“FORWARD CASTING” Important Dates - See you there!

Sept 29 – Oct 2 (Thurs – Sun) Fishing & Camping West Fork, Holcomb & Overflow Creeks with Camping at the Blackwell Place. Go out Warwoman Rd, turn left on Hale Ridge Rd (FS7). Continue on Hale Ridge Rd for about a mile past the intersection with Overflow Rd (FS86). Cross the small bridge over the head of Holcomb Creek, about 1/10 mile past bridge turn right on FS696. Go 50 yds to campsite on the left side of road. Contact person - Charlie Breithaupt: Phone 706 782 6954, E-Mail knc615@direcway.com

Oct 1 (Sat) Goldrush TU Family Fun Day: For details & RSVP to jpattill@alltel.net

Oct 8 (Sat) Coosa Valley TU’s 10^th Annual Chili Cook-off: With nearly 100 chili teams, they need help from TU’ers from across the state. For details, click on: www.tuchilicookoff.org Let Paul Diprima know if you can lend a hand, E-mail: co1381@bellsouth.net

Oct 13 (Thurs) USFS Public Meeting on Upper Chattooga Boating Ban: A meeting kicking off a public process to reanalyze the ban will begin at 4 p.m. at the Civic Auditorium on State Highway 28 in Walhalla, SC. For details, click on: http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/fms/forest/news/2005/FMS0521.shtml

Oct 18 (Tues) Chapter Meeting, 6:30 PM, Clayton Presbyterian Church

Program – Metrela Brown or Jimmy Harris: “Fishing the Toccoa Tailwater”

Oct 25 (Tues) Board of Directors meeting, Location TBD

Oct 27 (Thurs) Install Stream Structures: Working with a team of RGNS students for their Community Service Day to install stream habitat enhancement structures on Beats #3 & #4 of Betty Creek.

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)

Nov 15 (Tues) Chapter Meeting, 6:30 PM, Clayton Presbyterian Church

Program – Kyle Burrell & Butch Martin: “WY Fishing & the Green River Guest Ranch”

Nov 22 (Tue) Board of Directors meeting, Location TBD

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

FLY OF THE MONTH

by Terry Rivers

BLUE WINGED OLIVE

THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE IN YOUR BOX DURING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER. IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO CAMP WITH US AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER BE SURE YOU HAVE A FEW WITH YOU.

HOOK: 16 OR 18 DRY FLY HOOK

THREAD: 8/0

TAIL: DUN HACKLE

BODY: OLIVE DUBBING

WING: MALLARD WING OR YOU CAN TIE THIS PARACHUTE STYLE

HACKLE: DUN

"Scholars have long known that fishing eventually turns men into philosophers.

Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to buy decent tackle on a philosopher's salary."

Patrick F. McManus

OCTOBER 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

Speckled Grey-Brown Caddis All Month Late PM 14–16 Dark Elk Hair Caddis w/Yellow-Brown 14–16 Dun & Yellow Caddis Pupa

Large October Caddis All Month Early AM and Late PM 8-10 Ginger Elk Hair; 12-14 Ginger Stimulator

(important) 8-10 Ginger Caddis Pupa

Blue Winged Olive & All Month Late AM to Mid PM 16-18 BWO, Blue Quill or Adams Parachute

Blue Quill (important) 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’: www.ngatu692.com

(Take a look at the ‘PHOTOS’ & ‘CURRENT EVENTS’)

Q & A: What’s in Your vest?

Most fly fishermen wear a vest. And most ask the same question, "Why is my vest so darn heavy?"

TIGHT LINES is doing a survey of the Rabunites. Results will be in the next newsletter. Please click 'reply' and advise: What would you leave out of the following list? What would you add?

VEST CONTENTS:

Fly Fishing Gear:

- multiple fly boxes with dry, nymph, wet, emerger, midge, streamer, terrestrial, & junk flies
- about 4 or 5 tapered leaders – 3X down to 6X
- tippet material (regular & fluorocarbon) – 3X, 4X, 5X, 6X, 7X, 8X
- polarized sun glasses w/magnifier lenses & retainers

- nippers on retractable clip

- dry fly floatant
- forceps on retractable clip

- fly line dressing/cleaner paste

- container of assorted sizes of sinkers

- strike indicators

- thermometer for water temp
- small scissors to trim flies
- small pliers to pinch barb

- landing net & a device to hold net

- extra reel spool & special flyline (sinking, sinking tip, etc)

‘Be Prepared’ Gear:

- flashlight & extra batteries

- toilet paper in zip lock bag

- rain jacket

- bottle of water

- stick type insect repellent

- ChapStick

- billfold with fishing license in zip lock bag

- aspirin & hay fever pills in zip lock bag

- pocketknife

- snack bars &/or trail mix

- camera & extra roll of film in zip lock bags
- lighter or water proof matches

- space blanket

- collapsible cup

I forgot my fly rod.

