“FORWARD CASTING” Important Dates - See you there!

Aug 5 & 6 Campout Friday Night & Work Project (with USFS) on Saturday Morning; for location and details contact Ray Kearns:

Phone 706 782 9913 E-Mail raykearns@alltel.net

August 16 Family Picnic, 6 PM, at Kelly’s Water Falls Park. Bring a covered dish. There will not be a raffle at the picnic.

August 23 Board of Directors meeting, Location TBD

August 27 GA TU Council Meeting, 9 AM, Island Ford Conference Center, Atlanta

September 8 – 10 National TU 2005 Annual Meeting - Denver

September 20 Chapter Meeting, 6:30 PM, Clayton Presbyterian Church - Election of Chapter Officers and Directors for F/Y2006 (begins Oct. 1^st). Program - Terry Seehorn & Students, “The North Region GA Envirothon, What is it & Why it is important?”

September 24 Help with Outdoor Adventure Day, GA WRD at Unicoi State Park

September 27 Board of Directors meeting, Location TBD

Sept 29 – Oct 2 (Thurs – Sun) Fishing & Camping West Fork, Holcomb & Overflow Creeks with Camping at the West Fork Camp Ground (with Tables and Toilet). Contact person - Charlie Breithaupt:

Phone 706 782 9913 E-Mail knc615@direcway.com

Remember the 19^th Annual Rabun Rendezvous will be January 21, 2006

FLY OF THE MONTH

by Terry Rivers

YELLOW STIMULATOR

What a great fly. I cannot say enough about this fly. I use it all winter, spring, and summer for mostly a strike indicator; but, also caught, landed or at least had strikes on it numerous times. You can be so versatile with the color variations. Try this fly. You will like it. If any of the members would like me to show them how to tie any of the Fly-of-the-Month patterns, just give me a call or E-mail and we can get together at my place. See y’all on The River!

Hook: Nymph size 10 to 16

Thread: Yellow or color of body

Wings: Elk hair or fine deer hair

Tail: Same as wings

Body: Dubbing: Color of choice. I sometimes use antron.

Hackle: Brown or Ginger

“Creeps and idiots cannot conceal themselves for long on a fishing trip.” John Gierach

AUGUST HATCHES

The Bugs Time of Month Time of Day Suggested Flies .

Yellow Stonefly All Month E am & L pm 14–16 Yellow Stimulator

14-16 Yellow Stonefly Nymph

Golden Stonefly All Month Early am 6–10 Golden Stonefly Nymph

Light Cahill Mayfly All Month E to L pm 12-14 Light Cahill 12-14 Light Cahill Nymph

Midges All Month All Day 18-22 Griffith's Gnat 18-22 Midge Pupa

Terrestrials – Ants, Beatles, Crickets, Inch-Worms, Hoppers, Etc Various Times & Sizes

Editors Note: The warm weather and light hatches of July and August are two of the reasons many Rabunites make annual treks to fish and camp “West of Hiawassee”.

"When the going gets rough, head for the stream. You might not catch a thing, but your psyche, body and soul will benefit from a little solitude and fresh air. If you can't do that, why not keep one of your better fly rods at the office and fondle it from time to time. Just the feel of a fine fly rod in your hand will do wonders for your health."

Jimmy D Moore

Ethics and Stream Etiquette

“The ethics of sportsmanship is not a fixed code, but must be formulated and practiced by the individual,

with no referee but the Almighty.” Aldo Leopold from Round River

Treat other anglers, your surroundings, and your fish with respect.

Trout fishing is a vehicle to leave the competition of everyday life and to enter a natural world where gentle people can enjoy being together while respecting one another’s privacy and need for solitude. It is fine to share stories and flies with a stranger, but never a stretch of stream unless invited. This is especially true on public waters, such as in the Chattooga DH section or in the backcountry.

Ø We fish for different reasons. Some of us go fly-fishing simply to experience some solitude. When you greet another angler on the stream or trail, it’s OK to ask: “How’s fishing?” If the other angler mumbles and looks away, respect his need for privacy and move along.

Ø Anglers should walk the trail to space themselves so as not to infringe on another angler’s ‘envelope of solitude’. This usually means around a bend and completely out of site of other anglers.

