Rock Creek?

[Gillseeker]

Anyone ever fished Rock Creek? I heard that it is a year round stream and I thought about trying it since I can't seem to get a reservation at SGW until next year.

Dan

[Speck]

Definitely try it.

Do some digging around here, check the map real close. Do a little homework on this one and enjoy the results.

[Path_Less_Traveled]

With it being year-around and having a hatchery, I wonder if it gets a holiday stocking or a few winter stockings.... hmmmm.... bet there's some holdovers in there too... Speck's right... analyse the map and form a strategy :cool: ... Rock is definitely on my winter fishing list... i prefer to wet-wade... gonna have to pick the right day to do that ;)

[Gillseeker]

I bet there are some pretty good sized stockers in there. I dunno if this is true but I have heard that when the older fish get too old to reproduce that they let them go in the stream. I'd love to catch a few of those big boys. If anyone is heading up there let me know.

Dan

[bwanabob]

While Rock Creek is open year-round, the federal hatchery on the creek does not stock year-round. Spend a few minutes talking with the hatchery officials. They won't tell you exactly when they stock, but the staff there is friendly and full of information. What the hatchery folks have told me is, after mid-July only one more stocking takes place just before the Labor Day weekend. They say there usually are no stockings after mid-July until March unless there's a health reason (ie. hatchery water too warm) to release fish. Also, there are no brood stock in the hatchery. Those big fish you see are there for spectator-sport only. The hatchery receives trout fry from other hatcheries and raises these fish to stocking size. However, some of the big fish are released from time to time, but it's so few placed in so many streams that it's a rare catch when one of 'em comes to net.

Rock Creek is arguably the most heavily fished -- and stocked -- trout stream in Georgia. It competes with the Tallulah River for both titles. Spend a weekend along the stream in May and June, and you'll understand the argument. Only one man operates the stocking truck, so stockings are done only where he can reach the stream with the drop chute. It is open to all styles of fishing, so you can expect lots of folks throughout the stocking months (March to July). Holdovers? I doubt it. If SGW is your idea of fun, you'll be sorely disappointed with Rock Creek. I live off Rock Creek Road, less than 5 miles from the hatchery. I've never fished the stream. Too many other low-pressure, quality wild-trout streams nearby. Check your area map and take a hike.

[Gillseeker]

Well now I'm bummed out. Anyways, I'm looking to go this weekend so if anyone has any ideas I'm open.

Thanks,

Dan

[Path_Less_Traveled]

Hey!... that's not stopping me... there's more to Rock Creek than just Rock Creek ;)

[Path_Less_Traveled]

if i were going fishing this week or this weekend, it wouldnt be Rock Creek... it would be one of these eight places...

http://georgiawildlife.dnr.state.ga.us/content/displaypressrelease.asp?ArticleID=860

or one of the four DH's.

[bwanabob]

"Path" is right. There is more to Rock Creek than just Rock Creek. Get a map and check the tribs there and at Noontootlah Creek for wild trout. Every one of them are open year-round, and these small streams represent far more than "fishing trips." Walk and flog any one of them, and you'll have a "Reel Angling Adventure".

[spinboy]

I hate that place. I've seen a couple of instances where those big daddies have been pulled out of there, even saw a pic of a what is supposedly a 4 plus lb brookie that came from there but I was skeptical. I very seriously doubt there are holdovers and wuld venture to say that you would be fortunate to get a sniff unless the conditions were perfect and you got really lucky.

Dad,

I'm going to send you a pm.

[Speck]

Yes there are holdovers. I know this creek gets the devil fished out of it during the season, but not all of it. I'm telling you if you look you can find a few gems that others overlook. Such is the case with most any waterway you can name, and Rock is no exception.

Just remember this place is infamous for producing state-record bears. I'm no biologist, but I assume given the bumper crop of acorns they're out getting one last big meal before bedtime. On the plus side, there's enough grub out there that they shouldn't have to roam very far.


God I need to fish ....

[SlckTrck]

Nope there aint nothin in there but chubs. Wink wink nudge nudge nudge. ;)
Not a hold over ever period. never never never. yeah thats the ticket. :rolleyes:

Seriously. There are holdovers. While the stream is preassured there are some sections that require a hike and these can pay off. Little wild ones too.
Don't get bummed Dad of 7. Rock creek is a great place to camp and fish.
Get away from the crowd. The water level drops on the stream at some point in the year and some of the big boys get trapped in the deep pools.

[Path_Less_Traveled]

God I need to fish ....
I feel your pain... it's been almost a month for me... and no end in sight for this fishing abyss... i'm starting to wig!

[Speck]

I'm on 5 months and counting. I do have my sights set on the week before Christmas though.

[dblhaul]

looking at the map, thinking about Rock Creek..Never fished it ..Could someone give a brother some direction?...jbburgess@charter.net

[Path_Less_Traveled]

i'm thinking it may be faster just to use 5/515 up to Blue Ridge, then come down 60 South... rather than going thru curves up past Dahlonega, Suches, and beyond on 60 North.... 5/515 is probably the way you got to Mtntown Creek, right?... btw, can you post or pm me with a Mtntown Cr. report?

I'll email you some more information.

[Path_Less_Traveled]

Speck... 5 months?... dang!... "Daddy needs a break!" ;)... I'll be gone Dec. 21-26, but will be around for the rest of your Christmas break... let's go.

[Speck]

Sounds good. I'll pm you closer to the date and maybe we can wet a line together last week of December.

[dblhaul]

Thank for the info!