Cartoon by John Troy

"Trout fisherman often give away their presence to the fish by the equipment they are wearing. The yo-yo hanging on the fly fishing vest that attaches to the hemostats or line clippers is often plated with chrome, giving off flashes of light. Some fly boxes that you wear on the chest are also bright aluminum-not a good idea. I recently fished with a fellow who wore a bright yellow hat on a meadow stream in Pennsylvania. From 100 yards away you could see his every movement, - I'm sure that trout near him could, too."
From: "Advanced Fly Fishing Techniques" by Lefty Kreh

The Second in a Series:

Stream Habitat Protection and Enhancement

Well-designed and well-placed in-stream structures can be used to correct and/or improve fish habitat deficiencies over a broad range of conditions. The primary objectives of the designs is to create deeper water, remove sediment by flushing action, add cover for fish, or add substrate and food for other aquatic organisms. Projects that add large woody debris often accomplish all of these objectives.

Double-wing deflectors create mid-channel pools through scouring action in shallow sections of streams:

Photos provided by Monte Seehorn

Before and six weeks after pictures of double-wing deflector installed in Suches Creek behind Woody Gap School.

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

" When it comes to cults, fly fishing isn't much different than most. Simply put, this means that enough is never enough. With luck you can reach a pleasant level of mellow fanaticism and maybe even hold down a regular job at the plant. But there is a trout bum that lurks in every one of us and I think we all secretly know that a sparse little lean-to under the bridge, say on Henry's Fork of the Snake River, is never more than a cast away. "

Ed Engle

FISHING REPORT

----- Original Message -----

From: "Jeff Durniak" <jeff_durniak@dnr.state.ga.us>

Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2005 9:23 AM

Subject: Low and Clear = Long and Light

The lack of rain has north Georgia trout streams running crystal clear and at lower levels than those seen all summer. Fish are not as active, especially in these hot afternoons, and will be closely inspecting your offerings, if you haven't already spooked them with your approach and cast.
              I was humbled at Dukes Creek last weekend. Fishing was still fun, but the catching was a lot slower than it has been all summer. I was forced to go to small wet flies and nymphs (sizes16-20) on long leaders with very light tippets (6X, 7X fluoro). I managed a few rainbows to 13 inches and hooked a couple of good fish exceeding 16 inches. Hooking does not equal landing in many cases, especially where these fish know where each logjam is, and the lunkers beat me this time. It was still fun. One friend landed a nice 17-inch rainbow on a dry fly just before quitting time. It was a special fish because his dad watched the battle (congrats Tackler!).
              These tough conditions provide a great opportunity to perfect your skills. This could be good practice in advance of any trips to distant, exotic locales with big, picky fish.
                Tip for the rest of us non-experts: Don't spend a lot of time in the big, slow pools where you can often see those big fish. They've likely already seen you, and your first cast will spook them anyway. Find the spots with the best combinations of fast and deep water, like the very head of a pool, deep runs, or shaded pocket water with boulders or log jams. Keep your polarized sunglasses on and look for the "blue-green" water with a cobbled bottom that has "rainbow trout" written all over it. The combination of a) cover to make the fish feel safe and b) velocity to make the fish decide whether to eat something passing by quickly, should increase your success rate. Hit the middle and ends of the big, slow pools after a rain shower muddies them.
                Some nice places for kids should be Tallulah and Wildcat creeks, which should still have a good bunch of stocked fish left in them. The bream and trout near the Moccasin Creek footbridge on Lake Burton are great practice targets for newbies, too. Try very light line, small worms, or small wet flies (16, 18). This is a nice place to take a beginning fly fisherperson.
                We're almost past summer and fishing should be on the upswing soon as the nights cool off. Good luck to you. www.gofishgeorgia.com

"Another basic principle of presentation and retrieve is the angle of the rod. It is recommended for some nymph fishing that the rod be held fairly high, with the tip often above the head of the angler. But for almost every situation where you are stripping in line to manipulate the fly, the rod should be kept very low, always below the belt. When bass bugging, retrieving a streamer, bringing in a bonefish fly, or anytime you retrieve an underwater fly, the rod tip should be kept very close to the water, or within it; actually an inch or two under it. This is a basic rule that will get you more fish."

From "Advanced Fly Fishing Techniques" by Lefty Kreh

” I know that I cannot escape this feeling on the pools away from the highway, (Beaverkill), when the twilight falls and I am alone with the river. One almost expects to round a bend and find the Ghost of Richard Robbins, and to be hailed by the old man to tie on a fly for him in the failing light of age and evening." Ernest G. Schwiebert, JR. - [1955]

Q & A

Q: I have trouble tying knots out on the stream, particularly ‘in the failing light of age and evening’. Do I need to buy and carry a knot-tying tool?

