Gen. George Washington arranged for the forerunner of the Purple Heart to be made to give to soldiers who distinguished themselves above and beyond the call of duty.

Only three were given in the Revolutionary War, the first was Sgt. Elijah Churchill for his part in two successful raids behind enemy lines. Leading 16 men, he was able to capture and destroy a heavily armed force at Corum, N.Y. They burnt tons of hay, a British schooner and captured 50 prisoners. The second raid was on Fort Slongo in October 1781. Churchill’s unit captured and destroyed the fort in four hours, not losing a single man. After the three, the badge past into history until Feb. 22, 1932, with Gen. Douglas MacArthur, then Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army.

The “Purple Heart” has a likeness of George Washington in gold on a blue field ringed in gold and hung by a gold ribbon. Elizabeth Will of the office of Quartermaster is credited with the design. So now you know.

Now, the World Record Shellcracker caught by Mr. Amous Bay in a diversion canal, Santee Cooper, S.C., was 5.7 pounds.

Sean Neel and son, Hunter, won the Thursday Night Jack Wingate Big Fish tournament here at Wingate’s with a 6.28 pounds. The tournament lasts from 7 to 10 p.m. and only one fish per boat is weighed in.

The best catches of bass went to two men who were fishen a weed wing with an Uncle Josh Pork Rind Frog on the hook. They had two full days and two and a half days with one 8-pounder layed out and one 8-pounder still heavy with eggs. Also several 6’s and 5’s and nuthing under 3 pounds. This is one of the baits that was discontinued and brought back by “Marten Panther.”

Leon Weaver, guiding Barney and Michael Moore, using soft plastic and topwater, took some heavy fish, up to 8 pounds with two broke off under the boat.

Shellcrackers have bit every day the wind will let you fish. Guided trips will do best because of the knowledge of where the beds are.

We have had a few crappie caught, but not as many as there should be this time of year.

Some folks are doing a number on whites and hybrids, some trolling and live bait, and some casting a crank bait and cranking it down to the bottom. The Lil George will catch the whites rite regular.

C&R Trail fished out of Wingate’s on Sunday. Jim Merritt and Vance Luke won with 30.75 pounds and Big Fish at 8.85 pounds. Steve Bushore and Jeff Wenhold took second with 22.55 pounds and Terry Stevens and Clint Brown took third with 20.25 pounds.

Wingate’s Fishing Report

May 17, 2009

Lake surface temp: 74Lake level: Down 8 inchesLake clarity: Lots of Clear WaterFlint: Nice ColorChattahoochee: Cloudy and fastSpring Creek: Down to normal, clear

Report provided by: Jack Wingate