UCCTU Newsline: Spring fishing is in full swing!

UCCTU Newsline

April 2018 : Chapter #436

“Truer Words Were Never Spoken”

We’re well underway now with our chapter’s launch of a new clean water initiative designed to encourage all fisherman to assist in the removal of trash from our nation’s rivers, streams, lakes and oceans.

It all started with #CleanMyWater.

Here we are in April and we’re seeing a tremendous response to this new campaign – not only here in North Georgia, but in other states around the country. People are picking up cans, bottles, shoes, paper, plastic cups and even golf and basketballs from the water and shoreline as they fish and as they head for their cars. Thanks to everyone who have participated in #CleanMyWater so far.

But the launch is just that – a start. Now that fishing season is awakening across the U.S. we’re also encouraging you to reach out to your friends, co-workers, relatives and neighbors to share the campaign via social media. Recent statistics show that over 15,000+ people are now included in our reach and the number is growing every day.

And, what makes this campaign so much fun is that not only is everyone helping to clean our waters, but all photo entries submitted via Facebook and Instagram are automatically entered to win fishing gear prizes that will be awarded during the year. More on that to come!

So, bottom line. Go fishing. Pick up some trash. Take a picture. Post it on social media. Enjoy what you’ve done. And, maybe win a prize. It’s a win-win all the way around.

I hope you’ll join us at our April 24th chapter meeting where Pat Hopton, past president of the Rabun TU chapter will tell us about Spring fishing for big trout in the North Georgia Mountains.

Ken Mock

Chapter President

" Take care of the fish, and the fishing will take care of itself."

~ Art Neuman

Here are the latest news items and updates to stories and events happening now or in the near future. Get out-get involved-get the most out of UCCTU.

April Guest Speaker: Pat Hopton

“Dark Thirty Fishing” – A Primer on North Georgia Springtime Fishing

On Tuesday, April 24th, our special guest speaker will be Pat Hopton, past president and founding member of the Rabun Chapter of Trout Unlimited.

Pat will be sharing his insights on fishing for big trout in the North Georgia mountains. In addition to his background with TU, he studied forestry and became a forester with the U.S. Forest Service.

Also, join us on May 22 to hear from Jennifer Haney, Georgia Zone Fish and Wildlife Technician for an update on the GA DNR.

Meetings are held on the 4th Tuesday of every month except Nov. and December at I ppolitos Italian Restaurant .

2270 Holcomb Bridge Road, in Roswell (east of GA 400).

April Fly of the Month:

It is Mayfly season! April is a great month for fishing with nymphs. This month's FOTM is a classic that we've all been tying for years.

Click here to view the recipe.

UCCTU in Trout Magazine

Just in case you missed seeing the Spring Issue of TROUT magazine, your UCCTU chapter was featured twice in stories about our Trout in the Classroom program and our Women’s Fly Fishing Clinic held in October of last year.

Click here to S ee a copy of the article

The River Clean-Ups Go On and On

Plan now to join a group of eager chapter members at Island Ford Park in Sandy Springs on Sunday, May 6 from 9 – 2 pm for a morning of good old fashion fun – picking up trash from the trails and along the river banks. But, the fun will continue with fishing afterwards. Let’s plan on meeting in the parking lot at 9 am.

Sweep the Hooch 2018: Huge Success!

The annual Sweep the Hooch event, held by the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper was another resounding success this year. Over 950 volunteers from across the Atlanta region registered and most showed up despite the rainy forecast (the rain never arrived). Everyone picked up trash from the Hooch and hiking trails along the river. In fact, over 21 tons of garbage (can you believe it!) was collected. The event was held from Buford Dam to points south of Morgan Falls Dam.

C heck out the Sweep the Hooch Facebook page.

