Georgia game and fish [Vol. 5, no. 1 (Spring 1954)]

COVER PAGES
FRONT PAGE
Tommy Shaw, of Atlanta, one of our better fishermen, likes to catch yellow perch. He has the best luck in the fall months when the perch are deep. As shown in the t>icture, they are beautiful fish and Tommy rates them with the best for table use.
BACK PAGE
Along the Oconee and Ah:tmaha Hivers, Eddie Pollett of Uvalda, is OJ>erating some 30 legal fish baskets. In the boat with Eddie, are Pat Wolf and his dad, H. S. Wolf, who just wanted to see rough fio;;h control work in action. Eddie has plenty of know-how and has been getting his share of catfish, carp, etc.
Game and Fish Partnership __ __ 2
Fishing Prosperity- - ----- ----- - 3
\Vhy take creel census____ ______ 4
Trout are Aristocrats_______ ___ 5
The Assassin _______ ____ __ __ __ _ 7
Wilderness SurvivaL ___________ 8-9
Lamprey E e ls ____ _____________ 11
Big Coa:-;tal Bas :-; ______________ 1:l
J{o u gh Fi s h_ __ ________________ 1J-15
Drown proof Your:-;e lf ---------- 1i
Otter:-; --------- - - - - - ---------- 1!1 Recit> r ocal A gree me nt_ _________ 21
'\l eet the C hi efs _______ --------- 25

By FULTON LOVELL, Director Game and Fish Commission

NATURE and Georgia are in a game and fish partnership that we like to think of as unsurpassed. Our appraisal and inventory has given us a proper perspective of what we really possess. Some years ago, there was talk of empty, fishless streams and forest bare of wildlife. Such talk today is rarely heard.
It has been said our quail are

slowly vanishing to a point of possible extinction. Yet our last hunting season proved this statement without merit and completely false. It was generally agreed that Georgia had the greatest quail season in the his-

tory of the state.

Your Game and Fish Commis-

sion has been vigilant in keeping

tab on all species of wildlife. It

has been our objective to main-

tain a healthy game and fish program. Long ago we recognized

'

man's efforts to grow a wildlife

crop as futile. Only Nature can do the job of replenishing the

)

renewable resources of game and

fish. Our vital contribution has

been and will continue to be an

act of lending Nature a helping

hand when it is needed.

It is a simple matter of arithmetic. One cow would perhaps thrive on an acre of fertile land

FULTON LOVELL
Director, Game and Fish Commission

but 6 cows on this same acre

probably would starve. \Vildlife must have food. Fish too.

Our assistance to Nature then has been concentrated in a serious

effort to provide adequate food and cover.

Our skilled game technicians deserYe much credit for our hunting successes. They seem to have a compelling thirst for more knowledge and research that will bring about better wildlife conditions. They carry on a never ending program of restocking, so successful that we now have deer in almost every sec tion of the state.

In areas where wild turkeys disappeared years ago, the r estocking program has brought them back. The wild turkey population is satisfactory in fac e of ever increasing hunting pressure. Our competent game technicians are an investment in insurance for a surplus crop of wildlife for the hunter to harvest and a comfort in th e knowledge that an ample seed stock will remain.

The Gam e and Fish Commission is encouraged by th e way our efficient; fisheries biologists have brought calm out of chaotic fi shing conditions. These train ed, highly skilled experts I'olled up th eir sleeves and went to work. They have the staggering problem of re-establishing good fishing in thou sands of privatel.\ owned la kes

(Continued on Page 22)

GEORGIA GAME AND FISH

Fo il Edition

J . L. Steorns, Editor

Bill Atkinson, Associotc Editor

Vol. 5, No. 1

P u bli sh e!l by the (; ,.,. rgbl (;ame and F is h f' o mml sslo n. 41 ~ ~tat e Cap itol, At la nt a. l ;eorgla In th e ln t<' l'l"<t of (; ,nrgla wildli fe a nd f or fishe rmen. h un ters. na t urP lover~ and eo nse r \"at lon of na tu r a l rPs o u r ce s. Th ere Is n o Nllb serl p tl on fle-- th ls p uh li eatl o n i" fr ee a nd Is paid f o r by the pu rr ha 't' or
fishing and hunting ll,.nses. Pl ease notify u s at on ce or a ny ch a ng e or ad< lres . l 'o nt ents of thi s maga zin e ma .' be r e prlntl'd with proper credit
111" puhll<'atlon wel<'nnws pic tures. dr a win gs. s to r ies a nd a rti Pies dea ling w ith ou:door s ubj ects f or con si der a ti on . :'\o contributions will be returne!l unhss snlll"lt<'d hy anthnr l7.!'d part y re pre, entlng Ca me & Fi sh ('om ml:<s lon and a ccompani ed hy su f f!Pi r nt post age. ~: n ter l'll as t hi r d cl a <s po,tnge.

Fishing Prosperity!

Outdoor Sports10e n S pend

$25 Million Dollars a D ay

New Lakes Attract
Thousands; Peak
Yet to Come
ALONG about this t ime of year there are just two kinds of people in Georgia. Those who have gone fishing, and those who are going. \Vithin the past three years, fishermen in this state have tripled in numbers and the count includes more women and youngsters than ever before in history. In the future. the problem will be to find somebody who doesn't fish.
\Vithout taking a thing away from the highly publicized sports such as football, baseball. etc.,-all of them cou ld be packaged up and absorbed into the Number One sport-fishingand the bulge would hardly show. Some sports pages crowd out and play down hunting am! fishing. Many newspaper!-> r ecognize the value of outdoor news and give it a high priority.
During the football season, the outdoor sportsman is often shown the back door so that more space can ue given gridiron activities. But, compared to hunting, the Number Two sport in America, football would be like entering a lame jackass in the Kentucky DerbY.
Let's Yiew: with ~ clear mind, some facts. There are four major magazines published monthly on hunting and fishing. Every state turns out hunting and fishing magazines and there are countless others devoted exclusively to the subject. \Vhat othPr spo1:t gets this attention'!
Fishermen are not numbered among those who are alway!-> co ntent to buv a ticket and watch someho~ly else participate in competithe sports. He

vrefers to get into the act and does. Proof of the popularity of hunting and fishing is wrapped up in the statistics that American sportsmen spend $25,000,000 per day- the year around. A million dollar gate in boxing still is a sensational classic with months of newspaper, TV, and radio build-up.
Clark Hill waters alone will be visited this year by an estimated 200,000 anglers. Allatoona, on a good week-end, will entertain from 2,000 to 3,000 fishermen.

The new Sinclair Lake will get special attention from thousands, Blue Ridge, Burton, Nottley, Chatuge, Jackson, Rabun, Blackshear, and the Jim \Voodruff Lake (they back up water this year) will not suffer for the want of fishermen. This is just partial coverage of our big lakes. Then too, there are some 28,000 lakes and ponds, many of them privately owned. The trout streams will be choked with anglers as usual. Salt water
(Continued on Page 22)

Bob Singl eton (left ) and Cecil McClure, of Clay ton, ha ve evidence of tackle bustin' Lake Burton bass. Lake Burton is being "discovered" eve ry day. Hundreds of fishermen say it is t he best fishing wa ter in the na tion. Where else can you catch whopping bass, fighting rainbows, five pounds or more, cra!'pie, white bass, bream, yellow perch, catfish, all in one lake? You name it-chances are-it's in this marvelous lake.

11J~~ 71llte

CREEL CENSUS?

By Fred J. Dickson
Chief, Fish Management
WHY take a creel census? A creel census to fishing is comparable to an i1wentory on the stock of goods by merchants. It reveals the kind, number, and Eize of fish taken by anglers. From these reports, the fisheries biologist may determine, for example, whether or not our mountain trout streams are proclueing good catches to the satisfaction of the ever increasing number of fishermen.
while some of the figures may seem unimportant or irrelevant. the biologist gets much vital information from the check-up showing the number of fish caught per hour of efforts, or perhaps per full clay of effort. The number of fish caught can determine. in the report of a skilled fisheries manager, just how much fishing pressure is being put on practically any body of water. and what percent of the game fish are removed. With this information, the hatcherv division better understands hm'v much restocking 1s necessary and when.
Without the cooperation of the fishermen, a creel census
Activit~ ~epc~t ~e/pJ

This also goes with fly fishing. There is always a twig, vine or leaf to snag a fly . Th is Wildcat Creek ang ler untangles his lure before working a pool below a wate rfa ll.

ness of various restocking needs ; type of baits or lures; time of clay fish caught; and the meteorological conditions at the time when the angler was most successful. Later, fishermen will have all of this worthwhile knowledge upon request. \Ve shall determine if a small percentage of the fishermen are catching a very large percentage of all the fish.
Warm water streams and lakes do not need restocking fjnce \Vann water species possess the natural reproductive
expe~tJ plt1h (utuJ-e

fishing these waters, be sure to look ce1refully for these tags. Prizes are offered for the return of all tags.
From the tags \\'e will better understand such things as concerns migration, average size, weight, age, general conditions, and the percent of game fish removed. \Ve sincerelv hope each fisherman will c~ operate wholeheartedly with the creel census clerk. as a good creel cens u~ is one of the tools of fish management that will show in facts and figures if a modification of managenwnt
practices is needed.

}Jrogram is impossible. In the final analysis, all information assembled is for the benefit and enlightenment of the fisherman on what he can can expect for his fishing efforts. Biologists assigneel to the job have highly complimented our fishermen for their
willingness to provide statistics. Soon we may have a comparison of the different north Georgia f!treams. We are of the opinion that some of them are underfished while others have entirely too much fishing pressure.
This year we hope our creel rensus will tell us when and how many fish to restock; effective-

powers to maintain the number and weight that the stream will support. However, there will be a creel census conducted this ~r ear on parts of the Oconee. Ocmulgee, and Altamaha Ri,er:o:. and on the Alia toona Reservoir mainly to fird out what percent of the game fish are caught. We are especially interested in finding out what percent of the rough fish are removed, and the extent the rough fish reduction improves sport fishing.
Various species of fi:::.h will be. <'r already ha \'e been, tagged anrl released in the above mentioned l'lVL'l'S and reservoirs. \Vhen

Beautiful Noontootly rushes by a nd t his fisherman is slipping a block gnat (behind a spinner) into the dark recesses under overhanging vegetation. It's a hideout of big trout. Reports from these men will help make the creel census a big success.

