Under consideration----- New D/H program!

[Rocketroy]

Please use your contacts to encourage the Ga. WRD to go ahead with the proposal, to make the west fork of the Chattooga river another delayed harvest fishery, in Rabun county! This river could provide a near wilderness atmosphere, and year round fishing, for those willing to expend the effort and endure the weather of the seasons! Make Burt Reynolds proud of the namesake that made his career!!!!! Regards, Rocketroy

[The Owl]

Smokey and the Bandit? I didn't know there was a stream named Smokey and the Bandit ! http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/wink.gif


So, so far, we've heard Panther and the West Fork of the Chattooga, here on NGTO....I'm wondering what other streams we'd all like to see go DH in the winter.


btw - I think I'd have to say that I'd rather see the West Fork over Panther Creek, if I had to choose between those two.


Owl

[Rocketroy]

Back to yu---hoot man: The Chattooga is also in the sights of other users, I.E. horse camp people, rafters, canoests,kayakers, etc, so we of the quiet sport, can firm up a stronger claim to its highest & best use thru DH designation; which imho, would make increased on site enforcement a must for all users! Plus the local TU chapters are sure to work their magic on stream enhancement, with the reward held out of better C&R sites!!! No contest between her & Panther creek. Regards, Rocketroy

[Tom]

The WRD has been contacted by the Rabun Chapter of TU in support of DH on the West Fork. Personally, I think it should be the next DH managed trout stream.
Your comments to the USFS regarding the Nicholson tract would also be helpful. This is a large section of land on the West Fork and is a very attractive piece of property. Another developed campground, horses or people, within the Wild & Scenic River Corridor is not the way to go. With all the other considerations when designating a stream DH, I can't believe the WRD would give serious thought to the West Fork if another horse camp or developed campground sits on her banks.
In addition to the habitat and LE concerns before designating a stream DH, the WRD also considers a statewide pattern of such streams and demand, or fishing pressure. I understand that the DH on the Chattahoochee has reduced trout fishing pressure in other areas. And lastly, the supply of trout from the hatcheries is not infinite. To support successful DH programs starting tomorrow morning, other streams will not get their usual stocking, or maybe none. More, bigger and better hatcheries? Guess who controls that!
Now before anyone goes off half cocked, the above are my thoughts, not the official WRD word. If it creates some meaningful dialogue, great, I'll join in. If we start calling each other stupid, Bubba and Yuppie, I'll bow out. Tight Lines, Tom

[trout whisperer]

Whisperer sez: many of you know that the Chattooga River is my favorite destination for fishing whenever i get a chance to vacate south georgia. in fact, i spent 4 days prior to the 4th there. West Fork, in particular, from the mouth to the headwater creeks is a great stretch to cast a fly. so, i would like to send correspondence in support of the DH idea. before that, however, i'd like some more information:
1- what stage is this proposal in - are they
just talking or is it further along?
2- who is in charge of this - can i get a
name?
3- what mailing address should i use?
4- how about a phone number?
5- EG, i'd like to envoke the name of NGTO
as an organization in support of this -
as moderator of this forum, do you see a
problem with this?
i sure would appreciate this information from anyone who can provide it before i start wading in. TIA TW


"may the force be with you" obi-wan kenobi

[Rocketroy]

TW----- give a shout to the tu chapters of Chattooga river, or the Rabun chapter: The heads up came from a copy of their joint involvement concerning the planning impacting this resource. I,m sure they will be happy to forward a copy to all who contact them. Lets all be heard on these plans! Regards to all, Rocketroy

[The Owl]

<<<, other streams will not get their usual stocking, or maybe none >>>

Let's see, how can I ask this without sounding like a smart you know what( which is not how it's intended I promise! )


Hmmm....