A Bamboo Rod for Only $10 – AND, Fish it With Hooch River Guide Chris Scalley

That’s correct. You could be the owner of a fabulous bamboo rod for the price a raffle ticket! This is not some run of the mill rod. It’s a $2,500 bamboo fly rod custom made by J.D. Wagner rods of Ohio. This beautifully flamed honey-colored rod can be yours for the price of a $10 raffle ticket. And, we’ve added a ½ day fishing trip on the Hooch with Chris Scalley of River Through Atlanta to break in your new rod. Now that’s a prize package worth investing in.

Click H ERE for more details and photos of the rod. Click HERE to purchase Raffle Tickets. Click HERE to read more.

Fishing Dayz at Fern Valley was a Blast!

What can you say about fishing at beautiful and bountiful Fern Valley on the Soque? It’s an amazing river with amazing fish with amazing hosts (Glad and Marty Simmons).

Over three days earlier this month, a total of 36 UCCTU members and guests fished Fern Valley in six groups of six anglers each. During each day, everyone enjoyed the fishing tips and guiding services provided by Big T (Steven Tomasovich). Before and after each session, anglers enjoyed the hospitality of Fern Valley at their fire pit above the riverbank.

Be on the look-out for next year’s trip back to Fern Valley in the Spring.

Turn Trash into Prizes!

As described in the President’s Message, we’re rapidly moving along with our new #cleanmywater @ucctu campaign and the trash-collecting all around the country is impressive (check out the interactive map on ucctu.tu.org and all of the great photographs that have been posted.

Remember to collect trash while out fishing and hiking back to your car. Take a photo or two and post them with the #cleanmywater hashtag. You’ll be joining fishers from all over our local area and some as far as Colorado and North Carolina. And what makes our campaign even better, after uploading pictures of collected trash, you’ll be in the running to win one of two new Walter’s Fly Rod or other great prizes donated by our growing list of partners. See below for full details.

Click here to read more

South Holston Trip: Only two spots left!

Our annual chapter summer trip has been announced for June 28 – July 1. Reservations are now being taken for lodging at The Castaway’s three homes. Please click on the link below for all the details. Don't delay -- first come...first served.

Contact Ken Mock, Chapter President if you are interested in going on the trip.

Down By The River – A Fly Fishing Story

We’ve come across a wonderful children’s book on fly fishing that you might want to give as a gift. Down By The River, is a story of grandfather, mom and young boy who venture out to the river to fish. The illustrations throughout the book are frame worthy and the story is easy to read to young children – teaching the next generation about our great sport.

The author Andrew Weiner has given us the opportunity to purchase this book for just under $9 a copy if we buy nine copies. As of now, we have five members who have signed up for a copy. If you’d like one, please send an email to president@ucctu.org and let Ken know how many you’d like. The book will also be on display at the April chapter meeting.

Fishing Dayz Schedule Changed for This Year

As a reminder, our Fishing Dayz events will now be scheduled on both Saturdays and Sundays to accommodate a wider range of participants. And, we’ll be holding the events every other month—not monthly.

Click HERE to view the rest of our scheduled Fishing Dayz.

Have You Made Your 2018 Voluntary Donation?

If you have---THANKS!

If not, you can do it now via several avenues:

On our chapter website at www.ucctu.tu.org
On our Facebook page – just search for Upper Chattahoochee Chapter Trout Unlimited
At any of our monthly chapter meetings. See Mark Romzick, Chapter Treasurer at the treasurer’s table.

We've got Rainbows too!

There is a lot talk about our wonderful wild brown trout fishery on the Chattahoochee but did you know we have a thriving rainbow trout fishery as well. There are four categories of rainbow trout in the Buford Dam tailwater “wild-stream-bred” “fingerling-sourced”, “stockers” and “hold-over-stockers”.

Click here to read the rest of the article

This article is provided by Chris Scalley: River through Atlanta guide service

TroutFest 2018 Coming in April

Celebrate trout fishing in the trout capital of Georgia at the 3rd Annual Blue Ridge Trout Festival & Outdoor Adventures Day on Saturday, April 28 from 10 am to 5 pm. The event will be held in the downtown city park in Blue Ridge. $5 admission at the gate (12 and under free).

Click HERE for more info.