Ø If someone is fishing a pool, either move along to another section of stream or wait until the other angler is out of the pool and has moved along to another section.

Ø If you come across an angler sitting on the bank next to a pool, move along. The angler may be ’resting’ the pool or ‘resting’ a particular fish.

Ø Never cross a stream where another angler is fishing. Find another place that is either well below or out of sight above to cross.

Ø When two anglers meet on the stream and one is fishing ‘up stream’ and the other is fishing ‘down stream’, the angler fishing ‘up’ has the ‘right-of-way’.

Ø When you discover what fly is working, share the info (and a fly) with other anglers.

Ø When another angler gives you a fly, open your fly box and give him one of your favorites and tell him when and how you use it.

Ø Invite someone less fortunate or less experienced to go with you and share your stream knowledge.

Ø When another angler shows you a secret fishing spot, never return there alone without asking your friend’s permission. And never show the spot to someone else.

Ø Don’t compete with other anglers on the number of trout caught. For some of us, success is fooling the fish into striking, even if the trout isn’t landed. For others, success is in making a good cast. For others, success is just a day of solitude, making memories on a stream.

Ø Respect private property. Don’t cross it without permission, even to get to ‘public’ property on the other side.

Ø Use the heaviest tippet you can to fool the trout. Play the trout quickly without exhausting it.

Ø If possible, release trout without handling them. Barbless hooks will make this easier.

Ø Limit your kill; don’t kill your limit.

Ø Pick up trash, even if it is not yours. When you clip off a piece of line, put it in your pocket and take it out.

Ø Be active in conservation. Volunteering is a great way to give something back to the resource that brings you so much pleasure. Help the Rabun Chapter accomplish its mission to conserve, protect and restore Northeast Georgia’s trout fisheries and their watersheds.

Ø Pass it on; take a kid fishing. Today’s kids will be the watershed protectors of tomorrow.

The Pathfinder Awards annually honor twelve Georgians who volunteer their time and effort to make a difference in the

lives of others.

Two awards are given in each of 6 categories:

Education, Public Safety, Family & Children, Environmental, Health, and Poverty Issues

The Turner Broadcasting System’s WTBS station in Atlanta awarded Rabun TU member Joe Gatins the 2005 Pathfinder Award for his service on behalf of the Georgia environment. A former journalist and a resident of Rabun County, Joe has worked tirelessly for the past three years to protect environmental riches unique to Georgia. After the banquet and during the presentation ceremony at Fernbank Science Center on June 7^th, a video vignette presentation was shown about Joe’s on-the-ground commitment to protect the Chattahoochee National Forest. The award included a $1000 gift, which Joe designated to go to Georgia ForestWatch (click on: http://www.gafw.org/ ). Joe is a member of the Board of Directors and the Tallulah District Leader for Georgia ForestWatch. He is also an active leader in the Nantahala Hiking Club and a leader in ‘Stop I-3 Rabun Chapter’. A well deserved honor. Congratulations Joe!

Two other members of Rabun TU have received the prestigious WTBS award. Decatur (GA) resident and Rabunite Allison Adams received the 2003 Pathfinder Award for her community activism in environmental affairs. She donated her $1000 gift to the Oakhurst Community Garden, a non-profit organization for which Allison is President of the Board of Directors (click on: http://www.oakhurstgarden.org/ ).

The year before that, RGNS science teacher and Rabunite Terry Seehorn received the WTBS 2002 Environmental Award for his activities in organizing and leading the Georgia Envirothon program (click on: http://www.georgiaenvirothon.org/ ). See page 1 for info about the Chapter meeting program on the Envirothon scheduled for the September 20^th.

