Return to Unicoi Outfitters Home page

March 2002 Unicoi Newsletter

Well, even with the mild weather and great fishing we've had over the Winter months (it's so great living in the South!), we can't help but be excited that Spring is finally here.

Not only are the temperatures more comfortable, we're seeing more bugs and more bugs mean more actively feeding fish; fish actually feeding on or near the surface. Never forsake the nymph in this part of the world, but you can now substitute a dry fly for
that yarn indicator.

Speaking of flies, here's what you can expect for the next few weeks in north Georgia. In the Chattahoochee drainage, we're seeing brown caddis, early black stones, yellow stones, blue winged olives in the afternoons, a few March browns and red quills. The
flies we're catching fish on are:

Elk Hair Caddis (16)
Parachute Adams (16)
BWO's (18)
Black Stone Nymph (18 & 20)
Black Adult Stones (18 & 20)
Yellow Stone Nymphs (10)
March Brown Dry & Wet (12)
Red Quill (14)
Island Park Special (14)
Black Rubber Leg Stone (12)
Bead Head Olive Woolly Bugger (12)
Bead Head Pheasant Tail (16)
Bead Head Hare's Ear (12)

There is also one other important "hatch" coming up within the next few weeks; one relatively unknown and misunderstood in our area. The white suckers in our streams are just about ready to begin the spawn. Trout will eat these eggs at every opportunity
so be ready with a small chartreuse egg pattern (yeah, another glo ball!). The eggs of the sucker are actually chartreuse green. Bounce these flies along the bottom and hold on; very productive. For insurance, tie on a pheasant tail dropper just to provide the full range of culinary options.

Remember, the regular season for trout opens the last Saturday in March. Lots more water becomes available and DNR has been actively stocking the streams. When you combine this with the stockings done over the Winter, it makes for some good opportunities. In addition to DNR, the city of Helen has plans to stock about 4,000 trout in the river through town for the Annual Trout Fishing Tournament which will be held on Saturday, March 23rd. That Saturday may find a pretty crowded river, but you can rest assured all those trout won't be caught that day. Mixed in with the 4,000 trout will be some trophy size fish so it should be good fishing for the next few weeks.

Hoot In The Hills

Saturday, March 23rd is also the date of the Foothills TU "Hoot In The Hills" annual fundraiser. This year's party will again be held at LaPrade's Camp on Lake Burton. Lots of good food and fellowship with folks who are interested in trout fishing. There will
be bucket raffles and silent auctions for great prizes (both fishing & non-fishing). This is a family affair, so bring everyone. Tickets are $20.00 per person, $35.00 per couple and include dinner. The chapter is also having a raffle for an Orvis TLS 7' 4 wt. 4 pc.
rod with Battenkill reel and Orvis fly line. Tickets for the rod raffle are $10.00 each and may be purchased ahead of time at Unicoi Outfitters. You do not have to be present to win. If you can't attend the banquet, but would like to support the coldwater
conservation efforts of the chapter, just call the shop (706-878-3083) with your credit card number. We'll fill out your raffle ticket for you and drop it in the hat Saturday evening. Socializing begins at 5:00 PM and dinner will be served at 6:30 PM. Hope to
see you there!

For those of you unfamiliar with the activities of the Foothills Chapter of Trout Unlimited, we are very actively involved in a number of projects aimed at youth education. Each year our chapter supports, with money and physical labor, the Smithgall Woods Youth
Education Program, the Soque River Outdoor Classroom at North Habersham Middle School, and the Fly Fishing Discovery Class at White County Middle School. We are also actively involved in projects with Ga. DNR and the U.S. Forest Service on brook
trout habitat restoration, erosion and sedimentation control & student intern funding. Trout Unlimited and the Georgia Foothills Chapter have done a tremendous amount of good work to help make trout fishing what it is in Georgia. If you enjoy trout fishing,
please consider supporting their efforts. Come to the "Hoot" this Saturday evening!

ESPN2

Unicoi Outfitters is fortunate to again be featured on ESPN2 this Spring. In December of last year we spent three days with the crew of "Fly Fishing America" filming their show as well as a segment of "Destination Outdoors". The "Fly Fishing America" show was filmed at Nacoochee Bend and Frog Hollow with host Chad Foster and his guest Skip Barnett. Air dates for the show are May 20th at 11:00 AM, May 22nd at 11:30 AM and May 25th at 10:00 AM on ESPN2.

"Destination Outdoors" is a show depicting what outdoor professionals do on their day off. Two of Unicoi's guides, David Hulsey and Butch Martin, along with fishing buddy, Brad Wayne, were filmed taking a drift boat trip down the Tuckaseegee River. They will be featured on a segment of the 30-minute show. Air dates are April 16th at 11:00 AM, April 17th at 11:30 AM and April 20th at 10:00 AM on ESPN2. Set your VCR's!

Shallow Water Expo Winners

Congratulations to the winners of the free fishing trips to Nacoochee Bend. John Sayer was the winner of our drawing on Saturday and Sparky Stewart was drawn as the winner on Sunday of the Shallow Water Expo in February. As usual, Unicoi Outfitters had a great time at the show. We want to thank everyone who stopped by to see us. The show is a great way to get fired up about the coming season.

Now it's time to shut up and go fishing!

Tight lines.

The Liars Club

Return to Unicoi Outfitters Home page