The Angler Magazine | August 2020 | Atlanta Edition by Coastal Angler Magazine

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Tailwater TROUT VOLUME 25 â&#x20AC;¢ ISSUE 305

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Sight Fishing Reds In The South Carolina Lowcountry

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By Nick Carter

oling his skiff through grass in shin-deep water, Capt. Josh Boyles was the first to spot a big redfish crashing bait about 100 yards away. The vast grass beds around Hilton Head, S.C. were inundated in an especially high tide, and we had been working them for a couple hours with limited success. Most of the limited success was blamed on a pair of trout anglers with little saltwater fly fishing experience. Boyles had already put us on a couple fish. We had botched both royally. Conditions seemed right, with plenty of water for reds to push into in search of crabs, but the fish weren’t showing themselves. And we needed to see fish in order to cast to them with one of Boyles’ Swamp Fox flies on an 8-weight fly rod. “I’m not going to lie. This is pretty slow,” Boyles said. “We should be seeing a half-dozen fish at once and trying to decide which one to go after.” With classic tailing redfish behavior, fish root around with their noses in the muck. On the other end, their tails wave above the surface like little beacons. Reds are not hard to find when they do what they’re supposed to. These fish were not cooperating. Instead of seeking tails, we were reduced to watching for unusual wakes and nervous water. Boyles hypothesized the fish might be eating baitfish or shrimp instead of crabs, which would account for their horizontal position in skinny water. As we poled slowly to where the fish was spotted in an open pool amid a sea of grass, I stripped line from the reel and onto the deck. There was no additional sign of the fish, but we had to check it out. The tide was beginning to turn out, and it would take all the fish with it. Boyles had earlier explained why tailing reds are great sport for fly rodders just getting into the saltwater game. Redfish are comfortable in the shallows, so they don’t spook easily. Also, they feed actively and opportunistically in the grass. If they see the fly, they will most likely eat it. When our redfish reappeared, it was right in front of the boat. So close that it made casting difficult. I saw it for a second, but Boyles could see it clear as day from the platform. He began barking instructions. “Two o’clock, about 15 feet out,” he said. “See the wake?” The fish was moving right to left across the bow. I made a timid first cast, which caught the wind and plopped down off target. “Pick it up! Do it again,” Boyles said, urgency entering his voice. “Play the wind. Put it in front of him.” The pressure was on, and the second cast was better. “Strip it… Strip it… Now stop!” Boyles instructed as he watched the action unfold. “Give it a little twitch.” He didn’t have to tell me to set the hook.

For com too the gre be we’

Al Tro tha imp dee pol clas The fish swirled. I jerked back hard with my line hand, the rod pointed right at the commotion. With a jolt, the redfish was on and streaking across the flat! Pound-for-pound, nothing pulls like a red, and this was a big one, spending its last season in the marsh before it would move offshore to join the rest of the big bulls. Capt. Josh Boyles is a veteran Lowcountry guide who offers local and international fishing experiences. Email him at joshboylesfishing@gmail.com or call (843) 816-2229.

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Survival of the Sharpest When it’s you against nature, there’s only one tool you need: the tempered steel Stag Hunter from Stauer—now ONLY $49!

hat first crack of thunder sounded like a bomb just fell on Ramshorn Peak. Black clouds rolled in and the wind shook the trees. I had ventured off the trail on my own, gambled with the weather and now I was trapped in the forest. Miles from camp. Surrounded by wilderness and watching eyes. I knew that if I was going to make it through the night I needed to find shelter and build a fire... fast. As the first raindrops fell, I reached for my Stag Hunter Knife. Forget about smartphones and GPS, because when it comes to taking on Mother Nature, there’s only one tool you really need. Our stunning Stag Hunter is the ultimate sidekick for surviving and thriving in the great outdoors. Priced at $149, the Stag Hunter can be yours today for an unbelievable $49! Call now and we’ll include a bonus leather sheath!

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SiriusXM Fish Mapping: SERIOUS TOOLS FOR SERIOUS ANGLERS

hether it’s a weed line, a color change or a temperature break, success in the wide-open environs of offshore fishing depends on finding the features that hold baitfish and predators that hunt them. With this in mind, SiriusXM has developed a powerful new set of tools to help serious offshore anglers narrow the field of search and find fish more quickly and efficiently. Combined with SiriusXM Marine’s weather data, the company’s Fish Mapping service is so advanced it almost seems unfair. But when you’re competing for big tournament money or have a boatful of clients or friends to keep happy, any advantage is welcome. Real-time data and eight dedicated features pull together information captains need to save time and fuel in pursuit of the ocean’s biggest gamefish. All of it is marked directly on the boat’s display, making it easy to identify areas where fish are likely to be. Here’s a list of those fish-finding features: • Fishing Recommendations: Based on data-driven analysis from oceanographers, the service recommends hot areas for specific species overlaid on your chart. This tailored information is kept fresh with twice-weekly updates to keep you on the action as it evolves. It can be viewed in combination with Fish Mapping’s other features to help solve the puzzle. • Weed Lines: Vast drifting weed lines are always hotspots for hunting pelagics. They provide food and habitat for open-ocean baitfish and shrimp, which draws in the big-game species. Finding them can be tricky, though, since they are constantly moving. Fish Mapping’s Weed Line feature updates every 24 hours to display where weed lines have been sighted recently and where they are most likely to form. • Sea Height Anomalies: Areas where sea height is noticeably different from the surrounding water often indicate an upwelling, where nutrient-rich water pushes to the surface. These are favorable conditions that attract baitfish and gamefish. Using realtime radar and sea-surface models, experts analyze the data and identify upwelling areas every 24 hours. This feature can also be used to locate downwelling areas, so you won’t waste your time fishing nutrient-poor, unproductive water. • Surface Temperature Contours: Different species prefer different temperature ranges, and Fish Mapping’s easy-to-read temperature contour lines quickly and clearly illustrate water temperatures to home in on the ideal conditions for your target species. This feature updates with current temperature data every three hours. • Sea Surface Temperature Front Strength: There’s no need to spend hours running and searching for significant temperature variances between bodies of water. These “ocean fronts” are hunting grounds for big pelagics, which take advantage of concentrated nutrients and fish-movement barriers created by 6 NATIONAL

AUGUST 2020

precipitous temperature changes. Fish Mapping estimates the strength of these ocean fronts and updates them every 24 hours. There tends to be good fishing where temperature fronts and plankton fronts coincide. • 30 Meter Subsurface Temperatures: Surface temperature is not always a good indicator of what lies beneath, where pelagics do most of their hunting. This feature tracks water temps 30 meters below the surface and updates every 24 hours to help you find your target species’ preferred temperature range. • Plankton Concentration Contours: Baitfish feed on plankton; big fish feed on baitfish. It’s easy to understand why concentrations of plankton can lead the way to good fishing. Displayed with green contour lines on your multi-function display and updated every 24 hours, Fish Mapping makes quick work of locating productive water. • Plankton Front Strength: Strong plankton fronts offer good conditions for gamefish to hunt. Baitfish prefer nutrient-rich stained water. Gamefish prefer clear water where they can spot their prey. When the two conditions exist side-by-side and coincide with a temperature front, it presents optimal fishing conditions. The plankton front strength feature displays these conditions on your display and updates every 24 hours. With tools like these, it’s easy to see why SiriusXM’s Fish Mapping service gives serious offshore anglers a leg-up on open water. They even offer a one-month trial of the service because a test drive will prove how valuable their up-to-date, easy-to-access information is. For more information, visit www.siriusxm.com/FishMapping

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Fish fish The and Add day

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UNDER SEA THE

What It’s Like to Spearfish I

8 NATIONAL

AUGUST 2020

and relaxed, and “becoming one with nature” will you be part of the tribe. This unlikely fraternity of ocean hunters is made up of men and women of all ages, races and socio-economic status. The only rules here are made by Mother Nature, and the only requirement is an unspoken bond with the ocean and a respect for its resources. Unlike our mostly predictable lives, every dive is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get. I’ve experienced a school of mantas flying by, a gentle whaleshark ambling along, a sunfish scratching itself on our anchor line. I’ve experienced the exhilaration of being accepted by a pod of wild dolphins. I’ve been bumped by a hammerhead and stared down by a menacing mako. I’ve endured jellyfish stings, sealice rashes, and a crab in my ear canal. The most thrilling sight of all—after paying your dues—is spotting your prey in the shadows.

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Th po we go du as oft

Ho an Jef

“It of in to Sil Tr rea

By Sheri Daye

have a friend at work who is horrified by my spearfishing. He asks, “Why don’t you just buy fish at the market? Aren’t you scared of sharks? What’s it like?” I know spearfishing will never be his cup of tea, but I try to explain why it’s mine. The simple answer is it’s fun to jump into tropical water and choose a delicious fish for dinner. But the truth is those flat, warm, fishy days are few and far between. The truth is that weathermen are liars, visibility can turn ugly, and fish are unpredictable. The truth is that underwater hunting is hard work in an alien environment. One of many challenges is to become comfortable underwater—so comfortable that fish believe you belong there. Fish sense herkyjerky motions and aggression, which means you will never be able to stalk them unless you learn to control your movements, and more importantly, your emotions. You must also overcome the primal fear of becoming the hunted, which is ingrained in all of us. And, as a freediver, you must become adept enough to achieve decent breath hold times. Only after persevering, learning to be smooth

D 1

When hunting tunas, the sight of the yellow finlets speeding under you will make your heart thump. When hunting wahoos, the silver ghost appearing out of nowhere will take your breath away. The realization that your eye has caught the silhouette of a black grouper in the reef will send you into adrenalized stealth mode. Back at the dock, as you fillet your fish and watch the sun set, you feel a sense of accomplishment and relief to be back on solid ground. But you also feel a sense of longing to be back in the weightless, quiet, unpredictable, beautiful ocean. As cell phones begin to ring, traffic on the way home raises your blood pressure, and thoughts of work invade your brain, you begin to plan your next trip back to the soul-cleansing world beneath the sea. Sheri is a world-record holder, host of Speargun Hunter, and producer of “The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo” in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Follow “Sheri Daye” and “The Blue Wild” on Facebook and Instagram.

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Discovered! Unopened Bag of 138-Year-Old Morgan Silver Dollars Coin experts amazed by “Incredible Opportunity” The Morgan Silver Dollar is the most popular and iconic vintage U.S. coin. They were the Silver Dollars of the Wild West, going on countless untold adventures in dusty saddlebags across the nation. Finding a secret hoard of Morgans doesn’t happen often—and when it does, it’s a big deal. How big? Here’s numismatist, author and consultant to the Smithsonian® Jeff Garrett: “It’s very rare to find large quantities of Morgan Silver Dollars, especially in bags that have been sealed... to find several thousand Morgan Silver Dollars that are from the U.S. Treasury Hoards, still unopened, is really an incredible opportunity.” -Jeff Garrett

 Historic Morgan Silver Dollars  Minted in New Orleans  Struck and bagged in 1882  Unopened for 138 years  26.73 grams of 90% fine silver  Hefty 38.1 mm diameter  Certified Brilliant Uncirculated by NGC

 Certified “Great Southern

Treasury Hoard” pedigree

 Limit five coins per household Actual size is 38.1 mm

the southern gentleman by giving the coins the pedigree of the “Great Southern Treasury Hoard.”

But where did this unique hoard come from? Read on...

These gorgeous 1882-O Morgans are as bright and new as the day they were struck and bagged 138 years ago. Coins are graded on a 70-point scale, with those graded at least Mint State-60 (MS60) often referred to as “Brilliant Uncirculated” or BU. Of all 1882-O Morgans struck, LESS THAN 1% have earned a Mint State grade. This makes these unopened bags of 1882-O Morgans extremely rare, certified as being in BU condition—nearly unheard of for coins 138 years old.

Morgans from the New Orleans Mint

Don’t Miss This Rare Opportunity—Order Now!