We don't normally get into political matters here but we think this one is worth it and it's very time sensitive. It involves the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and how those monies are appropriated (click on: http://www.fs.fed.us/land/staff/LWCF/ ). Congress is currently working on the budget for FY '06 and, as a matter of fact, the House of Representatives has already voted on their version and sent it to the Senate. President Bush's budget asked for $1 million dollars of LWCF money for Georgia, which the U.S. Forest Service would use to assist in the purchase of critical properties on the upper Chattahoochee River (see photo) and on the Etowah River. The House unfortunately did not see fit to include any (ZERO!) money for LWCF land purchases in their version of the budget. It's now in the Senate where they have allocated $30 million for the entire country; $500,000.00 for Georgia. LWCF funds are not tax revenues. They were originally established as mitigation money to offset the impact of offshore oil drilling. All of the money collected were intended to be used for "land and water" conservation projects. As is typical, over the years more and more of the funds have been redirected to other government projects. Now, only a very small percentage, if any, of LWCF monies end up being dedicated to their original intent. When LWCF funds are dispersed to each state, it appears to be solely on the basis of which congressmen and senators make the best appeal for it. Tennessee and North Carolina have traditionally received much more than Georgia. Montana will likely receive around $6 million. We need to be asking our representatives in Washington to step up to the podium and claim Georgia's share of these funds. This year, at the very least, Georgia needs to have their funding level restored to the President's original request of $1 million. Please consider taking the time to write, call or email your senators and representative. We all know it doesn't take a large number of letters to get their attention. Let's see if we can turn this thing around. Go to this website for information on how to contact them: http://www.georgia.gov/00/channel/0,2141,4802_1462933,00.html

(Rabun TU Board of Directors sent its letter, see page 5 of this newsletter)

Beutell Tract

on the

Upper Chattahoochee River

News of a possible new Interstate highway wending its way through the Blue Ridge, and other areas of Southern Appalachia, is not sitting well with local people. That’s an understatement.

Locals have been up in arms since mid-May, when talk of an Interstate 3 running through the mountains from Savannah to Knoxville gained greater credence. More than 600 showed up for an informational meeting in Towns County – most of them opposed. More than 200 came to the Rabun County courthouse earlier this month to be counted against this route. And that’s just the start, with coalitions building not only in north Georgia but also across state lines to take in like-minded people in the upcountry of South Carolina, western North Carolina and east Tennessee.

What’s all this fuss about? One sportsman and White County resident, Larry Luckett, put it this way, echoing many of the comments making rounds in this area:

“I am personally totally opposed to I-3,” he said. “I am gravely concerned about the effects on the wildlife populations and the disruption of the travel corridors for large mammal particularly bear, the affect on the premier trout streams in that proposed route, and the scenic degradation on the mountain landscape particularly on National Forest land which bears no intrusion of this type at the time.

“I have seen the effects of I-26 through the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee and I personally don't want this to come through the mountains,” Luckett said. “I live in White County, so I am extremely interested and opposed to this project.”

Others also cite the extraordinary expense associated with building about 430-450 miles of new Interstate (usually requiring a right-of-way about three and one-third football fields wide, with preliminary costs pegged around $25 million per mile;) the possible economic downside of such roads in rural areas, and the many concerns relating to transport of nuclear waste and nuclear weaponry on such a mountain road.

Underlying these sentiments, in many cases, is the notion of a simple, mountain way of life, one well in harmony with nature, which is coming under assault with this proposed highway. Put it this way: Maybe growth is inevitable. Maybe highways are necessary for some of that growth. But do we really want to be tying our next fly knowing that we will be competing with the sounds of Jake brakes and the smell of diesel exhausts the next time we are out on the river?

Both Towns and White counties were quick to react to the proposed Interstate as one of the routes first proposed by Rep. Charlie Norwood (who just happens to sneak up this way from time to time to cast a line in the West Fork) would have taken the new Interstate up the U.S. 17 corridor from Toccoa to Hiawassee.

But it seems readily apparent that the U.S. 441 corridor, already being carved into a divided, four-lane behemoth in Rabun, also could come under consideration. And one proposal being pushed by Georgia State Rep. Charles Jenkins would try to avoid the mountains by running up the U.S. 411 corridor beyond Chatsworth. (But the latter also could compound talk of making the Appalachian Foothills Parkway into an Interstate, which has Clarkesville and Dahlonega residents concerned.)

What really are the feds going to do? At this writing, both House and Senate in Washington have approved differing versions of a massive highway spending bill, which would allocate $400,000 for study of I-3 (and a companion Interstate, I-14, running from Augusta to Natchez) by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, with a report due Dec. 31. A conference committee is trying, so far without success, to craft a compromise-spending bill that President Bush can sign. At that point, it’s expected the I-3 study would become a matter of law.

