Trout Species in Georgia

[Tommy Hunter]

I have always believed in the saying that variety is th spice of life. I can remember in the not so distant past being able to fish trout streams in the mountains and catch browns, rainbows, and brook trout all stocked in the same stream. I have not seen a brook trout stocked in several years and truly miss them. I have heard the State no longer raises or stocks brookies due to the trouble with growing them. Will this change anytime soon? I sure would like to catch them again. Also a relative of mine that lives in Arkansas says that state raises and stocks cutthroat trout regularly. As they are closely related to rainbows, couldn't Georgia raise and staock this beautiful fish along with or in place of brookies?

Tommy Hunter

[NightOwl]

I don't know about the 'Cuts, but I for one love Brookies, even the stocked ones. I guess the reason I'm so fond of them is that in order to catch a 3lb. Brookie, the state would have to stock 'em. The small streams that hold Brookies now, tomy knowledge wouldn't support these fish in large sizes. I understand that NC also has some Brookies stocked, as per the pic in the photos section. If it takes making the trout stamp $10 to get some things done, so be it. How about a delayed harvest Brookie steam. Every time I go to the DH stream I beg on the forms for them to stock Brookies next year if they keepthe program. I always feel that I'm missing something when I get everything but the fish that was here originally. I know I can go to the hills, but eve 6" fish get boring after a while. Wouldn't we all like a pic with a 2 or 3lb. Brookie caught in GA ? I would. PLeeeeeeeeaaassee.

NightOwl http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif
so all this Brookie talk has me tchin' - who wants to take me to NC to get some big brookies ??????

[Bill Couch]

Tommy/Night Owl

Brook trout were maintained at and stocked from Buford Hatchery from 1980 until last year. They have a temperature requirement for egg incubation that is to low for our water. We tried to use chillers and sending them to a hatchery with cold water, but rarely did very well. The brook trout were a small part of the program and we didn't receive the public support that warranted the extra effort required to keep them. The decision was made to stock the last of our brood stock.

We could keep brook trout, and would consider them in the future. However, managers would have to be convinced of the need. Right now, that need seems insignificant.

Cutthroat fall into a different category. They are unique and might do well, but they are not native, not in high demand and would displace more fish than they would replace. I don't expect cutthroat in Georgia for many years, if ever.

Bill

[Tommy Hunter]

Bill,
Thanks for your prompt reply. I can appreciate what you say about the high energy requirements on fisheries staff to maintain brook trout stockings. However, on the cutthroats, are not the rainbows and browns non-native as well. How many brook trout have those two species replaced. If brookies are pretty much out, how would be the best way to go about bringing up the possibility of cutthroats? I am a local government official and have plenty of friends within the State government and fisheries. Do you think Russ England could help me?

Tommy

[NightOwl]

Bows and Browns are tech. non-native but even if you poisened all the creeks and got wid brookies from Canada or somewhere, they wouldn't come close to making it in regular( non-headwater) streams. Too much silt - too warm. Mr. Bill, do you know if NC has the diffulties that you mentioned or is there water thru the hatheries coo enough .

Oh, and I've been meaning to ask this - Who is running the hatchery on Rock creek. Last year there was talk of a change of ownership from the Fed. to State - Is it still running at all? Thanks.

NightOwl http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif

[Bill Couch]

Owl,
Glad to enjoyed the primer.

N.C. has a good source of cold well water to hatch their eggs.

The Chattahoochee National Fish Hatchery is open, and still being run by the Federal Government.
Bill

[NightOwl]

Thank you, and keep off the concrete, you handsome devil!!!

[jeffg]

Bill,
Both MD and Arkansas have been successful in stocking tailwaters with Cutts. Is thw water coming out of Buford not cold enough/not enough oxygen, food supply not there etc???

Rumor has it, that in Western MD that the cutts are actually reproducing where they were introduced. The other rumor is that the browns are getting real fat off the 8 inch cutts that they stock.......

[NightOwl]

Me thinks the Hooch needs Tuna , next!!! ...and dolphins!
Owl ( not really, you guys!)

[Tommy Hunter]

I would like to know who out there would like to see brook trout production brought back to Georgia. I am considering a letter writing campaign to get it done, and need to know if it's even worth it. Would anybody else like to see cutthroats? Let me know soon. Owl, I think tuna would need saltwater. I guess we could get a load of Morton's brought in. You know steelhead grow huge in saltwater.