Are you sure that DH stocking affects other streams? I suppose it does. I mean, just thinking about it casually, but before DH, the stocking raceways - they weren't always full of trout year round were they? All of them? I assumed that since stocking of DH happend in the winter, that the trout raised for DH were raised in the summer ..when the otehr "regular" trout were being stocked until they were gone. ???
I admit freely that I have no clue as to whether this is so or not, and also that I probably should (know this) ! http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif


Owl

[Tom]

Owl: There are times when the raceways are emptied and cleaned or repaired. Other than that, I have not observed empty tanks at the Burton Hatchery...they operate to capacity all the time. For an official answer ask Bill if they can raise an unlimited amount of fish for stocking. The point I tried to make in my first post is that there is not an unlimited amount of trout for stocking and therefore, as much as you and others might like to see DH streams and lakes sprnging up all over the place, the supply is not infinite. Therefore, the WRD is not going to rush to open streams to DH management if they can't maintain the fishery. Also, which stream is next? Not everyone is in agreement on that. Tom

[trout whisperer]

whisperer sez: i tried to get more info on this from TU Rabun Chapter 522. attempted to call the president listed on their web page but the phone's been disconnected. no other numbers were given on the site. if i track down anything, i'll pass it on. TW

[The Owl]

I didn't say it was infinite. I said that....oh nevermind. http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/wink.gif

Owl

[THE EG]

Whisperer,

Email Tom. He's in the Rabun chapter.

I'm just gathering info here to make a little more informed judgement. The reasons given for the West Fork sound good.

However, isn't one of the main criteria for a DH stream that it be a marginal stream. Is the West Fork considered a marginal stream?

Would something warmer like the Etowah that is closer to the masses (i.e. Atlanta) be a better fit? Don't accuse me of bias because it is closer to my home http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif. It's just an example.

What other streams are under consideration?

[trout whisperer]

EG - the questions you raise are the same ones i'm struggling with. before i start writing letters, i'd like to make a more informed decision on the issue. i'll e-mail tom, and any information i pick up along the way, i'll post it. TW

[Tom]

Whisperer: I have no special information on this subject...just many conversations with Wildlife Resources Division personnel. As Lee Keefer has posted elsewhere, the WRD is encouraging public opinion on all facets of Georgia's fisheries management. I do know that they have considered many streams for DH and would welcome your opinion and suggestions. That doesn't mean, of course, they can act on that suggestion next week or next month. Tight Lines, Tom
E-mail Lee at: djburhat@rabun.net

[This message has been edited by Tom (edited 07-10-2001).]

[GUTHOOKED]

EG - I was thinking the same thing about the West Fork being "marginal". I guess the lower couple of miles, maybe. Upstream, it is way too good of a wild fishery to waste the stockers, in my opinion. As far as the Etowah goes, I don't believe there is enough public access for it to be considered for DH status. How about the upper Tallulah? (Coleman River WMA area)

[Speck]

Excellent point about the WF not being marginal. I'm far from an expert, but from what I've seen of our state's resources, the WF is by far the best trout water we have.

I know the area around and below the FS bridge gets a lot of pressure, but how many people fish from there up through the Three Forks area each year?

Personally, I don't think DH would help a lot in the WF, except for the more accessible areas. This stream really doesn't need much (if any) help, IMO.

The Tallulah idea sounds like a winner to me.

Let me save anyone who's thinking about responding to that with "you're ignorant, you don't know what you're talking about" the trouble: You're absolutely right.

I have no idea what impact DH would have, but I do have the ability to think for myself, as is hopefully evidenced above. If you can disagree with me in a thoughtful manner, I can calmly and reasonably consider your comments.



------------------
Speck
Follower of Christ
Pursuer of trout

[The Owl]

I too would like to know how DH streams are picked. I mean, we've heard the criteria but more than a few streams fit those, right?
However, I realize that I'm in no position to ask anything, and that's fine.....I'll take the alternative.....I just hope the rest of you get answers to your questions.

Owl

[trout whisperer]

Whisperer sez: I spoke with Lee Keefer (WRD senior trout biologist)today, and he gave me some more information on this. They presently have three delayed harvest streams - Amicalola Creek, Smith Creek, and Chattahoochee River from Johnson Ferry through Cochran Shoals. These existing programs are being evaluated before launching into anymore. This evaluation includes both the impact on the stream and the ability of WRD to sustain a succesful program. No definite time frame has been set to conclude this evaluation, but plans are being made for future D/H streams, and West Fork is one of those being considered. This process has been negatively affected by the closure of the federal fish hatchery from which Georgia received some of its stockers.Names of people to contact - Lee Keefer, Chuck Coomer (Chief of Fisheries), Jeff Durniak (Regional Fishery Supv. - Region II). Lee's office is at the Burton Fish Hatchery - 706-947-3112.