What can one do? For starters, let’s talk it up around TU campfires and meetings, work on our elected officials at every opportunity, and get informed and involved about this issue, which could be around for a good number of years to come. One regional group, dubbed www.STOPI-3.org, has built a website that is beginning to serve as a clearinghouse of information about the Interstate. Many conservation groups are doing the same.

The Rabun TU Chapter Board of Directors, for its part, has stated its reasons for opposing the proposed I-3 in a letter to elected officials (see page 5 of this newsletter).

However one gets involved, it also seems clear that all mountain people, whether old-time, native mountaineers or newcomers, full-time residents or part-time trout fishing tourists, are going to have to keep up the pressure to have any effect. So far, county boards of commissioners in both Habersham and Rabun counties have declared their opposition to I-3, in hopes of sending a message on up the line to the federal officials who are pumping for this project.

But it’s clear this is but the first step in what is obviously going to be a very long haul. So, stick with it.

Subject: Land and Water Conservation Fund Allocation for Georgia

Letters to Sen. Chambliss, Sen. Isakson and Rep. Norwood

As a member of the Board of Directors of the Rabun Chapter of Trout Unlimited, I have been asked by the membership to contact you regarding the restoration of Land & Water Conservation (LWCF) funds allocated for Georgia in President Bush’s budget.

In his original allocation, the President requested $1 million dollars from the LWCF, which the House saw fit to eliminate altogether and the Senate restored half of that amount, or $500,000. The money is needed in order to help the U. S. Forest Service purchase a tract of land, known as the Beutell Tract, that straddles the Chattahoochee River headwaters west of Helen, Georgia.

The headwaters, located in the Chattahoochee National Forest, are home to the Brook Trout, our only native trout. The forest, and other undeveloped lands, naturally filter and clean water flowing into our aquifers, reservoirs, streams and rivers. Not only does the Chattahoochee River provide recreational opportunities for all Georgians, and visitors to our state, it is the primary water source for metropolitan Atlanta.

Traditionally, our neighboring states to the north, Tennessee and North Carolina, receive greater allocations from the LWCF than does Georgia. This is not tax money, but funds set aside to purchase lands and waters for the public’s benefit.

Please make every effort to restore the full amount of $1 million dollars so this vital tract of land may be purchased for the benefit of all Georgians.

Sincerely,

Tom Landreth – Member, Board of Directors

Rabun Chapter of Trout Unlimited

53 Wild Orchid Lane

Rabun Gap, GA 30568

(706) 746-2295

Subject: Proposed Interstate Highway – 3

Letters to Sen. Chambliss, Sen. Isakson and Rep. Norwood

Cc Gov. Perdue, State Rep. Jenkins and State Sen. Schaefer

Trout Unlimited (TU) is America’s leading trout and salmon conservation organization dedicated to conserving, protecting, and restoring coldwater fisheries and their watersheds.

The 100 members of the Rabun County, Georgia, Chapter of Trout Unlimited have asked me to convey to you in the strongest possible terms, our opposition to the proposed construction of Interstate 3. We are especially concerned about the strong possibility that I-3 might be routed through Rabun County along the US 441 corridor.

We have witnessed first hand the loss of trout habitat that occurs around interstate construction corridors. The best mitigation efforts are unable to adequately stem the silt and petroleum runoffs that are integral to the construction and use of interstates.

Here, in Rabun County, we are dedicated to the protection of 479 miles of designated trout water. Of that total 466 miles is primary trout water that supports naturally reproducing trout populations. There is no corridor through Rabun County capable of avoiding the destruction of some of this precious trout habitat.

This situation exists not only in Rabun County but also throughout the northern most counties of Georgia. Therefore, we join with 3,000 other members of Trout Unlimited in Georgia in condemning plans for this interstate.

We trust that as our U.S. Representative you will join us in this fight. We ask that you make every effort to keep us informed of your progress and the I-3 situation as it unfolds.

