GEORGIA 
 
JULY,1970 
 
 ~GEORGIA 
~GAME&FISH 
 
July 1970 
 
Volume V 
 
Number 7 
 
CONTENTS 
 
Finders Keepers . .. 
 
. Dean Wohlgemuth 1 
 
Treat It Like A Trophy 
 
.. . .. Aaron Pass 5 
 
Striped Bass Are Coming . . . . ...... John Culler 8 
 
Most Neglected Gamefish .... .. Marvin Tye 10 
 
Coastal Marshes-A Vital Link . . . Bob Wilson 12 
 
Outdoor World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... Staff 14 
 
Sportsmen Speak 
 
15 
 
Sportsman's Calendar 
 
. . . . . . . . . . . 17 
 
Tide Table . . 
 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 
 
Lester G. Maddox Governor 
 
George T. Bagby Director. State Game & Fish Commission 
 
COMMISSIONERS 
 
Clyde Dixon Chairman Cleveland-9th District William Z. Camp, Sec. Newnan-6th District James Darby Vidalia-1st District 
Dr. Robert A. Collins, Jr. Americus-3rd District Charles L. Davidson, Jr. Avondale Estates-4th District 
 
Richard Tift Vice Chairman Albany-2nd District 
Rankin M. Smith Atlanta-5th District 
J. B. Langford 
Calhoun-7th District Judge Harley Langdale 
Valdosta-8th District Leonard Bassford 
Augusta-lOth District 
 
Jimmie Williamson Darien-Coasta I District 
 
TECHNICAL SERVICES DIVISIO N 
Jack A. Crockford , Ass istant Director Leon Kirkland , Fisheries C(l ief . 
Hubert Handy, Game Management Ch1ef 
 
LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION 
Bill Cline, Major Deputy State Chief, Atlanta 
J. D. Atchison, Major Deputy State Chief, Metter 
David Gould, Major Supervisor of CoastaI Fisheries 
Brunswick 
 
GEORGIA GAME & FISH STAFF 
Dean Wohlgemuth Editor 
 
Staff Writers 
 
Marvin Tye 
 
John Culler 
 
Bob Wilson 
 
Aaron Pass 
 
Ted Borg, Photo Editor 
 
Georgia Game and Fish is the ofliciol monthly magaz ine ol the Georg ia 
Game and Fish Comm ission , published of the Comm ission's ollices, Trinity Washington Build ing , 270 Washington St., J.tlonto, Georgia 30334. No advertising accepted. Subs criptions ore S l lor one year or $2 .50 lor three yeors. Prin ted by Stein Pr inti ng Company, At/onto , Ga . Notification ol address change must include both old and new address and ZIP code. w ith 30 ~oys notice . No subscription requests will be accepted without ZIP code. Art1cles ond photographs moy be reprinted. Proper credit should be g iven . Contr ibu ~ tions a re welcome , but the editors assume no respons ibility or liability for lou or damage of art icles, photographs, or illustrat ions . Second-class postage 
paid ot J. tlonto, Go . 
 
Are You The "Other Fellow?" 
Is there a boat in your carport? If not, you're probably wishing there were. This seems a fairly safe statement, since you're obviously an outdoorsman... you're reading this magazine. 
If you've got a boat, it seems safe to assume you've had it on the water recently. Maybe it was a fishing trip, a cruise, perhaps a boat camping trip, a float trip, or a little water skiing. 
Did it occur to you , while you were out, that there certainly were a lot of other boats out? If you've been a boater for several yea rs , has it struck you that there are now a lot more boats out than there used to be? You're right. 
Perhaps nowhere are people more interested in boating in its various forms , than the people of Georgia. Just as they love other outdoor sports, they Jove boating; and they want to continue enjoying it. 
Just as in all other outdoor sports when their favorite recreation area begins to get crowded, the edge can sometimes be taken off their fun. And more and more, each person using our outdoor recreation resources has an increased responsibility for others also using them. 
Actually, boating in Georgia is a pretty safe sport yet, all things considered. But when you see the way "the other fellow" operates his boat. you sometimes wonder why. Running a boat on some of our Jakes is more and more getting to be pretty much like driving the expressways in our metro areas during the rush hour. 
That kind of thing takes a great deal of the fun out of our sport. 
Wait a minute . . . the "other fellow," you say? Why sure, you're a safe boater. Never had an accident. Sure, you may have come fairly close a couple times, but it was the "other fellow's" fault. Was it? 
How well do you know the rules of boating safety? Do you know your danger zone? Do you know the safe way to pass another boat? Do you turn your lights on at dusk? Do you know where to slow your boat so that your boat won't cause discomfort or possible damage to others and their property? 
Wh at a kill-joy you think, bringing up such boresome things. You boat for fun, and it's no fun having some traffic cop tell you how to do it. 
Well , just think how much fun boating will be after you've been involved in a tragedy. Then perhaps you'll wish you'd learned something of boating safety. 
Actuall y, learning more about your boat and its safe operat ion IS fun. Properly learned, lessons such as these can add immeasurably to your boating pleasure. 
The fun begins when the learning begins, if you take advantage of free boating cia ses provided by both the U.S. Power Squadrons and Coast Guard Auxiliary units. For one reason, there's fellowship with other folks with whom you have something in common . . . an interest in boating. Even if you're already an old salt, you're bound to learn quite a bit you didn't already know. You've invested a lot in your boat; learn to handle it and care for it properly. 
Continued on Page 15 
ON THE COVER: How many of your boyhood fishing trips were for catfish? But how many times have you fished for them lately? They're still good sport and good eating, but we tend to forget them sometimes. To help you remember, read Marvin Tye's story, Our Most Neglected Gamefish, Page 10. Painting by George Reiney. 
ON THE BACK COVER: Summer's here and the weather's hot. We dream all year of the summer fishing, but sometimes, the hotter the weather the poorer the fishin g seems to be. Tips on catching them in the heat of summer, using a depthfinder, can be found in Dean Wohlgemuth's story, Finders Keepers, Page 1. Photo by Ted Borg. 
 
 Wow! A big bass on the line! This is what we all dream of, but how do you get them consistently, especially during hot summer months? One of the ways to find the lair of big bass is with a depthfinder to help you find the holes and dropoffs. 
 
 All winter long. many an angler dreams of summer weather, so that he can spend every available minute pur uing his favorite sport . . . only to discover the high temperatures have put the fish in deep holes where he can't find them. 
Discouraged. our friend hangs up his rod until next spring, when he has a chance of catching them along the shorelines. 
He its by his air conditioner. and wonders . Where do the fish go in the summer? Do they go on a hunger strike? How can I find them? 
He has all the latest equipment for outsmarting the fish. He has a wide variet y of rod , reels and lures of all types. has a dandy fi shing boat and a good motor. He uses an electric motor to ease 
 
By Dean Wohlgemuth 
(Photos by Ted Borg) 
into a fishing spot. What else could there possibl y be that he needs, what piece of equipment is lacking in this complement of gear? 
There is probabl y one big item Jacking. It's lacking because, first of all , it is rather expensive and secondly because he isn't sure just how much benefit it would be and whether it would be worth it to him to get it. Would he be able to figure out how to use it to his own advantage enough to make it worth the price? 
What is it? Well , different makers call it different things and despite the fact that at least one manufacturer resents his product being termed such , for the purposes of this story to cover all such equipment, we're going to call them depthfinders. Some call them fish 
 
finders, others fi sh locators. Whatever they' re called , they all work on basically the same principle. 
The basic principle is radar . . . an electronic beam is sent from a transducer and is bounced back from the bottom. The time it takes the beam to travel that di tance is computed onto the dial to tell the angler the depth of the water. 
Also, any solid objects between the bottom and the transducer . . . such as a fish .. . sends back another ignal , and the depth of the object (or fish) is likewi e flashed on the dial. 
When you see a second signal above the bottom signal, it very well may be a fish . Tt may also , however, be a tree limb or any other foreign object that may 'be in the water. All you know for 
 
1 
 
 sure is that something is there, and it is X number of feet deep. It's then up to you to find out whether it's a fish , and if so, whether you can catch it. 
In effect, then, as a fish finder this machine is something like a bird dog. It can help you find fish , and can explore good cover . . . but from then on it's up to you as an angler to produce the skill to catch it, just as it's up to the bird hunter to be a good enough shot to kill a quail. 
In the opinion of most users, the prime benefit in any depthfinder is that it helps locate good fishing waters. Let's face it ... if you're casting a bait to a spot where there are no fish , there is virtually no chance of catching fish . . . unless they happen to move in while you're there. You might as well be fishing in your bathtub. 
The problem, then, is in finding where is the best place to fish. Not just the best lake, but where in the lake . . . what specific spot, Bass, for example, seek the depth of water where the water temperature is most comfortable. They make forays in the shoreline early and late in the day, for very brief periods of time. These times are considerably longer in early spring and late fall when water temperatures are cooler. 
The big boys, however, spend nearly all their time in deep holes. These holes have to meet the proper conditions. There must be rocks or stumps to provide cover. There must be a food supply nearby. 
Now, a hole 20 or more feet deep may have ideal temperatures and ideal cover, but when the bass are that deep there is no food close by. If the sides of the hole are very steep or very gradual, there is little hope of  him getting a meal. What he wants is a deep hole where there's a dropoff on the side, leveling off at a depth of perhaps eight to 12 feet, where there's a good chance of finding something to eat. 
Now, how are you going to find such a spot? The surface of the lake all looks 
 
Calvin Pearce of Lumpkin, Ga., keeps his hand on his electric motor, sneaking into a hole where big bass lurk. His eye is set on the dial of a depthfinder, watching for just the right spot where the bottom drops off into a deep hole. Not only can a depthfinder help you find the hole in the first place, it can help you locate it again when you return on another trip. 
 
the same. You can't see how many stumps are underneath, nor can you spot a shelf near a hole. 
Here is where that depthfinder pays off. It can read the water depths for you, helping you find just what you're looking for. And in studying it several times, moving a boat back and forth across it, you'll discover whether there are tree limbs at certain depths, by checking to see if you get blips on the depthfinder dial at the same place and same depth each time you read it. 
If you find blips at other places sometimes but not always, then you can be reasonably sure that what you see are fish. 
 
