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· September 13: Monthly Chapter Meeting – The Blue Ridge Mountain Chapter of Trout Unlimited will meet for the regular monthly meeting on Saturday morning, September 13 beginning at 9:00 a.m. Due to an event at the Kiwanis Community Center that day, our meeting place has been moved from the regular location. Everett Hall has made arrangements for us to meet at the L & L Beanery Coffee Shop, located at 260 West Main Street in downtown Blue Ridge across from the Depot.

PUTTING UP THE FIRST SIGN (from left, kneeling): Blue Ridge Mountain TU VP Jay Campbell with labs “Rainbow” and “Trout,” David and Becky Hulsey; standing: Jan Fetzer, Ralph Artigliere, Mike Holloway, Rod Davis, President Mike Maginn, George Andrin, Bernie Hodskins, Howell Bruce Jr. and Sandy Reinauer.

The Blue Ridge Chapter of Trout Unlimited has successfully completed all of the objectives of its Toccoa River tailwater safety sign project.

Chapter member Sandy Reinauer worked tirelessly with many other members for about two months, until a final safety sign design was approved at our Aug. 9 meeting.

On Aug. 20, 11 chapter members came out to Tammen Park in Blue Ridge to watch the chapter's work come to fruition, when the first sign was hung.

Fannin County Board of Commissioners Chairman Howell Bruce Jr. and Fannin County Recreation Department Director Bernie Hodskins were also on hand to see the first sign go up. Both officials readily gave their blessing to proceed with the project.

“The more safety education we can put on this river, the better,” Hodskins said.

Bruce agreed that the signs will likely help the chapter to see the project's longterm affects in the future — to save lives, prevent accidents and curb poaching. Especially among river users who are inexperienced or unfamiliar with the Toccoa.

Whether they're paddling, floating or wading, many of them are unaware of exactly how the

Sandy Reinauer who headed the TU chapter’s sign project and David Hulsey install one of the signs.

“This additional signage is a great benefit to keep people from getting caught in a place they shouldn't be,” Bruce said.

In addition to the sign at Tammen Park, two more have been put up at Ron Henry Horseshoe Bend Park and another sign was installed at the City of McCaysville's River Park .

The TVA has also given it's blessing for the installation of signs at the dam and at the TVA take-out, downstream from Curtis Switch..

Getting the signs up before the influx of Labor Day weekend traffic hit the river was another primary objective of the project.

All of the signs were up before the Labor Day weekend, which brought many visitors to the tailwater. Except for the signs at the TVA locations, which went up a few days later due to minor wording changes required by the TVA.

The signs clearly convey the river's shape, but they also show how long it takes for rising water to get from one point to another and provide floaters with estimated travel times on low water.

That information is critical in preventing incidents such as the unfortunate older gentleman who drowned last year in the Curtis Switch area, after the water rose quickly and unexpectedly on him

The signs include also include all types of additional information about ethical fishing practices, limited harvest and catch and release fishing.

Each sign also has our chapter's website and the DNR's poachers hotline listed on it.

At the bottom of each sign, in the center, is the current official Trout Unlimited National symbol.

Express Signs in Blue Ridge gave the chapter a great deal on the signs and their staff worked hard to make it all come together nicely using premium materials..

Several chapter members stepped up to purchase signs and/or install the signs, posts and other materials, cutting the overall cost to the chapter.

As a chapter, we have once again proven that when we collectively put our hearts and minds into a project, we will get it done together. For the good of our region's most sustainable trout fishery, and for the good of all river users.

“This has been a great public service project for us,” said our elated chapter President Mike Maginn. “Next to the Trout in the Classroom program, this as sweet as motherhood and apple pie. I couldn't be more happy.”