Tommy

[CHUNKER]

But would a tuna hit corn?...

[BT]

Tommy, I would like to Brookies brought back.
Before the tornado Waters creek had some fantastic Brookies in there, I really miss those days.

[NightOwl]

Me too, ( Water's). Chunker, I think they would if we raised 'em in hatcheries and fed 'em pellets - but the salt thing is perplexing - how about we pipe t in from Utah. BTW- speaking of crazy ideas - When someone the other day at Smith's said they thought it could be YR C&R with stockers and I asked how they wold get enugh food( too expensive to keep feeding them YR ) " he" said that they should hang feeding stations up and down the creek like the ones at the hatcheries! Ahhh.... a nice senic stream with giant white plastic drums hanging everywhere - undoubtedly, these plces would offer the best " holding lies"! hahahahaha hehehe

[Tommy Hunter]

I don't know if this disappoints anyone other than me, but I had a conversation with my friend Russ England concerning this topic the other day. He says that brook trout are out of the picture, and that the State would not pursue cutthroats. The reason on cutthroats was that they are considered "exotic" and that states no longer spread exotics like they used to. Also, he made the statement that we would be lucky to hold on to the trout production program we have now due to marginal conditions. Sounds like there may be a day in the near future where the only fish we have are small wild fish. Wonder how long it will take "bubbas" to wipe them out entirely. Maybe I am overreacting, but I think I will start searching for trout fishing opportunities elsewhere.

Tommy

[SHAWN]

Tommy, that is exactly why we have to take action now. I don't know if most people understand how dangerous the government tends to be when it comes to our natural resourses I don't know how far Aaron is getting with turning this thing into a more formal organization. We need to act fast before the greedy basterds in the State sell us all out. We need to get together and start figuring out how to save the state money with the trout. Maby if the limit was lowered from 5or6 fish a day instead of 8 fish a day, the stocking truck might not have to make the trip as many times. We are going to have to show a strong interest in what is going on in congress, Maby even start a lobbying group that could work with house member and senators to introduce bills. Other wise, what's to keep them from selling it all away or just quit funding it. These state representatives will go with public oppinion. Look what clinton is doing now. He is trying to make the people think he actually cares about the PEOPLE by trying to solve traffic problems. He invited traffic reporters to the white house to talk with Gore on the subject yesterday. If they think they are getting more votes out of something they will act on it. That is why this group is so important. There are a lot of votes coming from the members of this board. We have to push the government, for god sakes they have major problems just funtioning on their own. If it costs a little money to do these things, I'de be more than willing to contribute a couple of dollars for the cause. Also if it means working with organizations hand and hand like Trout Unlimited, good. More people more power. TU is a great and important group to everybody who trout fishes. It is a shame that people critisize them so on the board. When congress almost cut the minimum buffer zones on trout streams in half, who was up there talking to the state about what a disaster this would be. It is only by working with other people that we can get things done. There should be no compitition when it comes to preserving the things that we all enjoy. As long as people continue to fight, we loose a little more each day.
Shawn

[NightOwl]

There is the " theory" of global warming and it's effect on trout habitat in the Southeast. What did folks do before there were trout? They fished for bas$ and bream and even gar. I would like to think that we will always have trout in Georgia, but it is almost inevitable that some of the rivers and streams will be lost to development and pollution.
Unless everyone stops having kids and moving out ofcrime infested Atlanta, the downward spiral will continue. HOWEVER,...let me be clear in saying that I will never condemn anyone for wanting a house on the creek. When you see develoement as a m****of people eroding" your" stream it seems as though " they" are the evil Empire. When you think of each person just wanting to have their own little huse by a beautiful creek or river, it becomes a different thing altogether. I hope the trout stay in the creeks forever, but if they don't...I'll be content to persue b****or bream or even chub, if I must. I believe that too often we take for granted the things we have , in persuing the things we think that we " need". My great-grandfather had no trout to chase....but he undoubtedly found things that he loved in his lifetime. If we weren't here posting, we wold be spending our time doing something else that made us happy. Trout,in my humble opinion, shoud not be the basis of one's existance....."but they are fun, ain't they !"

As for the TU thing.....I'm sure they were thinking of me when they saved the world!

[Quint]

When the trout go I go too.