4

The ARISTOCRATS

B ING Crosby was asked to comment on the greatest thrill of his life and without hesitation
named- not golf as would be expected bnt fly fishing fo1 trout. He explained it was th e ri~e of the trout to a dry fly, the explosion, the swirls or splashes iu the sparkling, rippling waters of a mountain stream that caused his pulse to quicken and the tingle we call a thrill to race through his body.
Georgia has thousands of anglers, who feel the same way about it. The fly rod is a thing of beauty in the hands of a sportsman who knows how to use it. Some call it the post graduate degree of fishing. Georgia surely must rate among the top states in the nation for its number of skillful angle1s. Some of them can drop a dry or wet fly on a clime at thirty paces and get a nickel change.
\Vhy are so many people interested in trout'? Perhaps the determining factms are many. No question about it, the trout family went swimming off with all the honors when it came to beauty. The colors of a rainbow trout-well, who has ever seen an unattractive or colorless rainbow. The name "rainbow" was perfect. One look at a rainbow just lifted out of the water is a sight you can't forget. The brown trout too has its flare for

color with those fire-ball red dots. Brook trout, under good conditions, sparkle like a rare gem.
Trout are the aristocrats of all fresh watet fish. They dwell only in the purest of water, cold and unpolluted. But the mortality is high. This being true, all men who catch tro1t have ample reason to be proud of their catch.
Trout are reasonably fertile; th e female pro-
(Continued on Page 22)

Brand new life! Thesz greatly enlarged photos taken by Jack Derm:d show r.:.1novws gctt;ng their first peek at this big old world. In the top picture, you see rainbow trout actually hatching from eggs. Look carefully. Watch them tumble out head first, tail first, or almost at once from the slit in the egg case. The eyes of troutdom are upon you! Note th e eyes of unhatched fish showing through egg cases. Below, they are 24 hours of age now and as active as jello in an earthquake. There is scarcely any resemblance between these baby rainbows and the flashing, fighting adults they soon will grow to be.

(1) Just o few more lessons and dads will be amazed to find their youngsters talking about to!'lered lines, nylon gears end light action rods. Here is how future fishing ex9erts ore mode. Bill Curry, (left ) conducts one of his annual classes on the roof of a Iorge deportment store. (2)-Gcorge Pendley, of Atlanta, shows a couple of good reasons why he likes to fish . He snapped these boss to attention with spinning equipment . (3) J. T. Shealy, (left) and Benny Johnson, of Savannah checked out this excellent shod catch in the Ogeeche e River. Their wives were along to shore in the trolling fun. (4) W. R. Meroney, of Worner Robins, hod the fishing thrill of his life with this 8 1 z pound boss caught in Lake Joy ncar Perry. His 3-yeor-old daughter Carolyn Lee proudly took charge. (5) Don Wainwright and Bob Rowell, of Nahunta, visited the Sotillo River for 12 Boss-the big one weighed 8 pounds.

7~e

llrmor-Plaled Gar Slaughters Game Fish --~~-------------------

Kille!* .upplieJ
tlif 1~1*iiiJ
?cl* tlhfle!*J
SILENTLY it glides near the water's surface. Suddenly there is a flash, a swirl and another small fish joins the long list of \'ictims of the fresh water [1ssassin, the killer gar.
These elongated savages are every inch a killer ranging from the size of a pencil on up to the 200 pounders. Their long rows of sharp, needle-like teeth can deli ver a quick, lethal blow to a game fish that might in a splitsecond of carelessness be off guard.
Gars are without fear. They are like well armored submarines, cruising about on the prowl for new victims. All small

fish instinctively drift off to cover and give the gar plenty of passing room. Since the gar is relatively slow, it is a first class "sucker" and "duck-soup" for the cruel, crushing jaws of an alligator. But that's the way it is in the aquatic kingdom of fishes-eat and be eaten. The end is never far a way.
You wouldn't say the gar is scarce in Georgia. In fact, we seem to have slightly more than our share. At present, we can do little about this impudent creature which has come down through the ages to claim fame for his species as one of the oldest forms of fish li fe. Our brand new rough fish control laws do not provide us with the weapons to declare war on this marauder. \V hen the rough ftsh program proves its merit beyond question, our biologists then will ask the legislature to legalize the necessary tools to halt the widespread depredations of the gar. Meanwhile, he

\Viii continue his free course of action and fatten up on a diet of game fish.
\Vhere it regards eating gar, many fishermen sum it up thusly, "Ugh!" Others say the meat is delicious if properly fla \'Ored even if nobody has ever turned up with a recipe for that flavoring. There has been talk about garburgers-whatever that is.
There are a few of our fishermen who seek to satisfy a burning desire for thrills, adventure and excitement by fishing for gar. They use a wire noose that clamps tightly over that ugly E-xtended snout. They also bait a hook with meat, let the gar hit it and take it away. They gi,e him time to munch on this tidbit before they lunge back and set the hook. This is the time when 1\Ir. Gar goes berserk. boils the water, performs acrobatics a nd puts on a great show. It's a g uaranteed fishing thrill to hook and land a gar. Try it.

(1)-Those sow teeth of this long-nose gar con be sudden death to small fish. Th e alligator gar is said to hove two rows of teeth. (2) Roe shown in front hod skin peeled off. Note the thousands of eggs that might hove added a heavy population of small gar (rough fish) to otherwise good fishing waters. Wonder how many small boss

and bream were gobbled up in the development of all those eggs. It is reported, these eggs are toxic and if fed to a chicken- the chicken will die. Roe shown in the background is still covered by skin. The roe contents of two gar is displayed. These excellent pictures by Joe Medcalf, of Thomaston.

~imple Applicaticn 0( 1tJcc4c/411(t
Vital ?actc/4

By Crawford F. Barnett, l\1. D.

/T can happen to you, the wrong trail, a missed landmark and
you are on your own; lost! That surge of panic can be fatal, so be prepared before it happens, with the all important "Know How." \Vith this and a clear head, barring physical injury, you actually are only temporarily out of touch-never lost.
In planning a trip into unfamiliar territory, check with the weatherman, ~tudy yom map, <tnd above all else, tell some responsible person where you are going.

L. C. Powers, of Madison , discovers the sad truth. He's lost !

BE READY FOR
Wilderness

survival!

- TRAGEDY, PANIC UNNECESSARY

If you are physically fit, dressed and equipped for a possible emergency ; if you know simple fundamental woodcraft principles and can, to some extent, apply them, your misadventure, while perhaps, embarrassing, need not be a tragedy. Make it your business to know what can be used for food and where to look for it. You should know how to care for your body, how to conserve energy, where to sleep, how to find or prepare ~helter, and what things can harm vou.
A check li~t of equipment is invaluable, othenvise, many useful items may be overlooked. Prepare yourself actuallv to survive should the need ari~e. The list of useful equipment is endlrss but a f ,\' things should be
8

"musts" :-a small first aid kit,
matches, (and they can be dipped in wax to waterproof), a good knife, a little card with fishhooks in it may be carried safely in the bill-folder with some strong fishing line. Some hard
candv or a chocolate bar can be the clifference between misen and comfort. Mole skin adhesive for blistering feet, a pencil. a flashlight in a waterproof container, and, last of all, a com-
pass. These items will fit com-
fortably in your pockets. The four cornerstones of sur-
vival are: (1) Think before acting, (2) Food, (3) Shelter, (4) Water. With these, wilderness survival is a certaintv.
Sit down and think yo~r problem thn>ugh - weigh carefully in you r mind whether you

~ ho ul d try to fi nd yo ur way back or \Vhether you should "sit tight" and wait for help. This is your most important dec ision so take your time about making it. Just how to evaluate how lost you really are, of course, depends on many things such as time, weather. distance, your familiarity with the locality and how ~ou happened to be lost. plus th e possibility of re~cue attempts. If there is real doubt as to which
course of action to follow, rou won't regret swallowing your chagrin and embarrassment in awaiting he lp.
If, after careful thought, you arc certain you can find your wav back to ci\'ilization. first maik your location with broken branches. rocks, o1 with whate \c r material m ailahle. then set

yo ur co urse by selecting a promine nt landma rk in the desired direction of tra vel th a t ca n be seen en route. Relate th e pos it ion of th e s un t o youn;elf a nd di stant landmarks. As yo u approach this landmark. line up ~mother farther away.
Streams, ridges, trees, bluffs will generally guide yo u in open countrv. It is well t o r emember that most individuals a re rightlegged j ust a s they a re righthanded, and so t end t o t a ke a longer step with th e right leg with the result that they walk in a circle t o th e left or co unterclockwise. Continu e marking your trail a s you go, a lways looking for familiar la ndma rks. Climbing a tall tree may a id in thi s. If you find a stream , cr eek or ri ver , follow it eithe r up or down until you f ind a pa th , which may lead you t o som eone or possibly some house. At a fork tak e th e most traveled path .
Don't travel at nigh t in strange wooded country except in a n emer gency. In open co un t ry it may be th e only time t o travel. A lig ht should be used a t nig ht only t o read a map or compass or in particula rly r oug h or da nger ous spots. Yo ur eyes will adju st t o darkness in a sh or t time, wh ile wit h a lig-h t you are blinded t o everything outs id e th e small a r ea of illum ination. Traveling on a ridge is oft en eas ier t han hik ing in a ' 'a ll ey or a long a st ream. Vegetat ion is usually less dense, the ridge itself serves a s a guide, outlooks are fre qu ent, and t h ere will be few st r eam s or swam ps to cross.
In t he event you decide to "sit tight" and await help, start 8earchi ng f or foo d a nd water before you become too tired or exhau s ted to do so effectiveh. l\Ia ke camp before darknes's.
Fallen trees, caves, t li ffs, a nd bough s, wil l pr ovide sh elt er. Get out of t he wi nd or rain if possibl e. Don't mo,e your ca mp unl ess you ha,e t o s ince yo ur ehances of being fo und are mu ch bett er if you " stay put."
Ga th er wood for a fi r e a nd if

Ou r lost fis herman ha s t he ri gh t idea. Sit down a nd t hink it over. It is the trademark of a good outdoorsma n, the ki nd t hat never fa il to get back home rich in exper ience and delight ed wit h th e t hrill of a pleasant adventu re.

it is winter, gather twice a s m uch a s you think you will nee d. To signal, add green or wet leaves or grass t o a fir e. Th e more smoke, the quick er your chance of bein g loca ted . In ext r emeb' cold weather, build sev-
er a) fir es, burn one to hot a shes. scrape them away an d yo u ha ve a hot bed t o sleep on for h o ur~. You will be rea ~o n ably com fo r tabl e in ~ t ead of numbed by t he co ld. Hepcat t h e procedure as n e c e s s a r ~ . S h o ul d yo u be drenched ir. a n ic ~ str eam. build

a large fire, t hen strip to th e skin and dry your cloth es while nude. Otherwise, the evaporation from wet cloth es on t h e body while d r~; ing before th {~ fire will seriouslv or even fat alh lower t he body ~te rn per ature.
Emer ge ncy food is usually abunda nt if \'OU are smar t enoug h to forg.et yo m civilized eating ha bits. Any animal in th e tempewte zone is ed ible incl ud ing m ice, sna kes, snails, lizzard s, worm s, bugs. fish. tadpoles, salama nders. bats. frogs. toads, turt les, clams, mussels, c ray f ish, crabs, ~hrimp, ant:-; , te rmite:;, grasshoppers. locusb.
(('o ntinu r d on l'agr z:n
9

(1)-Mrs. Fronk Spoon e r, (left ) of Iron City, looks approvingly a t th e string of fish her grandson, Jim holds up . Mrs . Grady Richard son , of Donalsonville, helped catch this string of Flint River scrappers. (2)-This is the type of picture to make on angler's heart skip a beat . Clyde Huffman , of Blu e Ridge, leads a ro ;nbow to net in beautiful Jock 's Rive r. (3)-Littl e lady, you' ve hod a busy day. She is Mary Jan e Mill er, of Decatur with a catch from Mrs . Harrison's Lake just off Redan Rood . (4)-Dovid Doli e, robust Ok efenok ee Swam!' Pork nat uralist, hop efully works a lure through the dark waters of a swamp chann el. Th ese canals ore loaded with bowfin, on und esirable fis h which lec ves much to be desired for eating but capable of fight ing back with th e bes t of th em. Th e beauty of the Ok efenok ee swamp is sti ll unsurpa ssed.

