TIGHT LINES Sept. 2005 Newsletter of the Rabun Chapter (522)         of Trout Unlimited                             Editor – Doug Adams edadams1@alltel.net  "Even a bad day of fishing is better than a good day of work."

"If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles."  Doug Larson

FLY OF THE MONTH

by Terry Rivers

 

 

STACKED HAIRWING HOPPER

 

I got this off the website and have tied several of these in different colors, but have not fished it yet.  I plan to use it when I go “West of Hiawassee’, I will let you know the outcome of my trip with this fly.

 

HOOK: Mustad 9480 #10

THEARD: 6/0 olive

TAIL: Crystal flash/red

ABDOMEN: Haretron / med. olive

WINGS: Deer hair dyed olive

LEGS: Med. rubber olive

POST: Yellow antron

HACKLE: Dun Grizzly

THORAX: Rabbit dubbing / dark olive

 

SEPTEMBER HATCHES    

The Bugs                                Time of Month                       Time of Day                                                       Suggested Flies                                                      

Small Dun Caddis                              All Month                        Mid AM to Late PM                            18 Brown Elk or Deer Hair Caddis                                                                                                                                                                          18 Grey Caddis Pupa

 

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

 

Large October Caddis                            Late                         Early AM and Late PM                          8-10 Ginger Elk Hair

                                                                                                                                                        8-10 Ginger Caddis Pupa

 

Trico Mayfly                                          Early                               Mid AM                                             20 Parachute Trico                                                            

 

Trico Spinner                                         Fall                                 Late PM                                           20–22 Poly Wing Black Spinner

 

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

 

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

Yellow Jackets, Etc       

 

 

 

Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return!

 

     Be Prepared: Use sun screen and insect repellant (wash hands with soap and water before fishing, most sunscreen and some insect repellents will ruin a fly line); drink plenty of water and carry extra water with you; always take raingear; know the symptoms of hypothermia and carry waterproof matches or a lighter; carry a change of clothes in your vehicle; learn basic First Aid (how to deal with insect bites, poison ivy, cuts & bleeding, snake bite, broken bone, etc.); and seek safe shelter during storms (wind, lightning, hail, etc) by getting out of the water and away from tall trees.

     Wear a hat:  Hats can help prevent getting hooked in the scalp and they can prevent sunburn.

     Wear Polarized Sunglasses:  Wearing glasses affords protection from getting an eye scratched by brush or by briars getting to the stream.  They provide protection from getting hooked while casting.  And polarized sunglasses will provide protection from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays.  One of the keys to successful wild trout fishing is seeing the fish before they see you.  Polarized sunglasses will allow you to see through the surface glare into the trout’s underwater world.  They will also help you to see the bottom for quieter and safer wading. 

     Learn how to remove hooks from flesh: Make a loop of fly line about a foot or so in diameter.  Wrap the loop around your hand for a good grip.  Loosely wrap the other end of the loop inside the bend of the hook.  With one finger of your other hand, press the eye of the hook down firmly against the skin.  Get ready to pull the hook back and out with the loop.  Yank it out fast and with force so that it backs out on the first try.

     Wade safely:  Felt sole wading shoes are almost a must.  Adding metal studs can provide even more grip on slippery rocks.  When wading into the current, shuffle sideways to reduce the surface area against which the current is pushing. A wading staff with a metal tip is helpful.  If you have a fishing buddy with you, lock arms and wade close together through swift water.  Always wear a snug fitting belt on the outside of chest high waders.  When the water temperature is above 55*F, you may be more comfortable ‘wet’ wading with just felt-sole wading shoes and heavy socks.  For wet wading you should wear quick-dry (not cotton jeans) pants.  Long pants are beneficial around here because of the poison ivy, saw briars, blackberry briars, and wild roses found along the banks of most of Georgia’s trout streams.

Never mind me,

Which fly are they rising to?!

