Gold Cup Challenge 2009
GOLD RUSH CUP FLY FISHING CHALLENGE PROVIDES GREAT MOMENTUM FOR 2010……..SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009.
With the mists rising rapidly at sunrise on the Chestatee River at Frog Hollow Farm in Lumpkin County, anxious fly fishermen gathered to test their skills in the 1st Annual Gold Rush Cup Fly Fishing Challenge. Sponsored by the Gold Rush chapter of Trout Unlimited, chapter members as well as volunteers carefully prepared the venue for the contestants, which consisted of two-person teams from Unicoi Outfitters, Alpharetta Outfitters, Etowah Anglers, Cannon Falls, and Frog Hollow.
Attendance at this event was free and open to the public. As a testament to the popularity of fly fishing, more than 100 people attended to see which two-man team would take home the $1,000 grand prize, along with two beautiful custom-made fly rods. All proceeds from this event went to Trout Unlimited, whose mission is to protect, conserve, and restore the coldwater fisheries and their related watersheds in North Georgia.
Anticipation mounted throughout the day as the five two-person teams rotated between five designated sections of the river, fishing for one hour on each section for two recordable trout per team member. With outstanding weather accompanying the event, observers scampered from one beat to another to take note of the quantity and quality of each team’s catch. Most of the fish offered to each section’s judge for recording ranged in length from 18 to 23 inches, to the delight of all on-lookers!
As the final horn was sounded ending the competition, it was clear that Unicoi Outfitters had taken the day, with the Frog Hollow team taking second place, and the Cannon Falls Lodge team in third. Much applause was in evidence as all teams made their way to the awards site for the final tallies and the presentations by the Gold Rush TU officers!
Many thanks and hurrahs are due to all the officers and members of the Gold Rush chapter of Trout Unlimited, but especially to the members of the Challenge committee, who guided this event to a wonderful conclusion. And with great anticipation, everyone is now looking forward to the 2nd Annual Gold Rush Cup Fly Fishing Challenge in 2010! Stay in touch!
Submitted by PJ Jones, Member, Gold Rush Chapter, Trout Unlimited.
