Georgia game and fish [Vol. 10, no. 1 (Spring 1961)]

Sauger-Georgia's Newest Resident Flint River Bass A Decade of Progress

GEORGIA GAME AND FISH
Published twice annually by the Georgia Game and Fish Commission in the interest of wildlife and for fishermen, hunters, nature lovers, and conservationists.
STATE OF G E0 R G lA

IN THIS ISSUE

ERNEST VANDIVER, Governor

COMMISSIONERS

Richard Tift, Chairman-Second District

J . T. Trapnell, Metter First District

Flannery Pope, Dublin Sixth District

Wm. E. Smith, Americus J. B. Langford, Jr., Calhoun

Third District

Seventh District

William Z. Camp, ewna n A. J . Hopkins, Jr. , Folkston

Fourth District

Eighth District

C. L. Davidson, Jr. Avondale Estate
Fifth District

Billy Wikle, Clarkesville Ninth District
L. L. Couch, Lexington Tenth District

James Goethe, Savannah, Coastal Area

FULTON LOVELL, Director
DIVISION CHIEFS
Clifford P. Palmer_ ____________________ Enforcement George C. Moore ______________ ___ Game lVIanagement Bob Short_ _______________ Education and Informati on Fred J. Dickson ______ ~------------ Fish Management Tom Sanders ______ __ ____________ _____ __ ___ License
David Gould ------------- _____ Executi ve Assistant Vennie M. Jones__________________ __ ___ Bookkeeping George Creal _________ __ _______ __ ________ Personnel

FEDERAL AID DIVISION
Jack Crockford __ _________ __ _______ Pittman-Robertson
Howard Zeller_ _____________________ Dingell-Johnson

Page Fulton Lovell --------------------------------- 3

Georgia' ew Resident

tj.

The True Meaning -----

6

Letters to the Ed itor -- - ------------------ _____ _ 7 Boatin g with David Gould __________________ . __ _ u0

Fish Diseases __ ------------------------------- 10 Kids and Wildlife _____ ---- ------ -------------- 12

Fly Tying ____ ----------------------------- 14 Flint Ri ver Bass _____ -------------------------- 16

Wildlife Rubai yat ----------------------------- 18 Lake Seminole _______ ------------ ______ ______ 20

Farm Pond Weeds ------------------ - ----- - ---- 22 Inside Outdoors __________ ------------------ 27

EDITORIAL OFFICES-401 State Capitol, Atlanta 3, Georgia

BOB SHORT Editor

BILL BAAB Photographer

NANCY BELK Circulation

FISHING EDITION

Vol. 10, No. 1

Published by the Geocgia Game and Fish Commission, 401 State Capitol , Atlanta 3, Georgia , in the interest of Georg ia wildlife and for fishermen , hunters, nature lovers and conservation of natural resources. There is no subscription fee--this publication is free and is pa1d for by the purchase of fishing and hunting licenses. Please notify us at once of any change of address. Contents of this magazine may be reprinted with proper credit. This publication welcomes pictures, drawings, stories and articles dea ling with out doo r subjects for consideration. No contributions will be returned unless so11c1ted by authonzed party re p resenting Game & Fish Commission and accompanied by s u ff icient postage. Entered as third class postage.

Editorial
A DECADE OF PROGRESS
1 n conservation

(Editor's Note: Fulton Lovell has served as Director of Georgia's Game and Fish Commission for the past decade . He has seen it grow
from a fledgling infant into a responsible, close-knit organization. In this story, Lovell takes a close look at conservation, its history, and status in national, state and community life.)

FULTON LOVELL

BY FULTO LOVELL
Director Game and Fish Commission Conservation is a word that is often used, but seldom really understood. Taken literally, it could mean to save . . . to hoard. But conservation in terms of natural resources is far from saving or hoarding. In this sense, it simply means to use wisely. Like the old miser who hoards his money and gets little u e from it. He's as bad off as the spendthrift who goes recklessly through his possession. The REAL con servationist is the man who invests his money wisely and puts it to work for him. So, conservation i really an investment. When Georgia's first settlers landed, the state was a vast and untapped region whose forests were filled with

game and whose streams teemed with fish . . . an honest-to-goodness wonderland of natural resources whose conservation wa provided by nature herself.
It was an unexplored region, as yet unhampered by the intervention of man. That is, almost.
For in those days, Georgia had already become a frontier in the new world for settlers in the community of Savannah. And soon, their numbers increa ed as more and more people found homes in this beautiful and resourceful land of milk and honey.
In the very beginning, these new Georgians, like their pioneer brothers up and down the Atiant1c coast, found they must depend on natural resources for their own survival.
-Continued on page 24

Qu ite a chang e has occur red in Georg ia 's Wildlife Rangers during th e po~t decode . . . they're better equipped to do a bette r job.

4
I

,.

3

Biologist's Aide Doug Heddon stocks Oliver Lake while others watch.

Georgia's nevv resident
THE SA lG ER

By BILL BAAB
A streamlined, flashy fish that fights tenaciously and tastes even better than it fights, has been released in five major Georgia reservoir .
The sauaer (Stizostedion canadense} a kissin' cousin to the walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) were borrowed from Tenne see in Alabama for relea e in Georgia waters.
The tailwaters of Hartwell, Sinclair, Oliver, Goat Rock and Bartletts Ferry now contain "experimental" tocking of the fish. These stocking were made after tudie by Georgia Game and Fish Commission biologists showed that some of the state's waters were suitable for them.
It may be year before the fish become established. Commi ion biologists can only take care of stockingafter that, Mother ature takes over.
Of course, adding such fish as bluegill and bass to lake or rivers in which numbers of the same species
Deborah Williams, 7, of Fortson, Ga ., finds sauger's teeth sharp.

abound is worthless. However, when biologists find more forage fish than game fish , it is practical to see if the

addition of a new species-either new to the state or the

waters in which it is stocked-is worthwhile. Forage fish

are those upon which game fish feed.

Studies made by biologists on the waters into which

saucbrer were stocked showed there were enough of these "food fish" to support another game fish.

Fi heries Biologi t Howard Zeller pointed out that the white bass, al o tocked as an experiment, came out

in force last year while this year's forecast is for a

"bumper crop." If you happen to be one of those anglers who never
heard of the sauger, you might a k, "Why was the

auger stocked?" Well there is no one reason for the stocking. The

sauger,' popular with fishermen along the Tennessee River, is predominantly a "winter-biter"; that is, it is caught

in the greatest numbers between ovemher and March.

Commission biologists felt the sauger would greatly supplement winter fishing in the state. It is during these

cold months before the sauger starts its "runs," finally congregating in large numbers below dams.
In all, biologists stocked more than 700 spawning sized fish-weighing between one and three pounds. A

five-pound sauger would be a lunker. World record for the fi h is eight pounds, three ounces.

Little is known about this fish's habits. It is true,

however, that sauger make spawning runs up tributaries

and small rivers. Biologists say its spawning methods

are a great deal like the walleye's.

.

Walleye are haphazard spawners, scattering their eggs

here and there and leaving them to their fate.

Unlike walleye, sauger prefer comparatively warm,

swift-moving waters to frigid, rockbound lakes. It is sensitive to light like its cousin and stays in the dark,

deep depths during the summer months. If you were to place a sauger and walleye side by side,

you'd probably think both were one and the same fish. However, if you looked closely at the dorsal fin- the fin

on top closest to the head of the fish-you would see that the walleye's is clear, while the sauger's has many dark

spots. The sauger's body also has deep, chocolate-brown splotches not found on the walleye.

~anger Castleberry, right, points out 1 difference between the walleye W.
S. Smith holds and sauger.

