APRIL 2012 NEWSLETTER

Transcription

1 APRIL 2012 NEWSLETTER Next Meeting April 3,2012 PAGE 1 PAGE 2 PAGE 3 PAGE 4 PAGE 5,6&7 PAGE 8 PAGE 9 PAGE 10 &11 PAGE 12 PAGE 13 PAGE 14 PAGE 15 PAGE 16 COVER MEETING PLACE PROGRAM OF THE MONTH DIRECTORS MESSAGE UP COMING EVENTS FLY OF THE MONTH ACTIVITIES AND PAST EVENTS CONSERVATION FISHING REPORTS MORE REPORTS TIPS AND ANTIDOTES LINKS & SITE PHOTO GALERY

2 MEETING PLACE We meet the first Tuesday of the month at Camp Glisson just north of Dahlonega. Dinner is served at 6:30 PM. while it lasts, and programs start around 7:00 PM. All members and guests are welcome! Camp Glisson is just two miles north of Dahlonega on Highway 60. Turn left onto Camp Glisson Road and continue about one mile through the camp to the bridge on your right. Cross the bridge and Ivie Lodge is 100 yards on the left. See you there! Dinner $5 to 8 (dependent on the menu) is served at 6:30 PM for those who wish to eat. Program begins at 7 PM. We also do FLYSWATTERS. You bring two flies that you have tied or bought, one fly is donated to the chapter for a future raffle at the cookout; you will receive a ticket for the other fly which is placed on the FLYSWATTER. The Flyswatter Flies are raffled that night. Tickets may be purchased for $1.00. Visitors welcome. NEXT MEETING APRIL 3,2012

3 PROGRAM OF THE MONTH Featured speaker will be Sam Johnson Sam Johnson - Hazel Creek, NC Expedition May 2011 This presentation will be about getting to, and fishing, sections of Hazel Creek on the southwest slope of the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. It will cover getting there, fishing and camping gear, flies, bugs, hogs, bear, hiking, night life, stream reports, history, etc. associated with seven visits to this Appalachian jewel. Hazel empties into the northwest corner of Fontana Lake, which flanks the Park on its southwest corner. It s remote, fishing is good, and little pressure in most areas. The only practical way to get in and out is to take a pontoon ferry the three - four miles to the mouth, and arrange a pick-up time for your return. This stream and surrounding mountains were cut off from the rest of the world back in the early 40 s when Lake Fontana was built. Prior to that, the entire area was being logged of all of its first growth timber between 1917 and Remnants of the old saw mill is still visible as you traverse up the old narrow gauge rail bed which shadows the creek for about ten or more miles up the creek.

4 DIRECTORS MESSAGE GOLD RUSH IS STILL IN SEARCH OF A MEMBER THAT WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THE POSITION OF Vice President. Still looking for feedback or suggestions that you as a member would like to see the club to undertake, in the form of programs, or outings, dinner menu, or classes to help with casting,and knot tying. We do have a fly tying class the second Thursday of the month (at the American Legion Hall). We have all the tools necessary for those of you that do not have fly tying tools. The class is geared for the beginner but also have some experienced tyers.

5 Upcoming events Family fun day set for Sunday, Oct 7 1 pm to 5pm fishing available Register early Volunteers are needed to help out for THE LUMPKIN COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL ENRICHMENT PROGRAM This is a program that Gold Rush has participated in for the last few years. We do fly casting and fly tying and the kids really seem to enjoy. Once again Anne Davis has requested that Gold Rush host this program each Thursday in April, except April 5 th as the school will be on spring break. The dates are April 12 th,19 th,26 th. The time required is from approximately from 3PM until 5PM. If you can help out on one or all days please contact Pat Pattilio or Rick TOCCOA RIVER CLEAN SWEEP On Saturday April 14 th friends of the Toccoa River will gather to collect trash, tires, water bottles and more from the banks and tributaries of the river. In connection with Trout Unlimited National River Clean Up Day we will join with Scouts, social organizations and the Toccoa River Watershed Coalition to get this done. The event will begin at 9am at Tammen Park, Horseshoe Park, and the Shallowford Bridge off of Aska Road. All groups of volunteers will return to Tammen Park for lunch at 1pm. Please arrive by 8:30 to get signed in and ready to work by 9am. Please come dressed appropriately, bring gloves, bug spray and your willingness to make the river a better place. Trash bags, water and lunch will be provided by the Blue Ridge Mountain Chapter of Trout Unlimited #696. For more information contact Carl Riggs at or 7turns@tds.net FFF South Eastern Council Festival April 27th thru April 29 th to be held at Unicoi Lodge Trout Camp June 10 thru June 15 TU Southeast Regional Meeting April Asheville, North Carolina See TU web site for further information