[Jimmy Harris]

It's unsettling to see Nightowl's willingness to accept the demise of trout in our streams. My personal opinion is that "trout" shouldn't be the basic issue. We all just happen to enjoy knowing they are there & pursuing them now & then. But, the bottom line is this: trout are the "canary in the coal mine". They are a primary indicator of the health of our water. If our water is clean, trout exist there; if not, the trout die out. Not everyone cares to fish for trout, but every single person on the face of God's earth requires clean water to survive. To accept the degradation of trout waters simply expedites the problem. Should we all sit back & do nothing I can assure you that we won't be fishing for b****either; carp will be the fish of the 21st century. Keep this in mind: Man is the only creature with a propensity to mess in his own nest.

JH

[Drifter]

Well said Jimmy! And when the bass, bream, and gar are gone, will probably have to buy our drinking water at the grocery store. I guess some folks do that already.

I do see progress being made. The Hooch down here (Coweta County) used to be one of the most polluted areas of the river. However, during dry spells, the treatment plants are able to do what they are designed to do, and the water is quite clear with no stinky smell. The water quality has definately improved. So much so, that people are beginning to build houses on the riverbanks. Something that was unheard of five years ago.

My $00.02,

Drifter

[NightOwl]

So to say that a river or creek has b****or bream in it is to say that it's unclean ? Everytime I get on this board, someone takes what I have posted and whips it into their own version. How many times did say that I would hate to see the trout go? I'm not ignorant - I know that pollution is bad, and I'm old enough to know about the canary.....I thought the issue we were discussing on this thread was water temp., with pollution/erosion as a side-note. The fish in many lakes and rivrs in this country re contaminated to some extent, but the people still treat and drink the water.Sure, this isn't the best way, but if you have to do it that way...you have to do it that way. My point was that trout are not the end-all, be-all of sportfishing. f the ceeks were full of carp , there would be a "flyshop", somewhere , full of dough baits and bobbers and #12 baitholder hooks. Jimmy, man I love your flyshop and I hope my comments about some of the TU members hasn't offended you personally, but I really did mean the things I said here to be about "what we fish for"....and not about " who cares about the water quality?" If you all knew how much I loved fish and fishing, you'd take this the wayI intend for it to sound, too...."It's just a fish."

Owl

[THE EG]

NightOwl,

If I had to go into battle, I would want you with me for two reasons. 1) No matter how difficult the circumstances, you keep chunkin' grenades. 2) I'd be safe because you sure have a knack for drawing the fire to you.

[Drifter]

In my opinion (and we know what everyone says about opinions) pollution comes in many forms.

Warm water could be construed as pollution when it is added to a cold water fishery, ie Morgan Falls area.) Warm water can also pollute the warm water fisheries as well. For example, the hot water discharge at a steam generating power plant can kill fish immediately downstream. In turn, it can be a gathering spot for fish during cold weather.

My dos pesos, Not the view of the management,
Usual disclaimers apply,

Drifter

[NightOwl]

Eg ol chum, it's my lot in life( and on NGTO, apparently). Honest to God, I never mean for my posts to be the start of WW III each time I touch the keyboard. Man, I just want to make friends , not have everyone ill at me all the time. Seems it often backfires. http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/frown.gif

Owl

Ps i laughed HARD at the combat lines. !!!!

[Drifter]

Owl,

NGTO would not be near as much fun without you. Keep on postin' brother http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/wink.gif

Drifter

[CHUNKER]

Owl,
Enjoy your wit and humor,I've yet to see one of posts not draw some sort of response,and thats what keeps these boards alive. GOT to go fishing sometime.

[NightOwl]

I'm ready for spring. Now, if I still have a flyshop that I can show my face in ....
Owl

[Path_Less_Traveled]

Here's an interesting thread i found while digging around (for something on Utah fishing)... read the first couple pages... what about Cutts?.... where would they work?... or more importantly, would anybody want to fish them here?

[Grateful Sam]

You must have been digging deep to find this thread. I would fish for cutts if they were here.

[nativeplanter]

Mine's not a popular view here, but if they were stocked, I'd fish for them and remove as many as I legally could. Putting even more exotic species into our waterways is not the way we need to go. Variety is indeed the spice of life, which is why I enjoy the fact that GA streams are not the same as other streams (and vice versa).