And so, the sauger, if successfully established, could well be on the way of becoming an old favorite with Georgia fishermen.
This fish, however, is not the only "new fish" that has been added to Georgia waters. During the past 10 years, the Game and Fish Commission has provided three others for which the angler may cast.
Let's take a brief look into the past to see just what has occurred in the state's waters.
The white bass, very popular in fishermen's circles, was first introduced into 10 reservoirs and one river back in 1953. Compared to other game fish, its size is small. Its popularity stems from the fact that it "pulls" like a tarpon. Average weight of this fish is two and one-half to three pounds.
This year's runs are expected to be king-size as compared to 1960's.
Lake Blackshear and the Broad River in upper Clark Hill Reservoir should provide the ultra-ultimate in sport to seekers of this fish.
Another "experimental stocking" prograin took place some seven years ago when biologists introduced a major

"Yankee" sportsfish into two north Georgia lakes, Burton and Blue Ridge.
The muskie apparently did not "catch on" in Burton, but Blue Ridge fared well.
Then we come to the walleye, main ubject of a stocking program started in July of 1955. Lake Burton, Blue Ridge, Allatoona and Rabun were among the first to supply homes for this fish.
Few walleye have been caught since the stocking took place, but biologists say the fish will not have reached its potential as a game fish until two or three more years have passed.
Game and Fish Commi sion biologists are continuing their never-ending search for "new" gamefish for Georgia game fishermen.
A glance into the future shows untroubled waters lie ahead.
But getting back to the sauger, we ee one doubtful fact about this fish, one we'll let you decide for yourself.
And that is: whether it tastes better than channel catfish.

Left photo shows Ranger David Castleberry, Chief Ranger L. P. Cotton, Muscog~e C?unty Policeman J.. H. Green and Police Capt. C. B. f a ison examining sauger at Oliver Lake; fish at right missed bucket bemg f1lled by Carlton N1chols, but was unharmed .

THE TRUE MEANING

By FLA ERY POPE
The author, a member of the Georgia Game and Fish Commission, is one of the state's foremost conservationists
and sportsmen. He believes citizens of today must face up and solve problems of our natural resources
if future generations are to enjoy them.

Iorth America once possessed an abundance of wild life unsurpassed by any other continent. What has hap pened to it, what uses it has, and will, serve in American civilization are matters of both practical and sentimental interest.
Conservation agencies have taken a realistic viewpoint toward natural resources, based on more than a quarter of a century of experience gained in dealing with preser vation of one of the nation 's greatest natural assets.
Three concepts are considered to form the basis of the conservation movement: (l ) that soil, water, forest and wildlife conservation are only parts of one inseparable program; (2) that wildlife must have an environment suited to its needs if it is to survive and , (3) that any u e that is made of a resource must be limited to not more than the annual increa e if the essential seed stock is to be continually available.
These three concepts are the basis of present wildlife and forest conservation programs. A multitude of details remain to be worked out. It is essen tial that the tech nique and tools of the future be radically altered from time to time as knowledge increases and conditions change. It is my belief, however, that no amount of research and study will change these three basic concepts.
Despite his tools, his machines and all his progress through the ages, man has always been, and still is, dependent on plants and animals for subsistence and protection against the elements.
Fruits, vegetables and seeds of many kinds are his essential foods and cotton, flax and other plant fibers are indispensable for clothing. Meat, fish, shellfish and many other products of the animal world are part of his diet and wool, hair and the skins of animals provide his clothing and shoes, as well as a multitude of other neces s i ties .
6

Primitive man gathered such wHd fruits , seeds and tubers as chance provided and depended on his skill in the chase to obtain meat and fi h . The various Indian tribes of this country, which had advanced to the new stone age when white man first saw him, gathered the seeds of wild rice, smartweed, tubers of the groundnut and of the wapato or arrowhead lilly, as well as the starchy roots of the bitter root.
Some tribes cultivated small patches of corn, potatoes and other vegetables and developed great skill in hunt ing the variety of wild animals and birds that provided their fleshy food.
Modern man has developed numerous varieties of cultivated plants and have a great range of foods from which to choose. He has also developed a complex and rapid transportation system that enables him to enjoy the seasonal products of not only one community, but also those located thousands of miles away.
He gets his meat, eggs, hides, wool and other commod ities from domesticated mammals and birds. Animal and plant life from all over the world are available at a price to any community desiring them.
The combination of man's development of domestic varieties and of a mighty transportation system tends to obscure the fact that he still is dependent on plants and animals for his con tinued existence. If all plant and animal life were to become unavailable, human life would quickly vanish from the earth.
Wildlife has helped to write American history. The early colonists, after a long voyage across the Atlantic, reached American shores almost without food. When they found the great forests full of deer, moose, partridges, wild turkeys, ducks and pigeons, they felt real cause for thanksgiving.
In early diaries, explorers tell of trout, river shad,

herring, bass, pike and leaping salmon so abundant that they could be scooped from the water with little effort. Wild game and fish provided much needed food for the pioneers.
When virgin forests, prairie and swamps are trans formed into farmland, the day by day existence of wildlife are thrown into confusion. Big game, particularly, begins to disappear.
As our nation expanded in population, sight was lost of the true value of natural resources. Precious water was drained and became polluted; mighty dams prevented the annual spawning runs of migratory fishthese facts, plus man's thoughtless waste of fish and wildlife so depleted them that President Theodore Roosevelt became concerned over the final results and called together the first conference ever assembled to discuss problems of conservation.

Today, many of our citizens have come to depend on wildlife and fish as our greatest recreational asset. Presently, there are more hunters and fishermen than football, baseball, golf, and tennis fans combined.
We must realize this as we come face to face with the challenges ahead. As public participation in hunting and fishing grows, so do the problems of management.
One could hardly do better than Kubla Khan of old, who Marco Polo said, not only forbade that game be killed during the months from March through October, but even went so far as to order that millet be planted along roadsides and in waste areas to encourage the propagation of quail and partridge.
Although there are dark spots in the past, the future of wildlife today is bright. Where wise conservation has been applied for a few years, results are already apparent.

LANIER LUNKER One of the largest bass re-
ported from lake Lanier this spring was caught by JOHN C. FORKNER of Avondale Estates. Mr. Forkner caught his prize-10 pounds, one ounce-while trolling with a yellow bomber near Baldridge creek. Mr. Forkner, incidentally, is next door neighbor and fishing companion of Game and Fish Com-
missioner CHARLES DAVIDSON, JR. of Avondale Es-
tates. Speaking of Lake Lanier we received the following
letter from Paul Goza, 2080 Briarcliff Road, Atlanta:
Dear Sir:
There were several reports last week of two fishermen at Lake Lanier catching and keeping over 700 crappie in one day. There were also numerous reports of catche of over one hundred crappie per man per single day.
None of these reported catches were witnessed by the writer and it is perhaps a very good thing that I did not see any of the catches as I probably just might be in serious trouble now.
The State of Georgia law limits the catch of crappie to 40 per man per day. But, there doesn't seem to be anything further done about it.
SEEKS TO HELP
Is there anything you know for any of us to do that might help to prevent such happenings? Real sportsmen resent slaughter of any game. No two men and their families could possibly use or give away that many fish. First, gamehogs of this kind just couldn't have many friends, anyway. Also, even though the fish are stored

in a deep freeze they would get old before they could be eaten.
It is impossible to shame men like that into obeying the law or getting them to think of all the other fishermen that would have like to have caught even less than their limit of these fish. But, something should be done! What?
Well, Mr. Goza, something IS being done. While I wouldn't put it past some people to catch 700 crappies a day, I seriously doubt if this is true. Game and Fish rangers on Lake Lanier do a good job of patrolling and checking fishermen. Also, there is a creel census man who checks the stringers of many fishermen. Unless an angler in keeping his luck a "deep, dark secret," ranger or creel census clerks will find out about their "success."
SHRIMP MEASURE Action is pending on a bill in Congress to control imports of shrimp.
Several Southern congressmen, including Georgia's Sen. HERMAN E. TALMADGE, have introduced a measure which would place an annual duty on free imports of shrimp in an amount equal to the total import of processed and unprocessed shrimp in 1950. Processed shrimp would be subject to a 35 cent ad valorem, with a minimum duty of 35 cents a pound. The solons said, in a prepared statement, that the proposal "is not intended to effect a cutback in the United States' import of shrimp, but simply to provide controls to runway importations that have depressed 19rices beyond the point where producers can profitably operate." Several Georgia processers have voiced sentiments m favor of some method of controlling imports.
7

lNG
with David Gould

Common sense tells on e ho w to prope rl y board a boat. Ste p as near as possible to the center of the boat, with gear piled close at hand on the pi er. The n, while seated , lift the gear into the boat. It might save you from an unexpected dunking . The man at the bottom is in trouble . He stepped on th e gunwal e of his boat at the pier with his arms loaded with gear and the boat slid away, leaving him in a bad pred icame nt.
8

