stream declassification

10-05-98, 10:36 AM

Went fishing sun., couldn't get to the mountians so I went to the little spring creek across the street from my house to catch a few bream. Spring Creek is a year round trout stream in southern Floyd co. (about to be declassified). I live about 2 miles upstream of the last stocking point which at the request of the church hasn't been used this year. I have lived in this area 18 years and the only trout I have ever caught out of Spring Creek have been at the stocking point. I will usually fish across form my house or upstream and catch small bream or bass, this time I went downstream a hundred yards where the cooler water of a smaller stream enters the creek and caught a 12" rainbow that must have been in the stream for a while as it was as brightly colored and as pretty a fish as I have ever caught anywhere. I also caught two more 5" bows upstream 30 or so feet and these fish had very little color on them. While I would not call this a major day of trout fishing any time you cane walk 100 yards and catch trout isn't all that bad. It's just too bad it took me 18 years to find this spot and now that I have the stream is slated for declassification.

10-06-98, 07:57 AM

Rob i've been told that developers are behind a lot of this and I will have to admit Spring Creek is marginal trout water at most, plus it's all on private land. I was completley suprised to catch a trout and especially one that pretty in the location I did, water temps are in the mid to upper 70's.

rob · 10-06-98, 01:36 PM

why are they declassifying streams? Is it because there's not enough money to fund stocking of all the currently listed trout waters? Or does it have to do with a more complicated political spiderweb?

just wonderin'
-rob

Ken Smith · 10-06-98, 07:10 PM

BUDMAN,
Do you know of a list of streams that are to be declassified. I'm curious which ones are under consideration.

Thanks,
Ken

rob · 10-06-98, 11:57 PM

Budman, it is sad if it is in fact true that developers are behind declassifying trout streams. We should get a discussion going on the rules and regs and the political goings on that are happening that could impact the future of nice trout water and the forests and rivers of GA's mountains. I could start the thread...
-rob

10-07-98, 08:03 AM

Had to go back a little but the original post was by Capt. Harlan Trammell on Aug. 27 in the '98 archives. He has a partial list of streams and a lot of other good information in his post, hopefully he will get back to us on the subject.

Tom · 10-07-98, 12:19 PM

Declassification of some of our Trout Streams by the DNR is connected to the efforts of some politicians, on behalf of developers, to reduce the buffer on some streams from the 100' on classified streams to the 25' required on non Trout streams.
The DNR felt that their position was weak and if they would declassify streams that did not support trout they would be in a better position to hold the line.
As stated in other replies, there probably are streams deserving of declassification. The problem now is that what is to prevent declassification in a year or two, more streams because due to siltation or other poluting activities productive streams have become un productive?
A list of the declassified streams can be obtained from the DNR. You should also know that the DNR Wildlife Resources Division is at this time redesigning their Trout Management program. All trout fishermen should get involved in this process by contacting the DNR.
With increasing pressure on our streams it's going to get worse if we don't get involved. Do you know how your favorite candidate stands on these issues? It just might be more important than what fly to use on which stream!
Tight Lines
Tom

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10-05-98, 10:36 AM	#1
BUDMAN Guest Posts: n/a	Went fishing sun., couldn't get to the mountians so I went to the little spring creek across the street from my house to catch a few bream. Spring Creek is a year round trout stream in southern Floyd co. (about to be declassified). I live about 2 miles upstream of the last stocking point which at the request of the church hasn't been used this year. I have lived in this area 18 years and the only trout I have ever caught out of Spring Creek have been at the stocking point. I will usually fish across form my house or upstream and catch small bream or bass, this time I went downstream a hundred yards where the cooler water of a smaller stream enters the creek and caught a 12" rainbow that must have been in the stream for a while as it was as brightly colored and as pretty a fish as I have ever caught anywhere. I also caught two more 5" bows upstream 30 or so feet and these fish had very little color on them. While I would not call this a major day of trout fishing any time you cane walk 100 yards and catch trout isn't all that bad. It's just too bad it took me 18 years to find this spot and now that I have the stream is slated for declassification.

10-06-98, 07:57 AM	#2
BUDMAN Guest Posts: n/a	Rob i've been told that developers are behind a lot of this and I will have to admit Spring Creek is marginal trout water at most, plus it's all on private land. I was completley suprised to catch a trout and especially one that pretty in the location I did, water temps are in the mid to upper 70's.

10-06-98, 01:36 PM	#3
rob Stocker Join Date: Sep 1998 Location: athens, ga Posts: 9	why are they declassifying streams? Is it because there's not enough money to fund stocking of all the currently listed trout waters? Or does it have to do with a more complicated political spiderweb? just wonderin' -rob

10-06-98, 07:10 PM	#4
Ken Smith Native Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: marietta, ga. Posts: 71	BUDMAN, Do you know of a list of streams that are to be declassified. I'm curious which ones are under consideration. Thanks, Ken

10-06-98, 11:57 PM	#5
rob Stocker Join Date: Sep 1998 Location: athens, ga Posts: 9	Budman, it is sad if it is in fact true that developers are behind declassifying trout streams. We should get a discussion going on the rules and regs and the political goings on that are happening that could impact the future of nice trout water and the forests and rivers of GA's mountains. I could start the thread... -rob

10-07-98, 08:03 AM	#6
BUDMAN Guest Posts: n/a	Had to go back a little but the original post was by Capt. Harlan Trammell on Aug. 27 in the '98 archives. He has a partial list of streams and a lot of other good information in his post, hopefully he will get back to us on the subject.

10-07-98, 12:19 PM	#7
Tom Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Rabun Gap, GA USA Posts: 2,068	Declassification of some of our Trout Streams by the DNR is connected to the efforts of some politicians, on behalf of developers, to reduce the buffer on some streams from the 100' on classified streams to the 25' required on non Trout streams. The DNR felt that their position was weak and if they would declassify streams that did not support trout they would be in a better position to hold the line. As stated in other replies, there probably are streams deserving of declassification. The problem now is that what is to prevent declassification in a year or two, more streams because due to siltation or other poluting activities productive streams have become un productive? A list of the declassified streams can be obtained from the DNR. You should also know that the DNR Wildlife Resources Division is at this time redesigning their Trout Management program. All trout fishermen should get involved in this process by contacting the DNR. With increasing pressure on our streams it's going to get worse if we don't get involved. Do you know how your favorite candidate stands on these issues? It just might be more important than what fly to use on which stream! Tight Lines Tom