The section of the Hooch between Sope Creek and the Hwy. 41 bridge has been protected by delayed harvest regulations since Nov. 1, 2007, which requires anglers to release, rather than harvest, trout caught in this section. This catch-and-release regulation has created a trout-filled stream, so the chances of hooking a beautiful brown or rainbow trout are high.

Anglers can start harvesting trout beginning May 15 through Oct. 31, utilizing natural bait (worms, crickets, salmon eggs, power bait, corn) and lures with multiple hooks.

In addition to the opening of the delayed harvest section, the section of the river from Buford Dam to Peachtree Creek remains open to year-round trout fishing. There are great family-friendly spots open to the public in this section thanks to the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area of the National Park Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and various city and county governments.

In fact, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) stocks this section of the river between Buford Dam and the Chattahoochee River Park off of Azalea Drive with approximately 159,000 catchable (nine-inch) rainbow trout. Plus, this section also supports wild brown trout, which can test even the most experienced angler.

The river downstream of Morgan Falls Dam has been stocked with approximately 50,000 rainbow and brown trout since November 1, 2007. More than 5 percent of these fish are 12 in. or longer, so the potential of catching a big trout is a real possibility!

“Most people may not guess there is such an abundance of trout fishing opportunities so close to Atlanta,” says WRD Chief of Fisheries Management John Biagi. “But thanks to trout stocking, these sections of the river offer excellent trout harvesting opportunities, and all within easy driving distance of many Georgians, particularly those in metro Atlanta.

Remember, a fishing license and trout license are required to fish the Chattahoochee River from Buford Dam to Peachtree Creek. Licenses can be purchased online at www.gofishgeorgia.com and at many sporting goods and bait and tackle businesses.

For more information on trout fishing or to download a free Georgia trout stream map and trout fishing tips, visit www.gofishgeorgia.com or call (770) 918-6418 for additional trout fishing information. In addition, a map of the Chattahoochee River can be downloaded from the National Park Service website, www.nps.gov/chat/planyourvisit/maps.htm.

Take Me Fishing! ™ A recent national survey indicated that 87 percent of Americans believe fishing and boating have a positive effect on family relationships. So, take your family fishing and you will always have something in common.

Knowing that the majority of my lake time would be dedicated to mom, and not fishing, I only brought one rod and a couple of bait options.  We slipped out at 8:30, and started drift fishing along the North shore of Murray Cove near the South end of the lake.  I tied on a six inch Zoom trick worm (watermelon seed color) with a 1/0 worm hook and 3/8 oz. split shot running about 16″ up the six pound flourescent blue line.  A slow jigging presentation paid off almost immediately, with this guy on board in just a couple minutes.

After releasing this fat little fish, we were drifting within range of the first of three points before entering the main body of the lake.  Heavily covered with downed trees, I put the worm on the leeward side of the point and immediately felt something pounce.  Hook set, fish turned me, and as I lifted to rod up high to pull him out of the cover - BAM! - rod pieces were flying all over the place.  Not only that, but the preceediong explosion made short work of my line and a lucky day for this particular bass.

To say I was bummed, is a pretty fair understatement.  With no other rod up there, and the fish biting, I had nothing to do but head home and reflect on my fortune and disfortune on an ugly May morning.  My question, now, is this:

Do I:

• A.) Trash the rod maker publically on this blog (it was only two months old, and under it’s recomended line class)
• B.) Write an open letter regarding the rod, and see what kind of remediation may be available.
• or C.) Skip it, go buy another rod, and spend that time on the water instead of making a big stink?

“While a person may have good intentions, young animals unnecessarily taken into captivity lose their natural instincts and ability to survive in the wild,” says WRD Assistant Chief of Game Management John Bowers. Thus, the urge to “help” or “save” these animals is strongly discouraged both for the survival of the animal and the safety of the individual.

“Most of the time, young animals that appear to be helpless and alone are only separated from the adults temporarily. This separation of adults from newborns is a critical survival mechanism. Adults spend a significant amount of time away from their offspring to minimize predation, but do frequently check on their young,” explains Bowers.

“Additionally, handling wild animals and bringing them into the home poses a health risk for both people and pets. Wildlife can transmit life-threatening diseases such as rabies and can carry parasites such as roundworms, lice, fleas and ticks,” explains Bowers.

