Water Level in Lake Blue Ridge Falling Steadily

The water level in Lake Blue Ridge in North Georgia is dropping rapidly as the TVA drains the lake to make repairs to the dam. The lake dropped 0.55 feet overnight and is currently at 1,635.45 feet MSL (55.55 feet below full pool).

There is not enough water to launch at the at the public boat ramp on Dry Branch Road (N 34 deg 50.762', W 84 deg 17.576) but until the level falls below 1,627, there should be plenty to launch at the low water boat ramp at Lake Blue Ridge Marina (pictured) or from Morganton Point.

The water level is not expected to rise again until the first week in April 2011. Below is information from the Blue Ridge newspaper regarding the predicted lake levels during the dam repair work:

1,635 Feet - 10/07/10
1,629 Feet - 10/21/10
1,620 Feet to 1,625 Feet - 10/30/10 through 04/01/11
1,631 Feet - 04/15/11
1,642 Feet - 04/29/11
1,651 Feet - 05/13/11
1,658 Feet - 05/27/11
1,663 Feet - 06/10/11
1,668 Feet - 06/24/11
1,671 Feet - 07/08/11
1,675 Feet - 07/22/11
1,677 Feet - 08/05/11
1,678 Feet - 08/19/11

Update 03/25/11:
The water level is now at 1,630.71 feet. Check out what that looks like at the Lake Blue Ridge Webcam.

Hot Pink Barbie Rod Snags NC State Record Channel Cat

In a post about five months ago, I stated that the NC state record channel catfish was "ripe for catching" because the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission had invalidated the long-held state record. The old record held by Pete Paine since 1971 was decertified after a photograph of his catch was published in Wildlife of North Carolina magazine and several readers correctly identified the fish as a flathead catfish.

Well, a new record has now been established AND it was caught on a hot pink 2-1/2 foot Barbie fishing rod! It took Davis Hayes 25 minutes to reel in the 32-inch, 21 pound 1 ounce catfish. While he usually uses a "real" fishing rod and reel, he was fishing in a pond in his back yard with his granddaughter Alyssa's fishing gear while she was in the house taking a potty break.

Hayes plans to have the catfish mounted, along with the pink rod (Happily, Lauren Dougherty, a spokeswoman for Mattel, said she's sending a new Barbie rod and reel to Alyssa). The previous record for channel catfish was an 18-pound, 5-ounce specimen caught in August 2007 by Wesley Trucks from New Bern using a Tsunami rod and a Shimano 6500 Bait Runner reel with deep-sea gear, including 100-pound test line. "If you use smaller gear, you'll never get a big catfish to the boat," Trucks said in a 2007 news release announcing his record-breaking catch. Obviously the catfish are not listening to Mr. Trucks. Barbie on Alyssa...

North Carolina to Offer Trout Unlimited License Plates

If North Carolina Trout Unlimited can get 300 fisherman to pre-purchase a Back The Brookie license plate, the state of North Carolina will add the design to a growing number of special interest plates already offered. You can reserve yours today by filling out the application and mailing it along with a check for $20.

Rock Creek Full of Trout

Trout season opening day in Georgia was punctuated by frequent rain showers but anglers were out in force, at least at Rock Creek. If you are looking for a creek that is literally teeming with trout and with extremely easy fishing access (just step out of your car and cast), this is your place. Another plus is the Chattahoochee National Fish Hatchery that is open to self-guided tours - kids will love this.

This location is not without its drawbacks though:

• Area is CROWDED. Don't come here if you are looking for solitude. RV campsites line the creek in many spots and you are rarely out of site of a fellow angler or out of earshot of a barking dog. One of the campsites even had a constantly running portable generator.


• The trout are numerous but SMALL. The largest I caught was only 10" and I did not see anyone with a larger catch.


• In my mind, the muddy road was a minor drawback but I must mention that, due to the rains, my car was FILTHY when I returned home.

Rock Creek is located in Fannin County on Rock Creek Road (Forest Service Road 69) off State Route 60 Between Blue Ridge and Dahlonega. From Blue Ridge take 515 N and turn right at GA 60 a few miles outside of town (at the 2nd Marathon station). Follow the signs to stay on 60 by taking a left in 0.5 miles and then a right in another 1.4 miles. Rock Creek Road will be on your right in another 14.9 miles (look for the fish hatchery sign). The paved road turns into a fairly well maintained gravel road in a few miles and then more or less parallels Rock Creek on your right. All you have to do is pull over and fish.

Martins Dixie Depot - Huntin' and Fishin' Headquarters ("Confederate Owned" according to the sign) is on your right 2.5 miles before the turn onto Rock Creek Road. You may want to stop here for a bite to eat and fishing supplies or for some local color and the latest fishing advice and lore such as:

• Apparently, the fish hatchery folks released some lunker breeder trout into Rock Creek recently and they are probably in Stump Hole. I did not see anything that I thought was Stump Hole, but if you do, that's where dinner is.


• And the story about the guy who was arrested and charged with a federal offense for catching trout in the fish hatchery ponds by running a fishing line down his pants leg and hiding the fish in his baggy trousers.

NC State Record Channel Catfish Ripe For Catching

In May 2005, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission invalidated the long-held state record channel catfish. The old record held by Pete Paine since 1971 was decertified after a photograph of his catch was published in Wildlife of North Carolina magazine and several readers correctly identified the fish as a flathead catfish.

At that time, North Carolina set the minimum weight for a new state record at 20 pounds. Since then, however, no one has been able to catch a 20 pound channel catfish in North Carolina and after eliminating the minimum weight requirement, several state records have been turned in. The current record is 18.5 pounds caught by Wesley Trucks on the Neuse River. Wesley was using cut eel as bait and since this species of catfish apparently does not have keen eyesight, the bigger and smellier the bait the better.

This may be your best chance ever at catching a new state record - Good luck and happy fishing.

Be Sure to Keep Your Eels

The article below is from the NC Wildlife Resources Commission website:

WANTED - American eels from the Roanoke River basin, upstream of Roanoke Rapids Dam
Dominion (Virginia/North Carolina Power) in cooperation with state and federal resource agencies is investigating the presence of American eels in the Roanoke River upstream of Roanoke Rapids Dam, North Carolina. The study is being conducted as part of a program to provide passage for American eels upstream of dams owned and operated by Dominion. Any eels caught by anglers from the Roanoke (Staunton) River or its tributary streams (including the Hyco, Pigg, and Dan rivers), or from Roanoke Rapids Lake, Lake Gaston, Kerr Reservoir, Leesville Reservoir or Smith Mountain Lake are of interest.

If you catch an American eel from the upper Roanoke River drainage basin, it would benefit the study if you kept the eel and contacted Bob Graham of Dominion at 804 271-5377, or bob.graham@dom.com. Bob will make arrangements with you to collect the eel for scientific study. As soon as possible after catching the eel it should be bagged and frozen. If facilities are not available to freeze the eel, it should be kept on ice. Your cooperation will be greatly appreciated, and will benefit efforts to restore American eels to their historic range. Thank you!