January 2014

Newsletter of the Cohutta Chapter of Trout Unlimited

Lines from the Leader What’s Inside Lines from the Leader P. 1 Calendar of Events P. 1 Happy New Year to everyone!! I hope everyone had a safe and pleasant Holiday. I look forward to Membership P. 2 another good year with plenty of activities for both SOTM P. 4 conservation and fishing opportunities. Our The Guides Angle P.4 conservation activities start in March with Raccon PROPERTY P. 4 Creek again and hit a peak in the June/July months. Land near added to National Forest P. 5 Thanks to Jeff Walters who will be taking over the Speaker Info for the New Year P. 6 duties of organizing these for our chapter. Presenting Flies Behind a Midstream Rock P. 6 Final EPA Report on Bristol Bay P 7 For the SOTM Brad Wright has done a good job of Dream Trip Flier P. 9 putting together a good variety of areas for us to fish. If you will notice there are only a few that fall the weekend after our meetings so make sure you are aware of when they are if you are interested in going so you get the right information. Calendar of Events rd Cohutta Meeting January 23 th One last note on the calendar to be aware of is the SOTM DH Section… January 25 th Southeast Regional meeting which is being held at Rabun Rendezvous January 25 th the Dillard House from March to I encourage Cohutta Meeting February 27 st everyone who can to attend this to not only show SOTM ??? March 1 your support for the Council and other Meetings are held at the Delkwood Grill Georgia chapters but to meet others in the Southeast 1 mile east of I75 on Delk Road in Marietta, the as well. fourth Thursday of the month.

Just a reminder that the January meeting, in addition to going over the yearly calendar is also our annual swap meet. So clean out your closets of that fishing gear you no longer use and don't limit it to just fishing gear. Any hunting and camping gear as well would make great items to swap.

Can't wait to see what Sonny brings this year.

Jeff

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please review your profile at http://www.tu.org/user Cohutta Chapter #242 Officers or contact me for assistance.

President Tony Rackie Jeff Wilson Phone 404-660-6692 Chapter Membership and information: Email [email protected] [email protected] Vice President Rodney Tumlin Phone 770-974-8726 A “Welcome” to the new folks to our chapter since Email [email protected] the last newsletter. We hope to meet you at one of Treasure our upcoming chapter functions. Please feel free to Kenn Walker Phone 770-377-5474 contact one of the leaders of the chapter if you have E-mail [email protected] Secretary any questions. Steve Westmoreland Phone Email [email protected] Source: Chapter 242 Roster with join date > Nov 15th, 2013

Stream of the Month Name and City Brad Wright Phone 770-235-7684 E-mail [email protected] Jon A. - Marietta, GA

Newsletter Publisher and Editor/Fundraising Thomas B. - SMYRNA, GA Thom Underwood 404-414-1012 Roswell B. - MARIETTA, GA E-mail [email protected] Rich G. - Smyrna, GA John H. - ACWORTH, GA Fisheries Development Committee Nadene H. - MARIETTA, GA Jeff Walters Phone 404-557-0551 E-mail [email protected] John H. - TEMPLE, GA Special Projects and Conservation Janet H. - Villa Rica, GA Diane Minick Phone 770-876-1241 Jeff K. - CANTON, GA E-mail [email protected] Ronald L. - Marietta , GA Membership Committee Parvin L. - WOODSTOCK, GA Tony Rackie Phone 770-712-7231 Email [email protected] Bob L. - Canton, GA Web site Peter L. - CANTON, GA Tony Rackie Email [email protected] Tim L. - Kingston, GA Bruce M. - Atlanta, GA TIC & Education Spencer M. - VILLA RICA, GA John Dykes E-mail [email protected] Xavier O. - Canton, GA Don’t forget to visit our Web Site at Gene P. - Columbus, GA www.tucohutta.org James Q. - Marietta, GA Brady R. - Atlanta, GA Donald R. - Woodstock, GA ROBERT R. - SANDY SPRINGS, GA Membership: Tony S. - CARROLLTON, GA Fred S. - Atlanta, GA

