Noontootla 5/7

jamfreeze · 04-08-06, 09:31 PM

I have been visiting noontootla now for over three years and have been able to enjoy it in relative solitude with the few other who hold a great respect for the pristine conditions of the area. Recently I visited and i was shocked at how many people were there. There were no campsite available except for one, and the one open was strewn with trash and empty beer bottles, and the rivers edge was covered with used condoms and condom wrappers. While fishing in the morning I was having to contend with newbie fishermen holding zebco closed faced reels tromping downstream into the pools i was fishing, and having no knowledge of fishing etiquette at all. There are no words to describe how dissapointed I was at all this, I have considered the noontootla a well kept secret and a jewel to be treasured and the lack of respcet I witnessed was extremely depressing. For all those who enjoy posting all their recent catches and pictures online and spreading the word about all the good places to catch fish to anyone whos is there to read it, I can only say this: your indiscretion is a great misfourtune to many of us, including myself. Whenever you advertise a good spot it will be inundated with fishermen immediately. Think about this next time you feel like posting directions to your favortie fishing spot, and also think about all the other fishermen whom you are effecting. As a north georgia flyfishermen, you must pay your dues, and finding good spots should be done on your own, not through directions you found on a message board. Im not trying to preach here, but you must know how deeply i feel about this issue.

countrybuckaroo · 04-08-06, 11:09 PM

The noontoola is no big secret. Jimmy Jacobs book lists it as well as other good streams.

Milton · 04-09-06, 12:22 AM

Jamfreeze-

Noontootla is one of my favorite places, and I understand how you feel, but you have to realize that it’s been one of the best known trout streams in the state for years. People have been posting about it here for as long as there’s been an NGTO, and they haven’t been doing it any more lately than they always have. I really doubt that the people who cause the kind of problems you describe come to NGTO to research where to go to trash a campsite. The fact is, it’s a nice, accessible place, and folks up there who like to camp are going to know about it.

I try to go on weekdays, and I have plenty of stream to myself when I do, but I’ve noticed that if I go on a Friday in decent weather, the campsites will be filled by the time I leave. That’s nothing new; it’s been that way since 1993, when I first started going there. And a certain number of those people are going to trash the place. That’s also nothing new, and I really don’t think it’s any trashier lately than it’s been in the past. I’m not saying it’s not something to get upset about. I can’t for the life of me figure out why people would behave like that. I try to pick up a little trash each time I’m there, just as you probably do. The only point I’m trying to make is that I don’t think people posting on this board about fishing there is what draws the kind of hybrid idiots that do the stuff you’re talking about.

And if it’s any consolation, the newbies with Zebcos probably didn’t catch anything, and won’t be back.

-Milton

Reel'em In · 04-09-06, 08:01 AM

Milton...I'm with you. Also, glad to hear that someone else has enough care to pick up a few pieces of trash besides myself. "Thanks". I can take those who jump in front or bust a hole I'm in. But trashing makes me sick! It's not just the Toot, it's almost any stream.

wild_trout_hunter · 04-09-06, 03:45 PM

I going to have to agree with everyone on this point. I moved out to Georgia less than a year ago from OR. we had some of the same issues with people complaining about posting sensitive waters in OR. Yet, i find the noontootla to be one of the most publicized waters in the state so I don't think it qualifies as "sensitive" water. Besides I doubt the newbie zebco folks are logging on to ngto. I believe that NGTO is a great resource to get directional info on certain streams, techniques, hatches etc. it should never a be a place to give up secrets and I don't think it is and I doubt anyone's really willing to give up the best spots on even the most publicized streams. just my 02.

04-08-06, 09:31 PM	#1
jamfreeze Native Join Date: May 2004 Location: Mammoth, WY Posts: 109	Noontootla 5/7 I have been visiting noontootla now for over three years and have been able to enjoy it in relative solitude with the few other who hold a great respect for the pristine conditions of the area. Recently I visited and i was shocked at how many people were there. There were no campsite available except for one, and the one open was strewn with trash and empty beer bottles, and the rivers edge was covered with used condoms and condom wrappers. While fishing in the morning I was having to contend with newbie fishermen holding zebco closed faced reels tromping downstream into the pools i was fishing, and having no knowledge of fishing etiquette at all. There are no words to describe how dissapointed I was at all this, I have considered the noontootla a well kept secret and a jewel to be treasured and the lack of respcet I witnessed was extremely depressing. For all those who enjoy posting all their recent catches and pictures online and spreading the word about all the good places to catch fish to anyone whos is there to read it, I can only say this: your indiscretion is a great misfourtune to many of us, including myself. Whenever you advertise a good spot it will be inundated with fishermen immediately. Think about this next time you feel like posting directions to your favortie fishing spot, and also think about all the other fishermen whom you are effecting. As a north georgia flyfishermen, you must pay your dues, and finding good spots should be done on your own, not through directions you found on a message board. Im not trying to preach here, but you must know how deeply i feel about this issue.

04-08-06, 11:09 PM	#2
countrybuckaroo Native Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Cleveland, GA Posts: 321	Noontoola The noontoola is no big secret. Jimmy Jacobs book lists it as well as other good streams.

04-09-06, 12:22 AM	#3
Milton Native Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Atlanta, Georgia, USA Posts: 511	What Countrybuckaroo Said.... Jamfreeze- Noontootla is one of my favorite places, and I understand how you feel, but you have to realize that it’s been one of the best known trout streams in the state for years. People have been posting about it here for as long as there’s been an NGTO, and they haven’t been doing it any more lately than they always have. I really doubt that the people who cause the kind of problems you describe come to NGTO to research where to go to trash a campsite. The fact is, it’s a nice, accessible place, and folks up there who like to camp are going to know about it. I try to go on weekdays, and I have plenty of stream to myself when I do, but I’ve noticed that if I go on a Friday in decent weather, the campsites will be filled by the time I leave. That’s nothing new; it’s been that way since 1993, when I first started going there. And a certain number of those people are going to trash the place. That’s also nothing new, and I really don’t think it’s any trashier lately than it’s been in the past. I’m not saying it’s not something to get upset about. I can’t for the life of me figure out why people would behave like that. I try to pick up a little trash each time I’m there, just as you probably do. The only point I’m trying to make is that I don’t think people posting on this board about fishing there is what draws the kind of hybrid idiots that do the stuff you’re talking about. And if it’s any consolation, the newbies with Zebcos probably didn’t catch anything, and won’t be back. -Milton

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04-09-06, 08:01 AM	#4
Reel'em In Native Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ellijay, GA Posts: 1,190	Milton...I'm with you. Also, glad to hear that someone else has enough care to pick up a few pieces of trash besides myself. "Thanks". I can take those who jump in front or bust a hole I'm in. But trashing makes me sick! It's not just the Toot, it's almost any stream.

04-09-06, 03:45 PM	#5
wild_trout_hunter Native Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 84	I going to have to agree with everyone on this point. I moved out to Georgia less than a year ago from OR. we had some of the same issues with people complaining about posting sensitive waters in OR. Yet, i find the noontootla to be one of the most publicized waters in the state so I don't think it qualifies as "sensitive" water. Besides I doubt the newbie zebco folks are logging on to ngto. I believe that NGTO is a great resource to get directional info on certain streams, techniques, hatches etc. it should never a be a place to give up secrets and I don't think it is and I doubt anyone's really willing to give up the best spots on even the most publicized streams. just my 02.