Noontootla Creek

[benvan]

20 anglers, I don't know of but 1 wife or girlfriend that will stick around in the USNFS to watch guys fish...Jamie your a lucky dude. SO 20 guys+1 girl. Pluse vehicles that I am sure with limited parking and camping people would be carpooling to number 1 save on gas, and number 2 leave and limit their foot print. In fact everything that "at least" DD does revolves around limiting any foot print we make, through catch and release, education, and competition it is a part of our mission statement and the very reason I am making the move to petition change of venue.

I can say that Memorial day weekend, EVERY campground was full and there were way MORE than 20 anglers on that stream with their wives, children, and dogs. Not as bad as the Hooch WMA but is was the most people I have seen in a LONG time. I even know that in a few weeks their is a large group camping out up there in excess of 30 people. Most if not all of whom fish as well... not competition oriented though so shouldnt be a problem

[IronLion]

Originally Posted by benvan

I can say that Memorial day weekend, EVERY campground was full and there were way MORE than 20 anglers on that stream with their wives, children, and dogs. Not as bad as the Hooch WMA but is was the most people I have seen in a LONG time. I even know that in a few weeks their is a large group camping out up there in excess of 30 people. Most if not all of whom fish as well... not competition oriented though so shouldnt be a problem

Exactly, and you can see the erosion done at the campgrounds because of that. We don't need to add more. But in my opinion I don't think it's so much the wear and tear of people as is the timing of the event. To host a comp in the middle of July on a small wild stream makes no sense. That creek has special regulations for a reason and it doesn't matter if you catch and release or how well the fish are handled, with that kind of pressure and low warm water, you're going to pointlessly kill fish on a stream that is not supported by a hatchery.

[Metafish]

Why?

I've been fishing the creek - like many of you - for a very long time now.

First off I do not think any of the competition folks will bring anything but respect for the creek. A lot of people fishing Noontootla is an all too often occurrence these days.

The point is that nothing is sacred anymore. For those putting together this event - why Noontootla? Really? Ask yourself if this is how you think of the creek - as a place for a competition - or does it have a deeper meaning for you?

In short, I don't see it as a place for competitions. Maybe it's an idyllic way to look at it but to me it just feels wrong. Kind of like renting out the Sistine Chapel for a rock concert.

If you have fished there enough it has a deeper significance to you. I've taken a handful of people there over the years - very few - only the people that I felt would "get it".

You might have the best intentions but competitive fly fishing, to me, has no place here. I get that in a literal sense there is no harm in several people fishing the creek on one day as that happens a lot.

But again, that's not the point. Ask yourself what you are getting out of this and I don't think it will come close to measuring up to what a day spent alone or with a friend on Noontootla could give you.

[djblankenship]

There are many creeks in the area that are basically set up for maximum pressure and receive weekly stockings. The noontootla is not one of them.

I see from the website it appears the venue was changed. Nice

[benvan]

it is not always stockers that people want to catch for a comp...just saying.

[djblankenship]

Originally Posted by benvan

it is not always stockers that people want to catch for a comp...just saying.

I saw the post on the TL site that the comp was moved but I couldnt find any info on where it was moved to. Actually, I couldnt find any info on the comp at all. Link me?

Thanks,

[driftwood]

I just read this thread for the first time and I am very impressed that you all decided to move the comp. Wild trout fishing in N. GA is really marginal at best, and the summer is a very temperamental time for our trout. Any fishing in the middle of July will have an impact on the population, and you all are good fisherman, so I am sure a lot of fish would be caught. That is a lot of un-needed stress at this time of the year. I was up in mountains fishing some other wild streams yesterday and noticed that water temps are already rising. I don't think any of you comp guys mishandle fish, I just don't feel our wild trout streams can handle the impact of 20 experienced dudes catching everything that moves and then running them up and down the banks. I've had fun competing at some of our stocked streams and will probably do it again, but we are still in GA so our wild streams are delicate and I like to keep those areas as private and protected as possible.

[Trout Fear Me]

I consider the Toot as my home stream and limit myself to a few trips per year. Good luck at the new venue and thanks for considering the impact on the resource in your decision.

[SWMBKRN]

Thanks to everyone that has shared their opinion and thoughts and helped the decision to be made to move the tournament.
Where the tournament has been moved to is not set in stone yet.
Thanks for the good conversation.

[flyg]

Originally Posted by Blueridgeflies

....So getting all up in arms is just useless because these guys have the equal rights that you do...

Not useless. Sometimes reasonable folks will change their actions just based on the opinions of others. I realize there is much subjectivity around the issue. I personally believe lite beer is reprehensible, and I often share this opinion. Yet, when I go to the store, it is still for sale and there are a bunch of silly college kids buying it. Perhaps this will never change.

I thank Ben and the organizers for changing the venue, which they did despite their own views on the subject. I believe the competition crowd on this board exemplify a spirit of reasoned debate and accomodation, often in the face of heated controversy. I'll say again: because I dislike competition fishing does not mean I dislike competition anglers.

G