NEWS RELEASE WRD Considers DH Changes

[Bill Couch]

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources,
Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) will hold a
public meeting to receive comments on a
proposal that would add more streams to be
managed under delayed harvest reguations and
simplify the hook restrictions on special
regulation trout waters. The meeting will
begin at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 27,at
the Gainesville Civic Center on Highway 129
in Gainesville.

In short:
Portions of the Amicalola River (devil's elbow to Hwy 53) and Chattooga River (from Hwy 28 to the U.S. Forest service canoe ramp) are being considered for delayed harvest. I have requested an electronic copy of the news release and will post it when and if I receive it.

Tight Lines,
Bill

[floater]

nifty http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/wink.gif

[Bill Couch]

Attached it the complete release.
Bill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WILDLIFE RESOURCES DIVISION CONSIDERS CHANGES
TO SPECIAL TROUT STREAM REGULATIONS

Social Circle, Ga. (April 16, 1999) -- The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) will hold a public meeting to receive comments on a proposal that would add more streams to be managed under delayed harvest regulations and simplify the hook restrictions on special regulation trout waters. The meeting will be begin at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 27, at the Gainesville Civic Center on Highway 129 in Gainesville.
Delayed harvest is a management program designed to provide a *fish-for-fun* experience with high catch rates for trout. In this program, trout are stocked in streams and catch-and-release fishing, using single-hook artificial lures only, is allowed from November 1 through May 14. From May 15 through October 31, the stream is managed under general regulations, which means there are no bait restrictions and there is a daily limit of eight trout. An experimental delayed harvest program was tried for the first time in Georgia last year on Smith Creek at Unicoi State Park. User surveys show that the program has been very popular and successful.
Based on this success, WRD is considering the addition of more streams to the delayed harvest program for the 1999-2000 season. These additions include the one-mile section between the Highway 28 bridge and the U.S. Forest Service canoe ramp on the Chattooga River in Rabun County and the three-mile section from Steel Bridge Road (Devils Elbow) and Highway 53 on Amicalola Creek in Dawson County.
Some important features of the delayed harvest program include:
Trout may be caught several times each because no harvest is permitted between November 1 and May 14.
Because each trout may be caught more than once, catch rates remain high over long periods, not just the day after stocking. Research has shown that catch rates have averaged three to four times higher in delayed harvest streams when compared to traditional stocked streams.
Periodic restocking to replace trout lost to injury and natural mortality is used to maintain catch rates at a high level.
Angler acceptance has been very high in North Carolina, Maryland and Virginia.
Many Georgia anglers are now traveling to North Carolina specifically to fish in delayed harvest streams.
Delayed harvest areas have been very popular with anglers who want to introduce new anglers to trout fishing because the high number of fish in the stream greatly improves the chance of success.
WRD also is considering simplifying the hook restrictions on special regulation catch-and-release streams. For Dukes Creek, Waters Creek and waters in the delayed harvest program, WRD would standardize regulations that would allow only the use and possession of single hook artificial lures. Additional single-hook dropper flies or lures would be permissible. Research has shown no significant difference in the survival rate of trout caught on barbed versus barbless hooks. Therefore, this proposal would remove the hook size and the barbless hook restriction from some streams, making it easier for anglers to understand and follow the regulations.
This meeting is being conducted in a facility that is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Jeff Durniak at (770) 535-5498. All interested persons are invited to attend this meeting and provide comments. Persons who can not attend the meeting should direct written comments before May 1 to WRD Fisheries Management, 2150 Dawsonville Highway, Gainesville, GA 30501.
To get to the Gainesville Civic Center from Interstate 985, take Exit 6 and go north on Highway 129 for 2.5 miles. The Civic Center will be on the right-hand side, just before the junction of Highway 129 and Highway 60. For more information, contact the Gainesville Fisheries Management Office at (770) 535-5498.
###

[Tom]

Good News, Bill, the Rabun Chapter of Trout Unlimited will be represented. Tom

[Bill Couch]

Tom,
Great, I'll see you there if you're their rep.
Bill

[Owl]

YEEEEEESSSSSSSSSS !!!!!!! Can it be true ?!



The Ol would ove to catch fish at Dukes, Waters and such, instead of" poking and releasing them" early.Ol MAN ! Ol MAN ...where's that aricle.....??!?!?!?!??


Owl
hopig for new barbed regs. !
http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif

[FlygURL]

This has been forwarded to all Georgia Women FlyFishers now!!