{jooJ r/ewdf

Lamprey Invasion No Cause for Alarm

tArAt OtShTesoef

us first strange

heard of lamprey

creatures when they appeared in

tremendous numbers in the

G1eat Lakes. The Great Lakes lamprey invasion assumed con-

siderable economic importance when it became apparent that

these parasitic fishes were

responsible for the decline of

valuable commercial fisheries of

those bodies of water. Reports

of lampreys in Georgia waters

have received widespread atten-

tion. It is only natural, that our

fishermen should be alarmed by these reports. Much of this

alarm seems unwarranted.

Superficially they resemble an

eel, but close examination of

characteristics will distinguish lampreys, not only from eels, but all other fishes.
The unusual lamprey mouth

is in line with its peculiar feed-

ing habits. Most lampreys are parasitic on other fishes. A

lamprey can attach itself to the

side of a fish with this suctioncup mouth and proceed to rasp

away at the skin and sca les of

the victim with its tongue and

teeth. From the wound thus

made the lamprey draws the fish's blood for food.

Another unusual lamprey feature is its set of g ills. The gills

of other fishes are located un-

der a gill cover but the lamprey has a series of muscular pouches containing g ills. These

pouches open to the outside separately by seven porthole-

like openings on each side of the

body just behind the head.

The life histories of various

lampreys are unusual. Practically all lampreys ascend small, gravelly streams in the s pring

to spawn. Like our \Ve::;t Coast

salmon they spawn on ly once, then die. They may spa\\'ll a s pairs or groups of individuals. Both males and females participate in building a "nest" which

is a shallow depression on a

By Dr. Donald C. Scott
gravelly riffle. Stones are often picked up by mouth and moved from the nest area while smaller materials a1e swept out of the nest by the vigorous fanning activities.
The female attaches he1self by her mouth to a stone at the upstream edge of nest. The male then attaches himself by mouth to the body of the female ~tnd curls around the female. The vents are thus brought close together so that the eggs are fertilized upon release. The eggs, being sticky, pick up sand grains stirred up by the activities of the spawning pair. Thus weighteel, the eggs fall into the nest and come to rest in the gravel. Within a few weeks, the young hatch out and are swept clownstream by the current.
Once in a quiet backwater they burrow into the mucldv bottom. The young lamprey is a blind, \vorm-like creature with a funne l shaped mouth. From its burrow it obtains food by straining tiny plants and animals from the mud and water. After several years of this blind. muddwelling existence, the young lamprey develops functional eyes, elise-like mouth and the olive or grey adult coloration. There are three general types: the sea lamprey, the freshwat er l-'arasitic lamprey, and the brook lamprey.
Sea lampreys emerging from their mud bank home of four or five yean;, move llownstream to the ocean or some large body of fresh water. Here they take up a parasitic existence and grow at the expense of other fishes until they reach sexual maturity, a matter of one or two vears. Then the\' ascend streams. ~pmYn and die 'on the riffles a s 1heir parents did five or six years before.
These lampreys mo\e downstream to large ri\ers where

they feed on other fish until they reach maturity then return to the riffles of a tributary stream where they also spawn and die.
Unlike other lampreys, the brook lampreys are never parasitic. They do not feed at all after emerging from the mud but simply move upstream to a suitable riffle to complete their life cycle with spawning and death.
All three of the above mentioned lampreys ha\'e been taken in Georgia.
No specimens of the sea lamp-
(C'ontinued on Page 20) Attached to the side of the jar, this lamprey shows how it would look on a fish . Note row of muscular pouches along side of body which incloses the gills.
11

.-
-

-- - ....<.--
(1) -You' ve heard about the time whe n the fish struck as fast as you could get a baited hook in the woter?-Well, this was one of those times . It was in the Frederico
River near Brunswick . J. Roy Duggan holds
up the big channel boss to be admired by his fishing partners, Jock and Jean Hice, all of St. Simons. They teamed up to catch 217 trout and boss. Who needs a better recom mendation for Georgia salt water fishing? (2) -State patrol boot cruising off Cumberland Island. (3)-Momo loggerhead has hod a rough day. She has just deposited over 150 eggs in the sand on on island off the coast of Brunswick and is headed bock to wate r. She will weigh something over 200 pounds. (4)-Fiddler crabs everywhere and they make excellent bait.

CcaJtal WateJ-J Give Up 8ig 8aJJ

JUST 16 REDS
WEIGHED OVER
500 POUNDS
SALT water fishermen are as plentiful in Georgia as ants at a picnic. It is amusing to see some of them hot-foot it great distances across the state line in search of the big spots (reds or channel bass) and speckled trout.
According to \Vm. Penn \Vall~r of Savanah, they are just nmmng away from some of the best fishing on earth, right along the Georgia coast. Waller ought to know. Last October near Gaynors Banks, he and his three companions had to quit after catching 16 that weighed over 500 pounds. The boat was loaded.
Then in November, \Valier's party went back to catch 23 bass that weighed over 700 pounds ~ nd left the fish still biting. The average was 32 pounds or more per bass. Almost any three of them would send the scales dane-

ing around the 100 pound mark. Don't believe it "?-0. K., look at the top picture. There hang 23 of the prettiest salt water bass you'll ever cast your peepers ever. That's what our Georgia anglers are running madly to other states to find.
There are times when lady luck just won't smile, but occasionally she will laugh out loud if you are willing to take a chance. Shortly before daybreak one morning at St. Simons, Bill Cu llens (left) and Bob Kent (picture number 2) faced a problem. The winds were whipping and lashing around the Marina. Dark clouds above and the general weather outlook was for one of those days when anglers are least likely to succeed.
They decided to set caution aside and risk it. Off they went clown the Hampton River and when the sun slipped up over the marsh, Bill and Bob were catching bass and trout and having a great time. It is by no means the biggest haul they have ever had but considering how it all started-it was a

wonderful day. That big bass Bob is holding was a 9 pounder.
\Vhat do these fellow;-; think of our coastal fishing ? Both agree, "It's great."
In picture number :3, Mrs. L. S. Miller of Brunswick and Mrs. C. L. Cannon of l\Tacon hold a wonderful food fish known a s "Tripletail" or Eddy fish. If you are an impatient angler, you'll like the Eddy fish. You can pull up to a buoy, drop your bait and if the "Triple-tail'' is going to bite, it doesn't waste much time.
It just adds up to some great fishing along the Georgia coast. Stick around and enjoy it.
"What would a blind man give to see the pleasant rivers, the meadows, the flowers, the glory of the sun
I and the many blessings
which w~ enjoy each dayand too often forget to
l praise God for them." ______j

THIS rough fish control program is not only a challenge but al o somewhat of a mystery to thou ands of legal basket operators.
The challenge to trap manipulators is to take out enough rough fish so that bream, bass and oth er sport fish will show a progressive trend in new popu lations. This, the biologi ts as ure us, will be done. Their faith is deep-rooted in an estimate of between 8,000 and 10,000 legal baskets in operation before the year i out. They figure basket fishermen will be taking 5,000 pounds of rough fi h, or more, every day. The optimistic predictions are that we soon will begin to catch bigger bass and bream.
The mystery involve fishermen who work their baskets every 48 hours, reducing this to 24 hours when runs are high. Their trap produce an average of 5 pounds of fish each - day after
ay. Occasionally they get more, often they get less, but the my tery i -where do all these fish come from? The supply seems inexhau stible.
Opening day for legal basket wa April 1 t when about 2,000 trap went down into our waters. For the first time in Georgia history we began to fight back against rampaging, destructive, over-populated rough fish .
The catch is mostly catfish. Catfish is in demand bringing 40c per pound, 45c dressed and for 50c yo u can pick them out . A few of the men operating 25 to 50 baskets could have $50 to $100 days. Some of them are saying, "Better enjoy these good times. Won't be long before we get all the fi h."
The fact-finders know better. They in ist the runs will continue unabated with more and larger fish getting caught a time goes by . They al o say basket operations will take only a modest percentage of the available fish.
We chatted with Otho May, State fisheries biologist and rough fish project leader, as we drifted down the Altamaha River watching some

R.OUG~t

of the boy pull up their baskets. Otho has been operating baskets for the State Game and Fish Commission for a long time on t he Oconee and other rivers in an experiment which proved the ro ugh fi sh program sound and worthy.
"Could they possibly chop down these rough fish to a dangerous low?" Otho was asked. For a moment he was silent and pensive. With a sudden weep of his hand, he declared, "take this river for example. It's big, long and loaded with rough fish. We will average far les than one basket per mile. If we had a dozen baskets per mile, there wou ld still be a constant supply of millions of uncaught fi h."
We asked Otho to throw more light on the ubject. He did.
"When t he boys really start producing, the price of catfish probably will drop. The urgent need right now i for an educational program to teach people how to operate baskets.
"The mouth of any basket should face down stream. F eeding fish usually swim up stream and too-the trap doesn't fill up with trash . Basket
(Cont inued on Page 22)

(1)-Eddie Pollet of Uvalda shows Pat Wolf the new legal fish

basket. His arm is extended through first funnel and touches trap

door of second O!Jening . It is this littl e door that keeps game fish

out. Johnny Williams, Hazelhurst, an Oconee River fisherman, looks

on . (2) Eddi e and his helpers, Pat Wolf in front and H. S. Wolf in

I

center, start out to check baskets. Wildlife Ranger Chief Mallory Hatchett, in second boat with L. C. Fulford, goes along to see that

l

baskets meet soecifications. (3) Hooks on his line contact and lift wire that lead~ to basket. (4) Fish are deposited into large tub. Rangers check up . (5) Eddie operates 30 bask ets scattered in Oconee,

Ocmulg ee, and Altamaha Rivers. The overage catch per basket is 5

pounds. (6) A few suckers, carp and the rest are blue channel catfish .

(7) Otho May, (left ) state biologist, tokes Carlton Morrison, Atlanta

radio broadcaster, to interview rough fish operators with on -the -spot

recordings . (8) Ranger 0 . J. Clark, (left ) checks with John Hearn, of

Lumber City who likes to catch his catfish on a trot line.

