NEVADA COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL STANDINGS - LARGE

There are clear standouts as the Boys basketball teams have competed against each other once. In the 8th grade division 7-Hills stands atop of the standings. This team is filled with multiple sport athletes who have not been tested as they have blown away their competition including rival Magnolia.

8th Grade Standings

                      W   L

Seven Hills      6   0

Magnolia         5   1

Weimar Hills   4    2

P. Valley         2    4

Gilmore           2    4

Forest Lake    2     4

Union Hill        0    6

In the 7th grade division it is all Weimar Hills. This team has strong guard play from multiple players, they can drive to the hoop and knock down the three. What makes this team special and nearly unbeatable is their post play. The team's big man is very skilled. He can shoot around the rim with both hands and anytime he steps on the court he is sure to deliver a double-double.

7th Grade Standings

                       W    L 

Weimar Hills    6     0

Union Hill        5      1

 Magnolia        4      2

 Forest Lake    3      3

 Gilmore          2       4

 Seven Hills     1       5

P. Valley         0       6

KILIMANJARO - VASQUEZ AND EVANS LEAD THE WAY

Have you been looking for something to test your will? Then look to Africa.

If you have the guts then follow these two men to the top of the Continents tallest mountain.  Both Jeff Evans and Kevin Vasquez have experience with this expedition and they would like to take you to 19,341 feet above sea level.

If you have interest or are just curious click here.

AUBURN REBELS TRAVEL BASEBALL - BEAR RIVER - AUBURN - CHAMPIONS

Eleven 11 year old Foothill boys brought home the hardware on Sunday. The Auburn Rebels defeated Bret's Muckdogs in the championship game by a score of 12-7 at the Field of Dreams in Manteca Ca.

The road to the finals was relatively easy for the Rebels which includes Colby Lunsford, Cole Winter and Anthony Vierra of Bear River Little League and Michael Lavene, Carson Seeman, Anson Aroz and Cameron Bayer of Auburn Little League.

On Saturday in game one the Rebels dropped the Muckdogs 9-1 followed by close win versus the Elk Grove Longhorns 4-2 which earned them the number one seeding going into Sunday.. On Sunday, Auburn throttled the Reno Aces to the tune of 17-4 before winning the championship.

INTERNATIONAL SPORTSMAN'S EXPO - INNOVATION - CODY MEYER - J.D. RITCHEY

On Sunday my son and I made out annual trip to the Sacramento Expo Center for the International Sportsman's Exposition. This years show was great. While most of the displays and offerings were nothing new to me there were two things that stood out.

The first was an ancient concept fly rod that uses not reel. Look at the photo above what you see is what you use. The rod telescopes to as long as 13 feet so it is a perfect backpackers. The idea comes from Japan and Tenkara USA has brought it to the market place. Watch the video above to see how unique this fishing idea is.

The second item that was impressive was Dave Scadden's new Assault XX sets a new standard for frameless pontoon boat performance. Weighing in under 36 pounds and boasting a weight capacity of 1500 pounds with a class V whitewater rating, it definitely exudes performance.

It is one of the highest performance one-person boats Dave has ever designed but best of all it excels as a two-person boat. The coolest part about the new XX is the fact that it easily slips into an airline specific travel bag and comes out of the bag ready to go in under three minutes. No assembly required.

There were two speakers that caught my eye. The first was a professional bass fisherman who lives in Auburn. He and I fish many of the same lakes so we scheduled our day around listening to Cody Meyer. He spoke about fishing swim baits, plastics as well as jigs. Very good speaker and we both were glad we took the time to listen to his advise.

Meyer showed his techniques in the tank which had bass up to 14 pounds. 

The second speaker is also from Auburn California. J.D. Richie. He spoke on fish for strippers. I'm not a big stripper fisherman so we did not stay to long. But I did learn a few things.

Ritchey is a very good writer and fishing guide. His contact info can be found here.

To summarize the entire show. Very high priced merchandise along with very few new or innovative ideas. But certainly a great way my son and I to spend the day together talking about something we both love to do. See you next year.

