Christmas Stockings

Trout being stocked into the Chattahoochee River, just in time
for Christmas vacation. Photo courtesy of the Georgia Wildlife
Resources Division.

Some call 'em stocking elves, the hatchery workers and volunteers who team up to spread Christmas cheer in the form of trout. Whatever you want to call 'em, they've been busy this week, stocking plenty of trout in various spots along Georgia's Chattahoochee River below Buford Dam and most likely in some other year-round trout waters, so folks can enjoy good trout fishing during the Christmas break.

Untimely rain may add a little chocolate to the river for a few days and could make both access and fish catching somewhat challenging. It'll settle though. Always does. And when it does, those freshly stocked trout will be there waiting and ready to eat.

Trout can be harvested through most of the Buford tailwater. Three miles of river, through Marietta, fall under delayed harvest regulations, which means that all fishing this time of year must be done with single-hook artificial lures, and the trout all must be released.  For obvious reasons, the fishing tends to stay really good throughout the "delay" period in those waters. In fact, I may need to slip down there some time very soon. I haven't fished the 'Hooch DH yet this winter, and it seems to be calling my name, even as I write this. Maybe I'll see you there.

To learn much more about trout fishing in Georgia, visit the trout page on the Wildlife Resources Division website.