HomeOutdoorsEnvironmentReel Time: The land...

Reel Time: The land of shining water

Noontootla is a word derived from the language of the Cherokee Nation in northeastern Georgia. The translation, “land of shining waters,” perfectly describes Noontootla Creek, an 11-mile tributary of the Toccoa River that originates in the mountains near the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail on Springer Mountain.

Reel Time: The land of shining water
Chuck Head, left, and Bob Seegar prepare for a day on Noontootla Creek. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

The small mountain stream is managed as a “natural” stream and holds the healthiest population of “bright” rainbow and brown trout I have encountered in the east. Last week I had an opportunity to fish the creek where it passes through Noontootla Creek Farms, a thousand-plus acre property that was converted from a large farm operation and private hunting club. The property is now open to the public and features excellent trout fishing, quail hunting and an impressive sporting clays course.

The property has been on my list of places to fish for a few years, but it was this trip to Georgia when it all came to fruition. I booked with Unicoi Outfitters in Helen, Georgia just outside of Sautee Nacoochee where our cabin is located. I’ve fished with owner Jimmy Harris and his excellent staff of guides over the years and depend on them to set me up with a knowledgeable guide. I’ve always been pleased, and this trip was no exception. I fished with my friend Bob Seegar from Blue Ridge, Georgia. Bob and his wife, Judy, relocated to North Georgia after many years in Longbeach Village and we have made it a ritual to go fishing when we reconnect in Georgia and Florida. Our guide for the day was Chuck Head, a third-generation area native who guides fly fishers in Colorado during the summer.

 

                                                                                                                     Video by Rusty Chinnis

We met Head at 7:30 a.m. and were on the stream fishing at 8:00 a.m. Seegar fished a double nymph under a strike indicator while I elected to try a dry dropper, a dry fly that doubles as a strike indicator for the nymph. It didn’t take long for me to convert as Seegar had landed three fat rainbow trout before I had a hit. That’s why Head originally suggested the double rig under an indicator. The stream’s fast-flowing water required split shot to get the flies down to the bottom where the trout feed on the aquatic stages of various insects. A dry fly wasn’t buoyant enough to support the added weight. After re-rigging, I was into fish immediately. What made these fish special was their beautiful colors and strong fight. They very closely resembled the bright native trout found out west. I almost always fight trout by hand, but after a couple of break-offs, I started clearing the line and fighting them on the reel. This experience was a perfect opportunity to test my new Hardy 5-weight fly rod and reel. The smooth drag and fast rod made the fight a blast.

Reel Time: The land of shining water
The author prepares to release a brightly colored Noontootla rainbow trout. – Submitted

Seegar is fairly new to fly casting, especially since our times on the water are widely spaced, but has always proved a quick study. This was no exception and in the eight hours we fished, we both had what was arguably our best fishing trip ever. Over the course of the day, we landed close to a dozen rainbow trout, each in the 20- to 24-inch range. This was one of those days that fishermen know to savor as the combination of camaraderie, weather and fishing made for a memorable experience, one I look forward to repeating. If you’re ever in this part of the world, I highly recommend contacting Unicoi Outfitters to experience this and their other excellent trout fishing waters. Check them out on their website. The land of shining waters will not disappoint you.

Most Popular

More from Author

 Reel Time: Salon fundraiser meets with success

Salon (noun) - a conversational gathering of notables held at the...

Reel Time: Check, check and double check!

How many times have you arrived at the boat ramp to...

Reel Time: Suncoast Waterkeeper’s vision expands

Suncoast Waterkeeper (SCWK) has seen phenomenal growth over the last several...

Reel Time: Harbinger of spring

I just heard my first whippoorwill last night, a harbinger of...

Floridian Mortgage wins championship

ANNA MARIA – Spring has sprung and winter sports at The Center are coming to a close, with team Floridian Mortgage earning the win against team Moss Builders Thursday night in the adult co-ed flag football championship game. The top two teams in the league matched up in...

Man completes Chamber passport program in five hours

ANNA MARIA ISLAND - The annual Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce’s Passport Program is a fun way for residents and visitors to the Island to get out and discover Island businesses with a passport offered for free by the chamber. Participants are encouraged to get their passports...

One ARK Foundation raises funds for foster families

live music, delicious food and spirited fundraising as the One ARK Foundation held its second annual “Kindness Matters Extravaganza” at The Cheesecake Cutie & Cafe on March 21. “One ARK” stands for “one act of random kindness” and is a newly-established 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by The Cheesecake...

Save our homes

This column should be titled “Save our Taxes,” since that’s what we’re really talking about. However, saving on property taxes is part of the Save Our Homes benefits and portability transfers are another piece of this law. In January of 2008, the Florida Legislature passed legislation that allows...

 Reel Time: Salon fundraiser meets with success

Salon (noun) - a conversational gathering of notables held at the home of a prominent person. On Saturday afternoon, Suncoast Waterkeeper held its Suncoast Salon fundraiser at the Sarasota home of Anna Maria residents Bill and Debbie Partridge. The event was a sellout and attracted some of...

Temporary paid parking vendors hired

BRADENTON BEACH – City commissioners considered four temporary use parking permits at the March 21 commission meeting and after much discussion, approved three with stipulations, denying one. Permit applications were submitted by developer Shawn Kaleta for temporary parking lots at 102 Third St. N., 207 Church Ave. and...

Fire department sued over rental regulations

BRADENTON – Almost a year after passing a resolution changing the district’s approach to taxing and inspecting vacation rental properties in residential areas, West Manatee Fire Rescue is receiving pushback from one rental owner. During a March 19 commission meeting, the district’s attorney, Maggie Mooney, informed the board...

Bridge Street traffic, parking among commission concerns

BRADENTON BEACH – In what was an unusually lengthy, seven-hour city commission meeting that began at noon on March 21, commissioners dove into parking and traffic issues, pickleball and organ donation. BRIDGE STREET ONE WAY? A Bridge Street business owner asked the commission to consider making Bridge Street one...

Scaccianoce new Bradenton Beach commissioner

BRADENTON BEACH – Ward 1 has a new commissioner. The application for commissioner by business owner and former Manatee County records manager Deborah Scaccianoce was approved by the commission and she was sworn in at its March 21 meeting. She filled the vacant seat left by former Commissioner Jake...

Kruse talks beach parking, Island consolidation

HOLMES BEACH – About two dozen people came out on March 20 to meet with Manatee County Commissioner George Kruse, bringing their questions for the candidate, who is seeking re-election in November. Kruse held a town hall meeting at the Island Branch Library where he answered every question...

Commissioners deny bids for paid parking

BRADENTON BEACH – Rather than partnering with an outside vendor as planned, commissioners are now considering city-managed paid parking lots throughout Bradenton Beach. The city had put out a Request for Proposals (RFP) on Feb. 9 to “Provide the City with a complete parking management and enforcement system...