Lunch and Learn for February 22nd:

“Fossils: Where Geology and Biology Intersect” with Cantey Smith

Leave with three fossils to add to your collection! Learn the basics of the science of fossils from biological and geological perspectives.  Experience how an ancient object can engage, enliven and ensure learning at all ages! This lecture by our director of education is perfect for all ages.

Click Here for Information on Tellus Museum’s Lunch and Learn

The Red Cross is the nation’s largest blood provider, and supplies more than 120 hospitals and heath care facilities throughout the state of Georgia. Most healthy people who are at least 17 years old and weigh 110 pounds or more are eligible to donate every 56 days. All current eligible and new donors are strongly urged to schedule an appointment to donate blood, although walk-ins are welcome.

Remember one donor could potentially save up to three lives!

To schedule a blood donation appointment or for more information contact Jeff Chase in the Parks and Recreation Office at (770) 917-1234.

(Remember, there are many trails to choose from at Red Top Mountain State Park.)

Everyone knows that exercise is one key to being healthy, but not everyone enjoys going to the gym.  Georgia’s State Park system has teamed up with the Georgia Association of Physicians Assistants (GAPA) to make healthy living a bit more fun.  Through the new “Rx for Fitness” Program, physician assistants can prescribe healthy hikes in the great outdoors, and patients can turn intheir “prescriptions” for free park passes.

“Rx for Fitness” is part of the State Park system’s new Tons of Fun Fitness Challenge which encourages citizens to use outdoor recreation as part of their regular exercise.  Park visitors may find that exploring a canyon is more fun than a step machine, and that hiking along a waterfall burns more calories than a treadmill.  The parks also offer less traditional exercise, like lake swimming, geocaching and disc golf.  Even some state historic sites offer walking trails in beautiful settings.

Members of GAPA will be able to help their patients in a new way, by identifying those who need more exercise and suggesting they go for a hike.  By trading their “prescription” for a free pass, patients will not need to pay the $5 parking fee on their first visit.  Those who decide that regular hikes can help them meet weight-loss goals can choose to buy an Annual ParkPass.

“We are so excited to offer a new and unique way of showcasing the benefits of outdoor recreation,” said State Parks Director Becky Kelley.  “When exercise is fun, people tend to stick with it for much longer.  It becomes part of their daily lives, and they have a better sense of well being.  Another benefit of visiting state parks is being able to bring your friends and family along with you.”

“Rx for Fitness” launched February 2nd at the GAPA winter meeting.  It is funded by The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and the Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation.

“Rx for Fitness is a creative way to give more kids and families access to healthy outdoor activities,” said John Bare, vice president of the Blank Family Foundation. “Better fitness is a walk in the park.”

To learn more about the new “Rx for Fitness” program, visit TonsofFun.org.  The website also offers free advice from a personal trainer and nutritionist, healthy recipes, a health journal and more.  To explore all of Georgia’s State Parks and Historic Sites, visit GeorgiaStateParks.org.

Fishing is very good.  The fish are biting well.  We have been catching 15 to 30 fish on most trips. This time last year, big shad kills had almost shut down the fishing.

The north end of the lake has been so muddy that it hasn’t been worth fishing. Likewise, the south end — from Bethany Bridge to Tanyard — hasn’t been worth fishing either. Most of the fish are mid-lake, from Duck Hole down to the dam. There are a few fish being caught from Duck Hole to Harbortown, but the highest concentrations of fish are from Galts Ferry to Clear Creek. There are huge schools of fish and tons of boats in the 1/2-mile stretch at Bartow Carver.

The last two weeks have almost been like a late-summer bite, in that downlines are the deal. The fish are anywhere from 25 to 50 feet deep. I suggest starting the morning with downlines at about 32 feet, then adjusting as you figure out where the fish are.

Medium shiners and shad are working equally well as bait, with trout running a close third. Spoons are also a good option, if the fish appear to be sitting near the bottom. A 1/4-oz. to 1/2-oz. chartreuse Flex-It will get gobbled as quickly as live bait, if the fish are on the bottom. An umbrella rig will also catch a few fish, but fish won’t hit it in muddy water. Find the cleanest water available where you’re still marking fish before you pull a U-rig, especially mid-lake.

Catch some fish with me! Call 770-827-6282 to book a trip with First Bite Guide Service.

This amazing mobile app from Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is available for both iPhones and Androids.

