Be a volunteer trout stocker Wednesday, Dec. 22, at Whitewater on the Hooch!

One of the highlights of late fall, winter and spring trout fishing in Georgia is the delayed harvest season. It offers catch-and-release, single-hook artificials only trout angling on several streams in northern Georgia, including a nice stretch of the Chattahoochee through Atlanta.

Volunteers help DNR stock the Hooch DH at Whitewater.

On Wednesday, Dec. 22, you'll have a perfect opportunity to do your part for delayed harvest trout fishing on the Chattahoochee River in Atlanta. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources is asking for volunteers to help stock part of the Chattahoochee delayed harvest trout water at the Whitewater access point, and it's a perfect chance to do your part to help make this great delayed harvest fishery even better.

Check the link for directions -- the stocking will take place at location "J" near the bottom of the map.


Where and when

 The stocking will take place beginning at 10:30 a.m. This is bucket brigade stocking, and it goes like this: The truck from the hatchery will arrive around 10:30, where it will be met by the volunteer stockers. Volunteers should wear appropriate clothing (including waders), bring along a 5-gallon bucket, and be able to wade into the river to stock the trout.

A volunteer waits to transport trout from truck to river.

Volunteers should also print out, complete, and bring the necessary waiver form. Blank forms should also be available at the site on stocking day.
The stocking location is just off Highway 41 and Mount Paran.


Giving back to trout fishing in Georgia

 "What a great way to support trout fishing in Georgia," said one volunteer stocker at the last volunteer stocking at Whitewater. This was his first time to help with a volunteer stocking, he said, but he noted that it would not be his last. He added, "It's good to see fishermen out supporting the efforts of the Department of Natural Resources. And I had no idea that some of the stocked fish are so large!"

Another, who stayed after the stocking to enjoy a little fishing, observed that such volunteer efforts are likely to be more and more important in tight budget times such as these.

Stocking trout (including some big ones!) in the Hooch DH.

"I took some vacation time from my job to help," he said. "And I'll be taking some more to help when the next stocking comes around. Sure, it's a little bit of work. But it's a lot of fun and it helps to make sure that the fishing will be good for the rest of the delayed harvest."


Remember: Wednesday, Dec. 22, 10:30 a.m., Whitewater access. Don't miss it. It's a great way to meet fellow trout fishing enthusiasts while doing your part for trout fishing in Georgia. Just wear warm clothes. It's supposed to warm up later in the day, but those morning hours might be cold!

Next time: More last minute holiday gift ideas for Georgia fly fishers!

Copyright 2010 Steve Hudson. All rights reserved.