14 Foothills Meeting- United Community Bank 6-6:30 social time 7-8 Program

11 Foothills Meeting- United Community Bank 6-6:30 social time 7-8 Program

9 Foothills Meeting- United Community Bank 6-6:30 social time 7-8 Program

Posted on August 25, 2021

SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga (August 24, 2021) -- The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) is investigating Whirling Disease (WHD) and Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis Virus (IHNV) in hatchery-raised trout at the Buford and Summerville Trout Hatcheries. Initial testing results indicate that both hatcheries are positive for WHD and IHNV.

“While neither WHD or IHNV are harmful to humans, these diseases can cause high trout mortalities in hatchery systems and in the wild, and there are no known therapeutic treatments to eliminate these pathogens,” said WRD Chief of Fisheries Scott Robinson. “As a result, Georgia WRD has temporarily suspended its trout stocking program and is in the process of collecting additional trout samples for disease analysis, investigating the source for both pathogens, and identifying disinfectant methodologies for treating the hatcheries.”

Whirling Disease: This is the first documented occurrence of whirling disease in Georgia. First detected in the U.S. in 1958, this disease is found in more than 20 states, including the Watauga River in North Carolina in 2015. Whirling disease can cause 90 percent or greater mortality of young rainbow trout and can have serious impacts to wild and hatchery trout populations. The disease is caused by the microscopic parasite Myxobolus cerebralis, which damages cartilage and skeletal tissue in trout causing diseased fish to swim in a "whirling" motion.

How to prevent the spread of whirling disease.

Whirling Disease Fact Sheet

Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis Virus (IHNV): While IHNV has not previously been found in Georgia, it has been documented in salmonids in the Pacific Northwest. The disease is caused by the Salmonid Novirhabdovirus and is passed through contact with urine, mucus, and other fluids. All species of trout are susceptible. The virus can cause high trout mortalities in hatchery systems and in the wild. There are no therapeutic treatments to eliminate the pathogen. Infected fish may exhibit lethargy, whirling behavior, darkened coloration, and swelling in the head and abdomen.

If you catch a trout that you think may be affected by WHD or IHNV, here are ways to help:

DO take photos and video of the fish, including close ups of its spine.

DO note where it was caught (waterbody, landmarks, or GPS coordinates).

DO properly clean all equipment such as boats, trailers, waders, boots, float tubes and fins of mud before leaving an area when fishing. Thoroughly dry equipment in the sun if possible before reuse. If you are traveling directly to other waters, clean your equipment with a 10 percent solution of chlorine bleach or use another set of equipment.

DON'T transport live fish between bodies of water or release or dispose of them anywhere other than the location they were caught

E-mail If you observe the symptoms of WHD or INHV in fish. Notify the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division at trout@dnr.ga.gov.

More information about fish disease in Georgia can be found at: https://georgiawildlife.com/ans#diseases.

The Upper Chattahoochee Chapter of Trout Unlimited's project on Crayfish Creek may reach it's goal by the end of the year, but they are not there yet. Numerous hours of volunteers have been logged to remove two old culverts and cleanup of both invasive plants and debris have occurred.

A contractor has been selected to cleani up the degraded banks, but additional funds are needed to get to that remaining estimated cost budget. As of right now $180,000 of the estimated $200,000 has been raised. The finish line is right there and they are so close, so we hope you'll consider donating.

But wait, there's more. There are going to be some volunteer opportunities this fall to assist with the project, so please also consider donating some of those incredible muscles you built up during the COVID shutdown.

One more thing, spread the word about this wonderful grassroots project. This project is but a small example of what this country's foundation has been built on. It's the small ideas put on by the people that get traction from the smallest places and builds into some of the greatest things you've ever been part of. Please spread the message about the wonderful effort to save and protect one of the few spawning areas for brown trout along the Chattahoochee River.