Miscellaneous photos 

NEVADA COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL TIP OFF - LARGE SCHOOLS

The Nevada county boys middle school basketball season gets under way Thursday (January 9) with Magnolia traveling to Seven Hills. This contest pits the county's two largest middle schools in what should be a battle for both the 7th and 8th grade teams. Magnolia's 7th grade team will be led by recent transfer Garret Pratt as well as a host of athletic players. The 8th grade game will be a battle as Magnolia only dropped one game in the regular season in 2013 and that was to 7-Hills in the season opener.

All games will have the 7th grade tipping off at 4 p.m. with the 8th grade game to follow.

Schedule - Jan. 9
Forest Lake Christian at Union Hill
Magnolia at 7-Hills
Pleasant Valley at Weimar
Lyman Gilmore - Bye

CHOCOLATE WINE AND JAZZ - MINERS FOUNDRY

If you like chocolate, wine and jazz then clear your calendar for the second annual Chocolate Infusion which is sponsored by the Union Newspaper. I attended last years event and had a wonderful time. Here is my blog post from the 2013 event.

Below are two videos from the event. The first is a wide shot of the crowd, vendors and the space. The second is a rather humors segment done by Rob Lambert which is part of his "Word on the Street" program.

If you would like to attend please contact Mary Anne Davis at the Union Newspaper.

BEAR RIVER LITTLE LEAGUE - SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

While it's the middle of winter or at least the calendar says it is. You only have two more weeks to sign up your child for the spring 2014 Bear River Little League baseball season. The important dates are as follows.

January 18 - Last day to sign up.

January 18 - Manager selections. 

January 25 - Tryouts on the turf field. 

January 26 - Mandatory rules clinic for managers and coaches

January 29 - Major draft

January 30th - Junior draft

January 30th - Minor draft

February 1 - Coaching clinic. This clinic in mandatory for managers who plan to coach an All-star team as well as for the Tournament of Champions.

February Middle of the month -  CPR training. Little League is making it mandatory for the manager as well as one coach to be certified.

April 1st-ish - Historically games have begun around this time.

Little League Baseball is a great way to meet community members, be a part of your child's life as well as have a lot of fun so get out there and sign up today.

TRUCKEE RIVER FISHING - HOW, WHERE AND WITH

Have you ever wondered how fishing in the Truckee area is? Well, before you make that drive all the way up the hill be sure to check out Mountain Hardware - Truckee's website. They offer great information on what water is open as well as what the flows are at various rivers and streams. If you have never been into the store then you are in for a big surprise. Yes it is a hardware store but it also has the best selection of fishing gear in the area. The staff is knowledgeable as well helpful.

The photo above is a shot of a Truckee River rainbow which was caught on a sculpin pattern fly. I cast into the white water and when the fly swung into the slower moving seam it was fish on.


The water is very very cold as well as low. Stay out of the water and you will need to be very sneaky in your shoreline approach.

If you are not the type of fisher to venture out of yourself then contact Gilligan's Guide Service which is located in Herschdale on Floriston Road. The link above has photos of various fish caught by Matt Koles' clients. Gilligan's also offer flies which are specific to the region.

"Leland's Keith Westra fished a day back in April with our buddy Matt "Gilligan" Koles. He's not only a fun guy to fish with, but knows the Truckee like no other. Book a trip with him and you'll not only be saying "dude" for the rest of the day, you'll learn how to stick fish on the Truckee," a client stated.

Matt loves the Truckee so much he has been a Board member of the Truckee River Chapter of Trout Unlimited (#103). 

When I fish the Truckee I like to fish big while others like to fish small. I did attend a seminar where Matt spoke of the river which runs through his back yard and man he taught me a think or two about my beloved Truckee. If you ever have a chance to listen to Koles speak then you should do it. The seminar was held at Reel Anglers Fly Shop in Grass Valley California which is owned and operated by Tom Page who is also a guide.