Sincerely,

Ray Kearns, President

Rabun Trout Unlimited

PO Box 1694

Clayton, Georgia, 30525

Situation: Private boaters want unrestricted year around access to the Upper Chattooga (above Highway 28). In April ‘05, the USFS Washington Office (as a result of an appeal by a boater’s organization) instructed the Sumter NF to conduct additional analyses regarding social and natural resource impacts and to involve affected user groups. Until the additional analyses are completed and a revised decision submitted to Washington (which could take up to 2 years), management of boating on the Upper Chattooga above Highway 28 will revert to the direction in the Sumter’s 1985 forest plan, and the closure decision made in that plan will remain in effect.

Editorial: Zoning with no boating above Highway 28 is doing what is the best for the future of the Upper Chattooga.

“When users with (a) high personal attachment to an activity, (b) high personal attachment to the resource, (c) specific and focused ways of experiencing the environment, and/or (d) low tolerance for other users encounter users with different beliefs and behaviors, there is ample potential for conflict.”

“Streams and whitewater—Water attracts a wide variety of visitors, including swimmers, viewers of fish, anglers, and users of muscle- and motor-powered watercraft. The possibilities of conflict are obvious. For the most part, all the uses just listed are incompatible with one another.”

“Land managers, therefore, are being forced to examine more closely the question of access and who gets what, when, and where. Early detection of user conflicts and effective conflict resolution depend on understanding where and how conflicts arise. Resolving a conflict in its initial stages before users ally themselves with larger, better-organized interest groups helps to avoid costly political and legal actions.”

“Conflict resolution may involve both zoning and education. When the source of conflict is goal interference, it is more appropriate to consider zoning by time, space, or activity. Zoning can ensure that different types of users are physically separated.”

(Quote excerpts from The Southern Forest Resource Assessment; Southern Research Station, USDA Forest Service, dated Oct. 2002; report 4.5 titled Potential Conflicts Between Different Forms of Recreation). For the complete report, click on: http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/sustain/draft/socio6/socio6-09.htm

I was here when Chattooga boating activity began increasing in 1970. By 1973 the numbers of boating visits had grown to over 20,000 per year. The increase in boaters caused a loss of solitude, interference with anglers, and generally a detrimental effect on the fishing experience. I remember when the backcountry anglers’ remote solitude experience was lost and conflicts broke out between anglers and boaters at numerous locations, mostly below Highway 28 at road access points such as Earl’s Ford, Sandy Ford, and Lick Log. Conflicts included shouting, rock throwing, snagging of boats with treble hooks, fist fights, gun play, slashing of rafts, etc. I know it is true; I was there and witnessed some of it. The Forest Service responded. The planners ‘zoned’ the lower 30 miles of the river open to boating, leaving the upper 21 miles of the Chattooga above Highway 28 boating-free to preserve and protect a portion from overuse and conflicts. When the boating ban above Highway 28 was implemented in 1976, my friends and I saw it as a ‘zoning treaty’ developed by the Forest Service to bring peace between the river user groups, and it has accomplished just that for over 29 years.

Private boaters say they have a legal right to use the Upper Chattooga. They say their use will cause no environmental impact and that ‘zoning’ unfairly discriminates against their user group. Yet they are fully aware of the recent conflicts between the private boaters and commercial boaters in the Lower Chattooga due to overuse and loss of solitude issues. Once an activity is established it is very hard to change it. It may start out small in numbers, but how likely is it to grow, and at what growth rate? Boaters are also aware of Lower Chattooga problems with floaters vs. the horseback riders; but they say this is different! Mechanical and noisy devices are ‘zoned’ out of Wilderness Areas. Mountain bikes and motorcycles are ‘zoned’ away from hiking trails. Jetski’s are ‘zoned’ out of certain stretches of Forest Service rivers, including the Chattooga. Horses are zoned out of the Upper Chattooga W&S Corridor. Gold dredgers with their stabilizing cables are ‘zoned’ away from boating streams. ‘Zoning’ is not unfair discrimination against a user group. ‘Zoning’ is a proper resource management tool used for protection of the resources, such as solitude. This whole Forest Service planning process is about ‘zoning’!