The "Rules of the Road" in boating are old stuff to many boaters and most novices have read and studied them. Still, it's amazing to observe the great majority of boaters who fail to practice them.
These "Rules of the Road" were established for all boaters to follow, just as auto drivers observe traffic laws. In boating, just as in driving, it is essential that all skippers know the right thing to do in heavy traffic.
Every boater, regardless of whether he's a weekender or an everydayer, should know these basic boating "Rules of the Road":
Always bear to the right when meeting another boat to avoid collision. A boat should always give way to another in its "danger" zone by altering its course. For you landlubbers, the danger zone is that area from dead ahead to two points abaft the starboard beam- in other words, a boat approaching from the right.
If a boat approaches from your left-or port-side, you have the right of way and the other craft must yield. Always be sure, however, that the other fellow intends to yield before you take anything for granted. In meeting a boat to your portside, it is advisable to reduce the speed of your craft until you are sure of the other skipper's intentions.
When overtaking or passing another boat, always steer clear of the boat you are overtaking. If your craft is larger or has a deep draft, it is good manners for the skipper of the smaller boat to pull over and let the larger craft pass. This is one situation where it is not wise for the outboard skipper to insist on the right of way.
All kippers, yo ung and old, know that sailboats have the right of way over power boats. Some of them do not know, however, that in the unlikely possibility of a power boat being overtaken by a sail, the power boat has the right of way.
If you ever happen to have an occasion to pass closely to a sailboat, do so slowly and on the leeward side (the

side on which the sail is carrying its main boom). This helps to avoid disturbance from your wake.
Courtesy always requires that racing sailboats be given a wide berth.
One of the biggest gripes fishermen have against boaters is their failure to use caution when approaching anglers' boats. Fishing boats with nets, lines or trawls out, whether anchored or underway, should be passed with caution.
Fishermen can do their share to make the situation more harmonious by never throwing anchor in a channel or fairway. Nobody has right of way in these areas unless they are "j ust passing through."
When leaving docks, slips, piers or wharves, boaters must proceed with caution. No skipper can claim right of way for his boat until it is in open water- entirely clear.

Boats going downstream or down current in moving water have the right of way over boats moving upstream.
Power boats actually have the right of way over tugs and barges, but wise skippers yield to these types of vessels because of their poor maneuverability and lack of speed.
Good skippers always investigate any hint of trouble in case of accident or mishap. While thi is not a written rule of the road, it is the courteous thing to do, even if the mishap i not serious. Serious accidents, of cour e, demand immediate action on the part of the skipper.
One rule that cannot be outlined or perhaps even explained is that one that insists boaters use common sense, whenever and wherever possible.
Yet, use of common sense afloat is the basis of every afety tip and feature that can be offered.

A water skiing flag, designed as a safety measure for water skiiers, has been approved by the American Water Ski Association. The flag flies amidships opposite the driver's seat and indicates to other boaters that the boat in which it is flying is busy pulling water skiiers.


'
Biologist Howard Zeller gets closeup view of harmful fish bacteria.
10

against FISH DISEASES

Fish blight statistics have mounted at an alarming rate during the past few years, literally scaring the daylights out of hundreds of the nation's most avid anglers.
But now comes word from fishery biologists that, happily, dampen some of the fears. Blight, they say, may be no worse than it was 50 years ago. The old-timers just didn't keep the best sort of records on numerous diseases common to almost every stream and river in the country. Today's biologists do.
They are backed by an increasing demand by anglers throughout the country for better fishing and healthier catches. Georgia is in the forefront among the states that are upgrading fishing yields through biological research.
Fish kills resulting from various diseases spring up in Georgia occasionally, the latest ones on Lakes Blackshear, Clark Hill and Seminole and hundreds of farm ponds, where blights caused anglers undue alarm.
An epidemic of bacterial disease struck Blackshear recently and with it came widespread alarm that the lake's fabulous fishing would be ruined.
A thorough investigation of the situation by fishery biologists, however, revealed only a slight outbreak of a bacterial disease that soon cleared up without damage to the fish population.
It could be compared to an epidemic of measles 01 mumps among humans.
Fish kills are caused by many things--pollution, natural causes, diseases of various types and sometimes simply by water fluctuations.
Most shad kills result from severe temperature changes in water. These fish are affected by the slightest amount of pollution and even slight temperature changes.
Many fish die from diseases caused by bacteria, virus, water molds and parasites.
Parasites such as copepods (water animals) and glochidia (larvae stage of fresh water mussels) prey on the gills and bodies of fish, causing them injury.
There are also many types of internal parasites that prove the undoing of fish.
Most common fish diseases in Georgia are Columnaris, red sore, fungus diseases, fin rot, external parasites, blood and virus diseases.
Columnaris, a bacterial disease most commonly found in summer, is one of the leading fish destroyers in the state. This infection causes sores on the body of the fish

and is recognized by the "cotton" inside the affected fish's mouth.
Red sores caused by a bacterial infection are one of the most gruesome diseases found anywhere. It causes unsightly sores and boils that are repulsive to fishermen. Fish that are severely infected will have pinkish skin with hemorrhages under the skin. This particular infection is mo_st common in spring and fall.
Fungus diseases usually occur following epidemics of bacterial diseases. This type of infection also may be found among fish that have sustained injuries or have been handled extensively. It causes a greyish or brownish growth, usually fuzzy, from the affected spot.
Fin rot is another gruesome and unsightly fish disease. While it does not appear as cancerous as red sores, it causes a progressive degeneration of fish fins and sometimes is so bad that it is almost too gruesome to see. Fin rot is caused by a bacteria and may turn up during any part of the year.
External parasite, too, take their toll of game fish that could wind up on the stringer of some happy fisherman. These parasites are hard to see and usually show up as little black specs on the gills or fins of fish.
Kidney ailments, anemia and various nutritional diseases are more common in brown, brook and rainbow trout than other varieties found in Georgia.
Anemia is more a symptom to disease than a disease in itself. Any factor that lowers the resistance increases the possibility of disease. Anemia is one of the leading causes of low resistance.
Ichthyophtherius is another fish crippler but, unlike many of the other diseases, is difficult to treat. Fish infested with this disease may show signs of distress by rubbing on the bottom of a lake or pond. Its body may have grayish-white pimples or irregular patches. During the disease's later stages, the fish may become sluggish and lie quietly at the edge of the lake or pond.
The State Game and Fish Commission will soon be equipped with the facilities to investigate and possibly eliminate almost all types of fish diseases.
An ultra-modern laboratory is under construction at Fort Valley. The new edifice with its scientific equipment will be the headquarters for the Commission's fishery research unit.
This will mean bigger and healthier catches for Georgia anglers through modern fishery management.

11

Six-year-old Mickey Murphy of Atlanta and Smokey the Bear get along famously.
12

Kids are fascinated by wildlife.
And, Nature's wild creatures seem to show affection for kids.
This was dramatically proven at the State Game and Fish Commission's outdoor exhibit during National Wildlife Week.
Smoky the Raccoon captured the show, but the entire menagerie ap pealed to the children. From cribsitters to near-grown thumbsuckers, all enjoyed the unrehearsed antics of the native Georgia game and fish dis played by the Commission's Educa tion and Information division.
The exhibit was erected for a pur pose - to emphasize the theme of Wildlife Week "Multiple Use of our Natural Resources."
Included in the exhibit was a water fall that supplied water for a lake, teeming with bass, bream and shell crackers; Georgia's native game in their natural environment; a properly equipped boat from the Commission's water safety unit ; Smokey the Bear, emphasizing the hazards of forest fires and an exhibit from the State Parks Department.
But the animal stole the show, as far as kids were concerned. While they may be too young to understand the complexities of conservation, they were all willing to admit that animals are fun whether they hunt them or not.
Smoky the Raccoon likes vanilla wafers and finds friend in Atlantan Stanley Hurder, 10.
Opposite page : "Ohhhhh! Just listen to him hiss!" Albert the Alligator fascinates and scores these children.

Linda Davis, 8, of Atlanta, finds mounted trophy buck almost al ive.
ttnd wildlife

- Photos by Darrell Thompson

flshing

Y/(J ~
.-~

for Georgia Trout

Trout referred to in this article are the cold water fish found in the north Georgia mountains. They are not the coastal Sea Trout (weakfish) or the south Georgia green trout, the name some anglers gives basses of the sunfish family.