The U.S. Treasury Hoard

Given the limited quantity of coins available from this historic hoard, we must set a strict limit of five coins per household. Call quickly to secure yours today as supplies are sure to sell out quickly!

In 1859, Nevada’s Comstock Lode was discovered, and soon its rich silver ore made its way across the nation, including to the fabled New Orleans Mint, the only U.S. Mint branch to have served under the U.S. government, the State of Louisiana and the Confederacy. In 1882, some of that silver was struck into Morgan Silver Dollars, each featuring the iconic “O” mint mark of the New Orleans Mint. Employees then placed the freshly struck coins into canvas bags... Fast-forward nearly 80 years. In the 1960s, the U.S. government opened its vaults and revealed a massive store of Morgan Silver Dollars—including full, unopened bags of “fresh” 1882-O Morgan Silver Dollars. A number of bags were secured by a child of the Great Depression—a southern gentleman whose upbringing showed him the value of hard assets like silver. He stashed the unopened bags of “fresh” Morgans away, and there they stayed...

The Great Southern Treasury Hoard

That is, until another 50 years later, when the man’s family finally decided to sell the coins—still in their unopened bags—which we secured, bag and all! We submitted the coins to respected third-party grading service Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC), and they agreed to honor

Regular 1882-O Morgans sell elsewhere for as much as $133, and that’s without the original brilliant shine these “fresh” 138-yearold coins have, without their special NGC hoard designation, and without their ability to tell their full, complete story from the Comstock Lode all the way to your collection.

1882-O Morgan Silver Dollar NGC Certified BU from the Great Southern Treasury Hoard — $99 ea.

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GovMint.com • 14101 Southcross Dr. W., Suite 175, Dept. MSH230-01, Burnsville, MN 55337 GovMint.com® is a retail distributor of coin and currency issues and is not affiliated with the U.S. government. The collectible coin market is unregulated, highly speculative and involves risk. GovMint.com reserves the right to decline to consummate any sale, within its discretion, including due to pricing errors. Prices, facts, figures and populations deemed accurate as of the date of publication but may change significantly over time. All purchases are expressly conditioned upon your acceptance of GovMint.com’s Terms and Conditions (www.govmint.com/terms-conditions or call 1-800-721-0320); to decline, return your purchase pursuant to GovMint.com’s Return Policy. © 2020 GovMint.com. All rights reserved.

H Photo courtesy of FWC TrophyCatch.

James Wirtz caught this 10-pound, 6-ounce beast from an unnamed Florida lake on June 16.

Deep Summer’s Shallow-Water Option By CAM Staff

ere’s some advice for bass anglers sick of the summertime grind. Instead of dredging out deep ledges or dragging worms on offshore humps, go shallow and beat the banks. Yes. You read that right. In deep summer, bass that aren’t stacked up deep will scatter to seek out the best water conditions and feeding opportunities they can find. And while you probably shouldn’t throw all your tournamentday hopes into this pattern, which really is hit-or-miss, hitting it right can lead to some of the biggest largemouths of the summer. Wave action is a key to this pattern. On lakes with heavy boat traffic and on windy days, waves slamming into the banks oxygenate water. While water conditions across the rest of the lake are hot and stagnant this time of year, the shallows offer higher oxygen levels that attract baitfish and bass. By the same token, the backs of creeks with some current often offer better oxygen levels as well as cooler water. Vegetation oxygenates water, also, and provides shade from the stifling sun. Bait is another reason big fish will be up shallow. All of the bream species—the bluegills, shellcrackers, redbreasts and others—spawn during the full moons of summer. When they bed up in colonies, they do it in the shallows, often in just a couple feet of water. Bream beds are buffets for big largemouths, which hang just off the beds waiting on any strays small enough to fit in their mouths. Now, beating the banks all day looking for one big fish in the scorching August heat doesn’t sound like much fun. But that one kicker fish you need to bolster a tournament limit is not likely to be hanging out with all those 2-pounders suspended on a deep ledge. These are also great tactics for fun fishing, when you’ve got the luxury to only fish the comfortable morning and evening hours. In low light, a buzzbait burned around a bream bed or in the shadows of a blowdown can be just the thing to draw a reaction strike from a big girl lazing in the shallows. Running a spinnerbait, bladed jig or square-bill crankbait around and under shallow docks can be very productive. Resist the urge to slow down and pick apart cover with a jig or worm. Shallow fish will be scattered this time of year, so it makes sense to cover a lot of water. Hit all the stumps, grass, rocks and any other cover you encounter. Keep moving, but do it slowly and quietly. Keep your distance, and make long casts. Sound travels far and fish spook easily in the shallows.

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teamed blue crabs seasoned with J.O. No.2 or a custom blend that J.O. manufactures is the flavor people experience at crab establishments all over. Most people credit this crab house seasoning to another product but J.O. has been the crab houses’ seasoning of choice since 1945. J.O. Spice, started by J.O. (James Ozzle) Strigle and his wife Dot in Baltimore City in 1945, is celebrating its 75th Anniversary. A native of Tangier Island, Va., J.O. Strigle brought the seafood spice blend he created in his kitchen on the island to Maryland. Jane McPhaul, J.O.’s daughter took over operations of the family business in the late eighties while her son, Don Ports, was serving in the Marine Corps. In 1990 Don joined his mother in the family business with a vision to expand. In the summer of 1991 Don met his spice girl, Ginger, with the pick up line, “you’re destined to be mine; you’re named for a spice,” said J.O. Spice Company president Don Ports to wife Ginger Ports the moment they met. Twenty eight years later, Don and Ginger- alongside their children Brittany, Tyler and Bethany, are continuing the family traditions of quality seasonings, spices, and more at reasonable prices at their Halethorpe based J.O. Spice Company. “We can provide crab houses everything they need for the crab eating experience, minus the crabs”, Don says. The company added crab boxes, crab paper, bushel baskets, crab knives, crab mallets and a variety of other items to their offerings. “We purchased our first laser engraver and that opened the door to the retail gift world and personalized options,” Don says. J.O. specializes in custom blended seasonings for pizza companies, pit beef stands, butchers, potato chip companies and more. We are more than seafood seasonings. “My children, the fourth generation, and our amazing team work side-by-side to make all of this happen,” Ginger says. “At J.O., we are all family who enjoy working with so many other family businesses. We are blessed.” Please visit us at jospices.com.

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AUGUST 2020 PUBLISHER: BOB RICE

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LOCAL RIVERS & FLY FISHING THE RIVER BASS BOX Contributed By: Jeff Durniak www.unicoioutfitters.com Unicoi Outfitters, Orvis 2018 Fly Shop of the Year The dog days of summer are here. That means the lengthy rains of spring are long-gone, and we simply have to deal with occasional, pop-up thunderstorms. While those brief storms might muddy-up flowing waters, they usually clear quickly. That’s great news for our best bet during the dog days: river bassin’! While a lot of anglers complicate things, river bassin’ is really simple and easy. For new fly fishers, you can enjoy your own Huck Finn days with any old 5, 6 or 7-weight fly rod, wading shoes or a canoe/kayak, and a basic bass box. I’ll tell you the goodies I carry in my box. That basic box is a simple 3 X 2 concept of water layers and fly patterns. I’ve got three layers of water to cover (top, middle, and bottom) and two flies per layer; my go-to pattern and a backup bug. Only two, you say? Yep, for a starter box. Pick the bug size to match your local quarry. If you need a size to start, buy or tie these on size 4 hooks. Of course, we can add more bugs and make that box bigger. That’s what fly fishing is all about. Lots of cool trinkets, right? But for new fly-flingers, a ton of trinkets isn’t necessary. Sometimes it’s

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counterproductive, as noobs spend more time changing flies than casting their first pick into a good spot and working it seductively. Remember this: Technique trumps pattern! Now let’s get to the got-to-have patterns. First, for the surface, I like a white Kent’s Stealth Bomber and a white popper. They both must have lots of long rubber legs! Toss the Stealth Bomber into low, clear water along shady banks and don’t move it. Just let it drift along. Every now and then, give it a slight twitch to wiggle the legs, then let it drift again for 5-10 feet. River bass and bream are spooky in summer’s low, clear water, but they’re very hungry and love to hang out under tree limbs, waiting for terrestrial bugs to lose their footing. Fish with patience and you’ll be rewarded. The backup surface bug is the trusty white popper. Use it to call fish up from deep, fast, or slightly discolored water. Don’t pop it as much as you did in the spring when the water was cooler. Pop and drift, then repeat. Use these two surface bugs in the shade and shadows of dawn, dusk, and shaded banks, where your quarry feels safe enough to “look up” for supper and not be a meal for a heron. When they’re not looking up, go down for the fish. You can start at mid-column

with either the Clouser minnow or the greatest fly of all time, the black Woolly Bugger. Fish the Clouser like a nervous minnow. Cast, let it sink a bit, and retrieve it back to you with erratic strips. Don’t fall into the bad habit of a constant retrieve. You’ll catch more fish when they think their lunch is leaving! You can fish the Bugger any way at all: cast upstream and twitch down to you, then twitch slightly as it swings past you and hangs in the current below you, then twitch and strip it back to your rod tip. One hint: put your rod tip right on the water surface while you’re twitching and stripping. Striking fish will encounter a tight line and result in more hookups. Strikes on high rods just pull on a big U-loop of slack, and you’ll have lots of misses. When your shoalies and smallies are glued to the bottom, especially in the high sun, go knock on den doors and offer them a lobster dinner. Dens are boulder fields, rock ledges, and logjams, especially the shady side of each. You can toss Reindeau’s Hairy Fodder upstream and bounce it on the bottom back to

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you, to imitate a downstream- fleeing crayfish. Toss it across stream, toward the bank, and twitch it while it swings. As it finally hangs in the current below you, stick that rod tip in the water and short-strip it back upstream. If you’re greedy like us, tie two feet of 10-pound tippet to the Fodder’s hook bend and drop the Woolly Bugger off the back. That dual-dinner menu is hard to resist. Hopefully these tips will get you started on some summer fun while you await the return of trouting in the fall. Don’t forget a big hat, sunscreen, bug spray, flashlight, plenty of water, and a good fishing buddy (at a distance) for river safety. Toss one of these six bugs in the right spot, work it like the natural food, and hold on. These river bass have bad attitudes and broad shoulders! And they’ll make you smile in the summer sun. Author’s Note: Jeff Durniak recently retired as DNR’s Regional Fisheries Biologist for North Georgia. He now spends his time terrorizing fish and working his hobby job at Unicoi Outfitters.

