“FORWARD CASTING”
Important Dates - See you there!
Nov 1 (Tues) Start of Delayed Harvest Season: Chattooga
River and Smith Creek in NE Georgia. For details, click on: http://www.gofishgeorgia.com/content/displaycontent.asp?txtDocument=7&txtPage=12
Nov 5 (Sat) Tailwater TU
Banquet: For details & RSVP to duanespc@earthlink.net
Nov 10 – 13 (Thurs
– Sun) Fishing & Camping at
Chattooga DH with Camping in Long Bottom (SC) (w/outhouse). Contact person – Terry Rivers: Ph 706 782 7419 E-mail tlr1121@alltel.net
Nov 15 (Tues) Chapter Meeting, 6:30 PM,
Clayton Presbyterian Church
Program – Kyle
Burrell & Butch Martin: “WY
Fishing & the Green River Guest Ranch”
Nov 17 (Thurs) Public Meeting - Upper Chattooga River
Boating Ban; 5 p.m. at the Clayton (GA) Baptist Church’s Ministry
Activities Center
Nov 22 (Tues) Board of Directors meeting,
Location TBD
Dec1 (Thurs) Public Meeting
- Upper Chattooga River Boating Ban; 5 p.m. Walhalla (SC) First Baptist
Church, 403 East Main Street
Dec 3 (Sat) GA TU Council Meeting, 9 AM, USFS
Office, Gainesville
Dec 13 (Tues) Family Christmas Dinner, 6 PM, The ‘Rock House’ at the Dillard House
Remember the 19th
Annual Rabun Rendezvous will be Jan. 21, 2006
FLY OF THE MONTH
by Terry Rivers
THE WOOLLY BUGGER
THE WOOLLY BUGGER IS OFTEN USED AS A STREAMER, BUT TIED IN THE RIGHT
SIZES AND COLORS, IT MAKES A GREAT CRAYFISH, DRAGONFLY NYMPH, EGG CLUSTER, OR
LEECH IMITATION. IT’S THE ONE FLY THAT
HAS PROBABLY HOOKED MORE BIG FISH THAN ANY OTHER. YOU’LL WANT TOHAVE A VARIETY OF THESE FISH CATCHING MORSELS IN
YOUR FLY BOX AT ALL TIMES ESPECIALLY DURING THE UPCOMING DELAYED HARVEST
SEASON. ADD BLACK, GOLD, OR COPPER BEADS TO THE HEAD FOR A SWIMMING ACTION THE
FISH CAN’T RESIST.
HOOK:
STREAMER 2XLONG MUSTAD 2672
TAIL:
MARABOU - BLACK, OLIVE, BROWN, OR ANY OTHER COLOR DISIRED
BODY:
CHENILLE ANY COLOR YOU WISH; BUT BLACK, BROWN, AND OLIVE ARE MOST COMMON
HACKLE: SADDLE OR NECK TO MATCH THE BODY IF DESIRED
THREAD: 3/0 COLOR TO MATCH BODY
RIB: WIRE (GOLD, SILVER, OR COPPER)
"More flies are tied to attract fly fishers than
are tied to attract trout."
Jimmy D Moore
NOVEMBER HATCHES
The Bugs Time of Month Time of Day Suggested
Flies
Small Dun Caddis Early Mid AM to Late PM 18
Brown Elk or Deer Hair Caddis 18 Grey Caddis Pupa
Blue Winged Olive & All
Month
Late AM to Mid PM 16-18 BWO, Blue Quill or Adams
Parachute
Blue Quill
16-18 BWO nymph or Pheasant Tail
Midges
All Month All
Day 18-22 Griffith's Gnat 18-22 Midge Pupa
TU
Chapter ‘Website-of-the-Month’: http://tucohutta.org/
(Take a
look at their Chapter newsletter - ‘THE KORN DUNKER’)
Q & A: What’s in
Your vest?
Some good suggestions from Rabunites based on the
October newsletter vest contents survey:
Vest Contents I Leave
Out:
1.