HJ:STORY
Fly fishing is a very old sport. Earli est records on angling for trout with wet and dry flies date back to around 400 B.C. in Macedonia. When Roman Legions captured this area, fly fishing was one of the top sporting events. The idea spread into other countries and was soon discovered by the Franks, Gauls,
ormans and Celts.
Fly fishermen through the years have developed four principal ideas of ap proaching wily trout. They are with (a) attracters, a fly that does not represent anything but aggravates the fi h for a strike; (b) deceivers, flies that repre sent a "goody" so trout are usually willing to gulp them down. These flies usually represent water insects ; (c) sunken flies, which are fished on the bottom of a stream. This type is usually an attracter; and, (d) floating flies, which are fished on the surface and can be considered deceiver flies.

TRO'UT FOODS

t

Trout are coldwater fish. This means that, during the winter months, they do not slow down their feeding habits.

Stone A trout's winter food supply Creeper comes in the form of three

I

ancient insects : stone creepers, caddis and may flies. The stone creeper is an insect found in swift streams, usually hanging

C:oddis
.\W',~o,rm~ I

May Fly (Dunn)
to the bottom of rocks. The caddis fly, or stick bait, lives in drifts, clinging to submerged stick and stones. May flies closely resemble the stone creeper in the nymph stage. They are considered a real delicacy by trout. During hatching, the nymph comes to the surface, sheds its old skin and takes on its flying stage of development. Trout may be seen during this period leaping from the water to feed on this insect. During warm weather, trout feed on ants, minnows, crayfish and many forms of land life.

Many of the tools for fly tying can be found around the house.
( 1) Plastic airplane model cement has a tendency to melt nylon tying thread and thus makes a good bond.
{2) Straight pins, taken from a new shirt, are used to pick out wrapped down hackles and open cemented eyes on hooks.
(3) Fly tier's vise. (4) A shop vise can substitute but

requires considerably more work space. (5) Bee's wax waterproof thread.
(6) Nylon thread, the smaller the size the better.
(7) Bobbin holds thread and makes neater wrappings.
(8) Cuticle scissors for cutting.
(9) Commercial pliers for many jobs.
(10) Clothes pins sometimes substi tute for pliers.

:MAT;ERJ:ALS------y--------,

0\~\?0 r: ~ . ry~~
0 0~/0J 0

Every fly tyer should have the fol and black barred.

lowing materials:

(11) Golden Pheasant, yellow, gold,

(1) Squirrel hair. (2) Size .025 lead wire. (3 ) Tinsel, size .015.

black barred. (12) Teal or Mallard duck feathers. (13) Wood or Mandarin duck feath-

(4) Hackle stem, stripped and flat ers.

tened, makes a good insect body imi-

(14) and (15) Rooster hackle, taken

tation. (5) and (6) Peacock and Ostrich

from three-year-old bird. Hackles are found on the neck and side or saddle.

plume for wooly worm types of bodies.

(16) Partridge or grouse hackles.

(7) Silk floss makes a smooth, glossy

(17) Yellow hammer,

body, which is usually wrapped with English Pover or Scotch

tensil.

Grouse Pointer quills.

(8) Wool.

These should be soaked

(9) Turkey tail.

overnight, stripped and

(10) Lady Amherst Pheasant, white split.

:aooxs-------------~

APRIL~~ {r="-:<:::-o:v;' fu~~ ~{d~:::. ~0 ~~{~~IZ~E~16

~2

~~

Qile1a

:J~~

Round

Gripper

Barb less

limerick

:)' :J J. ~

Sproat

Sneck

Salmon

The best makes of hooks for fly tying are those manufactured by the English and orwegians. Ordinarily, hooks made in the United States are soft tempered and do not come in the desired bend and size. The first three columns give an idea of what size hook to use

in a given month on six to nine-inch trout. Usually larger hooks are used in high water. Although every angler has his own idea on what shape of hook to use, the round bend ones are more commonly used.

:t ~;;rG ~LY~ ~,-~1Jill?-
~ I ~ !Y (j) {\:'~. ~;
Nylon Thread Drawn Heavy
P.r#

To tie dry flies, an angler should follow this procedure:
(1) Place hook in vise. Make one turn clockwise with waxed thread. (2 ) Make four more winds, keeping the nylon thread in neat ovals. (3) With index finger, make loop in thread and tie down. Two or three of these knots should be made after each step to keep the fly from unraveling. (4) Take a rooster hackle and wrap three turns around the base of the feather. Pinch it with your left thumb and index finger. Draw the thread tightly around the hook. Take several more turns of thread

and knot it as in Step 3. (5 ) Cut tail piece from feather. (6) Tie down as in Step 4. (7) Wrap wool clockwise on two-thirds of the hook. (8 ) Then, wrap tinsel over the top of the wool to give it a ribbed effect. (9 ) Grasp end of hackle with pliers or clothes pin and wind clockwise until most of hackle is used up. (10 ) Tie hackle tip down with thread and knot it several times to secure the fly. Apply several coats of cement. The cement will tend to melt the thread and form a firm head on the fly. T wo or three hackles may be tied to give the desired color effect.

A leader is the connector between the line and hook. In Georgia, trout streams are usually fairly small so a three or four-foot leader is sufficient to fit most occasions. On larger streams, such as the Chattahoochee and Chattooga Rivers, six to nine-foot leaders are a good bet. The reason for tapered leaders is to have a thorough ta pered flow for easy casting and to have the smallest size of nylon next to the fish.
The illustration pictured on this page shows the minimum size leader for hot, summertime small stream fishing. Trout are usually shy during the hot weather, low water period so nylon is recommended.
The knots pictured are standa rd leader knots The eyeknot is a nonslip direct pull knot. The blood knot is the best connector that has ever come along. The two danglers make good droppers for using two or more lures. Fingernail clippers are the best thing for close trimming of knots. The splice is for loops on the end of fl y lines. It works best on small and tapered lines. Large lines make it too bulky.

TYJ:NG THE WET P'LY
b

Wet flies are tied in the following manner:
( 1) Soak pointer quills overnight to soften them. Then, split back fibers off, leaving some of the quill for support. (2) Wrap lead wire around hook as illustrated. WARNING: do not use more than THREE OR FOUR turns of wire. In fly casting, the weight of the line, not the lure, assists in the cast. A heavy lure is uncontrollable and often dangerous. Follow steps One, Two,

Three, Five and Six in tying the dry fly. (3) Tinsel is tied down, then the back fibers of the pointer quill. Be sure to leave enough base to hold the fibers. Wool is tied down. Wrap thread around the lead to give a body shape. Tinsel is then wrapped around the hook and tied down. When this has been done, wrap with wool and (4) tie. (5 ) Wind down the pointer quill and (6 ) tie. The head of the fly is then cemented down as in the dry fly.

LEADERS

n ~-

~ J!HJ!J!:- ~ ~ -

~ ~ ~ -:: M N -

L re-=? ;... BLOOD

- -G..
~ ~

...... >
~
~::::f:

~ A CT UAL SIZE

EYE KNOT

KNOT

JAM KNOT

SPLICE

ro<qft ~ I-~ L_~ _~ ..:;9-:2:..:.~ .:1bs;:._~_~zc.;.7;...-.;t;:.:L:-.__~ ..:;;~ S"-.7-=~Ibs --.oi.S~ibs~1~--~3.1~bs --~2.1~bs --~l.lb--
Jft

J:N CONCL't.JSJ:ON
To catch a fish on a lure, particularly one you have made yourself, gives you a feelin g of personal accomplishment. It is not just taking something home to show the folk s, but a genuine feeling of accomplishment when you have outwitted a clever creature like the shy and spirited tro ut. To catch such a wily little fellow demands all the tricks of the trade--spying, stalking, and a great skill for casting. All of these things combine to make fly fishing for trout one of the greatest outdoor sports.
Fly fishing has lost popularity over the years due to the high cost of the lures. But with the do-it-yo urself age came a new outlook for a bright and prosperous future. All it takes is a few squirrel tails from last fall's hunts and a visit to the hen house to borrow feathers to put you in a very enjoyable business.