This can still be tricky, however, because more often than not, the fish will be close to the bottom, and it'll be difficult to tell whether that blip just off the bottom i a rock or a stump or a fish. 
Of course, there are other ways to measure holes. You can ride a lake when the water is low in winter, and mark a map. You can drop an anchor or weight in several spots until you have a fair reading. But this is time consuming, inaccurate, and ruins the fishing for that day. 
And if you're on a lake you've heard about and always wanted to fish, have gone a long distance for a one-shot trip, you haven't a way to find a hole unless 
 
And when you find those deep holes, you just might find action like this . .. 
2 
 
... and like this. Those big boys really know how to put up a tussle. They don't always sulk on the bottom, but come to the top and put on some real aerial displays. 
 
 And after it's all over, you'll hoist 
aboard a fish you'll be mighty proud to 
show off to your neighbors. You'll have something to talk about to the boys 
and the tackle shop, too. If you know how 
to use them, and if you fish often 
enough, particularly in strange waters, 
a depthfinder might be of real value 
to you. 
 
you have a depth finder or hire a guide. Chances are, the guide will use his depthfinder to help him find his favorite hole. 
Depthfinders don't come cheap. Prices run anywhere from perhaps $50 to $200 or more. All of them will perform some services, but usually the more expensive ones are worth the added investment if you use it and use it right. 
Just how worthwhile it is for Mr. Average Angler to buy one? That's a question that can't be answered straight out. Actually, you yourself are the only person who can answer it. The intent of this article is to explain what a depthfinder does, and help you make your own decision. 
If you fish only four or five times a year, you probably can't afford one . . . unless you are the type who can get away only those few times, but still are a very serious angler, and know your techniques pretty well. 
If you fish very frequently, say once a week or thereabouts, you probably need one . . . unless you already know several good producing spots and can find them without the help of the finder. 
If you fish only one lake, in time you'll learn the producing spots, particularly if you get a good local angler to take you a time or two and show you where to go. 
More and more nowdays, however, fi hermen like to try new waters. Perhaps they have a couple days or more to fish , but may visit this lake only one or two times in several years, moving on to another spot on the next trip. People like these would be wasting trip money if they hadn't a depthfinder or some other suitable means . . . namely a guide . . . to give reasonable assurance of finding good fishing spots. 
It's this writer's guess that the average fisherman stacks up something like this: 
-He catches fish on a pretty good percentage of his trips, but often comes home empty handed. 
-He'd go at least once a week if he could, but probably makes 10-15 trips a year, or somewhere close to that. 
-Most of his fishing is done on one lake not far from his home, but two or three times a year, he'll visit different lakes, perhaps in a distant corner of his home state, and perhaps one in a neighb~ring state. And on vacation , he could 
 
be some distance from his home. -He's a pretty fair fisherman, and 
can catch them if he can find them. -The majority of the bass he catches 
run from one to three pounds, with two or three fish a year . . . or less . . . going over four pounds. 
Does this sound like you? Then perhaps you'd better check into the idea of investing in a depthfinder. 
Let me warn you, however, not to expect too much from that tool right off. Don't expect to load your boat with fish the first time out. 
In the first place, your first trip out with it will be spent largely in getting familiar with it, and knowing how to read water depths. 
Then , you'll spend a lot of time looking for the right kind of a hole. When you find one, if you don't see fish in it, you'll fish without confidence until and unless you happen to catch a fish fairly soon. And you'll want to find several spots, not spending too long on a spot that may not be productive. 
In other words, it'll take several trips to learn to use the depthfinder effectively, and to find several holes. And it'll take several more trips to learn whether or not the hole that you find are really potentially good fishing. 
Is the depthfinder good for only the bass fisherman? Definitely not! White bass fishermen , crappie fishermen and trout fishermen (in lakes) can use it to good advantage. They'll help locate schools and determine the depth where they can be found. It may take quite a 
 
lot of experience to determine whether 
or not you have actually found fish. The bass fisherman will probably get 
the most good out of it, however, once he learns to use it. Though he may not find fish, or be able to read them even though they are there, he can find good spots and try them. 
There are some limitations of this equipment that must be realized. If you're a shoreline fisherman, for example, and wouldn't try anything else, forget it. This thing isn't for you. 
The reason for this is that the depthfinder reads only a small area, directly under your boat. If you're running a cast away from shore and f.ishing toward shore, you'll never be able to tell how deep the water is there, or whether there are fish there. 
If you run too close to shore with the boat, you'll run the fish out and you'll still never know. In shallow water, a fish will spot your boat and he'll move on. 
In water 10 or more feet deep, however, a slow moving boat may not dis~ turb him too much. Depthfinders, or at least most of them, are useless at high speed. The best way to use them is to run them at trolling speed, using either your gas motor or better yet, an electric motor. Some gas motors emit static electricity which can confound the readings of your depthfinder. In this case, position the transducer as far as possible from your motor, and run the motor as slowly as you can. 
Down to the nitty-gritty . . . just 
 
3 
 
 what can you do with a depthfinder? Well, most of the top anglers in any state use them, at least some of the time. 
To illustrate, just what can be done with them, let me take you on a recent trip. 
We're at Walter F. George Reservoir, in southwest Georgia. This lake .is one of the newest and hottest lakes, not only in Georgia but anywhere in the country. You've heard the fishing .is fabulous, and you want to try it. 
The first time or two you go out, you may catch nothing, if you're very unlucky. Or perhaps you hit several spots that produced one to three pound fish, and you probably got a good number. You might have even hung one or two good fish. 
But on this trip, we're really loaded. We have a depthfinder in the boat, and demonstrating what can be done with one is Calvin Pearce, of Lumpkin, one of the state's best bass fishermen. Calvin does some guiding when time permits, and in his spare time he manufactures the Streak-O-Lean plastic worm, which has in its center a strip of yarn that not only makes the worm stronger, but provides a scent which attracts the big ones. 
Calvin is a trophy fisherman. He doesn't like to catch bass under six pounds, and he rarely comes home empty handed. 
Of course, with years of experience on the lake-Calvin holds the unofficial (no careful records have been kept) record for bass on this lake, at 14 pounds, 4 ounces-he knows the spots already. For our sake, however, he demonstrates how he pinpoints a hole. He runs his boat over an area he knows contains a good hole (he found it earlier, usi ng a depthfinder and also cruising the lake when the water was low.) 
He finds the water in a small area is 30 feet deep. Along one side he finds a shelf that drops off into the deep water. The shelf is 10 feet deep . Off to the side, near the shelf, the water is perhaps only four feet deep . He anchors in the shallow water, casting to the deep part, and brings his lure up onto the dropoff. 
Does it produce? On our trip, the barometer was falling and the weather was hot, in the 90's. We left the dock at about 9 a.m. , missing the coolest part of the day. In a couple days time, however, we boated a dozen bass, eight of which were "keepers" of over four pounds, running up to about nine pounds. 
The secret, then is knowing the good ueep holes where the fish are, then working them. If you don't know where the boles are, perhaps the best way for 
 
you to find them might be with a depth- 
 
finder. It's worth thinking about, if 
 
you're looking for big bass and plenty 
 
of them! 
 
~ 
 
Here's another big one, putting on a spectacular show. This one came from a hole 35 
 
feet deep, that had a ledge about 12 feet deep right beside it. Finding such a spot 
 
is easy with a depthfinder, but difficult to pinpoint by any other method. You might 
 
never have known it was there, just a few yards from where you'd fruitlessly tossed 
 
plugs for hours. 
 
(Photo by Dean Wohlgemuth ) 
 
The depthfinder won't put the fish in the boat for you, but with know-how, it can help 
 
find where they are. Depthfinders are rather like a bird dog ... they can help point 
 
out the location of good spots, and sometimes the fish themselves, but it's up to you 
 
to provide the skill to hook and land those lunkers! 
 
(Photo by Ted Borg) 
 
4 
 
 Treat 
It Lil<e 
A 
Trophy 
By Aaron Pass 
 
(Photos by Ted Borg) 
 
A bass can be easily landed by this lip hold technique. It seems to paralyze the fish and keeps it from thrashing around and knocking off scales. 
 
