Newsline UCCTU Newsline April, 2012 Volume 29 Issue 4 Lines from the Leader Can one person make a difference? Can I make a difference? Will others do their part? April 7: Fishing Dayz April 14: Sweep-the- Hooch April 21: GA Fishing for Vets April 24: Chapter Meeting May 5: Rizzio Youth Clinic May 18-20: Spring Trip Flint River May 22: Chapter Meeting Save the dates: June 16: Back the Brookie Pretty Branch July 14: Back the Brookie Martin Branch Note: For more information on these events visit our calendar. Sometimes, I need to remind myself that the answers are - yes, yes, yes! Large tasks seem insurmountable, especially when you are alone on the river fishing and picking up trash, writing your Senator or Representative, making a donation beyond dues, taking a shorter shower to save water, using more expensive slow release fertilizer on your lawn and garden to reduce phosphorus and nitrogen in the river This spring and summer, you have the chance to remind yourself that you do make a difference and that others care and are doing their part. Join 500 volunteers cleaning-up all 40 plus miles of the Tailwater in the Chattahoochee National Recreation Area on April 14 th at Sweep-the-Hooch 2012. Last year we cleaned-up 2.76 tons of trash with 360 volunteers. Register as a wader at Jones Bridge for Team UCCTU at www.sweepthehooch.org. In June and July, UCCTU will turn to the mountains and Georgia s native brook trout. On June 16 th we will continue habitat enhancements on Pretty Branch and on July 14 th we will resume our restoration of Martin Branch that began last year. August brings us back to the Chattahoochee Tailwater partnering with Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper on a paddle clean-up on August 11 th. Contact conservation@ucctu.org for the brook trout events and paddle clean-up. Another way to make a difference is to leave a legacy by passing along your love of rivers and passing for angling to the next generation. May 5 th, UCCTU will be holding our annual Sam Rizzio Youth Fly Fishing Clinic. You can help young men 1
and women learn about conservation through fly fishing. Assistance is needed with registration to lunch preparation to instruction. Contact rizzioclinic@ucctu.org. Don t wonder if you can make a difference, make one. Sign-up today! See you on the stream. Kevin F. McGrath President Forward Cast Fishing Dayz April 7th: Wading at Jones Bridge! Or Kayak/Canoe float- Medlock Bridge to Jones Bridge! Come fish with us! Join the gang at UCCTU s April Fishing Dayz. This time you have a choice between wading and boating, with everyone ending up at Jones Bridge! Everyone is welcome! The fishing is great at Jones Bridge. And for those that have a kayak or canoe, this is a pre-arranged chance to ferry boats and anglers between the launch and take-out points. The float is about 3 miles, so we can take our time and be on the water 3 to 4 hours. If you plan to float, send an email to Jim Hardy via email and let him know if you can transport boats and how many your rack or trailer will handle. We ll drop off a few cars at Jones Bridge (after transferring some boats), then take all anglers and boats to Medlock Bridge. After the float, we ll ferry drivers back to the cars at Medlock while someone watches the boats. Meet for coffee, breakfast and fishing tales at the Waffle House on Holcomb Bridge Road and Old Alabama Road between 7-8am. We depart at 8am sharp for our destination. Pack a lunch or snack, sunscreen, hat and bring something to drink. Remember to bring $3 for parking fees at all National Park parking areas. Everyone should bring PFDs, our back-up wading location is Buford Dam. Changes due to weather or water releases will be announced at breakfast Saturday morning. You can also call Jim Hardy s cell phone, (770) 653-4461, between 7:45 and 8:45 Saturday morning and listen to the latest information. For more information contact Jim Hardy via email. Unused gear? UCCTU can use it. Your donation can help our chapter raise money for our events. Bring your item(s) to a chapter meeting and see Mark Romzick and we ll include them in our monthly raffles. Donations, other than fishing gear, are also accepted. 2
