, 4th place winner Donny Proctor of New Braunfels, TX with 8.92 pounds and a check for $5,000, 1st place winner Jackson Cooper of Dry Prong, LA with 10.41 pounds and $100,000 Grand Prize package consisting of Phoenix 721 Pro XP..Mercury motor..MinnKota trolling motor..Lowrance Navionics..Dual Powerpoles..X2 batteries...RAM Truck..plus $5,000 cash, 3rd place winner Mark Vavak of Piggott, AR with 9.44 pounds and a check for $10,000, 2nd place winner Blake Boyer of Singer, LA with 9.69 pounds and a check for $15,000, and Founder & CEO of Sealy Outdoors Bob Sealy. Reporter photo by Kenny WIck

The Hemphill Chamber of Commerce Kid Fish & Bike/Boat Poker Run held on May 14 at Byrd’s Nest RV Park was a huge success. Thirty-six kids had a ball catching lots of perch, a few catfish, even a bass, and several turtles! Keith and Kelley Byrd graciously hosted the event, and Keith manned a huge bbq pit cooking up hotdogs for everyone. Many volunteers worked hard ensuring a safe and fun filled day. Local Texas Parks & Wildlife Game Warden Ryan Svehla was on hand to visit and speak with the kids prior to tournament start. The interaction between Ryan and the kids was enjoyable to witness. Huxlee Leone won her trophy for First Fish, Charles Watson won his trophy for Biggest Fish, and Alora Wood won her trophy for Smallest Fish. Congratulations! The Bikes and Boaters enjoyed the beautiful day running to the six participating parks and marinas to gather their poker chips. They were The Byrd’s Nest RV Park, Harborlight Marina, Holly Park Marina, Lost Frontier RV Park, Lowe’s Creek Park, and Mid Lake Campground. Upon returning to the Byrd’s Nest, they drew their cards. The winner was boater Kaylee Roberts, winning $180. She busted out crying with excitement. Her reaction caused lots of watery eyes around the group (was hiding mine behind the camera), and I overheard one of the bikers remark “that’s worth losing my hand to any day”. Then came the raffle ticket drawing. The $100 prize was won by Tom Krueger (Dad to our Sabine County Reporter Rachelle Dodson), who then graciously donated his prize back to the Chamber of Commerce. Congratulations to all the kids and poker run contestants, hosts, sponsors, volunteers, and participating parks & marinas for the making of such an enjoyable day! Reporter photo by Kenny Wick

Hemphill Dixie ASA T Ball All Stars were the host team for the District tournament June 3-5, a double elimination format with teams from Hemphill, Pineland, Joaquin, Shelbyville, Central (Lufkin), and Rusk. Representing Hemphill are (l to r) #1 Jeffrey Snodgrass, #3 Ana Johnson, #4 Noah Alonzo, #5 Colton Mitchell, #6 Makenlie Austin, #7 Emilee Frick,#8 Henley Hamilton, #9 Carter Holifield, #10 Granger Blue, #11 Easton Nichols, #13 Ryder Dorris, #16 Jesco Davis. Reporter photo by Bill Dodson

Participating in the Hemphill Dixie ASA All Star T Ball Tournament this weekend were Pineland All Stars (L to r) #00 Brenlee Bragg, #1 Bryar Jones, #4 Quinn Grant, #5 Cooper Collins, #6 Carter Murphy, #7 Cooper Edgar, #8 Gage Pate, #9 Brayden Blue, #12 Rhett Butler, #15 Landry Williams, #18 Jase Calkins, #24 Preston Phillips, Coaches, Sarah Jones, Chelsea Edgar, Jodie Calkins, and Alexis Cavazos Reporter photo by Bill Dodson

Texas Parks and Wildlife is asking anglers to report any bass they catch if they have “ink-like” spots on them. If you catch a bass with these spots, please snap a pic and report location to cynthia.fox@tpwd.texas.gov.

The National Forests and Grasslands in Texas has reopened Red Hill Lake, with operating season from May 1 thru Oct. 31. Red Hill Lake is located just a short distance from Toledo Bend Reservoir. Completed in 1940 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), this area offers fishing, camping, and swimming on a picturesque 19-acre lake.

If you are a garage sale/yard sale junkie, Friday and Saturday was your chance to shop till you dropped. The El Camino Real Sale on the Trail 2022 was held on Friday, May 6th to Saturday, May 7th along 111 miles of the historic El Camino Real de los Tejas. Starting on Hwy 21 in Nacogdoches and heads east to San Augustine, Milam, across Toledo Bend Lake, and beyond to Natchitoches. Literally miles of opportunity for great adventure and fabulous finds! All sorts of new and used items sold by businesses and private individuals can be found along the trail. Wether you are a shopaholic, collector, or just out for the fun of it, shopping the trail is a great way to take in the beautiful spring scenery and the many historical markers. Designated as a National Historic Trail in 2004, El Camino Real de los Tejas has existed for more than 300 years. The Spaniards and the French first marked the trail, and were followed by early missionaries, and later by such men as Stephen F. Austin, Jim Bowie, Davy Crockett and Sam Houston.