A: Maybe it would help, but try this first:

Get a pair of magnifying reading glasses at the drug store or Wal*Mart and a small LED light to clip to the brim of your hat. (Cabela’s: click on http://www.cabelas.com/ - Clip Light, Item # IF-516301@ $12.99 or Flex-Torch, Item # UE-516165 @ $17.99).

Practice, practice, practice! Use old pieces of line, leader, and backing. Practice on the same kinds of material you would use on the stream (Ex: use monofilament to practice a surgeon’s knot). Your finished knot should look like the illustration. If it doesn’t, try again until it does. When you get it correctly, tie it again, and again, and again. Here are the two knots you will probably use most often:

Surgeon's Knot Step One Surgeon's Knot Step Two

Surgeon's Knot Step Three

Surgeon's Knot Step Four

"When a man picks up a fly rod for the first time, he may not know, he has been born again."

Joseph D. Farris

     The Surgeon's Knot is a knot used for attaching two pieces of monofilament together, such as leader to tippet. It is a very fast and easy knot to tie and is usually preferred more than the blood knot. This is a great knot for joining two pieces of monofilament that are greatly different in diameter. When you are building a tapered leader, tied correctly, this knot is generally stronger than the blood knot. Very quick and easy knot for attaching 4X-5X-6X-7X tippets to each other. You can almost do this one in the dark.
    Step 1. The main line should come in from the left and the line to be attached should come from the right. Overlap the two pieces approximately 6 or so inches.
    Step 2. Pinch the overlapped lines together on the left between your thumb and index finger. Do the same with the sections on the right and make a loop by crossing it over itself. Take the long and short lines that are in your right hand and pass them through the formed loop, around, and back through a second time (and a third time for fluorocarbon).

Step 3. Pull both pieces being held in each hand away from each other closing the knot. Moisten and pull tight. Once this knot is secure you can tighten it further by pulling individual pieces.

Step 4. Clip the excess tag end lines. Inspect and test each knot after you finish.

For more on knots, click on: http://www.flyfishingconnection.com/surgeon.html

Or http://www.cabelas.com/information/cabelas-field-guides/Knot-Library-Fishing-Knots.html

"If you've got short, stubby fingers and wear reading glasses, any relaxation you would normally derive from fly fishing is completely eliminated when you try to tie on a fly."

From “Fear of Fly Fishing” by Jack Ohman

Fees Removed on 5 Sites in TRD (6/10/05): The recreation ‘demo fees’ have been removed on Tallulah River Rd Corridor, Wildcat Creek Rd Corridor, Highway 76/Chattooga Trailhead, Dicks Creek Gap Trailhead & Angel Falls Trailhead. (For more info, click on: http://www.fs.fed.us/conf/press/20050610-rea-pr.htm

Proposed Poss Land Exchange (9/14/05): Mr. Ed Poss, a resident of Rabun County, has proposed a land exchange with the USFS that involves private property and National Forest System lands in Rabun and White Counties of Georgia. The USA would convey approximately 166 acres of land to Mr. Poss and would receive approximately 96.7 acres in 5 tracts that would become part of the Chattahoochee NF. Public comment period ends October 29, 2005. (For more info & maps, click on: http://www.fs.fed.us/conf/sopa/lands-nepa.htm

Ranger District Evaluation Process (8/17/05): Evaluation is underway for how many offices and work centers should there be for the Chattooga and Tallulah Ranger Districts and where they should be located. Should there be one or two districts for the cities and counties affected (there are currently two)? (For addition info, call Dave Jensen at 706-782-3320.)

Suppression of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Infestations Decision (8/ /05): (For details click on: http://www.fs.fed.us/conf/sopa/forest-health-nepa.htm

Southern Pine Beetle Restoration Decision (7/19/2005): Restoration of pines and oaks, includes a total of approximately 30 treatment acres in the Seed Lake Hydrologic Unit using chainsaw tree cutting, prescribed burning, and tree planting. (For details, click on: http://www.fs.fed.us/conf/sopa/forest-health-nepa.htm

(E-mail edadams1@alltel.net if you want the details on any of these WRD releases.)

“BACKCASTING”

Sept. 8 – 10 National TU 2005 Annual Meeting in Denver was attended by Charlie B. as the GA Council Chairman. CONGRATULATIONS to Mack Martin and all the guys and gals of the Upper Chattahoochee Chapter, they earned the 2005 National SILVER TROUT AWARD. This award is given to the Chapter with “outstanding conservation achievements and exemplary steps towards the pursuit of TU’s coldwater conservation mission”.