FISHING REGULAliONS
FOR 1954-55
Effective April 1, 1954, and continuing in force until changed by law or proclamation, all of the fresh water streams, lakes, and ponds of Georgia will be open to legal fishingthroughout the year with the following exception.
Exception: The trout streams of the fo ll owing 12 mountain counties Dawson, Fannin, Gi lm er, Habersham , Lumpkin, Murray, Pickens, Rabun, Stephens, Town s , Union and Whit. Fishing in these waters is prohibited from November 15 through March 31, i11clusive, each year. Thi s regulation shall apply from the head to the mouth of said streams, and the mouth of those streams which flow into a lake shall be considered at the point where the stream reaches the body of the lake regardless of its level.
There is no closed season on taking shad fish with rod and r eel, fly rod, or pole and line. The daily limit shall be eight fish per person. Shad fish taken by the above methods cannot be sold. This -covers all species of shad fish including what is commonly known as white shad and hickory s had. The restrictions and limitations upon the taking of fish in this State shall be as follows :
Hock fish or striped ba ss _________ 10 in one day
Large-mouth black bass ___________ 10 in one day
Small-mouth black bass ___________ 10 in one day
f{ock bass _____________ 10 in one day
\\ hite bass _____________ IO in one day
hentucky or l{ed-e ye bass ________10 in one day
Bream ________________ 35 in one da y
Perch _________________ 35 in one da y
Crappie _______________ 25 in one day
Eastern Pickerel or Jack ____ ____________ 15 in one day
Wall-eyed Pike ________ 3 in one day
l\1uskelunge ----------- 2 in one day Brook Trout ___________10 in one day
l~ ainbow Trout ________ 10 in one day Brown Trout ___ _______ 10 in .me day
I{Nl Breast Perch ______ 25 in one day
Shad ---------------- -- 8 in one day
No person may tak e fro m that portio n of t he wat ers of Clark Hill Reservo ir of t hi s State or h ave in hi s possession a ny Bass fi sh of less than 8 inches in length measured from the tip of his nose to the f ork of h is tail.
It shall be un lawful fo1 a ny perso n to possess at any one time more than 45 f ish in the agg r egate of a ll species na med; and provided that no m or e tbtn 10 Ba"'l of any and a ll s pec ies in the agg-regate can he taken in anv one day; provided that no mo re thai1 I0 Trout of any or all spec ies in t he aggregate <:an be taken in one> cla y.
16

GEOR GIA

GaDte and Fish CoJJIIttission

412 State Capitol

HER~IAN E. TALMADGE, Goternor

The Commi ~~ ion i ~ a constitutional hodr , re~pon,.ihle onl y to the Legislature and the Governor.
Eleven in number one from each Congres.:;io nal District- the members of the Commission are appointed by the Governor for staggered terms of seven years a nd th e Commi ssion in turn appoin ts the director.
The present Commis~ ioners are:

C'0:\1;\ IISSIO NE I{ S

LEONARD BASSFORD, 1Oth District Chairman

]. 0. Bow EN. 5th Dist. T' icc-Chairman
CASON CALLOW_\Y, }R.. 3rd Dist.
Secretary
}AM ES F. DARBY. 1H. , lst Dist.
RI CIL\Im TIFT, 2nd Dist.

]. D. PoPE, 4-th Dist. Bel\' T. RAWLI NS, 6th Di~t.
BILL AcsTI:-J, 7th Dist.
ALVA J. HoPKINS, }R. , 8th Di st. FRED C. 1Oi\ES, 9th Dist.
FRED D. BEASLEY, Coasta l

.\lll\IINISTI{ATIVE

FlLTO:-J LovELL, Direct or

\\'. II. HoDG ES, Euforrenwnt

FRED DICKSON. Fish :\Ianagemcnt

}Ar.K CROCKFORD. CamP :YianagP- C. C. }AMES. HatchPries

lllf'J Jt

)) \\ m GouLD. Coastal Fisheri es

Tm.I ~A !\DEBS, Li< P n~e Div ision

II

]. L. STEAR:\S, I uformatiou and Educa ti on

The heads of the various divi,ion' and all employees are appoi nt ed by the
Director on th e a pprova l of the Commiss ion . T he Director is a bonded state off icial and directs th e entire pro gra m. which is est abl i ~h ed, and ways a nd means a pproved for it ,. operati on, by the Board o f Co mm i~sioners a t regu lar meetings.

* * * * * *
~d ~cdd ~iPectJ
~Pille cit Pclluticlt
Georgia's great conser vationist, Ed Dodd, creator of Mark Trail, served in March for the third time as chairman of the National \Vildlife \Veek. The principle purpose of \Vilcllife Week was to bring Americans up to elate on the great threat s to our streams and impoundments from sources of pollution, a mi the dissemi:mtion of information of proposed anti-pollution laws. The conservation specialists plan to keep pollution and its many problems in front of the public as a major proj ect for the yea r 1954. Efforts were planned to encourage manv s tates to tighten up on loose pollution laws.

License Fees
Legal residents 65 years old eligible for free hunting ond fishing license.
For fishing in home county (pole, line ond worms), no license required.
Residents under 16 years of oge (stote), no fishing or hunting license required.
Stote resident combination hunting ond fishing license, $1.25.
Stote non-resident fishing license (onnuol), reciprocal og reement.
State non-resident fishing license (10 doys), $3.25.
Stote non- resi dent fishing license (3 day), $1.
Stote resident commercial fishing license, $2.
Non-resident commercial fishing license, $5.
State resident shod fishing license, $1.
Non-resident shod fishing license, $10.
County non-resident season hunting license, $10.25.
State non-resident seoson hunting license, $20.25.
State non-resident hunting license, (10doy), $10.25.
State resident trapper's license, $3.
State non-resident trapper's license, $25 .
State non-resident fur dealers, $200.
Propagation permit, $1.

2

3

4

5

6

1. -With lungs full , float fac e down with bock of the neck on the surface. 2. -Get ready for a downward thrust using arms, legs, or both. Be sure mouth is empty. 3.- Exhole through nose WHILE raising head so that mouth is in the air, shoulders under. 4.- With head vertical, thrust downward for support during mouth inhale. 5.- With

lungs full, drop head forward, imm ediately thrust downward and backward. 6-Relox, with head , arms, and legs dangling , holdin g all air, while floating forward and upward . Learn ers rest three seconds here, experts rest ten seconds.

1 1 lllll~l~lo1;1;1;;1~1;11;1;1~1 1111111111Y;;I;II;I;Iilil!l~l~llllllllll

:;ill llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll Professor Fred R. J,anoue 111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111~

ROWNING ranks second only /) to traffic deaths as a single cause of accidental deaths, yet a technique developed at Georgia Tech has proven that nea rly anyone can eas il y b e "drownproofed" for extended periods of time, certai nly long enough to
be r escued under ordinary ci rcumstances.
To give an idea of the effectiveness of the Georgia Tech method, an experiment was conducted at Tech with sixty POOR swimmers. A third had their wrists tied behind their back, another third had legs tied in a

half bent position, and the remaining third were free. Average quitting time of these POOR swimmers was fom hours and forty minutes, and sixteen of them reached the objective of EIGHT HOURS. It seems as t hough these fo lks approach ''drownproofing.''
Breathing Technique
"Drownproofing" is fundamentally the development of a technique of breathing while swimming in deep water with such an absolute m inimum of energy expenditure that terrifying co mplications like multiple cramps, heavy clothes, disabling injuries, high waves, rough wateJ, and long immersion have little or no effect on survival. l\Iany of our NON-S\Vll\11\iERS wh'a have never swum one length of our pool, have stayed up one hour in the crowded deep end of our pool, using this technique, which most of them learned in about a dozen lessons. As a beginner. would you rather have a pretty

str oke, or still be on the top an hour after an accident in the water.
H unters, fishermen, boater s, swimmers-anyone who uses the water for recreation or work owe it to themselves, AND THEIR F AMlLlES, to learn how to protect themselves in water. This technique is cheaper a nd better than any insurance or gadget you can buy, and it is quite easily self taught with a little practice.
A Yoid Tiring
The new technique has its basis in physics. Specific graYity
(Continued on !'age 21)

The se underwater photos show a Georgia Tech swi mm er in positions 4 (left) and 5 as described in the above drawing.
17

< <'

' '\

... ( ... ~ 't ' ~ ....

\, ~

./ (
'.'

\r

Burton Hatchery All Dressed Up
No explanation is needed for pictures 1-2-3-4-s!nce these si gns tell th e story. Many such signs hove been put up by the Game and Fish Commission in various sections of the State. Sportsmen soy th e~ e signs ore on imoluoble servic e. (5)-Worm water species such as boss and bream ore propagated in these Lake Burton Hatch e ry poo ls Lake Burton is in th e background. (6 ) These rac eways turn out thousands of trout for stocking in North Georgia streams. More raceway s ore being added. (7}- Thousands of little rainbows . When th ey ge t from 6 to 10 inches, th ey ore released in trout streams.

OTTERS
GAY CLOWNS OF WILDLIFE

OTTERS, fun-lo\'ing clowns, probably are the most playful creatures in all wildlife. Life to them is an unending game of frolic, tag, roll and tumble both in and out of water. These parlous days of troubles throughout the world are not even remotely connected with the otter way of life. They just live to play and play to live.
The graceful, light-hearted animals are unaware of a good price on their rich, luxuriant, durable hide. Demands for otter fur makes this gay creature live rather dangerously. Trapped otters often tear themseh'es loose by the fury of sheer force. Some ha\'e been known to bite off the trapped portion of their legs to escape.
Fish Killer
This gay, carefree animal is sa id to leave in his wake, a story of fearful fish destruction. They fish for the sheer joy of catching fish. They catch bass, big and little ones. Even if not hungry, they will grab a bass, take it to shore. nibble a piece out of it to insure death and return to water for more fishing.
Not mony people hove ever seen o boby otter. This Okefenokee Swomp youngster is just o hondful of velvet-soft fluffy fur. One little chirp out of junior and momo ond poppo will come o-running, reody for trouble.

Reody for lunch! Th ese Okefenokee Swomp Pork otte rs never foil to snop to attention ot the sight of o fish - and it must be fresh.

In the Okefenokee Swamp, otters pursue their way of life undisturbed except for their natural wildlife enemies. In this refuge, their numbers have increased until now. sportsmen are ?-cc using them of being the major contributor to the serious decline in game fishing. Some have reported seeing bass scales piled high on the banks-the handiwork of fun-loving, rampaging otte r s. They also say vultures follow otter activities with ~n attentive eve to conclude the bass dining habit where the otter leaves off.
Nomadic Nature Being of nomadic natur e, the otter is reported to travel as much as six miles in one night and may cover 1rom 50 to GO miles in a season. \Vhere posf> ible. otters will make and take advantage of a mud sl ide lead ing from a hank into the \\'ater. On' r and over th e~ sk id. s lip and ~ I ide into the wa tcr in a spi rit of happy activit~'-
Otters haH' a certain refugt> along the bank which the.\' establish as a soc ial center. H ere the\' dn themseh'es. wallow and r<;lax hef01 c resuming t hPir end-

less games. They are mature at 2 years of ag-e. Usually they have from two to four young. The newl~r born are blind, toothless and helpless for five weeks or more. The cubs must be taught to swim. Timid youngsters are dragged into the water by their parents.
The momma otter stands a constant vigil O\'er her little ones. Not e\'en poppa is allowed to come near until junior is Sf'\'eral months old.
Annoy~ '(~ators
The otter is fearless. It has been known to clip and dive about alligators, nipping them in touchy spots just for laughs. The annoyed 'gator is no match for an otter where swimming is invohed. else-it \\ould be a different storY.
Otlwr th;1n the fi~h diet otters are known to eat cra~'fish. frogs. larvae of aquatk inscds. \\'orms. soft ~ h ell turtlPs and almost an~thing thc>~' can g-rub out of the mud. Thcr prl'f<'r nocturn<' I aetidt\' and arc ~Pldom seen t'Xeept at chi~' lig-ht or dusk.
After cxhausti\'e studie~ h\' g-ame technil'ians. it "as COil-
(ContintHd on l'a~t 2:n
19

