Delayed Harvest Mtg. ?, Apr. 27, 99

[J A Smith]

Due to other committments I was unable to attend Tuesday's meeting in Gainesville about the possibilities for new DH regs and locations. If anybody who was able to attend could give me any info on how things went, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks, John

[Pigpen]

I thought the meeting was very productive. It was attended by approximately 25 people; obviously, everyone it seemed was in support of more delayed harvest streams. The topic of barbed versus barbless hooks was the hot topic of conversation. DNR, citing several scientific studies which show no significant difference in fish mortality, is considering removing the barbless regulations on Waters & Dukes Creeks. A straw poll at the meeting was split 60/40 in favor of keeping the barbless rule. Several people voiced the opinion that the rule should be changed to barbless for the hook currently being fished with, not every hook on your person.

DH streams to be added next are the Chattooga River from Hwy. 28 bridge to the canoe takeout (1 mile) & approximately 3 miles on Amicalola Creek (which would be a walk-in or float trip fishery.

Any written comments should be directed to Jeff Durniak, WRD Fisheries Management, 2150 Dawsonville Hwy., Gainesville, GA 30501. His phone number is (770) 535-5498.

[Owl]

I would think that a 40 % turn out by those in favor of changing the reg. would be more than enough to carry the idea. If 10% of the fisherman catch 90% of the fish, ...what percentage of the fishermen know what's best for how much of the fisheries. let the DNR do there job. They spent our $$ getting the info and makin the calls ( understaffed, too ) and they are doing a ine job, IMHO. ......and I hate "hookless barbs", too ! http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif

[NGTO]

Is Amicalola Creek one and the same as Amicalola River?

[Owl]

I don't think so. Do you mean like the creek that goes through the State Park? Man, that'd be a hoot. 20 guys casting over 3 ft. of slooowwwlllyyy movng water full of 3 lb. fish ! HA ! I think I will find the river....haven't ever fished it.....but if you all go there next year...maybe the place to be will be Smih's. Somethin to ponder !


Owl

[Bill Couch]

NGTO
Little Amicalola Creek and Amicalola Creek are different streams. Little Amicalola Creek runs through the state park. Amicalola Creek feeds in from the east a few miles downstream (Check the Trout Streams of Georgia Map). I'm not sure where Amicalola River starts. The county and trout stream map don't define it, and both maps differ slightly. I would assume it begins at the confluence of the two streams.

The delayed harvest section is proposed for the section of Amicalola River between Devils Elbow and Hwy 53.

Bill