Georgia Trout Camp 2018

Twenty-one boys and three girls ages 12 to 15 from across Georgia recently participated in the 15th annual Georgia Trout Camp, sponsored by Georgia Trout Unlimited. The camp, which is the second largest and the third oldest trout camp in the United States, took place at the Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School in Clayton.

Youth participating in the Georgia Trout Camp fished Betty’s Creek, Smith Creek above Unicoi Lake and the Tallulah River.

Kids learned and practiced the sport of fly fishing, studied sound conservation practices, and enjoyed a fun and rewarding camping experience. More than 50 people donated their time and expertise to mentor the kids. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Forest Service partnered with the event organizers.

Adjusted daily, the schedule had its challenges due to the heavy rains the previous week. There was no fishing at Nachoochee Bend, but the campers fished Betty’s Creek, Smith Creek above Unicoi Lake and the Tallulah River.

All the Georgia Trout Unlimited Chapters were represented.

“Every effort was made to give the campers a good and safe experience,” said Charlie Breithaupt, who has helped organize Georgia Trout Camp (along with this wife Kathy) since its conception. “Campers gained knowledge in cold-water conservation and improved their fly casting and fly-tying skills. You don’t have to believe this if you don’t want to, but every kid caught a trout on a fly.”

For more information, go to www.GeorgiaTU.org.