SEPTEMBER, 2005 UNICOI NEWSLETTER

Remember the fires in Yellowstone back in 1988? We all thought it was kind of a death knell for the wildlife there and particularly the fishing. And there were plenty of articles written that encouraged us to feel that way. But what happened? Yellowstone looked like an atomic bomb had been dropped on it what with all the charred ground and standing dead timber; that's true. However, as we all now realize, the fire may have been the best thing to happen to Yellowstone since Earth's firey innards boiled to the surface millennia ago. New vegetation began to sprout even before the smoke had cleared. And the wildlife prospered on the abundance of food that was suddenly made available to them. And the fish may have been the primary benefactor due to an unsuspected release of nutrients from the burned vegetation and unprotected soils which were now being washed into the streams every time it rained. All of a sudden, the aquatic insect biomass exploded and, with more bugs and more downed trees in the stream corridor to providing new holding water. And the fishing was fantastic! The scenery took some getting used to, but the fishing kept your mind off it.

As most of you have heard by now, Nacoochee Bend took a pretty good hit from a couple of F2 tornadoes that spun off Hurricane Katrina. Miraculously, our shop was untouched while trees and light poles were twisted to the ground within feet of our porch. The lower end of the river, between the bridges, looked like someone went over it with a giant bush hog with a dull blade. Most of the trees were thrown into the river. It was a jumble of downed trees and we couldn't get to it without crawling around and over more downed trees on the riverbank. Riverbirch and Sycamores that were over a century old looked like fiddlesticks in the river. We were definitely facing the biggest challenge we've ever faced. As it stood, the lower section of the river was unfishable. If you managed to find a way into the river, there was no place to cast. In true trout bum form, however, we didn't miss a beat. After the initial shock had worn off, we immediately began making an appraisal of what needed to be done and arrangements to get working on it. With an attitude of "do no more harm to the river", we got permission from the local regulatory agencies, advice from a professional fisheries biologist, and began the process of making lemonade out of lemons. And here's the comparison with Yellowstone. While it looked for all the world like a disaster, and was certainly an event we could have done without, the ironic thing is that we now have more and better trout habitat on the lower end (now affectionately known as "Tornado Alley") than we could have ever paid to have installed. We left all the uprooted trees, root ball and all, in the river attached to the bank. We simply pulled the tops out of the main stream and will be anchoring them to the bank to act as an erosion control buffer. The trees are already changing some areas and creating new fishing holes. Areas that were good before are now even better and sections that held no fish before now have trees that are creating new holding spots for fish. And the vegetation now lying in the river is like an incubator for bugs which the fish will love. We're still a ways from getting everything just the way we would like to have it but it is fishable now. For research purposes only, Jimmy fished it with a friend on Thursday to see what challenges anglers would be facing. The highlight of the day was a 25 inch plus rainbow that weighed around 9 lbs. and took him on a 200 yard run around and through the downed timber before coming to the net. It still has a feeling reminiscent of Humphrey Bogart and the African Queen but it's going to be okay. The scenery leaves a lot to be desired but, hopefully, the fishing will far overshadow it. To quote Mark Twain, "Reports of our demise have been greatly exaggerated!"

We want to thank everyone who called or emailed to offer their help. We can't tell you how that touched our hearts. We even considered it briefly but quickly realized that this was more than sheer brute force could handle. There was so much to do we would have been working on it this time next year. Now we think Nacoochee Bend stands as a model of how to restore a trout stream after a natural disaster. It is our sincere hope that others will look at what we've done and try to emulate our goals as opposed to simply vacuuming the river and leaving it vulnerable to increasing erosion.

While we're on the subject of natural disasters, we want you to please consider the unfortunate folks on the Gulf Coast who have lost everything in the wake of Katrina. Sure we were impacted by the collateral storms of the hurricane but, in reality, we were inconvenienced. Untold numbers of families who were in the path of Katrina have experienced life altering circumstances. It's almost beyond comprehension. We've got an unusual request of you. If you have been saving to come fish with us at Nacoochee Bend this Fall, we want to encourage you to donate that money to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Without all our help, there are thousands of our neighbors who may never again know what it's like to live a normal life. Please contact the Red Cross at http://www.redcross.org/ or the Salvation Army at www.salvationarmyusa.org and make a donation. Even if you've already done it, take this fishing money and do it again. Thanks!

