Trout Camp
Today’s Georgia Trout Campers are the next generation of conservation leaders.
Since 2004, the Rabun Chapter has taken a lead role in the Georgia TU Council’s summer Trout Camp for boys and girls ages twelve to fifteen. The streamside, hands-on experiences offered at Trout Camp provide more than just casting and fishing lessons, they strive to fully educate youth about the complex issues behind the restoration and protection of our streams and rivers.
Over the past eight years we have prepared and hopefully motivated 191 young folks to carry on the work of Trout Unlimited and to enjoy the sport we all love.
Trout Camp 2012 will be held at Rabun Gap Nacoochee School.
Now is the time to begin the application process!
Think – your kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews, neighbor’s kids, or any kid that is excited about the outdoors and fishing. Rabun Chapter will sponsor 2 campers.
A few facts and instructions
- Camp Dates: June 10 (Sunday) – June 15 (Friday)
- Cost: $450 per camper (financial aid is available) Includes room, board, and all activities for the five-day camp.
- Instructions: Applications must be completed and turned in to Rabun Chapter by 1/9/2012. (Campers must be within the ages of 12 – 15 at time of camp) Information and application forms are available below.
- Mail applications to: Rabun TU, PO Box 371, Clayton, GA 30525 Rabun Chapter will select 2 campers from the applicants to sponsor.
Each of the 13 chapters in Georgia has spots to fill and each chapter decides how they want to select their campers. Once a chapter chooses a camper, the application, along with their tuition check, is forwarded to the Trout Camp Coordinator (Charlie Breithaupt). Campers will be notified of their acceptance as soon as possible. Later, around early May, more detailed information will be sent to each camper.
Questions and/or concerns should be directed to the Camp Coordinator, Charlie Breithaupt, 194 Kitchins Lane; Clayton, GA 30525 knc615@windstream.net (706) 782-6954.
Boys and Girls ages twelve to fifteen learn and practice the sport of flyfishing, study sound conservation practices and enjoy a fun and rewarding experience!
Each camper leaves with his or her own set of fishing equipment!
Closing ceremony in which campers receive a certificate of completion
Fly casting competition with awards presented at closing ceremony
What to expect at Trout Camp
Learning hands-on skills and trout fishing fundamentals
Knot tying
Attaching lines for specific needs
Stream tactics
Presenting the fly
Tackle
Handling and maintenance
Fly Casting
The basics and practice
Entomology
Bugs! Study insect life cycle, physiology, behavior environment, and classification
Fly tying
Create the flies that catch the fish
Fishing on the stream
Applying newly learned skills
At least two hours daily devoted to fishing
One mentor per two campers
Stream etiquette
How we consider others and the environment
Natural Resources and Conservation
A visit to Burton Trout Hatchery and nearby creeks
The trout’s life cycle
Aquatic invertebrates (more bugs!)
Protection of trout habitat
Stream Dynamics/Fish stocking
Work project to restore habitat structures
Particulars
Fees: $450 per camper
Includes a TFO, 9Ft., 5WT, Rod and Reel Outfit, Fly-Vest packed full of flies and other gear, Costa Del Mar Sunglasses, and much, much more!
Trout Camp brochure available here(pdf)
Room and board in the facilities of Rabun Gap Nacoochee School
Application form available here (pdf)
List of what to bring available here
Detailed Trout Camp schedule available here (MS word doc)
Who staffs Trout Camp?
Many TU members willingly volunteer their time and talent to pass on their knowledge and love of fly-fishing to another generation. Our camp is truly a statewide effort as mentors from 10 of the 12 chapters in Georgia show up to help out. Some mentors even take vacation from their jobs and stay all week; you can’t ask for more than that!!
Georgia DNR and USFS personnel provide great support, including leading sessions on stream entomology at Smithgall Woods, visiting Burton Hatchery, stocking the Tallulah River, building structures on Ramey Creek and electro-shocking brook trout all added to the experience for the campers. Even in these tough economic times, these agencies still find a way to give us all the help we need. We couldn’t do it without them. We have also welcomed guest speakers from the national office of Trout Unlimited as well as Jimmy Harris, local expert guide and owner of Unicoi Outfitters.
For further questions, please contact
Charlie Breithaupt – Trout Camp Coordinator
knc615(at)windstream.net
194 Kitchins Lane
Clayton, Georgia 30525
706-782-6954
Below is a list of the men and women who helped with Trout Camp 2010. Thank you, Thank you!!!
- Eedee Adams (Rabun Chapter)
- Doug Adams (Rabun Chapter)
- Dick Albertelli (Foothills Chapter)
- Pat Bradley (Chattahoochee Nantahala Chapter)
- Charlie Breithaupt (Rabun Chapter)
- Kathy Breithaupt (Rabun Chapter)
- Lawrence Bundy (Chattahoochee Nantahala Chapter)
- Gavin Carson (Cohutta Chapter)
- Ron Fry (Kanooka Chapter)
- Louisa Hanney (Upper Chattahochee Chapter)
- Jimmy Harris (Foothills Chapter)
- Sherman Head (Gold Rush Chapter)
- Doug Hickman (Rabun Chapter)
- Pat Hopton (Rabun Chapter)
- Bill Kelly (Rabun Chapter)
- Jim Kidd (Rabun Chapter)
- Dick Luscher (Flint River Chapter)
- Doug Mansfield (Rabun Chapter)
- Mack Martin (Upper Chattahochee Chapter)
- Frank Patton (Rabun Chapter)
- Terry Rivers (Rabun Chapter)
- Fred Ruppel (Gold Rush Chapter)
- Deborah Scott (Gold Rush Chapter)
- Duane Stalnaker (Cohutta Chapter)
- Garland Stewart (Cohutta Chapter)
- Ron Thomas (Foothills Chapter)
- Kevin Thomas (Foothills Chapter)
- Frank Tolbert (Rabun Chapter)
- Larry Vigil (Cohutta Chapter)
- Fritz Vinson (Rabun Chapter)
- Larry Walker (Rabun Chapter)
- Alex Watson (Cohutta Chapter)
- Chris Whitley (Rabun Chapter)
Young Mentors
- Adam Downs (Flint River Chapter)
- Joseph Fincher (Coosa Valley Chapter)
- Daylan Green (Cohutta Chapter)
- Jacob Jones (Kanooka Chapter)
- Bobby Pisciotta (Chattahoochee Nantahala Chapter)
Trout Camp Supporters
Georgia Trout Camp is grateful for the generous support of our partners and sponsors.
Would you like to be a Trout Camp mentor?
Want to mentor at the 2010 camp? We need your background check permission form. Please read the TU National Sex Abuse Policy then download the mentor forms below. Sign both and fax to Charlie Breithaupt.
TU National Sexual Abuse Policy
Mentor Background Check form 2010
Trout Camp Young Mentor Application and Guidelines
Also, you must be a member of TU to serve as a mentor. It’s easy to join.