Chapter Meeting April 24: Flint River and Shoal Bass Join us for a presentation on fishing the Flint River and shoal bass by UCCTU friend Kent Edmonds. Kent operates Fly fish West Georgia guide service putting clients on shoal bass in the Flint River, strippers in the Chattahoochee River and bass and bream at Callaway Gardens. No one knows West Georgia better than Kent! He is a Federation of Fly Fishers Certified Casting Instructor and represents several major tackle companies with the Grand SlamGroup. Social hour and dinner starting at 6 pm. Meeting begins 7 pm. Ippolito's is located 2 miles east of GA 400 on Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell, GA. See meeting info at www.ucctu.org. UCCTU Spring Road Trip The spring trip will be to the Flint River, just outside of Columbus, GA. The dates are May 18th - 20th. We will be staying in FDR Park which has several cabins available for rent as well as campsites/plug ins for campers or pop-ups. Our speaker for the April UCCTU Chapter meeting is Kent Edmonds who will be giving us tactics and information for fishing the Flint for shoal bass. Additional information will be provided as we get closer to the date. Contact programs@ucctu.org for additional information. Simms G3 Wader Online Sealed Bid Auction You ve heard about the high quality and durability of Simms G3 Guide Stockingfoot Waders. Now you can own a pair by placing the highest bid in our sealed bid auction. Bidding is simple and easy. Here s how you can win: Click on the I Want to Bid Now! button below Place your best and highest bid there s no cost to bid Minimum bid is $350 Only one bid per person is allowed highest bid wins Winner picks the size Online bidding closes on Monday, April 23 rd. You can also make a bid in person 3
if you haven t already placed an online bid at the April 24 th chapter meeting where the winner will be announced. Note: if there is a tied high bid, the winner will be selected in a random drawing at the meeting. I Want to Bid Now! This auction is sponsored by The Fish Hawk. Visit them online at www.thefishhawk.com or at their location in Buckhead. Follow UCCTU on Facebook The Newsline is published monthly, but you can keep up with daily updates about the chapter, conservation, fishing, events, and advocacy on Facebook. You can network with your fellow UCCTU members. See pictures of chapter events and fishing trips. Fishing Dayz updates and changes are posted to Facebook. You do not have to be a Facebook member to follow UCCTU on Facebook but it helps. Logon to the UCCTU Facebook page here. If you are a Facebook member, Like our page to get posts from UCCTU on your Newsfeed. New Members A big UCCTU welcome to the following new members. We look forward to seeing you at a meeting, at Fishing Dayz, or at one of UCCTU s events. Dylan Bonselaar Richard Cordero William Phillips Stewart Colby Jeffrey Hammen 2012 UCCTU Voluntary Dues and Donations UCCTU recognizes our members and friends who have made voluntary contributions for 2012 at the following levels: Guardian: Defender: Dues: Brigadoon Lodge/FlyLine Wines Robert Beck Jim Beiter Bob Cramer Ed Collins Joseph DeFrancisco Max Faulkner Anonymous Robert Behan Charles Harrison Stephen Johnson Mitch Muehring Ron Shook 4
Sam Rizzio Youth Fly Fishing & Conservation Clinic Saturday, May 5, 2012 The Upper Chattahoochee Chapter of Trout Unlimited, the Chattahoochee Nature Center, The Fish Hawk, the Atlanta Fly Fishing School, Alpharetta Outfitters, and the Georgia Women Fly Fishers, are pleased to announce a comprehensive one day fly fishing clinic for young men and women, ages 10 to 15. The clinic is designed for the beginning fly fisher and will provide basic instruction in all phases of fly fishing including fly casting, knot tying, insect identification and conservation. Certified Instructors and Mentors will work with students to provide individual instruction and answer questions about fly fishing. Each student will be awarded a certificate upon completion and a drawing will be held for a fly rod and reel. The clinic will be held at The Chattahoochee Nature Center (9135 Willeo Road, Roswell GA 30075) on May 5, 2012 between 8:30 AM and 1:30 PM. Lunch will be provided. The clinic will be limited to 36 students and is offered at a cost of $20 per student. Parents or guardians may stay and observe the clinic or drop-off the student and pick them up not later than 1:30 PM. What to Bring Students will be provided all necessary equipment but need to bring weather appropriate outdoor clothing, a brimmed hat, sunglasses or prescription glasses (mandatory safety item), insect repellent, and sunscreen. Students who prefer to use their own fly-rod may do so. No hooks will be used on the line; this is an instructional day. All instructors are eager to teach the art of fly-fishing and pass along their interest in conservation, so bring lots of enthusiasm to class. Students who have previously attended this clinic are not eligible to attend again. For More Information Visit our website at www.ucctu.org/youthclinic, or contact Bill Phinney 404-310-2996, or email us at rizzioclinic@ucctu.org. Registration Please register online at www.tinyurl.com/uccturizioclinic2012 or complete the following registration form and mail to: Bill Phinney 6745 Laurian Wood Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30328 along with a check for $20 made payable to UCCTU. Email completed registration form to rizzioclinic@ucctu.org if registered online. 5