[Path_Less_Traveled]

I see your point np... but what difference does it make if a Cutt is stocked... or a bow is stocked?... or even a brown (yes i know browns are a prob due to their piscivorous nature)... they're all "exotic".

It's my understanding that chubs, sculpins, dace, etc live mainly in stream sections where trout have trouble with temps... and true trout streams have essentially all trout... i know that's true for brookie sections... a good brookie section has 100% brookies... nothing else (fish sps.)

We've moved loblolly pine into ecosystems once dominated by shortleaf, virginia, white and even slash pine... still these systems seem to flourish, particuarly with wildlife.

What about an all Cutt stream section... fly fishing only?

[nativeplanter]

Actually, I try to remove as many rainbows and browns as I legally can as well. My own little exotics removal program. Yes, it's not a popular view among this crowd, I'm sure. But it's my view. (Don't worry folks, my fishing skills don't permit me to remove much.)

As far as I know, a stream that hosts trout, even brook trout, has many more fish species present. At least, I've seen other species while mucking about in such streams. Perhaps someone who has done surveys on brook trout streams can elucidate.

As far as loblolly pines go, in many cases, loblolly pine forests do seem to flourish. That is, until one looks at them carefully. In many cases, a lot of the natural biodiversity is lost. One of the things that ecologists have been promoting is different types of pine forestry, such as long-leaf, as well as different harvesting methods. You may have recently smelled one management method being promoted - prescription burning. Many GA forests have historically had fire as a major environmental component, but our current management practices (and societal needs) have prevented natural forest fires from doing their work. So, we set these fires in very managed conditions. These fires are able (in the proper conditions) to restore much of the lost diversity.

[Path_Less_Traveled]

Yes... good point about fire... i know about fire (BS in Forest Management, UGA, 19xx:rolleyes: )... i've "torched" a few acres myself in/around Ware County working with the Ga. Foresty Comm... was going to mention fire, but didnt want to sidetrack too far... bad things happen when fire is excluded from the forest ecosystem.

Anyways... as far as brookie streams, the sampling i did with DNR this summer in brookie streams only turned up brookies... small and very small ;) ... no other fish species were present... not even one fish... most of the brookie streams i've fished have yielded only brookies... which leads me to think that other fish species have been excluded by water temps... just looked over my brookie list (50 streams)... although i havent fished them all, i know of only one "brookie stream" which has another species mixed (browns).

The DNR biologists told me that streams having significant populations of chubs are likely marginal for trout... and vice versa.

Here's another question... assuming Cyprinids occupy mostly marginal (and sub-marginal) trout water, what species would be present in "true trout water" if we hadnt introduced bows and browns?... i'd like to think brookies would be there... but the problem is that brookies start suffering at 66 degrees... and many of our streams top 66 during the summer months.

Hey Gary... are you reading this?.. got any input?

Last point: if we're going to accomodate exotics anyway, why not another one?... by that i mean take a stream which is currently being managed as "bow" stream, and make it a Cutt stream.

[ggrossman]

Hi Scott, I just noticed the thread, wow talk about a ressurection (sorry us Jewish guys can't spell those important Christian words :rotfl: ) . That reminds me too, I promised you some information on Utah streams right -- ya gotta tell me where you're going though.

If you're talking about brook trout streams, then you're right, in headwaters there are places where they're the only fish and that was surprising to me. I guess that there is sufficient terrestrial insect inputs in those streams that the brookies can make it -- I thought that sculpin would be the only fish up there though. But there are plenty of places where trout and diverse non-game fish assemblages coexist. We have good trout populations in the areas of Coweeta Creek that we study that coexist with ~ 7-10 species of non-game fish. These waters were all brookie waters before rainbows & browns were introduced. As for cutthroat, ya gotta hate em. First they'll hybridize with wild rainbows, next the streams in this state are messed up enough without introducing another trout species. Like night owl said in one of the original comments -- what's next tuna? I'm just philosophically opposed to introducing exotics because they've done so much damage -- think kudzu, russian olive, privet, (trying to use those plant examples for you :) ). Frankly, let's devote our efforts to keeping sediment out of streams and houses and cows away from streams and we'll have more trout. I just can't agree with the "if we can find a new species that will do better in this disturbed habitat let's put it in" Trout aren't supposed to be everywhere. Okay, I'll stop the sermon now.