Some boaters are telling the Forest Service the only time the Upper Chattooga is boatable is during high water periods when anglers rarely use the river and the river is unsafe to wade. This is simply not true. Anglers regularly fish there at gauge readings up to 2.5 feet and higher. Once or twice each year I encounter boaters 'poaching a run' in the Upper Chattooga backcountry. I have encountered boaters when the river was below 2.0 feet and also above 2.5 feet on the gauge.

Boaters are also telling the Forest Service during periods of high water that the upper river has class V rapids, which limits boaters to only the most experienced. Should boaters gain unrestricted access (as they are requesting), both 'experienced' and 'non-experienced' boaters would put-in at Burrell’s Ford. The view from the bridges at Burrell’s Ford and Highway 28 is deceiving to the 'non-experienced' boater. I have encountered floaters 'poaching a run' in inner tubes between Pigpen and Highway 28 and I’ve seen several aluminum canoes busted or wrapped around rocks in the Rocky Gorge. I rescued two physicians below the Sims Fields in a K-Mart plastic raft after dark and encountered a wooden johnboat with 3 occupants below Big Bend Falls. Many times I have observed tubers at Burrell’s Ford. In the Ellicott Rock Wilderness Area the encounters have been with only experienced boaters (the view from the Bull Pen Bridge is intimidating). However, any government agency, which assumes the responsibility of judging the qualifications of persons participating in sports such as whitewater boating, could also assume legal liability for boater injuries. Therefore, it is unwise for government agencies to assume this responsibility. Those who will experience the consequences of their decisions about what to float and when to float it must also make the decision. The ‘zoning treaty’ solves that dilemma.

In spite of the history of the ban on boating and The Southern Forest Resource Assessment study quoted above, boaters deny that their presence will have any effect on the anglers and other traditional visitors (such as nature photographers, birders, hikers, backpackers/campers, wildlife viewers, etc.). That is like mountain bikers saying their riding on walking trails will not have an effect on the hikers and backpackers. When floaters are in the river in their ‘creek’ boats, they are traveling in groups, talking and hollering challenges at one another. Boaters are saying: “We pass through quickly and are on down the river.” Anglers are saying: “Boaters see us for a few seconds and are gone. When we're standing there and we have six kayaks come through in half an hour, that is a severe impact on our experience." When a boating group encounters an angler, the boaters don’t feel infringed upon at all and it has no effect the their experience. But for the angler, it can ruin the entire day! The boaters have not only invaded the angler’s personal envelope of solitude, they have also completely disrupted the angler’s activity. The angler has to reel in his line, wade out of the way, and wait for the boaters to paddle past. Their brightly colored boats and the paddling commotion have already alarmed and spooked the trout. Because the boating groups space themselves, the angler will experience this disruption every few minutes, resulting in frustration and conflict.

Anglers and the other traditional backcountry visitors don’t want conflict brought to the Upper Chattooga; we just want due consideration for our quiet and personal enjoyment of the National Wild & Scenic Chattooga River. The boaters already have access to most of the Chattooga River and every other Forest Service stream in the Southeast. Boaters don’t need access to these last few miles; it has nothing they don’t already have. They just want it! Likewise, anglers have plenty of places they can go to catch trout, too. But backcountry anglers also need a place they can go for solitude.

Upper Chattooga Backcountry

The Upper Chattooga is unique for the backcountry trout anglers. There is nowhere else anglers can go in the East that has the size and volume to permit quality fly-fishing in a spectacular backcountry setting that is boating-free.

Zoning preserves and protects the solitude and uniqueness of the only section of the Chattooga that has not been damaged by conflict and management for too many user groups.

Editorial & Photo submitted by the Newsletter Editor – Doug Adams

If you have an opinion on this editorial or any other subject published in TIGHT LINES articles, we invite you to submit your letters, articles, and/or comments to:

E-Mail edadams1@alltel.net

RABUN TROUT UNLIMITED CHAPTER PO BOX 65 RABUN GAP, GA 30568-0065

"There are matters beyond the knowledge of non-fisherman...

Forests... can insulate you against the woes of the world as completely as the widest water of an ocean voyage.

Quick water and dark firs and the campfire's glow at dusk and the good smell of boiling tea at daybreak are inestimable things."