6 Events continued Fly fishing for vets --- April 21 st LOCATION Paces Mill Park on the Chattahoochee River ("Palisades West"). Park entrance is from US 41(Cobb Parkway SE), southeast of Cumberland Mall, just before crossing the river. (In Fulton County, US 41 is North side Parkway NW.) (Internet: Go to maps.live.com, with "Cumberland Mall GA" as the location. Click on the 'Aerial' tab and zoom in to see the access to the park 300 yards before reaching the river.) Signs identifying the park entrance can be seen coming from either direction. SCHEDULE for April 21, :00-9:00a.m. Volunteers Show Up and Register 9:00 (+/-) Vets Arrive and Register 10:00-2:00 Auction Open 10:15-10:30 Introductions/ Orientation to Events 10:30 (+/-) Casting Instructors: Match up with Vets, Get on the Water 11:30 Catered Lunch Served 2:30 Auction winners announced 3:00 Fishing Ends 3:00-5:00 Break Down / Cleanup

7 Up coming events continued KIDS FISHING DAY On Wednesday, May 9 th, the Chattahoochee National Forest Hatchery at Rock Creek will be having Kids Fishing Day for disabled children. The staff has asked for volunteers to come assist in setting up and working with the kids as they fish. This is one of only a few times fishing is allowed in the actual trout runs and the children have a great time. If you are available and would like to help in this worthy cause please contact Carl Riggs at or 7turns@tds.net. Times for event are 9-12 but volunteers will need to be at the hatchery by 8:30 before the kids arrive. Please carpool if possible, parking is very limited. All equipment will be supplied by the hatchery. The Chattahoochee Nantahala Chapter from Blairsville will also be assisting. Carl Riggs

8 FLY OF THE MONTH NEXT FLY TYING CLASS APRIL 12,2012 Fly of the month Scuds are found in most streams Note that last month A Soft Hackle pattern was taught by coach Noah, thanks coach Tying instructions are available at our tying class or on the internet

9 Activities and past events CHURCH PASTORS RETREAT FLY FISHING CLASS AT Camp Glisson... The class was held on Monday (3/19) 2-5pm and Tuesday (3/20) 10am-12pm Pat did a lecture type intro and rigging set-up followed by some casting instruction. Tuesday we followed up with casting...(they mentioned trying to fish some at the falls area on their own time Tuesday afternoon). The class was headed up by Pat and helping out on Monday were Sherman Head, Ken McKinnon, Deb Scott, and Bill Fox. Tuesday was Pat, Sherman and Ken. It should be noted that while Pat was giving casting instruction at the falls, he tied on a real fly and two trout were caught, one was very respectable in size. 7-8 Pastors attending... See photos in photo section page 16 Also please note that the Pastors made a generous donation to the Cub for our efforts on their behalf.. Thank you Pastors