Too many fly boxes to carry at once – I always carry 1 medium size dry box with
all purpose parachute and attractor patterns, 1 medium size nymph/wet/emerger
box and 1 small elk hair caddis/Xcaddis/yellow stone box. If I’m fishing
a larger stream or river and/or expect rain, I’ll also carry a small streamer
box. Depending on the season, I’ll supplement this with one or more of
the following specialty boxes - small terrestrial box (May – October), small
sulphur/cahill specialty dry fly box (May –June), small early/late season
specialty dry box with olives, blue quills and midges (September -
April), and Green Drake box in May. All are lightweight plastic, never
metal.
2. Fly line dressing / cleaner. The newer
lines don’t need it and the older lines can be treated at home or at the car
before using.
3. Small scissors – use nippers, or see #4
4. Small pliers – forceps work just as well
mashing down the micro barbs on the Japanese hooks. II now use a multi
tool that has both forceps and scissors
5. Landing net – only on larger streams and
rivers with big fish potential. Not needed on small streams
6. Small sinkers – if I need weight, I use bead
or cone head flies. If I need more weight, I use a tung bead fly either
alone or in a two fly rig with a large and small fly, or a small lead head jig.
Tung bead flies are heavier than lead and are much easier to cast.
7. Extra spool/specialty line – I now use the RIO sinking leaders as
an instant sink tip, so there is no need to carry an extra sink tip line
anymore. I usually bring a back-up reel and leave it in the car or carry
it in if I’m going in the backcountry
Vest contents to
add:
1. Fishing license in a plastic slipcase – I always keep this in my
vest, not my wallet
2. Fly dry desiccant (this is so essential to me that I carry
several different kinds)
3. Compact first aid kit with antiseptic, Band-Aids, pain reliever
and antivenom for bee stings (benadryl) – carried in a small zip loc bag or
zippered case. Again, this is always with me in my vest
4. Compact emergency poncho – so I don’t have to carry a rain jacket
on fair weather days. I only carry a rain jacket into the
backcountry or when I anticipate rain
Be Prepared Gear:
I would also recommend a whistle, butane lighter instead of
matches, nylon rope and a fire-starter (fatwood stick and/or candle). I
always carry my emergency survival kit into the backcountry and keep it in my
duffel bag at all other times. D.H.
Fly Fishing Gear:
I do not
usually carry: extra spool & special fly line, scissors for fly trimming;
in addition to those listed, I do carry a small first aid kit
Be Prepared Gear:
I do not carry: my billfold (leave it in the truck), camera
& film (unless my primary mission is taking pictures of the scenery), space
blanket (I think I will add this one), collapsible cup
As an aside, I have two active vests. One has a mesh back
that I use in the summer; the other is with the solid back. I am switching out
now and trying to put stuff in pockets located in similar spots as the summer
vest! T.L.
Our thanks to Rabunites Doug Hickman and Tom Landreth for
sharing these excellent weight reduction and be-prepared suggestions.
Lo, the fisherman's wife. All she wants is the spare bedroom
back. It's covered with rods and reels,
flies and vests, waders, rain gear, hooks and leaders, etc., for a trip six
months from now. Not a safe place to
step or sleep or rest! But honey! I
want to be prepared, he says. So Lo the
fisherman's wife.
Jody Moore
The Winner
of the 2005 Dream Trip Raffle had “the most fantastic trip . .
spectacular!”
From: Diane Minick [mailto:dianeminick@msn.com]
Sent: Friday, August 19, 2005 9:37 AM
Subject: Dream Fly-fishing Trip
Dear Charlie and TU Council,
My dream vacation has come and
gone. Even now, it feels like it was a dream. It was the most
fantastic trip thanks to you and especially to Duane Stalnaker. From the
moment that Duane picked Ronny and me up until the time he brought us back,
this trip was spectacular! You can't beat the scenery, that goes without
saying. Rick and Traci of the Green River Guest Ranch were so wonderful
and gave us a really nice cabin up next to the woods. I think it was the
honeymooners cabin. Umhmmmmm. The food was great and the people were so
nice. Rick and Traci really liked the statue of a cutthroat that you gave
them in thanks for being part of this trip. Duane took us to a different stream
every day. It was amazing to see the beautiful streams and how full of
wild fish they were. Those cutthroats were exciting to catch. Ronny
and I caught between us about 200-250 fish, many of which were between 12
- 17 inches long and fat as butterballs. I even hung a 22-24-incher
that gave me a momentary thrill and a taste of what it will be like to catch a
monster. Under Duane's great teaching techniques, my skills improved 300%
and I can proudly say that I am a real fly-fisher now. To me, fly-fishing
is the purest sport there is today. Duane taught me how to read the
water, plan the hunt and put the sneaky sneak on those fish. We
fished from morning til night each day and each day; I could hardly wait to get
out there. Thank you doesn't begin to cover how I feel.