Flint River BASS

... almost in!
16

By BOB SHORT
I asked C. B. Cox, the shooting preserve operator from Camilla, to show me where I could find some Flint River "smallmouth" bass. He took me to a place just a few bends in the river from his place and introduced me to some of the finest fishing a man could ask for.
At the time, the experts were disagreeing over our quarry. Some said it was a true smallmouth bass, while others insisted it was an offspring of the famed Chipola River bass. Dr. Reeve Bailey, the coosae expert, positively identified it as the Coastal Plain Coosae (redeye ).
Regardless of what you call it, this Flint River bass is worth looking up. They grow up to eight pounds and fight with amazing strength, resisting every inch from the time they tuke the lure until they are on a stringer. The most amazing thing about them, however, is that they are caught consistently and do not have the stubborn traits of their largemouth cousins.
Although there is no particularly "best" time to fish for the famed fighters, both C. B. and Fishery Biologist Howard Zeller recommend the months between October and January, when the river is low and clear.
Any type of bait seems satisfactory. Many anglers use plugs, while others are equally successful with plastic worms and live baiL

Donald Hays, RFD 1, Camilla, Ga ., lands a fivepound Coosa on the Flint River. Note distinc tive markings of Coosa bass. Picture was used under microscope for scale count and positi ve identification.
Jim Carson, Atlanta, nets one for C. B. Cox, owner of Riverview Quail Preserve, Camilla.
17

The RUBAIYAT
of
AMERICAN WILDLIFE

By GUY G. GERMANO*

Still shines the sun that years ago beheld Abundant fauna on the American veld, Spread gen'rous warmth on game and plants below So habitat and balance be upheld.

The bison, monarch of the western plains, By millions roamed in search of grass and rains, Frightened the countle s antelope that grazed, Moved north and west to ease their growing pains.

The wondrous game that in glad yesteryear Was wont to grace our prairies and frontier Is well-nigh gone, and so are they who slew It needlessly, nor shed a penitent tear.

Passenger pigeons in their awesome way In flight were wont to make a night of day; Wild geese and ducks were legion in the sky, White crane and heron on the flats held sway.

God's creatures roamed our land from north to south, Rested on lakes, wallowed in river mouth, Darkened the skies in mi gratory flight, Or sought green pa ture to escape the drought.

The wolf and grizzly haunted bison flanks, Sniped snow-mired moose and caribou in the shanks; The wolverine in his pernicious way On the unlucky played voracious pranks.

-U. S. Forestry Service Photo by Donald 0 . Todd
18

While bighorns on the rocky crags and peaks Raised fruitful flocks on guard against such sneaks As predatory cougar, coyote, lynx, Which, lurking 'round , to ea e his hunger, eek
And mountain goats in dress of nowy white, With beard and horns were a most thrilling sight In habitat where elk is tyrant prince, And vigor, size and strength determines right.
Sleek, busy beavers dammed the lowland streams, Deer by the million- as in sportsmen's dreams; Wild turkey, boar, the black bear and the foxAll shared the wildlife paradise, it seems.
Rabbits and squirrels- like leaves upon the trees; Plump dove and quail- like swarming hives of bees; So wete they then, before the onslaught came; But now, where does one see the like of these?
Look: grouse and martin, mink and prairie chicken So numerous to make the sport heart quicken; Plus walrus, musk ox, brown and polar bear; Once gone, will not our puny conscience sicken?
Such was the North America of yore With unpolluted stream and clean lake shore, Wild fowl and game in generous supplyrow disappearing, to be seen no more?
For, as the growing, greedy centuries turned, Prairies were lacerated, forests burned, The mountains tunneled and the rivers spannedToo little for earth's future has man yearned.

Oregon Game Comm ission
As fact-ries spring and railroads cross the plain, Shacks, mines and lumber camps mar the terrain ; Dark smoke and fumes pollute the once-pure air, Foul chemicals add poi on to the rain.
Our wildlife of the air, or stream , or field Had, inch by inch, its habitat to yield ; Were sacrificed in name of "progress," "growth"The need for restoration stands revealed.
Still shines the sun, but it may shine still less On majesties and fauna of wilderness; Ou.r heritage wanes, may be full-spent, except Widespread game management we now impress.
Author of articles or verses in Educa tion, Georgia Game and F ish , Pen, The Hunter's Horn, North Dakota Outdoors, T ennessee Conserv ationist, School Executive's Magazine, Guns and Hunting.

Angler snags big 'un in quiet cove.

........

Lake SEMINOLE

KEY TO PUBLIC FISHING WATERS
@ l""laHING CAMr. WITH BOAT RENTAt..a, P'laHER
MEN P'ACILITIES AND LAUNCHING RAMP'a .

HARD 8UR,.AC BOAT LAUNCHING RAMPa.
Q OTHER BOAT LAUNCHING RAM,.a.
0 PUBLIC ACCE8S TO WATER . NO LAUNCHING
RAMPS .

-

HARD SURFACED PAVI:D ROADS .

-=-:a I"UAOYE.O ROADS .

.. UNIMPROVED ROADS.

0

2

GEORGIA
FLORiDA---

Smallfry finds two pounder big.
f

Fishermen can ca t for bass from one side of their boat and pin for bream from the other in Georgia's newest and best year 'round fishing heaven.
Perhaps this is stretching the point just a little, but 37,500-acre Lake Seminole is known throughout the state for its fantastic bass and bream population .
Fish make a habit of going early to bed and rising early in the lake, located in the emi-tropical climes of southwest Georgia where the Flint and Chattahoochee Rivers merge.
It is a shallow lake, compared to others in the state. This account for the excellent bream fishing found there all year long. Bream beds are not mea ured in feet at Seminole, but in acres.
Bass start hitting a little earlier here than in the more northern lakes. Best catches are made during April and May, but good to excellent bass fishing extends on into fall and early winter.
Average weight of Seminole black bass is not known,



fishing HOT SPOT

Veteran guide Floyd Miller helped land these beauties.

but confirmed reports of 10 and 14-pound-plus bass have been received. Earlier this year, an unconfirmed report of a 15-pound, four-ounce largemouth was delivered to the home office of the Game and Fish Commission in Atlanta.
An avid angler armed with flyrod and popping bug can devastate the bream during the spawning season of April, May and June. Acres and acres of shallow, grassy flats make up the bream's nursery during that period and those seeking their first limit of 70 panfish can usually fulfill that wish in a day's outing.
It is these beds, however, that the angler would do well to mark for future reference.
Largemouth bass make early morning, evening and night raids upon these spawning areas seeking food in whatever shape or form they can get it.
Wise fishermen, after having marked the beds with luminescent tape attached to a nearby tree so they can find it with the aid of flashlight after dark, return to the area and ply the waters with noisy, top-water plugs.
It is in Lake Seminole, too, that anglers weary of hauling in bass and bream can seek out the hiding places of the chain pickerel, better known as "jack."
The large acreage of grassy flatlands averaging from two to four and one-half feet in depth literally swarm with these streamlined fighting fish. "Jack" of 24 to 30 inches in length continually fiU up the boat wells.
Local anglers have found the silver spoon and porkrind combination to be the best lure for these fish. By holding the rod tip high and reeling like crazy, the angler can make even the most lazy of this clan rush forward with tooth-filled jaws agape and trike.
White bass make their homes in this lake, too, going on their spawning runs in April when anglers make their best catches. However, quite a few are caught year 'round.
-Continued on page 24

POND

'NEEDS

By WAYNE THOMASTON and PHILLIP PIERCE Fishery Biologists

2. Emergent weeds-this type either grows or stands above the surface of the water.

Too much fertilizer can be co tly since it indirectly removes too much oxygen from the water during the ni aht

The fisherman cast his spoon far out into the pond,

3. Floating weeds-this type is not rooted to the bot-

or on cloudy days and fish may die from lack of oxygen.

waited a few moments and started his retrieve. Seconds

tom. They float freely upon the surface of the water.

Man y ponds have weed problem too tough for proper

later, he raised his rod tip sharply and exclaimed, "I've

got a strike!"

The "strike," however, did not behave like a fish. It came in slowly, without offering the slightest amount of

.,

battle.

The angler's face wrinkled in disgust and he muttered

a few choice epithets as he saw the "coontail" moss

dangling from the treble hooks of his lure.

