Info Provided by: Jeff Durniak, GA DNR North Georgia Region Fisheries Supervisor and North Georgia Region Fisheries staff
We hope everyone had a great spring fishing season. Some folks have had it so good, they often ask me how they can “pay it back.” The two best ways are to continue to buy a license and introduce new folks, especially kids, to the sport. Our fisheries and their supporting habitats need fans and caretakers. Hunters and anglers are some of the finest conservationists in America, so please continue to grow your ranks.
Stream structure project.
Others among you still want to do more, especially “on the ground.” For those of you with youthful energy, I’d suggest joining a fishing club or conservation group. Nearly all of these clubs do service projects that benefit fish habitat and/or anglers. Some great examples that benefit from volunteers are reservoir fish attractor projects, kids fishing rodeos, collections of angler/tournament catch data for DNR biologists, summer kids camps, and trout stream habitat improvements.
You can read about some past and future projects here:
- Summer Trout Projects
- Fish Habitat in Lake Allatoona
- Lanier Striped Bass Coalition
- Camp Charlie: Georgia Wildlife Federation
- Georgia Trout Unlimited Trout Camp
So, if you’re looking for a neat project to enhance your favorite fishery, Google a bit, find a club, join and participate. You can carry a heavy log to a trout stream, teach a kid to fish, collect your club’s catch data, or fix a fine lunch for a reservoir fish attractor crew. There’s a niche for everyone in this movement. Wildlife Resources Division and our federal partners (COE, USFWS, USFS) couldn’t help as many first time anglers or build as many brook trout structures without you. Come on and join the conservation community! You enjoy the “work” and take great pride knowing that you’re making things better for your kids and grandkids.
Christmas trees being used for fish habitat in Allatoona.
Computers are nice. But turn them off every now and then, leave the cell phone in the car, put on an old pair of clothes, and get wet and dirty to enhance your favorite Georgia fishery. You’ll be glad you did.
While you’re considering public service, I’ll finish mine. Here’s the latest fishing news from north Georgia. Don’t forget to click on that last bullet’s YouTube link.
Toccoa Tailwater report – Check stream gauges or call local shops to see if weekend rains make things unfishable before you drive up.
Mountain trouting – Remember water temps!
Hooch Tailwater browns – While the majority of those wild trout like their midges, the trophies get big on larger forage items, like stocked rainbows. Enjoy the photo.
Trout, stocker best bets – This week’s top stocker spots are: Lanier and Blue Ridge tailwaters (turbidity permitting), Holcomb, Wildcat, Holly, Dicks, Stamp, Copper, and Rock. Weekend rains may actually help to cool off mountain streams and increase the
Ian with a July trout catch.
bite. Use bigger and/or flashier baits if the water is muddy. Ian Johnson and his trusty guide, better known as Dad, had a great trip to IDBIS Creek near Dahlonega last week.
And a last word from your quarry! (thank you Henry and Hal)
Good luck. Join a club and pay a little back. You’ll take great joy in knowing that speck or spot appreciated the new home that you just built for it.