Thanks Georgia T.U. Council for making this possible. Thanks Mack
Martin for building the sweetest rod I have ever fished with. Now I
understand why people speak with down right reverence when
discussing the virtues of a Winston boron rod. The Orvis Battenkill reel
worked flawlessly. Ronny and I both have so many wonderful
memories. The idea for the trip was a great one, providing money to
support the youth fly fishing camp and other worthy projects and a truly
wonderful dream fly-fishing trip of a lifetime. The pictures won't tell
the whole story, but will give you a peek into our special experience.
Most sincerely, Diane Minick
It could be YOU in the 2006 Dream Trip Pictures!
The 2006 Raffle of the Dream
Fly Fishing Vacation Package for 2 
The winner and their partner will each
receive: 5 days of guided fly fishing and 6 nights food and lodging
at the Green River Guest Ranch in Cora, Wyoming http://www.grguestranch.com/. The trip will take place from July 22 to
July 28, 2006 (NON NEGOTIABLE). A 9ft
5wt Winston Boron II X custom made fly rod.
An
Orvis Battenkill Barstock reel with Scientific Angler line. A fly box and flies
(approximately 5 to 7 dozen per box) for the trip.
The winner will also receive $650 in travel expenses
(this is total, not per person) to cover airfare. Travel arrangements will be the responsibility of the winners and
they must arrive together to be picked up at the Jackson airport. Fishing
licenses, gratuities, and alcoholic beverages will be the responsibility of the
winners during their stay.
Winner will be drawn at the
Georgia Foothills Chapter of Trout Unlimited annual banquet in March 2006. One
winner will be drawn and the winner will choose a partner to accompany them on
the trip. Ticket price is $10 each
and proceeds will go to the Georgia Council of Trout Unlimited to help fund the
annual Georgia Trout Camp and the Back the Brookie campaign for helping brook
trout restoration and educational projects.
Contact
Terry Rivers to order your raffle tickets: Ph 706 782 7419 or E-mail tlr1121@alltel.net
The Third in a
Series:
Stream Habitat Protection and Enhancement
Betty Creek before
Tree and brush stream bank revetments provide several
benefits. They can stabilize a bank
that is being undercut, caving-in, and producing in-stream siltation. They provide overhead cover and an ideal
substrate for aquatic organisms. They
trap silt, serve as deflectors, and constrict wide channels. On this bank revetment project, trees and
brush were cable clinched by a backhoe and attached to a dead-man. The dead-man was then buried in a deep
trench.
Notice in the photos where the trees and brush utilized was
harvested from outside the riparian area.
Betty Creek after - Photos provided
by Monte Seehorn
If you are aware of a
section of public stream in need of restoration or enhancement, please report
it to the local USFS office or tell us here at TIGHT LINES. If you know a private owner that wants some
help with stream restoration or enhancement, put him in touch with:
Monte
E. Seehorn, 5292 Clarks Bridge Rd., Gainesville, GA 30506, Phone 770 983 3019,
E-mail mseehorn@adelphia.net
Scenes from
the Waters Creek In-stream Workday
Behind every successful in-stream
projects can be found good supervision (here avoiding dishpan hands).
Russ Fraze,
Josh Barnett, and Don Davis Duane Stalnaker and Charlie
Breithaupt
Q &
A: Just who is a Rabunite TU’er anyway?
Old
fishermen never die; they just smell like they did!
