Drove to Helen GA for lunch at North Georgia Barbeque. Waited in line for some, good pulled pork and chicken. Note – this is BBQ, not fast food, so be prepared to stand in line a little longer than you think you should.
Helen is a nice town with a bavarian feel and lots of activities. Tubing and sightseeing are popular, and it is also a weekend destination for hikers, bikers and other escapees from the Atlanta area.
After lunch we headed to Smithgall Woods for some small stream fishing. Dukes Creek, one of north Georgia’s premier trout streams, runs through the park and is a favorite for catch-and-release fishing. The number of anglers is limited and I would recommend making a reservation. There is no charge.
Hooks must be barbless, and they take the barbless part very seriously. You will be fined $85 for each fly with a barb that is found in your possession.
This is true small stream fishing. The crystal clear water never reached my knee, and there were plenty of pockets and small riffles. Had a few tugs, mainly from small trout, all while fishing nymphs.
While it wasn’t a spectacular day for us, it is a really nice park, great for family outings, hikes, etc. They also have cabins for rent. This was a great place to spend the day. Enjoy!