August Meeting Eventful, Informative

When President Mike Maginn opened the August meeting at the Kiwanis building in Blue Ridge, he knew we would be pressed for time, with reports on ongoing activities and scheduled speaker Dr. Jim Wentworth presenting on two diverse scientific topics. Ralph Artigliere opened the meeting with a report on the presentation on the recent meeting with Georgia DNR officials on special regulations for the Toccoa tailwater. According to the report, Jay Campbell presented our letter officially requesting consideration of special regulations together with copies of the results of the landowner survey and other supporting data and information during a two hour meeting at the Cabin Grille restaurant. As reported by Artigliere and Campbell in prior emails, the Cabin Grille meeting was an open discussion back and forth so any concerns could be aired. At the TU August meeting, Artigliere expressed confidence that the DNR officials Wayne Probst and John Damer would take the request seriously and give the request fair consideration, starting with biological study to see if the river could support and the fishery for all would benefit from special regulations. Following scientific study, the social and political aspects of the issue would need to be aired in public meetings. Only then would DNR biologists and management be prepared to go to the Board. One TU member asked when DNR will get back with us. There is no time frame outlined, but biological study has already been undertaken by DNR. It is safe to say that we will not hear anything definitive until they have the information needed to answer the scientific issues of what effect the special regulations would have on the system and whether the system will support special regulations at all. Artigliere said, “I cannot say that I am confident that DNR will recommend special regulations to their Board. What I can say is that I believe Wayne Probst and John Damer are being up front with us and will give it a fair shake. I, for one, trust them to do that.” Artigliere also reported that DNR expressed interest and support in our Chapter’s public information efforts through signs for the tailwater and our proposed educational series on trout fishing [reports below]. The report on the DNR meeting wrapped up with the comment that “the ball is now in their [DNR’s] court” on the Toccoa tailwater special regulations issue.

Artigliere reported on the status of the educational classes. A proposed syllabus will be circulated on the Chapter email list. The proposed subjects to be covered were listed for the group, and there was acclamation supporting the education effort and a number of members who offered to help “team teach” and to develop classes and information on specific topics. The education programs would be free to the public and take place at the Kiwanis building. The proposal is for a series of 1-1/2 hour classes or workshops spanning five weeks. Artigliere will further develop the program after getting more input from the membership.

Sandy Reinauer presented the current status on the signs for public information and safety to be placed at five tailwater sites (the dam, Tammen Park, Curtis Switch public takeout, and two at Horseshoe Bend). Several members met at 8:15 before the meeting to put the final touches on the map and wording. Members at the meeting offered input and Reinauer will provide the draft sign and map to John Pool’s layout people at Pickens Progress for professional help on the final design and layout. There will be color for emphasis, government rated poles for installation, and added touches to avert vandalism. The signs will be about $50 each, not counting the poles. Each should cost under $100. There was a good deal of enthusiasm and support for the signs. Reinauer was thanked for his report and for his good and timely work on the signs.

Reinauer is also in charge of the “Rivers Alive” cleanup on September 27 where our members will again join hundreds of volunteers locally and thousands nationwide in an effort to clean up our waterways. Mike Maginn announced that our chapter will again be working on the DH section of the Toccoa and volunteers will meet at Shallowford bridge before the event to sign in and afterward for lunch. More information will be forthcoming on this important service opportunity.

Next, we had two diverse and interesting presentations from Dr. Jim Wentworth, U.S. Forest Service Wildlife Biologist and member of our chapter (pictured right). Dr. Wentworth first addressed the status of efforts to protect, preserve, and hopefully expand the Brook Trout population in our area. Of particular interest to our group are the stream enhancement projects that are now paying good dividends in habitat for the native Brookie population. Members of TU can help by participating in workdays to enhance habitat. It is hard work, but well worth the effort, according to Dr. Wentworth, who is known for pitching in personally with moving logs and running machinery in the effort. Fortunately, the Service has had the benefit of several interns this summer, whose young backs and good attitude have made a positive difference in habitat and access. Dr. Wentworth reported on the locations of the efforts and recent successes, and there was a spirited discussion about Brook trout in a Q and A format with the membership. Dr. Wentworth suggested that our group, which just received a donation earmarked for Coopers Creek, should consider underwriting and helping to install a “stocking chute” for Coopers Creek to improve stocking access.