 More Georgians will be fishing this year than ever before, and according to the law of averages, many will catch trophy-sized fish. Some of these Junkers will be eaten of s;ourse, but many others will be shipped off to taxidermists to be mounted. These mounted fish will then grace den walls, and rekindle at a glance the memory of a fine day's fishing. 
Obviously everyone wants a mount that is as natural and life-like as possible since the whole purpose of taxidermy is to preserve the fish as it was the day it was caught. What many people don't know, however, is that proper treatment of the fish as soon as it is caught goes a long way toward insuring the future beauty of the mount. Every year fish which are the trophies of a lifetime are ruined by careless or improper handling. 
Consider the plight of the taxidermist who receives an improperly handled 
 
fish on which he is expected to work miracles. The fish may have been clubbed , gutted , or even allowed to partially decompose before he gets it. He knows that if he doesn't turn out a near perfect mount from this mutilated hunk of meat, his reputation is at the mercy of the disappointed customer. The sad truth is that if a fish is in poor condition when the taxidermist gets it, there is little chance that it will make a beautiful trophy, at least not as beautiful as a fish that has been well prepared. 
There is no mystery to good preparation , just common sense, and the time spent learning what to do will be rewarded with an excellent trophy rather than a mediocre one. The steps outlined in this article were furnished by Joe Hurt, Museum Curator at Fernbank Science Center. If they are followed the fi h hould arrive at the taxidermist in grade A condition . 
The first step toward a fine mount 
 
comes as the fish is landed. The important thing to remember is to not let the fish flounce around and knock off scales. A landing net is perhaps the best method to prevent the fish from bruising itself, but it often seems that a net is never available when you most need one and the fish must be landed by hand. There are many ways to land a fish barehanded, some are good and some aren't, one of the best is with a finger in the gills. 
To use this method play the fish until 
it is completely exhausted, bring it 
within arm's reach, with the fish on its 
side, slip your forefinger into the gills and the thumb into the mouth until they 
meet. Never bring any fish , particularly a large fish , near you until he is com- 
pletely played out, and never try to lift 
a fish from the water by the line. Very large fish can be beached; some 
scales may be lost but it is the safest 
 
5 
 
 While the fish is held immobile by the lower jaw, the hooks can be easily removed. Do this carefully to avoid tearing up the lips. 
 
Lip damage like this is hard, if not impossible, to repair. It could have been avoided by not stringing the fish. 
 
method without a net. When dealing with bass, a net is not really needed as bass have a built-in handle fo r landing. As the fish is brought in , stick the thumb into his mouth, and the fin gers under the lower jaw, then lift the bass from the water as if you were lifting a piece of paper off a desk. The weight of the fi sh hanging at an angle to the jaw will paralyze him and the hook can be removed at leisure. 
Hooks should be removed carefully so as not to tear the tender membranes of the fish's mouth . A hook disgorger or needle nose pliers are ideal for this. If the hooks are just ripped out they may 
leave holes and tears in the mouth that are difficult or impossible to fill when 
the fish is mounted . 
A trophy fish should not be put on a stringer, since a stringer will tear up the mouth more than the hook. Instead, 
wrap it up in a wet cloth and pl ace it 
out of the sun. An ice chest is good if one is available; but if not, place it 
 
A trophy fish should be wrapped in a wet cloth and placed out of the sun. An ice chest is ideal for this purpose. 
 
6 
 
under a boat seat or in the shade of a tree, and keep it moist. Make sure the fish is well wrapped to prevent its flouncin g around and bruising itself. 
It's a good idea to take a color picture of the fish to send to the taxidermi st. Since the coloration of fish, particularly trout, vary considerably due to local water conditions, diet, etc., the picture will a.id the taxidermist in making the fish look as natural as possible. 
If the fish is mounted, the meat will have to be sacrificed as there is no way to preserve the meat during the mounting process. Since the fish is not going to be eaten, don't cut the fish or attempt to gut it. Skinning a fish is a delicate operation, best left to a professional. 
The best way to preserve a fish until it can be sent to a taxidermist is to freeze it. Rinse the fish in clean water, and wrap it in a wet cloth before placing it in the freezer. It should be placed on a flat surface and not have anything placed on top of it while in the freezer . Handle the fish gently at all times, being particularly careful not to break the fins or the membrane that joins them. 
To package the fish for shipping to the taxidermist, freeze it solid. Wrap the fish up and package with dry ice, but be careful not to let the dry ice make actual contact with the fish's skin. Include a letter describing the type of mount 
 
 that you want, and include the color picture. Mark the package "Perishable -Rush" and ship it to the taxidermist. It's a good idea to call him and inform him that it is on the way. 
Suppose you have backpacked in to a mountain lake when you catch the fish of your dreams. If there's no way to freeze him, you don't have to cut your trip short. Lay the fish out flat on a sheet of paper and draw an outline, measure the length and girth and note it on the drawing. Take a color snapshot by all means, since the natural colors will fade. With this done you must preserve the fish's skin. Make a cut down the side of the fish and remove the internal organs, and as much flesh as is possible. Before the cut is made, visualize the mounted fish and make the cut on the side which will eventually face the wall. While removing the flesh , be very careful not to cut the skin in any place other than the initial incision , which should run the back of the gills to the tail along the lateral line. When you have removed as much meat as is possible, salt the fish down , and let it sit overnight. The next day drain off the salt and re-apply. When you return to civilization, wrap it up in plastic, then brown paper, and ship including the drawing and photo. 
When it comes to selecting a taxidermist, nothing is more true than the old adage, "You get what you pay for." By all means avoid someone's brother-inlaw Charlie, who, as legend has it, "stuffed" a fish in the dim and distant 
 
pa t. There are, no doubt, many excel- The fins are composed of a thin 
 
lent amateur and part-time taxidermists, membrane held erect by spiny 
 
but unless you have seen and liked sam- projections called rays. This is a rather 
 
ples of their work, it is wise to stick delicate structure, and care should 
 
with a professional. 
 
be taken to avoid tearing or breaking it. 
 
A man who makes his living at taxi- 
 
dermy depends on his reputation for 
 
new customers, and can't afford to do 
 
shoddy work. On the other hand the 
 
mount can be of no better quality thim 
 
the condition the fish allows , so the ini- 
 
tial handling of the fish is very impor- 
 
tant to the end result. If one will re- 
 
member that trophy fish are few and far 
 
between, give it the care it deserves, and A color snapshot is a fine trophy in elect a competent taxidermist, he will its own right. It is also the best insurance 
 
get a fine mount of which he can be that the mount will look exactly like 
 
justly proud. 
 
~ the fish as it was caught. 
 
7 
 
 The Striped Bass Are Coming 
 
Biologist Glenn McBay scoops up a big striper in the Savannah River. The fish are momentarily stunned by an electrical charge. After the brood fish are caught, they are taken to the Richmond Hill Hatchery, where they are kept until they spawn. 
(Photo by Jim Tyler) 
 
 Ever since 1950 when it was proven in the Santee-Cooper Reservoirs in South Carolina that striped bass could live and reproduce exclusively in fresh water, this fantastic fish has been the main topic of conversation among fishery biologists throughout the Southeast. 
And with just reason. Strong: hardy fighters with a vivacious appetite, the striper is a great game fish . This alone would certainly make the striper desirable, but when it is considered that stripers grow upwards of 60 pounds and have a liking for gizzard shad, which are a problem in most Georgia reservoirs, the species is looked on with a favoritism usually reserved for t-bone steaks and warm, moonlit nights. 
If there has ever been a state that needed striped bass, it is Georgia. Our rivers and sounds once abounded with large runs of striped bass, but these runs have been reduced to only remnants of their original strength. Georgia at present has approximately 300,000 acres of reservoirs suitable for striped bass. In addition, there is another 500,000 acres of estuarine and river environment 
 
By John Culler 
which is suitable habitat. With the creation of new reservoirs, this acreage will be close to a million acres in the next few years. 
In addition to providing a large, scrappy, edible fish for Georgia fishermen, the striper will also provide a needed biological control for certain species of trash fish in our big lakes. Many of our reservoirs, especially in the southern half of the state, have a tremendous population of gizzard shad, which grow too large for largemouth bass to eat. These fish compete with game fish for food and living space. It is also hoped that a good population of stripers will cut down the numbres of small trash fish to the extent that largemouths will be forced to eat more bream, thus helping the crowded conditions that result in stunted, undersized pan fish. 
The Georgia Game and Fish Commission began its striped bass program in a very limited way back in 1966, when approximately 20,000 baby stripers from South Carolina were released in Lake Seminole. This was followed 
 
later that same year with 13,209 4-inch fish which had been raised from fry at Burton Hatchery in North Georgia. The following year Lake Blackshear was stocked with 151 adult fish, weighing up to 25 pounds, which were taken from the Savannah River system. In 1968, 122 more adult fish were put in Lake Blackshear. At this rate, stocking our reservoirs would be a slow and tedious process, but 2,500 3-inch fingerlings were successfully hatched and reared at the Richmond Hill Hatchery near Savannah later in 1968 and stocked in Lake Blackshear, the first time Georgia hatched fish had been stocked. This made Georgia only the fourth state in the nation to successfully hatch and raise striped bass to stocking size. To say that these fish were hatched under primitive conditions would be an understatement, but hatched they were, and Georgia was in the striped bass business. 
Other small successes followed at the Richmond Hill Hatchery and arrangements to swap walleye fry to South Carolina for more stripers were made. In 
 