Federic F. Van de Wate

“BACKCASTING”

July 12 & 13 Electro-Shock Sampling of Chattooga River and Camping at Cherry Hill C.G. – This activity was CANCELLED due to high water levels. The professionals determined long ago that electro-fishing is not very effective at any level exceeding 1.6 feet on the US76 gauge. The level has not been below 2.0 feet for well over a month. Great for trout and trout fishing! Higher water level means cooler water and more trout feeding activity through the summer months. It also means better trout ‘carry-over’, even in the DH section and further down stream! Enjoy!!

July 19 Electro-Shock Sampling of Lower Reed Creek – This activity was also CANCELLED due to a shortage of available people to operate the backpack shockers and the water level is still too high. Our thanks to the 8 Rabun TU folks that had volunteered to help. Maybe next time. In the meantime, GO FISH!

July 19 Chapter Meeting – The Chattooga Coalition is in its 20^th year of existence. About 23 Rabunites gathered to hear Monte Seehorn, the Coalition Chairman from day-one, discuss the current concerns and the need for a vision for the Coalition’s next 20 years. He sees the major concern now is keeping the Coalition focused on the sport fishery in the Upper Chattooga and keeping the agency managers actively involved in the Coalition’s future. Monte is in the process of compiling the input he has received from the fishery professionals and resource managers in the 3 states (GA, SC, & NC). From their input he will draft a revised set of Coalition objectives and goals. He will send the Draft back to the professionals and to the TU leaders in the three states for addition comments and input. Monte expects to present a revised plan at the next coalition meeting in January ’06 for discussion and ratification. Twenty years ago it was a TU initiative that got the coalition started. Objectives and goals were adopted and the accomplishments have been outstanding. Today TU must help develop the new plan to guide the Coalition into the next 20 years.

There were 10 neat items donated by members for the bucket raffle (including 4 fly assortments). The raffle raised $105 to cover the cost of the copying and mailing the newsletter to the chapter members without E-mail. Terry Rivers walked away with 3 of the items to take on his trip ‘West of Hiawassee’ (Terry, Ray, Jimmy, and Bill hit-the-road right after the meeting).

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

A Big Rabunite welcome to two new members this month: Dale Powell, 2060 Linkside Drive, Alpharetta, GA 30005; Erwin Ford, 229 Fairway Circle, Americus, GA 31709 (Both Dale and Erwin transferred their TU memberships to Rabun)

Thanks for re-upping: Max Gates, Terry Rivers, Russell Johnson, and Russell Burken,

It is time to renew your membership: Paul Barnes, Bill Talbolt, Anthony Nunley, Lindsey Gilbert,

W. R. Wainwright, Randall Corbin, Daniel Wall, Donald MacLeod, and Doug Hickman

Hey Rabunite, your membership has expired: Terry Seehorn

Q & A – Q: How many ‘student’ memberships does Rabun TU have? A: Only one.

Fisherman's Prayer: Lord help me to catch a fish so large that even I, in the telling of it, never need to lie.

Rabun TU Officers & Directors President Ray Kearns Phone 706 782 9913 E-Mail raykearns@alltel.net Vice President Tom Matthews Phone 706 782 0369 E-Mail tmatt@hemc.net Treasurer Russell Johnson Phone 706 783 2424 E-Mail rwjrabun@alltel.net Secretary Russell Burken Phone 706 779 5597 E-Mail mkopchic@alltel.net Past President Charlie Breithaupt Phone 706 782 9913 E-Mail knc615@direcway.com Directors: Kathy Breithaupt, Tom Landreth, Doug Adams, Terry Rivers, Terry Seehorn, Ralph Morgan, Bill Kelly, & Travis Barnes

Election Will Be Conducted at the September Chapter Meeting

for New Officers and Directors - F/Y 2006 term (begins October 1^st)

The Nominating Committee offers the following slate of nominees for Officers and Directors:

President - Terry Rivers; Vice President - Ralph Morgan; Treasurer (w/ Newsletter) - Doug Adams; Secretary - Tom Mathews; Past President (w/ Membership) - Ray Kearns;

Director (w/ Programs) - Bill Kelly; Director (w/ Website) - Kathy Breithaupt; Director (w/ Campouts & USFS Work-outings) - Charlie Breithaupt; Director (w/ Publicity & Hospitality) - Tom Landreth; and Director at Large - Jimmy Whiten

Give Something Back: Become a TU Volunteer!

