FOOTHILLS TU
A Message from our Chapter President
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No major announcement this month, just we look forward to seeing you at all of our meetings this year. |
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MARCH
10 Foothills Meeting: United Community Bank 6:00-6:30 social time. 6:30-7:00 Business. 7:00-8:00 Program
APRIL
14 Foothills Meeting: United Community Bank 6:00-6:30 social time. 6:30-7:00 Business. 7:00-8:00 Program
MAY
12 Foothills Meeting: TBD
JUNE
9 Foothills Meeting: TBD
JULY
14 Foothills Meeting: TBD
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PROPOSED 2022 VOLUNTEER CONSERVATION OPPOTUNITIES
Georgia Trout Unlimited
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Contact Steve Westmoreland with questions:
April 14th: Hedden Creek- Rabun County: Rabun Chapter and Friends
April 16th: Rock Creek- Murray County: Coosa Valley lead
April 16th: Long Creek- Fannin County: BRMTU
April 30th: TroutFest-Blue Ridge: BRMTU
May 7th: Fly Fishing with Mom- GA DNR; Unicoi State Park
May 14th: Kids Fishing Rodeo- Murray County: TBD
June 4th: Lake Winfield Scott- Kids Fishing Day
June 5th: 10th- TROUT CAMP-Tallulah Falls School
June 8th: Trout Camp Workday- Walnut Fork
June 11th: Tallulah River- Kids Fishing Day
July 9th: Jasus Creek- White County- TBD
September 17th: Johns Creek- Floyd County: Cohutta and Coosa Valley
November 4th- 5th: Becoming an Outdoors Woman- BOW- Location TBD- GA DNR
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GA TROUT UNLIMITED 2022 DREAM TRIP
Winners Announced
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Hopefully you had a chance to take part of the annual Dream Trip Raffle. The last time I had checked, sales were really good this year. Please remember that this is the big fundraiser for our state TU which goes to benefit cold water conservation, Georgia Trout Camp (huge) and other GA TU activities.
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CASTING FOR RECOVERY GEORGIA - WINSTON ROD RAFFLE
April 30, 2022
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This is your chance to support a wonderful organization and get a chance at winning a Winston Air 8'6" 4wt flyrod with a Ross Colorado Reel spooled up with Rio Gold Line with backing. The drawing is going to be held at this year's Troufest in Blue Ridge on April 30th. Tickets are $20 each or (6) for $100.
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BECCA SUE KLEIN - ALL KIDS FISH
Flies Needed!
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We recently got the following email from our friend Sarah at the DNR. See below:
Good morning everyone,
I hope you are doing well! The annual Becca Sue Klein All Kids Fish events aim to inspire the next generation of fly anglers and conservationists through two full-day fly fishing retreats. Youth, ages 10 to 18, will spend the day in the headwaters of the Chattahoochee River learning to assemble and cast a fly rod, tie knots and use fly fishing gear, practice safe fish handling and conservation, and will learn about how a healthy river sustains life.
As part of the event, each kid gets to go home with a fly rod and reel, ensuring that they will have the opportunity to continue to practice fly fishing! The organizers would really like for each participant to go home with a box a flies. I am hoping that we could get a total of 330 flies donated to this event;
We need:
66 Squirmy Wormies
66 Wooly Buggers
66 Eggs or Mop Flies
66 Nymphs
66 Dry Flies
If you are able to donate some flies, Becca would like to list Trout Unlimited as one of the supporters on the All Kids Fish website (https://chattahoochee.org/allkidsfish/ ). If you are able to donate some of the above flies, for the May 14, 2021 event, please email me the type and number of flies.
Thank you so much for your consideration.
With gratitude,
Sarah
Sarah Baker
Fisheries Biologist
(770) 531-4037
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A division of the
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
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TROUT FISHING WITH MOM
Volunteers Needed
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Recently, we were contacted by our good friend Sarah at the DNR. Here message is below. Hopefully you can lend a hand:
I hope you are doing well! Georgia DNR has planned a Trout Fishing With Mom event this year for moms to get out on the water with experienced anglers nearby to help them feel comfortable and confident while they learn & practice fishing.