"8 
 
 1969, 32,000 fingerlings were produced at Richmond Hill, and 30,685 fry from South Carolina were raised at the Walton Hatchery and transferred to Lake Blackshear. Last summer help from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service arrived in the form of 77,000 2-inch stripers which were stocked in Lake Sinclair, and 25,000 6-inch fish which were stocked in Lake Jackson. This past winter 11,000 Georgia raised fish were also stocked in Lake Nottely. 
It's too early to evaluate the success of the stockings, or to tell if any reproduction has occurred , although biologists are currently taking egg samples in Lake Blackshear. But sporatic reports of catches are beginning to filter in, including one that weighed better than 12 pounds from Lake Seminole. Catches of fish up to two pounds are fairly common in Blackshear and Sinclair, and results appear good. 
Ordinarily, stripers are salt water fish, coming to fresh water only in the spring to spawn. Females cast their semi-buoyant eggs into the current of rivers, where they are fertilized by the males, then they drift for the next 48 hours or so until they hatch. This means the eggs must have 35-40 miles of running water, a factor wh ich will probably limit reproduction in some of our reservoirs because dams and other watercontrol structures will limit the upstream runs of the spawning fish. 
While reproduction would be desirable, the success of the striped bass program in Georgia will not hinge on this single factor. This past spring a striped bass hatchery was completed at Richmond Hill, about 15 miles south of Savannah. The potential of this facility is almost unlimited, as it is estimated that this single hatchery can produce more than 50 million striped bass fry each 
 
Commission biologists load stripers into a holding tank for transportation to the hatchery. Their offspring will be used to establish striper populations in Georgia's reservoirs, which contain more than 300,000 acres of suitable striper habitat. (Photo by Jim Tyler) 
Norman Pollock of Hawkinsville (center) shows his 35 pound, two ounce striper to his wife and Ranger Johti Owings. The fish caught in the Ocmulgee River, on its annual spawning run from the sea. (Photo by Ted Borg) 
 
year, an ample supply for stocking our 
 
reservoirs, rivers, and even our estuar- 
 
me areas. 
 
Work began.on the hatchery in 1969, 
 
but unfortunatley, the facility was fin- 
 
ished just in time to be too late for the 
 
spring spawning run. But biologists who 
 
sat up nights trying to hatch stripers in 
 
mason jars in past years are looking for- 
 
ward to next year, when they will really 
 
have their first chance to become striper 
 
midwives. The hatchery is in an ideal 
 
spot, only about three miles from the 
 
Ogeechee River and 15 miles from the 
 
Savannah River System, where most of 
 
the brood fish are obtained. It is neces- 
 
sary that the wild fish are taken at a 
 
time when the females are near to 
 
spawning naturally, and studies indicate 
 
that all spawning done in river systems 
 
occurs within 25 miles of tidal waters. 
 
Stripers run much further upstream but 
 
they are on feeding runs, chasing her- 
 
ring, who sometime follow a river more 
 
than a hundred miles before spawning. 
 
While it is true most people talk 
 
about striped bass and reservoirs in one 
 
breath , commission biologists also have 
 
plans to restock our rivers and estuarine 
 
areas in an effort to reestablish the stri- 
 
per populations once native to Georgia. 
 
It will take a little time, but as more 
 
knowledge is accumulated about the 
 
striped bass, and as this knowledge is 
 
applied to Georgia's program, our rivers 
 
will once again know the spawning runs 
 
that disappeared years ago, and our 
 
lakes will have a powerful new resident, 
 
guaranteed to put life in any fisherman 
 
who meets him face to face. 
 
~ 
 
9 
 
 Ourc:Most eNegleeted (iamefish 
By Marvin Tye 
 
 Do you like to catch powerful hardfighting game fish that weigh 10 pounds or more, perhaps as much as 40 pounds, and are a fine food fish as well? Would you like to fish for a species that is abundant and can be caught without having to purchase a lot of expensive 
 
equipment? Think such a fish doesn't 
exist? Consider the channel catfish. Channel cats can be found in all por- 
tions of the state and their range is growing due to the stocking of numerous private ponds with this species. Although it will sock artificial lures with 
 
gusto at times, the channel cat is generally taken with natural bait. A scavenger, the cat will take just about any sort of cut fish or animal flesh, as well as a number of specially prepared concoctions containing scents. 
Speaking of scents, it seems that the smellier the bait, the more the catfish like it. Chicken liver, beef liver and shrill)p are favorite natural baits of the confirmed catfish addicts. If these are left in the sun until they become "ripe" the appeal to the catfish seems to be enhanced rather than lessened. 
There are a number of commercially prepared catfish baits that rely heavily upon secret ingredients that produce scents said to be irrestible to the whiskered species. A number of catfishermen mix their own baits in their homes, probably to the chagrin of their wives and families. 
Channel cats will sometimes strike artificial lures. The fish bits hard and puts up a spirited battle. Anyone who thinks a catfish is sluggish will change his mind as soon as he catches one on a spinner or plug. Many anglers have felt the savage strike of a channel cat on a lure, followed by powerful surges as the fish fought for its freedom. These men have been convinced that they are hooked to a monstrous bass until the fi h is reeled into sight. Disappointment of confirmed bass fishermen in such an incident does little to improve the image of the channel cat. 
With continued introduction of this species into commercial fishing areas and private ponds, his statue is bound to increase. Channel cats can be caught in 
 
Viola Lang, lett, and Ben Patrick examine an 11 lb. channel cat she caught at one of Patrick's Ponds. The channel catfish is growing in popularity, and is being stocked in more and more Georgia Jakes. (Photo by Marvin Tye) 
10 
 
 all of the Game and Fish Commission's Public Fishing Areas. In at least one of them, Arrowhead, ole whiskers is given star billing. 
The food value of the channel cat is rarely disputed by anyone. Fried catfish and hushpuppies are a traditional Southern delicacy. A number of restaurants feature this dish as a specialty of the house. 
The state record channel cat, a 39 pound 3 ounce specimen, was taken on July 4, 1969 by Ben Patrick from one of his ponds near Tifton. This area is typical of a number of similar operations in the state where catfish are stocked and fishermen are allowed to fish for a fee. 
According to Patrick, the best catfishing at his lakes is usually from the bank. One group of anglers who fished for two weeks in his ponds last April caught a number of largmouth bass weighing more than six pounds each and a number of channel catfish weighing as much as 17 pounds. 
The favorite method of fishing there is to bait up with chunks of liver, minnows, shrimp or worms and fish the bait on the bottom. The bail of the spinning reel is left open so that the fish can take line without feeling any resistance. After the fish has made a short run the angler closes the bail and sets the hook. Then the fun begins. 
A heavy line is probably to be preferred, but Ben Patrick used only 12pound test line to land his record breaking monster. He reports that anglers fishing at his ponds have had channel cats to strike small spinners, underwater 
 
The first step in catching a channel catfish is use of the proper bait. 
Ben Patrick uses a hunk of liver 
placed on a small Eagle-Claw hook with a split-shot sinker just heavy enough to take the offering to the bottom. (Photo by Marvin Tye) 
Care must be taken to avoid the eat's sharp fins when releasing it, or adding it to the stringer. (Photo by Marvin Tye) 
 
plugs, and top-water poppers as well as 
 
natural bait. 
 
If you want to try your hand at cat- 
 
fishing, you can find a number of lakes 
 
near any town in Georgia that offers 
 
this sort of angling for a fee. There are 
 
a number of lakes in the Atlanta metro- 
 
politan area. 
 
All of our large impoundments and 
 
major rivers also contain catfish. The 
 
trotline or setline is a favorite method 
 
of catching catfish. Fishermen can le- 
 
gally use a set line with no more than 
 
50 hooks if he has a Georgia sport fish- 
 
ing license. If he uses more than 50 
 
hooks, the angler needs to have a com- 
 
mercial fishing license. 
 
Jug fishing is a sport that is catching 
 
on in Georgia but seems to more popu- 
 
lar in other areas. Edward W. Phillips 
 
of Rt. 1, Royston caught a 45 lb. chan- 
 
nel cat by this method last spring. This 
 
fish could not be accepted as a state re- 
 
cord because it was not caught on sport- 
 
fi shing tackle. 
 
Phillips used an Eagle Claw hook and 
 
cut bait tied with three feet of nylon 
 
line to a plastic jug. He and his fishing 
 
companions followed the bobbing jug in 
 
their boat until the catfish had tired of 
 
pulling it around, then grabbed the line 
 
and hauled it aboard. The fish was 
 
caught in a 15-acre lake belonging to 
 
Grady Bray. 
 
The world-record channel cat 
 
weighed 57 pounds. Many anglers be- 
 
lieve that a new record for this species 
 
is swimming around one of our Georgia 
 
lakes. They may be right. The anticipa- 
 
tion of hooking such a monster adds to 
 
the thrills of fishing for the whiskered 
 
channel cat, our most neglected game- 
 
fish. 
 