“BACKCASTING”
Sept 29 – Oct 2 (Thurs – Sun) Fishing Holcomb
Creeks & Camping at the Blackwell Place: Participated in the
good times were about 15 Rabunites (plus Larry W’s Dixie and Sophie - the
Chapter’s bear dog) and 1 Flatlander (Larry V; a Rabunite wannabe). And we had 4 visitors to whom Terry sold
each person a Dream Trip raffle ticket!
Nice work Mr. Prez! The menu was superb (thanks Charlie) and the food
preparation was excellent (thanks Tom, Ray, Charlie, Kelly, and Terry). The fishing (as usual) was always good and
the catching (as usual) was variable.
We will do it again Nov 10 – 13 (Thurs – Sun) with Fishing in the
Chattooga DH and Camping in Long Bottom (SC) (w/outhouse). You don’t want to miss it! Waaaah Whoooo!!
Oct 1 (Sat)
Goldrush TU Family Fun Day & Cook-out: Rabunites Charlie, Kathy. Ralph, and Sandy attended
this fund raising event at beautiful Camp Glisson on Cane Creek near
Dahlonega. Rabun TU donated several
items for their raffle.
Another
Waaaah Whoooo!!
Oct 13 (Thurs)
USFS Public Meeting on Upper Chattooga Boating Ban: Report filed by Tom L. on the NGTO message
board: “About 100
attended the first (4:00 PM) meeting at the Lutheran Church in Walhalla on
October 13th. A second meeting was to
begin at 5:45. Difficult to say who had
the best representation among the user groups.
Another Rabun TU member and I sat at a table with three guys who were
boaters. The Forest Service was so
intent in heading off any confrontations they did not entertain questions or
comments from the floor. We discussed
our concerns with our tablemates and made notes on a giant pad. These concerns and comments were collected
and will be posted on the Forest Service's web page. "The Process" will probably require about two years and
will consist of several public meetings, and, I would hope some positive
action. While I didn't hear of a user
group head count it was pretty obvious that TU and The American Whitewater
folks were in a huge majority. AW even had two of their attorneys there along
with the head of the organization.
Steve Burch and Trout Tackler of Georgia Outdoor News, were there and I
am sure will have something in their paper shortly. All in all, it was a most cordial meeting...the next one may not
be that civil! As Don says, the fat
lady ain't sung yet!
Oct 18 (Tues)
Chapter Meeting: About 17 folks attended
the monthly Chapter meeting. Metrela
Brown of Unicoi Outfitters and the Blue Ridge Mountain TU Chapter provided an
informative program on the Toccoa River.
She had an excellent slide presentation of both the upper river (above
Blue Ridge Lake) and the tailwater. Metrela
shared her knowledge of the access points, wadeable areas, stocking locations,
and plenty of other good info. Now Prez
Terry wants to plan a Chapter trip to the Toccoa next year.
Raffle: There were 11
really neat items for the bucket raffle at this meeting, including three fly
assortments (as usual, Lea R. won 2 of them). The raffle raised $75. A
special ‘thank you’ goes to those members that contributed items.
Oct 25 (Tues)
Board of Directors meeting: Only 5 attended. Terry got PO Box 371 in Clayton for the Chapter. Terry & Doug are authorized with Regions
Bank to sign the Chapter checks. We
postponed the fly tying demos in Reeves Hardware to the start of fishing
season. Terry met with the local Boy
Scouts Troop. Several scouts and their
parents may join us for our Nov 11 & 12 Chattooga Campout in order to work
on their fishing merit badge. Charlie
had a meeting with GA Aquarium folks about a Back the Brookie display and they
want to do it. It is time to start
asking for donation of items for the Rendezvous. Terry & Doug will attend
the SC Tri-Chapter Meeting on 11/5 to sell raffle tickets. Tom will attend the Tailwater TU Banquet on
11/5 with $100 worth of items for their auction/raffle. Terry, Ray, & Bill are getting the logs
& rebar for the 10/27 Betty Creek/RGNS stream structures. USFS is loaning us the tools. Rabun TU will not take a position on
Poss–USFS land exchange.