 

Cartoon by John Troy

EDITORIAL

 

    Since the very beginning of Rabun TU, the Chapter has enjoyed and benefited by the diversity in membership from professional fisheries managers to self proclaimed trout bums to trout guides to worm dunkers to dry fly purest to catch-&-release anglers to harvest anglers, from loggers to PhD ecologist to artists to heavy equipment operators to preachers to realtors to foresters to merchants to physicians to building contractors to lawyers to educators to tradesmen to factory workers to retirees, from Democrats to conservatives to Independents to liberals to Republicans, from newcomers to natives, from environmentalist to conservationist to activist to preservationist, and everything in-between!  It is the just that diversity that has given Rabun TU its strength and balance.  Our common denominator is our love for clean cold streams, trout, trout fishing, and the environs where trout live.

     Rabun TU is a conservation organization.  Our mission is to protect, restore, and enhance the trout fisheries, and their watersheds in NE Georgia.  Rabun TU has about 100 members.  From time to time, the Rabun TU Board of Directors (BOD) has formed alliances and/or joined coalitions to strengthen our position and increased our clout on issues that affect our mission.  We currently have an alliance on the Upper Chattooga Boating Ban issue that includes not only other TU Chapters and TU State Councils, but also hiking clubs, SC Wildlife Federation, GA Outdoor News magazine, SC Sierra Club, former President Jimmy Carter, The Chattooga Coalition, Chattooga Conservancy, SC & GA ForestWatch, and SC & GA DNRs.  For the I-3 issue the BOD has decided to join the coalition that already includes Sautee Nacoochee Community Assoc, Action for a Clean Environment, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Clayton Woman's Club, GA Appalachian Trail Club, Clay/Cherokee Chapter of Stop I-3, Jackson-Macon Conservation Alliance, Friends of Georgia, Soque River Watershed Assoc, Towns County Homeowners Assoc, Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition, Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, Knoxville TN Chapter of the Sierra Club, Western NC Alliance, Chattooga Conservancy, GA Chapter of the Sierra Club, and GA & SC ForestWatch.  Does Rabun TU always agree with all of these organizations on all other issues?   No, of course not! 

    Rabun Chapter’s 13 member BOD sets the Chapter’s position on issues at their monthly meetings.   The best way to influence the Chapter’s position is by being an active Chapter member or officer.  Attendance at regular meetings and offering factual information to the membership and BOD can make a difference.

For some of our members that live away from Rabun County, it is not possible to attend Chapter meetings.  You can share your knowledge and opinion by submitting a letter/article for TIGHT LINES.

 

If you have an opinion on this editorial or any other subject published in TIGHT LINES, 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

 

 

     Environmental Activist (n.) is someone who, through word or deed, works to change government policy or statute law.

     Conserve (v.) is to use carefully or sparingly, avoiding waste.  To protect from loss or harm; preserve.

     Conservation (n.) is the wise and intelligent use or protection of natural resources.

     Conservationist (n.) is a specific term under the more general label of environmentalist since both wish to protect all the species in an ecosystem (syn: environmentalist).

     Ecosystem (n.) is a community of plants, animals, and microorganisms that are linked by energy and nutrient flows and that interact with each other and with the physical environment.  Rain forests, deserts, coral reefs, grasslands, and a rotting log are all examples of ecosystems.

     Ecological (adj.) is the relationships between living organisms and their interactions with their natural or developed environment.

     Ecologist (n.) is a biologist who studies the relation between organisms and their environment.

     Sustainability (n.) is the ability of an ecosystem to maintain ecological processes and functions, biological diversity, and productivity over time.

     Naturalist (n.) is a biologist knowledgeable about natural history (especially botany and zoology) [syn: natural scientist].

     Preservation (v.) is the action of reserving, protecting or safeguarding a portion of the natural environment from unnatural disturbance.  Preservation is part of, and not opposed to, conservation.

     Preservationist (n.) is someone who advocates the preservation of historical sites or endangered species or natural areas.

