UCCTU online Fundraiser

 

I would like to extend the offer for your chapter membership to participate in our annual fundraiser which commences later this month. What makes this year’s fundraiser unique for us is that it’s the first time the event will be an online auction.

     I’ve attached our poster which highlights the specifics of the event which starts on October 27 @ 7:00 pm and runs for one week ending November 3 @ 7:00 pm. We have a great mix of fishing equipment, guided trips, lodging and even assorted non-fishing items such as golf passes to local course; gift cards to local markets; and more.  Anyone can visit the online website in advance of October 27 to get a peek at the full list of items up for auction. 

   Should you have any questions about this fundraising event please contact me.

 

  Kind regards,

Tim Yeager

UCCTU Fundraising Chairperson

404-386-6860

tim.yeager@outlook.com   

       

Smith Creek Delayed Harvest

Foothills Tu will be the lead chapter again this year for stocking Smith Creek for the delayed harvest season. We will be stocking on November 2^nd at 11:30 am.   We have been asked to wear masks to limit the risk and follow the Governor’s recommendations.  As this event takes place outdoors and wearing our masks we are keeping the risk low for spreading the virus.  Be aware that risk is still present and make your decisions accordingly.  We will not be grilling hotdogs and hamburgers this year to help maintain our safety.  I’m very hopeful that by next year’s stocking event we can resume with that practice. We all will miss it this year.   Please print off and fill out the attachedwaiver. The DNR uses this information for it’s processes.   Look forward to seeing everyone there.

CLICK HERE FOR WAIVER

October Monthly Meeting - 10/8/2020

 We will be holding our October meeting on Thursday the 8^th at Fish Camp in Smithgall Woods State Park.  This will be a chapter business meeting as discussion will be centered on our fund raising events such as the Hoot on the Hooch.  We will also be discussing the changes being made to Trout Camp and Dream Trip ticket purchases.    We will be wearing our masks and practicing social distancing to keep the risk of transmission of coronavirus at a minimum.  As there will be no speaker and the meeting will be outdoors, I’d like to get the meeting started right around 6pm.  If you need a little more time to get there please let me know and we’ll adjust as needed.  The risks of Coronavirus remains and each of us needs to decide what is in our own best interests.  We will have a raffle quilt again this year.  I plan to have it at the meeting so we can include it in our discussions.

 

I hope everyone is safe and well as the season changes over to fall.

 

Bruce

 

 

Directions to Fish Camp at Smithgall Woods

 

Do Not go to the main entrance of Smithgall Woods SP off Alt Hwy 75. You will not be allowed to drive through the park to get to fish camp. Note that Duke’s Creek is closed to fishing for the summer.

 

Access to Fish Camp is via Joe Franklin Rd  it is a small graveled road with NO sign for the park marking it.   It is in between The intersection of Hwy 75 and Duncan Bridge rd  & the Shell gas station on Hwy 75.

 

From  Helen/Sautee :

 

From the intersection of Hwys 17 & 75 at the Indian Mound

Go south on Hwy 75 for approx 1.5 miles

Turn Right on to Joe Franklin Rd.

Go about a half mile and drive through gate into park.

Follow signs to fish camp

 

 

From Cleveland :

 

From intersection of Hwys 129 & 75 at Ingels

Go 5.1 Miles North on Hwy 75

Turn Left onto Joe Franklin Rd

Go about a half mile and drive through gate into park.

Follow signs to fish camp

2021 Dream Trip

As announced, the tickets for the Dream Trip will be sold online this year.  Each chapter is charged with selling a minimum of 150 tickets in order to receive the $500 rebate for all 2000 tickets being sold.   You can purchase your tickets here:   https://go.tulocalevents.org/georgia-trout-unlimited-dream-trip-2021/Campaign      Please be sure to select Georgia Foothills #629 as your chapter when making your purchases.   Please encourage your friends and neighbors to participate also. This is the State Councils fund raiser and the major source of funds to operate Trout Camp each year.