).0 
 
11 
 
 ' 
 
(Photo by Ted Borg) 
COASTAL MARSHLANDS 
-a vital link 
By Bob Wilson 
 
 Georgia's marshlands, almost the last unspoiled remainder of our originally extensive east coast marshlands, have been afforded a measure of protection under the state's new Coastal Marshlands Protection Act of 1970, which was signed into law by Governor Lester Maddox on March 27. The Jaw establishes an agency charged with the responsibility of insuring that marshlands are not altered in such a way as to affect navigable waterways, contribute to 
 
increased erosion, cause shoaling of channels, or interfere with the conservation of wildlife or other natural reso urces . 
While the coastal marshlands of other eastern seaboard states have been filled to provide building sites or otherwise irrevocably altered, Georgia's marshlands have generally been spared thjs form of "progress". These tidal areas have been allowed , if only by default, to continue to function as a key link in the ecologi- 
 
cal chain of coastal marine life. The abundant wildlife of the Georgia coastal area depends heavily upon these marshes for its very exjstence. 
Just what are these marshlands, and exactly why are they valuable natural resources? In a simplified description, these are rich fl at areas that are affected by the ebb and flow of the changing tides. At ebb tide rich mud flats are exposed, frequently chock full of shellfish, and hosting a multitude of shorebirds. 
 
12 
 
 When the tide if full the marshland seems to be a placid lake with tall coarse grasses and meandering waterways; but that shallow layer of water is a veritable nursery, teeming with young shrimp, fish , and crabs. 
Estimates of just bow long it takes for nature to create a coastal marsh like the famous "Marshes of Glenn," range from 10,000 to 70,000 years. Rich layers of silt, washed by the tides and fertilized by the decay of marsh grass and marine life, make marshlands extremely productive. The most visable product of the marshes is the marsh grass itself, growing thick and tall. Much marshland is capable of producing up to ten tons of such grass each year. These marsh grasses and other marsh plants, provide ideal conditions for the growth of microscopic organisms which, .in turn, form the food source to support the young shrimp and other marine life in the marsh itself and in surrounding tidal creeks, sounds, and offshore waters. 
Georgia enjoys a healthy and growing fishing indu try in shrimp and oysters. That industry depends directly on the continued existence of the coastal marshlands . Laws which regulate the commercial gathering of shrimp and oysters serve little purpose if there are no laws to regulate the dredging and filling of the marshlands which support these industries. In some areas around Savannah and B'runswick it has come too late. Previous alteration and pollution of the marshlands have rendered thousands of acres of little value for seafood production. 
In addition to commercial fishing, Georgia's coastal marshlands support excellent sportfishing potential. Little of this potential is currently being enjoyed due to a lack of facilities, but the picture for future sportfishing on Georgia's coast is bright. The coastal marshes and the marine life they support attract spanish mackerel, bluefish , sea trout, drum , cobia, whiting, and striped bass, which are just a few of the saltwater gamefi h species to be found on Georgia's coast. As facilities become available, fishermen will awaken to the real value of fishing opportunities provided by these marshlands. 
It took the threat of devastation of 
large areas of Georgia's marshlands to 
awaken people to the need for their 
protection. When a multi-million dollar 
oil company attempted to obtain rights 
to dredge marshlands in Chatham County for the purpose of mining phos- 
phates, citizens awoke to the fact that if 
action were not taken, and quickly, 
Georgia's marshlands would go the way 
of those of New Jersey, New York and 
other states. Georgia, with almost 
200,000 acres of coastal wetlands, of which 125,000 acres are considered by 
 
biologists as areas of important basic habitat, bad lost only 800 acres of that basic habitat 'by 1967 through dredging and filling. This amounted to only .6% loss of basic habitat as compared to New York's loss of almost 20,000 acres or 15% , and New Jersey's loss of almost 54,000 acres or 13.1 %. The worst picture, however, is presented by California, where out of an original 382,000 acres of basic habitat, 256,000 acres or 67 % had been destroyed by 1967 by dredging and filling. 
In many crowded urban areas, estuaries and marshland areas are seen by many as "unused" space crying for development into airports, sewage treatment plants, industrial sites, marinas, golf courses. and housing projects. Some of these marshlands and estuaries contain sand and gravel sought in huge quantities by the building industries. Other people see only the vermin supported by marshlands, rats, mice, and mosquitoes; many are unaware of the myriad life forms supported by the marshlands that are beneficial to man. 
Benefits to mankind from the marshland are not limited to food supply. Coa tal marshlands . are an important factor in erosion control. Marshes form a protection for the high ground from the ravages of storm-driven waves. The marsh quickly repairs storm damages to itself. Perhaps even more important, the marshlands form a sediment trap that protects the offshore islands from mud deposition. The marshes introduce a 
 
great quantity of oxygen into the water as it is released from decaying matter. Thus, the marshlands provide a natural buffer, protecting the offshore areas from pollution, both natural and manmade. 
It has been estimated that Georgia's marshes presently produce a yearly income of $100 per acre. For the whole of the Georgia coast this comes to nearly $20,000,000. This much, and the marshland resource has hardly been tapped. Many scientists feel the productivity of plant and animal life in coastal marshlands is greater than either land or sea proper, capable of producing more harvestable food for human consumption per acre than the best farmland. Both the recreational value and the potential for direct food production of the coastal marshlands are as yet virtuall y untapped. 
The importance of the marshlands to commercial and sport fishermen is clear. More than 90% of the total seafood harvest taken by American fishermen comes from the continental shelf. Almost two-thirds of that volume is composed of species whose life chain and survival depend on the coastal marshlands and estuaries. Thus, seafoods such as shrimp , oysters, crabs, and commercial fish for the family table are dependent upon the marsh. Marshes are even indirectly important in the production of pork and poultry since swine and chickens are fed fish meal as a protein supplement. 
(Photo by Ted Borg) 
 
13 
 
 The Georgia Coastal Protection Act 
 
of 1970 created the Coastal Marshlands 
 
Protection Agency, and defined the 
 
powers and duties of that agency. The 
 
agency was created as an autonomous 
 
division of the State Game and Fish 
 
Commission, and is empowered to issue 
 
permits, obtain injunctions, set penal- 
 
ties, and to provide for policing. The 
 
agency is made up of seven members, the 
 
Director of the State Game and Fish 
 
Commission, the Executive Director of 
 
the Ocean Science Center of the Atlan- 
 
tic, the Executive Secretary of the 
 
Water Quality Control Board, the Direc- 
 
tor of the Coastal Area Planning and 
 
Development Commission, the Execu- 
 
tive Director of the Georgia Ports Au- 
 
thority, the Director of the Department 
 
of Industry and Trade, and the Attor- 
 
ney General. 
 
The agency is charged with promul- 
 
gating and enforcing such rules and reg- 
 
ulations as may be necessary to carry 
 
out the provisions of the Act. It is only 
 
through the Coastal Marshlands Protec- 
 
tion Agency that permission may be ob- 
 
tained for a landowner to, " . . . re- 
 
move, fill , dredge or drain or otherwise 
 
alter any marshlands in this State within 
 
the esturine area thereof .. ." To obtain 
 
such a permit an applicant must furnish 
 
proof of ownership or permission of the 
 
owner along with proof of that persons' 
 
ownership. The applicant must also pro- 
 
vide a list of all adjoining landowners 
 
along with their addresses. A certifica- 
 
tion from the local governing author.i- 
 
ties of the political subdivisions in 
 
which the property is located stating 
 
that the applicant's proposal would not 
 
violate any zoning law or other local re- 
 
striction is also required . A fee of $25 
 
per acre up to a maximum of $500 is 
 
collected from the applicant to help de- 
 
fray the costs of the agency. 
 
Upon receipt of such an application . 
 
the Director of the State Game and Fish 
 
Commission is directed to notify in 
 
writing all adjoining landowners of the 
 
use th at the applicant proposes to make 
 
of the property. If, after ample consid- 
 
eration and time for all those affected 
 
by the application to make their opin- 
 
ions known , it is deemed by the agency 
 
that the proposed alteration of the 
 
marshland property in question shall 
 
not be unreasonably harmful to the pub- 
 
lic interest, the applicaiton may be ap- 
 
proved. 
 
It is certainl y not the purpose of the 
 
Coastal Marshlands Protection Act of 
 
1970 to block or halt industrial develop- 
 
ment or municipal expansion. The act 
 
does grant a measure of uniform protec- 
 
tion to Georgia's coastal marshlands, 
 
and seeks to insure the wise usage of 
 
this irreplacable natural resource in the 
 
best .interests of all Georgians. 
 