The Georgia Council of TU forwarded on a request from the UGA 5 Rivers club. If you have any extra equipment laying around that you wish you could get it to someone who can use it, check out this letter.

The Project Healing Waters group usually meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month at the Oakwood VA Clinic (4175 Tanners Creek Drive, Flowery Branch, GA) at 9:30 AM. Right now, with COVID, everything is halted.

This program could not be offered to our Veterans without the support of the Foothills TU Chapter, the Gold Rush TU Chapter and Unicoi Outfitters. They have really began to grow in numbers and programs because of all of the hard work by the volunteers who are TU members.

Did you know that you can make on-line purchases and designating our TU as a charity to receive a donation from Amazon as part of the purchase?

To access amazon for the charitable donation you need to go to this link. Your purchase will generate a donation to Foothills TU. Go to the attached link and then save it to your favorites bar and each time you access it and purchase the donation goes automatically goes to us.

We got this message from our good friend Dredger (aka Jeff) who now takes all the good spots on the streams during the week, but its for good reasons so you get get the most up to date fishing reports.

Are you new to town? New to fishing? A terrible fisher?

Fear not, help is available thanks to the Georgia DNR.

Below are a few links to get you started on your way to becoming a professional fisherman or fisherwoman.

Fishing Report: https://georgiawildlife.wordpress.com/category/fishing/

Reservoirs:

Trout:

Follow GA DNR:

You can also check out NGTO for Dredgers Weekly Fishing Report"

The DH season is officially open in North Carolina. Remember to check the regulations before you go.

Just like that, fall is here. Ah, you can feel that crisp cool 80 degree breeze blowing through your hair or what's left of it. The long term forecast is looking more like fall and that means hungry fish and deer in the woods. This time of year can be a struggle for some of us who sit in a deer stand wondering how the fishing is doing or standing in a stream wondering if the deer are moving. Either way, you can't go wrong getting outside. The recent rains have set the stage for good flows going into the fall season, so get out.

NC DH streams are off and so should you heading north to wet a line. Fish can be easily fooled right now with your more junkier flies and heavier tippet. As the season and pressure progresses, look to going a bit more natural and lighter on the tippet.

Wild streams are fishing well now that the waters have receded a bit. Caddis imitations can really be the ticket right now especially with the "October Caddis" patterns. Consider adding a dropper to this fly to get the best of both worlds. Play with the dropper based on the stream conditions. Go a bit wormy during higher flows to "match the hatch" and get a little nymphy in standard flows.

Lake Lanier is in full turnover mode and the river below Buford Dam is a nice pea soup color, smell and flavor. Fish can be had, but the oxygen level is lower and with the clarity being what it is, fishing will be a little slower. Be careful on wading as it can be difficult to see where the next drop is. The river is full of holes and big rock formations. Don't be afraid to do a float trip and sling some streamers. The big fish will be prepping for the spawn, which means high protein diets.

With DH season upon us in NC and just a short time for the GA DH season, it seemed only fitting to bring back a bit of an old standby. The peach bugger has been a favorite in my box for fresh stocked fish and even a little lake fun as well. This fly works really well on that reaction bite, so it's real hard for a fresh stocked fish or even a wild fish to resist this thing popping by in front of their faces especially in fall time when browns are packing on the pounds for their fall spawn or the rest of the river prepping for the winter months. This fly is also money fly when fishing those trophy waters too. Strip, swing or dead drift is the ticket with this fly.

If you haven't looked at the website lately, check it out. It is up to date and packed full of new information. Check us out. It's where we post all of our information and updates about chapter meetings, projects, fishing outings and any other items pertaining to Foothills.

Also, for even more up to date information, check out our Facebook page. Our Facebook page editor, Ted Jones, does an excellent job at adding new information almost every day. Be sure to "Like" it and share with your friends.

Thank you for your interest in the Georgia Foothill Chapter of Trout Unlimited. We are always looking for new members from the area to join us, so please tell a friend and have them join us at our next meeting.