10 conservation and items of interest GWC Legislative Update Legislative Session 2012 THREE LEGISLATIVE DAYS LEFT THIS SESSION Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday of next week will be the final days of this year's legislative session. We are continuing to work on at least three bills to ensure Georgia's waterways are protected for current and future generations. Thanks to your hard work, one of the bills we've been working on all session met its end on Wednesday. SB 360, which aimed to classify tilapia as "domestic" in Georgia, was tabled in the House Game, Fish, and Parks Committee rendering it dead for the session. Introduced by Senator John Wilkinson (R Toccoa), this bill would have legalized the rearing of certain species and hybrids of tilapia, a non-native, exotic fish species in Georgia, in aquaculture operations and for use in ponds and lakes as feed for trophy fish, such as largemouth bass. Scientific studies warn that if tilapia are reared in aquaculture operations and/or introduced to Georgia's ponds or lakes for trophy fish to feed on they will escape to our natural rivers and streams. A study at the University of Georgia found that these non-native, exotic fish will survive temperatures above mid-50 degree F, a temperature that assures their survival in 8 out of 10 south Georgia winters and in any spring-fed portion of a river or warm water discharge. These fish will adapt and reproduce and become an invasive species that will outcompete our native fishes, such as bluegills, bream and other panfish. Chattooga ruling draws anger Environmental groups, boaters to appeal easing of rules 10:05 PM, Mar. 16, 2012 Written by Karen Chávez

11 Interest items continued Chattahoochee designation as America s first national water trail achieves 40-year goal ATLANTA Last week, Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar unveiled the National Water Trails System, a network that will increase access to water-based outdoor recreation, encourage community stewardship of local waterways, and promote tourism to fuel local economies across America. ( Salazar also announced that the Chattahoochee River Water Trail, flowing 48 miles within Atlanta s Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA), is the first river to be designated as a National Water Trail under the new system. Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper s Sally Bethea said, This water trail is a living monument to the memory of local conservation heroes such as Jane Yarn, James Mackey, Roy Wood, Dan Sweat, Al Burruss and Paul Coverdell, who fought to protect the river that supplies millions of Georgians with drinking water, while also providing outstanding recreational opportunities. Bethea noted that the CRNRA was established in 1978 largely because of the advocacy of a small group of self-described river rats who undertook local sewer, zoning and development battles in the early 1970s, on the heels of the first Earth Day. The river that these activists believed was a national treasure and fought to save today is heavily used by anglers, tubers, kayakers, canoers and rafters. One of the most ardent early river advocates, Roger Buerki, now 71, worked tirelessly to protect his beloved Chattahoochee four decades ago, and continues today. He helped form a group called Friends of the River from whose ranks the Carter Administration would subsequently draw some of its environmental officials. Upon hearing of the river s new recognition, Buerki said, This designation confirms the vision and ability of ordinary citizens to overcome politically-powerful opposition to save the Chattahoochee River for the future. People love the rivers that flow through their communities and they want to be able to access and enjoy these waterways for a wide variety of activities. Georgia Wildlife Federation president Jerry McCollum said, The Georgia Department of Natural Resources should be commended for supporting the valuable trout fishery in the new Chattahoochee River Water Trail, one of the 100 Best Trout Streams in America according to Trout Unlimited. The National Park Service is planning an event in the CRNRA later this spring to celebrate America s first water trail, according to Park Service Superintendant Patty Wissinger. UCR s mission is to protect and preserve the Chattahoochee River, its lakes and tributaries for the people, fish and wildlife that depend upon it. The Chattahoochee is the most heavily used water resource in Georgia. For more information, visit Hi everyone, If anyone would like to participate in this event please contact Fred Ruppel for more info, he will coordinate for the Chapter...Gold Rush will have a few volunteers going and I think they need quite a few more folks to help...

12 HEROES OF CONSERVATION Note from Georgia TU council: We have two "Heroes of Conservation" in the Georgia Council. Field & Stream magazine will recognize Kevin McGrath and Alex Watson as "conservation heroes" for their work in the very successful back the Brookie program here in Georgia. Sometimes it's nice to know that your thankless work is noticed and appreciated and I am sure you will all join me in congratulating Kevin and Alex for their hard work with the BtB program and the success that it has had in Georgia. May edition that will be out in a few weeks. You will still receive a link to the article in the event you are unable to pick up a copy of this collector s edition