Residents who encounter a seriously injured animal or an animal that clearly has been orphaned should contact their local WRD office to obtain a contact number for a certified wildlife rehabilitator who is licensed to provide proper care for the animal until it can be released back into the wild. Individuals who are not trained in wildlife rehabilitation should not attempt to care for wildlife. Georgia law prohibits the possession of most wildlife without a permit.

Residents who encounter an animal such as a bat, fox, skunk, raccoon, coyote or bobcat during the daytime that appears to show no fear of humans or dogs, or that seems to behave in a sick or abnormal manner (i.e. weaving, drooling, etc.), should avoid the animal and contact the local county health office and/or a WRD office for guidance.

The animal may be afflicted with rabies, distemper or another disease. Residents should not attempt to feed or handle the sick animal. Pets, livestock and humans should be kept away from the area in which the animal was observed.

The two most important steps people can take to protect themselves and their pets from rabies is to 1) get pets vaccinated and 2) avoid contact with wildlife. As another precautionary step, adults should instruct children to NEVER bring wildlife home.

For more information on orphaned, injured or diseased wildlife, visit www.georgiawildlife.com, contact a local WRD Game Management Office or call (770) 918-6416.

Supposed to hit the ‘Hooch this morning, dam release looks good, solunar tables are kicking at 12-2:00, and then the &^%^**^ rain. I know we need it, but it seems like the rain only works on weekends around here. Sorry to both my readers about the bummer post, but we’ll try again tomorrow.

Conditions were mixed…  We checked the solunar tables the night before, which told us we were hitting the biggest feed pre-spawn that we could hope for.  So me & Wilson showed up at about 11:30 to find big wind gusts and mostly clear skies, which we thought might dampen our afternoon.   Not to worry though….  We tied the canoe up near the spillway, and I was off and rolling with three fish before Will hooked up with his first.  It would be a pattern leading to a top five fishing day for yours truly!

What worked:

I started off with red and black zoom worms, carolina rigged, with a 3/4 oz. bullet on the front end.  Through out the day bass of standard size ripped swim baits in the green and blue shades, as well shallow and medium depth crank baits (2-5 ft.).  All the sizeable fish were caught on the green (bass colored) swim baits - maybe getting territorial before the spring spawn???

What didn’t work:

Spinners and top water.  I was hoping that the aggressive nature that the fish displayed, and the chop that the wind produced would compensate for the sunny midday aversion to top water baits, but no dice.  We tried a couple chartruce colored inline and outline spinning baits, but no luck there either.

The Proof: 

All in all it was a very good day.   PS- we had a man overboard:

 I used to have a lot of problems respooling my reels. I used to put the new spools on the ground and wind onto the reel. Not really a problem until I went fishing……….LINE TWISTS 

Using an old (cheap) rod, I cut it up leaving only the reel seat. With me working in a large shipyard, I have almost unlimited access to almost anything I need. I attached some threaded bar to the end.

You can see I used tapered washers that hold the spool central and tight.

Here’s my Revo getting loaded up with power pro.

I have this in my office as I usually have time at lunchtimes to sort out my fishing gear, but it is 100% mobile so can be taken on the boat for emergancy use.

The birds once depended on naturally occurring cavities and abandoned woodpecker homes in snags for nesting. But because of a shortage in these cavities, a lack that has affected other cavity nesters as well, bluebirds have largely become dependent on humans for nesting sites.

“This is an excellent time to start putting up bluebird boxes because eastern bluebirds are already looking for nesting sites in Georgia,” said Jim Ozier, a program manager with Wildlife Resources’ Nongame Conservation Section.

The Wildlife Resources Division Web site (www.georgiawildlife.com) has information on building and erecting bluebird boxes, complete with diagram instructions for the traditional round-hole box and the slot box (including the Gilwood nest box).

“Research has shown that the slot box design is very well accepted by bluebirds,” Ozier said. “We have also found that they work well at sites where people are having problems with house sparrows, an introduced species that may compete with other cavity-nesting birds.”

The design of the slot box allows for more sunlight to enter, making this type of box less suited for house sparrows.

Place bluebird boxes in open habitats with sparse trees and low vegetation, such as old fields, pastures and orchards. Many bluebird nest box efforts fail because boxes are put in shrubby and forested sites. When possible, mount the boxes on metal poles or sunlight-resistant PVC pipes equipped with predator guards.