On another note, Scott, I'm going to be giving a talk on how NG streams "work" at the foothills TU chapter on Dec. 12 -- you might find it interesting. Also might try to wet a line on Fri. cheers, gary

[GonetoSeed]

I think you give your habitat protection sermon every chance you get :) Especially as we approach the legislative session and the inevitable attack(s) on stream buffers, headwater stream diversion, etc.

[nativeplanter]

You know, I was thinking last night about this thread, and remembered an interesting factoid. In Nevada, the Lahontan cutthroat trout is an endangered fish for a variety of reasons (largely habitat destruction). One of the reasons, ironically, is outcompetition from introduced brook trout, which are exotic in that area.

[ggrossman]

Laura, most subspecies of cutthroats are T/E species because of extensive hybridization with stocked rainbows (Lahontans included), not that competition with brook trout isn't a problem too -- it's just much less important than hybridization because rainbows are much more similar ecologically to cutthroats than brookies. It funny isn't it though, rainbows are displacing brookies in the east (probably not due to competition though, all the behavioral studies show brookies to be either more aggressive or equally aggressive) and brookies are competing with cutthroat's out west. Ya just can't win when you start moving those species around. Anyway we wrote a paper on why rainbow introductions are successful in some places and not in others, I'll send you a pdf if you want one. cheers, g

[Chris B.]

Could you send me one as well.

Chris B.

[nativeplanter]

Quite true. I just figured I'd mention brook trout since that's what we have here.

I'd love to read the paper; can you send it to my e-mail? (I used the restoration efforts on the lower Truckee River as a case study for my LA thesis)

[Path_Less_Traveled]

Thanks for the info Gary... the sermon too ;) ... hey.. we all have our biases... no matter what level of education... lol.

ok.. let's forget about Cutts and focus on brookies... i know DNR wants to make brookie restoration a priority... but as always funding as the problem... it's my understanding that bows (and browns) got strewn around in the early 1900s via logging road systems which traversed nearly all mtn streams... therefore, many of the original brookie populations have been wiped out from sedimentation (from the roads) and interspecific competition.

Anyways... what we need to do is identify candidate streams... i.e., streams which do not get above 65/67 in the summer... these streams most likely will have a northern aspect/exposure... and obviously have physical barriers (which essentially all headwaters do)... i already have several streams in mind... i encourage any one fishing in potential brookie restoration streams during summer months to measure water temps (with time of day and date)... and write the data down.

ok my sermon is finished... time to cook some catfish :rolleyes:

[Chris B.]

Hey PLT,

My goal is to finish the old dissertation in time to start measuring stream temps in those little headwater streams you're talking about. Just send me the names and GPS coordinates and I will most definetly measure stream temps for you with my shiney little thermometer (well it's actually black but you get the picture) :D .

Chris B.

[ggrossman]

Scott, that's something that we ought to talk about more. It would be great to do a project where we evaluated "reclaimation" techniques. cheers, g

[nativeplanter]

Hey PLT,

My goal is to finish the old dissertation in time to start measuring stream temps in those little headwater streams you're talking about. Just send me the names and GPS coordinates and I will most definetly measure stream temps for you with my shiney little thermometer (well it's actually black but you get the picture) :D .

Chris B.

AHEM... you better not be able to USE those GPS coordinates... Christmas shopping for you is FINISHED, pal!

[Path_Less_Traveled]

Hey Chris... looks like you're busted "pal"... lol!

I was going to suggest yall pm me the location/temp data... then i'll compile it and send it to DNR :)

Hey np... finally figured out what the deal is: i see (stocked) trout streams as "managed plantations"... you actually see them as aquatic ecosystems... out west they call it "planting" instead of stocking... every one has their own bias i guess... hey.. do you chunk rainbows on the bank? ;)

Gary... it's my understanding that antimycin (with the appropriate "antidope" released downstream?) would be used to rid the stream sections of existing (exotic) populations... there shouldnt be any problem with this because most brookies habitat supports only brookies (if man hadnt interfered)... then stocking with brookies... the brookies would have to be purchased because Ga no longer grows them... because brookies are reproductively prolific, it wouldnt take many to repopulate the headwaters... although heavy stocking may be more effective at re-establishment... i'm guessing the streams will reach carrying capacity within 3-5 years anyways, likely sooner if mature individuals are released.