 

 

Foothills August monthly meeting 8/13 - Special meeting place - SEE BELOW

After four months of postponing meetings, Foothills Chapter TU will be holding a meeting on August 13th starting at 6pm. The meeting location will be at Fish Camp in Smithgall Woods State Park. I want to thank our member Mike Dye for coordinating our use of this location. We are fortunate to have been given access to Fish Camp, it is a secluded outdoor space near the Education Cabin. We owe a debt of gratitude to Smithgall Woods SP for allowing us to use it. I would ask that everyone bring along a lawn chair so that we can practice social distancing guidelines by staying 6 feet apart. I would also like to strongly encourage everyone to wear their masks. I’ll have mine. Kathy Church DNR Wildlife Interpretive Specialist will be speaking to us about the Smithgall Woods Education Outreach Program. With all the challenges to the school districts dealing with the pandemic it is important that this valuable program remain available to our teachers and our community. We look forward to seeing everyone again. However, while holding the meeting outdoors and practicing social distancing is low risk for spreading the virus. The risk still remains and it is real. I encourage all of you to give it some thought and decide what works best for you. If you are experiencing symptoms, we ask that you refrain form attending. Thank You all for hanging in there and staying safe through these trying times. Better days are ahead.

Bruce

.................................................................
Directions to Fish Camp at Smithgall Woods
Do Not go to the main entrance of Smithgall Woods SP off Alt Hwy 75. You will not be allowed to drive through the park to get to fish camp. Note that Duke’s Creek is closed to fishing for the summer.
Access to Fish Camp is via Joe Franklin Rd it is a small graveled road with NO sign for the park marking it. It is in between The intersection of Hwy 75 and Duncan Bridge rd & the Shell gas station on Hwy 75.
From Helen/Sautee :
From the intersection of Hwys 17 & 75 at the Indian Mound
Go south on Hwy 75 for approx 1.5 miles
Turn Right on to Joe Franklin Rd.
Go about a half mile and drive through gate into park.
Follow signs to fish camp
From Cleveland :
From intersection of Hwys 129 & 75 at Ingels
Go 5.1 Miles North on Hwy 75
Turn Left onto Joe Franklin Rd
Go about a half mile and drive through gate into park.
Follow signs to fish camp

Foothills July monthly meeting CANCELLED

When the Coronavirus shelter in place directives got stated back in March, I thought for sure we would be back to having meetings by July. Sadly for all of us that is not the case. With infections on the rise across the country and here in Georgia, we feel we must cancel our July meeting as it is still not wise to risk a gathering. We will revisit the situation around the first of August with an eye towards possibly holding an outdoor meeting at a local park or some other outdoor venue if conditions allow. I really miss our monthly meetings and the fellowship and camaraderie that goes with them. I hope everyone has an enjoyable and safe Independence Day celebration. Everyone Please stay safe and do everything within your power to help stop the spread of the Covid-19 virus. Thank You for all you guys do. I am certain we will be having meetings again soon.

Bruce

Trout in the Classroom - SmithGall Woods

Hi All -     Angel Cain the Naturalist over at Smithgall Woods put together this video on our Trout in the Classroom program that we partner with them on.  

June Monthly Foothills meeting CANCELLED

To all our Foothills members and friends

I hope that everyone is doing well and remaining safe through this pandemic. Although business are starting to open back up. At this time, out of a continuing abundance of caution we are going to cancel our meeting scheduled for June 11^th. TU National has stated that all meetings can resume June 1^st, provided they meet all local social distancing guidelines. The local shelter in place recommendations for seniors is in place through June 12^th this covers pretty much all of us. Everyone Please stay safe and do everything you can to help stop this virus transmission. We will revisit the virus status and make a decision on the July meeting around July 1^st . Thank you all for your continuing support of Trout Unlimited Georgia Foothills Chapter and cold water conservation and preservation.

Bruce

TU Membership Offer

FREE TU MEMBERSHIP EXTENDED

"Hoot on the Hooch" has been POSPONED

The "Hoot on the Hooch" event has been POSTPONED to a future date... will likely will be rescheduled sometime in the fall of this year.

This was done due to a directive issued by Trout Unlimited for safety concerns of the current Coronavirus Status.  The "Dream Trip" drawing will be still be held but set by the Georgia Council of Trout Unlimited.  The raffle for the Quilt will be held when the "Hoot on the Hooch" is rescheduled.

