Sports: Outdoors

Try some trout

• Forget bass, crappies and catfish for a change, and take advantage of the great trout fishing in North Georgia.

Bob Kornegay

With the excellent regional spring and summer fishing available to area anglers, it might seem unlikely that many would be interested in journeying elsewhere in search of angling enjoyment. That's true enough, of course, when it comes to bass, crappies, bream and catfish; those warm-water piscatorial denizens that abound in our coastal plain lakes, rivers and creeks. Search no further - they are here in great abundance.

However, when it comes to seeking out certain non-indigenous fish species, there is no other option but to travel, and the desire to do so affects more than a few local fishermen each and every season. Frequently, the statement, "I've always wanted to go up to the mountains and fish for trout," is heard.

"No wonder," said Georgia Sportsman Magazine editor and expert angler Jimmy Jacobs. "Today, we enjoy more than 4,000 miles of trout water in Georgia, with 1,500 of those miles supporting wild, self-sustaining populations of brown, rainbow, and brook trout. The Georgia Wildlife Resources Division stocks around a million fish per year in our mountain waters, and almost half of those streams are now open to year-round angling."

It gets better.

"Despite recent record drought conditions throughout the state, trout anglers can still anticipate some exciting fishing this season," added Perry Thompson, trout-stocking coordinator for WRD's Fisheries Management Section.

"We've been hard at work, along with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, growing trout and increasing the potential for successful harvest this year.

We plan on stocking more than 925,000 trout in North Georgia creeks, rivers and small lakes by year's end. Generally, we stock a high percentage of our trout before July 4, and we're looking to increase that percentage even more this year to avoid having too many catchable fish in our hatcheries in the event of dry weather."

North Georgia trout fishing, for the inexperienced, often looms as a mysterious other-wordly sport that involves finely honed fly-casting skills, expensive equipment, and a graduate entomologist‚s eye for aquatic insects.

That it certainly can be, if one is so inclined. Those who prefer a simpler, more basic approach to angling, however, should not be deterred or fear embarrassment. The vast majority of the state's mountain trout fishermen opt for the easier alternative and employ angling skills and gear much better suited to visiting flatland novices.

If one owns an ultralight spinning combo and doesn't mind getting his feet wet, he is instantly prepared for basic trout angling. Pocket a few 1/16-ounce Rooster Tails or Panther Martin spinners, a jar of salmon eggs or Berkeley Power Bait (readily available in North Georgia bait shops), and/or a small cage of crickets, and he's ready for action. Add a few No. 8 or No. 10 hooks and a handful of BB shot, and his outfit is complete. Felt-bottom wading shoes are useful for gripping slippery rocks and logs, but are not absolutely necessary.

"Since it was something new and unfamiliar, I was a little nervous about trying it at first," said Blakely angler Pat Storey. "You pick up on it really fast, though. It's basically just cut-and-dried, flowing-water fishing. You have to get used to the way a trout bites, the small size and shallow depth of most of the streams, and the clarity of the water. Those are the major adjustments. Of course, you have to take that into consideration from time to time, no matter where you‚re fishing or what you're fishing for."

Storey, who describes trout fishing as "addictive," has journeyed to Northeast Georgia for a trout "fix" at least once a year since 1995.

"It's safe to say that with regard to trout fishing, we are living in the good old days‚," Jacobs concluded. "That's no accident. Anglers and local chapters of Trout Unlimited have been the driving force promoting state fisheries managers to achieve such progress."

"Georgia"s trout season opened March 29 and will run through October 31.

Some of the popular seasonal streams to check out include Cooper Creek in Union County, Wildcat Creek in Rabun County, Dicks Creek in Lumpkin County, and Johns Creek in Floyd County.

Said Perry Thompson, "If you want to venture out after October, you can visit one of the many streams open year-round. Try Rock Creek in Fannin County, Rabun County's Tallulah River, or Holly Creek in Murray County. The Chattahoochee River at Buford Dam Park and Jones Bridge are excellent spots if you‚re in the Metro Atlanta area. All these sites are well stocked and provide great angling experiences for someone new to the sport. Of course, these waters are open throughout the season as well."

For additional North Georgia county-specific trout fishing information, visit the WRD Web site at www.gofishgeorgia.com, where the current Georgia Sports Fishing Regulations, a complete list of stocked streams, a Northeast Georgia fishing guide, and the award-winning "Trout Streams of Georgia" map are available.

Printed copies of the regulations and map are available at all WRD Fisheries Management offices and at all official fishing license dealers.

Anglers must possess both a current Georgia fishing license and a trout license to fish in designated trout waters and to fish for or possess trout.

Licenses can be purchased online and at various local sporting goods dealers. The daily limit is eight trout on general regulation trout waters.

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