One of the most direct ways we can contribute to TU's mission of preserving and restoring cold water fisheries is to participate in stream improvement projects. At our April meeting we heard from Senior Fisheries Biologist Anthony Rabern of the Georgia DNR about how effective the structures we build with the guidance of the U.S. Forest Service improves both the habitat and the wild brook trout population it sustains.
On June 20 UCCTU volunteers will be helping to build stream improvement structures on Jones Creek. The heavy lifting is done by the young interns from the U.S. Forest Service, but everyone's help is appreciated. Bring some old gloves and shoes, and dry clothes to change into for the ride home. These projects are a lot of fun, so I hope you will save the date and join us. Details about the meeting time and place will be posted on this site and on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ucctu
We have a special speaker this month - Hal Coleman, outdoorsman, carp fly fisher extraordinaire, radio personality and humorist. I hope you will join us for fun and comeraderie on the 26th, and bring a friend.
"Growing Up in the South Ain't What it used to be"
This month we're in for a special treat and taste of Southern Hospitality--with a dose of good 'ol Southern Humor. Roswell native Hal Coleman will share some of his many stories of growing up along the Chattahoochee River and fishing in Roswell-especially carp fishing.
It was a cold late January morning in North Georgia when I met Gerry Mecca at the familiar Waffle House on Holcomb Bridge Rd. Over hot coffee and omelets, Gerry and I talked grouse, salmonids, and about a life spent in pursuit of both. Many of our Chapter may know him as our Secretary, triathlete afficianado, and true Rennaisance man. Gerry excels in business, writes poetry, and fishes and hunts his way from Upstate New York to the Southernmost tops of the Appalachian mountains. He will be missed. Continue Reading Here
June Speaker
Jimmy Jacobs
Jimmy Jacobs has been fishing the trout waters of the Southeastern States for almost 50 years. He was the editor of Georgia Sportsman Magazine for a quarter century before retiring in 2014. Currently, he is the Georgia Editor for Don Kirk's Southern Trout Online Magazine.
He also authored the guidebooks Trout Fishing in North Georgia, Trout Streams of Southern Appalachia and Tailwater Trout in the South.
Jimmy is a member of the Georgia Outdoor Writers Association, and Southeastern Outdoor Press Association. In 2015, he was inducted into the Georgia Outdoor Writers Association of Hunting and Fishing Hall of Fame.
Guide's Angle- Coolest Place to Fish in Georgia
Chris Scalley
I can't tell you how many of my clients are absolutely shocked how great the trout fishery is that exists on the 48 mile Chattahoochee River below Buford Dam. Maybe the fact that the river is overshadowed by the Atlanta metropolis looming near by. Maybe our southern latitude makes it hard for folks to wrap their minds around the fact that our river remains cool enough for trout even during our hotter summer months. I try to explain to clients that it's all about "winter-stored-water" in Lake Sidney Lanier. Following a cold winter like this past year our water temperature from the Buford Dam penstocks hover between 46F to 48F even through the Summer months! Did I mention our second Ga State record brown trout was landed by an angler last August 2014. Although the Buford Dam project was developed primarily to control flooding, water storage and hydropower it could not have been custom ordered better for trout. Here are some fish caught and released this Spring. Come chill out on the Chattahoochee River with us this Summer the coolest place to be in Ga!
News Bites
Don't forget to pay your UCCTU Voluntary Dues
Here
Contact Fulton County's Georgia DNR Officer Mark Puig if you see any poaching or violations while your fishing next time.