Definitions from: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/ and/or http://www.google.com/

 

FISHING REPORTS

 

From: The Green River Guest Ranch, Cora, WY

Click On: http://www.grguestranch.com/

 

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

From: Kyle Burrell

Sent: Tuesday, August 16, 2005 9:17 AM

Subject: August 16 Fishing Report

 

Good Morning Everyone,

     The fishing is still great out here.  Stream levels are much higher than the last few years and the weather cooler.  Yesterdays high was 72F with clear skies.  Perfect!

     Small stream fishing is as good as it gets with the grasshopper "hatch" in full swing.  We fished a small stream yesterday that was full of cutthroats up to 22 inches.  My clients invited me to fish with them so you know what happened :-)  (see photo).  Any grasshopper or beetle pattern will draw a big fish to the surface.

     The Green River is still fishing good too.  The water level has dropped, as is normal, and the fish are spooky, but a well placed grasshopper fly can fool a big brown trout all day long.  My client caught a 22-inch brown on a parachute hopper day before yesterday.

    The bears and wolves are a real pain this year.  They are killing record numbers of cattle, and are in the places we want to fish!  We are seeing tracks almost everywhere we go.  The bear spray is always in hand in bear country.  I hope I don't ever see one of them.

     My best to you all.  I'll be home in about a month, - Kyle

 

     And, by the way, many of you may be missing the best summer of Georgia trout fishing that I've seen in my 20 years here.  The high, cool water from frequent rain storms has fish much more active than normal.  Many streams are fishing like it's late May rather than August.  Wet wading in a stream under a full tree canopy will make you forget it's 90 degrees in sunlit areas.  One friend fished the Dukes headwaters this weekend and had a blast on 6-10 inch wild rainbows on a dry fly (#16 coachman trude - you can see it in the shadows).  Another angler hit Smith Creek between the state park cabins and the Anna Ruby Falls visitor center and had a great day on spinners.  A third caught a lot of fat stockers in the Hooch at Robertstown in the evening, after the inner tube crowd went home.
     FYI: Smithgall angler attendance this past weekend was: Sat AM- 13; PM – 5; Sun AM – 9; PM – 7.  The low attendance is unbelievable.  Why?  Read further.  Two college-aged friends invited me to join them for the Saturday AM shift.  It was mainly a "refine your technique" session, but the fish were pretty cooperative, too.  We caught several rainbows from 9-12 inches. Better yet, we hooked six big fish that we estimated were 16 inches or better.  Most won their fights with us, but we managed to net one and it was a real good'un, a 25.5-inch brown trout that took a #16 lightning bug dredged in a deep hole.
     If you're worried about Helen traffic, I'll share a local secret.  Coming north from Cleveland on Hwy 75, hang a left just past Yonah Burger, on to Asbestos Road.  Take it to the end and turn right on Hwy 75A.  Smithgall is a mile down the road and usually has some open slots from cancellations.  Pop a buddy into your vehicle and split the gasoline tab.  Bring fresh, strong line and a camera.  If Smithgall's full, head west for 20 minutes and fish Waters Creek.
    Hopefully this path to outdoor success made been made a bit easier.  The rest is up to you.  Good luck... and if you don't come, thanks for all of these big Dukes Creek fish that are just sitting there, waiting for my offering instead of yours.

 

 

Congress Gives Final Approval on the LWCF Issue - Not Good for Georgia!

 

July 29, 2005 (Washington, DC) - The House and Senate have given final approval to the conference report on the fiscal year 2006 Interior Appropriations bill, restoring some funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which the House had previously voted to zero-out. The final bill provides $114 million for federal land acquisition, down from $169 million last year, and $28 million for state park and recreation projects, a reduction from the $92.5 million approved last year. The combined total of $142 million allocated to LWCF’s federal and stateside programs amounts to the lowest level of funding provided in the last decade.

     The House approved the conference report on Thursday by a vote of 410-10 with Senate approval of the bill on Friday by a vote of 99 to 1. The President is expected to sign the legislation.  Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Alabama National Forests all received $0.  On the other hand, Montana received $12.6 million for 6 projects.     Politics!!!!!

Responses to the I-3 Issue – Not Good Either!