(Continued from Pag-e 11)
rey were definitely known here until March 17, 1953 when a single small individual was taken from a buck shad in the Ocmulgee River by Leroy Tippens, of Rochelle. The sea lamprey was to be expected in Georgia since it has been reported from the St. Joh!ls Ri\~er in Florida and from tnbutanes of the Savannah River in South Carolina.
Sea lampreys are the largest and most destructive of the species. Fortunately, this species can be discounted in Georgia as a potential nuisance. It is apparently rather uncommon anywhere in the southern pa1:t of its natural range. There Is some doubt that it e,er ~pawns in Georgia since our only specimen appears to be an immature individual that hitched a ride on a migrating shad.
\Ve do have two ~pecies of freshwater parasitic lampreys which appear to be locally abundant from time to time. One species is confined to streams in the Tennessee River dra111age and the other in the Alabama River drainage. The latter species probably occurs in the Chattahoochee and Flint Rivers a lso.
It is difficult t o determine just how much harm Georgia lampreys can do. They a re smaller than the sea lamprey and, in general, do not kill their prey. Further , they seem to attack suckers and ca tf ish in prefe r enc e t o bream or bass. Fis h a ttacked by lampreys are not total losses. Th ev m ay bear scars or sores but these would h a,e no effect upon the usability of the fis h unless some seconda r y infect ion occ urred in th e woun cl. In the la t ter case, t h e irfected a rea could be cut out and the r e:-;t of the fish eaten with perfect safety.
Since brook lampreys are never parasitic they are of no concern to the fishermen.
There seems to be no cause for alarm over lampreys in

(Top) This Seo lomprey hos proved it con wreok widespre~d destru~tion of _gome ond food fishes. Only one hos ever been found in Georgio wot.ers. (middle ) Th1s poras1t1c or chestnut lomprey hos been giving our fishermen o score. It IS re~orded as l1ttle more thon o pest. (bottom) Nothing to worry obout here. The Brook lomprey IS harmless.

Georgia. We are not being in-

,aded by lampreys-they have

always been here. Actually, we

can expect a decrease in our

lamprey populations. As more

and more dams are built, the

parasitic lamprey species will be

cut off from their spawning

~o1Tioguhntdsacincotuhr.et

head\\aters. This for the numer-

ous reports of lampreys in the

E towah River near Cartersville.

These could be lampreys spawn-

ed f our or fhe years ago in

sm a ll s treams now inaccessible

with the construction of Alla-

toona Dam. In attempting to

reach their nathe streams these

lampr ey s may be accumula~ing

below th e dam in the sprmg.

Lacking suitable spawning

areas, most of them will die without reproducing.
\Vhile we ha,e a few specimens of lampreys and some seattered verbal reports. we need more definite information before we can adequateb assess our lamprey problems. If you catch a fish with a lamprey on it, presetTe the lamprey in 10 percent formaldeh:vde. Record when and \Yhere it "as taken. If vou are fortunate enough to (!bs.elTe lampreys spawning. write or call Donald Scott at the Department of Biology, Uni,ersity of Georgia. Your eooperation could J)l'O\ide us with information that would be ,aluaule in dealing with a lamprey problem should one de\elop.

20

' ' Dro wn proo I ' '
(Continued from Page 17)
of the average human body is about .97, thus, only about fiv e pounds of most individuals will float out of water even with the lungs full of air. The problem of people in a potential drowning situation is one of getting enough air to buoy one up, yet to do so in a manner to avoid tiring. This is best accomplished by using the 'Tech procedure as shown in the accompanying drawing.
Advantages of the Tech procedure are many. First, air provides all buoyancy needed, after putting the face back in the water, thus eliminating tiring, unnecessarv movements. Second, the possibility of choking is minimized by not tipping the head back. Third, real relaxation and long rest periods are obtained by proper spacing of the arm and leg movements. Fourth, the method works nearly a s well with arms or legs alone, or mdng only one of each- folks DO get cramps, disabling injuries, etc., while swimming.
One of the principal causes for drownings is panic. Panic causes poor swimmers to flail about a nd waste energy until they sink. It causes them to try to swim too fast. Distance without speed means literally nothing to a TRAINED swimmer. As long as the swimmer stays underwater, more than out of water, there is practically no strain. The best swimmers at Georgia Tech and at Emory University cannot hold fifteen pound weighb;; out of water using legs alone fm more than three minutes, a lthough th ey can easily stay up for hours and swim miles, with their hands t ied behind their backs. How silly it is for poor swimmer s, or any swimmers, to try to hold a fifteen pound h ead out of water for any time. Th e Georg ia T ech procedure mak es air do all th e work of flotation , minimizes ch oking, and r eally produces r elaxation. It works equally well on he's or sh e's-old or youngfat or skinn y-tall or shor t, and, smart or dumb.

Director Fulton Lovell, of th e Georgia State Gam e ond Fish Commission , affi xes his signature to the official papers that sealed the reciprocal fishing agreement between Georgia and South Carolina where it concerns the Clark Hill Reservoir . A. A. Richardson , South Carol ina Director, awaits his turn to sign up. Senator L. L. Hester, of McCormick, S. C., watch es the signing of the history making documents at Soap Creek Fishing Comp.

l:lark Hill Agreement

THOSE dark cloud s th at ho,ered so long over Cla rk Hill wer e removed wh en Direct or Fulton Lovell, of t he Geor gia Gam e and F ish Commi ss ion , met with Directo r A. A . Ri cha rd son, of South Carolina a t Soap Creek Fishing Camp a nd s igned t h e long a wa it ed rec iproca l agreement.
'The agreeme nt solved the problems fo r t he fisher men since licenses f r om eith er state will be recognized and honored on Reser,oir wa t er s.
It was an occasion of soft wor ds, smiles and good humor, more importa nt, it was Georgia and Sout h Carolina shaking hands across Clark Hill's rich f i:;;hin g g r ounds just as good neighbo r s alml~s should do.
Here arc a few details of the

agr eem ent wh ich a ll spor tsmen mu st obse r ve. All Georgians, age 12 to 65, mu st have a license. In a ll oth er Georgia waters (except Clark Hill ) a license is not requi red of per so ns under 1G ~ears of age.
The lim it on has:;; il' 10, plus :10 oth e r game fish with a possession limit of 40 game fish. Basket, seine, trot line and net fishermen are classifiNl as commercial operators and must eomply wi t h the laws of their rcspecti,e states.
Any light stronger than a !>cell flashlight is forbidden for fishing purposes. ~o person may use more than two lines at one time. i\o person ma~ han: a rifle in the boat and shooting rifles within 100 vard:-; of the :;bore line is forbic!"clcn.
21

Rough Fish
( Continued from Page 15)
success depends on location and what is used for bait. Then it's up t o the fish .
"The best basket season is f rom May 15 on through the summer. Best catches come when the water is 65 degrees. \Vhen it is warmer or colder, the catch falls off. Yellow catfish often enter unbaited baskets. Occasionallv a basket will take a gar or an eel. It takes about 2 hours to make a trap and cost about $3. Legal baskets at hardware stores bring from $6 to $8.
"Our experimental rough fish control program started in December, 1951. Now it's all over. \Ve will continue to trap a few fish but only for tagging purposes. \Ve expect to tag and release 2,000 rough and 1,000 game fish. My favorite fish? That's easy-catfish, of course. \Vonderful food!
"Have you noticed," Otho concluded, "the increasing numbers of signs, 'Catfish Dinners?' This is a sign of wise utilization of a valuable resource."
Prosperity!
(Continued from Page 3)
fi shing has always had <l.mple customers. It all adds up to fishermen thick as a pot full of blackeyed peas.
Economically, it would be un\Yise to pass up th e dollar value of th e dinners that will be the resuIt of thousands of pounds of fish caught. More and more restaurants are featuring catfi sh and other t ype fi sh dinners.
Many Georgia fish ermen have r each ed th e r e\ealing conclusion t h a t it is unnecessary to lea\'e th e state to cat ch fi sh. Th e_y have rea lized our water s can give t hem res ults a nd th ey are t a kin g advantage of it .
It all adds un t o big bu sin ess an d still Georgia has not hit its fis hin g peak. Few st ates can offer tnn1t, bass, a nd oth er wa rm watr r fis hing, pl us sa lt wate1 fis h ing-a ll in one gr ea t big package. The out-of-sta te a ngler s a r t> not a sleep. Our nonr es idPn t L~en s e sa les show we g et anglers from ever~r state in the nation.
22

(Continued from Page 5)
clueing about 1,000 eggs per pound of her weight. It has been fig ured that about 85 percent of the brown trout brood will be lost before they reach 18 months of age. Remember too, what a rough and tumbl e existence a trout lives in the a verage mountain stream. There is the wash down of sand and gravel, the sudden flash floods, and extremely high or bitterly cold water.
Only th e alert and quick survive in their precarious dwelling. Much of the trout diet consists of insects which they take in sudden darts almost faster than the human eye can follow.
Then too, there is always that fellow in waders, hip boots, felt bottom or hob-nail shoes and probably wearing a ridiculous little hat stuck full of colorful flies. H e will wave his mag ic wand and in a pool drops a fly that dances lightly on th e water. The eyes of perhaps four or five trout watch everv mo\'rment. Suddenly-Wham (
It is for this golden moment that grown men leave a bu sy office, a w ife ancl ch ildren and drive over 100 miles. That's trout fishing!

Some of the countries that lead a s f ish producers are among the world's poorest fi sh eaters. This is how they compare, on a per capita consumption basis :

Japan --- -------------- - - - 83.3 lbs. Iceland ------------- - - - 63.3 lbs. Norway --------- -- ------ - 46.7 lbs . De nmark __ ____ _________ 35.9 lbs .

United Kingdom ___________ 29.9 lbs.

Belgium -- --- - -- ---------- 21.6 lbs. Portugal __ ______ __ _____ 20.5 lh s. Ge rmany ________________ 19.8 lh s. H olland ________________ 17.9 lb s. France ________________ 14.8 lhs. Canada __________________ 1:1.7 lbs .

Ita ly ____ --------------- 12.6 lh s . U. S. ____ ________________ 11.1 lb s.

Ch ina ___ _

____ _ 6.0 lh s.

PARTNERSHIP
(Continued from Page 2)
and ponds. They keep a careful check on our great reservoirs. They have put into operation a creel census study on the North Georgia streams with a view of bringing about better trout fishing and stream improvements. They have developed our hatcheries for greater fish production to meet greater demands. They stand guard over the rou.9'h fish control program. Their list of major and minor projects is long but they all add up to more and better fishing.
Our wildlife rangers ha\'e been a credit to the Enforcement Division.
\Ve are not without vexing problems. We are gravely concerned with pollution. It apnean; that Georgia may be slowlv committing an aquatic suicide by a llowing poison to enter the water vein s of the state. \Vater is certainly one of the greatest essentials for the continued existence of all animal life. Man f'.ee ms to be the onlv creature intent on the destru'ction of this vitaI resource.
P erhaps we have lost our respect for water. How much longer ca n we afford to ig110re the life blood of th e state? One day, we must come un with th e right answers to heal th ese infected wounds that are constantly pouring poison in our life streams.
Each vear, irate citizens demand su;cease to the wholesale slaughte r of fish due to pollution. \Ve are powerless to act since we ha ve no law to inYoke. Comnlaints are hi g hest in hot weather when water is low and robbed of its oxygen content. Impure water carries disease to men, li\estock. fish. a nd wildlife to exact a de\astating toll.
The remedy is forthcoming. It will Jno,ide for industry. municipalities and clean water existing in a compatible state of well be in g fm the benefit of all concern ed. l\leanwhile, e\ery true consenationi st hopes tliat all the sand will not haYe fallen throug h the hourglass before we get the conect. intelligent answel in the form of a law that can be enforced.

