Delayed harvest

[Richard]

Bill,

When will a determination be made as to the success of the Smith Creek delayed harvest program?

If it is a success (as I expect it is), are there any other streams in the pipeline to add to the program?

[Coach]

I heard a rumor that the DNR is considering 5 other streams for 'delayed harvest'??? Also, as at least one other has pointed out....we need to protect our wild fish by designating streams such as Noontatola, Jones and others as C & R only.

[Bill Couch]

Richard,
I don't think anyone can provide a definitive answer to your question. Currently the Fisheries staff feels the Smith Creek trial is a success, but the trial is only 3 months old and the verdict is out.

Smith Creek is exceptional in that it has so many of the conditions needed for a good delayed harvest stream. It is marginal trout water, on state land and in a state park. It has good, but limited access and strong support from the park staff and management.

Other streams are being considered, but no decisions have been made. It will be hard to find the combination of factors, that work well in Smith Creek, in other streams.

I hope this comes close to answering your question.

Bill

[speckledtrout]

Bill,
In regard to the delayed harvest streams, do you think that for a stream to become delayed harvest that it must meet all of these criteria that smith creek has meet. I mean does a stream have to be marginal trout water to become delayed harvest, because what does it matter if a stream could hold trout all year. Just wondering what the DNR thinks about these things.
speckledtrout

[Bill Couch]

speckle trout,
No. All the criteria are not necessary for the selection of a delayed harvest stream in Georgia. However,those are the ones that we originally sought. We were pleasantly suprized to find so many in Smith Creek.

The reason marginal water is a plus is fish are expected to be harvested before summer water temperatures stress them. These streams would not normally be stocked in the summer, or winter. Delayed harvest permits us to justify winter stocking, without really impacting the fishery the stream previously provided. Our Goal? "Everyone wins!"
Bill

[Danny Leigh]

Bill,

I have not fished Smith Creek and have not seen any regulations on the creek. Are the regulations listed anywhere in publication or on the internet? Also, since Smith is a delayed harvest creek when will people be allowed to keep them and will there be any spectial regulations? (size, number kept)

Thanks

[Bill Couch]

Danny,
The decision to make Smith Creek a DH stream came after regulations were printed. I understand the rules for fishing it are available at the check-in site at Unicoi. Other users will have to confirm this, and can provide more specific information.

Harvest will be permitted, the regs will probably be the standard 8 fish creel, no size limit (I'm not positive). I haven't kept up with the stream regs. I'll try to post next week unless someone else can help out first.
Thanks,
Bill