Photo: Morgan Ford (Visit Anderson)
In a different type of March Madness, the month began with Lake Hartwell and Green Pond Landing hosting the Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Eastern Open presented by Academy Sports where anglers brought sacks of largemouth and spots to the facility. It took more than 18 pounds and a big fish of nearly 7 pounds to notch a win.
On Saturday, it was a different type of sack that anglers were bringing to the facility. Anglers, coaches and parents from area programs such as Crescent High School, Wren High School, Travelers Rest High School, Pendleton High School and the Greenwood Eagle Eye Anglers as well as members of the Clemson University Fishing Club teamed up with staff from Anderson County and Visit Anderson to sweep the areas in and around Green Pond Landing to pick up trash and litter in preparation of the Bassmaster Elite Series which will take place on April 4-7.
Participants met at Green Pond Landing at 8 a.m. on Saturday and were divided into 10 teams. In roughly three hours, nearly 350 bags of trash were collected and returned to Green Pond where they were loaded into a truck and hauled away for disposal. Shimano donated six cases of blue trash bags that were used in the event. At the conclusion of the cleanup, participants were treated to a cookout for lunch and everyone was given a gift bag which included items from B.A.S.S., Berkley, T-H Marine, HI-SEAS and Visit Anderson.
Brandon Cobb, a Bassmaster Elite Series Pro, joined the group for lunch to extend his appreciation for the anglers giving back in preparation of the Elite Series next week. He signed autographs and took pictures with the kids that participated.