Phil S. - POWDER SPRINGS, GA Hello and Happy New Year. Hopefully Santa brought Ron T. - Cartersville, GA you everything on your wish list. (Rods, reels, Michael T. - Kennesaw, GA waders, boots, trips, maybe even a TU Lifetime Sheb T. - Woodstock, GA Membership) Chandler W. - POWDER SPGS, GA Reynolds W. - KENNESAW, GA I look forward to seeing you all on Thursday January rd For our current members, some items to check: 23 at our first meeting in 2014. Bring any ”stuff” you may want to trade/sell to others since the Has your membership expired or will it soon? January meeting is our annual “swap meet”. (If you Are you correctly assigned to our chapter? don’t have enough “stuff” bring cash to buy from (Cohutta 242) others. ;-)

If you are not sure that you are correctly assigned to our chapter or to check if your membership is current

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Current Membership Info: Cedartown, GA 1 (as of 01/10/2014) Columbus, GA 6 Dallas, GA 17 Active Members = 541 Prior Month = 543 Decatur, GA 1 New Members = 0 Douglasville, GA 14 Renewed/Contributed = 0 Soon to Expire (This Month) = 36 Eatonton, GA 2 Expired (Last Month) = 17 Ellijay, GA 1 Transferred In (30 days prior) = 0 Euharlee, GA 1 Transferred Out (30 days prior) = 0 Address Changes (30 days prior) = 0 Fairmount, GA 1 Steam Explorers (children) = 9 Fort Benning, GA 2 Source: Griffin, GA 1 https://leadersonly.tumembership.org/reports/chapter_membership_c hanges/242 Hiram, GA 3 Holly Springs, GA 1 Sign up for TU or Renew Your TU Membership. Kennesaw, GA 34 https://www.tumembership.org/member/intro Kingston, GA 3 Lithia Springs, GA 1 Please enter chapter 242 to be sure you are Marietta , GA 1 assigned to our chapter Marietta, GA 104 McDonough, GA 1 If anyone has pictures that they would like to share POWDER SPGS, GA 1 please send them to [email protected] . The link for Powder Springs, GA 19 the Chapter’s Pictures is: TU242_Pictures. Rockmart, GA 3 Rome, GA 1 We would like to have them for the newsletter and to show Roswell, GA 2 in our chapter meetings. SANDY SPRINGS, 1

GA Also – if you have any info or articles for our chapter Savannah, GA 1 newsletter please send them to [email protected]. Smyrna, GA 38 Suwanee, GA 1 Taylorsville, GA 1 TEMPLE, GA 3 Villa Rica, GA 6 You can also check out the info available from TU Waleska, GA 4 related to youth, and you may want to consider White, GA 4 giving a subscription to the TU Stream Explorers as Winston, GA 3 a gift to a friend or family member. Woodstock, GA 38 http://www.tu.org/streamexplorers We also have members of our chapter with addresses in 11 other states.

Where do our members live? City and State Y Life Members: Acworth, GA 31 Alpharetta, GA 2 Our chapter now has 78 Life Members Armuchee, GA 1 Join as a TU Life Member and check out the Atlanta, GA 99 current offer for a fly rod, reel, personalized Life Austell, GA 2 Member certificate, member card, a lifetime of Avondale Estates, GA 1 Blue Ridge, GA 2 TROUT magazine and all other associated TU Bremen, GA 2 member benefits. Buchanan, GA 1 *Offer may change.. Check the TU web site for details. Canton, GA 43 Carrollton, GA 12 https://gifts.tumembership.org/member/life?ms=MWL-WFO- Cartersville, GA 8 WLIFE1031WL-H

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SOTM – January 2014 The Guides Angle