Sam Rizzio Youth Fly Fishing & Conservation Clinic (Ages 10 through 15 only) Registration / Release Form $20/per Student May 5, 2012 (8:30 am approx. 1:30 pm) In consideration of the Upper Chattahoochee (UCCTU) and other chapters of Trout Unlimited (TU), the Chattahoochee Nature Center (CNC), The Fish Hawk Atlanta, the Atlanta Fly Fishing School (AFFS), and the Georgia Women s Fly Fishers (GWFF), and for permitting me to participate in The Sam Rizzio Youth Fly Fishing Clinic, I hereby release UCCTU, TU, CNC, The Fish Hawk, AFFS, and GWFF for all injuries, damages, or losses of any nature whatsoever in any manner connected directly or indirectly to the clinic and I hereby agree to indemnify and hold harmless UCCTU, TU, CNC, The Fish Hawk, AFFS, GWFF, DNR, their helpers, and agents from any injuries, damages or losses arising or that may incur from participating in the clinic. All students must have parents or legal guardian s signature on this release form. Student s name Age Address City State Zip Primary Phone ( ) Secondary Phone ( ) Email address: Emergency contact name Primary Phone ( ) Secondary Phone ( ) Student Signature Parent/Guardian Signature Date Questionnaire: Have you fished before? Have you fly fished before? How would you describe your fishing experience? Beginner Intermediate What would you like to achieve from this clinic? How did you hear about the clinic? VERY IMPORTANT! Due to demand, limited slots, and as a courtesy to students on our wait list we ask parents to notify Bill Phinney at 404-310-2996 or rizzioclinic@ucctu.org as soon as possible if unable to attend. Return this registration form to: Bill Phinney at 6745 Laurian Wood Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30328 along with a check for $20 made payable to UCCTU or rizzioclinic@ucctu.org registered and paid online. 6
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Conservation Corner Upper Chattahoochee Trout Unlimited Angler-Conservationists Day 40 of the 2011-2012 Legislative Session concluded on March 29, 2012. Georgia Trout Unlimited worked closely with Georgia Water Coalition partners to address coldwater conservation issues as angler-conservationists in the House and Senate. Georgia Trout Unlimited participated in Sportsmen s Day at the Capital on February 8, 2012. Coldwater Conservation Related Bills HB 869 Saltwater Fishery Improvement Act of 2012 The bill would authorize the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GA DNR) to establish saltwater fishing regulations, as it does for freshwater, instead of the General Assembly. The bill also would empower GA DNR to allow fishing with live bait in trout waters. GA DNR plans to allow live bait fishing in seasonal trout waters, below Morgan Falls Dam and Lake Hartwell where striped bass fisheries exist. Passed the House and Senate. HB 984 Interbasin Transfers Protecting Downstream Communities This bill would strengthen regulations governing interbasin transfers and protect instream flows. Not taken up by House Natural Resources. SB 269 Consent Decree in Lieu of Fines for Polluters The bill will allow EPD to enter into an agreement with any municipal or commercial violator of clean water standards and allow the polluter 6 month extensions to comply with laws without limiting how many extensions can be given or accounting for emergency situations where problems that threaten public health, fish or wildlife need to be addressed immediately. This could lead to continuous pollution even after a violation is discovered and allow further damage to both water and public health. Approved by Senate Natural Resources but did not advance beyond Senate Rules. 8
SB 415 Constructing Waste Treatment Plants before Permitting This bill would allow municipalities to move forward on constructing sewage treatment plants before they got a permit form GA EPD to discharge treated sewage at that location. This is problematic because several water bodies throughout the state have met their capacity to take any more wastewater and still meet water quality standards. Not taken up by Senate Natural resources. SB 427 Expedited EPD Permit Reviews The bill would allow an applicant to pay a fee for expedited permit review by GA EPD. There was an amendment discussed where an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) would be required to give deference to GA EPD's determinations rather than maintain appropriate judicial independence. In essence, someone suing the state for an EPD decision would face a court situation where the ALJ would be bound to give deference to the state over the contested issue. Similar bills have been proposed but not passed in previous sessions. Passed the House and Senate without amendment requiring ALJ deference to EPD determinations. SB 499 Require Violators to Pay for Third Party Water Quality Monitoring This bill was introduced in response to the repeated river pollution incidents that occurred in South Georgia last year. The legislation would require polluters to pay for third-party water monitoring following a water pollution incident. Failed to pass out of Senate Natural Resources. Conservation Related Bills SB 360 Tilapia Farming SB 360 would legalize the stocking of Tilapia in Georgia ponds. Tilapia is a native fish of Africa and is listed as one of the 100 World s Worst Alien Invasive Species. This bill would threaten the native warm water fish populations of Georgia by introducing an invasive species into Georgia waters. Passed the Senate but failed to move from House Fish and Game. SB 362 Deadhead Logging Senate Bill 362 would make it legal to mine deadhead logs from the Oconee, Ocmulgee, Altamaha, and Flint rivers. Deadhead logs are sinkers from the rafts of old-growth trees that were harvested 100 to 150 years ago and floated down our rivers and larger creeks. Deadhead logs, when exposed above the stream or river bed, serve as valuable fish habitat for Georgia s panfish, bass, and other fish species. Removing these ancient logs would destroy aquatic habit and hinder fish growth and reproduction. Passed Senate and failed in a House floor vote. HB 400 and SB 374 Tennessee River Interbasin Transfer These companion measures would exempt the Tennessee River basin in Georgia from interbasin transfer regulation to divert water resources to Georgia. Both failed to pass from House and Senate Natural Resources. HB 728 Zoning and Covenants The measure would allow that existing covenants continue until term when new zoning laws are established and the covenants acknowledged. 9
Passed House and Senate. HB 811 Dedicated Fees This bill would prevent legislators from appropriating dedicated Solid Waste and Hazardous Waste fees to fill budget shortfalls. During the legislative process the bill was weakened by amendments. Passed the House and Senate however the bill failed in Conference Committee. SB 499 Require Violators to Pay for Third Party Water Quality Monitoring This bill was introduced in response to the repeated river pollution incidents that occurred in South Georgia last year. The legislation would require polluters to pay for third-party water monitoring following a water pollution incident. Failed to pass out of Senate Natural Resources. This bill was introduced in response to the repeated river pollution incidents that occurred in South Georgia last year. The legislation would require polluters to pay for third-party water monitoring following a water pollution incident. Failed to pass out of Senate Natural Resources. Conservation Related Bills SB 360 Tilapia Farming SB 360 would legalize the stocking of Tilapia in Georgia ponds. Tilapia is a native fish of Africa and is listed as one of the 100 World s Worst Alien Invasive Species. This bill would threaten the native warm water fish populations of Georgia by introducing an invasive species into Georgia waters. Passed the Senate but failed to move from House Fish and Game. SB 362 Deadhead Logging Senate Bill 362 would make it legal to mine deadhead logs from the Oconee, Ocmulgee, Altamaha, and Flint rivers. Deadhead logs are sinkers from the rafts of old-growth trees that were harvested 100 to 150 years ago and floated down our rivers and larger creeks. Deadhead logs, when exposed above the stream or river bed, serve as valuable fish habitat for Georgia s panfish, bass, and other fish species. Removing these ancient logs would destroy aquatic habit and hinder fish growth and reproduction. Passed Senate and failed in a House floor vote. HB 400 and SB 374 Tennessee River Interbasin Transfer These companion measures would exempt the Tennessee River basin in Georgia from interbasin transfer regulation to divert water resources to Georgia. Both failed to pass from House and Senate Natural Resources. HB 728 Zoning and Covenants The measure would allow that existing covenants continue until term when new zoning laws are established and the covenants acknowledged. Passed House and Senate. 10
