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

August monthly meeting Thursday night, August 8th

Foothills August Monthly Meeting Thursday Night, August 8th in Clarksville, GA at the United Community Bank on Louise St.

Social time starts at 6pm with the meeting at 6:30pm with our program following. This months program will be facilitated by Jake Darling. The program will be on low and clear water top two bass flies. Jake will tie the flies step by step on the big screen.

Hope to see everyone there!

Farewell to Dredger

A farewell to Dredger. After 34 years serving with WRD's Fisheries Management Section, Jeff Durniak is trading in his uniform for a pair of waders to enjoy retirement.

Jeff's contribution to North Georgia fisheries is legendary. He and his team have enhanced North Georgia's sportfish opportunities, most notably Georgia's walleye fishery and delayed harvest trout streams. Jeff has also worked diligently to establish and nourish partnerships within the conservation community to continually move the needle in a positive direction.

In Georgia's fly fishing circles, he has achieved rock star status. His expert and timely fishing reports (signed, “Dredger”) have been used by thousands of anglers. Most importantly, his public outreach efforts have resulted in greater angler understanding and involvement in fisheries management. Many avid anglers and conservationists alike can trace their recruitment to Jeff.

Jeff leaves us with this quote: "Make some more memories soon. Have fun and then pass your love of fishing to our next generation of angler-conservationists. You’ll be glad you did. I know that I am."

His passion for anglers, angling, and fisheries management is rivaled by few. Help us in wishing Jeff a happy retirement and tight lines.

Read Jeff's last Georgia Fishing Report blog entry: http://bit.ly/2KhvS0a