For many years there has been talk of special regs on the Toccoa tailwater which might protect it as a fishery. In view of the recent demolition of the fishery and attempted recovery efforts, private citizens have taken the matter into their own hands. The DNR has taken a solid stance AGAINST any special regs and has disregarded a proposal by the newly formed Toccoa River Coalition. They still believe that the majority of the fishing public PREFER that the entire tailwater remain a put-and-take fishery.
However, public support for the idea of a slot limit has recently gained the attention of those who could make it happen.
We have, thanks in large part to the efforts of the coalition, an opportunity to push through regulations which could protect the fishery and aid in its recovery. The deciding factor which could bring about this change is public demand.
So... now is
your chance. If you want a slot limit on the Toccoa, make yourself
heard. IF there is perceived to be enough public support these special
regs can come to be NOW. If not, then a unique opportunity will be lost.
I am copying the official proposal put forth by the Toccoa River Watershed Coalition and was (as expected) rejected in its entirety by the DNR. It still has the ability to come about if enough public support is heard.
So, read the proposal and contact the folks on this list - or forever hold your peace.
Bill O.
Georgia has designated numerous trout streams and portions of trout streams have special management programs and regulations to provide anglers a variety of trout fishing opportunities. The Toccoa River Tailwater is a resource vital to the economy of Fannin County and surrounding areas. The Toccoa River Tailwater has been managed as a year-round trout fishery without special regulations. However, recent dam construction by the TVA and budgetary determinations at the federal, state, and local levels threaten the continued viability of the fishery based on existing and future needs of local, regional, and tourist recreational anglers. Accordingly, special regulations are necessary to continue to provide anglers a variety of fishing opportunities sufficient to attract tourism and visitors to the area in numbers necessary to support or supplement the local economy.
Accordingly, the Toccoa River shall henceforth be designated a special regulation stream from the 515 highway bridge in Blue Ridge to the beginning of Horseshoe Bend Park in McCaysville. While fishing specially regulated waters with a minimum size limit, it is a violation for an angler to possess a trout which is other than the specified sizes regardless of where the fish was caught. Likewise, it is a violation to possess trout in numbers exceeding the daily limit, regardless of where the fish were caught.
The Toccoa River within the Specified Special Regulation Area Shall Henceforth Be an Artificial Lures Only Stream
In the Toccoa River from the 515 highway bridge in Blue Ridge to the upstream border of Horseshoe Bend Park in McCaysville, only artificial lures specified in the designated special regulations below may be used. It is unlawful to possess any other type of bait or lure on the Toccoa River.
Toccoa River Tailwater Special Regulation Area
The Toccoa River Tailwater is managed for a variety of trout fishing opportunities. The Toccoa River Tailwater from the 515 Bridge in Blue Ridge to the upstream border of Horseshoe Bend Park is subject to the following restrictions:
· Artificial lures with a single hook no larger than a #6 must be used. You cannot possess lures that do not meet these criteria while on the area.
· Possession of any bait or lure not legal for use on the stream is unlawful.
· Size and Creel Limits: All trout between 12" and 24" must be released unharmed. Limit 4 fish under 12" and 1 fish over 24" per day per person.
· Possession Limit: 5 trout may be possessed daily within the Special Regulation Area subject to the size limits set forth above.
CONTACTS:
*Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Mark Williams, Commissioner
Commissioner’s Office
2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, S.E., Suite 1252
East Tower
Atlanta, GA 30334
404-656-3500
Email: dnrboard@dnr.state.ga.us
Fannin County Contacts:
*Fannin County Chamber of Commerce
Jan Hackett, President
152 Orvin Lance Drive
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
1-800-899-6867
Email: jahackett@tds.net
*Fannin County Board of Commissioners
Bill Simonds, Chairman
400 W. Main Street
Suite 100
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
706-632-2203
Email: Bsim@fannincountyga.org
State Legislative:
*Representative David Ralston
Post Office Box 188
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
706-632-6193
Email: Dralston1@etcmail.com
*Senator Steve Gooch
Post Office Box 600
Dahlonega, GA 30633
404-656-9221
Email: steve.gooch@senate.ga.gov
Congressional:
Senator Saxby Chambliss
585 South Main Street
Post Office Box 3217
Moultrie, GA 31776
229-985-2112
Email: http://chambliss.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/email
Senator Johnny Isakson
One Overton Park
3625 Cumberland Boulevard
Suite 970
Atlanta, GA 30339
770-661-0999
Email: http://isakson.senate.gov/contact.cfm
Representative Tom Graves
311 Green Street Northwest
Suite 302
Gainesville, GA 30503
770-535-2592
Email: http://tomgraves.house.gov/Contact/
*Governor Nathan Deal
The Office of the Governor, State of Georgia
203 State Capitol
Atlanta, GA 30334
404-656-1776
Email: http://www.georgia.gov/00/gov/contact_us/0,2657,165937316_166563415,00.html
RESPONSE FROM SENATOR STEVE GOOCH:
Dear Jamie,
Thank you for taking the time to
contact my office to share your position on the proposal to establish Special
Stream Regulations for the Toccoa River. I appreciate your input on this
matter. The Toccoa
River is a very important
part of the community. I look forward to discussing this proposal. If I can be
of additional assistance, please feel free to contact me. It is a pleasure to
serve you and your community.
Sincerely,
Steve
Gooch
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