13 FISHING REPORTS After being inspired by the Pastors class, Pat invited me to go along on a trip up to Noontootla on Wed. There may now be two dents in the cab headliner of Pat s truck. That is where we hit our heads while driving along the county road leading to the forest roads. Seems there was a large rut followed by a large rock Pat did not see, and thankfully we had our seat belts on, as anyone who has ridden with Pat knows you always wear your seat belt. That was the first of a couple of exciting things that happened that day. The creek was running fast, high and clear. Pat suggested starting out with dry fly. We made a plan to separate; he headed down stream and I headed up stream to meet up in a few hours. I did find out that if you step on a large bolder covered with leaves when your wading boots are wet, you have no traction. That is when I went for an E ticket ride, about 30 feet down the bank. Fortunately. I did not tear my waders and once I recovered I did find myself right where I wanted to be. I entered the water by a nice pool, and I guess the trout were laughing so hard they could not bite, though one did rise and take a swipe at my fly only to miss it. He was probably still snickering or my drift was off ( see article later in newsletter). Pat,on the other hand landed a fish or two. Goes to show the fish were not jumping on our lines. After a bite of lunch and a change of location we headed back out. This time I was down stream and Pat was up stream. Somehow Pat managed to step into a hole and started to go down he was about to get his bath for the day, as the water rose to within an eyelash of the top of his waders. He was able to regain his footing and all was well. Evidently when Pat wants to get your attention he will throw a large rock in the creek.. his way of saying lets go. By this time of the day with the fish not biting, (and it must be five thirty some where) the day was over so we bumped our way back down the mountain road ( FSR-77 ). So it wasn t catching a bunch of fish that made the day memorable, it was the fringe events. But a day fishing is a great day, after all that s why it is called fishing not catching. KJM

14 MORE FISHING REPORTS Fish when you can, work when you have to. Sherman Head

15 TIPS AND ANECDOTES Achieving Drag Free (Things to remember): What is a Drag Free Drift? Simply put a Drag free drift is any drift that you make with while nymph fishing that results in zero pull on the line/ indicator. Your flies are down near the bottom where the trout are and drifting with the slower current along the bottom. More often than not, drag is caused by what the fisherman is or isn't doing. Drag is usually caused when there is a downstream "U" shaped belly in the fly line or leader as the flies are drifting downstream. Your fly line and leader are going faster than your flies on the bottom, due to increased current speed higher in the water column. Drag can also be caused when a nymph fisherman is pulling the flies downstream faster than the current speed (i.e. dragging your strike indicator downstream). "How does one solve the problem of drag? *.Most drag is caused by anglers trying to fish farther away than their natural ability allows. Wading carefully and stealthily (Being the Heron) allows you to get closer to fish without spooking them and making it easier on yourself. Shorter casts make nymph fishing a lot easier to achieve a DFD..Using the casts covered in class, cast quartering upstream along the seam or other holding place you are fishing. Give your flies a couple seconds to sink before starting to raise your rod and picking up line..continue rotating your hip and raising your rod and line as your indicator is coming downstream towards you. (You want your indicator to be going the same speed as nearby bubbles and other stream debris is). Keep your rod slightly downstream of your flies and following with the current speed. Your indicator should be ticking along as your flies are going across the bottom. If your: indicator reacts in any way, simply set the hook downstream with a firm, downstream wrist snap. (Remember: hook sets are free. The worst thing that happens is you are setting yourself up for your next cast) Leader and fly setup Indicator should be twice the water depth in distance away from you flies. Attach l split shot above your surgeons loop connecting s x tippet to 5-6x tippet Flies: How you are using them is more important than what you are using: Local favorites include: size 8-10 wooly bugger (black, olive), prince nymph, gold ribbed hares ear nymph, pheasant tail nymph, egg and worm patterns (Y2k, glo bug, sanjuan worm et

16 LINKS AND SITES Of course the best place for information is our own web site goldrushtu.org For those with a face book account : Federation of fly fishers R&R fly fishing Fisherman s handbook Also U Tube ( fly fishing ) has great videos on fishing and tying The Itinerant angler podcast Askaboutflyfishinhg.com ( another pod cast) NGTO ( North Georgia Trout On line)

17 The Pastors PHOTO GALLERY the instructors PAT TEACHING CASTING SHERMANS ROD HOLDER