..- 
 
the outdoor world 
Help For The Alligator 
He's ugly, dull-witted , lazy and at times even sinister, but he's loved by those who really understand him . The American alligator, whose numbers once reached into the millions across the Southeast United States, has really been up against it since civilization began crying out for his hide, but he may yet be saved. 
At a meeting of the American Alligator Council held in Waycross recently, Ed Ricciuti of the New York Zoological Society reported on a new law in New York City, which prohibits the sale of alligator products, be they shoes, handbags, belts or any other product made from alligator hide. To carry a good point even further, any merchant who deals in crocodilian products of any species must keep extensive records on where he bought them, where they were originally obtained, and how they were brought into the City of New York. And to prove that the warnings about the plight of the alligator are not going unheard , the Retail Merchants Association in New York City supported the new law. 
The City of New York isn't the only pl ace that has heeded the distress call of the alligator. The State of New Jersey now has a similar bill pending in the legisl ature, and conservationists there say chances for passage are good . Legislators in Massachusetts are working on a bill that would remove all crocodilian products from store in that state. Texas has recentl y closed the few remaining counties that were open for alligator hunting, and Loui siana, through its G ame Department, is trying to come up with an incentive to landowners to entice them to keep both alligators and alli gator habitat. 
Georgia law not only prohibits the killing of alli gators, but it is also against the law to possess any untanned alligator hide. Convictions for alligator poaching are now easier to get in many of our courts, and it is now possible to positivel y identify alligator blood, a circumstance which led to the conviction of a poacher in Florida recently when a drop of dried blood was found on the suspect's clothing. 
The American Alligator Council is a rather loosely organized group com- 
 
posed of individuals from most of the states that have alligators, plus a few others who recognize the contribution the alligator makes to the ecological system of the Southern United States. There are no membership fees, and only about 40 persons attend the twice-a-year meetings. Although the organization has no money, it does have some members who know what they are talking about, and their efforts to save the alligator in his natural environment have met with some success. 
The alligator's contribution to his native southland is considerable, but like most of nature's gifts, hard to measure. Without doubt, he is the greatest tourist attraction of all time. At times he will pose contentedly, like a log with a smile on its face, as his picture is taken from every angle. On another day, this same gator will rush .into the water with such speed and power it defies description . Alligators seem to represent just enough danger to be attractive. 
The alligator is one of the most important predators in the area he inhabits. To the sportsman, the alligator is of supreme importance. For instance, the alligator is one of the few animals that prey on snapping turtles, which in tum enioy such prey as baby wood ducks. Alligators do eat fish , and while a gator wouldn't refuse a bass or a nice bream, he would be more likely to catch a slower moving fish , such as a carp or gar, which compete with game fish. 
Every animal nature put on the earth was put here to do a job. Each animal has a purpose, and while oftentimes mankind isn't intelligent enough to see the contribution of a species, it's still there. 
By no means has the future of the alligator in Georgia been assured. The 
Okefenokee Swamp offers both state 
and federal protection, but alligator 
poaching, while not the flourishing in- 
dustry it once was, still continues. Alli- 
gator farming is still a question, and one 
day it may solve the demand for alliga- 
tor products. B'ut for now, refusing to 
buy any product made from alligator 
hide is the greatest favor we can do for 
our old friend, the American alligator. 
John Culler 
 
14 
 
 CROCKFORD A TOP CONSERVATIONIST 
 
Jack Crockford, Assistant Director of the State Game and Fish Commission, has recently been honored for his work as a professional conservationist with an American Motors Conservation Award for 1970. 
These awards are presented annually to 10 professional and 10 non-professional conservationists for dedicated efforts in the field of renewable natural resources. Awards are also presented to national and local groups for outstanding achievement in the conservation field . 
Crockford was specifically cited for his assistance in the development of an air gun which fires tranquilizer darts used in the humane capture of wild animals for study or relocation. Now known commercially as the Cap-chur 
Editorial (continued) 
Trouble is, these classes, and editor-ials such as these, are usually successful in reaching only those persons who are responsible enough that their need isn't as great as the "other fellow" . . . you're probably not a reckless boater or you wouldn't have read this far already. All too often, the "other fellow" won't read this. 
Even so, you can still benefit from these classes, and from this reminder to be even more aware of your own safety measures while boating. 
And you can do one thing more . . . you can open this magazine to this editorial and to the article, "Samaritans of the Waterways" by Aaron Pass, in last month's issue, and see that they get into the hands of someone you know who could benefit from them, some "other fellow." 
Thanks. We'll appreciate it. And so will you, when you can feel more confident that your boating will be safe . . . and pleasant! 
Dean Wohlgemuth 
 
gun, the device was designed and perfected in conjunction with the very successful deer stockipg program which has resulted in a huntable deer population in many Georgia counties where they were scarce or absent. In addition to the gun, Crockford was commended for his sound overall game management practices in the state. 
Joining the Commisison in 1947, Crockford became Chief of Game Management in 1951 , and Assistant Director in 1963. A native of Michigan, he is a member of the Wildlife Society, and the River Bend Gun Club. He also serves on the Natural Areas Council and the Surface Mined Land Use Board. 
He, his wife Eleanor, and daughter Gloria live in Chamblee, son, Bill, attends the Air Force Academy. 
The winners of the 1970 awards were announced by Roy D . Chapin, Jr. , Chairman of the Board of American Motors. In explaining the purpose of the awards, Chapin said, "It was to focus public attention on the need to safeguard and maintain our natural resources." 
-Aaron Pass 
A History Lesson On The 4th 
There are many traditional ways to celebrate the 4th of July, but Cumming, Georgia has found a way more traditional than most. The Glenn Thomas Memorial 4th of July Parade will reconstruct for modern eyes the agricultural heritage of the North Georgia Community. 
The Parade, beginning at 10 a.m ., will feature old-time steam engines, horses and wagons, and antique cars as it attempts to recreate the history of the area. The steam engines are of particular interest; these colorful remnants of the past were replaced by the tractor and are becoming rare today. The engines used in the parade will be provided by the local Steam Engine Association. Of course there will be all the usual trappings of an Independence Day Parade. bands, pretty girls, and plenty of excitement. 
Local civic organizations will operate concession stands well supplied with food and drink. Rupert Sexton, chairman of the festival , predicts the largest turnout and the best parade since the celebration was started in 1958. This year's parade is named in memory of the founder of the festival , Glenn Thomas. He saw it as a means of preserving the memory of a bygone era on a distinctly American Day-in a distinctly American Style. 
-Aaron Pass 
 
Environment Quality Conference Set 
Gov. Lester Maddox has set a conference on Planning for Environmental Quality, to be held July 9 and 10 at the Regency Hyatt House in Atlanta . Add!tional information on the conference may be obtained through the State Planning Department, 524-1521 . 
King Catfish 
It's hard to imagine just how anyone could misplace a 51 pound 15 ounce catfish; but somehow, we managed. It wasn't the fish itself of course-we would have known where that was in four or five days-it was an entry form for the 1969 Georgia Big Fish contest. 
The monster fish , a flathead catfish, was caught by Hoyt McDaniel on June 2, 1969. Mr. McDaniel pulled the fish from Lake Nottely after a one hour and fifteen minute struggle. Just the day before he had pulled a 42 pound flathead catfish from the same lake. 
The 42 pounder he caught on June 1 captured the state record for Mr. McDaniel ; but he jumped the record the next day almost 10 pounds with that 51 pound 15 ounce monster. Mr. McDaniel obviously has learned the secret for catching these large cat, and we expect to hear he has caught a larger one almost any day. 
Mr. McDaniel fishes for these big ones using large minnows and only a 15 pound test line. 
Now that his entry form for the Georgia Big Fish contest has been found , Mr. McDaniel moves up to the winners circle in the catfish category, and will be awarded a rod and reel as his well-deserved although belated prize. 
-Bob Wilson 
 
15 
 
 DOE HUNTING 
In reading the April edition of the Georgia Game and Fish Magazine, I came across an article called the Sportsman Speaks. Having met and hunted with some mighty fine hunters from Georgia, I have something to say. 
Hunting in Georgia is not different from our hunting here in Colorado when it comes to indiscriminate killing of game. 
An area here in Colorado was opened to hunters for does and/ or bucks, hunters went into the area, killing both does and bucks, mostly does. When the damage was done the ranchers themselves had to say, bucks only, on their land. It took 14 years to build up the herds to fair hunting again. 
In another area that was opened to two deer per license, my two brothers and myself, killed three bucks. The following year we returned to the area, because we had seen so many large bucks. We hunted the area for two days and saw one large doe, where we had seen an abundance of game the year before. We had to move to another area to get our bucks. 
It boils down to one solution. You cannot leave the policing of hunting to the State Game and Fish Commissions and their Wardens, although they do a good job on the whole. The hunters themselves have to help. If there is to be an abundance of game to hunt and maybe just enjoy looking at. 
May I add, that this magazine comes to me by way of a gift subscription from a Georgian. My thanks to him, I've enjoyed it very much. 
I just hope the hunters of this great country will wake up to the fact that the responsibility is theirs, to keep this country a good and enjoyable place to hunt, with the game to hunt. 
Sincerely yours, Raymond W. Pachak Pueblo, Colorado 
You are correct, state conservation agencies must have wholehearted cooperation of the public if conservation laws and efforts are to succeed. 
Indiscriminate killing of does where deer populations are not heavy, can be very detrimental to the herd. However, we'd like to point out that hunting doe deer can be very beneficial, in fact necessary, where deer populations are high. There's no possible way a blanket statement can be made on either-sex hunting of most wildlife species ... it all depends on the situation. 
DURSBAN ISN'T HARD 
Your magazine for April 1970 carried an article on pesticides entitled "Death in Small Doses." The caption with the picture showing dead fiddler crabs is not entirely accurate. The crabs shown were killed in an experiment in which potential wildlife hazards of a new mosquito control chemical were being evaluated. Because the test area was small, effect on the food supply of local birds was slight. 
The experiment tested only one formulation, rate, and method of application. Other tests with Dursban have shown that it can 
 