Greetings to all. With best wishes to you and yours Winter time is a great opportunity to get your fly for a Happy New Year, it is time to lay out our plans fishing equipment in working order, organize and tie for this year’s Stream of the Month (SOTM) and start flies and yes finally read all those great fishing our list of offerings needed to the weather and books. There is a book just in print called 50 Best generation gods to help us have a more successful Tailwaters to Fly Fish by Terry and Wendy Gunn. year. This book features 56 great fishing rivers across North America that are regulated by dams. Each We will have handouts of the calendar at the January River has a detailed map with access points, fly meeting as well as a soft copy available to those who selections, nearest fly shops, best restaurants and send me an email request for one. much more. Chapters are broken up into four regions; The West, The Rockies, The South and The Our January event will be at Paces Mill on the East. The Authors collaborated with local guides and just to get everybody back into fly shop owners to help write each chapter. Familiar the swing of gearing up and wade fishing in a nice rivers featured in the South include the Toccoa, location. The date is Saturday, January 25th and we Cumberland, Clinch, Watauga, South Holston, will gather at the river (sounds a bit like a church Hiwassee and many more rivers spanning the social to me) at 9 AM (earlier if you want) to get after Continent. This book is now available in most fly it. It will be a good time to leak check those waders shops. Here is an sample feature of the and make sure that those new flies you tied or Chattahoochee River chapter written by yours truly! bought attract fish and not rocks or trees. *sorry Sample to Large to include

We will have lunch provided by the SOTM which will Tight lines! include chips, cookies and water to go with either Chris Scalley whatever meat type we decide to feed you folks (hot dogs or brats or hamburgers, I have not decided SOQUE RIVER PROPERTY yet). If you want something other than water to wash it down please bring your drink of choice. Also don’t January 3, 2014 forget to bring along a monetary donation to pay for your lunch. The standing rate has been 5 bucks per Press release person and inflation hasn’t hit that yet.  The Trust for Public Land has added a 20-acre There will be several camping trips this year and as Soque River property in Habersham County, of right now they are scheduled for March (Deep Georgia, to the Chattahoochee National Forest. The Creek near Bryson City, NC), May (Davidson River, property fronts the Soque River, a popular cold water NC) and October (Rattler Ford, NC) with the stream destination for fly fishers, and is bounded on possibility of adding a trip to the Hiwassee in either two sides by the Chattahoochee National Forest late June or September. We will fish the Toccoa DH adjacent to the Wilderness Area. Until twice this year. Once in February and the other in now public access to the Soque River valley and to November. As of right now we do not plan on fishing the has not been direct. in July or August due to the heat (both air and water This addition allows unfettered public access to and temp) making it unpleasant and non-productive. from the Wilderness to the river.

Stay tuned for more details at the January meeting. The property has been of interest to the USDA Forest Service as an addition to the Chattahoochee So until then, Tight Lines. National Forest. The Forest Service worked with The Trust for Public Land, a national conservation Brad and Joe organization with a Georgia office in Atlanta, to purchase the property from Rabun County Bank, following a foreclosure.

“Protecting this Soque River property increases public access to thousands of acres of publicly 4 owned national forest,” said Curt Soper, The Trust trust is one of the most critical issues for sportsmen for Public Land’s Georgia state director. “This and women, and this project is a great example of particular stretch of river is also home to a significant how we can continue our Mission to help with the population of brook trout, Georgia's only native trout conservation and protection of our cold water species. And the Soque River contributes to the fisheries. Moreover, we also create better hunting quality of drinking water for millions of people and fishing opportunities and protect drinking water downstream in Georgia, Alabama and Florida.” too,” said Mack Martin, Georgia Trout Unlimited Council Chairman. Although only 30 miles in length, the Soque River serves as a vital headwater tributary to the “We are grateful to the Turner Foundation and to Chattahoochee River, part of the primary drinking Trout Unlimited for their support to make this water supply for the city of Atlanta. The Tray happen,” said Soper. Mountain Wilderness Area of the Chattahoochee National Forest is a rugged 9,700-acre landscape The Trust for Public Land is a national nonprofit land named after the dominant Tray Mountain peak. It conservation organization that conserves land for straddles the Blue Ridge crest and is a recreational people to enjoy as parks, gardens, and natural destination for trout fisherman, hunters, hikers and areas, ensuring livable communities for generations campers. Public access to the Soque River and the to come. Established in 1972, TPL has helped Wilderness Area has been limited but adding this protect more than 3 million acres across the nation. mostly forested property to the national forest will The Trust for Public Land depends on the support greatly enhance access. and generosity of individuals, foundations, and businesses to achieve its land for people mission. “Our strong partnership with The Trust for Public Land not only helps to protect the Soque River, but Land near mountain river added to allows us to manage the national forest more national forest efficiently and effectively,” says Betty Mathews, Updated: 11:34 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014 | Posted: 11:33 a.m. Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Supervisor. Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014 “When we are able to further consolidate public lands, we reduce management costs and CLARKESVILLE, Ga. — challenges. It's smart stewardship.” Land near a popular trout fishing river has been Partial funding for the $149,000 addition to the added to the Chattahoochee National Forest in the national forest came from the federal Land and mountains of northeast Georgia. Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). LWCF is generated from offshore oil and gas receipts, rather Officials with the nonprofit Trust for Public Land say than from taxpayer dollars. U.S. Senators Johnny the addition of the 21 acres in Habersham County Isakson and Saxby Chambliss supported this will give the public easier access to the Tray conservation effort. The purchase price was 42 Mountain Wilderness Area and the Soque River. percent of the appraised value. The purchase of the property was also made possible by generous The San Francisco-based Trust for Public Land said support from the Turner Foundation and Trout it worked with the U.S. Forest Service to purchase Unlimited. the property from Rabun County Bank following a foreclosure. “The Turner Foundation is pleased to support The Protecting the Soque River property increases public Trust for Public Land’s efforts to safeguard the access to thousands of acres of publicly owned Soque River, the habitats and watersheds of the national forest, Curt Soper, the trust's Georgia state Chattahoochee National Forest, and the public’s director, said in a statement. access to enjoy both,” said Michael Finley, President of the Turner Foundation. "This particular stretch of river is also home to a significant population of brook trout, Georgia's only “The Georgia Council of Trout Unlimited is pleased native trout species," Soper said. "And the Soque to be able to help our partners secure access to one River contributes to the quality of drinking water for of Georgia’s best native trout fisheries. Protecting millions of people downstream in Georgia, Alabama our mountain streams and watersheds for the public and Florida." 5