SURVIVAL
(Continued from P age 9)
bird eggs, birds, and other animals. Plants, whether water or land, furnish edible fruits, seeds, bark tubers, buds, leaves, flowers, sap, pods, nuts, acorns, stems, roots, and shoots. If possible, some cooking will make most of these more easily digested and less likely to cause sickness. This can be done by roasting in ashes o1 on hot rocks if you have no container.
In general it is safe to try foods that you observe being eaten by birds and mammals. Never eat large quantities of a strange food without first testing it. A small quantity of even a poisonous food is not likely to prove fatal or even dangerous, whereas a large quantity may be. Unknown plant foods with milky juices should be avoided. Any plant parts with an unusually bitter or otherwise disagreeable taste may be definitely harmful. Mushrooms or toaditools are dangerous unless you are an expert. Remember that while you may gag over an unpalatable morsel, many savages would smack their lips over it. There is a choice of starve or eat. If you are hungry enough, you'll eat anything you can catch or overtake.
\Vater :\lost Important
\Vater is the most important single factor for survival. Without it, the presence or absence of food is of little importance. You can survive many days if you have water. Fortunately in the southern states, finding \Yater usually is no difficult problem. However, certain points other than purity are \VOrth remembering. \Vh en looking for water remember that the watertable is usually near the surface and can be reached with a little digging in low forested areas, along the seashore, and in th e flood plane of rivers. The watertable tends to fo llow the contours of the land surface.
Drinking water usually can be obtained along the seashore by scooping out holes in the beach a t low tide. Fresh water wi ll be found first when you dig since it is lighter than salt

A handful of fnckles on a turned Ill)
HOSt'
Patched up jtans and muddy lol'S, 1\n old eane poll' and a batttrtd can Dad's old straw hat and baked on tan. 1\ faithful pUJ) less pedigrcc .\ vacant span whtre a tooth should
he, .A secret plaee to sit and dream A fishin' hole on a noisy stream. The birds, the frogs, the hugs and
snakes And gruh like only l\lother maiHs And special times when Had can come To fish and talk till day is done. It's such as tlu.se that link the sp an From a freekle nose kid to a worth-
while man. -Paul Thygeson Cillwrt
water. \Vater too brackish to drink frequently can be made palatable by running it through a sa nd filter several times. Drinking sea water in any quantity when the body is dehydrated is extremely dangerous. It should be remembe1ecl that bodv fluids of salt water fish when shained through a cloth can supply the human body as a water substitute and sustain life.
\Vhen Not to Eat Don't eat if you lack water, as eating uses up the body's water reserves. Don't drink alcohol as it increases the risk of frost bite. Snow should be taken sparingly and should be melted in the mouth before swallowing. Sap is chiefly water antl from many plants it is both fit to drink and usually available. This is particularly true of many desert plants. In our area one source, easily found, is the grapevine. Your wilderness survival is in direct proportion to the knowledge you have at your immediate command, your ability to im provise, and intelligently to apply specific informat ion in supplying your immediate need. \Vhen it is all over, you will recall your experience as a refleshing visit in the great outdoors and rich in adventure. Keep always in mind the old Indian who, when he could not find his way hack to camp said "Indian not lost, wigwam lost." Lost fishermen an especially well equipped since they possess the tools to serure food, strayed hunters ('an use their guns to solYe the food problem.

OTTERS
(Cont inned from Page 19)
eluded that otters a1e beneficial in spite of their fishing habits. Their fish diet often inclwies catfish and others coming under the classification of rough fish. They arc especially valuable where the waters are o\erstocked with stunted fish.
In the better informed cin:lcs, the stories of otters k iII in g beave1s a1e taken with a grain of salt.
The otter reputation as a fighter is known and respected by its enemies. The teeth are rather large and strong. They can crush the bone in a clog's leg as a person might bite through a chocolate bar.
In summary, the otter is all of these things-gentle, happy, a killet, a great swim met, fearless, fun-loving, care-free, alert, vivacious, quick, devoted to family, ever playful, steadfast in death and for the sheer joy of just being alive-it is the happiest living thing on earth.
Clark Hill
Fish Named
\Vhat kind of fish are found in the Clark Hill waters?
In a fish population stu d~ conducted by Fred Dickson, the fo llowing species were found: ;';tnall and largemouth bass; chain pickerel (jack) : yellow perch; black and white crappie; bluegill; warmouth; shellcrackers; redbreast; round flier; channel, brown bullhead, and flat bullhead catfish; redhorse sucker, carp ; g izza r d s h a d , j oh n n ie darter; hog and chub suckers; goldfi sh, green sunfish, \Yhite catfish, go ld en shiners; spot-tail minnow; silver shiner: piratl' perch; eel, and long nosed gar.
Sine(: this population stud~. there have been report s of striped bass and whit e bass being caught. \Valle~cd pike are known to he in the waters that fp(d tlw Clark Jlill J{eservoir and soon these \\'onderful game fish may he caught in th<' big lake. It mav take a vcar or two for the wailc,es to i<'ach Clark Hill water.
23

IBOOIK
= IRJEVIIIEWS=
SALT WATER FISH OF F LOHIDA A ND THE SOUTHERN COASTS
ll.v J'lmlimir Walter s
2 ~ pages. D ra win gs o r color pic tures o n every page . Publi s h e d b~ C a ri bo u P r es s, Rox 236. Ut on n ill e, N. Y . P rie e 50c.
This pocket sized book let is beautifully don e in br igh t, g orgeou s co lor ill u strations. It is perfec t a s a refel'<: nre for the identi fic ation of salt \vater fi >; hes. You wi ll r ead ever:v word and find yo ur self getting a rqtiainted with such things a s the Rainbow Parrotfi sh, Pearl Fish, Hog Choker, Cowf i~ h. Lio nfi sh , Batfis h , French An ge l a nd many ot hers that will s tir y our imagi nation.
AN ANGLER'S ANTHOLOGY
lly Eugeue lluru.-.
1 ~ 7 pages. Illu strated w ith sk et ch es by Louis Macoillard. Published hy S t ack p ol e Co m pa n y, H a rrisburg, P r nns.vha:1ia. Price $5.
It isn't neressarv to be a fi sherman to appreciate t hi s 'exce ll e nt book. It is in prose and poetry with som e of t he best pieces of many of the most beloved fi g ures in Eng lis h literature. It al so contains cho ice se lection s of ma n v well known contemporary writ er s.
This is a valuable addition to anv s portsman 's library. It ce rtainl y wi il be a comforting companio n for th e angler in hi s leisure hours. It is the kind of reading enjoyed for perhaps a ha lf hour before bedtime a nd it can Le re a d ov er and over a ga in . Bet ween the cover s yo u hav e r efe r enee, hi story of ang ling and w ords of w isdom from such famous writers as Rober t Brownir.g, William S ha kes peare, H o b e rt Louis Stevenson , Henry D. T horeau a nd many other s.
The ehan ge of pare in subject matter is superb.
FISHING TAC I\LE DIGEST
l(y Clwrlf>.'\ U:. JacolJ ...
1-IK pa ges. Pack ed with illu s tr:tt '. ns :t nd pi ct ur es. J'rodnced by C rown Publishers, 4 19 Fnnrt h Ave., Ne w Y o rk , N . Y. Price $ 1. 50.
Proba bl y the m ost co mpl ete book of its t~r pe ever pu blished. I t dea ls w ith eYery type f ishing tackl e fo r fresh and salt water. The stories by outstand in g wri ters a r e we ll done a nd in the language t he fis herman under-
~tand~ ht>~t.
It is fu ll of hints, sug-gest ions a nd methods for catching all typt>s of game fish using the equi p nwnt of ~ou t choice. There are ga me f i:;; h iden ti fica tions along with pictmeR, plus the hi .c tory of the species even dowu to what they like to eat. It's a hook you won't just read-you'll study it.
24

-* of!etterj lo lhe {;Jilor 1::r-

THE WHITE HOUSE Washington F ebruary 15, 1954.
Dear 1\Tr. Lovell : T ha nk you very much for your
le tt e r of Febru a r y t we l ft h , g r a nt ing m e hunting a nd fi s hing privil eges in Georgi a. I a m mo~ t a pprecia ti ve of y our court e~y.
I enj oyed t o the full m y t oo bri ef weekend expedition. The wea th er a nd th e quail we r e mo ~t c:ooper a t ive.
Wi t h best wi s hes, S incerely, D wight D. Ei senhower
Dahlonega, Ga. Dear Mr. St earns :
Ha\'e been reading your publicati on fo r ~o m e tim e now a nd I think th at it is a fine magazine. It gi ve~ t h e s ports m en of th e sta te a lot of general a nd s pec ia l inf ormation, plu s some in ter esting reading.
I wo uld a pprec ia t e it if yo u wo uld includ e m y na m e in vo ur s ubsc ri ption li st s. I m a nage t o get m o~t of th e issues fr om oth er peopl e to read, but I wo uld lik e to k eep a back fil e on the issues so t hat I ca n refer to them when I want to do so. T han k ing yo u in a d\'a nce fo r the subscription, I rema in,
Yours t ruly. J a mes H . Wood Attorney-at-Law
Georg ia Ga m e a nd F ish Com miss ion
Atla nta, Geor gia Dear Sirs :
I ha\'e j ust r eceived a co py of Georgia Game and Fish, and I w is h to cong ratulate yo ur d epartment on t h is s pl endid m agazine.
A ll th e var ious a rti cles arc \'e ry inte r e~ tin g a nd good; a nd I r ea lly apprec iate be ing able to keep up with t h e wildlife a nd g ood fish ing news f r om my old hom e state th r ough t h ese \\'O ncl erful publi catio ns.
Si nce re ly .\"Ou rs, Leonard H . H enrv 1468 Church Street Beaumont , Texas