Then Dr. Wentworth turned to the important topic of an infestation that threatens hemlocks in our area, the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA). A full and informative article on the presentation by Joe DiPietro, who has followed and reported on this alien pest in his day job, is set out in this issue.

Members had the opportunity to sign letters on increased federal protection as an “Outstanding Natural Resource Waterway” for the Conasauga River in the Cohuttas. Joe DiPietro announced that the Fannin County Commission would take up a resolution on the following Tuesday, August 12, supporting the special designation for the “Connie” and interested members were encouraged to attend, as the signed letters would be presented at that time. [Tuesday night after our Saturday meeting, the County Commission voted unanimously to pass the resolution we supported. Four of our members were present, and George Andrin presented the letters to the Commissioners before the vote. Thanks to Joe DiPietro for spearheading this effort within our Chapter.]

At the close of this meeting, President Maginn informed the group that the September 13 meeting would need to be relocated due to a conflict at the Kiwanis building. The time and location of the meeting appear elsewhere in this issue.

Clearly our Chapter has an exciting and full agenda of worthwhile projects, and the support from the members present at the August meeting was enthusiastic and positive.

Blue Ridge TU members got a bit of important, but bad news during the chapter's August meeting. The topic of discussion was the nonnative, aphid-like pest, Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA), which has started to kill Eastern Hemlock stands across north Georgia.

The protection of the trees is needed because of the hemlock's importance in the riparian ecosystem and the forest as a whole. They provide not only shade to keep trout streams cold, but they also provide erosion prevention and habitat for fish and other wildlife. These factors could potentially be compounded by our region's already sensitive, and in some cases, marginal trout habitat.

U.S. Forest Service Wildlife Biologist and chapter member Dr. Jim Wentworth provided a well-prepared presentation for members which comprehensively showed the movement of HWA throughout the north Georgia mountains.

The bug first showed up in northeast Georgia and has since moved westerly. The front line of HWA is currently pushing through Fannin County and has been doing so for over a year now.

HWA kills hemlocks by attaching itself to the tree's outermost needles and sucking out its juices at its new growth points. Slowly, tree mortality occurs due to this. “It kills the tree one needle at a time,” Wentworth said.

HWA is most easily identified by the presence of white, woolly eggs sacs that are found on the underside of hemlock branches. The egg sacs are typically found in clusters, on the outermost branches of the tree. This phase of HWA is most visible between November and May.

While Wentworth described the infestation in the Fannin County area to be “still relatively light,” the pest has since spread to areas of the Rock Creek, Noontootla Creek, Stanley Creek, Fightingtown Creek and Tumbling Creek drainages. The bug has also been located in the upper end of the Toccoa River.

But, that's just where it's shown up on public land. Private citizens throughout the area have been finding HWA on their own hemlocks over the last two years as well.

HWA first showed up in Georgia in 2000. But it originated from shipments of ornamental hemlocks from Japan to the Richmond, Va. area. This was long before it made its way to our home state, and it spread throughout the hemlock's northeastern range much faster than it did in its southern range.

In Japan, HWA has several varieties of “predator beetles that keep them in check,” Wentworth said.

Much like an American might think of red and black lady bugs eating aphids, in Japan, HWA is eaten by various other bugs and therefore, tree mortality does not take place.

But the predator beetles didn't make their way into the U.S. with the adelgid. The results of HWA has already been devastating in some areas of the country.

Despite that, Wentworth also offered plenty of advice for chapter members on preventing the spread of the pest, managing infested hemlocks on private land and other ways to battle the tiny bug.

Additionally, Wentworth told chapter members that the Forest Service is currently working to protect and manage certain stands of Eastern Hemlocks in our chapter's immediate vicinity.

