DH for Panther Creek

[Tom]

Elsewhere on this board, Panther Creek was mentioned as a possible DH managed stream. I would suggest to the WRD that this stream be considered in its future expansion plans. The drawbacks that first come to mind is lack of adequate access for enforcement and/or dispersed stocking. Tight Lines, Tom

[The Owl]

OK, I know we jsut ahd another run in elsewhere, but putting that aside -

Panther Creek fits into the DH format, (as was told to us, and if that same still holds), but isn't it a little small and lacking even angler access?

However, lacking bigger water( wasn't there also a move to make the West Fork DH ? ) it wouldn't be a bad choice, but not an optimum one either....but then I know you knew that per you're post...just thinking out loud.
How about Those state park lakes at Talullah State Park? http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif Hee hee Now that'd be some trout water !


Dockery Lake?
Rock Creek?
Dicks Creek("waters creek one" )

Panther could have promise...hope you don't take me wrong...

Owl

[GonetoSeed]

In my case not taking you wrong.

I think Panther as DH would hold promise:
- Fishes well for trout in early season, but gets to warm later, with no holdovers - seems to fit the profile of the other DH waters
- Does have a well maintained and blazed trail along side of it and does reach two sets of falls that would be great out-of-the-way destinations in winter. The trail is not overly strenuous, but just enough to test if someone is dedicated to getting away from crowds
- I don't think it is any smaller than Smith and anyway another small stream that fishes well would be nice - parituclarly for those of us who live on the E side of metro

Unfortunately, LE may be the biggest issue. Panther is already known as a meat market during regular stocking. Perhaps an active group of fisherman with cell phones and gohunas would solve the problem.

Just hoping that Panther is given consideration if DH is expanded.

[Tom]

There are several streams being considered as I understand it. Panther Creek would just be another added to the list of possiblities. LE is most assuredly the number one drawback in my view. Access is, as said earlier, from a very good trail. TU once helped the WRD to stock by back pack in an effort to disperse the fish.
Haven't fished Panther in several years but fished it often when we first moved to Habersham County over twenty years ago. It's a beautiful stream and large enough to flyfish without too much trouble. Agree too, that its location would benefit a lot of folks in eastern Metro. Just stay south of the Rabun County line, please. Tight Lines, Tom

[fishnpreacher]

Just to ask a question, Does DNR stock more than one place on Panther Cr? I have heard of several stocking points from up above 441 to almost the SC line. I've never fished Panther before but would like to if I knew where to start.
Good idea of DH too. Closer to me helps out.

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I can do all things through Christ <bill><

[Windknot]

Grand suggestion, Tom.

[The Owl]

It's a beautiful stream >>>

I've only been there once. Fished near the little bridge and walked down the trail under he highway. The trail was worn and clay-like. It reminded me of South GA. Maybe I was fishing the wrong section. The creek at the parking area was half the size of Smith's( water volume anyway)


Tom, do you know what the others are?

Thanks
owl

[Tom]

No, I just know several streams have come up for discussion. I will check and see if the WRD has an official list of streams under consideration for DH status. Tight Lines, Tom

[GonetoSeed]

The hiking trail near the parking lot is as you describe (pretty extreme BUBBA factor and remmants of the new 441 construction). On the other side of the new 441 bridge it re-enters the forrest above the creek and becomes a more typical N Ga blazed hiking trail with cover, ankle twisting roots, rocks, etc. About 1/4 mile it returns to creekside and then in about a mile has a interesting rock outcropping you have to negotiate and then returns to the creek heading to two sets of falls. After the outcrop, you will run into recreational campers, and lots of Cub Scouters, but not many fishers. There are also popular (too popular) creekside primitive camp sites. The feel is of being further N in Rabun County.

The creek also widens - a little - and picks up velocity (its dropping to the Tugaloo), with some interesting plunge pools, pocket water and runs - and lots of hook catching cover. In some ways, it reminds me of a scaled down upper Tallulah.

I only know of the one official stocking point because the terrain does become more difficult. The stocking assistance Tom speaks would seem to be the answer to the problem of fish dispersal. DH would then give them a longer time in the water for the amount of effort to stock.

To me, Panther would be an example of a stream that with a little sweat equity and management could become an "intermediate" fishing stream - way above pure put & take, but not as difficult as the wild, remote streams in N Rabun. Would provide a stream to hone skills & reinforce the aeshtics of more rugged samll stream fishing, while keeping some of the pressure off some of its neighbors.

NGTO back packing assisted stocking of Panther, or any similiar stream on the DH candidate list with a dispersal problem, would seem to be one good way to collaborate with DNR in exchange for tighter regs for a more advanced experience.


[This message has been edited by GonetoSeed (edited 07-05-2001).]

[This message has been edited by GonetoSeed (edited 07-05-2001).]

[Speck]

From what I've heard, Panther has a fairly large contingent of what some folks on this board refer to as "Bubbas". It would require an awful lot of enforcement.

[GonetoSeed]

Unfortunantly, you are very correct concerning upper Panther. A couple of the early primitive camp sites can look like abandoned mini-dumps.

Fortunantly, like a lot of streams, after a couple of miles the effort-to-catch-rate ratio exceeds acceptable BUBBA limits. Most of them also have a low tolerance for the cold of winter DH fishing - hike a couple of miles in the cold is not their typical definition of "fun". However, there is also the probability that some winter campers would keep fish for campfire cooking.

Like Tom has said and I agree, LE would probably be one of the downsides that keeps Panther from DH designation (another may be the average winter water temperature - not sure if supports an entire winter of C&R). A shame about LE, but I think still worth a try. If it can't be administered, it speaks volumes to the possible future expansion of DH into similiarly accessible streams.