Oct 27 (Thurs)
Install Stream Structures in
Betty Creek with RGNS students: On a cold frosty morning, 9 Rabunites installed
4 cover logs in beats #3 and #4. After
a lunch provided by Kelly, about 2-dozen students and faculty constructed rock
flow diverters and deepened the channels at each cover log. Habitat for trout is now much improved.
A SHARED MEMORY - MADE IN THE SOLITUDE OF THE
UPPER CHATTOOGA
----- Original Message -----
From: David
Sarratt
Sent: Friday, September 23, 2005 5:22 PM
Subject: Re: Public Meeting Scheduled for Oct. 13 About
Upper Chattooga River Management
I have strong feelings about the
Chattooga above the 28 Bridge. One night this past February, I
could not sleep. It was about 3 a.m., and the weather in the upstate was
threatening rain, sleet, and snow. I logged on to weather.com and saw the
radar was clear in the vicinity of the Chattooga. I woke my wife to tell
her I was going, grabbed my fly-fishing gear and left St. Matthews at 3:30
a.m.
As I was driving up the mountain
from Walhalla, I saw the sunrise, and when I arrived at the bridge the
temperature was 24, the river was clear and slow, and the sky was a
gray-lighted mist all the way to the ground. By 2 p.m. that afternoon,
the sun broke through again only for a short time, the temperature made it
to 52, and there was a hatch.
I spent the whole day on the
river, and saw only two Canada geese floating down the river toward me.
They stopped on a small sand bar and watched me fish for an hour or
so. In fact, they are the only witnesses to my catch and release of
a beautiful 16" brown trout, on a 2 wt. I might add.
Anyway,
that day holds special meaning for me. There was a certain peace and even
a reverence that some would not understand. I truly believe that if God
ever wanted to fly fish, he would choose that stretch of the Chattooga. I
would hope that it remains undisturbed, so others can experience what I did
that winter day.
David Sarratt – SRTU Columbia, SC
A team of Forest Service employees is working on a capacity
analysis and has developed a proposed
timeline based on a process known as Limits of Acceptable Change. While the appeal decision does not direct
that boating be allowed in the Upper Chattooga, it does direct the Forest
Service to conduct additional analysis regarding social and natural
resource impacts on the river and to involve affected and interested
parties (that’s where we come in). You
can read the details here: http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/fms/forest/projects/chatt.shtml
Here is what some other folks are saying (none of these
folks are members of Rabun TU – reprinted with permissions):
I am a
resident of Rabun County, a whitewater paddler, fly fisherman, and life-long
outdoorsman. Part of the reason I moved
here to Rabun County is the Chattooga River and its wild and scenic
status. The status wild and scenic is
akin to a wilderness status, therefore it should be set aside for modern man to
experience it in it's pristine beauty, the Upper Chattooga should be a place
for fishermen and backpackers to have this type of experience, there is quite a
large portion of the river that is used by the whitewater community and it
shows the scars and human impact of such. Please keep the upper areas in their
pristine form and maintain the integrity of this watershed. Also consider
the remoteness and inaccessibility of this area - rescue operations create
a whole other set of circumstances that should be considered. "Stewardship is not a popularity
contest."
George Custer -GA
I’ve only been
fly fishing since March, and I spent many days on THE RIVER in the spring
learning the basics and realizing the importance of a drag-free drift in the
middle of a prolific Cahill hatch. Having a few miles of river
almost completely to myself gave me a sense of freedom I don’t think I’ve ever
felt before. It was really like stepping back in time. If not for
the small trail that runs along side the river, I would’ve believed you if you
told me that I was in a place that no one had ever been before. It’s one
of the few places in Georgia that I know of where you don’t hear a passing car
or motorcycle, or have a power line hanging over your head.
The boaters say that the issue is their
legal right to be a user of the river, yet they are against allowing other
similar user groups such as tubers or commercial boaters using the river.
I still may be just a “dumb kid,” but I see a glaring double standard
here, and it seems to be the foundation of their argument.
I know that the
issue here is the usage of a public resource, but there aren’t many resources
more valuable than solitude. And with the ever-growing population of the
Southeast, it’s a resource that will become more and more scarce by the
year.