The Georgia DNR Pocket Ranger® Mobile Tour Guide uses some of the most advanced GPS smartphone technology to provide outdoor enthusiasts with features to enhance their visits.  Developed by ParksByNature Network, the free app is available by visiting Apple iTunes, Android Market or StateParkApps.com.

From activity searches and park descriptions, to current weather reports and trail maps, Pocket Ranger® has a wide range of benefits.  App users can find stateparks near them, browse events, apply for boat registration, see campground maps, purchase fishing licenses and more.

DNR officials emphasize that the app’s extensive features, social sharing options and safety functions make it a valuable resource for not only park users but also park rangers.  The app’s advanced GPS section allows hikers to track and share their explorations with other Pocket Ranger® users, family and friends. GPS plays a pivotal role in the app’s safety functions, including an alert feature that informs designated phone contacts of coordinates in case of an emergency.

Agency leaders also hope that Pocket Ranger® will help incite a love of nature in children who typically spend a great deal of time inside with electronics.  By using the app, parents can involve the whole family in deciding which state parks to explore during free time.

Now, even in nature, “there’s an app for that.”

Click Here to Download the Free App

Did you know that the highest point in Delaware is a 448′ bump on a road? In Florida, the highest point is 345 feet in elevation.

When you get together with friends and family for your next picnic at Lake Allatoona, please observe a moment of silence for Americans who live in other boring states, such as Oklahoma and Nebraska.

Obviously, Lake Allatoona is one of the most delightful spots in the USA.  Be sure to share it with your friends.

Click here for the latest information about Picnic Shelters. 

For a virtual tour of Picnic Shelters, click here and Scroll Down.

Linesides: Good.  For stripers, big baits fished on planer boards have been producing some good-sized stripers in good numbers.  I’m using big gizzards or big trout, and I’m back in the creeks and in the rivers. Little River, up to Clear Creek, has been producing best for me.  The key to fishing this part of the lake right now is finding clear water. If the water is muddy don’t waste your time putting out bait. Go find the mud line and start fishing there.

The Hybrid fishing is still good but seems to be best mid-lake.  Fishing with medium-sized shiners and thread-fin shad on down-lines between 20-45 feet deep is working best for them. Look for these fish over the river channel between Galt’s Ferry and Clear Creek.

There is a limited topwater bite on Allatoona right now – but it only lasts about 20 minutes at sunrise.  Trolling has been VERY SLOW for the past few days. Look for it to pick back up as the water clears.

Catch some fish with me! Call 770-827-6282 to book a trip with First Bite Guide Service.

Here is an excerpt from an unusual story written by Monica Burge for Neighborhood Newspapers:

Carl Frisby nimbly maneuvers a scale model aircraft above an open field located just off Allatoona Dam Road on the outskirts of Emerson.  Less than three feet long, the plane looks like something a young boy could spend an afternoon enjoying, but flying model airplanes is not just for kids, Frisby said.

“It’s not a toy,” Frisby said.

Bartow County Model Aviation has about 40 members who meet Wednesdays and Saturdays—weather permitting—to take their model airplanes out for a spin. All it takes is a willingness to learn and follow safety guidelines and proper mechanics.

These “pilots” have years of experience under their belt and consider flying a specialized skill.

“We’re serious about this,” said Treasurer Richard LeClaire.

Click here for the original story at NeighborNewspapers.com

Another new link gives Elevations for Boat Ramps on Lake Allatoona.  If there are items that you’d like us to add, please let us know.  Thanks.

When you want stay informed about Lake Allatoona’s

• Water Levels
• Weather Forecasts
• Status of Beaches and Boat Ramps
• Places to Rent a Boat, Camp, Hike or Relax
• GPS Coordinates for Area Parks
• History
• Location
• Fishing and Hunting Regulations

Click Here for LakeAllatoona.com’s About Page

Red Top Mountain State Park in Cartersville will host a Wilderness Survival School the weekend of February 25th & 26th.  Yes, even you can learn to survive in the wilderness.  (The wilderness that is outdoors, to be exact.  You’re on your own at work and with relatives.  Sorry.)

The Southeast School of Survival has monthly training in subjects such as: shelter, fire, food, water, survival first aid, signaling, and rescue. That’s only a sample of what the Southeast School of Survival teaches in each course.

Don’t end up on a deserted island with Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie without this training!

To register, visit SoutheastSchoolofSurvival.com  or call 770-406-1438.