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Trout Fishing
Lavenia McDuffie caught this 5-lb., 8-oz. lake-record rainbow trout at Lake Burton on July 24, 2016.
Along its length, the Toccoa River and its tributaries contribute largely to technical, yet traditional, trout fishing in Georgia. For more than 10 miles, it tumbles around the high ridges of national forest land in Union and Fannin counties, where it collects its frosty breath that supports wild rainbow, brown and brook trout. Twenty miles…
The lower Toccoa River’s waters flow from the depths of Lake Blue Ridge in north Georgia, creating a cold, clear tailrace river that has long sustained an outstanding trout fishery for a 15-mile stretch all the way to McCaysville. My long-time fishing buddy, George Montecino, and I have avidly fished the lower Toccoa River since…
Zach Baker, of Maysville, caught a unique golden-colored rainbow trout while fishing a public stream in north Georgia. The fish is likely the product of hatchery-raised strain, known as West Virginia golden trout, that was first developed in the 1950s. The color mutation of a regular rainbow trout was developed using selective breeding at Petersburg Trout Hatchery…
Any avid fisherman would know that catching a rainbow trout in warm water is not common. There just aren’t any trout in middle Georgia, right? This being the reason why Troy Harrell and his son Michael, of Roberta, were shocked to reel one in from the Ocmulgee River near Lake Jackson. Early Sunday morning on…
Editor’s Note: Chad Doughty was in September 2023 convicted and sentenced to life in prison for molesting a family member. https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/man-given-3-life-sentences-plus-30-years-prison-after-molesting-young-family-member-da-says/3I7OVPBYTVHHVJFNLC7HZQ3G4M/ The DNR press release below was written in 2014 when the fish was caught. Catching a big fish is awesome, how about if the first fish you catch that day is a new state…
So I’m pretty embarrassed about this, but I feel like I should share it as a cautionary tale. You can never be too careful, even when the conditions are perfect… My day started around 6 a.m. when I headed up to Island Ford on the Hooch. I haven’t gotten to get in the water since…
If you’re one of the many Georgia trout anglers whose ideas of Peach State trophy trout streams involve private water, fat trout, pricey guides and hefty access fees, it’s time to think again. Dukes Creek, in the Smithgall Woods Conservation Area near Helen, blows those assumptions out of the water with plentiful trophy rainbow and…
Blue Ridge native Hunter Barnes had seen this fish before. He had watched it for two weeks in the tailout of a big run while guiding on the Toccoa River tailwater. A college student and wrestler at UT Chattanooga, Hunter spent the summer guiding, and in one stretch of river he watched a resident mallard…
We’ve got a couple of impressive new records to report this month, a big Toccoa River rainbow trout and the coveted West Point flathead catfish record. Last year at this time, GON was reporting on trout populations devastated in the Toccoa River tailrace by warm-water discharges associated with construction at Blue Ridge Dam. A lot…
Trout Recipes
Crockpot Crispy Wild Turkey 1 whole turkey I pound butter divided in half 1 tbsp thyme 1 tbsp rosemary 1 tbsp salt 1 tbsp black pepper Pat the turkey dry with one or two sheets of paper towel. Slather the entire turkey with half the butter. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with thyme and rosemary.…
Smoked Rainbow Trout Dip It won’t be long before stocked rainbow trout from hatcheries are filling Georgia’s trout waters. Whether you catch your trout or buy some at a grocery store, this appetizer will be a hit at your next family meal or party. 8 oz. smoked rainbow trout filets 6 oz. unsalted butter, softened 1…
Ground Venison Christmas Stuffing If you are looking for a great side dish for your Christmas dinner, impress your family with this venison take on stuffing. 1 pound ground venison 1 stick butter 1 chopped zucchini 1 large onion, chopped 1 tbsp minced garlic 2 tbsp sour cream 1 can cream of mushroom soup…