The Soque River, about 30 miles in length, is considered a vital headwater tributary to the Chattahoochee River, part of Atlanta's primary drinking water supply, the trust said in announcing the land purchase.

"Our strong partnership with The Trust for Public Land not only helps to protect the Soque River, but allows us to manage the national forest more efficiently and effectively," Betty Mathews, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests supervisor, said in a statement.

The purchase of the property was also made possible by support from the Turner Foundation and Trout Unlimited, trust officials said.

"The Turner Foundation is pleased to support The Trust for Public Land's efforts to safeguard the Soque River, the habitats and watersheds of the Chattahoochee National Forest, and the public's access to enjoy both," Michael Finley, president of the Turner Foundation, said in a statement.

Copyright The Associated Press

Speakers for the Year

This month there is no speaker. It is Swap Meet night. Bring all the stuff you want to trade or sell! February we will have Walt Lariscy with Georgia To cast a dry fly or a nymph to a midstream rock, position yourself Kayak Fishing and Outside World in Dawsonville. downstream and to one side. Cast to the near-side “shoulder” of the rock He'll be giving us lots of pointers on kayak fishing (A), and drift the fly down the seam. Next, if possible, dap the fly directly techniques, the best boats to use on different waters, behind the rock (B), and then drop it slightly downstream (C) to cover the V between the converging seams. Finally, move across stream and fish anchoring techniques and much more. It should be the far shoulder of the rock (D). really interesting and helpful to those who are experienced as well as those who haven't yet tried it. Answer: One of the first things a fly fisher learns is I am looking for speakers for the rest of the year. If that trout like to sit behind rocks. (They also like to sit anyone has ideas, don't hesitate to tell me or email in front of rocks, but that’s another column.) The me at [email protected]. problem of presenting a fly to these fish is caused by the complex currents created by the rock. At the very least, the angler must contend with the river’s main Presenting Flies Behind a Midstream flow, the faster seams along both sides of the rock, Rock and the dead water or eddy behind the rock. Keep in by Philip Monahan mind that the fish is usually not sitting directly behind illustrations by Marshall Cutchin the rock, but slightly downstream, usually inside the Have a question you want answered? Email it to us V where the seams on either side of the rock at [email protected]. converge. Your best bet for fishing a nymph or dry fly is to approach from downstream, so you won’t have Question: What’s the best way to present a dry fly to cast across as many conflicting currents. or a nymph to a fish holding behind a midstream rock? I have trouble getting any kind of good drift. Let’s start with a dry fly. You don’t want to cast your line directly over the fish, so if possible start Pete C., Wellington, NZ downstream and slightly to one side of the rock. Try to get as close as you think prudent; in fast, choppy 6 water, you can probably wade within 10 or 15 feet of Wood calls on the EPA “to immediately protect your target, as long as you don’t throw a shadow Bristol Bay from destructive mining.” over the lie. Make your cast to the “shoulder” of the rock, where the seam begins, and allow the fly to drift right down the seam. Don’t pick up the fly too early; allow the drift to continue below the rock for as long as possible. If you pick up too early, you may spook the fish. Plus, there’s always the chance that a fish is holding farther downstream. At short distances, you can keep most, if not all of the fly line off the water by “high-sticking,” keeping your rod tip high. The less line you have on the water, the less chance there is for currents to ruin your drift. If you can’t wade within high-sticking distance, try a pile cast, which dumps your leader in a heap of slack around the fly. This slack lets the fly drift naturally for longer before drag on the fly line ruins the drift.