I know the Back-the-Brookie program may be involved in this endeavor... but it would help if us every day anglers contact DNR and express our support of brookie restoration.

I think this is one of the most worthwhile projects we as anglers could ever be involved in... the reclamation of headwaters with a native species.

[Path_Less_Traveled]

STATE/REGION BTB REPORTS

SOUTHEAST
South Carolina
From: BTB Chair Dave VanLear
South Carolina is making good progress toward its goal of restoring brook trout to selected mountain streams in the state.* Non-native species removal and restocking of southern Appalachian strain brook trout were completed on King Creek in 2005, the first stream to be restored in the state using an Embrace a Stream grant from National TU.* In 2006, the SC Council of TU received its second fully-funded Embrace a Stream grant for restoration of the Eastern brook trout to Crane Creek, another small headwater stream in the Andrew Pickens Ranger District of the Sumter National Forest.* TU volunteers have completed three workdays to clear brush over this stream so electrofishing can be completed and non-native species can be removed with an antibiotic.* Native southern Appalachian strain brookies will be stocked later this summer/fall.**Restoration will be considered successful when the stocked brookies have reproduced.* Several other streams in the mountains of South Carolina are being considered for future restoration.* SC Trout Unlimited is partnering with SC DNR, the US Forest Service, Great Smoky National Park, Clemson University, and the South Carolina Wildlife Federation in these restoration efforts. SCWF recently presented*us a second $500 grant to assist in the restoration.*
A press release about the recent Embrace a Stream grant to our Council was published in the Outdoor Section of the Greenville News in March and one of our members wrote an article about the restoration efforts in South Carolina that was published in the spring issue of Eastern Fly Fishing.* We have articles prepared to submit to TU's Trout Magazine, South Carolina Wildlife, Greenville News, and other media sources.
Back the Brookie committee is developing a website to publicize the Council's efforts to restore the brook trout and educate the public and others about the status of the species.* The website should be up and running within a short time.* We also publicized our Brookie restoration efforts at an Earth Day celebration at a community college and made brook trout restoration presentations at TU chapters in the state.*
We are tentatively planning brook trout restoration activities for a small stream in Table Rock State Park*in the upstate of South Carolina.* This stream flows by an Education Center and would be an idea spot to distribute brochures and other information about the status and restoration of the Eastern brook trout.* Discussions with the DNR and State Parks are in progress.

From: Dan Rankin, Region 1 Fisheries Coordinator
* Conservation Partners: SCDNR, USFS, National Park Service (GSMNP), SC TU (EAS Grant), Clemson University,*and SC Wildlife Federation.*
In SC we successfully restored about 3-miles of King Creek to pure southern Appalachian brook trout.* Last August we removed non-native fish using Antimycin, then restocked with pure southern brookies from the same drainage.* We also enhanced habitat by dropping approximately 150 trees into the stream.* This was done because BVET surveys in King*Creek indicated a deficiency of coarse woody debris, overhead cover and pool habitat.* We will electrofish sample this summer to see if the newly stocked brookies have spawned.
On the agenda for this summer is restoration of another stream, Crane Creek.* We've already started the prep work.* We have plans to do some press releases and a SC Wildlife TV show this year.* Perhaps a SC Wildlife Magazine article too.*Hope this is the type info you need.**
*

Georgia
From BTB Chair Kevin McGrath
Advocacy/Development
The Georgia legislature added the Southern Appalachian Brook Trout to the list of state symbols by naming it Georgia’s State Coldwater Game Fish.*Citing the fish as a significant component of the state’s and region’s ecological integrity, biological diversity, and sport fishing legacy - the bill highlighted protection of the Southern Appalachian Brook Trout as a major conservation concern.* Noting that brook trout have been prized by Georgia’s citizens, the bill recognized that brook trout habitat has been decimated by sedimentation and erosion; nonnative trout; and air pollution.
We established several key contacts in the state legislature through lobbying for the bill.
Education
TU Chapter education continues.* Five more of Georgia’s TU Chapters were visited by a member of the Back-the-Brookie Committee.* All five Chapters featured Back-the-Brookie as the program for a monthly meeting.* Seventy percent of Georgia’s chapters have received a Back-the-Brookie presentation.
Conservation
US Forest Service Meeting was attended by BTB leaders.* The meeting discussed potential project work in the Chattahoochee National Forest.* GA TU/Back-the-Brookie stressed the amount of brook trout work there is to do and that TU wants to partner with the US Forest Service as a contributor of both labor and other resources from our grants.



