Outdoor burning ban remains in effect

Recent rain might have rejuvenated parched lawns but did little to reduce the danger of wildfires, the Alabama Forestry Commission reports.

Coleen Vansant, information manager for the commission, said campers should not be lulled into thinking the wildfire danger is over because it might have rained where they are camping.

An outdoor burning ban remains in effect for 40 counties, including all of northwest Alabama. The ban includes open campfires.

Campers can use gas-fueled stoves and propane or charcoal grills to prepare meals.

Camping lights that use an open flame, such as candles or torches are also banned. Gas or battery powered lights are allowed.

Top 10 finish for Horton

Muscle Shoals angler Tim Horton earned a $14,000 payday with a ninth- place finish in the Sooner Run bass tournament.

Michigan's Kevin VanDam won the Bassmaster Elite Series tournament on Oklahoma's Grand Lake June 21-24. He earned $101,000.

Oklahoma's Jeff Kriet finished second and earned $39,000. Another Oklahoma anger, Edwin Evers, finished third and won $27,000.

Boyd Duckett, of Demopolis, was eighth. He earned $14,500.

Drought impacts fishing

North Alabama anglers planning a trout fishing trip to Georgia might want to check with that state's Department of Natural Resources before heading out.

Extremely low stream flows and rapidly rising water temperatures have forced the Department of Natural Resources to accelerate trout stockings in some streams and discontinue it in others.

Stocking schedules will depend on water conditions in each stream, said Georgia trout stocking coordinator Perry Thompson. Streams that are still promising for trout survival will continue to be stocked. Those where the water is too warm for trout to survive will not be stocked.

Anglers can learn where trout stockings are planned in Georgia by calling (706) 947-3112 or on the Internet at gofishgeorgia.com.

Dennis Sherer can be reached at 740-5746 or dennis.sherer@timesdaily.com.