Sept. 15 GA TU Council Executive Committee Meeting in the conference room at Bass Pro Shops in Atlanta was called to review and update the 5-Year Strategic Plan for the GA TU Council. Charlie B, Kathy B, and Doug A attended this working session.

Sept. 20 Chapter Meeting – Terry Seehorn and 2 Students, Cari and Chris, from RGNS presented an excellent PowerPoint presentation on the Envirothon program. They explained what the program is about, the history of the program in GA, the content of the program, the team concept, and the levels of competition (school, region, state, and national). The students shared their enthusiasm for environmental knowledge throughout their presentation. Then Terry, Cari, and Chris gave the 16 Rabunites present an opportunity to briefly self-test their own knowledge in the 4 Envirothon subject areas: ‘soils, aquatics, wildlife and forestry’. That was really an educational experience! As a token of appreciation, we presented Cari and Chris with complimentary 1-year memberships in Rabun TU. Raffle: There were 10 neat items donated by members for the bucket raffle. The raffle raised $72 to cover the cost of the copying and mailing the newsletter to the chapter members without E-mail. Doug A was the big winner this month with 3 items. Election of Officers & Directors for F/Y 2006 (begins Oct. 1st). The slate as presented by the nominating committee was elected (Terry R demanded a recount!). See page 7 for the list of new Officers and Directors with their contact info.

Sept. 17 NGTO/TU Workday at Waters Creek: Rabunites Charlie B and Jeff D participated in this one.

Sept. 22 Pre-planning the Betty Creek Oct.27 Workday: Rabunites Terry S, Terry R, Charlie B, & Doug A met on the stream and selected 3 structures from the several Monte S and Terry S had designed. They developed a list of materials, tools, and the number of RGNS students needed for the Workday.

Sept. 24 Smith Creek Work Outing: In response to the storm damage that occurred as result of a tornado spawned by the Hurricane Katrina storm system, volunteers descended upon Smith Creek at Unicoi State Park for a cleanup day. Rabunites Charlie B, Terry R, Ray K, Ralph M, Travis B, and Jeff D were among the more than twenty members of Trout Unlimited and North Georgia Trout Online helped the GA DNR staff clear debris from selected points on the creek and from the streamside hiking and biking trail. Some of the downed timber was also cut into large logs and anchored in the stream to enhance fish habitat or to protect eroding stream banks. Click on: http://www.gofishgeorgia.com/content/displaycontent.asp?txtDocument=455

Sept. 27 Board of Directors Meeting started at 6:30 attended by 9 members. A letter will be sent to the county marshal expressing concern about the siltation of Acorn Creek from erosion at the Real Mark fill site. Letters will be sent to State Rep. Jenkins and State Sen. Schaefer requesting that they urge the DOT Board of Directors to change their policy on future contracts. When excess soil is removed from DOT right-of-way and deposited on private property, the DOT contractual arrangements should require proper sedimentation control with DOT inspection. Methods to promote the sale of the ‘Dream Trip’ raffle tickets were discussed. The BOD discussed various ways to conduct membership drives and ways to increase Rabun TU publicity. The BOD selected 9 programs for regular chapter meetings during 2006. The annual report and the transfer of the treasury/checking account to the new treasurer were reviewed. Memorial gifts were decided on. The location of the Sept 29– Oct 2 campout was moved to the Blackwell Place (see page 1 ‘Forward Casting’ for directions). Representatives will attend the Goldrush TU Family Fun Day and Rabun TU will donate item(s) for their auction/raffle. Attending the USFS Public Meeting concerning the Upper Chattooga Boating Ban was discussed. Gathering materials (logs and rebar) needed for the Betty Creek stream structures was arranged. A date to deliver and install is TBD. The letters will be sent soon to ‘away’ suppliers requesting donations of items to auction/raffle at the Rabun Rendezvous. Adjourned at 8:30.

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. NOTE: If winners choose to fly into Jackson Hole, they will be picked up at the Jackson airport, shuttled to the Green River Guest Ranch, and returned to the airport at the end of the trip. If the winners choose to fly into any destination other than Jackson, they will be responsible to get to and return from the guest ranch on their own. 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. The winners will be required to sign a waiver releasing the Georgia Council of Trout Unlimited and the Green River Guest Ranch of any responsibility of injury that could occur during the trip.

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

Clayton Presbyterian Church (Located behind the Post Office) - Clayton, GA 3^rd Tuesday of the Month 6:30 pm - Fellowship 7:00 pm – Program & Meeting

At every regular chapter meeting there will be a raffle for fishing or camping items to help pay the cost of mailing the newsletter to members without E-mail. Bring an item to donate and a dollar or two for raffle tickets - you might win something.