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LOCAL RIVERS & FLY FISHING AUGUST FLY FISHING REPORT

Contributed By: Henry Cowen www.henrycowenflyfishing.com August is usually an extremely hot month here in North GA. So far, July has been warm but not as overly hot as we usually see. While the temperature around Atlanta is HOT, the fishing might be heating up too. Topwater spotted bass fishing was very good this year, and it looks like it might continue through August. June had the spots eating off the surface, and in July it continued to stay strong. While the big fish have gone deep for the summer, the smaller 1 to 3-pound fish can still be caught on humps and points using poppers on floating lines. It’s a great way to have some fun fishing the hottest days of the year. During both the new and full moon periods of August, Lake Allatoona or Chatuge may be THE HOTTEST lakes to catch hybrids, white bass and spotted bass on the surface. If you can find an overcast day coupled with the new or full moon phase, you are going to have the makings for one of the most memorable days of your fishing year. While this bite typically was a June and even July occurrence over the past 10 years, August can sometimes be the most consistent for this event. Fish will be feeding on small 1-1 ½” young-of-the-year threadfin shad. All you need is to toss an intermediate (slow sinking) line, and you will be in the game! Look anywhere in the area around the dam.. If not, then just ride towards Kellogg Creek and look both left and right as you are running up the lake. Stamp Creek is another area worth looking at for surface feeding fish. Flies of choice continue to be small shad type patterns. Try any one of the following for success: Albie Anchovy, a small Clouser minnow, Somethin’ Else, small Deceivers and Wiggle Minnows. Try using a 6 or 7 weight rod with 8 to 10-pound test tippet, and you are sure to have a ball. For conventional anglers, try tossing any of the previously mentioned flies (except a Wiggle Minnow) behind either a

casting bubble or popping cork rig. Just keep in mind that Allatoona did not produce this epic topwater bite the last few years while Chatuge did. What happened with Allatoona? No one really knows other than it simply didn’t happen. Our hopes are that it will return to its former prominence and put lots of smiles on anglers who take the time to find this bite. August is also a great time to be hitting the Hooch for some last lick striped bass below Morgan Falls Dam as well as the Etowah River. July is typically a great month for this fishery, but for some reason the fishery has just been fair at best. A lot has to do with the release schedule by the Corp of Engineers. Anglers can toss weighted baitfish patterns on intermediate (slow sinking) lines along the banks and in the deeper holes of the river to find the stripers that are summering over in the city limits. If trying the Hooch, the best areas to fish will be well below Morgan Falls Dam. Start at Sope Creek and work towards Cochran Shoals. From Whitewater to Paces Mill is another good area to look at. Another hot area will be below Paces Mill and down toward Peachtree Creek. The key is to try and fish falling water levels. For conventional anglers, try tossing ¼ to 3/8 oz. bucktails, weightless Flukes or some 4-5” Rebels, Bombers and any swim bait. For topwater, try throwing a 7” Redfin early or late in the day. As we move toward the end of this month, the fishing will slow down as the fish move further south toward West Point Lake. If you happen to get there while the river is dropping water, your odds of finding feeding fish are even better. Call Rob Smith from the Fish Hawk to get in on a wonderful summertime fishery. He is clearly Georgia’s top expert for fly fishing the rivers for striped bass. Or make a trip up toward Helen and ask the folks at Unicoi Outfitters to take you wading for stripers on their part of the Hooch.

Kimberly Ohrstrom with a 25-pound carp on a fly. Finally, carp fishing is still going strong, but the fish are getting pressured from all the paddlers using the river over the past 4 weeks. Carp are a tough and finicky type fish to get to eat the fly to begin with. Add the pressure of a month of anglers tossing flies to them as well as kayaker and paddle boarders invading their flats, and you can see why they are a bit skittish. The Bull Sluice section is still my favorite carp fishing location as well as the Savannah below Lake Hartwell getting a second nod. Crayfish and nymphs will still be your best fly patterns to toss at

carp. A 6-8 wt. outfit and floating line along with 10-pound tippet is all that is required. The past two months have been tough to get river conditions right for these shallow water beasts, BUT when we have gotten out, the fishing has been really good! Next month we will discuss preparing for the fall striper run on the surface up on Lanier again. This will all start to happen by end September or early October. Last year, the fish fired up in September, so maybe it will happen early again! See you on the pond.

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LOCAL RIVERS & FLY FISHING OCONEE ON THE FLY-AUGUST FORECAST GUIDED FISHING TRIPS FOR KIDS

Contributed By Capt. Wayne Moore USCG www.oconeeonthefly.com Do you remember the first fish you ever caught? I do! If you are thinking about booking a guided trip for a young man or young lady, you and your guide have the opportunity to create a memory that will last a lifetime. I have had the pleasure of taking many kids and their parents out and when they say, “that’s best fishing trip I ever had” or “that’s the first time I have caught a striper”, well, it just doesn’t get any better than that. Just check out the pictures of Ben and Nick, a perfect example of a great day fishing with kids! Here are some suggestions on how to make the trip both memorable and fun: • Ask your guide if he specializes in taking kids out. • Make them comfortable with a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and drinks, sandwiches or snacks. (I provide the drinks and snacks on my trips). • Both the parents and the guide should listen to them. They might have some great fishing stories. • Let them use the dip net and get the shad out of the bait tank for you. • Choose a method of fishing that they can engage in. I love teaching them how to use a jigging spoon. They don’t have to know how to cast as they are moving the spoon up and down (thus engaged), and I have had 5-year-old children hook and land 8-pound plus hybrids with no assistance other than me netting the fish. • Take lots of pictures and make it all about the kids! Hybrids/Stripers – I love being

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able to look back at pictures of what was going on in August of 2019. Believe it or not, we had a good topwater bite very early in the morning. Fish were mid-lake near islands and were likely rising because Wallace Dam was pumping water from Sinclair into Lake Oconee. A popping cork with a Betts Pop-N-Stripe works great. If you fly fish, a Wiggle Minnow, or for the non-purist, the Pop-N-Stripe are very productive. After the sun comes up, down-line live threadfin shad. A word of caution though, use well water or house water to fill your bait tank 24 hours before your trip. Use rock salt or a premixed pack of Shad Magic (Capt. Blake Jones - https:// atgcharters.com) or Shad Crack (Shawn McNew – stripersoup.com) to keep your bait alive. Fishing late in the day is productive as well, but the heat is stifling. Crappie – Brush pile fishing is the thing here on Oconee in August. Unless you have done this on your own, hire a guide. The technique is to find trees in 25 to 30 feet of water that have been cropped off about 15 feet below the surface. You can scout for the trees that have crappie on them, and when you find them, they will be obvious on your electronics. If they form what looks like a tornado, you are on the spot. Use braid line and a 6-pound fluorocarbon leader with a live minnow and prepare to load the boat! Final Words - Don’t forget to book your trip well in advance. Email me at wmoore1700 @outlook. com or call 404-317-9556 and lock in your dates.

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LOCAL RIVERS & FLY FISHING THE CASTING CORNER THE GREATEST FLY FISHERMAN I KNOW – DR. GORDY HILL Contributed By: Rene J. Hesse Certified Casting InstructorFederation of Fly Fishers & Atlanta Fly Fishing and Camping Meetup Organizer

AUGUST FISHING FISHSIZZLE

Contributed by David Hulsey International Federation of Fly Fishers Master Certified Casting Instructor http://www.hulseyflyfishing.com 770-639-4001

August in the South is not for the faint of heart! Fly fishing here during this time usually pushes you into pursuing different species other than just trout. High elevation streams may even get too warm to catch and release fish safely. Carry a thermometer and test the stream before fishing. Water temperatures 67 degrees or above in the afternoon should be avoided. Tailwater fisheries such as the Toccoa River can have decent fishing if you float into less pressured areas. On the other hand, warm water species such as panfish, bass, and carp flourish in the heat. Local ponds and lakes with bank access, or better yet if you have access to watercraft, can be areas of great fun during summer. Early morning sessions usually consist of some sort of topwater bite before the sun gets overhead. Chartreuse, yellow, or frog colored poppers will produce around cover or inlets of streams into the lake. When that sun starts blazing, use subsurface flies such as Clousers or Game Changers matching the baitfish that reside in the waterway. Fishing an intermediate fly line will

Have you ever known someone who is ‘THE’ expert in their field? I have met that man, the quintessential Renaissance man. He has done what the books are written about. His knowledge is from experience and testing of theory, years and years of it. Last June on a tarpon trip, I was able to sit down and listen to him as he spoke of time gone by. There were so many interesting things that I eventually asked if he would start writing a book. We settled for a story or two for the Casting Corner. Folks, the following is from Dr. Gordy Hill. I hope you enjoy it. Hover Fishing for Saratoga: Ten years ago, I had a rare opportunity to fly fish for a fish which looks a bit like a tarpon but is gold instead of silver and lives in the Aboriginal billabong fresh waters of Northern Australia. A billabong is an Australian fresh water river which doesn’t flow into the sea during the dry season, also a blind river arm. Called, Saratoga, this fish leaps up to eat large dragon flies as they hover over lily pads. The trick was to see one take and then repeatedly cast over that spot so that the loop would unfurl with the fly at an imaginary target about 3 or 4 feet above the water. The fish would leap out of the water and take the fly in mid-air.

What a hoot! Lefty Kreh had introduced me to Rod Harrison (“Harro”) of Australia who taught me about this fishery. The cast is aimed high with a smooth stroke and a straight path of the rod tip for a fairly narrow loop designed to open high above the water followed by a gentle well timed pull back as the loop straightens. The take occurs after doing this repeatedly. The fish takes the fly in mid-air with the large dragon fly imitation having never landed on the water. The fight starts as the fish crashes down. These fish averaged about 15-pounds with a few over 20-pounds. It’s a great sport requiring well controlled hover skills practiced to perfection beforehand. *https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Billabong

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get your flies down a few feet to willing game fish. For really deep fish, a sinking line is in order. It is tougher to cast than an intermediate line, but necessary for fish pushing 10 -20 feet or more in depth. Having an extra spool for your fly reel with the sinking line ready to go can save the rest of the day. Our mountain lakes are fairly pleasant even on the hottest days and catching a few bass or bluegill can make a day out here even better. Carp will usually be cruising the flats and coves by mid-morning providing redfish like fishing right here in North Georgia and Western North Carolina. Carp will eat a variety of flies mimicking crawfish, damselfly, or any large nymph usually with a few rubber legs. Look for mud or plumes of silt in shallow water. If you can see the carp’s head, cast carefully just in front of the fish and do a small strip when the fish gets close. You will usually know when old rubber lips eats. If you are not sure, set the hook anyway. Sometimes, you just have a feeling. Don’t let the dog days of summer get you down. Get out there and enjoy some summer fishing!

AUGUST 15 STURGEON MOON

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LOCAL RIVERS & FLY FISHING CHATTOOGA RIVER

The fireworks of July 4th have gone, but Mother Nature sure did bring in the heat. The abundance of the rains that we were having have now subsided through the middle of July. The higher temperatures and the drop off of rainfall has made the trout fishing quite tough. After the morning coolness has burned off by the hot sun, the trout have gone to their coolest place possible on the rivers, the bottom depths. In all actuality, we truly need to leave the trout alone, let them find their thermal refuge, and let us all pray for some cooling temperatures and plenty of rain. The lack of rain, high heat, and daily evaporation can make water levels detrimental for the trout population. For August, if the next few weeks brings cooler temperatures and plenty of rains, then the trout will have a good

chance of survival for the summer. Let’s not let the trout fishing being tough make us believe that there is no fly fishing to be done out there. One of the best trips of your summer can be out on the rivers fly fishing for the Bartram’s bass and redbreast sunfish. Who doesn’t like topwater fishing and watching fish explode on their surface fly? These feisty fish will take you for a ride around the back eddy or small pool you’re fishing. The redbreast is probably one of the area’s most beautiful fish,

almost tropical in colors with their fiery orange bellies and vivid coral blue veins running from their lips through their gill plates. Some of these fish are large enough you will need to use two hands. The Bartram’s bass are no slouch either. These fish can do a little tail walking for you or take you to the bottom of the river. For the days that these fine fish do not want to be showing off on the topwater flies, make sure to have a subsurface arse-

nal. We have a full array of both subsurface and topwater flies for your day at the river. Let’s all pray for a little cooler weather and some rains to keep the rivers cooler and the water levels up. Always remember to leave no trace and pick up a little extra on your way out from your trip out on our beautiful waters. We look forward to seeing everyone out on the rivers around us here at Chattooga River Fly Shop.

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LOCAL RIVERS & FLY FISHING THE GUIDES ANGLE SUMMERTIME FLY FISHING IS HERE

Contributed By: Chris Scalley River Through Atlanta Guide Service For those of you who are opting not to travel during these tough times, maybe you would consider a local fishing trip as a staycation. To most people, summertime is not your typical time of the year to fish because it is too hot for both the an-

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gler and the fish. Consider fishing a southern tailwater this August or September and you won’t be disappointed. Here are some fish from July 2020. It’s going to be a great summer, folks!