Northeast Georgian article (August 5^th) - Congress passed the new federal highway bill last week.  The bill includes $1.32 million each for feasibility studies for proposed Interstate 3, a highway that would run from Savannah to Augusta to Knoxville, and for proposed Interstate 14 slated to run from Augusta to Mississippi. The funding more than triples the $400,000 each originally proposed for the studies.
    "The increased funding will allow transportation officials to conduct much more thorough studies for I-3 and I-14, allowing for a better-informed decision on whether to proceed with either of these two interstates," said Sheridan Watson, deputy press secretary for U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, on Tuesday.
    Georgia DOT district spokesperson Teri Pope said Tuesday it will cost at least that much to do an adequate study because it costs several thousand dollars to do a feasibility study of even five miles.
     Pope said the feasibility study will have to take into account 53 different federal environmental laws to see if a buildable route even exists. She said the laws deal with wetland, water, noise, habitat endangerment, archaeology and historical preservation.
    "Adequate federal highway funds are especially critical for our mountain counties," Isakson said Monday.  "We have to find ways to provide safe and efficient highways to accommodate the population growth we know will continue, while preserving the environment and the unique atmosphere of the mountains."

 

Stop I-3 News Release; DILLARD, Georgia (August 8) -- Rep. Charlie Norwood, R-9th, today took a somewhat neutral stand regarding the proposed Interstate highway that would cut through north Georgia and Southern Appalachia on its way from Savannah to Knoxville.
    First, he wants to see the results of a federal study of the proposed Interstate, he told an audience of about 70 area residents at a public breakfast meeting in Dillard.  "So, I’m not sure if I’m for it or against it at this point," he said.
    At the same time, Norwood, one of the prime architects of the push for the so-called Interstate 3, said he would ultimately "support the majority of people in my district" regarding this proposed highway.
    "I’m telling you the people of this district may be favoring it," Norwood also said.  "Everybody wants it from Savannah to Augusta.  The only place I have to concern myself is north of Toccoa."
    The $1-plus million study, he said, would take some 18 to 24 months to complete, after which he would revisit the issue and again take the pulse of his district, which stretches from northeast Georgia to the Augusta area.
    Lucy Ezzard Bartlett, a spokeswoman for the Rabun Chapter of the Stop I-3 Coalition, was not overly pleased with the congressman’s stance.
    "The concern is that the congressman is telling us one thing here in north Georgia today, while the study will be bent on proving that it should be built," she said after the meeting.  "The study is to be done by the Department of Transportation. Who is going to protect our environment from an Interstate through the Southern Appalachians? Who will protect our air quality and our water quality?  These are major concerns of all people, not just those who live in the mountains."
    About 70 area residents from Rabun County and neighboring locales attended the breakfast.  About 30 of them were recognizably opposed to the I-3 proposals, judging from the homemade, anti-I-3 nametags they wore.  The congressman fielded about 10 questions on the proposed Interstate, with only one of those, from a local Republican party official, echoing the GOP party line about how everyone should wait for the results of the study.
    Norwood also attended a meeting in Towns County today, where he largely echoed the stand taken in Dillard.
    "It's disappointing that now we'll have to wait one-to-two years for a study, which we hope will confirm what we already know -- that it makes no sense to build an interstate through these mountains," said Janet McCallen, of Hiawassee, the I-3 Chair for the Towns County Homeowners Association.
    McCallen also asked Norwood how citizens "could have input into the study." The congressman replied: "O You can’t."  McCallen continued, "But we don’t intend to let up on our efforts to communicate the destructive impact an interstate would have on our community, our economy, our environment, and our quality of life."
    The proposed Interstate is strongly opposed in Towns County by the homeowners association, as well as in Habersham, White and Rabun counties, where local board of commissioners already have taken strong public stands against running this highway through the mountains.
    The STOP I-3 coalition was organized in response to congressional I-3 proposals, on grounds that there are numerous economic, environmental, and safety concerns that urge against running such a huge highway through mountain communities that neither want nor need such an Interstate.  Locals residents and local chapters have banded together under the STOP I-3 coalition from the following locales:  Oconee County, S.C.; Stephens, Habersham, White, Rabun, Towns, Union and Lumpkin counties, Georgia; Jackson, Macon, Clay, Cherokee and Graham counties, North Carolina, as well as residents of the Maryville and Knoxville, Tennessee, areas.  In addition, a dozen community and conservation groups support the Coalition.