HB 811 Dedicated Fees This bill would prevent legislators from appropriating dedicated Solid Waste and Hazardous Waste fees to fill budget shortfalls. During the legislative process the bill was weakened by amendments. Passed the House and Senate however the bill failed in Conference Committee. SB 499 Require Violators to Pay for Third Party Water Quality Monitoring This bill was introduced in response to the repeated river pollution incidents that occurred in South Georgia last year. The legislation would require polluters to pay for third-party water monitoring following a water pollution incident. Failed to pass out of Senate Natural Resources Chattahoochee River Designated As First National Water Trail The National Water Trails System is envisioned to provide access to water-based outdoor recreation, encourage community stewardship of local waterways, and promote tourism that fuels local economies across America. It is created under the National Trails System Act of 1968. The Chattahoochee River Water Trail in Georgia will be the first river to be designated as a National Water Trail under the new system. The water trail travels through 48 miles of river within the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. The park serves 3.2 million visitors annually. In addition to providing over 65% of the public greenspace in this urban region, the river provides most of Atlanta's drinking water. The park and new water trail contain 18 developed public access points and connects with other local city and county parks. The river is heavily used by anglers and tubers, This designation is yet another indication of the good work that Park Superintendent Patty Wissinger and her staff are doing at the CRNRA. The CRNA frequently partners with UCCTU on conservation issues/projects. Sweep the Hooch 2012 Mark April 14 on your calendars! Saturday, April 14 will be the second annual Sweep the Hooch. This promises to be one of the highest visibility conservation efforts that UCCTU participates in. Help make it another success. With the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeepers as partners, TU members are needed to wade the shallows at five different sites. Specific sites are the responsibility of different metro TU chapters. UCCTU is responsible for Jones Bridge. More info at www.sweepthehooch.org. Go here and follow the link to register. Be sure to register as team UCCTU and as a wader at Jones Bridge. For further questions contact Brad Cruickshank at conservation@ucctu.org. 11
Pay Your 2012 UCCTU Voluntary Dues or Donate Online - NOW! With your help, UCCTU makes a difference conserving, protecting and restoring Georgia's trout waters. From the Chattahoochee River Tailwater to the Georgia mountains, whether giving a voice to conservation in the General Assembly or teaching the next generation about the importance of clean water, UCCTU represents you. Help protect Georgia's coldwater fisheries today by paying your 2012 local, voluntary dues or make a donation to UCCTU online. Together, we make a difference. Voluntary Dues [Member] $20 Champion [Non-Member] $20 Defender $50 Conservator $100 Protector $250 Restorer $500 Guardian $1000 Payment can also be made at our next meeting or by mail with the enclosed form. Thank YOU! Make check payable to: UCCTU. To pay by credit card, please provide the following information: UCCTU recognizes our members who have paid voluntary local dues for 2011: Credit Card Number Expiration date Friend: Michael Finn Authorization Code from back of credit card Back Cast USE THIS COUPON TO SEND WITH YOUR VOLUNTARY DUES OR DONATION Name as it appears Voluntary on the card dues: Fred Anthony, Edith Collins, Joan Dyke, Duane Holback, Thomas Johnson, Jack Kilbrin, William A. Lott, and Don Phone Number Saddler Zip Code Voluntary Dues and Donations UCCTU 2012 Voluntary Dues and Donations Name: Street Address: City, State Zip: $20 Voluntary Local Dues [Member] $20 Champion [Non-Member] $50 Defender $100 Conservator $250 Protector $250 Protector $500 Restorer $1,000 Guardian Other $ Date: Amount Sent: Check Number: Amount paid $ Signature Mail to: Steve Glenn, UCCTU Treasurer, 4426 Lake Chimney Place NE, Roswell, GA 30075 UCCTU will not sell, trade, or share any personal information with any third party, nor send donor mailings on behalf of another organization. UCCTU has security measures in place and takes reasonable precautions to protect against the loss, misuse, and unauthorized access of your personal information under our control. 12
Talkin about Fishin Tip of the Month Getting Reels Ready for Fishing Season?? Many fishermen are getting ready for the upcoming fishing season and that might involve stringing up a new reel or perhaps putting larger line on a reel that was designed for smaller line sizes. The selection of the type and length of backing that is placed on your reel may have a sizeable impact on the volume of space that is available for the fly line that is chosen. In order to maximize the length of backing on a reel consider using Gel-spun backing. This material has minimum volume when compared to Dacron and will provide approximately 75% more length than Dacron. The cost for Gel-spun is considerable at approximately 2.5 times greater than Dacron (Dacron -.05/yd. & Gel-spun -.13/yd. backing). However, if you are needing Gel-spun for your reel, you can save some money by buying a spin fishing line