GON Kids – July 2016

Twenty-four boys and girls ages 12 to 15 from all across Georgia recently participated in the 13th annual Georgia Trout Camp, sponsored by Georgia Trout Unlimited (TU). The camp took place at the Rabun Gap Nacoochee School in Clayton.

Campers received instruction from members of Georgia TU (from left): Charlie Breithaupt, Rodney Tumlin and Carl Riggs.

Kids learned and practiced the sport of fly fishing, studied sound conservation practices and enjoyed a fun and rewarding camping experience. They received hands-on instruction from 54 members of Georgia TU and four previous graduates of Georgia Trout Camp.

Georgia Trout Camp participants help load the truck at the Burton Hatchery for a final trout release into the Tallulah River.

During the week, campers visited the Burton Hatchery and fly fished on the Tallulah River. A conservation project with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Forest Service helped the youngsters understand more about trout and the importance of the quality of their habitat.

Part of Trout Camp included time fishing on the Tallulah River.

“What we really like to see are young folks with the heart and mind to carry on the mission of Trout Unlimited. We can give them some skills, ideas and information and then hope it all comes together for the good of trout and water and the sport that we all love,” said Kathy Breithaupt with Georgia TU.

For more on Georgia TU, go to www.georgiatu.org or contact Kathy and Charlie Breithaupt at (706) 782-6954.