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LOCAL RIVERS & FLY FISHING AUGUST FLY FISHING

Contributed by James Bradley Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide www.ReelEmInGuideService.com (706) 273-0764 At the time of this writing, our stream levels are flowing nicely. Afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms have helped immensely in keeping our flows up this year so far. It is getting hot though. Higher air temperatures will inevitably increase water temperatures as we continue deeper into the summer. Keep this in mind when planning your outing. Stay well hydrated, and wet wading is much cooler on your body than using waders. We will be mainly booking morning half day trips to allow the trout to be less stressed during the heat of the day. Carry a thermometer with you on your trip and call it quits if the water temperature hits above 68 degrees. This gives our trout a much better chance of survival, and even more so if you use barbless hooks and unhook them without taking them out of the water. Throwing dries has been our choice lately. Big foam terrestrials

work on big and small trout. If trout are rising, be sure to bring Yellow Sallies and/or Stimulators in yellow size 14 and 16. We’ve been seeing yellow stoneflies coming off the water lately. Also, we’ve been catching them on droppers with the likes of Tellico nymphs size 16, Hay Stack size 16, Pheasant Tails and Hare’s Ear size 14-16. Keep in mind, the further into summer we get, continue to downsize your fly selection. Midge patterns down in size 20 will catch a good number of trout. If you want to try fly fishing for the first time or want the watchful eye of an instructor to help improve your casting, we have several guides that teach the “Art of Fly Fishing”, entomology, stream reading, etc. We are a full time fly fishing guide service with professional guides from all across North Georgia. So, what are you waiting for? Give Us a Call, and We’ll Hook You Up! Reel’em In Guide Service is based

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LOCAL RIVERS & FLY FISHING A TROUT A DAY KEEPS THE DOCTOR AWAY Contributed By: William Reed Nucanoe National Pro Staff Writer will@nucanoe.com IG: @wde_will Here in the North Georgia Mountains, trout are abundant. After all, they don’t call us the “Trout Capital” of Georgia for no reason. Whether you’re wanting to blue line for our crisp colored natives, chuck spinners to the stealthy speckled browns or land a trophy sized rainbow on a dry fly, they can be found in most all of our tailwaters. Typically, trout are thriving here on waters with a temperature below 70 degrees. The Toccoa River, Chattahoochee River and Nottley River are all prime candidates for a solid day of fishing. These waters offer public wading access as well as launch points for watercrafts. The best way to cover the most water, is of course by either a drift boat, raft or a kayak. Obviously, I prefer kayaking. My Nucanoe Frontier 12 has taken me down many stretches

of waters and never fails to provide me with an open deck space for handling tackle and fly line as well as stability and the ability to maneuver in the current. There are plenty of tactics available to anglers seeking a trout on the end of their line. If you’re up for the calm, serene and elegant method of fly fishing, you’re going to want a 3 to 6 weight, up to 9 foot rod paired with matching weight fly line and a tapered leader. Some guaranteed, tried and true flies for this area are Chubby Chernobyls, Wooly Buggers, Rainbow Warriors, Zebra Midges, Blue Winged Olives and assorted Stoneflies. If you’re more into conventional fishing, you’ll want an ultra-lite inline spinning setup and a 500-1000 size reel on a 4 to 6 foot rod with 4 to 6-pound line. Daiwa has a phenom-

enal setup I currently use; a Kage USA 5’6” UL paired with a 1000 LT reel. That setup or similar will easily handle any of your jigs, jerks or spinners, as well as any trout you hook up to. Some suggested inline lures would be Rooster Tails, Joes Flies, Trout Magnets, small jerk lures and of course the “ole fashioned night crawlers or corn”. When you find yourself on the water, know that trout are opportunistic feeders. They conserve their energy by hiding in pockets to the side of the current or below it and waiting in the eddies, seams, deeper holes or riffles for their food to drift by. You’ll want to cast upstream to them and allow your fly or lure to drift naturally past them. You’ll also want to avoid putting yourself or anchoring too close to where you plan to cast. Although they are hungry, they are easily spooked. Trout can be picky eaters, considerably finicky on occasion. It’s always a good idea to keep plenty of options on hand. Take note of what is around you that they may be feeding on. Are there stoneflies on rocks when you pick them up? Are there caddis hatches flitting around the water’s surface? Is the water stained

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and quick moving? The ability to adapt to their feeding environment is your biggest advantage. At the end of the day, it isn’t always about the fish at the end of your line. Plenty of days, it’s about the company you keep, the beauty of your surroundings and the freedom to explore. This has been written in collaboration with Laurie Sizemore, from our many river adventures together.

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DEEP WATER SLABS By Tim Danger ltdangar@tds.net This is the time of year referred to as the “Lazy Days of Summer”, so why not talk about some deep water crappie fishing. It’s no secret that fish like a certain temperature of water to just be fish and do what they do, which now is eating and seeking cover for survival. So guess what! In order to catch fish, you need to find that desired water temperature (67-72 degrees), cover (maybe as simple as a pile of Christmas trees) and something for them to eat (the cover/structure provides home for the baitfish as well). In my home lake, Allatoona, these three things happen at around 15-18 feet deep. Now, it won’t require you to fish that deep, since crappie feed up. I like to use minnows to locate fish and then switch over to curly tail jigs after locating the fish. Something important to remember is you must

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mark in your mind where the fish are and cast the jig beyond that spot, allowing it to sink before reeling and bringing it right across the structure. If you miss the target by 5 feet or even less, you will not get bit. Pick a cloudy day, maybe even with some light rain so you won’t burn up, anchor up, set back and enjoy some lazy fishing to go along with the lazy summer. Until next time, stay calm and fish on!

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ATLANTA 11

LOCAL LAKES AND FORECAST SAILFISH OR BUST By Gary Turner

The rod slammed straight down without any warning. I hit the lever to engage the electric reel, and it growled and started winching up something big from the bottom, 175 feet below. The rod twitched and bounced a little as it kept pulling in line. Now the monster on the bottom was almost stopping the electric reel. It brought in a few more yards of line when the rod bent for all it was worth. The reel stopped and snapped, the line broke. We were all speechless. I’m fishing with my friend Andrew and new friends Darrel, Brent and Gene. We are 52 miles out of Panama City Beach fishing on Andrew’s 43-foot Yellowfin. It was one of those nearly perfect days to be on the water. The water was the smoothest I have seen in a long time. It was the kind of day you dream of on the Gulf, but don’t see enough of. This was the first time Darrel had ever been fishing in his life, and it was Brent’s first deep sea trip. Lucky for them, it was a really pretty day for your first deep sea trip. On the way out to deep water, we saw a float and circled back to see if it was holding any fish. Sure enough, there was a school of small Mahi Mahi hanging around it. As often happens when I am loading the boat to head out, I occasionally forget things, which I know is hard to believe, not because I don’t forget lots of stuff, but because I keep everything but the kitchen sink on my boat. Well, when we were getting the rods to bring to the boat, somehow 14 rods seemed like enough. Trouble was, all the spinning setups were left behind. Andrew said, “Well, this is going to be tough, but we can catch these Mahi with bait casters.” He rigged one up with a small hook and weight and casted it out. He handed it to Darrel who hooked into his first fish ever. He was all 12 ATLANTA

AUGUST 2020

smiles when that Mahi came over into the boat. I remembered my first bluegill. I caught it with my dad years ago, and I know how good it feels. We all took turns catching some Mahi and then moved on to our destination in search of more fish. We stopped at the first spot and rigged up several rods with 8/0 Owner Circle hooks and ounce and a half weights. Soon we were catching all kinds of fish off the bottom; some red snapper, black grouper, and some really nice trigger fish. They were some of the biggest trigger fish I’ve ever seen. Trigger season was closed, so we unhooked them and put them back for another day. Brent hooked one fish that was putting up a real fight. He was making ground on it when all of a sudden it pulled down so hard it pulled him to the rail. Then the line lost all its resistance. There was still weight, but no fish. As it neared the top in the clear blue water, you could see the mouth and head of a nice red grouper.

There was about half a fish left. It had been sheared off by a big shark.

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We moved to another spot, set up and put down live pinfish. Several red snapper, black and gag grouper ate them up quickly. We were heading to another spot when we saw a grass line. Sure enough, there were a bunch of Mahi along it. We started catching them. I was still using the bait caster with an 8/0 on it. I caught a few small ones and then hooked into a good bull. I got it close to the boat and managed to lose it right beside the boat. Man! I know I had the kid who dropped his ice cream cone look on my face. I was only distracted for a minute and started casting again. The next spot was the big fish bottom. We were marking good fish on and near the bottom. Live baits were put down and the bite was on. Brent hooked up and was reeling it in when the line snapped. We all got a shot at some big fish in this spot, but they were not coming up today. The two electric reels gave it their best shot too, but to no avail. These fish were going to stay down for another day. We caught a few more good fish and called it a day, prepped the boat and gear for the ride, and headed in. We had caught all kinds of fish, and saw sharks, dolphins and sea turtles. You really could not have asked for a better day or time with friends on the water. I’m not sure what next month’s article will be on or where I’ll be fishing, but remember, if you have an empty seat on your boat that needs filling, shoot me an email and maybe it will be about fishing with you! You can reach me at gary@ purgeright.com Please remember, if you are not going to eat it, don’t kill it.

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LOCAL LAKES AND FORECAST LANIER - CATCH SPOTS IN AUGUST – EVEN IN THE HEAT Contributed By: Jim “Jimbo” Mathley www.jimboonlanier.com

While the fishing generally gets tougher in August on Lake Lanier, there are ways to ensure continued success. In today’s installment, we will review the locations, techniques and lures to utilize to keep you catching fish during the heat of the summer. Location: Understand that the primary concern of both game fish and baitfish are oxygen and food source, in that order. The fishing traditionally changes in August because the baitfish, particularly the blue back herring, change in response to the conditions. They often go deeper in search of better oxygen content in the water; the depth at which this key oxygen content is maintained is called a thermocline. In August, I normally like to target sharp breaks and deeper water on main lake features such as ledges or sharper breaks on the ends of points and sides of humps and islands. Often in August, we would work depths of 25-45 feet of water, anticipating the thermocline to establish in the 25-30foot range, historically speaking. Even though there are fish in the deeper zones, there are also still fish located shallow all around the lake. You can find these shallow fish, not only on the main lake, but also in the back of pockets and creeks as well. These shallower locations are great areas to target during the early morning timeframe. Later in the day, the “normal” areas with brush are still holding fish, and there are fish starting to move deeper and relate

to the timber. When fishing deeper, target timber edges in 35-45 feet of water near the same key features upon which you find the brush. In general, if one type of area is not producing, don’t hesitate to try another location or another depth. Stay flexible and versatile and move around until you find active fish. Running and gunning several different types of places can be the key to success during this time of year. Often, many areas will not produce, but if you stay on the move and remain versatile in both your location and bait selection, you can and will find active fish. Lures and Presentation: Now, let’s examine some techniques that can be used to catch fish in August: 1. Topwater and Swimbaits - The topwater bite over the brush can be good still in August, but again, it can be nonexistent if the weather is extremely hot consistently. The fish will let you know if the topwater bite is working. Try using some smaller topwater baits like the Super Spook Jr., which best mimics the smaller baitfish the spots are often chasing during the hot weather months. The swimbait adds another dimension to your game. Work swimbaits fast on the surface or let them sink and work them directly over the brush. Experiment with both the mechanical and soft models at different depths and retrieve speeds to determine which is working best on any given day. 2. SuperSpin – This is an excellent

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AUGUST 2020

producer on Lanier, and August is no different. Fish the bait over and around brush and deeper cover. Vary your retrieve speed, method, depth and trailer type until you hit on the right combination for that day. Generally, a Super Fluke Jr. is a good bet for a trailer. 3. Drop-Shot – This is a great tool when the fishing gets tough. This presentation can be made vertically into cover or it can be cast toward the feature and slowly retrieved. I prefer the Lanier Baits Fruity Worms for the drop-shot. Light line is a must. I prefer 6 to 8-pound test Seaguar Fluorocarbon in most situations. Light line helps provide a more natural presentation. I also like to experiment with leader length. I will sometimes use up to a 5-foot tag end on my drop-shot depending on the

position of the fish and the feature I am targeting. 4. Jig – The jig is a bait that is apt to work through the entire summer, as well as into the fall and winter. August is no time to forget the jig. I prefer Georgia Jigs, often in a brown and orange combo or in a PB&J color pattern. Work jigs on points and humps, around brush, as well as steep rock. If the jig is not working, don’t forget to try a Georgia Blade Shaky Head tipped with a finesse or trick worm. I still have some dates available in August, so call me to enjoy some great August fishing. See you on the water! For more information or to book your trip, contact Jimbo on Lanier! 770-542-7764. Jimbo’s website: www. jimboonlanier.com.

