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Trout fishing students learn to play hooky
By Justin Raines Staff Writer
The swish and pop of fluorescent green fishing lines provided the background music as 24 youngsters taught their fly rods to dance Monday morning at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School.
Mentors from across the state circulated throughout the crowd, offering encouragement, technical advice and the occasional wisecrack to participants of the fourth annual Kids Trout Camp.
The weeklong camp, which began Sunday night, was sponsored by the Georgia Council of Trout Unlimited.
Primary instruction included knot-tying, entomology and stream conservation.
“We are trying to instill an interest in trout and fly fishing that will turn it into a lifelong sport for them,” said Charlie Breithaupt, the Georgia Council chairman.
The importance of habitat improvement and protection was also stressed.
“We want to give them an appreciation of clean water and show them what it takes to protect it,” Breithaupt said.
In addition, students were instructed on how to properly select fly fishing equipment, including rods, flies, vests and sunglasses. Campers were able to keep the supplies upon the completion of the program.
After spending each night in the dorms, the youngsters were up at 6:30 a.m. for casting practice before breakfast. They then spent time studying various types of bugs and fishing knots. In the afternoons, campers, joined members of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Forest Service to assist with conservation projects on local streams.
“The kids are going to help stock the Tallulah River and do other conservation work like putting in cover logs and improving habitat, giving the fish places to hide where they can live more easily,” Breithaupt said.
Young anglers also helped load trucks at the Lake Burton Fish Hatchery before releasing the fish at various spots along the Tallulah River. Finally, once the work was done, the kids tried out their skills and went fishing at Bettys Creek and Tallulah River.
Doug Reid, head of the Chattahoochee, Nantahala Chapter of Trout Unlimited was one of the instructors and said he was impressed with the students' manners and willingness to learn.
“I can't believe how well behaved these kids are,” Reid said.
“We've been learning a bunch of things,” said Troy Amos, 13, of Columbus. “They taught us how to choose a fly rod, and we learned our knots.”
The program will conclude Thursday with a casting contest and a graduation ceremony Friday.
The Rabun Chapter of Trout Unlimited will hold a half-day fly fishing seminar July 14 at the Rabun County Recreation Department.
Cost is $25 and will include lunch and instruction on equipment, casting, knots and entomology. Registration is limited to 25 participants.
For more information or to sign up, call Charlie Breithaupt at 706-782-6954.
Mentors from across the state circulated throughout the crowd, offering encouragement, technical advice and the occasional wisecrack to participants of the fourth annual Kids Trout Camp.
The weeklong camp, which began Sunday night, was sponsored by the Georgia Council of Trout Unlimited.
Primary instruction included knot-tying, entomology and stream conservation.
“We are trying to instill an interest in trout and fly fishing that will turn it into a lifelong sport for them,” said Charlie Breithaupt, the Georgia Council chairman.
The importance of habitat improvement and protection was also stressed.
“We want to give them an appreciation of clean water and show them what it takes to protect it,” Breithaupt said.
In addition, students were instructed on how to properly select fly fishing equipment, including rods, flies, vests and sunglasses. Campers were able to keep the supplies upon the completion of the program.
After spending each night in the dorms, the youngsters were up at 6:30 a.m. for casting practice before breakfast. They then spent time studying various types of bugs and fishing knots. In the afternoons, campers, joined members of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Forest Service to assist with conservation projects on local streams.
“The kids are going to help stock the Tallulah River and do other conservation work like putting in cover logs and improving habitat, giving the fish places to hide where they can live more easily,” Breithaupt said.
Young anglers also helped load trucks at the Lake Burton Fish Hatchery before releasing the fish at various spots along the Tallulah River. Finally, once the work was done, the kids tried out their skills and went fishing at Bettys Creek and Tallulah River.
Doug Reid, head of the Chattahoochee, Nantahala Chapter of Trout Unlimited was one of the instructors and said he was impressed with the students' manners and willingness to learn.
“I can't believe how well behaved these kids are,” Reid said.
“We've been learning a bunch of things,” said Troy Amos, 13, of Columbus. “They taught us how to choose a fly rod, and we learned our knots.”
The program will conclude Thursday with a casting contest and a graduation ceremony Friday.
The Rabun Chapter of Trout Unlimited will hold a half-day fly fishing seminar July 14 at the Rabun County Recreation Department.
Cost is $25 and will include lunch and instruction on equipment, casting, knots and entomology. Registration is limited to 25 participants.
For more information or to sign up, call Charlie Breithaupt at 706-782-6954.
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