The tradition continues this Saturday. RENEW YOUR FISHING LICENSE AND TROUT STAMP. At nine bucks and five for the trout stamp, you get a year of entertainment. That's cheaper than a trip to the movies or a restaurant!

DNR is adding license dealers and working out the new system's kinks as we speak, but your easiest method is to buy ahead of time via the internet. Don't stand in a line at a tackle shop on Saturday morning, when you could be fishing! http://www.gofishgeorgia.com/recreationallicenses_services.aspx

(editor's note: remember, we've got licenses available now at both Unicoi Outfitters locations)

While the rain forecast may dampen some spirits and some camping plans, there are several potential upsides:

1) less crowds = more good spots and more fish for die-hards

2) better distribution of stocked fish due to flood waters

3) Much needed groundwater and reservoir recharge!

Just use your knowledge of stream discharge (USGS real time water data), crowd size, and DNR stocking plans to help you pick the best streams. The best may not be the biggest. Remember that smaller streams with smaller watersheds will have more rapid runoff and will be wadeable quicker. They often don't have the big crowds of the big-name waters like Cooper, Wildcat, Dicks, and Holly. Also look for flood refuges in small and large streams, as those places in the channel may stack up with fish. Use enough lead to get down to those trout, which are trying not to get blown downstream into a reservoir full of hungry largemouths.

Our '09 stocking list is here: http://www.gofishgeorgia.com/documentdetail.aspx?docid=34&pageid=2&category=fishing

And, for folks with a bit harder time getting to the creek, we now have a list of more accessible streams (thanks to WRD trout stocking coordinator Perry Thompson at Burton Hatchery) here: http://www.gofishgeorgia.com/documentdetail.aspx?docid=34&pageid=3&category=fishing Hey, none of us are as young and nimble as we used to be.

There are a lot of trout-related events happening on Saturday:

1) Open House at Unicoi Outfitters in Helen (some free seminars)

2) City of Helen's trout tournament http://www.helentroutfestival.com/

3) BBQ and bluegrass at Satolah Fire Dept (east Rabun Co). http://www.maconnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4375&Itemid=34 http://www.firedepartments.net/Georgia/Clayton/ 4) More events at NGTO and on many Georgia TU chapter websites.

If wading streams is not your top choice, get the boat out. Anthony said there are some nice ones in Seed Lake (photo) right now, in between all those walleye. Good luck. Got a sharp knife, a frying pan, and corn meal? Stockers are like Doritos. Remember that commercial, "We'll make more." Grab a kid and ... www.gofishgeorgia.com
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