 

The above articles were received from the “Stop I-3 Coalition”.  For more and the most current info, click on http://www.stopi-3.org/

Editor’s note: Isn’t it interesting and ironic how our Senators and Representatives could more than triple the funds to study building a highway through the mountains that will destroy trout habitat, yet they couldn’t allocate a dime for GA in LWCF to protect trout waters?

 

 “BACKCASTING”

 

August 6          Work Project (with USFS) at Heddon and Reed Creeks.  The crew included Ray K, Terry R, Ralph M, Russell J, Kathy B, the 2 Forest Service interns we sponsored (Sam Burken & Adam Shirley) and lead by 2 Forest Service employees – Doug W and David V.  Terry camped out alone Thursday & Friday at Cherry Hill C.G. and fished on Friday.  He said “and what a peaceful time I had.”  The work project included maintenance on existing stream structures with additional rock placement (Ivan had swept it out it pretty good).

 

August 16        Family Picnic at Kelly’s Water Falls Park.  40+ Rabunites attended this annual family fun event.  There would have been 2 more, except Frank and Gail came on Wednesday evening instead (the picnic was on Tuesday evening).  We wonder what their covered dish would have been (inquiring minds want to know):

          

 

August 23        The Board of Directors (BOD) meeting was attended by ten officers and directors.  The BOD discussed the plans for the GA TU Council Quarterly Meeting and the National TU Annual Meeting in Denver.  The Chapter made a $100 donation to the National TU Education Program.  Tom Landreth, Director, will send a letter to our Congressmen expressing the Chapter’s disappointment in the lack of LWCF funding for Georgia in F/Y 2006.  The BOD voted for the Chapter to join the ‘Stop I-3 Coalition’ and sent a $100 donation.  TU volunteers needed for the GA WRD Outdoor Adventure Day (Sept 24) at Unicoi S. P.; for details contact David Grainger (the TU coordinator) at E-mail mr2trout@mindspring.com .  The BOD decided to discontinue sending the Chapter E-mails to former members whom National TU has dropped from our roster (after 6 months without membership renewal). The plans for the Sept 29 – Oct 2 Chapter Fishing & Camping Outing were reviewed.  The BOD voted to sponsor and work with a team of RGNS students for the Community Service Day (Oct. 27) to install a stream habitat enhancement structure on Beat #2 of Betty Creek.

 

August 27        GA TU Council Quarterly Meeting was held at Island Ford Conference Center, Atlanta.   The Council voted to join the ‘Stop I-3 Coalition’ and sent a $100 donation.  The Council also voted to conduct another ‘Dream Trip’ raffle this winter.  See the meeting minutes posted on the council website for additional actions (click on: http://64.30.174.55/gatu/ ).

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

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

Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2005 1:41 PM

Subject: Good Stocked Trout Streams

     The Georgia Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) is winding down its 2005 trout stocking season, which traditionally ends on Labor Day weekend.  Trout that are stocked late in the season by WRD and the US Fish and Wildlife Service are often a bit larger than early season fish because of the extra months of hatchery growth. 
     If you're looking for some good places in Northeast Georgia to take a kid fishing this weekend, WRD has listed some best bets for you.  Remember to use light lines, small hooks, and little if any weight if the water is low and clear.  Morning fishing is usually better than afternoon angling because of rising water temperatures.  A half of a nightcrawler on a #10 hook knotted to 4 pound test line is hard to beat.  Remember that fish often bite better after a thundershower, when the stream is cooler and off color, thus hiding the trout from predators.
     Here are a few good places to catch some stockers for a camp supper this weekend:
Rabun: Tallulah River, Wildcat Creek on Lake Burton Wildlife Management Area (WMA), West Fork Chattooga River.
White: Chattahoochee River in Helen (early and late when tubers are gone) and on the WMA
Union: Cooper Creek on WMA
Habersham: Soque River on US Forest Service land north of Clarkesville.
Lumpkin: Dicks Creek on WMA
     GA trout stream maps are available on the WRD web site (http://www.gofishgeorgia.com/) and by calling 770-535-5498.  Good luck!

