Take Me Fishing!*
Go Trout Fishing on a delayed harvest stream - Fifth Stream Added to Delayed Harvest Program

SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. (October 17, 2006) - If you need a break from the everyday routine, let your mind escape to the thought of a trout-filled mountain stream cloaked in autumn color. And then take it one step further and get out there and fish! With more than 4,000 miles of trout streams and three species of trout, there is a trout fishing opportunity closer than you think - even in metro Atlanta.

   The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) has made it even easier by designating a 1.3 mile section of the Toccoa River as a fifth delayed harvest stream.

   Georgia trout streams are designated as seasonal, year-round or delayed harvest and different streams offer varying populations of rainbow, brown and brook trout. Delayed harvest streams have special regulations from Nov. 1 - May 14, including catch-and-release only fishing and the use of artificial lures only.

   "The delayed harvest section of the Toccoa River will be particularly attractive to fly anglers because the river is wide enough for the long, graceful casts associated with this particular style of fishing. Additionally, anglers using casting or spinning equipment also will find success on this river," says WRD Fisheries Region Supervisor Wayne Probst. "Delayed harvest streams are managed to provide high catch rates, making them a great place for new and seasoned anglers alike."

   The five trout streams managed under delayed harvest regulations are:
Toccoa River located on U.S. Forest Service land upstream of Lake Blue Ridge in Fannin County (off Aska Road at near Shallowford Bridge), Amicalola Creek on the Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area (from Steele Bridge Road downstream to Georgia Highway 53), Smith Creek at Unicoi State Park, the Chattahoochee River in Atlanta (between Sope Creek - off Columns Drive - and U.S. Highway 41) and a portion of the Chattooga River (from Ga. Hwy. 28 upstream to the mouth of Reed Creek) on U. S. Forest Service land bordering South Carolina.

   Download your free Georgia trout stream maps, including a map of the recently added Toccoa River-delayed harvest portion, and other trout fishing tips from the WRD website, www.gofishgeorgia.com . Anglers must possess a current Georgia fishing license and a trout license to fish in designated trout waters.

   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.