We are back at it again as we kick off year number eleven of the Top 5 project. Leading off 2024 is Top 5 veteran, John Kirkemo, with a pair of bonus species from The Palmetto State.

Rainbow Trout

Brown Trout

Lengths: Estimated 12 inches (weight unknown)
Angler: John Kirkemo
Date: February 5, 2024
Weather: Temperature in the high 50s with bright sun and clear skies
Water Temperature: Unknown
Location: Chattooga River near Burrell’s Ford Bridge, South Carolina Upstate
Lure: 2 ½ inch black and silver floating Rapala
Comments: And so it was that on February 5, 2024, I caught my first South Carolina fish. The two trout were stocked hatchery fish taken from a beautiful section of the Chattooga River that forms the Georgia – South Carolina border in the
South Carolina Upstate region.

Bonus shot of John’s picturesque environs

Thanks, John, for a cool start to another year. As noted in the data above, these fish were landed and submitted nearly a month ago. I have been neglecting the blog this winter but looking to get back on track. Plenty of stuff in the works including the 2023 wrap-ups even though 2024 fishing is already underway. Stay tuned and talk to you later. Troy