called Spiderwire. Spiderwire is.08/yd. and is exactly the same material as Gelspun, but probably a different color. You can also consider removing some of the running line from the fly line if you are not going to be casting long lengths of line. Most fly lines have approximately 45+ feet of running line with head lengths of about 40 feet. Mack Tip of the Month provided by the Atlanta Fly Fishing School. AFFS provides beginning and advanced classes and private instruction. Contact Mack Martin, Owner, at 404-550-6890, info@atlantaflyfishingschool.com. www.atlantaflyfishingschool.com. Fly of the Month IRIS CADDIS Recipe: Hook: Tiemco 102Y size #15-19 It is Caddis time and trout take emerging Caddis and stillborn Caddis. The Iris Caddis represents a stillborn Caddis stuck in its shuck half emerged and floating on the surface. This pattern is easy to tie and it is very effective. 13
Thread: 8/0 rusty dun Shuck: Amber Zelon Body: Hares ear color to match natural. We suggest tan, olive, amber ordark dun Wing: Zelon in white, black or dun Head; Natural hare's ear Tying Instructions: 1. Attach the Zelon shuck at the bend of the hook. 2. Dub a shaggy body of hare's ear and wrap to just behind the hook eye. 3. Form a loop of Zelon to form the wing. The outer stands should be longer than the inner strands. 4. Tie the wing flat on top of the body with very tight turns behind the eye. Follow with a shaggy dubbed head of hare's ear. 5. Whip finish. Go fishing Bob The Fly of the Month is provided by Bob Foster. Bob can be contacted at bpfoster2@att.net. North Georgia Foothills There s no question April is THE month to hit the trout streams of Georgia. Even if you re one of those anglers who never fishes here because it s so much better out west. Yes, we have them stop by the shop regularly and, as hard as we try to convince them they re missing some awesome opportunities, they ve been brain washed by the magazines that the only true trout fishing is in the Rockies. If you re waiting until July to go to Yellowstone and get your trout fishing fix, you need to consider the Chattooga River (all of it, not just the DH) in April. It s one of my favorite streams in the country when you consider the complete experience; access, remoteness, scenery and fishing. Sure, we don t typically have the massive blanket hatches frequently encountered on western streams but we do have hatches and the fish respond to them. If you think of it in this light, that the fish have enough bugs in and on the water to get their attention but not so many that the odds of one taking your imitation is like 1:1 gazillion, you have better odds here than there. 14
Not convinced yet? Consider then that you can make a day trip to the Chattooga on about a half tank of gas and sleep in your own bed that night. No airline ticket, no rental car, no motel room and no non-resident fishing license. What else can you expect? Dry fly action; lots of it. On the Chattooga in April you can expect to see Quill Gordons, March Browns, Blue Quills, Cream Caddis, Dun Caddis, Light Cahills and midges. That s a pretty nice smorgasbord to select from and the fish will certainly take advantage of it. Just to cover all the bases, drop a small hares ear, pheasant tail or prince nymph below your dry. No need to add split shot now, you want it to imitate an emerger working its way to the surface. So make your plans now to get there this month. If you have the time, hike in a ways from Hwy. 28 or Burrell s Ford Bridge. There s nothing like that feeling of just being away from it all on Georgia s Chattooga River. Oh, and if at all possible, fish until dark thirty! If you re unfamiliar with the river, Unicoi Outfitters is permitted with Sumter National Forest to guide there and we would love to introduce it to you. Jimmy North Georgia Foothills provided by Unicoi Outfitters. Unicoi Outfitters offers a full service fly fishing shop, guide services, regional fishing information, and fly fishing for trophy rainbow trout and brown trout. Contact John Cross, 706-878- 3083, flyfish@unicoioutfitters.com, www.unicoioutfitters.com The Guide s Angle The Preemptive Cast and Mend? During the spring trout have a bounty of food items to choose from (mostly the big three species of invertebrates; Mayflies, Stoneflies and Caddis flies). With all these options the trout become extremely selective, often feeding exclusively on the most vulnerable stages of aquatic insects. Caddis-fly hatches on the Chattahoochee can be very frustrating because trout often can be seen rising to the surface, slashing and splashing. Caddis flies have four stages in their life cycle (egg, larvae, pupae, and adult) unlike stoneflies and mayflies which have three stages (egg, larvae, and adult). During this caddis fly emergence the pupal stage of these insects emits gas bubbles and actually swims through the water column to break the surface tension to hatch out to mate as adults. Since the Chattahoochee River is a relatively slow meandering river, the surface tension can be very difficult for caddis to penetrate and often they get caught and crippled in the meniscus in their pupal shuck (i.e., the exoskeleton). Trout have a predatory instinct that enables them to exploit this vulnerable stage of the caddis fly hatch cycle. During the crippled stage of the caddis emergence, anglers must imitate this by using a very close imitation in size and color of the chosen fly pattern but also by maintaining an absolute 15