The event will occur Saturday, May 7th from 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM at Smith Creek within Unicoi State Park.
I was wondering if you would consider sharing this event with your chapters? I would really love to have 3 volunteers from Rabun TU and 3 from Georgia Foothills be there to offer help to the registrants, and for participants to be familiar with the organization so that they have an opportunity to continue to be supported by y’all in the future! Below I’ve included the draft agenda and advertisement.
I greatly appreciate your consideration! Please let me know if you have any questions. I’d love to chat! (706) 318-7245.
With gratitude,
Sarah
Sarah Baker
Fisheries Biologist
(770) 531-4037
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A division of the
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
EVENT AGENDA:
9:00 AM – Welcome
9:15 AM – Learn how to fish for trout (break up into two large groups)
10:15 AM – Fishing on Smith Creek
11:45 AM – Lunch
12:45 PM – Travel over to Adventure Camp field
1:00 PM – Educational Sessions
- How to cast a fly rod
- How to prepare a trout for supper
- Fish anatomy and art
- No thanks, we’ll leave after lunch
2:00 PM – Adjourn (Pass out goody bags & prizes)
EVENT DESCRIPTION: (DRAFT)
Mom - What do you want to do for Mother’s Day? How about a day of trout fishing! Whether you are a new or experienced angler, you can enjoy this special free event for you and your family. Limited spots available, so register soon at …
Date: Saturday, May 7, 2022
Where: Unicoi State Park, Event Begins at Picnic Shelter #6
When: Check-in Begins at 9 am., event lasts until 2:00 pm
This limited availability event offers a fun day of trout fishing on Smith Creek at Unicoi State Park. The day will include fishing in a stocked trout stream (spinning rods, reels, and lures will be provided), lunch, and several educational fishing sessions (registration required). Parking and Restrooms available on site. Please note, the event is free – but there is a parking fee ($5) at all Georgia State Parks. Please be sure to wear hard-soled shoes (sneakers or water shoes). We also recommend bringing clothes that can get wet, towel, sunscreen, hat.
Once you register here, you will receive an invitation to complete a family form. On this form you will need to include any family members coming with you. If you are interested in any of the educational fishing sessions (Intro to Fly Casting, How to Prepare a Trout for Supper, and Fish Anatomy & Art), please check that on the form. Be sure to return the form quickly to ensure you secure a spot!
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HONORING JEFF DURNIAK
Make a Gift or Pledge
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Either I was asleep at the wheel or this just came out, but you can now honor our good friend Jeff Durniak by making a gift in his name to support the Coldwater Fisheries Student Research Endowment at the University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources. This fund provides research support for outstanding students studying coldwater fisheries, providing resources managers with vital information, and preparing the next generation of professionals to conserve, protect, restore, and sustain coldwater fisheries.
Jeff spent 34 years with the Georgia DNR, with 24 of those years serving as the North Georgia Region Fisheries Supervisor. Jeff has always been a champion for coldwater and supporting our natural resources. He has been a staunch support of TU, especially our local chapters. He has always been a great mentor for newbies and supporter of the fishing sports. Please, if you will, consider making a gift/pledge in Jeff's name at: https://www.warnell.uga.edu/honoring-jeffrey-peter-durniak
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CRAYFISH CREEK
Embrace A Stream Project Needs Your Help Today
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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.
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CRAYFISH CREEK
Restoring a Heavily Impaired Tributary of the Chattahoochee River
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UGA 5 RIVERS
Donation Wishlist
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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.
Good morning Kathy,
First off, thank you again for inviting us to participate in the GA TU council meeting the other weekend. We were delighted to share what is going on within the club and to learn more about what else is going on around the state. We are extremely fortunate to have such a strong community that supports our efforts here in Athens, and we could not accomplish our goals without the help of those around us.
I have spoken with our executive team to craft a “wishlist” of sorts for the 5 Rivers club. I realize this list is extensive, but donations of ANY size will be helpful and very much appreciated.
