"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.

Rabun Rendezvous

WHEN:  Saturday, January 18, 2019.  Please note change of date from previous years.

WHERE:  The Dillard House Conference Center, located behind the Dillard House Restaurant in Dillard, GA.

WHO:  The more the better!  Everyone interested in conserving and protecting our cold-water resources, including their families, friends, and all who love cold streams, trout, and trout fishing.

SOCIAL:  Doors open at 3:00 pm.  Around 4:30 pm folks will start gathering to “pick the pig” and enjoy the rocking chairs on the porch of the Conference Center.  There will snack trays of chees, crackers, veggies with dip, and fruit.  Soft drinks and ice will available.  There will be a nice fire inside to warm your buns.  Please note the earlier start time from previous years.

The Foxfire Boys will again provide their ‘down home’ style of bluegrass picking and singing for your enjoyment from 5:00 to 6:30 pm.  CD’s will be available for purchase.

Raffle and silent auction items will be available for your chance of purchase.  We welcome donations of raffle and auction items!

DINNER:  Fish, chicken, beef, and pork with all the side dishes and desserts that have made the Dillard House famous will be served at 6:30 pm.  It is a serve yourself buffet and you will not leave hungry!

Please note there will be no guest speaker this year.   For this reason, we anticipate concluding the Rendezvous at an earlier time than previous years.

COST:  $35 for adults and $25 for youth age 15 and younger.  Cash, check, VISA or MasterCard are accepted.  Pay at the door when you arrive.

LODGING:  The Dillard House has set special rates for rooms starting at $79 (plus tax) for those that make reservation and say they are attending the Trout Unlimited Rabun Rendezvous.

The 2018 Rabun Rendezvous provided financial support for the following:  GA Council Youth Trout Camp; Sponsoring youth to attend Trout Camp; GA Department of Natural Resources Smithgall Woods Conservation Education Program; US Forest Service Kid’s Fishing Event at Tallulah River; Fly-Fishing 101 educational event; Helicopter stocking program; In-stream habitat improvement on a brook trout stream; Casting for Recovery; Fly Fishing for Vets; National TU’s Youth Education, First Cast, Embrace-A-Stream, Griffiths Circle, and Southeast Lands program; GA Council Conservation fund; and providing Trout magazine subscriptions to all Rabun County schools, public libraries, and Tallulah Gorge State Park.

December Meeting Thursday, 12/12..

Foothills December Meeting next Thursday, 12/12...
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 are going to start 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. We’ll start at the December meeting and build on it from there. So bring along a couple of bucks and see if your able to win something !

Program TBD (will update when details are provided)

2020 Dream Trip

2020 Trip Rules

FOOTHILLS OCTOBER MEETING

This month, we have an excellent presenter for our October meeting that you surely will not want to miss. This month we are having Dennis Smalley present on his recent Project Healing Waters Trip to the Freedom Ranch in Montana. Dennis is a regular at our Project Healing Waters meeting and he has a great presentation about his experience in Montana.  

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: 10/10/19

Time: 6:30 P.M.

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

Program: Project Healing Waters @ the Freedom Ranch in Montana