May Monthly Meeting CANCELLED

GA Trout Camp for 2020 CANCELLED

The Camp Committee met and decided to cancel GA Trout Camp for 2020. The risks appear to be greater than the benefits this year. I have contacted Tallulah Falls School, and am going to contact all the campers, young mentors, and the adult mentors who have signed up so far. Please don’t post anything on your websites or through your social media until the folks who are directly involved know first. Bruce Payne will post a notice on our website tomorrow. I should have everyone contacted by then. Thanks so much.

God Bless you and yours! Looking forward to 2021!
Kathy Breithaupt

Dream trip drawing... 5/16

The Dream Trip drawing will be Saturday, May 16th. Doris and Carl Riggs will join us here and we will video the drawing. Winners will be contacted and the video will be posted on our website

and Facebook. Please share this message with your BOD and Chapter members.

Bruce will update our post on the Council Website. Carl, please post the message I sent to you and Bruce on Facebook.

Thanks!
Kathy Breithaupt

May Foothills meeting CANCELLED

Hope this finds everyone safe and doing well. Jim Watson checked with the bank in Clarkesville and the room we use for our meetings will not be available. I think they are still keeping it closed. I have received nothing from TU National suggesting we could go back to holding meetings. I know the state is starting to open things back up. However, out of an abundance of continued caution I think we should go ahead and cancel our May meeting. We are all still in the susceptible group. I’m getting tired of being hunkered down but am not quite ready to go back to business as usual yet. I would appreciate hearing how you all feel about canceling the May meeting and how you all are doing through this difficult time. Thank You All for all you do and remember we will get back to somewhat normal again.

Bruce

April 2020 Monthly CANCELLED

Due to our current environment, Our Monthly Meeting is CANCELLED  

"Hoot on the Hooch" Postponed

The "Hoot on the Hooch" event has been POSTPONED to a future date... will likely will be rescheduled sometime in the fall of this year.

This was done due to a directive issued by Trout Unlimited for safety concerns of the current Coronavirus Status.  The "Dream Trip" drawing will be still be held but set by the Georgia Council of Trout Unlimited.  The raffle for the Quilt will be held when the "Hoot on the Hooch" is rescheduled.

With the outbreak of the Coronavirus and at the urging from TU National we are postponing our annual fundraising event the Hoot on the 'Hooch. As a chapter, our members are in the at risk population. We believe it is prudent at this time to practice social distancing, preferably on the water, fly fishing. We are looking at rescheduling the 'Hoot for sometime in the fall. We are also canceling our April 9th Foothills Chapter meeting. We will stay abreast of continuing developments and will adjust our meetings and events accordingly.

Please follow us on Facebook as this is our best and fastest way of getting needed information to our membership. You can find us by typing: Georgia Foothills Chapter of Trout Unlimited into the search box on Facebook. If you click on the like button, our posts will automatically pop up on your news feed. Thank You for your patience and understanding during this time. The situation will improve, hopefully sooner rather than later. We will endeavor keep every one informed about Foothills TU events going forward.

Thank You All

Bruce Johnson

President Ga Foothills TU

Foothills March Meeting next Thursday, 3/12

PLEASE NOTE VENUE CHANGE!!!

There is going to be a change in venue for the March meeting. We are joining the Blairsville group at Unicoi Outfitters for a presentation by Kent Edmonds. Here is the announcement:

Please join us at our monthly meeting next Thursday, March 12, 2020.

This is a very special meeting for a few reasons. First, this will be a joint meeting between GA Foothills Chapter 629 and Chattahoochee Nantahala Chapter 692. And............very important to note: it will be in a different location. The joint meeting will be held at Unicoi Outfitters, 7280 S. Main Street, in Helen, GA.

The presentation will be at a different time than usual -- starting at 6:00 PM. Some of the Chattahoochee Nantahala members were concerned about driving back over the mountain after dark. DST begins this Sunday and the presentation should be over by 6:45PM. That gives plenty of time to get home before dark. Foothills TU's business matters will be discussed after the presentation.

We will have a great presentation by Kent Edmonds, flyfisher, guide, fly tier and Fly Fishers International Certified Casting Instructor who will travel from LaGrange to be with us.