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Grilled crappies taste great. First, you should prepare your sauce and marinate to allow the crappie flesh to soak up the tasty spices. Then place fillets in a grill. Monitor the fillets, turn the pieces often to cook all sides and remove from the grill after a few minutes until the flesh turns golden. It is ready to eat. Frying Crappies in a pan: It is best to fry wet crappies in a pan to retain the flavor and taste. You will need some seasoning, flour, pepper, and salt. Mix the ingredients in a bowl, put your fillets in the bowl, cover with the lid and shake a little to get the fillets covered with the mix. Fry in oil for a few minutes until the flesh turns golden brown. Serve hot, with some chips and a dash of lemon. Baking Crappies in an oven: While you preheat your oven, prep your fillets with some lemon juice, salt and pepper. You should also rub in some oil to prevent sticking. Bake in an oven at about 400 degrees for about fifteen minutes. The fillets should turn golden brown at this time. Take out your crappie fillets and serve with your choice of garnish.

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LOCAL LAKES AND FORECAST LAKE MARTIN

CHATUGE HYBRID By: Darren Hughes Owner: Hughes General Store & Bait Shop The Angler Magazine Fishing Team & Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service www.bigolfish.com 828-361-2021

This summer has been off the charts for us out here on Lake Chatuge. We’ve had one of the most productive and exciting hybrid bites in years and now that August is here, that means fall is knocking on our doors and it should remain the same. Currently, Lake Chatuge is at full pool. Water temps are in the mid 80s, and water clarity is clear throughout the lake. Hybrid fishing has been phenomenal lately. Late summer patterns are in full swing. The fish are schooling in large numbers, and we are catching some big quantities (30 to 40 a morning.) Most of our hybrids are averaging 5-10 pounds. These are some of Lake Chatuge’s hardest-fighting fish, and we’re having a blast wearing them out. The early morning and midafternoon bite has been prime. Look for schools of fish along the main

channel and off points. Downlining live blueback herring has been the best technique. Search out your areas and watch your electronics. When you mark fish, drop your lines. Fish will be slightly shallower in the early morning hours and will move to deeper water by mid-morning. Topwater bite has slowed down considerably, but you can still find a few busting. When these fish start busting on bait, it’s always a good idea to have a Spook, or RedFin at the ready. Look for this same pattern to continue for the next month or so until water temps begin to fall. August fishing on Lake Chatuge is always exciting. You won’t regret booking a trip with Blairsville GA’s #1 guide service, Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service. Remember, live bait on this lake can be the difference between a successful day of fishing and a horrid one. For all of your bait and tackle needs, come visit us at Hughes General Store in Blairsville, GA. It’s the best place around for quality live blueback herring. So book your hybrid and striper fishing trips now with Big Ol’ Fish and come get your fish on!

Provided By: David Hare Alex City Guide Service 256-401-3089 July has been good striper fishing for the most part. We had some very good trips with lots and lots of days the entire fleet of guides would be limited out and releasing fish within 2 hours of the trip. August is going to be, as always, very hot and more than likely have a high volume of recreational boat traffic. In saying this, I highly recommend you getting out before daylight on the lower end of the lake and concentrate in very deep water trolling deep at around + or - 3 mph and trying your luck at catching one of the best fighting fish on Lake Martin. Keep in mind that most any of the stripers you catch this month are going to have a tough time surviving if you try to release it, so be prepared with lots of ice to keep your catch fresh for a

delicious meal after a hot day of fishing in August. Another fun fish to catch this month are bream. Get some light tackle, some crickets, a box of worms, or even a fly rod, and go fill your cooler up (of course stay under the legal limit). I look for these fish around docks, back of pockets and up and down the shorelines up in the river. You may also try drifting worms on the bottom in the main river channel up north of Camp ASCA for the best tasting catfish you’ll ever put in your mouth. If you haven’t eaten any catfish out of Lake Martin, then you’re missing a treat. Well folks, I’m going to go find a cool place to unwind and probably take a short nap, because 3 am comes early for me, and these hot days take it out of all of us, but it’s still worth trying your luck fishing in August on beautiful Lake Martin. Until next time, tight lines!

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ATLANTA 19

LOCAL LAKES AND FORECAST LAKE CHATUGE

LANIER STRIPERS Eric Welch Welch’s Guide Service www.welchsguideservice. com 706-455-2323

Forecast by: Clay Cunningham www.catchingnotfishing.com 770-630-2673 The summer heat has arrived on Lanier and the stripers have moved south on the lake. The water temperature is in the mid-eighties and the water is clear. The best fishing is on the south end of the lake due to deeper, colder water which means higher oxygen levels for the stripers. The schools are getting larger and larger. Look in the creek channels near patches of timber. As mentioned, the primary pattern is the downline. The primary setup for the downline is a Shakespeare Striper Rod paired with a Penn Fathom II 15 Linecounter reel spooled with 15-pound Trilene Big Game line, the Captain Mack 2-ounce swivel sinker, a 6-foot section of Trilene 100 percent Flourocarbon and a 1/0 Gamakatsu Octopus hook. Add a live herring to the hook and you are good to go. Take plenty of herring as they will not live long on the hook. Great electronics like the Humminbird Solix are the keys for success right now. The trolling bite is also picking up. Talk to your local tackle store like Hammonds or Oakwood Bait and Tackle for the specific rod and reel needed. Look for a Penn Fathom reel paired with a Shakespeare Tiger rod. Once you are set up, tie up one rod with a Ben Parker spoon and one with a 1 to 2-ounce white

Berkley Fusion bucktail and troll at 2.8 mph. Tip the Berkley Fusion bucktail with a 6-inch Capt. Mack chartreuse trailer. Let the first couple bites tell you which one is hot. It can vary from day to day. Also keep white Capt. Mack trailers, pink trailers, and all sizes bucktail size on hand. Be sure to release fish as fast as possible. Every second out of the water in the hot summer months increases mortality. If you are taking pictures, have everything ready for a quick release. See you on the water.

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We really have not been seeing hardly any topwater action with most of the bait that I’m marking has been at 15’ to 50’. The bait has also been scattered, which causes the fish to scatter a lot. We’ve been having some hot days, but the nights have been cooler. I think that’s why the baitfish are still staying deep. But for the most part, we are in our summer patterns and fishing deep bank lines, brush and long points. I’m targeting fish with a dropshot rigged with a 6.5” Roboworm in 12’ to 45’ of water. On my shaky head, I’m using a 3/16-ounce head and a 6.5” Strike King Finesse worm and a 3/8-ounce green pumpkin jig around brush piles or lay downs. You also need to look for docks that have deep water access. You can

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catch a lot of small fish right now, but you’re going to have to fish deeper to get the bigger fish. If the wind is blowing, try a 3/8-ounce spinnerbait or a chatterbait. We guide on 8 different lakes, so if you’re looking for some great fishing, give Welch’s Guide Service a call. We’re your #1 guide service, and we’ve been doing this since 2001. Good luck!

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LOCAL LAKES AND FORECAST WEST POINT LAKE

Bass: Fair - Some largemouth are being caught on deeper brush piles, ledges and road beds as the water continues to warm. Try big deep diving Bomber Citrus shad crankbaits or Texas rigged Ol Monster worms. Best fishing is around brush piles in these areas, if you can find them or you put them out yourself. Water generation always improves this bite. Downsize baits in these same areas and improve your chances for spotted bass. With the unusually high water from this year’s rains, some fish choose to remain shallow. The river has remained a little cooler and still has some flow from a full Lake Lanier. Topwater baits such as Pop R’s, Zara Spooks and Spro Poppin frogs can still be effective for shallow fish, especially around grass and

weed beds. Try targeting areas north of the 219 bridge in the Chattahoochee. Also have a jig handy to pitch into wood cover in these same areas. Slower than normal, but still fairly consistent, spotted bass are still your best bet. Spots are being caught by casting Spot Remover heads loaded with shaky tail worms or just dragging a Carolina-rigged Zoom finesse worm or mini lizard around sloping gravel banks and shoal markers. Also, try a small Texas rigged worm or a pig-n-jig around blown down trees. Try fishing around the bridges and bridge pilings with small crankbaits, and shaky head rigs, especially during periods of water generation. Hybrids and Stripers: Fair - Hybrids and stripes are still down lake in good numbers. Expect the downline bite on live bait to continue to be at least OK throughout the summer. Fish have been more scattered than usual with the high water this year. Some fish are surface school-

ing on this year’s shad hatch. Try the mouths of Whitewater, Wehadkee and Wolf Creeks. Schooling fish can be caught on Rooster Tails, pop-ncork rigs and Storm Swim Shad lures. Trolling with crankbaits or crankbait /bucktail combos is also fairly effective. It covers more water and can help keep you cool on a hot day! Crappie: Fair - Summertime crappie will typically move out and

hold on deeper brush and structure or under docks. Fish are holding mostly between 15 and 25 feet deep and tight to cover or shade. Try drop-shotting minnows or shooting docks near deep water for the best results. Yellow Jacket and Whitewater Creeks have been OK. Night fishing is usually pretty good all summer. Try under the bridges with lights.

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LOCAL LAKES AND FORECAST LAKE EUFAULA

CLARKS HILL LAKE by Capt Tony Shepherd and Capt Rocky Fulmer Little River Guide Service lrguideservice@gmail.com (706) 210-3474 Social distancing at its finest. The fishing has been as hot as the weather as of late. As of the time of this report, fat hybrid stripers are chewing the bottom out of the boat early in the morning. Most of the stripers are adjusting to the changing water conditions and hanging out in the cool deep water. For the next two months, these fish will feed voraciously in their comfort zone 40 to 60 feet deep. Early morning will find them relating to deep points or humps where the herring can be ambushed more easily. Mid-day will find them roaming the deep open water waiting on the next dinner bell. This is where great electronics and persistence can pay off. We will find the center mass of scattered fish, then go to work drawing them in closer and creating our

own feeding frenzy 60 feet deep. August and September will provide some of the best fishing of the entire year if you can stand the heat. The power reeling technique is the ticket. Thrilling and tiring at the same time, but the average size fish is larger than other times of the year. We will be offering early morning and mid-morning trips. Dates fill up fast, so do not procrastinate. Come join the fun. Give us a call at (706) 210-3474.

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By Capt Sam Williams hawk184@earthlink.net 334-687-6266 Water temperature:Â upper 80â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, lake level: 189.63 msl, clarity: stained. The fronts and changing barometric pressures have the fish confused, and the fishing has gotten tough. The shallow bite is still on, but it requires patience to finesse a strike. Wacky rigs with Senkos in blue or green are a good choice. A Snagless Sally worked through and around the pads and grassy areas will also produce a hit, as well as a hollow body frog. Popping topwater lures worked on the edges is a good idea to stir up a bass. Slow is the answer to keep a bait in front of the bass as long as possible to entice them to eat your lure. The deeper bass are working on swim jigs with a creature bait trailer. Heavy Texas rigs with a big black worm with chartreuse tail on the trash piles will work. Watch for schooling shad and hit these areas with a topwater plug, jerkbait or a lipless crankbait. The bigger fish will lay a little deeper under the feeding fish. This is where you need your lipless crankbait cast beyond the school and worked back under the action. Crappie are hanging out on the trash piles on the creek ledges. Locate these fish on your depth finder and work them with minnows and jigs. Once the sun gets high, you can try the shadow breaks under the

bridges and causeways. Bream are still feeding along the banks on worms and crickets. Beetle Spins will also cause a reaction hit in these locations. Catfish are always fun and put up a great fight. Bottom fishing with big worms or cut bait can get some good sized fighters. Jugs baited with shrimp or cut bait will keep you moving and chasing the jugs. This action is really exciting and can produce a fantastic meal. The weather and humidity are really tough right now. Get the family out early and enjoy Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s creation. The time spent together and memories made canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be beat. Keep plenty of water and sunscreen with you. We are living in some crazy times right now. Pray for each other and love one another. God made us all equal. Do not allow the fake news to try and divide us. God Bless and good fishing.