Volunteers ARE Trout Unlimited - our conservation work, grassroots leadership, and future!

You can help by becoming a Rabun Chapter Officer or Director, volunteer for a position.

Nominations from the floor are encouraged and will be accepted at the September Chapter meeting.

News from the President...... Ray Kearns

Hi Folks,

By the time you are reading this I will be on my way ‘West of Hiawassee’ to do some serious fishing. Terry R., Jimmy W., and I have been invited to go with Bill Kelly on one of his famous fishing trips out west. I really feel lucky to have been asked. I guess Bill just got tired of this old man begging and crying. This will be my first real fishing trip out west. Last year my wife and I made the trip but it was more of a sightseeing trip than fishing trip. The snow made fishing difficult. I’m not sure which rivers we will be fishing in but just maybe we will find some of those secret places we have all heard about like the West Fork of the “I don’t believe I said” river. But if we don’t know where it is we won’t know when we get there.

You folks who have kids and grandkids can relate to this story. Late Friday afternoon I was getting all my fishing gear and my clothes together in the guest bedroom when the phone rang. It was my youngest son saying that he, his wife and two children (ages l8 months and 4 years old) were on their way to visit us. The first thing I had to do was get all my stuff off the bed and out of the room. The next thing was to check the pantry, refrigerator and freezer to be sure there was enough food. Then while my wife started cooking supper for 6 instead of 2, I had to vacuum the floor to remove all the dog hair our two dogs like to leave all over the floor. I didn’t want the grandkids looking as if they needed a hair cut after they had been here an hour or so. It is always good to see the kids and grandkids, but sometimes the timing is just not right.

I don’t think I will get all the things done on the Honey Do List, but they will be here when I get back. I will try to take good pictures of all the big fish we catch, and share them with you at the next meeting along with some good stories.

Maybe the water level in our favorite river will drop so all of you can get in some good fishing days and you will also have some good stories tell.

Good Fishing until Story Time,

Ray

For pictures and more info, visit the Rabun TU website: http://www.rabuntu.com/ Georgia TU Council website: http://georgiatu.org/ or National TU Website: http://www.tu.org/index.asp We would love getting your suggestions, stories, articles, and questions for our panel of experts in the Q & A section, or your comments about our Website and Newsletter. Send them to: edadams1@alltel.net Or to: Rabun TU, PO Box 65, Rabun Gap, GA 30568

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Kelly’s Water Falls Park – Dillard, August 16^th, 6:00 pm Directions: Travel north on US-441, on the north side of Dillard turn right at the traffic light on GA-246, go about 1.7 miles, turn right on Wayfarer Ln., then go 1/4 mile to the end of the gravel road.

The Chapter will provide the soft drinks, the fried chicken, plates, etc. Everyone is asked to bring a covered dish, veggies, salad, chips, or a desert. There will not be a raffle at the Family Cookout.

“BACKCASTING”

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

Election Will Be Conducted at the September Chapter Meeting

for New Officers and Directors - F/Y 2006 term (begins October 1^st)

Kelly’s Water Falls Park – Dillard, August 16th, 6:00 pm Directions: Travel north on US-441, on the north side of Dillard turn right at the traffic light on GA-246, go about 1.7 miles, turn right on Wayfarer Ln., then go 1/4 mile to the end of the gravel road.

The Chapter will provide the soft drinks, the fried chicken, plates, etc. Everyone is asked to bring a covered dish, veggies, salad, chips, or a desert. There will not be a raffle at the Family Cookout.

“BACKCASTING”

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

Election Will Be Conducted at the September Chapter Meeting

for New Officers and Directors - F/Y 2006 term (begins October 1st)

Kelly’s Water Falls Park – Dillard, August 16^th, 6:00 pm Directions: Travel north on US-441, on the north side of Dillard turn right at the traffic light on GA-246, go about 1.7 miles, turn right on Wayfarer Ln., then go 1/4 mile to the end of the gravel road.

for New Officers and Directors - F/Y 2006 term (begins October 1^st)