After you’ve made several drifts down the seam without a strike, cast to the broken water behind the rock. If you’re close, you can “dap” your fly in the eddy behind the rock, pick up, and then drop the fly in the downstream wash. Drift your fly through all the broken water inside the V created by the current seams on either side of the rock. If nothing happens, wade across and fish the far seam.

When possible, fish a dry-and-dropper tandem rig. Even when your dry-fly drift isn’t going well, the nymph below looks natural as it is buffeted by the currents. If you want to fish nymphs under an indicator, the same tactics apply, but you’ll want to cast farther upstream to give the nymphs time to sink. To drive the nymphs to the bottom, you can make a tuck cast, in which you stop the rod high on the presentation stroke, which causes the end of the line to swing downward, breaking through the surface tension more quickly.

Final EPA Report on Bristol Bay

Posted on January 19, 2014 by Erin Block

The final report from The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding the environmental impacts the proposed pebble mine would have on the Bristol Bay ecosystem has been released to the public. “Our report concludes that large-scale mining poses risks to salmon and the tribal communities that have depended on them for thousands of years,” says EPA regional administrator Dennis McLerran in The Washington Post. And in a statement released from Trout Unlimited, president and CEO Chris 7

Cohutta TU Chapter Supporters Steve Lamb Georgia Fly Guide 678-986-0703 NEW Thank these folks for supporting the Cohutta TU WEB SITE www.georgiaflyguide.com Chapter throughout the year. Fly Shop Gary Merriman the Fish Hawk 864-638-2806 404-237-3473 www.crflyshop.com www.thefishhawk.com Andy Bowen Cohutta Fishing Company Willie Perry Fly Box Outfitters 770-606-1100 678-594-7330 www.cohuttafishingco.com www.flyboxoutfitters.com Mike CutThroat Leader Company Jimmy Harris Unicoi Outfitters 208-559-4788 706-878-3083 http://www.cutthroatleader.com/ www.unicoioutfitters.com Janice Caney Fork Outdoors Cabins David Perry Southeastern Fly Guide Service 931-858-0967 615-796-5143 www.caneyforkriverrunners.com www.southeasternfly.com Randy Ratliff East Tennessee on the Fly Chris Scalley River through Atlanta 423-360-1468 www.easttnonthefly.com 770-650-8630 Joe or Eric Lake and Stream Guide Service www.riverthroughatlanta.com 706-669-4973 www.lakeandstreamguideservice.com Orvis – Atlanta 404-841-0093

www.orvis.com

Abbey Jackson Blackhawk Trout Stream To conserve, protect and restore 706-947-3474 North America's Coldwater fisheries www.blackhawkfishing.com and their watersheds

Henry Cowen Cowen's Quality Flies and Guide Service [email protected] home 678-513-1934 cell 678-677-5382

Tic Smith Southeastern Anglers 866-55TROUT www.southeasternanglers.com [email protected]

Bill Oyster Oyster Fine Bamboo Fly Rods 706-372-4239 www.oysterbamboo.com

Mack Martin Atlanta Fly Fishing School 404-550-6890 www.atlantaflyfishingschool.com

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Dream Fly Fishing Trip for two! Dream Trip - Fly Fishing For Two!