The main goal, from the Forest Service's standpoint, is to target certain areas with significant hemlock stands and try to save some of those specimens. The last resort hope of this effort is to one day see those stands survive after being treated with chemical soil injections of imidacloprid and predator beetle releases. Then, after an effective solution is found for HWA, those treated stands should be able to preserve the tree's genetics and repopulate the area with its original species of hemlock, Wentworth said.

To do this, Wentworth explained the USFS is working hard with partners at university labs throughout the southeast to figure out a way to effectively control HWA through predator beetle releases. But as of yet, no groundbreaking success has occurred with the predator beetles.

Hemlocks at about 20 sites on public land across our chapter's region are being treated this year with both the chemical soil injection treatment and beetle releases, Wentworth said.

Wentworth warned chapter members that because of Georgia's shorter and more mild winters, it appears that the life cycle of HWA in Georgia is longer and kills trees faster than it has in northern states.

On average, an untreated hemlock infested with HWA survives anywhere between 3-4 years in north Georgia's environment and climate.

“We really don't know what all of the impacts of this are,” Wentworth said. “We can't look at it as how it has worked up north.”

Most commonly found along routes of travel for both wildlife and humans, such as trails, roads and waterways, HWA can be prevented by people who consciously make an effort not to transport the woolly egg sacs.

The best way to avoid this is to avoid wearing fleece materials and to generally brush off after fishing an area where you've seen HWA or you know it's present.

For private citizens, Wentworth said “the only guaranteed treatment is the chemical treatment. I'd start dealing with it this fall.”

Trees with up to 50 percent defoliation can sometimes be saved with chemical treatments.

Imidacloprid can be found in various hardware stores in the area under a variety of brand names. A chemical soil injector is available for free use, with a deposit, at the Georgia Forestry Commission's Fannin County Office on Old Hwy. 76.

“It's best to treat at a time when the hemlocks are actively absorbing water, which is usually between late February and mid-May,” Wentworth said.

However, with small trees, various spray-on treatments can be used, but it's much more labor intensive and requires more frequent applications of the chemical.

In a lighthearted manner, Wentworth went as far to offer the option of purchasing predator beetles from private dealers. He said they can cost to the tune of $2-$3 a piece. Laughter and cheers erupted when Wentworth shortly followed up with a mention of the thousands of beetles that are being released by the USFS and its partners in the Chattahoochee National Forest this year alone.

In the end, Wentworth said the last couple years of research has given mixed results on the effectiveness of the predator beetles.

“I think ultimately what's going to work is combination of both the beetles and chemical treatments,” Wentworth said.

The USFS is also looking at other flies and insects that may serve as suitable HWA predators, while being careful not introduce another nonnative species that may cause ecological damage.

As of yet, because the predator beetles released rely solely on HWA to survive, Wentworth said he didn't expect any negative ecological impact of the introduction of HWA's native predators from Japan.

While tree mortality is beginning to occur in some parts of northeast Georgia and North Carolina, “Hopefully, we're far enough along here (Fannin County) that we'll have some success,” Wentworth said.

For info on renting the chemical soil injector or to report HWA on private land, call the Georgia Forestry Commission's Fannin County Office at 706-374-6232.

A unique survey on the Toccoa River this summer is searching out the river's rare fish, testing new sampling protocols and possibly helping chart a conservation course for this clear-water gem of northeast Georgia.

Using snorkels, kayaks and backpack electrofishing units, a team of Georgia Wildlife Resources Division biologists and staff is exploring the Toccoa's nearly 40 miles. The river tumbles north from Suches to the Tennessee state line, where the flow is renamed the Ocoee, best known as turbulent host of the 1996 Olympic whitewater events.

To wildlife biologists like Brett Albanese, a senior aquatic zoologist with Wildlife Resources, the Toccoa's calling card is state-protected fishes. For example, the watershed is home to Georgia's only known populations of wounded, olive and tangerine darters. These small perches are sensitive to habitat changes and hard to sample, particularly in wide, deep and swift streams like the Toccoa.

