THE EG
11-18-99, 04:47 PM
My youngest boy and I went to help tote fish yesterday.
First. Have you hugged your local TU member lately. I met folks from the Kanooka, Chattahoochee and Tailwater Chapters that turned out for the stocking and they all seemed down-to-earth and friendly. I've read anecdotes on this board of boorish and elitist behavior by TU members. I do not doubt this has and will happen on occasion with individuals with any organization. I just don't see it from the TU folks I have met in this area. Off my pedestal now.
All the lower DH fish went into the river above the small falls. Actually, as far upriver as we could walk. We were trying to spread them upstream as much as possible. I saw a 5 1/2 pound, 24" rainbow go in here.
Same with the upper DH, we put the fish in as far down the river as was possible.
The intermediate stocking areas. As we drove in, appeals were made to me not to put this on the board. Beautiful area. After we got there all I can say is good luck with your hike in. In my opinion it would be easier and you would be better off floating the river. Both areas are at least a mile, maybe more like 2 or 3 to the river. The vertical drop in the road seemed like 200 or 300 feet. The family wagon would have gotton down but never back up/out on the slippery leaves. Four wheel drive only but the gate is open very rarely. Also, another hunt is on through Saturday. We took 3 four-wheel trucks into the 2 intermediate areas loaded with about 15 or 20 people total. Half way out of the first, we came upon a hunter walking down the road with his rifle slung across his back. I don't think he knew what to make of us.
Most bizarre sighting was at the first intermediate stocking area. As we arrived two fellows saw an ostrich. I was with them but I was unloading my kid and can't confirm or deny. The fellows didn't smell of alcohol. After some discussion the concensus was that it was probably an escaped emu. Some of the farms in the area evidently raise them. So, if your floating down the river and see an immense chicken, it may be real.
We spread the fish out over a couple hundred yards at these areas. Each area looked nice.
Various meandering notes. It seemed like a whole new group of stocking folks this time. Ron Reid said he waded the whole river on Sunday without a tube. It sure looked pretty deep in areas to me. Although I don't remember any rain lately, the river looks like it has risen about a foot. For floating purposes the DH area looks like it is about 2 and 1/2 miles of river on my map. Bill Couch says about 3 miles. Superchub said he would measure it from his topo maps.
Finally, I drove all four roads that form the circumference to the DH and I think that it is easier to go from the lower DH to the upper DH via Hwy 53/Sweetwater Juno Road/ Steele Bridge Road. I may be wrong but I think it is shorter and the only part of the route that is a dirt road is Steele Bridge Road and it is only the last 2/10th of a mile. The next stocking will be on December 7th. A Tuesday. I can't be there for that one but I wish I could. You meet alot of knowledgable people, learn alot, and it is fun.
Hope this helps.
First. Have you hugged your local TU member lately. I met folks from the Kanooka, Chattahoochee and Tailwater Chapters that turned out for the stocking and they all seemed down-to-earth and friendly. I've read anecdotes on this board of boorish and elitist behavior by TU members. I do not doubt this has and will happen on occasion with individuals with any organization. I just don't see it from the TU folks I have met in this area. Off my pedestal now.
All the lower DH fish went into the river above the small falls. Actually, as far upriver as we could walk. We were trying to spread them upstream as much as possible. I saw a 5 1/2 pound, 24" rainbow go in here.
Same with the upper DH, we put the fish in as far down the river as was possible.
The intermediate stocking areas. As we drove in, appeals were made to me not to put this on the board. Beautiful area. After we got there all I can say is good luck with your hike in. In my opinion it would be easier and you would be better off floating the river. Both areas are at least a mile, maybe more like 2 or 3 to the river. The vertical drop in the road seemed like 200 or 300 feet. The family wagon would have gotton down but never back up/out on the slippery leaves. Four wheel drive only but the gate is open very rarely. Also, another hunt is on through Saturday. We took 3 four-wheel trucks into the 2 intermediate areas loaded with about 15 or 20 people total. Half way out of the first, we came upon a hunter walking down the road with his rifle slung across his back. I don't think he knew what to make of us.
Most bizarre sighting was at the first intermediate stocking area. As we arrived two fellows saw an ostrich. I was with them but I was unloading my kid and can't confirm or deny. The fellows didn't smell of alcohol. After some discussion the concensus was that it was probably an escaped emu. Some of the farms in the area evidently raise them. So, if your floating down the river and see an immense chicken, it may be real.
We spread the fish out over a couple hundred yards at these areas. Each area looked nice.
Various meandering notes. It seemed like a whole new group of stocking folks this time. Ron Reid said he waded the whole river on Sunday without a tube. It sure looked pretty deep in areas to me. Although I don't remember any rain lately, the river looks like it has risen about a foot. For floating purposes the DH area looks like it is about 2 and 1/2 miles of river on my map. Bill Couch says about 3 miles. Superchub said he would measure it from his topo maps.
Finally, I drove all four roads that form the circumference to the DH and I think that it is easier to go from the lower DH to the upper DH via Hwy 53/Sweetwater Juno Road/ Steele Bridge Road. I may be wrong but I think it is shorter and the only part of the route that is a dirt road is Steele Bridge Road and it is only the last 2/10th of a mile. The next stocking will be on December 7th. A Tuesday. I can't be there for that one but I wish I could. You meet alot of knowledgable people, learn alot, and it is fun.
Hope this helps.