EVENTS

Some things we think you will be interested in:

Sept. 17th Work day at Waters Creek 9:00 AM Meet at the Check Station The project will involve instream repairs of existing holding structures and possibly creating some new ones as well. I am hoping that many of you will volunteer a day or a half day for this project All tools will be provided by the USFS and the DNR. Lunch provided by NGTO (http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ngto/)

Sept. 17th Smithgall Woods-Dukes Creek Conservation Area's last Youth Fishing Day of the year Children and their special "big person" can come to Smithgall anytime between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and fish in one of two stocked ponds. The ponds are stocked with catfish, bass, and bream. Fish caught from the ponds can be kept. For those who are not avid anglers, there will be a staff member available to assist with fishing technique. Fishing rods are available on-site and bait can be purchased at the Shell Station just across from the entrance gate on Highway 75. Access to Smithgall Woods is normally off Highway 75 Alternate, but for this event enter through the Highway 75 "tipi gate" next to Smithgall Animal Shelter (approximately five miles north of Ingle's on the Helen Highway 75). There is a $3.00 parking fee but the event is FREE. For further information, call the park at (706) 878-3087. Smithgall Woods-Dukes Creek Conservation Area 61 Tsalaki Trail " Helen, GA 30545 " (706) 878-3087

Sept. 24th & 25th Wildwood Outfitters "End of Season" used equipment sale All the rental canoes and kayaks from this past season will be sold on a first come, first served basis at tremendous savings. Location: Wildwood Outfitters, Hwy. 384 at Duncan Bridge Phone 706-865-4451

Sept. 24th Work Day at Smith Creek (Outdoor Adventure Day canceled due to tornado damage) Ed. Note: Smith Creek was damaged by the Katrina tornado that hit Nacoochee Bend.

Unicoi OAD Has Become A Work Project At Smith Creek We need OAD volunteers on September 24th. We've arranged a work day on Smith Creek to help repair some of Katrina's damage. A lot of work is needed to get the creek ready for the delayed harvest season. Lee Keefer, Leon Brotherton and Michael Wood looked at the creek last week to see specifically what needs to be done. They will provide equipment and some park staff, if we can gather some volunteers to help clean up the creek. Friends of Unicoi will purchase hamburgers, hotdogs and drinks for lunch. We are looking to start work at 8:00 AM and work till about midday. Although I'm sure we could work longer if we decided to. I bet the work will be easier than OAD.

We're also planning a "Liar's Club Dinner" on Saturday night at Creekwood Campground (www.creekwoodresort.com or 706-878-2164). Please let me know if you can make it! If you like, you can contact me directly. Dave Grainger Home 770-918-9395 Office 404-464-0531 Email mr2trout@mindspring.com

Sept. 19th The Oconee River Chapter of Trout Unlimited (http://www.orctu.org) would like to cordially invite you and your family to a Special Presentation by Jimmy Harris, of Unicoi Outfitters. Monday, September 19 Who's Invited: Everyone Where Is It: Logan's Roadhouse in Athens, Georgia Times: Social/Dinner, 6 PM; Speaker Program and Raffle, 7 PM Program: Jimmy Harris - Underwater Presentation

There will be a special raffle to benefit the UGA Endowment Fund so bring your money and a special item to put in the raffle. We hope to see all of you there. If you have any questions feel free to contact me. Josh Barnett caddisfly08@yahoo.com

October 1st Gold Rush TU Chapter's First Annual Family Cookout and Fundraiser Location: Camp Glisson north of Dahlonega Time: Socializing begins at 5:00 PM Free food, casting contests, raffles and auctions. Visitors are welcome. To help us plan, please contact Pat Patillo at jpattill@alltel.net or 706-864-5351.

NEW GEAR REPORT FROM THE FLY FISHING RETAILER SHOW

This is the time for new product introductions in the fly fishing industry and 2005's show certainly didn't lack for new hype for the "latest and greatest" gadgets and gear we couldn't live without. The following are a few bullets on items we thought you would find interesting:

Thomas & Thomas Rodmakers (http://www.thomasandthomas.com) now own Abel Reels. Yep, the deal came down the day before the show started. These are two of the finest names in the industry; let's hope they complement each other with a synergy that benefits fly anglers.

