by Steve Powell

When I spoke with Mrs. Snellings at Quick Stop Grocery she said that the fishing is pretty good now and there is plenty of water in the lake. She was telling me about one of her customers catching a catfish so huge that he struggled with it for 45 minutes before he pulled it in.  Best time to catch crappie is early in the morning or late in the day.  Remember the new lure called Thunder Shad made from balsa wood that they stock.  It comes in several colors and Gamakatsu hooks.  These hooks are really good sellers there.   Go by and pick up one of these new lures and give it a try.   Remember, if you have a fishing trip or a hunting trip planned, there is no better place to stop in the Lake Russell area than Quick Stop Grocery, owned by Charles and Evelyn Snellings.  They carry live bait year round.  They have a great supply of minnows, crickets and worms.  They also have a great supply of hard baits that work well at any time of the year.  They carry so many lines of artificial lures that everyone is familiar with: Rapala, Cotton Cordell, Storm lures, Suddeth lures, Zo-zuri, Zoom and the very popular Rat-L-Trap.  For your hunting needs, they stock most anything you could need.  They carry all types of ammo for rifles and shotguns.  Quick Stop Grocery is so convenient.  They are just one short mile from a boat ramp.  You can buy whatever you need from grocery items, ice and snacks to hunting and fishing license.  Quick Stop Grocery carries Citgo gasoline so don’t forget to fill up your gas tanks and get something to eat and drink. Try one of their great barbeque sandwiches.  Be sure to take a picture of your great catch in to Quick Stop Grocery and we’ll be happy to run it in this publication.  Give the Snellings a call at 706-283-6128.  When I spoke with Chelly Johnson at Coldwater Creek Trading Post she told me that the fishing is pretty good now.  There is plenty of water in the lake.  One of her customers caught a 31.7 pound striper on a blue back herring he had bought there at Cold Water Creek Trading Post.  Chelly wants to remind all you cat fish fishermen that she has mud leaches available which is great for cat fishing. These work really good.  Her store is packed with all her fishing supplies.  Now is a good time to stock up.  You can find most anything you need or want at Coldwater Creek Trading Post.  Chelly has fishing supplies such as rods and reels and all types of tackle with more coming in each day. You can also get food items and all sorts of hunting supplies such as boots and clothing. You ladies out there will be interested in this especially.  Don’t forget to check out the great smelling handmade candles she carries.  She has some new scents in stock now.  Chelly has samples of each scent and if you like one she doesn’t have in stock, she will get it for you.  She also has tart and tart burners and floating candles in all different smells.  These are made by a friend of hers from South Carolina.  They would make great gifts.  Chelly says she is glad the fishing is so good right now because it’s so much fun to hear the fishing tales.  She is located right next to the Coldwater Creek boat ramp so go by and visit with Chelly real soon.  She is open seven days a week for your convenience and she will treat you nice.  Give her a call at 706-283-9030.