be used in ways that will not affect fiddler crabs. Dursban is not one of the "hard pesticides" and, in sub-lethal doses, is quickly metabolized by the animal that ingests it. Therefore, there would be no buildup of poison in birds as would occur with a pesticide like DDT. 
John C. Oberheu Pesticide Staff Specialist Division of Wildlife Services 
MONEY-SAVING STORY! 
I have read your splendid article, How to Carpet a Trout Stream, by Wilson Hall (April issue) with a great deal of interest. 
After studying the directions very carefully, and following each step, I find that this really does work. However, my reason for writing is to thank you and Mr. Hall for saving me so much money. 
You see, my wife has been bugging me for three years to carpet the house; but I have not had any money left over after buying two new guns, a bamboo fly rod, several new reels, a Jeep, and considerable tackle and hunting supplies. So after reading your article, I have been able to carpet the bottom of all the shoes of the entire family so that they can have their wall-to-wall carpet; and I have realized a savings of $1,679.23 after paying for the glue. 
Thanks for your money-saving tips. Please print some more. 
Sincerely yours, R. E. Mosby Tucker, Ga. 
ENDORSES STAMP 
I would also like to endorse the idea of a trout stamp on fishing licenses instead of the permits. We only get to go fishing for trout about twice a year. It always seems to me that we waste half a day driving down to the ranger station to buy our permits. It is extremely hazardous driving, too, since the management roads are narrow and you have to drive against the traffic early in the morning. 
Sincerely, Mrs. Richard A. York 
INCREASE LICENSES 
I have read your magazine regularly for three years and enjoy it a great deal. 
The purpose for my writing this letter is to let you know my opinion on the license fees. 
During the past quail season my uncle and I found three does which had been shot and left in the woods. We found these deer in an area of less than 50 acres near Jack- 
son, Ga. Recently while fishing in the Gainesville 
area of lake Lanier James Hargis and I found 140 largemouth bass some weighing up to five pounds which had been left on the bank to rot. We checked to see if any were alive so that we could release them but none were. 
These are just two of the instances which I have run across. However I am sure these things are happening every day. 
Being only 17 years old I have not been hunting and fishing regularly but for about two years. Even this short time has made me realize that even though the Commission is doing a great job many violations are still occurring and we need more enforcement. I feel more enforcement will help to stop this type of useless destruction of our valuable game and fish. 
If raising the license fees will provide the Georgia sportsman with more enforcement 
 
I am all for it. Many other people which I know feel the same way. 
David Adamson Atlanta, Ga. 
WILD DOGS 
I would like to say that you have a fine magazine, and I have read it for nearly four years. I would also like to say that you have failed in one area. A few seasons ago, you did many articles on wild and stray dogs and what their effect has been on our cattle and wildlife across the state. Since the first of fall, you have not written a feature story on this subject. 
To keep sportsmen and the public alert to this great danger of our wildlife and cattle, 1 believe we should see more of these articles at intervals. I have owned many dogs in my thirty years, from stray dogs to fine cocker spaniels. I have always tried my best to keep my dogs where they belong, in their own yard, tied to their doghouse. I am sure the people of Georgia would see far less dogs killed on our highways and sportsmen would see far less dogs running deer or wildlife in the woods if people would only exercise better control of their dogs. I know for a fact that many of my own friends have gone on vacations or short trips and leave their dogs to care for themselves as best they could, and maybe with luck they survive. Not hunger, mind you, but the many hazards of being killed by cars or by being shot by other hunters. 
I overheard a hunter talking this past fall at a deer hunt, that one day during a deer hunt he spotted a deer walking very carefully through the woods. He waited till the deer stopped some distance away before he set the bead on the deer's shoulder. After he had drowned his deer, he found not a deer, but a large, beautiful German shepherd. How many times does this happen? How many fine dogs are killed on our highways every day? I would say many, many times, and many dogs. I would also say it all starts with less control of these dogs at home. A year ago I happened to see three dogs, wild or not, chasing a large doe along a ridge near where I was hunting. I sure hope she was able to lose them before losing her own life to them. Maybe she did since she was large and healthy, but just think of the small fawns and small quail that don't lose these dogs so easily. 
You could say, "It could be worse." Well, I think it's worse now than it has been in the past, and I think your magazine could help curb this problem, as it has done with other problems. 
If I have said something out of line about this subject, please excuse, but there seems 
to be a lot still to be done in this area be- 
fore everyone can rest their guards. 
May I say, "Much continued success with 
such a fine and reliable magazine." I'm sure I speak for many other sportsmen and the greater amount of motorists of the highway and roads that have to contend with these uncontrolled dogs. 
Charles Deaton Carrollton, Georgia 
Thanks for pointing out once again that we do have a serious wild dog problem in Georgia (and also for pointing out that not all dog problems are with wild dogs). You may recall that last year the State Legislature passed a measure to help control the dog problems. We're doing the best we can to uphold the law, but it must be emphasized that the problem is a vast one, and can not be solved by simply passing a law. It will take quite some time to implement the law to its fullest extent. Things are improving, but as you so aptly pointed out, there is still much room for improvement. 
 
16 
 
 MANAGEMENT STREAM 
SCHEDULE 
Sportsman's Calendar 
SEASONS NOW OPEN 
TROUT 
Open Stream Season-April I, 1970 through October 3, 1970. Creel Limit-Eight (8) trout of all species per day. Possession limit-S. (Management Area Streams-Open on scheduled days, May 2-Sept. 7, 1970.) Arrowhead Public Fishing Area April 10ct. 31. 
 
M1n1pmtnt Arta 
BLUE RIDGE 
 
Strllm Jones Creek (Artificial Lures) 
Montaomery 
 
Sit., S... -Thurs. 
 
June sat., Sun. 
Wed ., Thurs. 
 
Nlmblewlll 
 
sat.. s.... 
 
Sat., Sun. 
 
Noontootley 
 
Wed., Tlulrl. 
 
(Artificial Lures) Sit., Sun. 
 
(Catch and Release) 
 
Wed., Thurs. Sat., Sun. 
 
Rock Creek 
 
WSietd.,..S."un'". '" 
 
Wed ., Thurs. Sat., Sun. 
 
CHATTAHOOCHEE Chattahoochee 
 
CHEST AlEE 
 
Dukes Bous Dicks 
 
sat.. SUn. wed., Thurs. Wed.. Tlln. Sit., Sun. 
 
Wed. Sat., Sun. Wed., Thurs. Wed  Thurs. sat., Sun. 
 
Waters 
 
Set., Sun. 
 
Sat., Sun. 
 
LAKE BURTON 
 
Dicks Moccasin 
Wildcat 
 
Wed.,TIIura. Set., SilL 
 
Wed ., Thurs. Sat., Sun. 
 
Ill., Sun. 1 Sat., Sun. 
 
LAKE RUSSELL Middle Broad 
 
Wed. Set., 51111. 
 
Wed . Sat.. Sun . 
 
WARWOMAN 
 
Finney 
 
Wed., iiiuro. Sat.. Sun. 
 
Sa rahs 
 
Wtd., Thurs. Sat., Sun. 
 
Walnut Fork 
 
Sat., Sun. 
 
and Hoods Creek 
 
Tuckaluge 
 
t CIOild 
 
Wed., Thurs. Closed 
 
Sit., Sun. 
 
Auaust Sat., Sun. 
 
Wed., Thurs. Wed., Thurs. 
 
Sit., Sill. 
 
Sat., Sun. 
 
Wed., Tbun. Wed., Thurs. 
 
Sit., Sun. 
 
Sat., Sun. 
 
Wed., burs. Wed. , Thurs. 
 
Sit., Sun. 
 
Sat., Sun. 
 
sat., Sun. 
 
Sat., Sun. 
 
Wed., Thurs. Wed ., Thurs. 
 
Wed.,1nun. Wed., Thurs. 
 
J Set., Sun. 
 
Sat., Sun. 
 
. .t.,Sun. 
 
Sat., Sun. 
 
Wed., ...... Sat., SUI. 
 
Wed. , Thurs. Sat.. Sun. 
 
..... sun. 
 
Sat., Sun. 
 
Wed. Sit., Sun. 
 
Wed. Sat., Sun. 
 
wed., Titurs. Sat., Sun. 
 
Wed., Thurs. Sat., Sun. 
 
Sit., Sun. 
 
Wed., Thurs. 
 