Almost everybody now has imported rods. St. Croix (Oh, say it ain't so!), Orvis, Sage (Reddington), and even Winston (http://www.winstonrods.com). Some good, some leave a lot to be desired in our opinion. Priced from less than $100.00 to near $300.00, we would simply recommend you pick one up and cast it before buying. The best we saw was the Winston Vapor series, which priced at $279.00. It's a good rod and nice looking. Does it cast better than the domestically made Sage FLi? That, like all rod decisions, is up to the individual. It is prettier than the Sage, we'll have to admit our prejudices. Just having trouble getting use to that west coast mindset.

Orvis (http://www.orvis.com), as everyone already knows, has developed their own boron rod to compete with Winston's BIIX series. The "Zero Gravity" rods incorporate boron in the butt sections just as the Winstons which makes them extremely light weight and tough, particularly when combined with the "nano-ceramic thermoplastic resins" (We just had to say that. Just remember, we are still talking fishing poles.). At $655.00 for the trout rods, Orvis is stepping out into new financial territory. They do cast well, for the most part (there are always some rods in a series that don't seem to cast as well as others) with the 8'6" 5 wt. being our favorite.

Ross Reels (http://www.rossreels.com)has two items of interest to us. First, they have developed a reel for the $60.00 market that is very nice. We have needed a reel in this price range since Orvis discontinued the Rocky Mountain. This reel, which is not yet listed on their website or in their catalog, is an excellent value and very well made. Secondly, they have developed a large arbor version, the CLA, of the Cimmaron. A fully machined large arbor reel that will sell for under $200.00 in trout sizes and, of course, be backed by Ross' lifetime warranty. The drag system on the CLA is much beefier and smoother than even their tried and true Cimmaron drag and provides a wider range of adjustment.

Sage (http://www.sageflyfish.com) recently announced they were discontinuing the VPS and VPS Light series. They've been replaced by the new VT2. As usual, we went to the show with a chip on our shoulder about the demise of our favorite rod series; this time the VPS Light. And, as usual, we came away impressed with the "new and improved" version. The VT2 series are great casting rods that can cover a wide range of fishing conditions. From 7'9" 3 and 4 wts. to the 9'6" 8 wt. and even beyond to the 14'4" 9 wt. two-handed rods, each rod's taper and action are designed to fit a specific line weight. The trout rods in this model are priced $385.00 to $400.00. Of course, the two-handed rods are more. Again, in typical west coast fashion, the rods are a "gorgeous blue ribbon blue". Beauty's in the eye of the beholder.

There were many more items in the "gadget" category that you'll be seeing over the next few months. Many are just a reinvention of something that's been around for a long time. Now and then, someone actually comes up with a new idea. Like Sage's new casting analyzer. This thing is a newsletter unto itself. We've got one on order and will be letting you know when it comes in. Amazing piece of equipment that truly has the ability to help you become a better caster.

FISHING REPORTS

After Katrina moved north and a high pressure system settled in over us, the fishing became tough as nails. Everybody was reporting poor results from public waters to tailwaters to trophy waters. It didn't matter; the fishing was difficult. Our guests were still catching fish but they were really working for each and every one. Not what we've come to expect when things begin to cool down and Fall's nip is in the morning air. Water levels are still up somewhat from the norm but it's clear as gin which always tilts the scales in favor of the fish. If you've got a fishing trip planned in the next few days, you can expect to go "far and fine" as they say. Make good casts, longer than usual with finer tippets. While you may get a riser now and then, most of your strikes will probably be from dredging the bottoms.

All the public streams have been stocked recently and should offer good opportunities. Poplar Stump Road which follows the Chattahoochee River to the headwaters area is back open so access is much easier. Don't forget, Georgia's seasonal streams will be closing at the end of October. If you like small stream fishing, you only have a few more weeks on most of them.

Ironically, the season shuts down just when our fishing gets really good. Fortunately, we have more and more year round streams to choose from and, of course, the delayed harvest streams offer fantastic fishing from late Fall through Winter and Spring. We'll talk more about them next month.

Remember, North Carolina's delayed harvest streams will be opening the first of October. And several of them are very close to Georgia. Most of them offer great fishing and easy access. A non-resident annual license is $40.00 and is good for 365 days from the date of purchase. A great deal.

FINALLY

We want to help you get ready for the Fall fishing season. Bring any of your gear by either of the Unicoi Outfitters shops in Helen or Blue Ridge and we'll check it out for you, clean your line, check it for cracks and replace your line to leader connector free of charge. If you have a new line you want spooled, bring it in and we'll be more than happy to install it for you. We appreciate your support and want to do all we can to make your angling experiences enjoyable.

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