God willing, I’ll
be going back to the Chattooga to fish for a long time. It’s a one of a
kind, especially in our state, because of the scenery, the wildlife, the
fishing and the solitude. I hope that in the coming years, when the
Cahill's start to come off the water and the trout start looking up, they won’t
be scared off by a bright red kayak going over their head.... I hope they’re
scared off by a 6’4” lanky guy! David Cannon - GA
The current management scheme for
the Chattooga River has stood the test of time. Managing the upper section
(above Highway 28) for the wilderness experience, not increasing non-walking
recreational usage, is appropriate. Segregating boaters who are already allowed
access to the 30 miles of river below Highway 28 should be continued in light
of the initial and continuing conflicts from that heavy usage, including
commercial operations. The current USFS policy is no different from many
other wise management decisions made over the years for 'multiple use' that has
segregated for example, horse and motorcycle access from walking access trails.
But, most of all the wilderness aspect of the Chattooga above highway 28 must
be protected and opening the river there to boating of any kind at any flow
level would degrade, not enhance or protect the solitude of this nationally
significant wild and scenic river corridor. Malcolm Leaphart - SC
The Rock Gorge area is essentially a southern extension of the Ellicott
Rock wilderness, albeit a de facto one. It's wilderness qualities--for
fishermen, hunters and hikers--will be mostly gone if these measures go
through. ...that area is a wildlife refuge of inestimable worth as a
place where humans do not much go. I go there a lot, and it is in many ways the
finest, wildest area in the whole Chattooga watershed, to my mind. If they
facilitate easy human access via new boating rules, those wilderness wildlife
refuge values are gone forever... No matter whether you call it wilderness
or not.... Rock Gorge area IS wilderness...and we're fighting an end-sum game
trying to protect it. But fight is what I intend to do... Butch Clay
- SC
Last summer,
friends of ours from Colorado came to visit. Lee and Marcia are both outdoor
enthusiasts, and at age 64, Lee is now a member of the Fourteeners Club, those
who gone to the summit of all the 14,000 + foot mountains in Colorado. I took
them hiking from Burrell’s Ford to Ellicott’s Rock one afternoon, and they both
told me it was the most scenic river hike they had ever been on!
Thank you for the opportunity to
comment on the Chattooga Plan. As an angler and backpacker, I have greatly
enjoyed the Chattooga corridor above the Highway 28 Bridge. It presents a
unique opportunity for a semi-wilderness experience that is within an easy
drive of millions of people. The original restriction on boating was made to
reduce user conflicts in the corridor. Since that time, the potential number of
users has grown at an exponential rate. Even with just anglers, hikers and
campers, it is easy to see the impact to the trails, vegetation and camping
areas. If boating is re-instituted, the number of corridor users will climb
dramatically and the impacts will deepen.
My personal recommendation is that
the current and proven restrictions be maintained to protect the corridor or
this very special resource. I think it naive to believe that boating will have
no additional impact. Boaters will have to drive and park on both ends of the
corridor generating additional traffic and parking congestion. Currently, on
weekends, the parking lots overflow onto the roads and this will only worsen.
If the boating community were
totally restricted from the river I could better appreciate their position. However,
as recreational activities such as horse back riding, ATVs and angling have
restrictions and limits, there is clear precedent for the boating restrictions
on the upper Chattooga. John C. Kies –
NC
To read
more public comments received by the USFS, click on: http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/fms/forest/projects/chattcomments.shtml The objective of this process is
to address impacts of public use and to preserve the environmental setting and
resources for future recreational use – and the public is an integral part of
this process. Now it is your
turn. The USFS want you to help: Identify
those public issues and managerial concerns that relate to distinctive features
and characteristics of the Upper Chattooga River. Take a few minutes, help to preserve and protect 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. Do it for your
grandchildren. Do it because it is
what’s best for the Upper Chattooga River.
Send your comments to:
Project Coordinator - John
Cleeves, USDA Forest Service, 4931 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC 29212
E-mail jcleeves@fs.fed.us
