Chattooga River Brook Trout Breaks S.C. State Record

The Chattooga River downstream of Burrells Ford has produced a second South Carolina state record brook trout in less than a year for the same angler.

Wes Coker, of Gray Court, S.C., caught a 2-lb., 14.56-oz. brookie on March 25, 2010. He broke that record on Dec. 23, 2010, with a 4-lb., 10-oz. fish measuring almost 20 inches.

In 2010, the South Carolina state brook trout record was broken a total of six times. Prior to 2010, the record had stood for 30 years. The reason: Last year South Carolina began stocking some of its 2- and 3-year-old brood fish into area rivers.

Although the Chattooga below Burrells Ford is also Georgia water — and anglers with Georgia licenses might be able to hook into one of South Carolina’s brood fish — the Georgia state record brookie of 5-lbs., 10-ozs. still stands. It was caught from trophy- managed Waters Creek in 1986.

The stretch of river below Burrells Ford is under catch-and-release, delayed-harvest regulations until May 14.