After growing up in western SC and fishing the trout streams of GA and NC, Kent moved to western Georgia over 30 years ago and learned to love the warm water species which can be much larger and just as much fun on a fly rod. During a mid-life crisis in 2001, Kent became a full-time guide.

Kent is the lead instructor at the Fly Fishing School at Habersham Mill in cooperation with Unicoi Outfitters. He is also the author of many widely published articles as well as a fly tying instructor, he is widely known and respected as a shoal bass guru. Although Kent could give great presentations on many subjects ranging from stripers to rigging, tonight he will share insights and expertise on shoal bass fishing.

Everyone is welcome so please invite anyone who might not necessarily be trout fishers, but might enjoy learning more about warm water fly fishing.

Rocket Roy

A bench memorializing Rocket Roy has been installed at Dukes Creek. It sits straight across from the parking lot streamside on Section 1. Many thanks to Will Wagner, park manager at Smithgall, for all his assistance. Thanks also to Baldea for the pictures, and the BOD for its support in this endeavor to honor Rocket.

Roy was a friend and mentor to so many, not only at NGTO, but all across north GA. As a conservationist and ambassador for all things flyfishing his shoes will be hard to fill. Let’s all commit to trying.

Foothills February Meeting Thursday, 2/13/2020

Foothills February Meeting Thursday, 2/13/2020... TOMORROW NIGHT!!!!

We hope to see everyone TOMORROW night. As usual, the public is always welcome to attend our monthly meetings. Invite a neighbor or even someone who fishes squirmies.

The social time is around 6:00 - 6:30 with the meeting starting up at 6:30.
Date: 2/13/20
Time: 6:30 P.M.

Location: United Community Bank, 468 W Louise Street, Clarkesville, GA 30523

Drawing for a 1/2 day unguided fishing at the Nacoochee Bend (must be present to win)

Stephen Tomasovich, owner of Big T Fly Fishing, will join us for our February meeting. Stephen began guiding on the tailwater section of the Chattahoochee River several years ago and selling fly tying materials online while living in the metro Atlanta area. In 2019 Stephen and his family built a home on the Soque River and are now full-time residents of Habersham County. He continues to operate his online business from his home and guides on the Soque River.

Hoot on the Hooch - POSTPONED

FOOTHILLS CHAPTER OF TROUT UNLIMITED

POSTPONED

“HOOT ON THE HOOCH”

Quilt Raffle

TBA — This Fall?

HELENDORF INN—33 MUNICH STRASSE—HELEN—706-878-2271

BBQ—BLUEGRASS—

AUCTIONS & RAFFLES (buckets, silent auction, & Quilt)— FISHING ON THE HOOCH

$35 ADMISSION

GOOD FRIENDS—GREAT TIME—HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE

WE GIVE A “HOOT”

January Meeting next Thursday, 1/9/2020

Foothills January Meeting next Thursday, 1/9/2020...

We hope to see everyone this Thursday. As usual, the public is always welcome to attend our monthly meetings. Invite a neighbor or even someone who fishes squirmies.

The social time is around 6:00 - 6:30 with the meeting starting up at 6:30.

Date: 12/12/19
Time: 6:30 P.M.
Location: United Community Bank, 468 W Louise Street, Clarkesville, GA 30523

We have a few new things to try out at our meetings going forward. We started in December with having a door prize at our monthly meetings. We have purchased gift certificates good for ½ day of unguided fishing at Nacoochee Bend. Everyone who attends the meetings will be given an entry into the drawing each month. In addition, Foothills members who volunteer to help out at events will be given an extra ticket into drawing. You must be present to win.

We are doing this in hopes of increasing attendance at the meetings and participation at club activities. We are also going to start having a raffle at the meetings to try to spice things up a little bit. So bring along a couple of bucks and see if your able to win something !

Our guest speaker for the chapter meeting next Thursday (1/9/20) will be Sam Johnson. Sam has just published a book entitled "Fly Fishing the Blue Ridge Parkway". Sam is a member of the Gold Rush Chapter of TU in Dahlonega and has been a supporter of Trout Unlimited for a long time. Sam is also known for building bamboo fly rods which he supplied to L.L. Bean.