This poor fisherman suffered from an angler's head-

ache that occurs numerous times each year. There's no

There are many ways to control water weeds. The first method of control comes when the pond is constructed. Builders should eliminate shallow edges and mar hy conditions. The pond's edge hould be deepened to at lea t two feet.
Builders should also cut brush and trees from the pond's edge to assure unhampered wind action. The edge should also be mowed or grazed to keep undesirable growth out of the water.

fertilization to handle. In this case, chemical con trol may be necessary.
Although chemicals are perhaps the be t way to thwaTt weed growth, there is no perfect one on the market today - o great care should be taken to select the right one for the job.
Here' where fishery biologi ts come in. They are available for consultation b y reque t. Georgia's staff of biologists have worked with chemical companies in the eaTch for improved and economical ways of weed con-

doubt about it, weeds are the bane of the fisherman's

Weeds also become a problem in ponds that are not

trol.

existence. Fisheries biologists of the Georgia Game and Fish
Commission realize this and are busy all year attempting to control weed problems in farm ponds and small lakes throughout the state.

properly fertilized . Clear ponds almost always contain weeds in all but the deepest water.
Fertilization causes the water to darken with heavy growth of tiny microscopic plant and animal life. This growth prevents sunlight from reaching the bottom of

To owner should attempt to rid his pond of weeds until he has consulted a fishery biologist or a major chemical company for the type of chemical to use and how to apply it.

The job, however, is much more complicated than it may seem. The problems are so great in many instances that they are almost uncontrollable. For that reason, subduing obnoxious water weeds has become an important research objective in the Commission's program of ferreting out methods of simple, effective control.
There are least ninety-four varieties of aquatic plants found in Georgia water. These include such weeds as "coontail" moss, parrot feather, needlerush, water lillies, bullrush, cattail, spike rush, duck weeds and some species

the pond. Sunlight is the pond' best friend .
Weeds usually get the upper hand and the pond's fi h population is thrown out of balance if it is not fertilized properly and with the right amount.
The tandard application of fertilizer is 100 pounds of 8-8-2, or 50 pounds of 20-20-5, for each surface acre of water. Ponds that receive nutrients from nearby pastures or groves, naturally, will not require a much as those that receive no assistance in this manner.

Weeds get good dosage from Pierce as Thomaston guides boat.

of water hyacinth.

First application should be made during the first warm

All types of water weeds are undesirable. Not only do

weather of pring, or around mid-February to early

they interfere with fishin g, but they also foster breeding of mosquitoes, hide little bluegills from carnivorous bass,



March in Georgia. If properly fertilized , the pond's color will become a green or brownish-green, due to the growth

thus causing an unbalanced fish population, and they

of tiny microscopic plants. If this change does not occur,

use up the pond's fertility.

further applications of fertilizer should be made every

Basically, leafy water plants are divided into three

week or ten days until the brown or green cast appears.

classifications.

l. Submerged weeds- tho se that grow below the water

surface. Fertilization goes a long way toward starving

out this type. If not, chemicals are available to do the job.

,.

P onds should be fertilized whenever the water begins to lo e it green or brown color or when it becomes clear enough for your hand or the pond bottom to be seen at a depth of 12 to 18 inches below the surface. This usually requires an application ever y thTee to fi ve

weeks until cold weather in the fall.
22

PROGRESS -Continued from page 3
Actually, game and fish provided them with the necessities of life. When their cupboards became bare they cleaned their shooting irons, filled their powder horns, packed their provisions and set out on the serious business of hunting down enough food-and maybe a buckskin coat or two-to see the family through a few hard weeks of uncertainty.
It is easy to see, then, that these honest, hardworking, sincere men of integrity were not conservationists. No need for conservation then. There was plenty of game and fish for everybody-a real good deal.
But, how long can a good deal like this last? Obviously, as the colony grew so did the problems. Cutting forests destroyed valuable wildlife habitat ... plowing and farming led to erosion and overhunting threatened to eliminate the abundance of animals and fish that, at first, seemed to be an endless supply.
So, these early Georgians, thinking ahead, laid the groundwork for an understanding referee between the hunter and the hunted and, in doing so, organized the first regulatory conservation program.
Many of today's hunters don't realize it, but they enjoy the benefit of a sound, well-rounded conservation program. Wildlife and fish are managed scientifically and their numbers increased through many programs that benefit today's hunters and fishermen.
Habitat improvement, reseeding depleted areas, curbing wildlife diseases, introduction of new species-all these factors dramatically add to the pleasure of today's sportsmen.
There were no such programs in Colonial times. Of course, simply having a conservation program without proper protection of animal and fish life is not effective. For that reason, Georgia's wildlife resources are protected from over-exploitation by a trained force of wildlife rangers. These dedicated men enforce the laws deemed necessary to conserve wildlife by the State Game and Fish Commission. During the past decade, the Commission has been an understanding and helpful referee between these hunters and the hunted. Its foresighted thinking and understanding of the state's conservation problems have resulted in a concise, progressive program of game and fish management in every nook and cranny of the state. The Commission, with the help of the Georgia General Assembly, laid the groundwork for a constructive enforcement program in the mid-fifties when it completely reworked the state's conservation laws and adopted a clearer code for sportsmen, eliminating antiquated laws and adding those needed to insure game and fish for future generations.
The commission's boldness in accepting recommendations from its staff of skilled biologists over public protest curbed management problems in many areas and set a precedent that will surely result in more liberal game and fish laws in years to come.
The Commission, the many skilled game and fish technicians and a cooperative public played a vital role in the progress pictured in this special salute to conservation during a delightful ten years that saw Georgia's con-
24

servation program gain a prominent place among the great programs of the nation.
Enforcement of Georgia's game and fish laws really got rolling around 1950 when, for the first time in history, wildlife rangers were issued the proper equipment to do their jobs. Before that time, a ranger patrolled his assigned territory in whatever transportation he might have - a horse, a motorcycle, his personal "Sunday" car, a buckboard. In short, he made little contribution to the state's conservation program. But this was not his fault.
A ranger was lucky to arrest three or four violators a month under those circumstances and when he did, the courts usually failed to indict them. It's no secret that during this period, wildlife rangers were unpopular among the state's hunting and fishing public. This situation, fortunately, does not exist today.
Public understanding and a thorough training program has made today's wildlife ranger an asset to any county. He is closely supervised, has modern equipment and is dedicated to his job.
With the coming of the State Merit System came a new frontier in wildlife enforcement. More capable men, selected by a firm and effective testing system, joined ranks as wildlife rangers. They were better educated but, more important, are much more than political appointees who serve at the pleasure of local politicos. They are, indeed, career men with assurance that as long as they perform their job adequately they will keep.
Fish management progress saw the creation of many new programs that will benefit, not only today's fisherman, but those yet to come. Research projects, like the recorded. This opened the door for improved Fish Management Techniques.
SEMINOLE -Continued from page 21
Seminole has a wider variety of fish and a greater number of distinct species than any other of Georgia's lakes.
Eleven different species of game fish, plus three varieties of catfish are found living here.
And biologists are planning an intensive study this summer on another popular fish-the striped bass-which may turn the lake into a bonanza like South Carolina's Santee-Cooper reservoir chain.
Biologists' studies have revealed that these fish spawn in tributaries of Seminole, such as Spring Creek, and the young stripers are trapped in the lake.
An occasional fish is taken in the lake now at sizes up to 40 pounds. Biologists are optimistic to say the least that this species will become landlocked in time.
Seminole further attracts anglers with the fact that there are no less than seven fishing camps on the lake. These facilities include boat rentals and launching ramps.
Another fact is called to the attention of the lake's veteran fishermen and future anglers. Seminole has yet to reach its potential as far as fishing is concerned. In other words, the fishing peak has not been attained.
Seminole is legend among south Georgia fishermen. If its fishing continues to improve, it will soon become the same to every angler.

Fisheries work has made great strides during the past ten years, but few people fail to recognize the advances made in the fields of fishery research and development.
A decade ago, Georgia had only scratched the surface in scientific fishery management; the state was grossly understaffed with biologists and the public was not aware of the needs of fish management.
ew methods, however, soon converted a poor program into a good one with fishery biologists available for consultation to private landowners and always eager to improve the fishing conditions in large lakes and reservoirs.
This they have done through many Dingell-Johnson and state-financed programs of fishery research and development.
Establishment of more public management areas and a splendid waterfowl area for migratory birds were the big achievements in game management. In addition, the Southeastern Cooperative wildlife disease study came into being and brought with it a new frontier in conservation.