“If you feel you may not have enough open space in your yard, go ahead and put up a box anyway because you may encourage other cavity nesters such as the Carolina chickadee or tufted titmouse to take up residence in your newly erected home,” Ozier said.

Georgians can support conservation projects for migrating hummingbirds and other nongame wildlife through buying a wildlife license plate featuring a bald eagle or a ruby-throated hummingbird. They can also donate to the “Give Wildlife a Chance” state income tax checkoff. Sales of the wildlife plates are the main source of funding for the Nongame Conservation Section.

“If you haven’t already seen a ruby-throated hummingbird in your backyard, you should soon,” said Jim Ozier, a Nongame Conservation Section program manager with the state’s Wildlife Resources Division.

Following the long, grueling migration, this diminutive bird must seek out about half its weight in food every day. Typical body weight of a ruby-throated hummingbird is 3 to 3.4 grams. To maintain their high metabolism, hummingbirds must feed frequently on high-energy food sources such as rich but easily digested nectar, or tree sap that collects in yellow-bellied sapsucker foraging holes. Hummingbirds also need protein, which they obtain by eating tiny spiders and small soft-bodied insects found on flowers or in sapsucker holes in trees.

Hummingbird enthusiasts can provide rich food sources for these travel-weary visitors by planting coral honeysuckle, columbine, bee balm and other native plants, as well as by putting up hummingbird feeders. Periodically clean feeders, making sure that all molds and bacteria are removed. But do not use harsh cleaning agents. Feeders can be easily cleaned in dishwasher or with mild soap and warm water.

Refill hummingbird feeders every few days with a simple mix of one part sugar to four parts water. For best results, bring the water to a boil before adding the sugar and then continue to boil three to four minutes, allowing the mixture to cool before filling your feeder. Refrigerate unused portions.

Homeowners who seem to enjoy the greatest success in attracting hummingbirds combine the use of feeders with planting flowers that produce an abundance of nectar. When planting flowers for hummingbirds, incorporate flowers that bloom from early spring through fall. Flower gardens will also attract a variety of other enjoyable nectar-feeders such as butterflies.

Occasionally, “lost” migrant hummingbirds not considered native to this region are seen at feeders. To report unusual hummingbirds seen in your backyard, please contact Wildlife Resources’ Nongame Conservation Section at (478) 994-1438. Information sheets on Georgia’s hummingbirds can be found at www.georgiawildlife.com.

Georgians can support conservation projects for hummingbirds and other nongame wildlife by buying a wildlife license plate featuring a ruby-throated hummingbird or a bald eagle and U.S. flag for their vehicle, or by donating to the “Give Wildlife a Chance” state income tax checkoff. The checkoff and nongame license plate sales are primary funding sources for the Nongame Conservation Section, which receives no state appropriations.

I know what your thinking, paddle boats are for girls.  With Hobie Cat Mirage Adventure Island you can propel yourself via paddle, pedal, or sail. And it looks pretty stable too.  Technically, they’re not paddles -they’re a “Mirage Drive” which is like two fins that somehow propel you through the use of two fins hooked up to bicycle pedals.  Here’s some features from Hobie’s website:

• A boomless, roller-furling sail rig similar to the rig on the Hobie Bravo with plenty of sail area for excellent performance, completely manageable from the cockpit with the pull of a line.
• Two retractable amas that fold up against the side of the boat, again with the simple pull of a line, for easy docking, maneuverability, and transport.
• The cockpit is the stable platform of the Hobie Mirage Adventure Kayak, offering full versatility as a pedaling kayak when conditions are not convenient for sailing. All 2007 model year Adventure Kayaks, including the Fish model, will have inserts molded into the hulls so that they may be upgraded to an Adventure Island with a kit available through the Parts Department. The ama colors will be limited, and the Adventure Island will cost more when purchased via an upgrade kit rather than purchased initially as a complete boat package.
• The Hobie Mirage Drive allows the boat to be pedaled while under sail, or simply pedaled with the sail furled for versatility not found in any other sailboat.
• The Adventure Island is loaded with additional standard features such as a daggerboard; oversized “Twist and Stow” rudder; Mast and Sail Cover; and an Ama/Daggerboard Bag.

If it just had a built in cooler……..