 

And Confirmation by Ralph

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

From: Ralph Morgan

Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2005 7:56 AM

Subject: FYI

     DNR stocked a truckload of big 1-lb + trout in the Tallulah yesterday.

 

The First in a Series:

Stream Habitat Protection and Enhancement

    

     As the population of our region increases and second home development (plus the infrastructure to support it) continues to grow, the adverse impacts as well as the recreational demands on our coldwater resources have also dramatically increased.  One of the ways to address this situation is through the mission of Rabun TU to protect, restore, and enhance the trout fisheries and their watersheds in NE Georgia.

    Rabun TU fully supports the strict enforcement of laws and the ‘best management practices’ designed to protect these coldwater resources.  Sometimes trout streams are damaged by natural disasters (such as floods) and sometimes they are damaged by actions of man (such as channeling or siltation).  There are techniques that can be used to restore the habitat in these streams and increase the stream’s capability to support a sustainable trout fishery.  Sometimes stream habitat can be enhanced to better meet the basic needs of wild trout (clean oxygenated water, cover, and food).

     Rabunite Monte Seehorn, retired USFS Regional Fisheries Biologist, literally wrote the Stream Habitat Improvement Handbook in 1985 and revised it in 1992 (Technical Publication R8-TP 16 - available from the Forest Service).  During his years with the Forest Service, he designed and installed numerous trout stream restorations and enhancement projects on public streams throughout the Southern Region.  Since 1986, Rabun TU has helped on several of these projects.  After his retirement, Monte has continued to work as a consultant helping private owners of trout waters restore and enhance their streams.  These pictures show an example of work to protect and restore the banks of a privately owned section of Noontootla Creek a couple of miles before it runs into the Toccoa River.

 

    

                        Before                                                   During                                       One Year Later

Photos provided by Monte Seehorn

     Over the next several issues, TIGHT LINES will show ‘before’ and ‘after’ pictures of some more of these projects.  If you are aware of a section of public stream in need 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

 

Here is another example.  An EPA trout stream restoration demonstration project on the Soque River in Habersham Co. Click on: http://www.epa.gov/region04/water/wetlands/projects/soqueepa.html  Our thanks to Maria R for sharing this site with us.

 

 

 

 

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

Hi Folks,

 

This is my last letter as your president.  At our Sept. 20 meeting we will elect our new officers for the coming year.  It is important that you attend this meeting to cast your vote.  Serving as your president for the last two years has been an experience I will not forget.  It’s been fun.  Thanks for your help.  I hope that everyone continues to take part in all the activities, attend the monthly meetings and support the new officers.  That’s the only way our chapter will remain as good and strong as it is now and grow to be even better.  Only YOU can make a difference.

 

My fishing trip out west with Bill, Jimmy and Terry R. was a blast.  Not only was the fishing great but also the time we shared around the campfire at night was outstanding.   I am thankful to have had the chance to go with such a good group of guys.  I hope to do it again in the future.

 

The Chapter will have a fishing campout on Sept 29, 30, Oct. 1 and 2.  It will be a great way to spend time with your fellow Rabunites right here at home.

 

Thanks again for the opportunity to have served as your president.

 

Ray

 

 

Please tell us if you have E-mail, it will save the chapter $0.93 per newsletter mailed:                                                                                                              

E-Mail   edadams1@alltel.net 

RABUN TROUT UNLIMITED CHAPTER                                                                                     

PO BOX 65                                                                                                                                                    

RABUN GAP, GA 30568-0065