AUGUST, 2006 UNICOI NEWSLETTER

We had considered not sending out a newsletter this month simply due to the fact that the drought conditions here in north Georgia have pretty much got everyone in the mindset of waiting until October before they hit the streams again. And it is true; north Georgia is suffering from the worst water conditions in memory with low levels and lethally high temperatures. Not a good combination.

However, when life hands you lemons, make lemonade. The streams that remain cool enough have recently been heavily stocked by both DNR and the Feds. In effect, what you’re looking at is a recreation of opening day, just with a smaller number of streams. The Tallulah River, Wildcat, Rock, Dicks and Boggs Creeks, and the headwaters of the Chattahoochee River probably have more fish in them now than at any time this year. Plus, the tailwaters below Buford Dam and Blue Ridge Dam are literally teeming with fish. And they’re catchable sizes, not the little fingerlings that were stocked a few weeks ago. If you need a fishing fix to help you get through the Dog Days of Summer or if you’ve got that newby in your life that you’ve been trying to introduce to trout fishing, you will never have a better opportunity than right now. If you want to know whether or not your favorite stream has been stocked, call the Burton Hatchery at 706-947-3112 or the Gainesville office of DNR at 770-535-5498.

DUKES CREEK CLOSED

We received the following press release from DNR concerning Dukes Creek at Smithgall Woods. This is a good thing and we commend them for making this decision.

GAINESVILLE, Ga. (August 10, 2006) - The extreme heat of the last few weeks is hurting several of Georgia's trout streams, and even forcing the closure of one trout stream. According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD), 90 degree temperatures for days on end, combined with warm nights, are pushing water temperatures in some mountain streams to levels that are lethal to trout.

"Many streams are just too warm and we've had to suspend stocking in those areas," says WRD Trout Stocking Coordinator Perry Thompson. "The ideal stocking temperature for water is no higher than the mid 60's, but we are getting readings of 80 degrees in some cases. Stream flows are also down considerably, and as the flow drops the water warms even more since it's moving slower and has more time to absorb heat."

Trout survival in the state's hatchery system also is jeopardized by the warm weather. Lake Burton Fish Hatchery, located near Clarkesville, has experienced high trout mortality since its water source, Moccasin Creek, is warming to levels not seen since the drought years of the late nineteen-eighties. Normal feeding and basic disease control measures cannot be done, as they add stress to the trout. Buford Trout Hatchery, located near Cumming, has come to the rescue and will hold as many of next year's trout as possible. Buford Hatchery receives cold water drawn from the lower depths of Lake Lanier. WRD personnel also will accelerate stocking efforts, with most of the trout set aside for this month to be put into suitable waters by the middle of August.

"With these heavy recent stockings, there are still lots of trout that can be caught! For example, the Tallulah River in Rabun and Towns Counties, Cooper Creek in Union County, Rock Creek in Fannin County and the Chattahoochee River upstream of Helen in White County have been heavily stocked in the last two weeks," says Thompson. "Anglers also shouldn't forget that the Chattahoochee River downstream of Lake Lanier remains cool, as does the Toccoa River downstream of Lake Blue Ridge, and they have had additional stockings from state and federal hatcheries."

At this time, the only stream that will be closed to trout fishing is Dukes Creek on the Smithgall Woods Conservation Area (three miles east of Helen). Even though this particular stream is managed with "catch and release" rules, angling stress combined with hot water can kill the trophy trout that anglers value. To conserve this resource, Dukes Creek will be closed to anglers from August 12 through September 17. The Conservation Area will accept fishing reservations after September 17, contingent on stream conditions improving. Anglers will need to call the Conservation Area (706-878-3087) the day before their trip to verify that the stream has been reopened.

Fortunately, trophy trout anglers can still visit nearby Waters Creek on the Chestatee Wildlife Management Area, as it currently remains cold enough for trout survival. Anglers must possess a WMA stamp to fish Waters Creek. Stream conditions here are also being monitored. If they worsen, there is the possibility that this creek will be closed, too, to conserve its trophy trout for the years to come.

For more information on trout stream conditions and fish stockings call the WRD Lake Burton Fish Hatchery at (706) 947-3112 any day between 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. For more information on fishing in general, visit www.gofishgeorgia.com.

WARM WATER FISHING

We’re all down in the dumps about the current trout fishing conditions but there are alternatives. Just this week, a couple of us hit the Chattahoochee River between Hwy. 105 and Hwy. 384 for some shoal bass fishing. It was wild! Pencil Poppers brought them running from as far away as 6 feet and, with the low water conditions, just about every ledge or rock you thought might hold a fish, did. The largest fish landed were probably 13” – 14” but several well over a pound were tied into but not landed. This is a lot of fun using a 6 wt. rod. They’re very aggressive.

UPDATED WEBSITE

We’ve been doing a little work on our website recently and invite you to visit us at http://www.unicoioutfitters.com. We’ve got a new look, some new photos and a cool little short video of our favorite fish, Mr. Leroy Brown. Let us know what you think.

While you’re at the site you may notice that we have Sage XP rods on sale at 30% off. Sage will be introducing a new rod at the Fly Fishing Retailer Show in Denver this month that incorporates some new technology and will be dropping the XP series. Over the past couple of years, the XP has been one of our best selling rods and now is a great time for you to get a good deal on one. Unlike computers, old technology in fly rods is not a bad thing. Heck, we still fish the old Light Lines series (the BEST rod anyone has ever made according to Jimmy). If you have a specific rod you’re interested in and we don’t have it in either of our shops, we can order it for you at the discounted price as long as Sage has them available.

THANK YOU

As always, we are grateful for your friendship and your patronage. If you ever need current fishing information or specifications and recommendations on gear, please call us at (706) 878-3083 in Helen or (706) 632-1880 in Blue Ridge.

Remember, if you no longer wish to receive our newsletter, just reply to this email with the word "remove" in the subject line. On the other hand, if you know someone you think would like to know what's going on with north Georgia trout fishing, please have them send us an email and request to be placed on our mailing list.

Tight lines!

The Liars Club http://www.unicoioutfitters.com