Dream Fly Fishing Trip for two!

John McGarity - owner and GRAnD pRize host of the 2013 Dream Trip

• 5“The days 2014 fishing Dream Trip and reaches 6 nights new heights. lodging The opportunity with meals to fish with at John McGarity, stay in his fabulous log cabin conveniently located between the Madison River, Yellowstone National Park and the Henry's Fork puts you smack dab in the middle of some of the most famous a trout private waters in c Northabin America. in Island John is thePark, consummate ID ntroutear angler, fishing almost every day during the 5 or 6 months each year he resides in Idaho. Blue Ribbon Flies in West Yellowstone checks with John for fishing reports. Having been a restauranteur, John is also an the west entrance of Yellowstone National Park. excellent cook... you will not go hungry on this trip! TU couldn't ask for a better host and guide for this year's Dream Trip.” -Jimmy Harris, • 5 days fishing and 6 nightsowner, Unicoilodging Outfitters with meals at A float trip on the Madison River is included. a private cabin in Island Park, ID near • 5 days hostedAugust fishing 1– 6, /2010 6 nights lodging in idaho Julythe west28- entrance August of Yellowstone 2, 2014 National Park. A float trip on the Madison River is included. • $500 total in travel expenses - travel arrangements will be the responsibility of the winners. *Fishing licenses, gratuities, and alcoholic beverages will be the responsibility of the winners during their stay. August 1– 6, 2010 • Each winner receives: Choice of Winston BIII-x or Sage ONE 4, 5 or 6 wt rod A fly reel with Scientific Angler line A fly box and flies for the trip (Approx. 5-7 dozen per box)

Proceeds Benefit TU Cold Water• WiConservationnston 9 foot, 5 weight, and Trout4 piece CampBoron II-X custom made fly rod Tickets $10 • A LOOP fly reel with Scientific Angler line • Winston 9 foot, 5 weight, 4 piece Boron II-X customThe winnner(s) ofmade this raffle are responsible fly for •any rod taxA due fly on the boxvalue of the and winnings. flies for the trip (Approx. 5-7 dozen per box) Runne • A LOOPR up pR flyizes: reel with Scientific Angler line • $1,000 total in travel expenses - travel arrangements will be the responsibility of the winners. • A fly box• Temple and Fork flies fly rod.for (9’ the 4 piece, trip Professional (Approx. series or5 -TiCr,7 dozen 4, 5 or 6 wt).per Donated box) Fishingby Atlanta licenses, Fly gratuities, and alcoholic beverages will be the • $1,000Fishing total School. in travel expenses - travel arrangements will responsibility of the winners during their stay. • Temple Fork BVK 4-5 reel. Donated by Atlanta Fly Fishing School. **for complete rules and details visit www.georgiatu.org • Six dozenbe the flies inresponsibil nice fly box. Donatedity of by theAtlanta winners. Fly Fishing School. Fishing licenses,• Five day trip gratuities, to Kasba Lodge, and NWT, alcoholic Canada for one beverages person. Trip is willset up be for twothe people for 5 days. responsibilityWinner or partner ofmust the pay forwinners second person during @$3695 their individual stay. rate. Dates are open for **for completeselection at http://ww.kasba.com.rules and details Donated visit by www.georgiatu.orgthe Kasba Lodge, NWT, Canada. • Certificate to Fly Fishing Class or Fly Casting Class at the Atlanta Fly Fishing School. Donated by Atlanta Fly Fishing School. Jimmy Harris owner of Unicoi Outfitters • Custom made Temple Fork fly rod of winner’s choice. (Professional series, TiCr or TiCrX). Donated by Garland Stewart. • Full day guided float trip on the Chattahoochee River for 2 people. Includes lunch and soft drinks. Donated by River Through Atlanta Guide Service. Gordon Walker will be the guide. • Half day guided fishing trip with Henry Cowan on the Chattahoochee for carp, for stripers or . (Anglers’ choice.) • One half-day unguided fishing for two people at Nacoochee Bend. Donated by Jimmy Harris, Unicoi Outfitters. • Fly Box with 6 dozen flies, donated by the Georgia TU Chapters - 2 drawings. • Surprise gift Must be present to win!

For complete rules and details visit www.georgiatu.org