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Forecast By: Capt. Robert Eidson First Bite Guide Service 770-827-6282 eidson6260@att.net www.firstbiteguideservice.com Lineside fishing is great, and the summer pattern is in full swing. That means it is time for down lines, umbrella rigs and down riggers. Shad are very hard to keep alive, so carry

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two dozen shiners when you head to the water. The south end of the lake is by far the best bite on the lake. Live bait fished off of any main lake point right now will get you bit. Also, the humps in the mouth of all the main creeks are holding fish right now. There is also a good evening bite at the dam. The trolling bite is great for big fish. Pulling umbrella rigs near the mouth of Stamp Creek is good.

LOCAL LAKES AND FORECAST LAKE SEMINOLE Forecast By: by Capt. Paul Tyre paultyrefishing@yahoo.com The bass fishing on Lake Seminole for July was excellent! We had 7 customers catch their PB (personal best). That’s 40 PB’s since January! The topwater action has been exciting, and we expect it to continue through August, especially early and late. If coming to Lake Seminole this August, don’t leave home without your topwater baits like buzzbaits, frogs and walking baits. Get out on the water early for your best chance to get a Lake Seminole giant on topwater. A buzzbait is a great lure to start with and to cover water to find active bass. My favorite buzzbait is a Nichols Lures buzzbait in ½ oz. in white fished along the grass lines on the main lake. It’s a great choice to cover water to find active bass. Once I find an active zone, I like to come back through the same area

with a walking bait like a Heddon Zara Spook worked along the edges of the grass lines, working the bait with a slow walking action that can generate an explosive strike! As the bite begins to slow down, that’s when I like to pick up the frog rod and start working the thicker grass, especially paying attention to any holes in the grass beds. My favorite frog for doing this is a Spro Bronzeye Popping Frog. When fishing the frog, you need a rod that has enough backbone to get the big bass out of the grass. My go-to rod is a 7’3”heavy action Temple Fork Tactical Bass Casting rod in fast action. This rod has a soft tip and enough backbone to get Lake Seminole’s biggest bass out of the grass. For a Lake Seminole Fishing Adventure this August and some exciting topwater action, give Captain Paul Tyre a call at 850-264-7534 or email us at lakeseminolefishingadventures@ gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @lakeseminolefishingadventures.

Steven and Clay Wigington from Jasper, GA with some Lake Seminole bass caught with Captain Paul Tyre.

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LOCAL LAKES AND FORECAST BUY THE RIGHT SONAR TECHNOLOGY By Ken Sturdivant www.southernfishing.com 770-889-2654

15544 Hwy, 515, Ellijay

Today’s modern Sonar equipment comes in all sizes, and many anglers try to get by with the smaller machine to save a little money. This usually ends up being a big mistake, as the smaller machines are harder to see and read. As a rule of thumb, get the next bigger screen. Now the decision comes to the technology available in each category. Global Position technology is very good now that Selective Availably was taken off the entire system in 2001. Some machines only have a Global Positioning antenna that is a plotter only and no mapping. The Global Positioning Systems use satellites that are maintained by the United States Department of Defense. These satellites have been in outer space since 1970 to provide accurate, reliable and continuous position reporting. This system is available 24 hours a day and can be used on land, sea and air. The signal is unaffected by weather. The best advice is to get a unit with the mapping technology so you can see yourself on the body of water. Some of the lesser machines may only have a Global Positioning machine with a one hertz antenna that is very slow to keep up with movement. The best line of these machines are the ones that offer up to a 12 channel receiver that is much faster and a lot more accurate. If accuracy is important, get the faster antenna and the better mapping. There are several aftermarket mapping technologies available to en-

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hance the on the water experience. Sonar comes in every machine. Some only offer one frequency, and others offer as many as 80 different frequencies based on the transducer selected. Before making this decision, learn what frequencies are available and make this decision based on the needs for your use. The 200 kHz frequency has an upside down beam like an ice cream cone. This is the basic frequency used by almost all machines today. It’s easy to read and easy to install. Structure Scan technology is best called a 3 dimensional world. If the machines with technology sees an airplane on the bottom, it displays the actual airplane. Sonar only see this as a very large blob. Seeing fish from great distances is the main reason this technology is so favored by anglers worldwide. Lowrance machines can scan as much as 600 feet of the water column on both sides of the boat. This 3 D transducer is only available on the HDS line. This transducer costs $999.00. Down Scan technology allows the same 3 dimensional technology and can see the airplane too as it shoot beams down and up to 300 feet deep. The Down Scan beam is 4 times larger than regular 200 kHz Sonar technology. So do some homework before spending your money. Ken Sturdivant is a member of the Lowrance Professional Fishing staff. Ken teaches this technology on Lake Lanier.

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LOCAL LAKES AND FORECAST LOOKING FOR A CHANGE IN FISHING: TRY TROUT FISHING IN GEORGIA Dr. Andrew Cox

For most of us, we are in the middle of a hot and humid Georgia summer. Warm water and air temperatures can make fishing tough on most Georgia waters. Many people do not view Georgia as a state where trout fishing can be enjoyed. The state’s northern third has almost 4,000 miles of trout water to include cool water lakes and ponds, small feeder creeks, robust flowing streams, and larger rivers. The Georgia angler can purse trout virtually year around. Georgia no longer has an open or closed trout fishing season. Some streams, however, have special regulations that may include fish size restrictions, and bait/lure/tackle regulations. I have been fishing for trout for what seems to be a lifetime, taking up trout fishing during my early 20’s. During this time period, I

had recently initiated friendship with a fellow teacher who also enjoyed camping and fishing. We began camping and fishing over the weekend at Rock Creek in Georgia’s Chattahoochee National Forest. Rock Creek was crowded even in the early to mid 1970’s with whole families of men, women, and children fishing the creek’s various pools for the recently stocked trout. Once caught, few trout returned to the stream’s waters. We readily got into the “meat fisherperson” culture, fishing with live bait for the rainbow, brown, and occasional brook trout. Though we sampled some other North Georgia streams, Rock Creek was our favorite stream. We began to learn the secrets of catching trout on this water. After initially fishing with nightcrawlers and crickets, my friend and I graduated to arti-

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of these streams, the angler can catch several species of fish with the possibility of catching a large trout of a lifetime. Over the years, I have expanded my trout fishing interests away from Rock Creek to other locales in Georgia and surrounding states. Though I no longer enjoy camping, some of the locations where trout can be pursued continue to offer opportunities for individuals and families to enjoy camping experiences. Of course, for non-camping anglers, there are ample motel and hotel rooms available in surrounding North Georgia towns. Accordingly, get away from the hot temperatures and slow fishing that most of us endure during this month by sampling Georgia’s trout fishing. Author’s Note: Dr. Andrew Cox is a contributing writer to outdoor publications and newspapers. He is a member of the Georgia Outdoor Writer’s Association. He has been fishing the waters of Georgia, Alabama, and north Florida for over forty years. Dr. Cox financially supports his fishing habits as Professor Emeritus at Troy University, Phenix City, Alabama.He may be contacted at andrewtrout@aol. com.

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ficial lures and ultralight spinning equipment. Mepps and Rooster Tail spinners and tiny Rapalas were our lures of choice. Fly equipment was still a novelty in this era in Georgia. We also began practicing catch and release for some of the caught trout as both of us did not particularly enjoy eating fish. As my interest in trout fishing expanded, I also began to explore some of the diverse trout waters found in Georgia. I fished Cooper’s Creek, Tallulah River, Toccoa River, Coleman River, Jacks River, Moccasin and Wildcat Creeks to mention a few. I also fished the larger trout waters of the Chattahoochee River from Buford Dam to almost within Atlanta’s city limits. Each water body had its unique nuances for finding and catching fish. Most trout in Georgia will range from nine to twelve inches, with some reaching fourteen inches. I also found that some of these North Georgia mountain streams could provide a mixed bag of fish in addition to trout. I have caught smallmouth bass, redeye bass, large suckers, bluegill, and warmouths from these waters. Therefore, in fishing some

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LOCAL LAKES AND FORECAST

DICKELSBY’S FATHER’S DAY FISHIN FUN! by Dickelsby Dickg@Theanglermagazine.com

Surprise, Surprise! Kids 1 thru 3 put together a trip to remember! Yep, daughter Robyn and sons Rich and Jim put this secret treat together just perfectly! They made all the right moves by getting scheduled with Captain Joseph Martinelli going out of Galt’s Ferry on Lake Allatoona. They used a date that son Jim had set up for just the two of us as we frequently do go fishing together and magically turned it into a family affair! Joseph is becoming one of the most sought after Allatoona guides, and all three of my offspring were delighted to hire him and fish together! Off we go promptly at safe light and got settled on his big and comfortable pontoon boat. First activity was to try and figure out baitfish movement on the high tech electronics. It didn’t take too long as the bottom depth finder indicated action at 20 feet! The bait casting rods were loaded with lively shad and didn’t take son Jim long to handle a nice flexed rod bend! Soon a sweet striper was netted and brought aboard! [see family pic} A couple more nice spotted bass by the happy kids kept everything going nicely. We took a great break with a visit to the neat surround-

ings of the Park Marine buildings. I just want to publicly thank Robyn, Jim and Rich for one of the most enjoyable Father’s Day celebrations ever. Host Capt Joseph Martinelli did a great job also. You too should look him up at Heron OutdoorAdventures.com for your own great family or friends Allatoona experience.

LAKE BURTON Forecast by: Capt. Wes Carlton Georgia Lake Fishing 770-318-9777 www.georgialakefishing.com Water temperature: 77 degrees, lake level: full pool, clarity: clear. Bass: The largemouth bite has been good the last few days. It seems to be an early morning to midmorning bite. Frogs in pockets have been working well. We have also been catching some nice lips on Senkos by working these in and around logs and rocks. The spotted bass bite has been great the last week or so. We have been catching most of our fish on a 25 to 30 foot bottom. Underspins tipped with Arkansas Shiner Flukes seem to be working best. We have caught some really big spots trolling Lucky

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Craft Staysees 90’s while trolling for trout. This pattern should continue for the next few weeks as we head into September. Trout: The brown trout bite has been a little tough lately. We have caught a few fish trolling mid-lake on spoons. I have been using Luhr Jenson Locos #2 spoons from my archive collection. Any color spoon should work this time of year. Catching these fish early in the morning at daylight seems to be the ticket. Yellow Perch: The yellow perch bite on! These fish seem to be everywhere in the lake this year. We have caught some healthy 14 to 16-inchers in the last few days. Look for the perch in 15 to 20 feet of water close to structure, especially grass. Panfish jigs seem to work good this time of year. Good luck! COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

alityatters! u Q re M WheSTEEL AUGUST 2020

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LOCAL LAKES AND FORECAST LET’S CHAT! WANNA? I’LL TALK, YOU LISTEN…

by O’Neill Williams

can use 20 or even 30-pound test and catch them. They’re professionals and you’re not. Say you just moved into an area with a great reservoir and will be fishing there frequently in the future. How do you find out how to make the most of the fishing days upcoming? Spend the money for a professional guide, one with a good reputation and references. Tell him your purposes. You will learn more from him in one day on how to be successful on that lake than trying to learn it for yourself over the next 10 years. Now, I’ll ask a favor. Visit O’Neill Outside on YouTube, subscribe to the page and comment or ‘like’ as many of the 700+ videos as you have the time to do. Once you subscribe, every time you ‘like’ or comment, you increase your changes of being rewarded a substantial ‘gift’ from my TV and radio sponsors. Gifts? CVA Muzzleloader, WORX 40 Volt leaf blower, Binoculars from