Dear Mr. Stearns : Just had my fir st opportunity
to see "Georg ia Gam e & Fish ." It is wonderful ! I couldn 't stop 'til I had r ead th e entire edit ion fr om cove r to co,er !
The a rticles wer e ver y well written a nd q ui te tim ely . Th e photog raph s certa inl y aci d t u reader interest.
Your magazine is by fa r a nd large the ver y best of its type I've see n.
S incerely, D1. L eRoy Harris Zone Cha irman Li o n ~ Inte rna tiona l Box 143, Gri f fin , Ga.
A thens, Ga. Dear Sirs:
I have been reading your Georg ia Gam e a nd Fi sh 1\Iagazine, which I obtained from my local ranger , Mr. Thorn to n.
I have fo und , a fter r eadi ng se\'eral magazines on t his s ubj ect, tha t your maga zine furnish es the m ost complete a nd profita ble info rmati on in t hi s fi eld.
I beli eve tha t yo ur ar ticle introdu c ing th e ga m e la w enforcement officer s t o t he public is th e bes t s t ep in ga ining t h e f ull ~up por t of t he hun te r s a nd fi~ h cr men.
I would a pprec ia t e be ing on yo ur reg ula r m a iling li st.
S incer ely yo urs, Robe r t l\I. Harri s
Chicago 9. Ill. Dear l\Ir. Stearns :
I hme just recei\'ed a n iss ue of " Geor gia Game and Fish ."
First. I wa n t to congratulatl' ,\"OU on a \'er y fi ne job of publi s h ing t hi s wonder fu l editi on. In mY opi ni on your wonde1fu l mag-<1 zi ne ~ urpas ses a ll book s you find on t he newstancl.
Secondl y. I \\'a nt to thank ~o u fo r ~'om most kind ass istance f or helpi ng m e with mr \'a catio n problem s.
Si ncerelr yours, Richard Antolik 5325 S . Mars hfield Chi ca go 8, Illinois

0
\ \ \ \
Federal Chief Walter Gresh Wins Praise
fF vou have ever met \Valter
Gresh, Regional Director of the U. S. Fish and \Vildlife Service. ,;ou are not likelv to forget him. His job is to handle F ederal business in 11 Southeastern states where it pertains to game and fish. This job he does with superb diplomac~r, skill and efficiency.
\Va lter's quick response to help settle problems, his marvelous spirit of cooperation and good fellowship has endeared him to even wildlife director in the 11 s tates.
One of the true signs of greatness is what fellow workers sav and think of "the boss." Ail through the rank s of the U. S. Fish and \\'ildlife Service thev regard their Director as not just their Chief hut a close personal friend. He is never too lmsv to talk o ve r problem s , large or s mall. with his empl o~' ees. They a ll sa~ of Walt er. "the g r eatest guy in the world.''
\\'hat a stoJT the\' could have on \\'alter foi, "This is Your Life." H e is not onh rich in f riend s hips but \Yealth~ in barkground and expe ri ence. He ha s been through th e mill. His first
(Co ntimHd on Pag-e 26)

Hard Work Won Job as Chief For Hatchett

M ALLORY Hatchett. Ch ief of Ogeechee District with
headquarters at Vidalia, came up t h rough the ranks. Starting in 1948, he worked under Chief Thomasson, of Macon. who said of Mallory, "He is one of the best wi ldlife rangers I've ever seen."
Hatchett is married and has one son. He is a veteran of 14 vears of Armv service most of ~vhich he served as a member of the Mi li tarv Po lice. He was in the P h ilipp.ines during the l~st war and was on occupation dut:,' in Korea after the war.
Mallory likes to fish ancl hunt but admits he prefers to see a deer galloping off into the WOtlds than draped over an automobile fender.
\Vhile Hatchett is soft of voice. those who know him are not mi sled by this characteristic. He does not ask his men to do anv job that he will not do himself. He has won the admiration and
wholehea rted cooperation of all his associates.
P e rhaps it was his Arm~ training that taught l\1allor.; to master surprise tactics. \\'ithout notire, he will call his men to-
(C ontinn(d on Pa ge 2fi)

Cliff Palmer,
The ''Iron-Man''
Of Mountains
CHIEF Cliff Palmer, with 1:1 wildlife rangers in his division, operates in 12 North Georgia
counties including vast parts a:
the Chattahoochee National Forest . He lives at Suches, Georgia. with his wife, Hazel. and three sons. Paul. Pete and Rex. Clifr proudly report s his bo~s hme already graduated from the pole cllld lin e division tn the rod and reel class although Rex, the yonngest, is just four.
Born in Nicholson, Cliff must have known as a bov that he would somehow always have a part in conservation and the outdoors. As a barefoot lad, his g r eatest jo~ wa s fishing and hunting.
The Chief never once complains about the 24 hour dnt ies demanded h.\' t he job h e has held f m 7 ~ears. H e rather enjo~s the E: xtra \\'ork. F ew m en can l<eep up with the pace the Chief ~et s. He moves cffortl essh and tireless!\ me r mountain~ and dc\\'11 rugged trout streams.
Hi s job is demanding since rf'
must const ant!\ check mam of the North Ce(~rgia reser~oir lakes, several hundred miles of trout streams. stand gumd over th e ,,iJdlife :\I anagement Area.
(Co nt in ned on !'ag-e 2fi)

25

\

Walter Gresl1
(Continued from Page 25)
wildlife job was with Pennsylvania back in the 30's. He then shifted over as a game technician with the TVA. Later he was Regional Supervisor of PittmanRobertson programs. Then he moved into Chicago for a better position with P-R.
After more P-R work in Minnesota, he came to Atlanta as assistant to James Silver, Regional Director. Upon Silver's retirement, walter stepped into the top job.
His hobby is woodworking in a little shop back of his home in Smyrna. For his own amusement, he turns out items that reflect superior craftsmanship. His wife, Mrs. Mardie Gresh, is delighted with Walter's talent. She dreams it up and Walter builds it. They have one son who at present is in the U. S. Coast Guard.
Walter's broiled steak and barbecued chicken cooked on an outdoor pit, comes under the heading of gastronomical delight. When time permits, he enjoys hunting and fishing. He is an expert at both.
It is common knowledge that Walter Gresh is one of the best informed wildlife men in the nation. It isn't bv accident that he comes up with right answers. He is a profound thinker and the smallest details do not escape his steel-trap mind.
As a youngster , Walter traveled abroad in forestry work. He seldom forgets anything except his hat. These he loses frequently. If a spare hat turns up in certain restaurants. they automatically send to to \Valter and usually it's his.
How does he like Georgia? \Vhen he is awa y, he gets Lomesick for t he entire Southeast and especia lly Georg ia. P enns:vlvania is his native state.
Few men have such a rare sense of t iming. H e catches trains and planes within the last minute of departure. And he nevl,r misses.
He has litle patie nce with wildlife violators. Few of his closest friends know that while t r~ring to utch a Pennsylva nia violator, Walter was pai nfull y wounded by a rifle shot in the
26

Cliff Paln1er
(Continued fro m Page 25)
take on a major 1ole in the annual Management A1ea dee1 hunt and run down illegal night hunters.
The big problem he faces concerns "self-hunting" dogs that have seriously damaged deer herds in the mountain areas. Time and again Cliff has caught the dogs and returned them to their owners only to have to catch them all over again.
"I just wish," Palmer said, "these dog owners could see their pets run down a doe - many times with a fawn-and cruelly slash the poor animal to death. A man would have to own a strong stomach to watch that kind of show." Cliff owns two dogs and is proud of them. They are not deer killers.
The Chief's life as a ranger is never dull. Many times he has been in wild automobile rides in pursuit of violators. His spring steel leg muscles quickly overtake violators. It is almost useless to run if Cliff is in the chase.
One fellow sent word to the Chief that he intended to hunt when he pleased and at his own convenience. He challenged the Chief to do something about it. The man had built a deer blind in the top of an old house on the rim of the Management Area. At 2 a.m. one moonlight night, he came down out of his blind. l'ight into Palmer's waiting arms. The next stop was the court room.
shoulder. The man was caught and received a stiff sentence.
If you want to find Walter at the Atlanta office of the U. S. Fish and \Vildlife Service, just look for a fellow with a big smile and a large "hello."
Ba~ed Fish Rub trout or rough fish with salt and pepper. Stuff with sliced onion and a small amount of garlic. Place trout in pan and slice two or more onions over the top . La~' a few slices of bacon over the trout and 2 or 3 bav leaves. Pour canned tomatoe's owr th e fish, co\ering well. Bake in a moderate oven until trout are tender.

R4te4
tleJt
POPULATION studies at Lake Chatuge by Fred Dickson and his staff of biologists and 12 rangers late in 1953 told a pleasant story for our sportsmen.
In a nut shell, the lake was found to be in excellent shape and well balanced. The big surprise was the crappie population. In all the years of his experience Fred couldn't remember when he had seen such big, healthy crappie. His statement was substantiated later when a teen-age lad hauled out a crappie over 4 pounds
Some of the Lake Chatuge species examined included bass (large and smallmouth), crappie, bluegill, warmouth, shellcrackers, redbreast, yellow perch, channel catfish (big ones), milktail shiners, carp and goldfish.
Chatuge is one of the few lakes in the state where the game fish outnumber the rough fish. The prediction is for great fishing and outstanding catches.
Mallory Hatchett
(Continued from Page 25)
gether and spend the night on a river in search of illegal devices or hunters and fishermen violating the laws. Violators feeling secure and confident of a "clear field'' suddenlv find Hatchett tapping them on the shoulder.
The Chief believes our game and fish future is in the hands of youngsters. He never passes up an opportunity to spend time with boys and girls and tell them the ston' of conservation.
So far as Chief Hatchett is concerned, he has the greatest job in the world. He explains it thusly. "I'm doing the t:vpe of work I like to do and when von like what you're doing-you 'are happ:v. I just like the great outdoors and everything in it.''
His work as chief has reflected credit to the Game and Fish Commission. In his new territorv he has manv new friends ancl has had excellent COOI1eration from court officials.

l lll~~~~lrl :~r:m1~1ill m11r' r1111
3 2108 04554 0534

Georgia Cooperative Wildlife Areas Georgia Game and Fish Commission and Chattahoochee National Forest

OPEN DATES

Blue Hidge Management Area

ROCK f' R EE K Saturdays & Sund ays: April 24 & 25, May I & 2, 8 & 9, 15 & 16, 22 &
23, 29 & 30, July 3 & 4, 10 & 11, 17 & 18, 24 & 25. Wednesdays and Thursdays : Jun e 2 & 3, 9 & 10, 16 & 17, 23 & 24,
August 4 & 5, 11 & 12, 18 & 19, 25 & 26.
Also: September 4, 5 & 6. Directions from Atl a nta: Go to Dah lonega, travel for approximately
3 miles on Hy. 19 toward C le\'e land, turn left o n Coopers Gap
dirt road and trave l approx imately 14 mil es to Hightow e r Gap. Permits may be houg ht here from Ranger Cleve H arper.

NOONTOOTLEY CRE E K W ednesdays and Thursdays: M ay 5 & 6, 12 & 13, 19 & 20, 26 & 27,
July 1, 7 & 8, 14 & 15, 21 & 22, 28 & 29, 31. Saturdays a nd Sundays: Jun e 5 & 6, 12 & 13, 1!l & 20, 26 & 27, 30,
Au g ust 1, 7 & 8, 14 & 15, 21 & 22, 28 & 29. Directions from Atlanta: Go by way Blue Ridge, Morganton, to Dial,
Georg ia. Go to Noontootley ('reek which is near Junie Steven s' r esidence. Permits may be secured from Ran ger M ullinax. Also from Ranger Harper at Winding Stair Gap.

N IMBLEWILL CREEK

Satu rd ays a nd Sundays : M ay 1 & 2, 8 & 9, 15 & 16, 22 & 23.