- 10 fly rod outfits (rod, reel, line). Preferably 4 or 5 wt setups
- Extra leaders and tippet (3x-6x)
- Fly selections for both trout and warmwater fisheries
- Boot-foot waders. Neoprene or breathable material. Boot sizes 6-12
- Cash/Check donations that we can use to buy gear and take advantage of the fund-matching program that the council has generously offered
Our goal is to create a 5 Rivers Gear Library in which members can rent out club gear for personal trips and return it to our storage locker once they return. This gear will also be utilized for club outings such as our biannual trip to Brevard, NC and frequent outings to the Chattooga and Nantahala Rivers.
Please feel free to forward this list to anyone who you think might be willing to contribute or pass along their contact information and I will reach out personally. Again, we cannot thank you enough for your support of UGA 5 Rivers, and we look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best,
UGA 5 Rivers
Elijah Dwoskin
B.S. Ecology
University of Georgia '22
404-323-5335
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PROJECT HEALING WATERS
Oakwood VA Clinic
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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.
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AMAZON SMILE
Charity Designation
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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.
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ANGLER MANAGEMENT
Unicoi Outfitters Fishing Intel Blog
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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.
During my spring trout stream treks I’m running across a lot of metro TU’ers. Right now, In fact, I’m at a windy Smith DH conversing with three longtime UCCTUers. Like me, many of your older members prefer to stay out of the social media frays and are not personally active on sites like Facebook and Instagram.
Feel free to make them aware of the winter resurrection of our fly shop’s blog, “Angler Management.”
It has the same timely angling intel as our social media sites. All of it is entertaining and much of it might help your members, especially new flyfishers, to catch a few more fish.
Why? We live, work, retire, and fish up here in north Georgia. From Jimmy to Jake to Wes and Hunter Pittman( our young buck “grown” by Rodney Tumlin and Mack Martin), fishing is in our blood. And now it’s online, too, for non-Facebookers. Enjoy our UO goodies from bear triplets to Friday fishing reports to the hot flies during my Dark30 trips on both weekend evenings.
Give it a look and a try. We want you returning home to the flatlands happy, and coming back up here soon. On what stream? Well, I don’t believe I said! But you’d better be carrying stimmies, caddis, and cahills as the sun sets!!!
Sincerely,
Dredger
(Charter Rabunite)
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GEORGIA DNR
Fishing Information
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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.
Reservoirs:
Trout:
Follow GA DNR:
You can also check out NGTO for Dredgers Weekly Fishing Report"
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NC DELAYED HARVEST
Stocking Dates
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The DH season is officially open in North Carolina. Remember to check the regulations before you go. |
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FISHING REPORT
We got bugs
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Whether you've been bit by the fishing bug or one of the freshly hatching bugs, its's time. Time to get out there and as the locals put it "get yours" at the local drainage basin aka creeks and rivers. I wish I could narrow it down for you for where to fish and what to fish with, but this is that magical time of year where it's all good. You have streams filled to the brim with stockers. You have our few trout lakes (an untapped resource) filled with trout. You have some great hatches happening. You have feisty upper blue line wild fish feasting after a long winter. You have some darn good water flows. It's all good. Get out there with a fly rod, a worm rod, a spinning rod or a stick with some string. Just get out there.
If you haven't see GA DNR stocking reports lately, check out the link above in the newsletter under the GA DNR section for getting added to the list for trout and fishing information.
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Yarn. Two Knots.
That's literally it.
Well just a tad more, but basically it. Man, this fly was hot back when DH streams first opened up. It was the fly you just had to have when hitting those places. Shops didn't quite have them yet, so you had guys standing on street corners and back alleys making deals just to get their hands on these. It's funny how fly trends go that you have flies that everyone must have and then they fall out of favor and nobody fishes them anymore. Funny thing is, the trout lifespan (especially stockers) isn't that long and this will be just as effective today as it was 15 years ago. Give these another chance especially here with fresh stockers, but these do work on wild fish for egg imitations (steelhead have been fooled by this fly).
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- Hook: Nymph hook sizes 10-18.
- Thread: Orange, Pink or Chartreuse
- Bead: Gold or Silver (size to match)
- Yarn: Egg Yarn (contrast or matching)
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GEORGIA FOOTHILLS CHAPTER WEBSITE AND FACEBOOK |
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.
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For all information regarding Trout Unlimited in Georgia, check out the Georgia Council website at: http://georgiatu.org/
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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. |
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