In the field of public information and education, new programs aimed at keeping Georgia's hunters and fishermen enlightened and to inform them of the state's conservation program.
The state's trout fishing program doubled, almost tripled, during this decade. This was helped along considerably by the complete renovation of the Lake Burton hatchery. The Commission is now producing more trout than ever before.
So, conservation is a big word with a multitude of meaning. And, a big job wi th a multitude of purpose.
This has been a brief summary of progress made by the department during the "fabulous fifties." I personally wish that pace would allow a complete discussion of every accomplishment of the department. But, of course, this i impos ible.
The best way to mea ure the past decade in terms of game and fi h management i to simply look around you and see the things that have Georgia a good place in which to live, to hunt and to fish.

left : Two-way radios help rangers. Center: Georgia's old quail hatchery. Right : Rangers' appearances have changed, although fish traps haven 't.

1961 TROUT SCHEDULE

BLUE RIDGE MANAGEMENT AREA
ROCK CREEK (Except Mill Creek)
Directions from Atlanta: Go to Dahlonega, travel 3 miles on U. S. Highway o. 19, turn left on Camp Wahsega Road, go 7! miles to Three- otch Gap, turn right and go 3% miles to Cooper's Gap, turn left and go 4 miles to Hightower.
May______ Saturda ys & Sundays-6-7, 13-14,20-21,27-28 June___ _ Wednesdays & Thu rsdays-7-8, 14-15,21 -22,28-29 July - -- Saturdays & Sundays-1 -2-4, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, 29-30 August --- Wednesdays & Thursdays-2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 23 -24, 30-31 September_ Saturday, Sunday & Monday-2-3-4
NOONTOOTLEY CREEK
Directions from Atlan ta: Go to Dahlonega, travel 3 miles north on U. S. o. 19, turn left on Camp Wahsega Road, go 7! miles to Three- otch Gap, turn right and go 3%mi1es to Cooper' GaP, turn left and go 8 miles to Winding Stair Gap, turn right and go 3 miles to checking station.
May___ Wednesdays & Thursdays-3 -4, 10-11, 17, 18,24-25 June______ Saturdays & Sundays-3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 24-25

Ju]y__ __ Wednesdays & Thursdays-5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27 August_____ Saturdays & Sundays-5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27
JONES CREEK REFUGE OR
LOWER BLUE RIDGE AREA
NIMBLEWILL CREEK
Directions from Atlanta: Go about 9 mile west of Dahlonega on Highway o. 52, turn right at Grizzle's tore, go 3 mile to
imblewill Church, turn right at church , and go 2 miles to Jones Creek Checking Station.
May ___ _ Saturdays & Sunda ys-6-7, 13 -14, 20-21, 27-28 June ______ Saturdays & Sundays-3 -4, 10-11 , 17-18, 24-25 July_ _ _ Saturdays & Sundays-1 -2, 8-9, 15-1 6, 22-23, 29-30 August______ Wednesdays & Thursdays-2-3, 9-10, 16-17,23-24
JONES CREEK
Directions rom Atlanta: Go about 9 miles West of Dahlonega on Highway 1o. 52, turn right at Gr izzle's tore, go 3 miles to
imblewill Church, turn right at church, and go 2 miles to Jones Creek Checking Station.

25

May__________ Saturdays & Sundays-6-7, 13-14, 20-21, 27-2& June ________Saturdays & Sundays-3-4, 10-11 , 17-18,24-25 July____ Wednesdays & Thursdays-4-5-6, 12-13, 19-20,26-27 August ____ Wednesdays & Thursdays-2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 23-24 September _ Saturday, Sunday & Monday-2-3-4
MONTGOMERY CREEK
Directions from Atlanta: Go about 9 miles West of Dahlonega on Highway No. 52, turn right at Grizzle's Store, go 3 miles to Nimblewill Chu rch, turn r ight at church, and go 2 miles to J ones Creek Checking Station.
May_ __ Wednesdays & Thursdays-3-4, 10-11 , 17-18, 24-25 June_______ Wednesdays & Thursdays-7-8, 14-15,21-22,28-29 July_ ____ Saturdays & Sundays-1 -2, 8-9, 15-16,22-23, 29-30 AugusL .._ Saturdays & Sundays-5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27
CHATTAHOOCHEE AREA
CHATTAHOOCHEE & SPOIL CANE CREEKS
Directions from Atlanta : Travel ~ o of a mile North from Robertstown on Highway No. 75, then cross the r iver bridge, turn
right and travel lf2 mile north to Chattahoochee River Checking
Station.
May______ Saturdays & Sundays-6-7, 13-14, 20-21 , 27-28 June_______Wednesdays & Thursdays-7-8, 14-15, 21 -22, 28-29 July____ Saturdays & Sundays-1 -2-4, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, 29-30 August_____ Wednesdays & Thursdays-2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 23-24, 30-31 September Saturday, Sunday & Monday-2-3-4
DUKES CREEK
Directions from Atlanta: Travel %o of a mi le North from Robertstown on Highway No. 75, then cross river bridge, turn left, travel 3.2 miles West to Dukes Creek Checking Station.
May ______ Wednesdays & Thursdays-3 -4, 10-11, 17-18. 24-25 June______ Saturdays & Sundays-3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 24-25 July ___ _ Wednesdays & Thursdays---4-5-6, 12-13, 19-20,26-27 August ___ Saturdays & Sundays-5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27 September __Saturday, Sunday & Monday-2-3-4
SMITH CREEK & McCLURE CREEK
Directions from Atla nta: Turn right in Robertstown on Unicoi Park Road, travel 3.1 miles East to head of Unicoi State Park Lake to Smith Creek Checking Station.
May_____Wednesdays & Thursdays-3 -4, 10-11 , 17-18, 24-25 June____ Saturdays & Sundays-3-4, 10-11 , 17-18, 24-25 July_ _________Wednesdays & Thursdays-5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27 August ______Saturdays & Sundays-5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27
CHESTATEE AREA
DICKS & WATERS CREEKS
Directio ns from Atlanta : From Dahlonega travel North 15 miles on Highway No. 19, turn left and go 2% miles to Checking Station.
May_ ___ __ Saturdays & Sundays-6-7, 13-14, 20-21,27-28 June______ Wednesdays & Thursdays-7-8, 14-15,21-22,28-29 July____ Saturdays & Sundays-1 -2, 8-9, 15-16,22-23, 29-30 August ______ Wednesdays & Thursdays-2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 23-24,30-31 September__ Saturday, Sunday & Monday-2-3-4
BOGGS CREEK & CHESTATEE RIVER
Directions from Atlanta: From Dahlonega travel North 15% miles on Highway No. 19 to T urner's Corner Checking Station.
May___ _ Wednesdays & Thursdays-3 -4, 10-11 , 17-18,24-25 June ______ Saturdays & Sundays-3-4, 10-11 , 17-18, 24-25 July______Wednesdays & Thursdays---4-5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27 August ______ Saturdays & Sundays-5-6, 12-13, 19-20,26-27
LAKE BURTON MANAGEMENT AREA
WILDCAT CREEK
Directions: Go to Clarkesville, take Highway No. 197 past