dead-drift moving exactly the same speed as the river current within the trout s feeding lane. Placing your cast upstream of the trout s revealed position and then mending your line at the right moment is key to consistently catching fish during a caddis hatch. To mend or not to mend? Some fly fishermen mend too much some not enough! We call this paralysis from analysis! The definition of the adjective preemptive is to gain an advantage by acting before anyone else, or in this case, the trout. I call this the Preemptive Cast & Mend. Observe the trout while they feed and establish where the fish is positioned and where the feeding lane is located. Be sure to land your preemptive cast at least five feet upstream of the trout s position then midway to the trout s location (2.5ft) make your preemptive mend by mending all your fly line, leader and tippet with an abrupt high halo motion of your rod tip and be sure to drop you rod tip to the water s surface and then extend your rod tip downstream to maximize the drift. Often times we actually bump the fly when making this extreme mend. Be sure the tippet is not bowing downstream which often causes micro-drag on the fly and is easily detected by selective trout. Be sure to clean and treat you fly line, leader, tippet, and fly to reduce surface tension as much as possible. Please visit www.chattahoocheefoodwebs.org for a hatch chart unique to the Chattahoochee River tailwater. Tight lines! Chris Scalley The Guide s Angle provided by River through Atlanta. River trough Atlanta offers full service guide trips, instruction and wing shooting. Contact Chris Scalley, 770-650- 8630, www.riverthroughatlanta.com. Every Excuse to Cook..What You Catch You fished, you re relaxed, and you certainly don t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen getting your fresh dinner ready. Dust off one of our favorite tools, the pressure cooker, and get your greens on the table in less than 10 minutes! Ingredients: 1 bunch (1-1 ½ pounds) collard greens Collards with Bacon (Serves 4) 5 strips bacon, cut into 1 bits 16
Directions: 2-3 cloves garlic, minced 1 cup water 1 tablespoon cider vinegar Salt to taste Slice off the collard stalks about 4 from the root end, and set aside. Use them for stock! Cut the remaining collards into ¾ slices. Rinse thoroughly in a sink or large bowl of cold water. Drain and set aside. In the cooker, slowly fry the bacon until crisp. Remove and drain on a paper towel. Sauté the garlic in the remaining bacon fat for 30 seconds. Add the greens and stir to coat with the fat. Stir in the water. Lock the lid in place and bring to high pressure over high heat. Adjust heat and maintain pressure for 5 minutes. Reduce pressure with a quick release. Remove the lid carefully, being careful of the steam. Drain collards (reserve that pot likker!) and set in a bowl. Stir in the vinegar and the crisped bacon and add salt to taste. Enjoy! David Every Excuse to Cook provided by The Cook's Warehouse East Cobb. The Cook s Warehouse Offers professional cookware, appliances, cutlery, cooking classes taught by area chefs, and other cooking-related products. Contact David DiCorpo, store manager, at 770-565- 8005. David@cookswarehouse.com, www.cookswarehouse.com 17
UCCTU Contacts UCCTU Board of Directors: President: Kevin McGrath president@ucctu.org Secretary: Roy Gringrich secretary@ucctu.org Treasurer: Steve Glenn treasurer@ucctu.org Advocacy and Conservation Chair: Brad Cruickshank conservation@ucctu.org Education Chair: Jim Harvey education@ucctu.org Do you know of information that would be interesting to all of our chapter members? Have you heard of an upcoming event? Would you like to write an article on a recent fishing trip, share a fishing tip or conservation issue? If so, send an email to Fred Wammock (newsline@ucctu.org) for possible inclusion in our Newsline. Input is due by the 15 th of the month. Programs Chair: Mark MacDonald programs@ucctu.org Membership Chair: Tom Hayes membership@ucctu.org Fundraising Chair: Ken Mock fundraising@ucctu.org Past President: Mack Martin expresident@ucctu.org Member At Large: Bob Foster at_large@ucctu.org 18