Wedn esdays a nd Thurs days: Augu s t 4 & 5, 11 & 12, 18 & 19, 25 & 26.

Directions from Atlanta: Take H y. 19, just before Dahlonega, and

t1avel to Nimhlewill Church, go by the churc h on the left fork,

and travel to from Ranger

HN.imcb.

lecreek Rid e r.

hridge

where

permits

m ay

he

bought

1\IONTGOI\IERY CHEEK W ed n esdays and Thurs days: May 5 & 6, 12 & 13, 19 & 20, 26 & 27,
J uly 31. Saturdays and Sundays: August 1, 7 & 8, 14 & lfi, 2 1 & 22. Directio n s from Atl a nta: Just befo1e reaching Dahl onega, take Hy. 19
a nd travel to Nimble will Chu1ch, turn to the rig ht at the church, the first creek is J ones C1eek, the second is Montgome ry Creek. Permits may be bought at the bridges f rom Ranger H. C. Rider.

JONES CREEK Saturdays and Sundays: Jun e fi & 6, 12 & 13, I!l & 20, 26 & 27, July
3 & 4, 10 & 11, August 28 & 29.
Also: Septembe r 6. Directi o n s fro m Atlanta: J ust before reaching Dahlon ega, take Hy. 19
a nd t ravel to Nimblewill Church, turn r igh t at the church. The first creek is J ones Creek. Permits may be bought from Ranger H. C. R 1der a t the bridge,

Chattahoochee-CheRtatee Manage ment A rea

f' HATTA IIOOCIIEE AND SPOIL CANE CREEKS Saturdays a n d Sundays: May 1 & 2, 8 & 9, 15 & 16, 22 & 23 , 29 & 30,
July 3 & 4. 10 & 11, 17 & 18, 24 & 25, 3 1. Wed n esdays a nd Thurs days : June 2 & 3, 9 & 10, 16 & 17, 23 & 24,
August I, 7 & 8, 14 & 15, 2 1 & 22, 28 & 29. Also: September 5 & 6. Directions from Atlanta: Go to H e len, Georgia, conti nu e no1thward on
H y. 17 & 75 until you cross the first ri ver bridge, turn to the rig h t. Permits may be obtained fro m Ranger Frank H edden .
DUKt:S CHEEK W ednesdays and Thursda ys: May 5 & 6, 12 & 13, 19 & 20, 26 & 27,
J u ly I, 7 & 8, August 4 & 5, II & 12. Saturdays a nd Sundays: Jun e 5 & 6, 12 & 13, 30. Direction s from Atlanta: Go to Helen , Georgia, continue no1thward on
H Y. 17 & 75 unti l you cross th e fi rst ri ver bridge, turn to the left a nd travel a pprox imat ely 6 miles t o t h e c 1eek, permits may he bought from Ra n ge r F rank H edden.
S I\IITII CREEK Saturdays and S u ndays: Jun e 19 & 20, 26 & 27. W ed n esdays and Th ursdays: July 14 & 15, 21 & 22, Augus t I I> & 19,
25 & 26. Directions from Atlanta: Go to ll el<n, co n t inu e travelling northward
o ne mile t o R obertstown, travel eastward approxi mat ely 2 miles t o the upper end of Un icoi State Park Lake, w here permits may be obtained from Ranger Frank H edden.
DI CKS AN D W ATER S C R EEKS Sat urdays and Sundays: May 1 2, 8 & 9, 15 & 16, 22 & 23, 29 & 30.
July 3 & 4, 10 & 11, 17 & 18, 2 3 & 24.
~=~~es~~i,~~~~~ Jh~ r&d ~:s: Jun e 2 & 3, 9 & 10, 16 & 17, 23 & 21.

Direction s from Atlanta: Travel 14 mil es north o f Clevela nd on Hy .

11 to Turners Corner, travel south ward one-half mile on Hy. 19

& to

9, turn Ranger

Rri.ghrt.

at church and school house. This road Byer 's r es id en ce, wher e permits may be

will lead obtai ned.

BOGGS ('HEEK AND f' IIESTATEE RIVER
Saturdays 11nd Sundays: June fi & 6, 12 & 13, 19 & 20, 26 & 27. Wednesdays lind Thurs d"y~: A ugust 1 & 5, 11 & 12, 18 & 19, 25 & 26. Directions from Atlanta: Travel ].1 miles north o f Dah lo n ega on ll y, 19
to Tur n ers C'ornl'r. Pennits may be bo ght from Rang<>r Byers.

Lake Burton lllanagement Area

WILDCAT CHEEK

Saturdays and Sundays: May 1 & 2, H & 9, Iri & 16, 22 & 23, 29 & 30,

July 3 & 4, 10 & II, 17 & 1R, 21 & 2fi.

Wednes days and Thursdays: ,J une 2 & :~. 9 & 10, 16 & 17, 23 & 21,

August 1 DinctionH fro m

& ii, 11 & 12, Atlanta: Go to

1C8lar&ke1s9~il2le5,

& 26. take ll y.

97

to

en d

of

pave-

ment, turn to left and puss B u ford L aPrade's Camp, pass the first

creek to the top o f th< first hill, turn to th e left on dirt road.

Thi s will lead you to Wildcat Crl'l'k, whe r e pl'r m its may I)(' bo ught from Ranger T , E. Hollifield.
MOCASSIN CHEEK
Saturdays and Sundays: Jun e 5 & 6, 12 & 13, 19 & 20, 26 & 27, July 3 & 4, 7 & 8 , 14 & 15, 2 1 & 22 , 2R & 2!.1, August 7 & 8, 14 & 11), 21 & 22, 28 & 29.
Also: September 4, 5 & 6. Direction s from A tlauta: Go to C lark esvi ll e, take ll y . !.17 to end o f
pavement, turn ltft and fo ll ow the main road to the Lake Burto n Fish Hatchery, where the permits may he bought from Ranger T. E. Hollifield.
DICKS CRE EK
W ed n esda ys a nd Thursdays: May 5 & 6, 12 & 13 , 19 & 20, 26 & 27. Direc tio n s from Atlanta: Go to Clarkesv ill e, turn to left on lly. 97,
travel past Lake Burton F is h H atchE-ry to the fi rst crePk. PNmits m ay be hought here from Ranger H ollifield.
Cohutta Managemen t Area
JA CKS HIVEH
Saturdays and Sundays: May I & 2, R & 9, 15 & 16, 22 & 2!l, 2!l & 30, Jun e 5 & 6, 12 & 13, 19 & 20, 26 & 27, July 3 & 4, 10 & II, 17 & 18, 24 & 25.
Wed n esdays a nd Thursdays: August 4 & 5, II & 12, 18 & 19, 25 & 26. Also: SeJ>temher 4, 5 & 6. Dir<>cti on s from Atlanta: Go to Ellijay, take Hy. 52 & 76 westward,
travel a pprox imately 6 miles, turn to right on the H olly Crl'<'k Road, go to top of the moun tain, turn right. Travel approximately 8 miles to Ranger (']eo Andrew's home, wher e permits may hi' obtained.
CONASAUGA HIVER
W ed n esdays and Thursdays: May 5 & 6, 12 & 13, 19 & 20, 2~ & 27, June 2 & 3, 9 & 10, 16 &. 17, 23 & 24, September 1 & 2.
Saturdays a nd Sundays : July 3 & 4, 7 & 8, 14 & 15, 2 1 & 22, 2R & 29, 31, Augu st 1, 7 & 8, 14 & 15, 21 & 22, 28 & 29.
Directio ns f rom Atlanta : Go to E llijay, take Hy. 52 wes tward, trave l about 6 miles, turn to r ig h t on llolly Creek R oad, to the top o f m ountain, tt11n left when sign directs to Conasauga and go to Betty's Cahin, where permits may he bought from R anger Clyde Crowe.
LAKE RUSSELL MANAGEMENT A R EA (No permit required )
Ma y 5, 8 & 9, 12, 15 & 16, 19, 22 & 23, 26, 29 & 30. Jun e 2, 5 & 6, 9, 12 & 13, 16, 19 & 20, 23, 26 & 27, 30. July 3 & 4, 7, 10 & 11, 14, 17 & 18, 21, 24 & 25, 28, 3 1. August 4, 7 & 8, 11, 14 & 15, 18, 21 & 22, 25, 28 & 29 . Septemher I, 4, 5 & 6, 8, 11 & 12, 15, 18 & 19, 22, 25 & 26 , 29.
No permit req ui1ed. ( \\"ar m wat er fish) Fishing from sun-up until sundown only. Directions from Atlanta: Go to f'orn elia, take the road to the right, at Corn e lia 's swimming pool, an d follow to Lake Russell.
Permits and Fees: A spec ial p e rmi t costing $1 per day J>e r p e r~o n, regardless of age, is necessa ry in a ddition to a r ev:u la1 Stat<' Fishing license. State licen se is unnecessary fo r childr<'n under 16 years of age or for a person fis hi ng with earthworms in his county of residence. Permits are vali d on ly on spec ifi,,d st nams, and open portion s o f tributaries thereof, and on elat<' for which pu rchased.
Fisherme n mu st obtain license and permit before th<'Y htgin fishing . Permits ca n be obtai ned from tht Wildlif<> H"n gcrs o n th areas specified.
P erso n s fou n d fishing without first obta ining permit s will lw liable> for legal action.
Gate at Cooper's l;ap will b e o p!' n at ~ :00 p. m. on dn~ J>r<'ceding ach open period so that fislwrmen ma y e nt<'r in th<' Bl nt Hiclge Management Area for camping,
M anner of Fishing: Fi " h m:1 y lw take'n on ly with rod and line. Any type of bait or lure may h<> used. Each penn itt<'<' shu II h" \'e in u~ at any POe tin1e on the area uo t rnor(' than one rod and line, held in hand.
lo:dmundson P o nd will be res <"rv ed for the exclu~ive fishing use o f women, l'hildren under !6, and physically han di!'"Jll>l'cl P<'rsons.
Fish i ng Time: Jo'ishing shall be Jl<'rmittPd only hl'IW<'<.'n the hours of daylight and sundown of the same day.
Creel Limit : The maximum catch in any clay and th<> maximum numher in post'Ssion of On<' person shall n ot <'XCeed t<'n fish of any on<' o r a11 sJec is, o f any size.
C'rcel Ctnsts: ~:ach trout fish<nPan must lea,e his fishing ]J!'<.'n"'' at checking stat ion to b<' hPid until his return, at which time the fi shi ng licenHe will ht' r!'lurntd to the owner. Tlw PUI'J"'"" of this iH to obtain n cr<'el ccnHtu; f1 om e\"(ry fiRhcrma n, so \\'(' may know when to re~tolk thP stnn m or 8tn.am~ for lht hen<.. fit of tht' fi she rmen. F rom u cr('<'l e('nsus other information will lw obtained, such as. the ncmh<>r of hntch<ry-rt>and. nnd tht nurnher of n at iv <-rca rl'd trout that havP heen captured. ThiR nncl other in formation is nt'tdcd in formulating Ktocking Ji8tR.
FOR OTIIEH INFOHliiATlON a~k your Wildlife Rnngcr in th ann whom you wi ll fin d <"OUrtcou~ ancl helpful at all timPs.