LaPrade's Camp and pass the first creek, go to the top of the first hill, turn left, travel to checkin g station where permits may be secured for Wildcat Creek.
May_ _ _ Saturdays & Sundays-6-7, 13-14,20-21 , 27-28 June ________ Wednesdays & Thursdays-7-8, 14-15,21-22,28-29 July__ __ ____Saturdays & Sundays-1 -2-4, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, 29-30 August.___Wednesdays & Thursdays-2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 23-24, 30-31 September_ Saturday, Sunday & Monday-2-3-4
MOCCASIN CREEK
Directions: Go to Clarkesville, take Highway No. 197 past LaPrade's Camp and pass the first creek, go to the top of the first hill, turn left, travel to checking station where permits may be secured for Moccasin Creek.
May ___ Saturdays & Sundays-6-7, 13-14, 20-21, 27-28 June _ _____ Saturdays & Sundays-3-4, 10-11 , 17-18, 24-25 July _ ____ Wednesdays & Thursdays-5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27 August________ Saturdays & Sundays-5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27 September __Saturday, Sunday & Monday-2-3-4
DICKS CREEK
Directions : Go to Clarkesville, take Highway No. 197, travel past Lake Burton Fish Hatchery to the first creek where permits may be secured from the State Wildlife Ranger.
May_________Wednesdays & Thursdays-3-4, 10-11 , 17-18, 24-25
WARWOMAN AREA
TUCKALUGE CREEK & FINNY CREEK
Directions from Atlanta: Go to Clayton on Highway No. 23, turn right on Highway No. 76 and go only one block, then turn left on Warwoman Road and go 3% miles to Checking Station which is located at Finny Creek. May __________Wednesdays & Thursdays-3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 24-25 June_ ____ Saturdays & Sundays-3-4, 10-11 July_______ Saturdays & Sundays-1 -2-4, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, 29-30 August____ Wednsedays & Thursdays-23-24, 30-31
WALNUT FORK & HOOD CREEKS
Directions from Atlanta: Go to Clayton on Highway No. 23, turn right on Highway No. 76 and go only one block, then turn left on Warwoman Road and go 3% miles to Checking Station at F inny Creek.
May_ ____ Saturdays & Sundays-6-7, 13 -14 June___ Saturdays & Sundays-17-18, 24-25 July_ _ __ Wednesdays & Thursdays-5-6, 12-13 August_______ Wednesdays & Thursdays-2-3, 9-10, 16-17 September___Saturday, Sunday & Monday-2-3-4
SARAHS CREEK
Directions from Atlanta: Go to Clayton on Highway No. 23, turn right on Highway No. 76 and go only one block, then turn left on Warwoman Road and go 3% miles to Checki ng Station located at Finny Creek.
May_ ________Saturdays & Sundays-6-7, 13-14, 20-21 , 27-28 June________ Wednesdays & Thursdays-7-8, 14-15, 21 -22, 28-29 July _ __ Wednesdays & Thursdays-5-6, 12-13,19-20,26-27 August _ __ Saturdays & Sundays-5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27 September___ Saturday, Sunday & Monday-2-3 -4
COHUTTA MANAGEMENT AREA
JACKS RIVER AND CONASAUGA RIVER shall be open for fish ing from April 1 through September 15, 1961. No permits will be required on these streams.
DOCKERY LAKE
THE CHESTATEE AREA will be open to fishing on Dockery Lake only to children who have not reached the age of sixteen (16) between the hours of 1:00 P.M. and 6 :00 P.M. on the Following dates. No fees will be charged for the privilege of fishing on Dockery Lak"-
June____ ______ Saturdays-3, 7 July___________ Saturdays-1, 15 August____Saturdays-5, 12, 26

Farm

Ponds

By BOB SHORT'
Editor, Ge01gia Game and F ish

WlD

POPULARITY POLL

A recent Game and Fish Commission survey reveals that over one-third of the fishing trips mad e by Georgia anglers are to farm ponds.
Of the 8, 120 angling expeditions reported in a urvey co nducted by Georgia Game and Fish, 3,440 were made to one or more of Georgia 's 40,000 farm lakes.
Large reservoirs finished second in th e poll, closely followed by rivers and streams, trout streams and sa lt water.
A total of 2,251 trips to large lakes were reported by participating anglers and 1,691 junket were made to rivers and treams during the six-month peri od covered by the survey.
While fi her y biologists admit that the poll was too skimp y to offer any definite tatistical data, they feel it gives an accurate picture of what Georgia an glers prefer in the way of fishin g.
Just as ever yo ne suspected, largemouth ba s emerged the most popu lar sport fi h, polling 38 per cent of the vo te.
Bream {29 per cent ), crappie {19), mountain trout (9) and other species {5 ) foll owed bass in the fi sh popularity contest.
Biologists attributed popularity of farm and neighborhood pond s to their accessibility and number.
This informati on, skimp y as it is, points out the fact that the Game and Fish Department is justified in expanding its farm pond management program. It also points up th e need for maintaining properl y managed fish hatcheries.
There's no doubt about it, the state's farm fi sh pond management program has grown b y leap and bound s during the past decade. Fisher y biologists deser ve a well-earned pat on the back for successfull y teachin cr pond management and weed control to faTmers and landowners. This has been the key tonic in the growth of farm pond fishing in Geo rgia.
Introduction of several species of game fish in Geo rgia reservoirs is certain to help angling and thus make Lhe state even a better piscatorial spot.
Announcement of the release of white bass, sau ger, walleyes and several forage fishes was g reeted with loud hurrahs by anglers the stale over.

The latest release, sau ger , may well become a very popu lar game fish. It thrive in tail waters of re ervoirs and i held in high esteem by anglers in other state .
The sau ger is a peppy fi sh, although it doe not attain a bi g size. The world 's record is eight pound s, three ounces. The record smasher was taken in Garretso n Re er voir in 1957.
In do ing re earch fo r news coverage on the sa uger. we ran into a complete li st of world 's record of a ll maj or game fish.
Thi s is sure to settle a few arguments {and maybe create some ) :
The world 's reco rd north ern pike was taken in Sacandaga Reservoir, New York, in 194 0. The bi ggest walleye ever wei ghed scaled 25 pounds and was ca ught in 1960 in Hickor y Lake, Tennes ee.
Georgia claims the largest bigmouth bass, a 22-pound , fouT-ounce Junker taken from Lake Montgomery on a June afternoon in 1932.
Santee-Cooper Reservoir in South Carolina, fam ous for its landlocked striped bass fi shing, surrendered the world's largest channel catfish. The monster weighed in at 57 pounds. It was taken in 1960.
Biggest blue ca t ever caught wa a 94-pound , sixouncer hooked in South Dakota's James Ri ver. SanteeCooper also yield ed the record black crappie. It was caught in 1957 and weighed fi ve pound .
The world's record brown trout has stood up for man y years. Lock Awe, Scotland , produced it in 1866, and the fish tipped the scales at 39 pounds, eight ounces. Biggest brook trout (the specie nati ve to Georgia) carne from Tipigon Ri ver in 1916. It weighed 14 pound , eight ounces.
P end d 'Ori elle Lake, Idaho, surrendered the record rainbow trout, a 37-pound whopper caught in 1947. The large carp ever recorded came fr om Clean ater Lake, Minnesota, in 1952 ; the largest yellow perch from Bordentown , ew Jersey (four pounds, three ounces, ca ught in 1916 ) ; the record white crappie, a five-pound , thTee ouncer, came from Enid Dam, Mississippi. in 1957. Ketona Lake, Alabama, yielded the reco rd blue gill (four pounds, 12 ounces) but the date it was caught remains unkn own .

Popular Crappie
and confusing

BLACK CRAPPIE
Block Crappie may be distinguished from White Crappie by different characteristics, such as lengths a nd composition of dorsal fins. Block Crappie has 7 or 8 dorsal spines and Whites hove 6. Length of dorsal fin equal to distance to eye in Block Crappie while White Crappie has dorsa l fin, the length of which, is less than distance to eye.

WHITE CRAPPIE

Crappie are one of Georgia's foremost sports fish, claiming attention and greater number of anglers on lakes and providing sport throughout the year. Many fishermen prefer crappie as a food, maintaining it excels in flavor and meat quality. Block Crappie are more widespread and found in most lakes and streams.

Jigs ore favorite Crappie lures in late winter and early spring. Minnows o re popular bait. Fi shing docks and piers, brush shelters are favorite fishing spots for Crappie anglers. Spawning season draws attention to more shallow waters. THE DAILY LIMIT IS FORTY.

Crappie ore very sim ilar in appearance, quite often thought to be some specie, an erroneous impression. One distinguishing difference is darker color and irreg ula r spots on Blocks. White C roppie h a ve distinguishable stripe pattern on sides.

GEORGIA GAME AND FISH COMMISSION
41 2 S TATE C APITO L BU ILDIN G
ATLANTA. GEORGIA

SEC . 34.66 , P . L. 8r R .
U . S . POSTAGE
PAID
ATLANTA. GA. PERMIT NO. 155