... More on the Ga. Brookie effort:

Conservation

· Brook Trout Streams. GA DNR and GA TU Interns identified two previously undocumented brookie steams though an electro-shocking survey. Flesh samples are being DNA tested.

· Stream Mapping. GA DNR, USFS and GA TU Interns mapped six streams with potential for brook trout restoration. Additional streams identified for mapping in 2007.

· Water Quality. 96 brook trout/potential brook trout streams measured for water quality. Data has been loaded into a computerized data base shared by GA DNR, USFS and GA TU. Analysis of data will determine priorities for brook trout management. This effort is strongly supported by chapter volunteers supervised by GA DNR and USFS. GA DNR and USFS conduct opportunity samplings (after rain, long dry spell…) that can’t be scheduled for volunteers. North Georgia Tech performs the lab analysis of the water samples.

· Interns. GA Back-the Brookie in partnership with GA DNR, USFS, Soque River Watershed Association, and Georgia Power Foundation employed summer interns pursuing fisheries studies and careers to work on brook trout projects in Georgia. Their work included water sampling, fish sampling, stream habitat mapping, and stream enhancement work on brook trout streams in conjunction with TU volunteers, GA DNR and USFS personnel. Funding for the intern came from two GA TU Chapters – Rabun and Upper Chattahoochee, TU’s Embrace a Stream Program, and the Georgia Power Foundation. Over 700 man hours of work was conducted.

[Rocketroy]

Kevin, Great report on the brookie program, with this little bit of added info.: The water brookie quality testing is indeed done at North Ga.Tech,up here in Ckarkesville. They are one of many partners put together by the Soque River Watershed Assn.,to test the Soque,from it,s origin on Tray Mt.,under a 5 year grant we hold! Proper and justly earned credit go to Duncan Hughes,the scientist who runs the program housed at the school! He generously does so,under the Watershed,s management mandate per.grant specifications! FYI, the soque is designated as an impaired stream,that contributes a good percentage of the water flowing south on the Hooch,into lake Lanier, having totally its origin within the county of Habersham........making it a great testing model! Keep up the good work! Regards, Rocketroy

[nativeplanter]

[QUOTE=Path_Less_Traveled;425564]Hey np... finally figured out what the deal is: i see (stocked) trout streams as "managed plantations"... you actually see them as aquatic ecosystems... out west they call it "planting" instead of stocking... every one has their own bias i guess... hey.. do you chunk rainbows on the bank? ;) QUOTE]

Yeah, I do see them as aquatic ecosystems. Probably because the boundaries of water bodies are fluid and they are all physically connected, whereas a terrestrial farm is a lot more confined (things do travel in and out, but not at quite the same rate).

Note - I never chunk anything on the bank. While I don't like exotics in the waterway, I am compelled to be as respectfull as possible. If I were to go carp fishing (which I haven't done, but hope to), I'd take them home and eat them rather than just dump them. If inedible, I'd at least make compost or bury the animal or something, just not throw them away. (hmm... goldfish stew, anyone?:D )

[Path_Less_Traveled]

np... good luck on the carp eating :eek: ...lol.

Gary... we will be touring the "color country" in southern Utah, next May... although we may venture up to Delta, UT to dig some trilobites... will be staying in Duck Creek Village which is between Zion and Bryce... was wowed when i saw they were are 8000+ ft!!... and lots of trout fishing (not that i'll have time to fish since it's a family vacation :indif: )... here is some stuff i found... Lake Panguitch is supposed to have some nice bows.

http://www.utah.com/fish/southern_utah_fishing_waters.htm
http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/fishing/so_ut_trout_streams.html

Did a search here on NGTO for first-hand reports, but couldnt find anything except northern Utah... Green River/Provo, etc... we've already been up there and it's too far to drive this time since we'll be flying into Vegas.

I would even consider paying a guide, but the prob is (i think) the streams dont open until July.

[turkeyh90]

Yes, I am a huge fan of the Brook trout. I would love to catch more. Sounds great. I am also in support of Cuts.

[destin2fish]

There is a private hatchery in hiwasee ran by Willis Dyer that raises brook trout. I have no idea about his water temps and such but its a neat place to visit if your ever in the area.