Closed __. Closed 
 
(Set . 5opt. 5: Sun., Sept. 6: Mon ., Sept. 7) (Wed., Sept. 2; 
l:.":.~S::f.t7~' I 
(Set., Sept. 5: Sun., Sept. 6; Mon., Sept. 7) (Wtd. , Sept. 2; Thurs., Sept. 3: sat., Sept. 5: Sun., Sept. 6; Mon., Sept. 7) (Wed., Sept. 2; Thurs., Sept. 3: Sat., Sept. 5; Sun., Sept. 6: Mon., Sept. 71 (Sit., Sept. 5; 
n Sun., Sept. 6: 
Mon. , Sept. 
(Wed., Sept. 2: Thurs., Sept. 3) (Wed., Sept. 2: Thurs.. Sept. 3) (Set. , Sept. 5: Sill., Sept. 6; Mon., Sept. 7) (Set., Sept. 5; S101., Sept. 6; Mon., Sept. 7) 
(Wed., Sept. 2: Thurs.. Sept. 3) (Set., Sept. 5; 
~'::'ri:. t":i.~) 
(Sat.. Sept. 5: Sun., Sept. 6: Mon. , Sept. 7) 
(Wed., Sept. 2: sat.. Sept. 5, 
:"ri:. t"~.~l 
(Wed., Sept. 2: 
=-~ S::f.'7?' 
(Wed., Sept. 2: 
l"l'o"n'.~s.s:f-17~' 
(Sat.. Sept. 5: 
~~:. ~~ 
 
JULY, 1970 
 
TIDE TABLE 
 
AUGUST, 1970 
 
Adjust For Daylight Saving Time By Adding One Hour 
 
JULY-AUG. 1970 
 
Adjust For Daylight Saving Time By Adding One Hour 
 
HIGH WATER LOW WATER 
 
Day 
 
A.M. HT. P.M. HT. A.M. P.M. 
 
1. Wed. 6:18 5.9 6:42 7.6 12:12 12:12 2. Thurs. 7:06 5.9 7:24 7.6 1:06 1:00 3. Fri. 7:48 6.0 8:00 7.5 1:48 1:48 4. Sat. 8:24 5.9 8:36 7.4 2:30 2:30 5. Sun. 9:06 5.9 9:12 7.2 3:12 3:12 6. Mon. 9:42 5.9 9:48 7.0 3:48 3:54 7. Tues. 10:18 5.9 10:24 6.8 4:24 4:30 8. Wed . 11:00 5.9 11:06 6.5 5:00 5:12 9. Thurs . 11:36 6.0 11:48 6.3 5:36 6:00 10. Fri. . ... .. 12:24 6.1 6:18 6:48 11. Sat. 12:30 6.1 1:12 6.2 7:00 7:42 12. Sun. 1:18 5.9 2:00 6.4 7:48 8:42 13. Mon. 2:06 5.8 3:00 6.6 8:48 9:42 14. Tues . 3:06 5.7 4:06 7.0 9:42 10:42 15. Wed. 4:12 5.8 5:06 7.3 10:36 11 :36 
16. Thurs . 5:18 6.0 6:06 7.8 11 :36 ... . 
17. Fri. 6:18 6.4 6:54 8.1 12:30 12:30 
18. Sat. 7:12 6.8 7:48 8.4 1:24 1:24 19. Sun. 8:06 7.1 8:36 8.5 2:18 2:18 20. Mon. 8:54 7.4 9:24 8.3 3:06 3:12 21. Tues. 9:48 7.5 10:18 8.1 3:54 4:06 22. Wed. 10:42 7.6 11:1 2 7.7 4:42 5:00 
23. Thurs. 11 :36 7.5 . . .. .. 5:30 5:54 
24. Fri. 12 :06 7.2 12:36 7.4 6:24 6:54 25 . Sat. 1:00 6.7 1:30 7.3 7:18 7:54 26. Sun . 1:54 6.2 2:30 7.1 8:12 9:00 27. Mon. 2:54 5.8 3:36 7.1 9:12 10:00 28. Tues. 4:00 5.6 4:42 7.1 10:06 11:00 29. Wed. 5:00 5.6 5:36 7.2 11:00 11:54 
30. Thurs. 6:00 5.7 6:24 7.3 11:54 .... 
31. Fri. 6:48 5.9 7:06 7.4 12:42 12:42 
 
GEORGIA COASTAL WATERS 
 
HOW TO USE THESE TABLES 
 
The calculations are for the outer bar. Find the reading for the desired tide . In the table below find the number of minutes to add to correct for the place you are going to fish or swim. The outer bar calculation, plus this correction, gives the correct reading for the point desired. 
 
Adjust For Daylight Saving Time By Addmg One Hour 
 
CORRECTION TABLE 
 
The times given are for Savannah River 
 
e.!'ltrance (Tybee) . 
 
Hrs. Min . 
 
Savannah High .. .. .. . . .. . . .. .. .. 0 44 
 
Savannah (Low) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
 
 57 
 
Hilton Head, S . C. 
 
.. . .. .. .. . 0 10 
 
Thunderbolt . . . . 
 
0 20 
 
Isle of Hope . . . . . 
 
. . . . . . . . . . . 0 40 
 
Warsaw Sound . . 
 
0 00 
 
Ossabaw Sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 05 
 
Vernon View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 35 
 
Coffee Bluff . . . . . . . . 
 
0 55 
 
Ogeechee River Bridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 50 
 
St. Catherine Sound 
 
0 25 
 
Sapelo Sound 
 
0 00 
 
Brunswick Bar 
 
0 00 
 
St. Simon Pier . 
 
. . . . . . . . . . . . 0 25 
 
Frederica Bridge 
 
0 50 
 
McKay Bridge . . . . . . . . . . . 
 
0 50 
 
Brunswick East River . . 
 
0 50 
 
Turtle River Bridge 
 
0 55 
 
Turtle River, Crispen Is. 
 
1 10 
 
Humpback Bridge 
 
1 00 
 
Jekyll Point 
 
0 30 
 
Jointer Island 
 
. 
 
55 
 
Hampton River Village Creek Ent. 
 
0 20 
 
Village Fishing Camp 
 
0 45 
 
Taylor Fishing Camp 
 
1 00 
 
Altamaha Fishing Park , Everett, Ga . 4 00 
 
Two-Way Fishing Camp, S. Altamaha 2 00 
 
Full 
 
Last 
 
New First 
 
Moon Quarter Moon Quarter 
 
JULY 
 
2 11 18 25 
 
HIGH WATER LOW WATER 
 
Day 
 
A.M. HT. P.M. HT. A.M. P.M. 
 
1. Sat. 7:30 6.1 7:42 7.4 1:24 1:24 
 
2. Sun . 8:06 6.2 8:18 7.4 2:06 2:12 
 
3. Mon. 8:42 6.3 8:48 7.3 2:42 2:48 
 
4. Tues. 9:12 6.4 9:18 7.2 3:18 3:30 
 
5. Wed . 9:48 6.5 9:54 7.0 3:48 4:06 
 
6. Thurs. 10 :18 6.5 10:24 6.8 4:24 4:42 
 
7. Fri. 10:54 6.6 11:06 6.5 4:54 5:24 
 
8. Sat. 11:42 6.6 11:48 6.3 5:30 6:06 
9. Sun. ... . . . 12:30 6.7 6:12 7:00 
 
10. Mon . 12:36 6.1 1:24 6.7 7:00 8:06 
 
11. Tues. 1:30 5.9 2:24 6.8 8:06 9:12 
 
12. Wed. 2:30 5.8 3:30 7.0 9:12 10:12 
 
13. Thurs. 3:42 5.9 4:42 7.4 10:12 11 :12 
14. Fri. 5:00 6.3 5:48 7.9 11 :18 .... 
 
15. Sat. 6:00 6.8 6:42 8.3 12:12 12:18 
 
16. Sun. 7:00 7.4 7:36 8.6 1:06 1:12 
 
17. Mon . 7:48 7.9 8:24 8.7 1:54 2:06 
 
18. Thurs. 8:42 8.3 9:12 8.6 2:42 3:00 
 
19. Wed . 9:30 8.4 9:54 8.3 3:30 3:48 
 
20. Thurs. 10:18 8.3 10:48 7.8 4:18 4:42 
 
21. Fri. 11 :12 8.1 11:36 7.2 5:00 5:30 
 
22 . Sat. . .. . 
 
12:06 7.8 5:48 6:24 
 
23. Sun . 12:30 6.7 1:00 7.4 6:42 7:24 
 
24. Mon . 1:24 6.1 2:00 7.1 7:42 8:30 
 
25. Tues . 2:24 5.8 3:06 6.9 8:42 9:36 
 
26. Wed. 3:36 5.6 4:12 6.9 9:42 10:36 
 
27. Thurs. 4:42 5.7 5:12 7.0 10:42 11 :30 
28 . Fri. 5:42 5.9 6:00 7.2 11:30 .. .. 
 
29. Sat. 6:30 6.2 6:42 7.3 12:12 12:18 
 
30. Sun. 7:06 6.5 7:18 7.5 12:54 1:00 
 
31. Mon. 7:42 6.8 7:48 7.5 1:36 1:42 
 
AUG. 2-31 10 17 23 
To report violations or if you need assistance tn the Coastal Area - Call-State Game & Fish Commission , Brunswick, Georgia, P. 0 . Box 1097, Phone 265-1552, Savannah 233-2383, Richmond Hill 756-3679.