But Albanese hopes the survey he is leading can reliably estimate the proportion of mainstem Toccoa sites occupied by the darters and the state-endangered blotched chub.

As he explains, several samples taken from each site allow researchers to estimate the detection probability, or chance of observing or catching a species when it is present. That factor is then used to adjust the overall estimate of the percentage of sites occupied, thus accounting for a significant bias associated with surveys for rare species. The information can then become a baseline for gauging changes in fish populations over time.

In addition, Albanese hopes the survey's primary sampling method - spotting fish, not shocking them up - can be useful for monitoring other imperiled fishes in the Southeast with minimal harm. A small percentage of sites are electrofished so results of the methods can be compared.

Albanese has another goal, as well: to inform residents about the aquatic diversity at risk from development along the Toccoa. The river is drawing a surge of new homes. Lake Blue Ridge long ago altered the waterway, with dam releases that turn the downstream Toccoa into a tailrace river.

Researchers are measuring the river canopy's cover and noting changes in the riparian zone, which is where land and water meet. Albanese said they're spreading the word even as they work.

"We're encouraging people to restore the riparian habitat, and also not disturb riparian zone vegetation when new homes and cottages are built."

were on the river through early August. Sample sites are randomly picked, floated in kayaks, searched by snorkel and sometimes sampled with an electric probe that temporarily stuns the fish.

Habitat data are collected as the snorkelers try to warm up from the Toccoa's cold waters, Albanese said.

The pace sometimes belies the Toccoa's gentle image. But the results could help preserve it.

Interns: This years’ intern program has been a great success. This fiscal year, our interns have worked nearly 1,600 hours, 1,500 hours in the third quarter alone. In 2008, 30 stream structures have been built improving existing brook trout habitat on Stover Creek, High Shoals Creek, North Moccasin Creek and Ramey Creek. Stover and High Shoals both received 12 new structures.

A new barrier was constructed on Tate Branch and a natural barrier was improved on Stover Creek to prevent rainbow and brown trout from migrating upstream. Contractors were employed on these projects to augment technical expertise and heavy equipment on Tate Branch. Construction was done by hand on Stover Creek.

Interns have continued to supplement TU Chapter volunteers in our water sampling program. This has been particularly helpful in conducting water sampling for opportunity events such as immediately following a rainstorm. They have also been out in the field mapping habitat and electroshock sampling existing and suspected brookie streams.

Back-the Brookie was significantly helped this year by $9,000 in Chapter donations plus an additional $1,500 from NGTO. These funds have gone directly to support the intern program

Chapter Projects: 2008 was a good year for Chapter stream projects. Many of the projects were supported by multiple Chapters this year. Some projects had over seven Chapters being represented and as many as forty volunteers. TU volunteers worked on the following streams:

Stover Creek: Stover Creek is our primary restoration project. GA TU Back-the-Brookie to supporting Gold Rush and Oconee River TU’s lead on this initiative. The Chapter’s were awarded a TU Embrace-A-Stream grant for the project. To date, some of these funds have helped employ interns to supplement TU volunteers in building stream structures. EBTJV monies have funded the barrier enhancement at the lower end of the brook trout range. So far, 12 structures and the barrier have been completed. A total of over 40 structures are planned. At the conclusion of the project, we intend to erect educational signage in the Three Forks area.

Come learn how to catch a trout, paddle a canoe, and shoot a shotgun. Other FREE activities include: Live animal shows; DNR Dog Demonstrations; Camping How-to; Airgun shooting; Hayrides; Canoeing; Archery shooting; Hunting Dog Demonstrations; Skeet Shooting; Trout Fishing (bring ice/cooler; Flycasting and lots of other activities for the whole family! Lunch and restroom facilities available. Visit www.gastateparks.org/info/unicoi