Instead of picking a single or a couple of subjects this month, permit me to list a few of the lessons I’ve learned during literally hundreds of trips with talented fishermen and to pass them along to you, with proper credit, of course, and you to allow me to make some recommendations that you can pick from that might improve your fishing success. I’ll be giving credit where it’s due and without fanfare and colorful descriptions. Pick what you want, contradict or disagree if you like. I’m just trying to help. Let’s go. Generally, and without any order of importance: From Gary Moore, an outstanding light tackle fisherman, from Cartersville, Georgia: Order some live crawfish from Louisiana or somewhere and use them with a light wire hook, light mono and a single BB split around the docks at Lanier. For every crawfish you use, you’ll get a quality bite. It’s almost unfair to the bass. From Junior Collis, a successful BASS tournament angler from years ago and qualified for and fished in the very first Bassmaster’s Classic: I was in a tournament in the late 70s and Junior was in the line-up, and every time I motored under one of the bridges at Sinclair, I saw him there watching and kind of sitting quietly and waiting until the boats passed under the bridge. After the tournament in which Junior beat me, I ask what the heck he was doing. He quietly passed along that around most of the bridges, especially the ones with some current, there would be both bait and bass there, and each time a boat passed, it would stir up the action. The bass would rise in the water column, attempt to feed and he’d catch a couple. Good idea. From Mack Farr at Lanier: During the summer months, when the spots and largemouth are deep and you’re fishing plastics, if you get bit and hang one and it gets off in a couple of seconds, don’t immediately reel up and drop again. Chances are that the activity down

below might be kicking in and another bass might have been trying to get that worm from the one who bit and got off or dropped it. Leave it there for 5 or 10 seconds, and it may be that another bass will try and eat it. Competition sometimes works. Secondly, if you’re striper fishing and drop some live bait above a deep water tree and catch one or two and they quit, leave and return in a half hour or so. You’re only trying to outsmart a fish, and your return and bait presentation will likely get bit again. The fish didn’t leave after your first visit. They’re still there. From Randy Smith, tournament angler, outstanding fisherman and one having caught a 12 bass limit in a tournament years ago that weighed 77 pounds: So, you’re fishing in big reservoir where you’ve never been before and don’t know what to do on short notice. That tournament day is your first on that lake. Go up the river into water a little stained with some current. The bass will be shallow, more vulnerable to moving baits, more ‘ganged up’ and easily found next to deeper spots in the river and more likely to be behind stumps and downed logs and trees. Likely too is that you will not have any competition up there in the river. From TJ Stallings, writer, producer and general ‘do everything’ guy for Tru-Turn: Generally, the average angler using light line and small baits will get more bites and catch more fish that an average angler using heavy tackle. Why? You will feel more bites. I recall an old underwater filming years ago that aired on ESPN. Homer Circle was fishing for bass in the clear spring waters in Florida. Homer’s lure was bitten three plus times on one cast by several bass, but Homer never set the hook. When the cameraman surfaced and asked why he had not reacted, Homer said he had not felt the fish. Believe me, it happens frequently. Lighter line and small baits are more easily felt by the average angler. You might ask about how Kevin Van Dam or Roland Martin

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AUGUST 2020

Konus, $50 Bojangles’ gift cards, Big Green Egg Charcoal lighter, Plano Tackle Boxes, Tru-Turn hooks, Realtree jacket, and on and on. Give it a try. We’ll be giving away all the stuff soon.

CARTERS LAKE Forecast By: Eric Crowley Lake & Stream Guide Service (706) 669-4973

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Water temperature: 82 degrees, lake level: full, clarity: 4 feet of visibility. Hope everyone is getting to spend some much needed time on the water this summer. I know we could all use it. The bite on Carters has been great for weeks. Midsummer temps are good around 80 degrees, way better than in the high 80s when looking for fish on this notoriously deep lake. The stripers are spending most of the day in deep trees coming up shallow (40 feet) at night and early morning. We have been focusing our efforts on the 5am to 9am time frame fishing the low light, low temp, and low boat traffic part of the day. Fishing over the Hydro Glow lights this time of year can be productive, as it’s bringing the bait and fish to your area vs chasing them around. If you have a livewell on your boat capable of keeping shad alive, with a couple throws with a quality net like a

Humpback deep water net, you can load up on the bait you’re looking for. We typically fish baits staggered from 20 to 60 feet and hold the boat over some type of bottom contour near 80 feet watching the Humminbird for activity and adjusting baits to where the active fish are. After the sun is up and the stripers go deep, we are looking for hybrids with Capt Mack’s umbrella rigs. I like the heavier rigs on Carters, and I like to shorten the tails about 2 inches. Colors will shift day to day, but yellow, chartreuse or white are my top 3 options. Pulling rigs in the creek arms in 50 feet of water or clipping main lake points are a great option for locating hybrids on Carters. The walleye bite last month was super consistent with almost one per trip in the 5 to 6-pound range and a couple tipping 7-pounds. The fish are moving on the points to feed on shad. The target depth has been 30 to 50 feet. Live shad, alewife or spoons are the way to go. Best bite has been at dawn, and the week of the full moon was the best week of the year so far

LOCAL LAKES AND FORECAST LAKE ALATOONA Forecast By Joseph Martinelli heronoutdooradventures@gmail.com Lake Allatoona is fishing fantastic again this month, and we are so blessed to have this wonderful fishery in our backyards. You will note that water levels have remained at full pool level overall this summer, and current surface temperatures are around 85 degrees. It’s real nice to be on a fishing hole before sunrise and get off the water by eight or nine when you can to maximize your early morning hours before work or other daily tasks. The evening bite is beginning to shape up nicely, and we’ll concentrate our efforts in the early evening hours, especially when the linesides start boiling on the surface later in August and September. Let the topwater shad-chasing and feeding begin! Truly, downlining threadfin and gizzard shad has been the most

productive technique, but we are also hooking a lot of good quality fish on freelines. Our biggest fish this week (a beauty at 20-pounds caught by young Corbin) took a 3.5” threadfin dropped at 13’ down and ran like a bandit for another 250’! We are finding a lot of “elephants eat peanuts” on our adventures lately. An absolute key to either technique is matching your hook size and line diameter to your bait size for best results. Sure, we’ve had some fish make a monkey out of us on the light line, but we sure hook up a lot. The early morning working of a large topwater has also been showing us some love with quality fish. These are fewer and further between opportunities, but the “swirl” is worth the time spent. Spooning has its moments too, but it’s a lot of work though. With a lot of the bait holding on the upper 20 feet of water, trolling a u-rig or casting the Alabama rig/Mini Mack’s across

points has also begun producing. This pattern will continue to increase in effectiveness as we transition into a late summer striper pattern. The gargantuan bite will begin here shortly, and we are excited for the early afternoon sight-fishing adventures targeting these river/ reservoir monsters. If you think you’d like to experience hooking into one or more of these 36-60” monsters, let’s get together. The spotted bass bite has definitely been wonderful, particularly in the early morning hours. Just before sunrise, we have continually watched these fish break chasing bait on points each and every morning. When we can reach to them, they are typically quite willing and able to give you a run for your money. We’ve been seeing increased numbers of 2 to 3-pound spots this summer. They’ve grown a little from the ¾ to 1.5-pounders, and we had a great crop/spawn this year to strengthen the population. Okay, so here’s the thing; take the kids fishing! Maybe it’s just you and your best friend, or maybe it’s a solo excursion, but do get out and enjoy summer. If we can help facilitate your the sounds of nature here on lively great adventure, please do not hesitate Lake Allatoona when time permits this to reach out to us. Tight lines, friends!

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LOCAL LAKES AND FORECAST STEPPING OUTSIDE YOUR COMFORT ZONE Contributed By: Jay Striker www.jaystriker.com We all have our own” comfort zone”, that place where we’re in control and everything is predictable and safe. Some people are so used to doing things the same way all the time. Just the thought of doing something different scares them to death. Our minds are programmed to do one thing; to keep us safe. It’s natural for us to be cautious, but I believe on the inside of everyone is a risk-taker, a competitor, a contender that wants to win. We have all seen it when the one person that you least expect is the one that is leading the pack. They are the quiet one in the room, only to find out that the only reason they are silent is because they were learning everyone’s weaknesses. Now don’t get me wrong, comfort zones are not the issue, as we all have

them. However, don’t let your comfort zone define you. To grow, you must get out of your comfort zone. I can remember when I decided to get into tournament bass fishing. Man, was I scared. I had all these thoughts of what to do and how to do it. Am I good enough to compete? There was just a ton of nervous energy, and I was all over the place. In the first tournament, I did terribly, and I was hard on myself. I could not believe the amount of stress I put myself under during the time of the competition, and I made a lot of mistakes. Even simple things I would get wrong. But you know what? Looking back on those days, I realized that I was outside of my comfort zone, and I was growing and learning what I had to come to grip with and to un-

derstand that “comfort” and “change” cannot exist in the same space. To change, you will have to experience some discomfort. Somehow God put success on the other side of pain. To have success, pain is part of the process. Yes, it’s safe to say, the beginning was tough, but the good news is that I know those growing pains were part of the process and were not there to harm me but to prepare me for the future. The one thing I was so worried about in the beginning was failing, and I spent too much time wondering what someone else thought or what someone else would say. Whenever you do something new for the first time, you are most likely going to be bad at it. Trust me. It’s ok, as it’s part of the process. Learn from it all and take it all in, because one day being out of your comfort zone will become your comfort zone. Let me close by saying that I

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believe that all of us have a given gift. However, to realize what it is, we must get outside of our comfort zone. Don’t let what someone else says or thinks dictate how you live. I encourage you to be you, and don’t try to be what others want. Be what you want, even if it means you must live outside your comfort zone. Success got put on the other side of the struggle for a reason. I believe that reason is that it is what builds the strength you need to be able to handle the responsibility that success carries. Thanks for reading and check me out on social media, jaystriker52 and www.jaystriker.com.

Wa finally the m school too! A about becaus nice 30 Nottely summ Georgi time o school way to trip wi guide: Cur full p throug temps Stri in the should Curren decent We ar a mor majori 15 pou caught pound and la best ti creek

LOCAL LAKES AND FORECAST IT’S ALL ABOUT THE DETAILS LAKE NOTTELY STRIPER SUMMERTIME, contributed by Jeff Hamm By: Shane Goebel Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service & The Angler Magazine Fishing Team www.bigolfish.com 828-361-2021, 1-844-4-ANGLER Warm summer weather is finally catching up to us here in the mountains and this means schooling stripers. It’s about time too! Although I can’t complain about the cooler water temps, because we’ve been catching some nice 30-pound fish here lately. Lake Nottely is perfect for some late summer striper fishing in the North Georgia Mountains. This is a great time of year to catch tons of those schooling fish, and there’s no better way to do that than by booking a trip with Blairsville, GA’s #1 striper guide: Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service. Currently, Lake Nottely is at full pool. Water clarity is clear throughout the lake, and water temps are in the mid 80’s. Striper fishing was excellent in the month of July and August should be even better for us. Currently, we are catching some decent fish in good quantities. We are averaging 20-40 stripers a morning out here, with the majority of them being in the 1015 pound range. However, we have caught some very nice 20 to 30 pounders lately. The early morning and late afternoon bites are your best times to see action. Target creek mouths and points off the

main lake channel. The majority of our fish have been caught from Point 9 to the dam. Down lining live blueback herring over a 30 to 60 foot bottom has been the best technique, but we’ve actually had a pretty good topwater bite lately as well. Keep that Spook or RedFin at the ready to snag those surface-busting fish. The fish will continue to school up through the next couple months and will move to even deeper water. Just remember to keep an eye on your electronics and watch for schools of stripers when cruising the lake. Also, remember to try to get the fish back into the water as quickly as possible after they are caught. August is a fantastic month for catching a lot of stripers and bass on this North Georgia lake. Give Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service a call and let the area’s #1 rated guide service put you on some of Lake Nottely’s best trophy stripers during the fishing trip of a lifetime. We are Blairsville, GA’s premier full-time guide service, specializing in striped and hybrid bass. We also serve Lakes Hiwassee and Chatuge and Lake Blue Ridge. And for all your live bait and tackle needs, check out Hughes General Store in Blairsville, GA. They carry everything you need for a successful day of fishing and have the best live herring around. So, come fish with the pros for the opportunity to be featured in Angler Magazine, and let us help you get your fish on!

