About two years ago a concerned citizen from Calhoun emailed the Coosa Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited about the conditions that existed at Johns Creek in the heavily fished area known as the pocket.

He remarked about the deplorable conditions of the camping areas, the trash that was left behind at the campsites and along the creek and last but not least, the unruly parties that were going all night long. He asked if TU could do something about it. Through cooperative efforts by the U.S. Forest Service, The Department of Natural Resources, Floyd County Public Works and Trout Unlimited, major changes have occurred, and more are under way.

Those anglers who have always had Johns Creek as their fishing destination for opening day are going to find that new regulations are in place. Formerly, if there was enough space along the road to get a car out of traffic the angler could just pull off the road and head for the creek. There are now designated parking areas and parking is only allowed in those designated parking areas. Most of the old pull offs have been seeded and vegetation is now holding the dirt in place and erosion is now minimal. In fact, there is no parking allowed on the stream side of the road at all on State owned land unless it is a designated site.

Those planning to camp for opening day better make a trip in advance and look at the area and plan their trip accordingly. There will be no camping at aoll on any of the state-owned property. Camping is now restricted to the U.S. Forest Service land, and only tent camping is allowed. RV and camper trailers are now restricted to the “Pocket Camp Ground”, which requires a fee and has restroom facilities. The areas that tent camping only is the rule, allows camping on the 20 foot by 20 foot tent pads only.

Camp fires are permitted only if within the campfire rings on forest service lands.

These changes may seem harsh to some that have used Johns Creek as a camping and fishing destination over the years, but the creek was suffering from overuse and misuse and something had to be done. March 16-18, 20 will be major workdays at Johns Creek for the Forest Service and Trout Unlimited. We will be installing at least four tent pads, placing barrier posts to restrict the parking and placing fire rings. This will be the first step in building approximately a dozen tent sites and the result will be a camping area anyone will be proud to visit.

We at Trout Unlimited hope that everyone will come and see the results of our efforts at Johns Creek. The anglers that visit the stream are going to find it remarkably free of trash and the stream bed a little less silted thanks to the work that has occurred over the last few months. We hope that the improvements will make all that visit the area proud. We hope that families will return the area to camp and introduce their kids to fishing and the out of doors.

March trout meeting

The March meeting of The Coosa Valley Chapter will be Thursday, March 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the meeting room behind Scott Logistics on Technology Parkway. The Focus of the meeting will be Johns Creek and the improvements that are underway and also Rock Creek in Murray County.

Our Speakers will be Ruth Stokes and Michele Jones of the U.S. Forest Service. The public is invited and fried chicken and fixings will be served at a minimal fee.

Fly fishing for vets

The fly fishing for vets fishing day at the Chattahoochee River will be April 10 at Paces Mill Park, rain or shine. If you are, or know, a wounded veteran who might want to participate, please plan to go. Ken Griffin is asking for volunteers willing to help assist these heroes that have served their country. Ken is also asking for fishing tackle and wading gear to give these veterans. If you have new or used fly rods, wading shoes, creels or fishing vests that are just gathering dust why not donate them to the cause or bring them to the March Meeting and TU will get them to Ken in time for him to distribute them on Fishing for Vets day. Ken Griffin will be the speaker at the April CVCTU Meeting. For more info, go to www.flyfishingforvets.com.