Late afternoon showers create a great opportunity for you to go up a creek where fresh water is flowing into the lake creating oxygen. With that oxygen infusion, the baitfish move in. When the baitfish move in, the bass are not far behind. What a great opportunity to catch these bass on a crankbait, jerkbait or spinnerbait. Unfortunately, as you go up the creek, the water tends to be muddy or stained. Over time, your bass boat will develop an unsightly mud line. There have been a lot of articles written and a lot of videos on YouTube talking about how to clean the mud line off your boat. One of the most important questions you must ask yourself before you take on this project is, will it be safe for my gelcoat? Yes, you can use toilet bowl cleaner, and there are many other products on the market that claim to clean the mud line off your boat with some elbow grease. For me, toilet bowl cleaner stays in the toilet, because it’s designed to clean ceramic, not fiberglass. I have found a product that was specifically designed to remove the mud line off your boat without any elbow grease at all. It is called The Better Boat Instant Hull Cleaner. This product really works as described and is specifically designed for use on your fiberglass boat. You literally spray this on the mud line without washing, rinsing or anything, wait approximately two minutes, and then hit it with a pressure washer, and the mud line disappears making your boat look brand new. I have included some before and after pics of my boat that had a year-old mudline on it. I have not washed or waxed my boat prior to or after using The Better Boat Instant Hull Cleaner. Now the mud line is off, I can proceed with washing and detailing the entire boat. To learn more about The Better Boat Instant Hull Cleaner and all of their detail products, visit their website: www.thebetterboat.com or contact them at 1-800-571-6166.

Before and After with Instant Hull Cleaner.

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Wall of Fame WINNER!

WIN A FREE ANGLER MAGAZINE CAP! One will be given away each month for the best reader submitted photo!

Marleigh Daniels with a big crappie caught at a private pond near Cartersville, GA

10-year-old Malea West from Midland, GA fishing Lake Eufaula with Capt Sam Williams

Ali Chaudhry with a 7 pound 11 ounce bass caught at Hickory Log Reservoir in Canton GA

Brody Cronkhite enjoyed a wonderful day on Lake Lanier fishing with his family

Ford Edwards with a nice Lanier striper caught aboard Catching Not Fishing

Ken Nall with a big Eufaula bass fishing with Capt Sam Williams

Jeff Hamm with big bass money fish 6.11 pounds from Chickamauga Lake

Brigadier General Trey Rawls caught this dandy rainbow fishing with Reel Em In Guide Service

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BIG BLUES TOPPING LEADERBOARDS R

eports are coming in from this summer’s big-game tournaments of some huge blue marlin topping the leaderboards. The largest we’ve heard of so far— 964 pounds— was a big meal shy of achieving grander status. There were also a couple of big fish caught in the Gulf of Mexico, one of which is a potential Alabama state record. The near-grander was caught July 4 in the Cape Verde Islands off Africa’s North Atlantic coast by La Onda Mila, captained by Marty Bates. The fish won $464,000 and the 2020 Blue Marlin World Cup, which is open in waters worldwide for a single day. Another qualifying entry in the Blue Marlin World Cup was 667.2-pound blue, caught by Done Deal and Capt. Jason Buck from the central Gulf of Mexico. Weighed at Cypress Cove Marina in Venice, Louisiana, Done Deals’ big fish earned $339,200 for the optional Big Blue Challenge consolation prize. It was a big payday for Done Deal. Their 667.2-pounder was also entered in the July 4 Gulf Cup, in which boats may fish out of any Gulf of Mexico port. Done Deal earned an additional $128,000 for its catch as the Gulf Cup champion.

The next day, July 5, Ginger Myers sat in the chair of the Fleur-de-lis and battled a huge 851.9-pound blue to submission during the 2020 MONGO Offshore Challenge. Weighed at Orange Beach Marina, the fish is a pending Alabama state record and it also puts Myers in position to claim the largest blue marlin ever caught by a woman from the Gulf of Mexico. She’ll have to wait for the results of the MONGO, as the tournament runs through Oct. 15.

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ew gear requirements required for anglers targeting snapper and grouper species went into effect July 15 for Atlantic waters from North Carolina through Florida. NOAA’s new regulations are designed to decrease mortality rates for released fish and require anglers to have a descending device on board and readily available while grouper or snapper fishing. The new rule also requires the use of non-offset, non-stainless steel hooks when fishing for snapper or grouper with hook-and-line gear and natural baits. More than 50 fish species fall under the umbrella of the snapper-grouper ‘complex,’ a diverse collection of offshore fish that are sought-after table fare and critical to a healthy ocean ecosystem. Some of the most commonly encountered snapper-grouper species are black seabass, vermilion snapper, triggerfish, red snapper, gag grouper and spadefish. Many snapper-grouper species live a long time, grow slowly, and reach maturity at a late age—all of which makes them vulnerable to overfishing and makes each adult fish valuable to the overall population. Because these fish are often pulled from deep waters, they’re at high risk of barotrauma, a potentially fatal condition that occurs when fish undergo rapid pressure changes. Barotrauma, often accompanied by bulging eyes and bloated stomachs, can be a death sentence for caught-and-released fish. Fortunately, barotrauma can be reversed through the use of a descending device, which helps anglers return fish to deep waters from which it was caught. Descending devices can range from sophisticated, commercially available instruments to a DIY weighted hook.

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COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM 7/14/20 7/14/20 4:22 4:22 PM PM

GO GROUPER FISHING,

NOT JUST BOTTOM FISHING Tim Barefoot

t’s not a coincidence...people who go “grouper fishing” come home with grouper in the box. People who go “bottom fishing” might catch a grouper, but they are more likely to fill the cooler with grunts, pinkies and sea bass. If you’re dropping cut squid and minnows on a high-low (chicken rig), you’ll have plenty of action, but you are not fishing for grouper. In order to specifically target grouper, you have to put baits on the bottom, and tackle that will accommodate that bait, in order to eliminate the trash bites. I love to eat grunts, pinkies and sea bass as much as the next guy, but I specifically target the grouper bite with the size and kind of bait I use. From an anchored boat, I typically start everyone out with whole squid and minnows to get the party going on the bottom. This creates a “chum slick” and gets the fish all excited. After half a dozen drops of sacrificial baits each, we change over to larger live and butterflied baits. Wherever you fish, the best bait to use is the bait that is there. That’s why I stay on the sabiki while everyone else is sending down squid. I’m fishing for grass grunts and beeliners (vermillion snapper) to be used live or butterflied. Don’t think for a minute that a 12inch beeliner is too big to use as bait. It’s not. A foot-long butterflied beeliner is the perfect bait for a big grouper.

The idea is to use baits that grunts and pinkies can’t fit in their mouths. If they do eat it, it will take them a long time and a lot of small bites. The angler must be patient with big baits like this. You’ll feel a lot of little “tap, tap, taps,” and then all of a sudden the little fish will stop biting. When the nibbling stops, it’s time to get ready. A lull often signifies the arrival of a bigger fish. It’s getting ready to happen! Live grass grunts on a Decoy Jig are probably my go-to big gag grouper bait, but a big butterflied beeliner is just as good. In the past, when we had abundant and inexpensive bait like frozen cigar minnows and sardines in 5-pound boxes, it was easy to take a few boxes of minnows and a couple boxes of squid for these sacrificial “chum” baits. Now, we have to be more creative. I keep a pinfish trap fishing a few days before a trip and butterfly a large bag of the biggest pinfish. You can also sabiki or cast net larger pinfish on any wreck or fish-cleaning station with a little chum. Cast net a few dozen big turbo pogies (menhaden) as a back-up if you can’t find big pinfish. If you’re interested in catching big grouper, fish big baits on heavy-duty tackle, and be ready for the big bite! For a video on how to butterfly baits, see https://youtu.be/UzdxiTkjvHI.

For more great rigging and jigging tips, go to

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Finding Trout On

SUMMERTIME TAILWATERS

By CAM Staff

f you’re looking for a way to beat the summer heat, fishing a tailwater trout stream is an obvious choice. With predictable flows controlled by hydroelectric dams, these are waters where temperature and oxygen content remain relatively stable year round. For trout and angler alike, tailrace fisheries are an oasis in the deep summer heat. While life in all but the highest-elevation free-flowing streams is suffering from heat-induced lethargy, tailwater trout remain active and healthy. Whether it’s the White River in Arkansas, Maryland’s Gunpowder Falls or Georgia’s Toccoa River, there are some constants when it comes to fishing tactics in deep summer. No two rivers fish the same, but trout prefer similar conditions wherever they live. • Fish High — When cold water from the bottom of a deep reservoir is pulled through generation turbines under various methods of oxygenation, flows released below the dam offer excellent conditions for trout. This only extends so

far downstream, though. Summer heat and the sun warm the water, which is also robbed of its oxygen content in the absence of aerating shoals. For anglers on most tailwaters, this means the first few miles below the dam will be the best place to fish. • Fish The Morning — In the depths of winter, sleeping in and fishing the warmest part of the day is often recommended. The opposite is true in summer. Anglers and trout will be more comfortable in the early morning before the sun has had a chance to heat the shallows. Fish are more likely to be up and feeding when the sun is not cooking their backs. Get on the water at daybreak for a few hours of action and then go eat brunch.

• Fish The Shoals — Shoal-broken water has more oxygen. Trout seek out water with higher oxygen content, and their metabolisms also churn when there’s more oxygen in the system. Especially in low-light conditions, work the runs and pockets in the shoals to find actively feeding fish. • Fish The Holes — Find a good deep hole beneath a turbulent shoal and use plenty of weight to dredge the bottom. Deeper water is colder water. When water temps begin to rise, trout go deep. You might find a pod of hungry trout hugging the bottom, or you might find that one fish big enough to have the whole lie to herself.

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Tears From A Volcano

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n May 18, 1980, the once-slumbering Mount St. Helens erupted in the Pacific Northwest. It was the most impressive display of nature’s power in North America’s recorded history. But even more impressive is what emerged from the chaos... a spectacular new creation born of ancient minerals named Helenite. Its lush, vivid color and amazing story instantly captured the attention of jewelry connoisseurs worldwide. You can now have four carats of the world’s newest stone for an absolutely unbelievable price. Known as America’s emerald, Helenite makes it possible to give her a stone that’s brighter and has more fire than any emerald without paying the exorbitant price. In fact, this many carats of an emerald that looks this perfect and glows this green would cost you upwards of $80,000. Your more beautiful and much more affordable option features a perfect teardrop of Helenite set in gold-covered sterling silver suspended from a chain accented with even more verdant Helenite. Limited Reserves. As one of the largest EXCLUSIVE gemstone dealers in the world, we buy more carats of Helenite than anyone, which lets us give you a great price. However, this much gorgeous green Helenite Earrings for this price won’t last long. Don’t miss out. Helenite is only found in -a one section of Washington State, so with purchase of call today! Helenite Necklace Romance guaranteed or your money back. Experience the scintillating beauty of the Helenite Teardrop Necklace for 30 days and if she isn’t completely in love with it send it back for a full refund of the item price. You can even keep the stud earrings as our thank you for giving us a try.

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